Broken Promises

chapter 5

Athena begins to breathe heavily at the sight of Caesar Flickerman introducing her to the crowd. Caesar Flickerman has been the host of the Hunger Games' interviews for over forty ears is sporting a metallic grey suit and his jet black hair is slicked back. His whitened smile is blinding. Jason gives her a slight push up the stairs, encouraging her forward. She stumbles and lands on her knees from the tall heels Genevieve installed her into. She stands after readjusting herself and tries to walk as gracefully as she can across the stage. She makes it to the chair near Caesar and quickly slumps into it. Way to be graceful Athena. The crowd mildly cheers her long green dress that resembles a forest floor and her long windswept hair.

“Welcome everyone, District 7’s ATHENA TAYLOR!” He hollers eagerly. The crowd gives small cheers before quickly quieting down.

“So Athena, who are you trying to get home to if you win these games?” He asks politely.

“Well, of course my parents and most of all, the love of my life, Tyler.” Athena replies quietly while fidgeting with her hands. The crowd sighs as if her pain affects them in any way.

“Athena, you scored very well in the private training. Can you give us a hint of what you did?” He asks excitedly leaning towards her seat. A microphone outstretched in his hand.

“Well let’s just say the crowd will be very shocked when they find out.” She replies with a spontaneous wink.The crowd murmurs remarks questioning what her strategy will be for the arena.

“And these outfits that you’ve been wearing are very…um… out there.” He deceives her with a fake smile as enthusiastically as he can to spare her feelings.

“Yes. My stylist Genevieve is just magical with a needle and thread.” Athena answers with a phony gesture of her hands and a grin. The buzzer sounds and she stands as the crowd cheers energetically. After she wobbly walks off the stage, they begin to cheer loudly at the sight Jason. She whips around to see him blowing kisses flirtatiously at the crowd.  She rolls her eyes and thinks about how arrogant he is. She walks over to Johanna and Genevieve who are looking into the small monitor as Jason’s interview proceeds.

“So Jason, how do you like the Capitol so far?” Caesar asks with a wide smile.

“Well, the only thing that really has taken my breath away while I’ve been here is the sight of a girl.” He blushes a deep shade of red. The crowd pleads for him to continue.

“Well she’s absolutely beautiful and she has the most gorgeous grey eyes that you get easily lost into. She has soft long brown hair that I always get the urge to run my fingers through.” He smiles softly looking down at the ground clearly pondering a memory. This is the first time she's seen him talk about something with such sincerity. The thought warms her heart quirking the ends of her lips up. A little girl in the first row of the crowd stands up and screams.

“HE’S TALKING ABOUT ATHENA! HE’S IN LOVE WITH ATHENA!” The whole crowd begins to shout and chaos breaks through. She feels her cheeks flare up turning bright pink just as the buzzer noises ending Jason’s interview. He walks off silently then towards the direction of Athena.

“Athena, wait.” He reaches out to her but she’s already down the hall running into her room. She slams the door in his face right as he reaches it. She throws herself onto her bed and allows the tears to fall onto her pillow. What has he done? Tyler has probably already heard the little girl and is already having his way with some other girl from the town. Jason pleads for Athena to open the door but she leaves him out in the hall until he finally gives up with a sigh and goes to his own room.

She falls asleep onto her wet pillow still in her long green forest dress.