A Pact To Keep, A Game To Win

7

An eleven! He had pulled an eleven! I still couldn't believe it! He blew most everyone else away, including Madge who received a four. The Careers got 9s or 10s. The Gamemakers must have been extremely impressed with his traps and snares, his size and dark demeanor probably hadn't hurt either. He looked like someone ready to fight. It would be hard for them to believe underneath that tough exterior was a boy who had a soft spot for kids, was fiercely devoted to his family and laughed and joked so easily in the woods, with a smile that could transform his face in an instant. I know he showed them his traps. Yes he can hunt with a bow and arrow (not as well as me however) and is strong, but he isn't the type to show off. There is no way he would stand there throwing spears across the room or mutilating things with a sword. He strives for the best but he's not obnoxious about it.I imagine the conversation we'd be having if he were here right now, sitting on the chair next to mine in my small kitchen. I would be teasing him about it at first, and then I would congratulate him, because I really am proud of his skills. He would say with a touch of sarcasm, "Well, there's some room for improvement there." And then flash one of those smiles that tell me he's joking. I'd shove him and not hesitate to return the smile. He always knew how to make me smile, though I typically only did when surrounded by the trees in the woods. I miss him.The seal of Panem flashes on the screen across the room and the anthem crackles out of the old television set. Caesar Flickerman, the seemingly ageless host of the tribute interviews, with his pale face, blue hair and matching blue suit with twinkling stars all over it, comes bounding out on stage to the applause of a roaring audience. His excited grin is almost comical. It is scary how he's physically looked the same every year, not a wrinkle or a sign of his true age. At least he doesn't look too freakish this year. I do not pretend to have a clue about fashion or style, but the things people in the Capitol do to themselves is sickening- they're so delusional. They actually think they look attractive. Little do they know but they are the butt of most jokes in the Districts.Caesar is followed on stage by the 24 tributes; all are of varying ages, all impeccably dressed. The beautiful ones always manage to nab sponsors. While they take their seats the camera pans out to the audience- the City Circle is jam packed with adoring Hunger Games fans, all craning to get a glimpse at this year's tributes. This is the last time they'll see them before they are transformed into killers, covered in blood and mud, and no longer resemble their former selves. It's the last reminder that they are just a bunch of teenagers.First up is the female tribute from District 1, a blond in a nearly see-through dress named Glimmer. Ugh. This girl hasn't even said anything yet and she already bothers me. The ridiculous name, trying to be sexy, she just seems so fabricated. It must come from living in the Luxury District.After her three minutes are up, the buzzer goes, and then it's the boy's turn. Caesar continues through the line of tributes in that pattern and in consecutive district order. He is as charismatic and friendly as ever, reacting in just the right way and asking all the right questions. He knows exactly what the crowd wants to hear. It's almost like his questions to each tribute are planned out, because by the end of each interview we know exactly what kind of angle the tribute is playing. Their fates are being created right before our eyes.The further along they get in the line there is a noticeable change in the tributes' size. The Career districts, which hold the Capitol's favour, who have trained for this and never want for food are bulkier. The closer they get to District 12, the skinnier and more malnourished the kids appear. There are exceptions, like Gale and the ox of a boy, Thresh, from 11, but you still know they've had to go without food on more than one occasion.Finally it's Madge's turn. She looks amazing; her expensive dresses at home pale in comparison. She's in this long silken dress covered in red, yellow, and white gems. When she walks she flickers like a flame. Her stylist is obviously pulling out all the stops to continue the fire theme from the parade. They show her stylist on the screen, who humbly nods in thanks for the applause his dress receives. I bet behind that calm exterior hides a great mastermind. I'm pleasantly surprised. Cinna is not the outrageously, flamboyant person I thought, he is young, his hair looks natural, he is simply yet tastefully dressed and the only added feature I can immediately see is a bit of gold eyeliner. He must be new, I've never seen him before and I would have remembered someone like that. He's so normal looking and doesn't seem shallow at all. I feel bad for having been so judgmental before- this is actually someone from the Capitol I can respect.The Hawthornes are here watching the interviews with us and now that it is District 12's turn the television gets our undivided attention.Madge actually appears quite comfortable sitting up there in front of all those people; shoulders back, ankles crossed, hands clasped in her lap and a polite smile on her face. She's charming. It must come from being in the "public eye" at home, no acting required."So, Madge, your father, he's the Mayor of District 12, am I correct?" Caesar kick starts the interview."Yes he is," she replies with a sweet bob of her head. "I'm proud to be his daughter. He does a wonderful job, and the people there really respect him."This was true. There was little to complain about with Mayor Undersee. He didn't crack down on the law and was fair. It could have been a lot worse. He got away with it probably because we were such a poor and neglected part of Panem.Caesar continues to ask her about her life in District 12 then comments that she must be quite popular as the Mayor's daughter and what did her friends think about her getting the opportunity to come to the Capitol."Oh, well at some point I think we all dream about visiting the Capitol, we grow up learning about it and it all seems so wonderful, a place where anything can happen. I wish I had been able to come before."Caesar reaches over to touch her wrist. "We are all very happy to have you here." He gives her a soft smile. "Now about your friends."Madge pauses. She's preparing herself for what she will say next. Obviously she isn't going to tell the whole country that she really doesn't have many friends and that one of them is a poor girl who hunts illegally."To be honest with you Caesar, I'm really just an ordinary, average girl. There are definitely girls more popular than me at school," she says this with a giggle. "I guess you could say I have all the friends that I want. And I know they'll be watching me in the Games.""That's wonderful Madge, to have friends like that." He then gets a mischievous twinkle in his eye and leans forward. "Any of them a particularly... special friend? You know you can tell me.""Special?" She hesitates, takes a deep breath and blushes as her red lips turn up at the corners. Her voice drops to just above a whisper. "Oh, that kind of special." As she says this she turns her head to where Gale is sitting on stage. And then the buzzer goes. Shock registers on Caesar's face; mouth slightly agape, his eyes darting back and forth between the two District 12 tributes. A murmur ripples through the audience and even continues into the people sitting around my house.My heart plummets to my toes. I'm light headed and have to place both hands on the table to steady myself. What does that mean, that blush, that look? Madge likes Gale? When did this happen? How did this happen?"District 12, Madge Undersee." I hear the stunned host say.I can still hear the crowd trying to put together the series of things that just occurred, when Gale is called up.Once Gale is situated you can tell Caesar is just itching to ask him about Madge. But this is now Gale's interview time not hers. If he wants to ask he'll have to find a way to wiggle the question in at the end.Despite the shock and slight anger over what Madge just said, my heart switches gears and gives a little leap. I can't take my eyes off Gale. For as long as I've known him he's only ever worn plain clothes; in neutral tones, and usually a little ill fitting showing signs of being very well worn. But this man on the screen in front of me is an entirely different person. Dark hair trimmed up and slicked back, face completely smooth and wearing a perfectly tailored black suit with flame accents that show off his broad shoulders. All physical traces of the Gale I knew have been erased. If the girls here were drooling before because they thought he was gorgeous, all rough and unkempt, many must be passed out right now. And for once I don't blame them. I'm attracted to him like a moth to a flame. That's my best friend sitting up there. Mine. I can tell Hazelle is proud of her boy too. She's beaming, gushing over his fine suit to my mother.Caesar has managed to subdue the crowd enough to being the interview. "So Gale, we were all very impressed by your training score. An eleven! You must have shown the Gamemakers something truly spectacular. What was your reaction to being awarded such a number?""I can see how that would be you be exciting for you. Can't say I really cared, having a high score doesn't mean I'll win. Just means I have a higher chance of sticking around longer. It's good news for those in the betting circles though. If anything it makes me a bigger target." Gale says coolly, with a stony expression.Caesar is taken aback a bit by Gales' comment, but recovers quickly. He has basically called out the citizens of the Capitol for their ignorance and subsequent callousness. They really don't see what is wrong with watching kids murdering each other for entertainment. He couldn't be more opposite to Madge, who came off as the Capitol's biggest fan."Well you do not see like the kind of fellow who is going to give up easily. You already demonstrated your spirit at the reaping. Can you tell us what was going through your mind?"I could tell he didn't want to respond, to let the whole country into such a personal moment. He's obviously been told by his mentor to answer regardless of his feelings, but knowing him, he'll answer in his own way."I can't say that I'm surprised I'm here. I am surprised at how it happened.""Yes, yes. You volunteered. For your brother correct?""Yeah, for my 12-year-old kid brother. His name was only in there once, while mine was in there way more times that is should have been." He's done it again, worked a little bit of blame into his terse response. "There was no way I was about to let him enter the Games.""Because you thought he wasn't ready?" Caesar asks."No!" Gale snaps. "Because he's my little brother and I'd do anything to protect him, even if it means dying. That's what you do for the people you love."Caesar smiles and clasps an uncomfortable Gale's shoulder. "You certainly are an honourable young man and we wish you all the best. Your friends and family must be very proud of you."Gale's resolve looks to be slipping a bit while staring into Caesar's encouraging face, as if he knows what question is coming next."Now, Gale, before we run out of time I must ask, because we're all dying to know. A handsome boy like you must be use to attention- especially from the girls. Is there someone you may happen to like, a certain girl from District 12 perhaps?"All of Panem knows what he is hinting at or rather who. And that brings back my irritation. The insinuation that there is something between Gale and Madge, I know them both and have probably watched every interaction they have had. Nothing ever hinted at feelings deeper than brief acquaintances. Especially with Gale, he would have told me if he like a girl.So I am extremely surprised when I see a wistful look in his eyes- the kind of look he gets when we're lounging in the grass and he's spouting off all his idealistic plans about what life could be. This is the only glimpse the audience has ever received of the person beneath that hard exterior.Gale even allows a small smile to flit across his lips, before saying with a surprising amount of certainty, "Yeah, Caesar, yeah there is."