Scars That Never Fade- A New Generation of Hunger Games

Chapter 10

I paced, panicking as I waited for the interviews to begin. I was horrible at public speaking, and stuttered frequently. The other tributes waited around, trying their best to faze each other out. Most of them looked older than me. I noticed the District 2 girl looking at me. My heart stopped as I recognized her as my old neighbor Romy Haverson. She was a sweet little thing, and I hoped we could possibly become allies. Her long, dark hair was curled down her back and she wore a shimmering pink dress. She smiled at me, right before she was led onto the stage.

The host, Otis Bravado, greeted Romy as she came up on the stage. I soon found out she was the youngest tribute this year, at only 12. She smiled brightly at all the attention. The crowd seemed to love her, oohing and ahhing at her innocence and bravery. They cheered her name as she left he stage.

Some of the other tributes were fierce and frightening, playing their ferociousness to a point that I found almost ridiculous. The kids from 1, the boy from 7, and the girl from 4 were doing this continuously. Perhaps they would form an alliance. Before I knew it, Volker was on the stage.

He got loads of sympathy from his inability to speak. But he had them rolling with his comical written comebacks and gestures.

"How are you liking the Capitol ladies?" asked Otis playfully. Volker wiggled his eyebrows and winked at the girls in the audience, who giggled. Some looked on the verge of fainting. I was glad. I presumed that Volker and I would be allies, and whatever helped him, helped me as well.

"Your turn, sweetheart," says Haymitch as I'm ushered onto the stage. The crowd oohs when they see me. I must have made a lasting impression on them. Otis smiles to greet me. His eyes are orange, probably some Capitol novelty.

"Fern Hawthorne, everyone, from District 12!" The crowd goes wild, and I curtsy.

"So, Fern, tell us how old you are," says Otis kindly.

"Fourteen," I respond. I must be one of the youngest here, because it draws severals "aww's" and sympathetic looks from the audience.

"How does it feel to be the third-youngest tribute in the games?" He asks. Third-youngest? That thought shook me.

"Well, I have to admit, it's pretty intimidating," I say, "But don't count me out! Age is just a number," I pipe. I see the kids from One roll their eyes on the sidelines. The crowd loves it though.

"So, what do you think of Volker, the boy from your District?" Otis asks me.

"He's a great friend," I say without hesitating, "I would watch out for him in the arena. I'm sure he has more than a few tricks up his sleeve."

"That's fantastic!" shouts Otis, "Two youngsters, so supportive of each other!" He smiles. "So, can you tell us about your outfit tonight?" The crowd whoops and roars again. I hear them shout my name and I smile. I'm not used to any attention at all.

"Well," I begin, "my stylist is Tybalt. And Abraxas and Dagny helped as well. They were great. My outfit resembles a diamond. Even though in District 12, we mine coal, sometimes we find a diamond in the rough." The crowd stares at me in awe. "Well, I'm that diamond, I suppose." I say it as humbly as I can, and the crowd goes insane. I've never seen such an uproar in all my life.

"I must say," says Otis, "in all my years of watching the Games, I've never seen some one so innocently beautiful as you." I blush, and he continues. "Now, before we wrap up the interviews for today, Fern, what would you like to say to your folks at home?"

I think of something to say. "Well," I stutter, "um, my grandmother- thank you for everything, I love you so much. And my dad." I try not to get emotional, but it is hard to keep tears from coming down. "Dad, I love you more than anything. Don't be too upset if I go. I'm so, so sorry." The crowd gasps and they applaud me. Otis stops.

"Now, what about your mother? What about her?" he asks me.

"She's dead. She died when I was very young, I believe she was terribly ill."

Otis looks sympathetic and the audience is silent. "You are very, very brave. Fern, win these games for your dad, you hear me?" I nod, and smile at him.

"I will try," I manage to say. The crowd screams louder than before, and I am escorted off the stage. Haymitch, Lina, and he rest of the team are applauding me.

"Nice job, sweetheart, that's gonna get you a ton of sponsors," Haymitch told me.

"I sure hope so."