The Hunger Games (Writing Contest) [CLOSED]

Leya Brooks-Interview

I stand in a long line with the other tributes, waiting for my turn to be interviewed. I look down and run my hands along the silky fabric of my dress, hoping that it will make some of the pressure go away. My mouth presses itself into a tiny smile, admiring my stylist's beautiful work. He designed a perfect dress that falls down to the calf area, with a simple light peach color and jewel encrusted waistline. The elbow length sleeves sit off of my shoulders, and a silver necklace glints almost inconspicuously in the dim lighting of the backstage room that we stand in. And the hair- he intricately braided a few strands, then pinned them back to stand out against my golden locks that he transformed into waves. My smile tightens back up as the next tribute is called. I look up and see Seth and Addalyn standing a few spots ahead of me, and Ember a few spots behind. I am grateful to have found these people. I won't have to be alone in the Games.

My mind goes back to the plan. Just a few days ago, I met with Seth to form a strategy that will make the Capitol love us, or, at the very least, love him. I think about how I instructed Seth to share with the audience that he has a crush on one of the tributes, but would have to remain secretive about who that fake crush is. That way, the Capitol citizens will be intrigued with the circumstance, constantly wondering who this crush is. This, in turn, will bring more attention to Seth, and therefore, his alliance as well. This knowledge makes me a little calmer, because people will love us a tad more.

I am knocked out of my thoughts when Caesar announces, "Next up, let's welcome Addalyn Maxwell from District 7 to the stage!" The audience gives a huge round of applause as she sits down in a chair next to Caesar. She presents herself as a stunningly fierce teen girl, something I could never manage. She is so brave, and I really admire her courage. As she finishes her interview, the crowd again shows its eagerness through an incredible amount of clapping and cheering.

"And now, let's welcome District 7's male tribute, Seth Gunner!" Seth glances at me as he steps towards the stage. I give him a slight nod as he turns his head back and forms a wild grin on his face for the audience. I am confident that he will do great. The plan has to work. He's brilliant, and the Capitol will love him. Right? Of course, I remind myself. I watch as he so easily responds to Caesar's questions, producing various reactions from the audience. They love him, they relate to him, they feel sorry for him, and they are excited for him. And when Caesar asks Seth if he has a lover to go back home to, he replies with a perfect answer that makes the crowd go crazy- that he has met someone recently, and believes that they don't feel the same way about him, but cannot tell who it is, though Caesar will have the opportunity to speak to them soon. I feel the corners of my mouth rise a little, as he delivered that perfectly, then return my lips to their previously tightly pursed expression. Seth finishes his interview and strolls backstage. His smile fades once he is safely out of view of the cameras. His stance, however, remains strong, and a few muscles stand out through the dark fabric of his suit. As he walks out of the room, he turns his head just enough so that I can see a twinkle in one of his wondrous soft green eyes. I nearly smile again in content with his great job at fulfilling the plan, but am then forced out of my pleasant state of mind when Caesar calls for the girl from 8.

Once the two from 8 have both finished their interviews, I stand at attention, waiting for my signal to go onstage.

"Please help me welcome to the stage, Leya Brooks from District 9!" Caesar exclaims. I take a small breath in preparation for the vast number of people that will be watching me live, both on-screen and in person. I force a friendly smile onto my face as I stride up the steps and onto the stage. I wave at the audience, wishing to be respectful in return for the thousands of voices which are now cheering me on. I carefully sit down in a chair across from Caesar, crossing one leg over the other.

"So, Leya! How has it been to be in such a different place as the Capitol for the last several days?" Caesar asks.

"Oh, it's been amazing! Everything is so different here than in District 9, but it's a good kind of different," I quickly explain.

"Speaking of 9, could you tell us a little bit about your life back home?"

"Of course," I quietly reply. "I worked in the grain fields for a few years. I've got my two parents, and Sera and Tommi, who are my best friends. I don't have much else than that, though."

"Well, it certainly sounds like this has brought a lot of excitement into your life, now, hasn't it?" he prompts.

"Yes, definitely," I say in a sweet voice. I may not like all of this excitement, as Caesar calls it, but I want to make sure that I remain kind.

"So, I'm sure that we all have been wondering about how ready you are for the arena. Do you feel prepared for the Games?"

"Well, I'm not much of a fighter, but I will be sure to do my best in everything. I guess you could say that I'm pretty good with survival skills, so that kind of makes up for the fighting," I say, suddenly feeling a lot shyer.

"That's alright! I wouldn't count you out if it's the last thing I did. Now, it looks like we are running out of time, so is there anything else that you would like to say before we have to say goodbye?" I turn my head a little bit so that I am looking at both Caesar and the audience.

"I just want to say thank you to everyone in the Capitol, because you all have been so nice to us tributes. I really don't want to leave, because it was wonderful being with you all." A few people in the crowd react to this, smiling or aweing in appreciation.

"Well, we wish you the best, the thoughtful and lovable Leya Brooks from District 9!" As he finishes this exclamation, a buzzer goes off, and I stand up to exit the stage. The crowd gives me a huge round of applause, and I give back another tight smile. As I make my way off of the stage, I see Ember giving me a thumbs up, and a few thoughts occupy my mind. First, I am glad that's over with. Second, I am wondering if I did well enough to be memorable. And third, am I really ready for the Games? I guess I will find out tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

This single word repeats itself over and over until I fall asleep later that night.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow.