Not Just A Game

Chapter 20

"Please welcome, our last pair of tributes for the night, Ivy Levella and Dustin Raska, all the way from District Twelve!" Caesar Flickerman announces and I head onto the stage with Dustin right beside me.

The clapping and screaming is so much louder out here, it's almost overwhelming.

Almost.

It just fuels my fire for the Capitol. I try to block the audience out so I won't get so nervous speaking in the interview.

Pretty soon, I realize I've made it to the center of the stage and I sit down in a cushioned black leather chair.

I cross my ankles over slowly as Dustin sits in an identical chair beside me.

The audience's welcoming cheers simmer down and the lights suddenly seem brighter, beaming down on me like the burning sun.

I ignore the lights, and instead focus on Caesar. His forehead is sticky with sweat and his wrinkles are much more noticeable up close.

His skin is so stretched that the wrinkles had to pile up somewhere, which happens to be directly under his jaw.

I guess that thousands of dollars worth of plastic surgery evidently didn't pay off.

Caesar clears his throat and begins talking, "Good evening Ivy and Griffin. How are you two doing tonight?"

"Pretty good Caesar." I reply.

"I'm fine, what about you?" Dustin responds.

"I'm excellent, thank you Dustin."

Caesar readjusts himself in his chair and talks.

"So thinking back to the day the tributes were individually evaluated, we noticed you received a very impressive score, Ivy. A ten, if I remember correctly. I think we are all anxious to hear what you did in the training room. Please tell." he asks curiously.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Dustin with a small frown and he catches my eye. His eyes are alert, warning.

I carefully choose my words, "I did use a weapon, but I guess you'll have to wait until tomorrow to see what it is."

"Well, well. A surprise! I can tell you now, Ivy. All eyes will be on you as you enter the arena tomorrow. I can't wait to see how you do in the games!" he says enthusiastically.

I smile lightly and thank him.

Caesar turns to Dustin next and asks him,

"Dustin, what were your thoughts as you were reaped for the games?"

Dustin ponders for his response for a few shirt seconds and answers, "I thought I was dead already, that I had no chance. But after thinking for a few nights, I realized that I could make it out a victor if I focused on my training."

"Great answer, I'm glad to hear that you're confident and prepared." Caesar replies.

The audience cheers excitedly and claps. They love tributes like that. Nobody would watch if it was a bunch of scared teenagers. Well, at least we hide the fact that we're all just a scared bunch of teenagers fighting for their lives.

In our small amount of time not spent answering questions, I just sit and smile at the crowd, desperate to make a good impression.

Caesar turns to me once the cheers fizzle out, and he points to the locket strung around my neck on a chain.

He asks me, "May you tell us who's pictures are in your locket?"

I hesitantly take off the necklace and unhook the chain. These pictures are a bit private, but I reluctantly hand it over.