Born to Die (Clato Fanfic)

Chapter 14

I woke up the next morning feeling much better than I had the previous night. Cato was still asleep so, I quietly crept out of the room to grab some breakfast. Enobaria was already seated at the table, a loaded plate in front of her. I poured myself some hot chocolate, grabbed a biscuit, and joined her.

"So, what are we doing today?" I asked.

"Well the interviews are tomorrow. So, Spart and I will be getting you ready for that."

I let out a groan. I knew all my life I could handle the games. I was prepared for the training, the tributes, and of course, the killing. However, I always knew I couldn't do one thing, the interviews. I was a very unsocial person. I didn't like talking in front of people. I didn't like pretending to be friendly. I didn't like anything that had to do with communicating with other living things. The interviews were going to be a disaster.

"First, you'll work with me for content. Then you'll meet with Spart for presentation. Each session should last about four hours," she continued. I was going to need every minute.

I had thirty minutes until I was instructed to meet back up with Enobaria in the sitting room. It gave me enough time to finish my breakfast, run my fingers down the rows of buttons in the shower, and get dressed. I pulled my hair up into my new signature hairstyle, and slipped on my bracelet. I had just enough time to exchange hello's with Cato before I found Enobaria.

I sat beside her on the couch. She stared at me, looking puzzled.

"Well are we going to start?" I asked, impatiently.

She nodded. "I'm just trying to figure out how to present you. I'm thinking arrogant and cocky." She stared, while I sat uncomfortably. "Also sweet. Yes, cocky but, sweet."

Cocky. I could do that. Sweet? Probably not.

"I'll ask you questions, and you can practice answering them."

All of a sudden I was nervous. This wasn't even the real interview but, my stomach was still tumbling. What could I possibly answer? I couldn't talk about my depressing life. That would have made me seem weak, wouldn't it? Enobaria must have sensed my fear because she offered to start with an easy question.

"So, how are you liking the Capitol so far?"

"It's nice."

Enobaria put her head in her hands. "No, you have to talk about how much you love it, and how grateful you are. Share your favorites. Make the audience happy."

I tried again, forcing as much effort into it as possible."It's been lovely! The food, our quarters, and the service have been wonderful. It was very grateful of you all, and President Snow, to let us into your beautiful city!" I even smiled through the entire answer.

"Much better!" she cheered.

Enobaria continued to ask me questions for the next few hours. Some of them took several tries but, I managed to do okay. I got away with not talking much about my life in District 2, even though Enobaria told that that's what everyone wanted to hear. Overall, I felt much more prepared.

After lunch, I joined Spart in her quarters. She forced me into a floor length dress and heels. I asked if I would need to where one of her wigs. She didn't find it funny. I walked across the room, wobbling slightly in the heels, for at least twenty minutes before she allowed me to sit down.

"Now we are going to work on smiling!"

"I can do that," I growled. "It's easy." I demonstrated for her, my cheeks aching.

She cringed. "It needs work."

Spart made me say hundreds of nonsense phrases all beginning and ending with a smile. By the end I could barely move my mouth.