The Selection in the Hunger Games

Tribute Interviews Pt. 1 - Chapter 14

"So who was that guy who kissed you at the parade?" Mary asked, probably smiling as she fixed my hair from behind.

"Mary!" Anne scolded. She was putting the finishing touches on my new dress, snipping pieces off the bottom.

We were going all in on the queen theme and since this one didn't have to represent my district, it was a beautiful strapless blue dress that fanned out at the bottom. The crowd had loved their designs according to the magazines they had handed me.

"His name is Aspen," I said, feeling the smile take over my face. "He came in the ten. We've been dating for three years."

Lucy was painting my nails. Despite her tremors, her designs were impeccable. She peeked up at me, a simper on her face. "Love is a beautiful thing, miss." There was a tinge of sadness in her voice.

"It is," I agreed. I had finally given up on the "miss" thing. What was it with people and their odd endearments? I thought, shaking my head.

They finished me up in an hour, Mary and Lucy gossiping while Anne repeatedly hushed them. I enjoyed talking to them. They made me feel as if I was at home. 

"What do you think, miss?" Lucy asked. The girls had helped me zip it up and had directed me to a mirror.

"You guys have outdone yourselves. Thank you." I pulled Anne into a hug which she stiffly returned when we heard a hard knock on the door.

"You ready, Mer?" Aspen called from the outside. I opened the door, beaming.

"Aspen, meet Anne, Mary, and Lucy. They're amazing."

Aspen was taking in my dress, his emerald eyes devouring me. He tore them away, waving to the ladies.

"I'm Aspen." He shook each of their hands, Lucy blushing when he did.

"You ready to go?" he questioned. "You ladies did a spectacular job." They took in the praise with nods and smiles.

Aspen held my hand and we left the room. It was odd. Back in District 11, we hid our romance mostly. But in the Capital, he loved me freely. I would have to adjust to that.

"Are you ready for the interviews?" he asked, still looking at my dress.

"I guess so, I don't know. I've never talked on television before." He squeezed my hand reassuringly. "How are you feeling?"

"Confident," he replied, grinning. Of course, I thought, rolling my eyes. "Don't worry, Mer. They're going to love you." He pulled me closer to him so he could kiss my forehead. Even after all these years, his kisses still gave me butterflies.

We reached the waiting area, all of the tributes in their best outfits. Maxon had went with a simple velvet red suit this time. I released Aspen's hand and walked over to Maxon.

"Did you leave your hair extension mane at home?" I teased, hugging him on the side.

"It's getting cleaned actually. So I can wear it during the Games," he joked back.

"Well, it is a weapon. To my eyes."

He acted as if he had been shot, holding his hand to my chest. "Ouch."

Sylvia came out, giving out instructions the second she came through the door.

"Well, I should probably get back," I whispered, giving him a small wave as I returned to the District 11 section.

"What?" I asked Aspen. His face was stoic. "Are you okay?"

He was grinding his teeth, pulling at the ends of his black suit. "I'm fine, Mer," he mumbled. "I'm going to take a walk." He headed back out the door, Sylvia still giving instructions.

I moved to follow him but Carter blocked my path.

"I wouldn't," he stated. "He saw you talking to Maxon. He got a little...upset," Carter explained, his ever present grin faltering.

Maxon was right. This alliance wouldn't work. I still considered going after him but decided not to. I didn't want to piss him off even more. But I didn't even do anything! Okay, I did one thing.

"Don't let this upset you," Carter advised. "We're about to be on TV!" He rushed over to Marlee, picking up a bouquet of roses that he had left on the floor giddily.

"So, Maxon," Gavril started. "I've known you your whole life, the world's seen you your whole life. But we have never heard you, well, speak." That got a lot of laughs from the crowd. "What don't we know about you, Mr. Schreave?"

Maxon crossed his legs in the large chair, resting his arms on the armrests. "Well, for one, Gavril, I'm not mute. And for two, I love photography."

"Get out of town!" Gavril exclaimed, slapping his hands on the table between them. "Tell me, Maxon." He tilted his head from left to right comically. "Which one's my good side?"

They both laughed. "They're both good, Gavril," he assured lightheartedly.

"You hear that? The President's son is willing to lie for me." He winked at the audience. "You got the best score on the exam using the spear. How did that feel?"

"It felt...gratifying. When you are preparing for something your whole life, you're just waiting for the day that it pays off. A part of it did that day."

"Fascinating. Now Maxon, you're a handsome guy."

"Thank you!"

"So you got tell me: you got a girlfriend?" At which half the girls in the audience happily offered to fill that gap. "We got some volunteers," Gavril teased.

Maxon adorably laughed. "Thank you. But no, Gavril, I do not have a girlfriend." Which only made the crowd get louder.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Gavril shouted, quieting them. "What about Celeste?" he inquired.

"We're lifelong friends but no," Maxon told him. "But," he started, leaning forward in his seat. "I do have a crush, if you must know my relationship history."

Crush. Who? I'd seen him talking to Kriss Ambers. It couldn't be Marlee. Tallulah, maybe. A girl in District 1?

"Ooooh, can I ask who?"

Maxon adjusted in his seat, seemingly flustered. "Well, it's a bit stupid. She has a boyfriend but she's bright, funny, and I can't help but have a great time with her."

The crowd audibly sighed for him.

"So you're going to win the competition and win her off her feet when you get home?" Gavril proposed.

"Well, it would be easier...if she wasn't in the competition."

"Who is this girl, Maxon?"

"America Singer."

**Why did Maxon tell that to the public? Are you happy that he did?**

**Where's Aspen?**

**Guys, you took me over the 100 read threshold. Thank you guys so much. Thank you, especially to @ShatteredButGorgeous and @Daugular01 , you guys are the BEST!!!