The Tournament of Life

Part 4

  As I'm eating breakfast, Cinna comes into the room to tell me what I'll be wearing during this interview, followed by Johanna who says she wants to coach me and Max before it. 

"Okay, fine by me." I bite into the soft circle of bread called a "Pancake". After breakfast, Johanna and I go into a meeting room where Pamela and Max are already sitting, chatting away with each other about something. "So, here's the plan. Aspen, you're very...You're a spitfire. Let's just say that. You have a temper. Max, you're the nicer one--no offense to you, Aspen." I shake my head, knowing what she's saying is true.

"Aspen, people like fire. Max, people like sweetness. Being siblings, you can use that to your advantage." Johanna finishes. I agree with her, and Cinna comes to pull me away for the dressing, as it took all day figuring out a strategy for me to use. I've decided that I want to be sassy. I mean, I already am, but Johanna says it'll make sponsors admire me. Max is going for the sweet little kid approach. And that's exactly what he is. Innocent. Young. So, it naturally suits him.

Cinna made me close my eyes, and when he told me to open them I stood there dumbfounded at how good I looked. My black hair was half up half down, pinned back with a leaf, and my dress was light and fluffy, also a beautiful green. my shoes were a little uncomfortable, but I got used to them. Cinna calls my shoes, "Wedges". I'm not sure what that means but I look pretty so I'm not going to question it. 

"Remember, no pressure, be you, and just answer honestly." Cinna leads me out into the line with the other tributes, who look equally as good as I do. Max shows up in a suit similar to my dress but with black shoes, green bottoms, and a black button-up. "We're literally the same," Max says, a smile on his face.

It takes a while, but finally District 7 is called up. First girls, then boys. 

"She's the girl who made an entrance two days ago, the girl who transformed into nature itself, Aspen Hunter!" I hear my name get called and I walk out on stage, thousands of people stand up at my presence and it honestly makes me feel more confident than I did in the beginning.

I bow, take Ceasar's hand, and he gently kisses my knuckles. "Welcome, welcome. Now, if you'd kindly have a seat." I do as I'm told, flattening my dress and crossing one leg over the other. Sitting like a lady. 

"So, Aspen, How close are you and your brother?" 

My attention falls to the crowd, and I shake my head. 

"Closer than you could ever imagine. I'd die for him in a heartbeat. Even though he probably is laughing at me now, it's true." 

"Wow. You'd die for him?" Ceasar echoes. I nod my head, and to my pleasure some of the people in the front of me sigh. 

"That's so brave of her, isn't it ladies and gentlemen?" The crowd roars, and a nod from Cinna is enough to have me happy with my performance so far. 

"Now that we know you'd die for Max, would you kill for him?" I stay silent, not answering, because I really don't know.

The sassy approach is slowly leaving my mind. 

"I want Maxwell to stay innocent. And if that means I have to do the killing, so be it. Like I said, anything for him." My tone becomes harsher, and I can see nods of approval skip through the crowd. 

"Well. Isn't she just a big ball of confidence." Ceasar says into the mic. 

"I am. Anyone who messes with my family will always regret it." The source of anger I'm spitting towards the people is slowly becoming enough, and I can see Johanna make a sharp movement with her hand to get me to quit speaking. 

"You're time is up, Aspen Hunter. Good luck to you and your brother, and may the odds be ever in your favor." He stands me up, allows me to bow, and when the buzzer sounds I walk off of the stage. 

Waiting by the big screen is Johanna and Cinna, along with Max's stylist, Cosmo. 

"Aspen, why? The people in the Capitol will think you hate them, and that won't win you any points in the sponsor department." Johanna urges.

"I-" I go to explain myself but Maxwell is called onto the stage and I tilt my head, wanting to hear what he has to say. 

"Welcome, Maxwell. Your sister is quite the feisty one, isn't she?" Ceasar speaks as they both sit on a chair. 

"She's always been the tough one. But she knows how to handle herself. Not many people can." What he says brings a smile to my face, and a hush over the people in the crowd.

"I've heard you're the nicer one, considering you are younger than she is." He smiles with his pearly white teeth, and I seethe through mine. 

"I wouldn't exactly say that, she's nice too just not when you get on her bad side." Max defends me, and my heart warms. 

"Have you ever been on her bad side?" Ceasar asks, leaning closer to Max, glancing at the crowd a few times. 

"No. We work together, We're a team. That's how the Hunters do things." He turns his head and grins sweetly at the crowd, definitely winning them over. 

"Well, Maxwell Hunter, your time is up. It was a pleasure to meet you young man." Ceasar stands up and shakes his hand, my brother walking away seconds later to meet me in the training center building. 

"Thank you." I embrace him as he opens his arms to me, a newfound bond between him and I. He's growing up, too fast.

"I had to do what I had to do. But, Aspen? Everything I said was true. You are an amazing sister and I wouldn't ask to go into this with anyone else." I squeeze him tighter, probably more for me than for him.

"Alright let's go, we need to get ready for tomorrow." Johanna breaks up our hug, and pushes us into the elevator with her hands. 

Tomorrow, officially, is the last day for training. After that, The Hunger Games begin.