The 175th Hunger Games

Chapter 15 - Alexia's POV

After our incredibly fancy buffet lunch, we go back upstairs to shower and then begin talking our interview strategies with Kolton.  I try to shower and get dressed as quickly as I can, but by the time I get out to the living room, Margo's already beat me there.

"How do you shower so quickly?" I ask, hopping down the two small steps and falling onto a chair.

"Why do you take such long showers?" Margo teases, leaning over to poke me.

"Alright, enough you two," Kolton says, amused by our odd sisterly ways.

"So, what exactly are we going to be doing?" I ask.

"Yes, so, it's about 2:00 right now, right?" he leans over the couch to look at the clock in the dining room, "Yeah, alright.  So, we have about three hours to begin talking over your interview strategy.  Dinner's at 5:00, so we have to stop then."

"Cool," Margo says, "This is going to take three hours though?"

"Three hours today, and everyday until interview day.  You won't have any training that day.  Then the next week it changes a little bit, and then of course you're in the games," Kolton explains, "It sounds like a long time right now, but it flies by pretty quickly."

"Wonderful," Margo says, sarcastically, bringing her knees up to chest.

"Don't be a bitch, darling.  There's no need for that, especially right now.  We really need to work on your attitude," Kolton says, taking a sip of some clear fizzy drink that he had on the table.

Margo fumes, but I put a hand on her knee to shut her up.

"See, just like that.  These are the kinds of things we'll be working on.  We will be creating your persona, whoever you want to be, remember what I said on the train?  We will be creating that and then running different scenarios in which you have to respond to questions as if it's the interviews," Kolton says, "Oh, and you two did want to do one interview together, right?  They're giving everyone the option this year."

"That works for me," I say, glancing at Margo.

"Sure," she says.

"Perfect.  So, who do you guys want to become for the interviews?" Kolton begins.

We spend the next three hours creating our interview personas and agree that we should come off as strong young women who would do anything to keep each other safe.  That's essentially the truth, so it didn't take much work.  The main problem was just getting Margo to relax and pretend like she enjoyed being in the Capitol.  Eventually, we just decided that I would be doing most of the talking and she would just smile and nod.  After what only felt like twenty minutes, Vita comes into the living room.

"Dinner is ready!" she shouts, as if it's the most exciting thing that's happened to her today.

"We'll be right there Vita," Kolton says, "So, you guys feel comfortable for today?"

"Yeah, actually," I say.

"Good.  We'll start mock interviews tomorrow," he says, standing up.

We walk to the dining room and sit down together, just the four of us.

"Where's Helios and Chastity?" Margo asks.

"I believe they have to work late, Margo, they have some things to do for your interview outfits," Vita says as we're served our dinner.

"So, did you guys talk to anybody today during training?  I know the first day is always a bit daunting, but it's good to talk around." Kolton says, taking a bite of his food.

"Yeah, we did.  District Seven are really nice, and they seem strong.  I like them," I say.

"Alright then.  Their mentor is a friend of mine, Oak Robinson, I can talk to him if you want an alliance.  Anyone else?" he asks.

"Not at the moment, but I'm planning on talking to more people tomorrow," Margo says.

"Definitely," I say.

We finish our meal, talking about different things from training today, and Kolton says that we should get to the weapons station at one point.

"Do either of you have any experience with weapons?" he asks.

"Lexi's good with knives," Margo says, smirking.

"I mean, kind of," I say, "I cook a lot, and I'm good at using them, but I've never thrown them before or anything."

"Well, try it tomorrow.  You might be surprised," Kolton says, "What about you Margo?  Any secret talents?"

"I've never used any weapons before, but I'm strong.  Good at climbing.  I'm nothing special, really.  I don't have any useful talents," Margo says.

"That's not true!" I say, laughing, "Remember that time when you had to go out hunting with Father after the goat died when we were younger?  Before we were able to get the chickens?  I remember him saying that you were pretty good with whatever it was that you used."

"It was a slingshot," Margo says, "And I was like, ten years old."

"That's useful, actually," Kolton says, "You can make one pretty easily in the right environments, and you can at least knock people out if you get a large enough rock.  I've seen it done before."

"Seriously?" Margo asks.

"Yes, seriously," Vita says, "That's how Kaylee Shepard won her games!  What was it, the 149th?  She was the first twelve-year-old to win the games and was able to take out three Careers by hitting them on the head with rocks to knock them out, and then stabbing them with their own knives.  Oh, it was just awfully poetic, I loved that year.  We read all about it in school, and I think I wrote a paper on it in Year Seven.  Maybe it was Year Eight?  Oh, I can't remember.  Well either way, you can do a great deal of damage with a slingshot, so just keep that in mind."  Vita rambles on, talking about death as if it's the most exciting thing in the world, all the while still eating her dinner.

"Alright then," Kolton says, taking a deep glug of his drink.

We eat in silence for a few minutes, until I've finished.  Soon after Margo finishes, followed by Kolton and Vita.

"Should we retire to the living room?" Vita asks.

"Actually, I have to head out.  Another late night, unfortunately," Kolton says.

"And I was planning on getting some sleep.  I'm really tired after today," I say.

"Yeah, I'm with Alexia," Margo says.

"Well then, I'll see you all tomorrow!" Vita chirps.

We all say goodnight, then Margo and I head off to our rooms.  I decide to sleep in my own room tonight, and Margo doesn't complain.

I'm able to fall asleep quickly, I wasn't lying when I said I was tired, but wake up at around two in the morning to Margo's screams.

I jump up and run to her room, to find her panicking on the floor.  I rush down next to her and hug her tightly, attempting to calm her down.

"I remember it!  Again!" she cries out, her throat sore.

"It's alright, it was just a nightmare, you're safe," I say, "Come on, get back into bed."

I help her up onto her bed, shaking and cold, then sit next to her as she falls back to sleep.  I stay with her until we hear the knock on the door to get us to wake up.  It's our second day of training.