Together

Chapter 5

Tonight are the interviews. These interviews could make or break a tributes chance of getting sponsors, not to mention winning the Games.

Haymitch, Effie and I take our seats backstage to watch the interviews on a little TV. We still haven't seen either Fern or Arrow since this morning. The interviews with Caesar Flickerman is one of the most stressful parts of this whole Hunger Games thing. Right now we are both just wishing these interviews would be over with.

I don't pay much attention to the other tributes interviews until a small, but strong looking girl walks up onto stage. Caesar introduces her as Mae Brightman. The girl from district 8 that Fern wanted to team up with. She wears her long brown hair down in beautiful ringlets. Her gown is gold and covered in glitter and jewels and falls down to her ankles. She lights up like a fire every time the light hits her dress. Ever since my games many stylists have been trying to recreate Cinnas whole 'girl on fire' thing. Unfortunately for them not many have succeeded, but Mae looks ablaze in this beautiful gown.

The rest of her appearance reminds me of Clove, the young girl from district 2 who fought in my Games. Her checks are dotted with freckles and her eyes are deep green; like the woods. But immediately I can tell her personality is the complete opposite of the girl with the knives'.

"So Mae, what is your favorite thing about the Capitol so far?" Caesar asks.

"The Capitol has been absolutely amazing. The food is delicious and my room is so comfortable. I couldn't have asked for more." Maes answer is flawless. She knows exactly how to work the crowd. The audience cheers and I can tell they all believe every word.

"We do get that a lot. Don't we folks!" Caesar gets the crowd going again. He's good at that. Turning an average answer into a good one, and turning a good answer into an unforgettable one.

I end up drifting off in thought and don't listen to the rest of Maes interview. Tributes walk up onto the stage, talk to Caesar for 3 minutes and walk off with smiles on their faces and waving to a cheering crowd. I finally start paying attention again when Fern walks up onto the stage in a flowing emerald dress that goes just below her knees. Her hair is pulled up into a braided bun and is secured with a gold clip. Her stylists obviously wanted to make her look like how her name sounds. Fern, the girl who wore green.

"So tell me Fern, how big of a family do you have back home?" Caesar asks to get the ball rolling.

"I have two younger siblings, Toby and Iris. They're both 8, and I have an older brother named Alexander." Fern answers hesitantly. I remember he bringing up her siblings during the interview prep.

"I see, I see. And did you leave them with your parents?" Caesar says in a more serious tone.

"My mother passed away 4 years ago. and my father died in the mines just after the twins, Iris and Toby, were born. My older brother, Alexander, promised me he would take care of them." Fern gets choked up on the last words and tears stream down her face. I'm truly surprised at how open Fern is being with Caesar. I was much more hesitant to share my personal life with him not to mention all of Panem.

"That is a true shame. I'm very sorry for your lose young Fern. And I guess you're just going to have to win and go back to them. I'm sure your siblings will be mighty proud of their sister. Won't they folks?" Caesar says changing the sad mood into a bright, hopeful one. With that the buzzer sounds and Ferns interview time is over.

"Thank you so much Fern, and I wish you the best of luck in the arena."

"Thank you so much Caesar." Fern says as she wipes tears from her face and gives the crowd a sweet smile. Caesar hugs her and she waves to the crowd before walking off the stage.