Chapter 18

Blake was in the back dressing room with her stylist, she hadn't cared to ask the name of her helper, nor of the escort. They just seemed a part of the capital, who were trying to kill her. Why would she need to know the serial killers' names? It never crossed her mind. The purple haired woman took a hanger off of the rack, a white snow dress appeared in front of her.

"Go put it on, we don't have much time before you have to be in line for the interviews" the woman instructed. Blake went behind the curtain and slipped on the silk dress. It covered her breasts, but still showing cleavage. There were two slits at the bottom of it, which exposed both her thighs. Blake looked like she wanted to barf, too much skin was showing. It had little dead roots wrapped around the waist, is this what the capital wants to see?

"Miss Grey, let me see" she could hear her stylist say.

Blake replied nervously, "I-I uh, I don't feel comfortable showing you this." The stylist scoffed, she drew back the curtain. The purple haired woman gasped, then smiled.

"It's perfect, the capital will love it! Do a spin, now!" Blake followed orders, but covered her downward area right after.

"I don't feel confident in this, what if the dress flies up? And then I have to deal with that embarrassment" Blake spoke uncomfortably. Sure the dress was beautiful, but it was extreme and something a hooker would wear to a party.

"It will just make you more desirable and make them lovesick. Besides, wait till you see Mr Elrod's suit!" the stylist responded excitedly. It must be bad, if her dress wasn't extravagant, what was Koland's attire like? These stylists are getting way out of control, Finnick's suit wasn't as bad, nor was Adela's. The mustard escort entered the dressing room.

"Oh my goodness! You look like a Greek goddess, I'm jealous. If I had a body like that, I would be wearing stuff like that everyday! Well, it's time" the mustard hair screeched. Blake grabbed her waist, it made her feel confident, but a bit insecure. Sure she was thinner than others, but she didn't want to show off her skinniness to the world. Blake told herself that she needed more muscle, she only gained upper body strength while she was here. She put on her white heels and followed the women. They escorted her into the hallway with the other tributes. Blake quickly spotted Koland, he was wearing a pair of short khakis and a clear blazer, leaving his chest bare. He had flip flops on to match the outfit. The blazer was supposed to resemble water, he was completely exposed.

"Nice dress, going to a strip club?" Koland jokingly commented. Blake giggled.

"I could say the same to you. Love that blazer, I'm gonna have to borrow that after you're done with it." The two chatted for a bit, then the district five tributes joined them. Wintell was wearing a snow white suit with a snowflake on the pocket. Blake assumed they were trying to make the suit fit his name. Hendall was wearing a light blue starry dress, it looked gorgeous on her, her shoulders and up was the only skin showing. It would have been much easier to wear something like that. District three was wearing all green. Conroy had an emerald green suit with a rose in the handkerchief pocket, while Serpen had a dress the same color as his suit.

"Okay tributes, we will go in district order, females first. Remember to smile and have fun, Caesar is excited to meet you all!" a director told them all. Ottilie was called on first. They were able to watch her interview on stage from a television hanging on the wall.

"Look at you! Wow, aren't you a daffodil, I love the yellow!" Caesar claimed as the 13-year-old entered onto the stage. Otillie's dress was a pale yellow with a bow around the waist. With another yellow bow to complement the dress. You couldn't tell where her hair begins or ends, it blended in with the dress.

"What is your best skill, Otillie?"

"Well, I'm very good at persuading and I'm very knowledgeable. I am a good seeker too" Otillie answered Caesar. A few minutes later, she was off stage. Her nerves came back to her, Lalo was there to give her a hug as she left the stage. He seemed like a big brother to her, they must have known each other very well before the reaping.

"Tell me Lalo, is there a special someone at home?" The crowd went crazy about this question, begging to know the significant other.

"Yes there is, she means a lot to me. I promised her I would try to do my best, we've been together for a long time, three years to be exact." the crowd awed.

"Now you have to give us a name, this is too sweet to ignore" Caesar scooted closer to him.

"Her name is Marilyn Miller," Lalo sighed heavily. The tributes gasped, they knew whose last name that was also. The audience soon figured it out.

"Is she related to the other tribute, Otillie Miller by chance?"

"Otillie is her younger sister, I volunteered before I knew her name would be drawn. I wanted to win so I could marry Marilyn. Now I have to choose, save her sister, or go home and marry the love of my life" Lalo swallowed his words. Was he going to cry in front of the audience?

"Thank you for sharing, it must be hard on you and the sisters. Good luck to you! Lalo Smith everyone!" Caesar cheered, raising the boy's hand in the air. It was difficult to register, Lalo was in one of the most difficult situations in his entire life.

Adele entered the stage in a black glittery dress. They're interview was normal and cheery. She was ready to fight, more prepared than the most of them.

It was Eloi's turn, it was going to be a very flirtatious interview.

"Welcome Eloi, what made you want to volunteer for these lethal games?"

"I love a good competition, everything is an obstacle to get over. I plan to crush the competition, literally." he had gotten several eye rolls from the tributes.

"Is there a special someone at home? There has to be someone." Was Caesar going to ask the same question to everyone? It would be a long night if he does.

"Not really, I'm going to win, then I can have any girl I'd like, '' Eloi jokes. This made the girls in the crowd giggle.

Adele made a comment to the tributes, "don't worry, he's not lying to get sponsors. He's always like this." The tributes smiled, some giggled.

"Why am I not surprised" the tribute from five responded, Files was her name. She was sneakier than the rest. Her black hair was tied to the back of her head in a bun. She had a dark blue dress that went to her knees, it was more simple than fancy.

It was Serpen's turn. Koland wished her good luck. Her green dress would drag across the stage as she went to the seat next to Caesar.

"Wow, look at you! A true princess, I have never met one before!"

"Don't flatter me Caesar, you know I'm not a real one!" Serpen made the snide comment. Conroy chuckled a bit, then went silent. Her mouth was going to get her in trouble, Blake shouldn't be one to talk though. Her mouth has gotten her into trouble as well. It's better to be silent than speak your opinion in this world. They chatted for a while, Caesar had to ask the same stupid question, again.

"I'm guessing you have a special someone as well."

"I knew you were going to ask that," Serpen smirked slightly. She had a plan, Blake just couldn't figure it out.

"There is this boy, he's a tribute as well. We met a while ago, he's super sweet and everything. It's Koland Elrod" All the tributes sighed, they all saw it coming. Koland's face lit up. Serpen was playing a dangerous game. She exited the stage, then approached Koland. He grabbed her arm, then kissed her softly on the lips. Blake's eyes widened. None of the tributes seemed to care, they knew it was going to happen at one point. Conroy's interview was being displayed at the moment.

"Blake Grey, it's your turn" the director showed her the way to the stage. Blake's heart rate was fast. Butterflies were flying around, or saucers. She tried to regulate her breathing. Conroy left the stage, he gave her a sympathetic smile. Caesar was going to call her name any minute now. The blue haired man intimidated her, though she could say anything and he would have to respond in the kindest way. Why not mess with him a bit?

"Next is a gorgeous woman from district four. Give it up for Blake Grey!"

Hey guys! WE HAVE 1K READS ON THIS BOOK!! I wouldn't have been able to make this possible without you all! Thank you for commenting and voting on this book. It encourages me to keep writing and letting my imagination run wild! Have a great day or night wherever you are!

-Grey