"Perfect," My stylist said.

They had dressed me in the colors of a fire. This time they died the tips of my hair this weird shiny red color, again without my permission. I was wearing a suit now, they pulled my hair back into a tight ponytail and tied it with a red ribbon. The suit was black, but everything else on my body was bright fire colors. They made my entire face red so I looked like a angry monster, and then sprinkles yellow sparkles over my entire body.

"Hes ready for the show!" Someone else said excitedly.

"What if we add a bit more sparkles so he can match Julie?" Someone suggested.

"Please don't," I complained, but ended up with a bucket of sparkles being dumped on my hair.

I would never be able to wash this out. 

I was brought down to a room with all the other tributes. Everyone was dressed in bright colors that represented their districts. All the girls wore dresses, and all the boys ended up in suits. I felt bad for one of the boys, The one from district four, I think their name was Pete. They wore a ugly blue jacket, and all kinds of rainbow fish where sewn onto it. He looked like a walking aquarium.

"Next," Someone said, it reminded me of the Peacekeepers back home.

The district four boy went onto the stage.

"Next," The same person said at least ten minutes later.

The line of people grew smaller and smaller, until it was only me standing against the wall alone while Julie  laughed with the host, Caesar. I watched her bow to the crowd on the TV in front of me, then she walked off stage.

"Next," The person said.

I stood up slowly, where I had been sitting there was a little ring of yellow sparkles. I walked out on stage, and the crowd cheered. There where three chairs, two occupied by different men.

"Welcome Alexander!" Caesar Flickerman said happily. "I should introduce you to our special guest, Game Maker Aaron Burr," Caesar said, gesturing to the other person.

I walked up on the stage, nodded at the Game Maker, and sat down in the open chair. Burr had a piece of paper he was taking notes on.

"So Alexander, we all saw the moving video of how your brother tried to volunteer for you," Caesar said, and the crowd made a dramatic sad noise. "Why did you not let him take your place?"

"I didn't want him risking his life for me," I said after a little pause, I was trying to pretend the audience was not there, and that Caesar was a normal human being that was not forcing me to fight 'till the death.

"If you could tell him something, what would you say?" Caesar asked me.

"Probably that he should know that I will try my best to survive, for him. And that if I die out there, my last thought is of him, and he should always remember that even though there would be nobody left, you can depend on yourself," I said, I calmed myself by pretending James was the camera.

"Oh that is just so moving. Is it okay if I ask, do you have any other family members?" Caesar said, he rested his hand on mine for emotional support, I ignored his hand.

"No, I don't," I replied simply, pushing my emotions down.

The audience made a sorry noise for me, it really just made me want to slap someone. I don't need their pity. I need a book and a quiet place to read, maybe cry a bit to get it out, but only in private.

"What do you think are your chances in the games?" Caesar asked.

"I know I would probably die. But I wont give up hope, for my brothers sake," I said quietly, this was the most I ever talked to a human besides my brother.

*

Of course, I was lying. I knew I was going to die right away, and honestly, I probably wont try. There was no point in trying when all I would end up was dead. I honestly might as well just kill myself as soon as I can. 

* 

"Do you want to say anything for the audience?" Caesar asked.

I shook my head politely, and suddenly a tear dripped down my face. 

"Lets give it up for Alexander Hamilton!"

The crowd cheered. Burr made a polite but quiet clap as I walked off-stage.

"You did better then I thought. You certainly won the crowds pity, especially with that tear," Haymitch commented.

I ignored him and walked in the direction of the elevator.

"You okay, friend?" I heard Laurens's voice.

I brushed past him and continued toward the elevator.

"I didn't know you where an orphan," Laurens said. "I heard that the Game Maker, Aaron Burr, is also an orphan."

I kept my eyes on the elevator and blocked out his voice. He followed me and kept asking things, I have never met anyone more annoying then this guy. 

I stepped into the elevator, and Laurens stepped in with me. He became silent on the way up. Laurens pressed the floor eight button. I was starting to be a bit confused by the fact that someone from district eight had gotten so much fame, he probably really rocked his chariot ride.

Laurens stepped off onto floor eight and waved goodbye. I rolled my eyes as the elevator doors closed and I went up a couple more floors. I stepped out at floor twelve, and walked over towards my room first thing. Halfway to my room I paused.

I saw some food laid out on the table, probably for dinner. Effie, Haymitch, Julie, the stylist and the stylist's team would come up to the twelfth floor any minute. I quickly ran over to the table and grabbed a bunch of grapes. 

I popped a couple in my mouth and then reached for the chicken. 

"No! Bad child!" I heard Effie shout, the elevator just arrived.

I grabbed some more grapes and then retreated to my room. But it was locked.

"Ha! Gotcha now," Effie said, like I was some kind of bad dog.

Haymitch stood behind her with a key in his hand, and a smirk on his face. I sighed.

"No more hiding in your cave," Effie said.

I popped a couple more grapes in my mouth. I stood by my door as everyone stumbled out of the elevator. Effie approached me. I waited for everyone to be well away from the elevator, then I sprinted into it.

I ran inside and quickly spammed the 'door close' button as Effie ran as fast as a person in a tight dress and high heels could. The door closed just as she was about to step inside. I pressed the 'Rooftop' button and the elevator ascended upwards. A couple seconds later I stepped out onto the roof of the building.

I walked over towards the edge of the roof, There where tall fences to keep tributes from committing suicide. I sat by one of the fences and ate my grapes in peace, the stars glimmered down on my from the sky, and the view of the capitol was surprisingly beautiful. 

I took my hair out of the tight ponytail, and removed the annoying jacket-like part of my suit. I faced the fence, finishing off my grapes. I stared out at the cityscape.

"Beautiful isn't it?" someone said from behind me.

I turned around to see Laurens walking towards me. Its like hes stalking me!  He came over and sat close to me, looking out at the bright city lights. I glanced down at my hands.

"Come up here for fresh air? Or to escape from someone?" Laurens asked.

I looked away from him, remaining silent. My loose hair blew in front of my eyes and I pushed it out of my face.

"Why do you ignore me?" He asked after a moments silence, he sounded a bit desperate for some reason.

I turned my face towards his and looked him in the eyes. I took a deep breath.

"I don't want to get close to anybody," I admitted quietly. "I don't want to feel anymore pain then I already do. I already have to die, and know that my brother will be alone in the world. There is no point in getting close to anyone anyway, they will either end up killing me, or feel the sorrow and pain of my death. I don't need more people to suffer."

Laurens grabbed my hand in his, and stared deep into my eyes.

"That is why you have to believe. Never give up. Just take action, or wait, and life will get better," Laurens said.

"It cant get better. there is one winner only, and it wont be me," I said, yanking my hand away.

"You cant give up like that, don't give up, remember your brother, he cares for you and he needs you, you have to try," Laurens said.

"And trying means killing, that's it huh?! You want me to just go in and slaughter you? You think I'll be able to live with that for the rest of my life?" I shouted, standing up, tears started to come down my face. "You cant tell everyone to try, when that just means you're telling everyone to kill you, and everyone else."

"You can still find hope-" 

"THERE IS NO HOPE," I shouted, and ran away towards the elevator.