The MCR Games

Gerard's POV

We've had a few more days to practice, and now we're all back in the training practice. It's been about two weeks, and I still have no allies. Fxcking great.
As I look around me, I can tell the careers have all packed up together, like most years, Hayley and Frank seem to be a bit more distant from the rest of the group though.
Most of the outliners seem to be on their own, too. So I'm not the only one. The only people I can see that have formed an alliance is Tre and Billie. Should I find an ally? Or should I just play it solo? I don't know...
Now that the practice tests have ended, and everyone's seen each other's scores, people are using a lot more weapons to try and show off. I can't see what good it'll do for them, but it's their own decision.
I look over at Katniss, to see what she's doing. She's with Rosie holding a bow, showing her how she shoots. Are they allies? I walk over to them.
"Hey Katniss." I say, watching her pull the arrow back closely.
"Hey, Gerard." she says, letting the arrow loose, landing a perfect hit on the yellow bullseye. She looks down at Rosie. "Now you try, Rose." she nervously takes the bow from Katniss and takes an arrow, pulling back into position before letting it loose, hitting the target on the
red area, near the centre, but not on it. "I can't seem to get the hang of that." she says, looking down.
"Don't worry about it. It's good for your first few tries."
Katniss smiles over at me "Can I help you with something?"
She's smiling? I haven't seen her in this good of a mood since I've...well, since I've ever seen her.
I was gonna ask her if they were allies, but that might tick her off, and I don't think I want to do that. "Nothing. Never mind." I turn around, completely astonished that she smiled, and walk back to the plant and berry study. Frank and Hayley walk over to me as I swipe the touchpad table, changing the hologram from nightlock to a different plant type.
"What're you doing?" says Frank, looking over through the hologram.
"Nothing." I say. "Just studying plants. Aren't you supposed to be hanging out with the careers?"
"They're being dxcks again." says Hayley, glaring in their direction.
"Why did you six form an alliance, then?"
"It happens every year. If we said no they'd probably kill us in the bloodbath." Frank looks at the information paragraph next to the picture while he speaks.
"Well at least you have today." says Hayley, looking over to Frank.
"We only have one day left. One more day of the Capitol's insurance. We can't die now. They're keeping us safe from each other. But tomorrow, we finally have to go in." she runs her finger along her throat for dramatic effect. "And we all know what comes after that."
"At least we have the interviews to look forward to." says Frank. "One last break."
"The interviews." Hayley rolls her eyes. "Yes, getting all dressed up and going out on a stage to practically suck the Capitol for the whole of Panem to see."
"Well you are really a downer aren't you?"
"It's what I was built for."
"Guys!" I say. "Why don't we just stop talking about how we think it'll end?"
"Fine." they say in unison. Ok, maybe I've found some friends, for once...

***********

And as the day grew older, we got more and more worried by the second. It's freaky, knowing your future's already been written. And now I'm pacing in the dressing room. Aster's tried her best to calm me.
"Gerard." she says, trying to get my attention. I ignore her. "Gerard!" she says, stopping me and taking my wrists. "Look." she says. "I know this must be hard for you, you've probably never been more scared in your life. It's a big deal, I'm not gonna lie. This places your impressions on the world. But I know you. Just be yourself."
"That never helped me make friends. Never."
"You never tried."
"...Are you saying I have to try?"
"You always have to try. Come on. I have some clothes for you."
"Clothes? Aster, this is serious."
"I know. Just..." she sighs and pulls a coat hanger with some clothes wrapped in Egyptian Cotton off of a rack, handing it to me. "Just try it on. It's my job. And, I can practically guarantee it'll give you more confidence than you have right now."
"How can you possibly think that?"
"Why would someone smile?"
"Because they'd be happy."
"Why do people frown?"
"Because they're sad."
"Yes. Those are expressions. You know that, everybody knows that. But something that people don't know is that you don't just have to be happy to smile. You don't just have to be sad to frown. It can also work the other way round. You can make yourself happy by smiling. You can make yourself sad if you frown, because that expression will start to make you remember bad things that you wanted to forget. But that's simple. This is intricate. You wear expressions, practically like you wear clothes. Do you see where I'm coming from?"
I sigh and nod, giving in. And I bring the clothing behind the changing curtain, prepared to have to accept what's coming.

************

Holy shxt was I wrong. As I look at my suit in the mirrored wall, I feel confident.
It's a dark, matte silver blazer over a darkly shaded white shirt. The trousers match the blazer, and a black thin tie is secured around the collar, outlined in a vivid red. The shoes shined up at me. A tough, metallic black leather. I have no idea how she got the leather to go metallic, but I best not question it.
"What do you think?" she says, folding a pure white handkerchief and placing it in my blazer pocket.
"I think you're one smart designer."
She smiles at my remark, fixing my hair into a vague swoop. "Why, thank you. Now, come on, let's go out backstage." I nod, and we start walking.
I wish the walk was so much longer than it actually was. It's only a few minutes down a luminous hallway underground. The white shines in my eyes, practically blinding. But finally, I make it backstage.
"I have to go." she says. "I'm just going to my seat. Aisle 2, seat 19. Just look at me when you're talking instead of staring at the rest of the crowd. It'll calm your nerves."
I nod without saying a word, and she walks off. Now I'm alone with the rest of the tributes.
I watch them go on, one by one, and I can almost detect an age pattern. Observational deductions.
From what I can see, depending on the age and gender, the tributes seem to act a certain way. If it's a girl 14 or under, they seem to act cute and almost pitiful. Like whoever's watching would feel sorry for such a young person to be sent to their death.
If it's a boy of that age, they seem to be acting like they're having a phase where they want to be as charming as possible, because of their age.
If they're a girl 15-17, they seem to be challenging and quizzical. If it's a boy for the age, they seem to be as charming as possible. And anyone above that age seems to act tough. The only conclusion I can gather from this is that their mentors have given them a personality to portray. To get inside the heads of the audience. I think it's sad, and I feel bad for every one of those tributes that has to go through with it.
I get ready to walk up on stage as Katniss walks down, a nervous expression on her face. Expressions. I have to think expressions.
And that's when I hear Caesar Flickerman say my name.
"And now, introducing Gerard Way!" I walk onstage, smiling, and he welcomes me over with a dazzling grin. "Welcome Gerard." he says.
"Thanks for giving me the honour to see you on something that isn't a television screen," I say, getting an echo of chuckles from the audience. I don't get it. It wasn't that funny. But he seems amused, and that's all I need.
"I love it!" he shouts, pointing at me. "Now, Gerard, are you planning to win this thing?"
"Of course I am. I don't think anyone would ever plan to loose."
"I see your point. Tell me, what inspires you to win? What keeps you going?"
I stop dead in my thoughts. I go silent. I know the answer, but that's the thing that catches me. Juniper.
Should I say it? Is it safe? Or should I just make something up. I look at Aster. 'Keep going.' she mouths to me, gesturing for me to continue.
"Are you alright?" says Caesar, leaning in.
"Juniper." I say.
"I'm sorry?"
"My sister, Juniper. She's what keeps me going. Not only is she family, but she's the only friends I ever had. She's there for me when I need her and vise versa. I never got to have a last time with her. Everyone needs a last time with someone they love. My family in particular. If I go without having my last time, I...I don't know what I'd do."
He looks up at me once I finish speaking. "Those are some words." he says with a pitiful voice. "I think you've given us all something to think about tonight, and the best way to end a last interview."
I feel like crying, but I hold every tear back, hiding it. I can come across as what I am, a word sensitive person, but I can't come across as weak. I am not weak. I'm strong.
"Thank you for being here tonight so we could all see the true Gerard Way."
I smile and nod at him. "Thanks, Caesar."
"Unfortunately we're out of time. But I wish you the best of luck, and hope for you, Juniper and everyone here, that you get your one last time." I smile at him and give him a handshake before walking offstage. Scariest thing I've ever had to do, but I think what I have to do tomorrow might top it...

Notes

Sorry, again, if it was too long. We hope you enjoy the chapter. There are many more to come. Just hope it'll be good enough *crosses fingers*. Anyways, tell us what you think in the comments down below. Happy reading ^_^