Cordelia Bardot . d1 . fin

c o r d e l i a .



* * *

Have you ever wanted to be a star? To shine hotter and brighter then everyone else around you? I was a star, my whole life documented right from the moment I took my first steps. Camera's have been a constant in my life, always watching, always following. I'm so used to them now, their beady little lenses following my every move, waiting for the perfect shot, that could be exploited boosting views, increasing profits.

I think mum always wanted to be a star, wanted her face on billboards, fans rushing to her side on the busy side walks of district One. She used to gush to me about her dreams, about the spotlight, about meeting the most important people in the capitol.

~ 

"You'll never guess who I just ran into! I ran into that scandalous Opal Shore!" She squeals excitedly one night, running into my room, buzzing with energy. "you know, the one that married a potato!"

"Mum, she didn't marry a potato! She married a boy from district Eleven called Potato." I had rolled my eyes, rubbing away the sleep.

Her face seemed to fall slightly, huffing as she took a seat on the edge of my bed. But her disappointment doesn't last long, her face re-energising. "A boy from Eleven, huh, talk about getting down and dirty! Cant get much dirtier than the peasants down there!"

"Mum! Please!" I groan, pulling at my covers, trying to bury myself in their depths. She was so embarrassing! "Go away! It's 1 am in the morning!" A pout danced on her lips, as she climbs from my bed.

"Boo, you're no fun," she sighs, before shuffling from the room.

~

Career Mum's

Cordelia 

Daughter of Beverly // 14

"Keep you shoulders relaxed, Cordelia!" His voice is stern, his wooden staff quickly tapping both shoulders. "Your weapon is an extension of your body. You need to be relaxed in order for it to be most effective." I try to relax, taking a deep breath, closing my eyes. "Lucinda!" The scream breaks my concentration, the blade cluttering to the ground loudly. "Keep- Cordelia! Focus!" I cringe, my gaze avoiding the bleachers, where I knew mum would be perched on the edge of her seat, her face the picture perfect image of disappointment.

A camera man waves me over. "Damnit," I curse quietly forcing a smile to pull at the corners of my lips. Picking up my sword I march over, shoulders pulled back. "Cordelia, wow! Wasn't that just a mess!" A charming smile parts his lips as he shoves one of those ridiculously large microphones in my face. It smells like stake breath. I try not to gag. "Tell us what was going through you head?"

Lie, mum would tell her. Pull back you shoulders, give them a silly smile, and tell them something that the audience will want to hear. My lips pull back into a wide grin, showing all teeth. "I got a little distracted," I bite my lower lip shyly, I couldn't tell them I was thinking about my favourite strawberry and cream ice cream, and how I planned to beg mum to get me some once training was over. So instead my finger is pointed towards William, prettiest boy in the class. "Isn't he so dreamy," I gush, "he said he will walk me home today! Aren't I so lucky!" To be honest I couldn't care less about William. But mum had gone on and on about how the fans adore us, so I played along.

"There you have it folks! Our little Cordelia seems to be in loooooove." The camera shuts off, the man telling me I was free to go. Thank god. Grin dropping I swing my blade idly around, my eyes meeting my mothers and boy did I regret that. Her face was red, her fists balled, her feet tapping the ground aggressively. Boy was she mad. Nervously I smile at her. Looks like I won't be asking for that ice-cream. Bummer.

~

Following the Bardot's

Cordelia Bardot // 16

Can you smell a scandal?

Recap: "Previously on Following the Bradot's, we thought that Mr. Bradot was having an affair! How scandalous! So much sneaking around, with little explanation! Mr. Bardot really knows how to get our blood running!"

Beverly (Mrs. Bardot; 39): "I was so worried my husband was sleeping with another woman. He would be out late at night... And when I asked him where he was at he would give me vague answers. I was sure some hoe was trying to take my man! But I won't let that happen! Let that be a message to all you jealous bitches who think that sleeping with my man will get you more than fifteen minutes of fame!"

Voice over: "Today: Has Cordelia broken up with her beau Preston? Moved on to the lovely Lucinda? The whole district has been asking! On and off and then back on again! We cant keep up!"

The camera's have been following me for two blocks now. I had begged mum if she could get rid of them for the day! All I wanted was a few days to myself! My break up with Preston had been brutal. My heart was a mess, and so was my face! Mascara running down my cheeks, my clothes baggy and miss matching. I looked like the homeless, my trackies ripped at the knees. Mum would be furious. Waving off the cameras I run down the street, fist banging on the Door of Lucinda Lexington desperately. "Luci! Luci, open up- get away from me!" I blurt to the man behind the lens. "Can't you just leave me alone?"

The door opens, a hand reaching out and dragging me in. Back pressed against the wooden barricade lips crash into my own. It felt good, distracted me from the pain that spread through my chest, that consumed my thoughts. Right now that was exactly what I needed; a distraction. At first my body responds, arms wrapping around my friends necks, pulling her closer.

"Can you see in there? Are they kissing??"

The muffled voices of the camera men snap me back to attention. Hands on my friends shoulder I push her away, brows knitting into a frown. "What the hell Luci! What are you doing?!" Hastily I rush to close the blinds flipping the bird to the men. "Piss off!" I turn back to Luci, anger simmer in my blood. "You did that on purpose! You left the blinds wide open! Did you tell them I was coming here too?" Frustrated I pace the room, shucking off my baggy jumper. I should have known! She was greedy, desperate for the press to notice her. I had thought she'd heard about the break up, that she cared enough to invite me. over and comfort me.

"What you just trying to get your few minutes of fame? Become a scandal?" I throw my hands in the air, brows raised. "Well?"

"Stop being so sensitive C. It was just a kiss. So what if people saw-"

"So what? I already have enough shit to deal with! I just broke up with Preston... Look, I'm just going to go." I pick up my jumper, throwing it over my arm.

"C! You don't have too-"

"I'll talk to you later."

~

New you! Cordelia's Makeover Extravaganza

Eye of Panem

Cordelia Bardot // 17

"Hey guys and welcome back! Todays make over was a real challenge! But that's okay, cause we got there in the end! And my gosh, doesn't she look absolutely delicious?! A total snack right here!" The girl had been hard work. Right from the moment go. She had been against the whole process, at first blatantly refusing my help! Couldn't she see how desperately she needed it? She had looked at me like I was out of line, approaching her in the queue at the food truck.

Cameras streaming, I had rocked up all glam, "Topaz! Are you ready for a new look? Thanks to your friend Crystal you have been nominated for a fresh look by yours truly!" And boy did she need it! Hair: wrong. The wrong tone for her skin colour, the wrong length. Her clothes: were okay, I could work with that. Attitude: The fucking worst! Dear gosh! That had to be fixed asap! You would think that satan had rocked up, the way her eyes shot daggers at me. Yikes!

"What? Huh, no? Get that camera out of my face!" She screech, fist knocking away. "Look! I don't want your help! Move on!"

Why wouldn't she let me help her?

"Hey turn the camera off," I said sweetly, patting Nick, my camera man on the arm. "I'll talk with her." I turned to Topaz, a charming smile on my lips. "Look your friend nominated you for a free make over. And to be honest," I looked her up and down once again, "you could use it." Anger flashed on Topaz's face, muscle jumping in her jaw. Oh. Had I said something wrong? "I mean, you are truly stunning, its just hidden, you know, under all this?" I waved a hand in the general direction of her face. Her make up was horrible. It was like she forgot to use a mirror, and just 'chanced' it.

Another twitch of her jaw, arms folding across chest.

"Look let me buy you a new wardrobe, play with your makeup and get your hair done. I promise you it will be a good time! And free!" Who could turn down down something that was free?

I tried to think of what my mother would say. Tell her what she wants to hear. Smile. Lie. Cheat. Thanks mum, I think sarcastically. She never was very tactful.

Finally, after another half an hour of debating, Topaz agreed to go on the show.

And here we are now, arm wrapped around the girls shoulder as I presented her to my world, my fans. "Doesn't she look stunning? Who would you like to see next? Remember to nominate your family, friends- or perhaps a crush? Neighbour? Thats all we have time for tonight! Good night all, see ya next time!"