New story! I can't really say it's my first, but I guess it's my first for years. Anyways, enjoy!
Chapter 1.
I toss and turn in the bed in my room on the train. I think it's some time around 1AM, and sleep is avoiding me the way I avoided the Careers in the arena. I sit up, focusing on the quiet, gentle hum of the train as it speeds along the country at over 200MPH. It's silent, and I can hear Haymitch snoring. Obviously he got drunk. I wasn't the ohly one who suffered the loss of Peeta...
My mind begins to cloudy with the thoughts of Peeta's death and I push them back. I can't stand thinking about it anymore. It was supposed to be an act... I get out of bed, staring out of the window. I can't see anything, but it's an excuse of something to do. It's mostly dark, but I can just about see the stars above the forests, that pour out endlessly across the land.
I wonder how things will go when I get home. The last footage my family or Gale saw of me was the interview after the games. The whole not talking much and running off the stage crying as soon as Ceasar mentioned Peeta. I can only imagine what Prim and my mother must have thought, and what about Gale? Will he be sympathetic or pretend he doesn't know me now that I'm in love with someone else.
I go back to my bed and lay there, thoughts of Peeta and the games again. I finally doze off, only to be woken 10 minutes later by Effie, who tells me we'll be arriving in district 12 in a few hours. For once, she's a little gentle, which I'm grateful for. The little amount of sleep I got has caused drowsiness and I have a pounding headache. I can understand how Haymitch feels during a hangover.
As I step into the dining cart, everything goes silent. I mean, there's only Haymitch, Effie and a few Avoxes anyway, but even so, you can feel the atmosphere change as I enter. I say nothing, slipping into a seat at the table and pouring a glass of water.
The others try to engage in conversation with me, but their voices are cold comfort at the moment. I finish the water and stare out of the window until we arrive at district 12, where we are guided by the mayor himself to the stage at the front of the Justice building, where the whole of district 12 is waiting. Luckily Haymitch comes on stage with me, and I hide behind him like a small child. He doesn't seem to mind. And that's when I see her. On top of Gale's shoulders, is my beloved sister Prim. That's the moment I break down. Haymitch turns to see me crying silently, and leads me into the Justice building.
"You want to see them?" He asks. I nod silently, and he whispers something to a peacekeeper, who marches off, presumably to find Prim and my mother. Me and Haymitch wait in silence.
"KATNISS!" Prim rushes in, hugging me tightly. Mother and Gale follow, a hint calmer, where is Prim is babbling words about me winning. I manage to detach myself from her and walk over to Gale, hugging him. He puts an arm around me. "You did it, Catnip. We knew you could."
His words hang in the air as we make our way to the seam.
A.N: yes, short I know. The other chapters are going to be a lot longer, don't worry.