I walked into the building with all the paperwork in my hands, ready to give myself away. I kept my head high and was careful not to be clumsy, Miss Trinket says she tells our husbands when we get there of any flaws we may have. If they do not think they can live with the flaw then they will reject us and send us back to our home. They pay a great deal of money for a wife, most of them don't treat women well, so they can't convince anyone to marry them of freewill. I really home my husband allows me to visit my sister, Prim, and my mother. They're doing better, but when I left a lot of the money that was constantly coming in to keep us alive was from me. My mother has a job now, but it took her years to find someone who would take a widow under their wing. The money paid from my future husband will keep them alive at least until Prim can take a job to bring in more money. I hope and pray as I walk in that morning that my husband will allow me to see them, or even write. Miss Trinket made it clear that some of us may never see our families again, or may not even be allowed to write them, depending on how our husband ran his house. She made it clear that some of them would want kids, some would demand "love making", and some would treat us like their personal slaves. I made the sacrifice, though. Prim cried last night at my goodbye dinner, and it broke my heart, but I knew it was the right thing to do. She cried again when they dropped me off outside, and my mother had to tear her away from me. I shake my head and walk up to the front desk, setting the paperwork down infront of the overly cheery lady. She beams at me, "Oh, you must be so excited! You'll meet your husband today!" she says, all the while smiling. Yep. Way too cheery.
"Yeah," I say flatly,"Thanks." I sit down next to a nice looking girl and pull out a picture of my family.
"Is that your family?" she asks, looking over my shoulder at the picture.
"Yeah."
"I'm Delly," she holds out her hand, "what's your name?"
"Katniss," I shake her hand,"Nice to meet you."
"So, where are you headed?" she asks, crossing one leg over the other.
"I'm not sure, Miss Trinket hasn't gotten the paperwork quite yet. It should have arrived the other night, she said she'll inform me during our last minute meetings on our husbands," I answer. She nods and smiles.
"I'm going to Savannah, Georgia," she annouces, "I hope my husband will allow me to see my family. But, then again, who isn't hoping that?" she hangs her head.
"I know what you mean, my sister has been crying since last night," she smiles again.
"Maybe, we could write, if our husbands allow. Once we get our addresses from Miss Trinket at our meetings we can exchange them," she suggests.
I nod, "I'd like that. And, who knows, they may even let us phone each other," she smiles and nods. We chat for awhile, and I'm glad to get my mind off things for awhile. Miss Trinket comes out soon enough and calls a few girls before I go in.
"Miss Katniss Everdeen," she annouces, and Delly smiles at me, urging me on. I stand up and walk properly, just as her classes showed me. She closes the door behind us, and gets down to business, "Your fiancée has been in the war, he may need comforting at times, so keep that in mind. He owns a bakery, you will most likely be expected to work there. Every wife in our program is expected to cook and clean. Anything done in the bedroom is entirely up to your fiancée, no protesting. Always make him feel loved, never refuse to anything, only wear skirts and dresses unless he requests otherwise," she rushes through the first part before slowing down, "Now, everybody will marry different people, these are just the basics. You will need to fit your husband's needs properly. Am I clear?" she asks, making me nod. She shuffles some papers, "Here is your address, which is always good to know in case of emergency. Your husbands says he owns a telephone and computer. He will decide if you are to use them or not. He may not allow you to write to friends of family, so be prepared. I think we're done here, do you have any questions?" she smiles with her finish.
"No, ma'am," I address her properly, I want her to know I'd been paying attention during the manners portion of class.
"His name is Peeta. And it says here that you will be Mrs. Mellark," I nod and thank her as we exit the room.
"So, where are you headed?" Delly stands up to greet me.
"Savannah, Georgia," we both smile and begin our chattering again. She handles most of the talking, which I'm grateful for. She goes on about how it'd be great if we were allowed to see each other, and all the wonderful things we could do together. I didn't really know Delly, but anyone could tell by looking at her that she brought with her only good.
"Okay, ladies, time to go meet your husbands!" Miss Trinket announces, startling me. Everybody gets up and we all pile into a bus to begin our new lives. Most of them will not be good, but I sure hope I get a husband that is nice enough to care about me a little. Delly chatters for most of the ride and we exchange addresses, I look out the window, praying all the while. Delly is one of the first girls to get off and I wish her good luck, and she smiles and waves to me as Miss Trinket goes in to get one last signature from the man she will be living with for the rest of her life.
When Miss Trinket announces that I'm to get off I startle and I am extremely nervous. I walk properly, as she showed me, smoothing out my skirt. She knocks softly on the door, and a few seconds later a blonde-haired man answers the door. He smiles, "Hello. You must be Katniss?" he asks me.
"Yes," I say, curtysing, "It's a pleasure to be here," I make my way back up.
"Mr. Mellark, if I could have you sign here, then you two will officially be married!" she shoves a clipboard at him, pointing to a line for him to sign his name on. He signs and I pick up my bags. Miss Trinket beams again, "Okay, if she is any trouble, you just call."
"That shouldn't be a problem," he says and opens the door wider so I can come in.
"Good luck, you two. Goodbye," she shrills, waving and making her way back to the bus.
"So, welcome home," he says, gesturing around the room, "I can take your bags."
"No, no. I'm trained to take care of you," I tell him, smiling like Miss Trinket said we're supposed to.
"It's okay, I'd like to, you're not my servant or anything," he takes the bags from my hands and I follow him up the stairs. I feel so relieved that he doesn't expect me to wait on him. When we get upstairs he sets my suitcase on the king-size bed.
"Thank you, I can prepare dinner," I say, hoping I can figure out how to use his kitchen supplies.
"Oh, no that's fine, I have it on the stove already, it should be ready in about twenty minutes. Would you like some help unpacking?" I thank God that my husband won't be a mean one, and I'm glad that he's happy to take care of me.
"It's alright, you've been very nice. I'm sorry, but I seem to have forgotten your name," I admit shyly.
"Peeta," he beams, waving goodbye and going downstairs. When he's out of sight I sigh. When I open the closet I realize just how big his-I mean our-house is. The closet is about the size of my house back home. I'm pretty confident that Peeta will let me see my family, and even Delly. I just hope her husband is as nice as mine has been to me. When I'm finished unpacking my things I walk down the stairs and into the kitchen.
"I was just about too call you down, the stew is ready," that ever appearing smile on his face. We talk for awhile, having an easy conversation, and when I finish I tell him how delicious it was. When I begin to clear the table he protests, telling me he can do it himself, and that I shouldn't worry.
"You must be tired, you've had a long day. You can go on upstairs, I'll be up in a minute," he turns back to the dishes and turns on the water, adding the dish soap in. I walk upstairs with a smile on my face, maybe this won't be so bad, after all. Wait, who am I kidding? This man bought me, and I'm pretty sure the kindness will come to an end as soon as he begins demanding things in bed. I wipe the smile off my face and put on a nightgown. He had bought a bunch of clothes for me, he told me at dinner he wasn't sure what I liked so he bought a variety. He also said we can go shopping again when he isn't working. I take out a book that I brought along-one of Prim's favorites. He walks in and smiles when he sees me reading.
"Hello," I say with a smile. I can still hear Miss Trinket's annoying voice in my head, 'Mind your manners, do as you're told, and never protest. Then, your husband will not return you,' I'm glad classes are over.
"Hello, I'm going to shower, then I'll be going to bed. Bakery opens early," he returns the smile, making his way to the bathroom.
"When do we leave?" I ask, putting my book down. I don't want to read much longer if I'll be getting up early.
"Oh, you don't have to come," I think he can tell I'm surprised that I'm not expected to work with him at the bakery.
"But, Miss Trinket said that you'd expect me to."
"You're my wife, not my servant, Katniss. I'm not going to make you do anything you don't want to do," my luck is phenomenal, he doesn't want to force me to do anything. On top of that he's been extremely nice. All the weight has been lifted off my shoulders, he's been so nice. He disappears into the bathroom. When he comes out a few minutes later in a towel I can't help but stare at his shirtless appearance.
"Sorry," I shyly say, dropping my head so he can't see the blush that's crawled to my face.
"It's okay, we are married," he tells me, disappearing into the bathroom again with boxers and a pair of pajama pants. I must admit, he is attractive...and nice. I let my thoughts wander to Prim and my future with Peeta, maybe it wouldn't be so bad. When he comes out I'm already lying on my back with the reading light off. He climbs in and relaxes next to me.
"I'm glad I got as nice of a husband as you," I whisper, breaking the silence.
"I'm glad I got you, too," he whispers, "You seem nice, and I want to make you happy," he tells me, turning on his side to face me. I do the same, mirroring the smile on his face.
"Thank you. Can I ask you something?"
"Sure."
"Why are you so nice to me?" confusion wipes over his face before he answers.
"Why wouldn't I be?" his question makes the same look wash over my face.
"Miss Trinket said not to expect our husband to be respectful, or even nice. She said we probably wouldn't be able to see our family or friends. She said we were supposed to be your servant, pretty much. But, you treat me nicely, and you don't want me to do anything I don't want to. Why is that?" I finally finish, looking into his eyes, trying to read his reaction.
"I believe that you should respect women, and treat them with kindness. You're not my servant, I hope you know that, Katniss," we're both looking into each others eyes with such intensity.
"Would you mind if I came closer to you?" when I say these words I'm sure we're both surprised.
"Not at all," he replies as I scoot closer. To my surprise, I lift his arm up and put it around myself.
"Goodnight, Peeta," I sigh, closing my eyes.
"Goodnight, Katniss," he whispers, taking his hand and finding mine. I'm not sure why I'm trusting him. To think, this morning I was telling myself how awful it would be to leave and live with a stranger. Tomorrow I decide I will ask him if I can see my family soon, or write to them. When, I don't know, but I fall asleep, feeling satisfied and happy to be with someone as kind as my husband, Peeta.