Bringing Her Home Ch I
"No!" Peeta sprung out of bed gasping. His hand clutching at his heart.
Peeta looked to the window where the sun was shining through. He could still see the deaths of Lana, Kanary, Richarus and Andrena in his mind. It had been a year since they had died in the 73rd Hunger Games. They had been his allies, Andrena a sixteen year old from here and Richarus, a thirteen year old from District Six. Lana had been the fifteen year old female tribute from District Eleven, Kanary, the eighteen year old tribute from District Three. All four of them had died in the final battle against the Career Pack, that had left Peeta alone to face off against the District Five male. Peeta ended it quickly becoming the Third Victor from District Twelve. It had been great for about two weeks, then President Snow showed up at his house, telling him that he had the choice between losing his virginity to a fellow Victor or losing a family member in an "accident".
The choice was obvious, and a week later he was forced to sleep with Johanna Mason, Victor from District Seven. She had been kind and gentle with him, coaxing his passion out of him. Even though it was filmed, Johanna managed to get him to lose himself in her. After that Snow made him sleep with Enobaria and Cashmere from Districts Two and One. Snow kept him on a rotation between the three women. Each encounter was filmed and sold in the Capitol, but as long as he did it, Snow did not do what had been done to countless other Victors, selling them.
Peeta shook his head, clearing his mind and went downstairs where his brother Rye was sweeping the kitchen floor. "Happy Hunger Games Rye."
Rye scowled at him but let a small smile slip on to his face. Just then the phone rang, Peeta frowned but went to the phone and answered it.
"Hey Hot Buns! How are you today?" Johanna's concerned voice came through. Peeta blushed at her nickname, but answered "Another nightmare last night. Today's the Reaping today."
Peeta could almost see Johanna nodding, "The first Reaping is always the worst. Has Haymitch told you how it's gonna work for you guys?"
Peeta nodded even though Johanna couldn't see him, "I will be mentoring whoever the female tribute is."
"Sounds good. Look, try not to get too attached to whoever she is. I'm not trying to be harsh, but it will make it easier. Also, no matter who is called as tribute, keep your mouth shut and your face straight. Don't let the Capitol know how you feel about your tributes. Don't let them in. Do that and you'll be just fine. Take care Hot Buns, I'll see you tonight when we get to the Capitol."
"Johanna, I wish you were here. I'm not sure if I can do this." Peeta sighed, for once letting his voice carry his emotions.
"Of course you can Hot Buns. You're a Victor of the freaking Hunger Games. You survived that and you'll survive this. Haymitch, Finnick, Mags, Cashmere, Gloss, Brutus, Blight, Annie, and I will help you through this. I promise, now go take a shower and get ready. See you in ten hours Hot Buns."
"K, take care of yourself Jo." After a deep breath, Peeta hung up the phone. Rye merely looked at him wryly before continuing his work. Suddenly there was a knock at his door. Peeta sat down at the kitchen table as Rye opened the door.
A loud familiar voice called into the house, "Peeta, darling! We're here, I want you to come meet your new stylist."
Peeta stood up and went to the foyer where Effie Trinket, District Twelve's escort stood. Behind her stood four people. Effie came up and gave Peeta a large hug, "Peeta, I want you to meet the the stylist for the females of District Twelve, though for now he will also be your stylist, Cinna!"
Cinna stepped forward with his hand out, "I feel that I should congratulate you on your Victory Mr. Mellark, Portia and I will be the new stylists for District Twelve, for now though I will also be your stylist as well as whoever the tribute is today. These are my assistants, Flavius, Venia, and Octavia."
Cinna introduced each of the assistants and Peeta shook each of their hands smiling before turning to Effie, "So is Portia with Haymitch already?"
Effie scowled at the mention of Haymitch but nodded, "Now lets get ready. We have a big, big, big day ahead of us!" She turned to leave before quickly stopping, "Happy Hunger Games to you Peeta!"
Peeta merely smiled before he was rushed off to his room by his three stylists. Together they removed all of his body hair and dressed him up in a nice suit. Cinna came in when they finished to analyze their work before sending them away.
Cinna motioned for Peeta to sit down, "Nervous?"
Peeta could only nod. Cinna smiled, "First time is the worst. Plus no matter how drunk Haymitch may look, he won't throw you to the dogs. You'll do fine."
Peeta nodded to Cinna before heading to the Justice Building. It was almost 2:00 and that meant that he needed to get to his seat. As he climbed the stairs onto the stage in front of the building, he could see into the crowd where his brother stood. Next to him stood Gale Hawthorne, a hunter that frequented Peeta's father's bakery to trade squirrels.
Across on the female side, Peeta could see his old friend Delly Cartwright, standing next to Madge Undersee and Katniss Everdeen. Katniss Everdeen. The name alone brought a blush to his cheeks, but he forced it down as he looked over the rest of the crowd.
Soon Haymitch, Mayor Undersee, and Effie joined him on stage. Mayor Undersee shook each of their hands. Finally it was time for the program to start and Haymitch, Peeta and Effie sat down while Mayor Undersee spoke of the history of Panem.
Finally Effie stood up and announced, "As usual, Ladies first."
Her normal Capitol accent trilled as she spoke. Effie dropped her hand in and after a few seconds, pulled out a slip of paper. Peeta's heart stopped for a moment when Effie called out, "Primrose Everdeen."