2
I seem to remember vaguely that I hadn't shown the Capitol any of my paintings. I ask Portia and she said it was because they want to watch me paint so they'll do it on the train. I nod, though it seem strange to me. We step outside my door, and I realize that the snow is thicker than ever. I hold the cane tightly, thinking of all the ways I can slip on the ice.
I see Katniss, right outside her door, and when she sees me she starts walking in my direction. The smile that covers her face looks almost looks real. But I know better so I don't fall for it. Immediately, that is. Because when she starts running at me, and I wrap her in my arm, I forget that I'm mad.
I spin her around in a circle, dropping my cane, but I slip and fall backwards. I land in the snow, her straddling over me. I smile up at her bright eyes, and I can't resist it. I lift my lips to hers and kiss her for the first time in months. It's halfhearted on her part, but I won't stoop that low. I kiss her like I would have in the arena. She stands up, and pulls me up with her. I smile as she slips her arm into the crook of mine, pulling me on our way.
The day is a flash, a blur. We're saying good-bye to everyone, fighting through the crowd to get to the train, and crowding on the train, waving to everyone as we leave. Eating on the train, the delicious meal that is as good as always. Once that's done we go to my car and I show a remaining camera person the paintings.
"Each painting is the Games. Katniss when I awoke after she went to the feast, the mockingjays, and of course Katniss herself. She follows me everywhere no matter what. So if I paint her, it evens out." I say at a point and Portia smiles approving. They ask about the picture I painted this morning.
"Well, you see, I think Katniss still sees me broken and beaten from the Games. I'm sure my leg doesn't help, but it shows how she saw me. It's one of the worst nightmares, that she blames herself." After that they set me up to paint, and when I ask what they want, they just tell me to paint whatever. So I do. I paint out an intricate meadow, the flowers just before bloom, and Katniss standing out there with Prim. No not Prim, the little girl is too young, and Katniss looks a little older. The girl's eyes pierce grey, like Katniss's. But Katniss stands with her bow in hand. And Gale stands across from her, on the other side of the meadow. I paint on the fence, my fingers wrapped around the links.
They excuse themselves, looking close to tears, and I finish up the painting. When they come back its finished and they take the final photos and video. They guy leave as the train stops, and Portia leans on my shoulders.
"That went well, how'd you come up with it." Portia asks staring at the painting.
"I don't know. He told me to paint anything and I was just going to be the meadow, but then Katniss came in, and I thought the little girl was Prim, but her eyes aren't right. And then Gale came, and I was locked out by the fence." I tell her.
"You sound like you're not the one painting, but your telling me what you saw." She tells me, and walks out. I pull out a new sheet of paper, painting blind. I have no image in my mind as I paint, but the form comes up with a stroke of the hand.
The girl- Katniss maybe?-stands with the brightest of smiles, a flowing white dress hanging around her. Her hair is pulled into a braided bun, and her face has a small about of makeup. The crowd comes slowly after, sense I don't want to; I want to leave it as just her. But I see Gale appear out of my brush, and then Prim, her mother, my mother and father. Aloe, Baggett, Nickel, Pepper, Haymitch, Portia, Cinna, Alba, Curzon. All of them. They stand with smiles, some crying, others-Gale and Haymitch-stand without emotions.
The pain flashes through me, and I take the painting out of the car, and down the hall to my room. I throw it in the corner, not having the heart to burn it in the fire. I fall to the bed, closing my eyes, trying to erase the image, but it's burned into my eye lids. Her smiling face, bright eyes so full of love and hope. I can't believe what I just painted.
I just painted my wedding.
Sorry this is so short, but I'm traveling all day tomorrow, so I don't think I get much done, let alone up. I'll try though, at the layover or something. Hope you like it!~Rue Finnick Mellark
SOORRRRY! AHHH! Thanks for telling me that I had accidently forgot this chapter! Again soorrryyy I started writing 3 and I thought that was chapter 2! Blond moment! :D