The stylists strip me down and tear every hair off my body. The pain is unbearable but I listen to Haymitch. I don't want to, but I do. If I have any chance of surviving and going home, I'm going to try and do it. When I'm done, I'm completely hairless, except for my head, of course, and my skin has a freakish glow to it. By the time my stylist walks in, I'm ready to shoot someone.
"Hello," he says in a soft voice. "My name is Cinna. I'm very sorry that this happened to you and I'm here to help in any way I can."
I'm very surprised. "Most people have just been saying congratulations," I say quietly.
"I don't think that this is something to celebrate," Cinna says quietly. "How about some lunch?"
We sit and I eat entirely too much. The food here in the Capitol is amazing. Everything is fresh and the taste is divine. He tells me that tonight is the parade and that he wants District 12 to make a splash.
"Normally we're coal miners," I say. District 12, is, of course, the mining district.
"Yeah, but I don't want to do that," Cinna says. "Katniss, how do you feel about fire?"
I shrug my shoulders. "I have nothing against it, if that's what you mean."
Cinna smiles. "Good. Then we're all set."
Later that evening, I meet Effie, Haymitch, and Peeta by the District 12 carriage. Cinna walked me down and Peeta's stylist, a woman named Portia, is there too. They smile at me. Effie looks truly excited. "You're going to make such a display!" she says.
"Yeah," Peeta agrees, flashing a brilliant smile. But I know better. He looks to me and his eyes are terrified. Haymitch and Effie have to go take their seats, leaving us with our stylists. "How do you feel about this?" he asks.
"I'll put yours out if you get mine," I say. He laughs and hoists himself onto the carriage, holding out a hand for me. He pulls me up and says, "Deal."
"Alright, I'm going to light you," Cinna says. I feel an odd tickling sensation and I realize that I'm on fire. I look to Peeta and he's smiling.
"Guess we had nothing to fear," he laughs.
Cinna smiles. "Thank God." We laugh. "Oh, and hold hands," Cinna says. "Look very comfortable with each other."
Peeta grabs my hand and nods at Cinna. "I've never seen tributes hold hands before," he says casually. The first two carriages have already left the tunnel.
"Me either," I say. "Wonder what the reaction will be."
He laughs. "You know, we could be friends," he says.
"I thought we were friends," I say.
He laughs again. "Yeah, but, like, good friends," Peeta says. "Even in the arena and stuff. I've got your back if you have mine."
I've always had your back, I think. "Absolutely," I say.
He smiles. "You know, we can't kill each other," Peeta says. I'm taken aback by his comment.
"I'd never kill you," I say. Did I really just say that? Really, Katniss?
He looks at me, a peculiar smile on his face. "Yeah?"
I laugh. "You really thought I would kill you?"
"What if it comes down to you and me?" he says. "Then what?"
"We figure it out then," I shrug. "But it won't come down to you and me, you know."
He sighs. "I know. If anyone's going to win, it's Cato."
"Or Thresh," I reply. "I mean, look at him. Compared to Rue?"
He laughs. "They're all so much bigger than me." He looks down. "Have you . . . done what Haymitch said? Accepted your inevitable death?"
I frown. "No," I say. "And I won't. And neither will you."
"I already have," he says. "There's no chance I'll be the victor. I'm going to die, Katniss."
"Don't talk like that," I say softly. "Please. Just . . . don't." I barely squeeze the words out without choking up, but Peeta notices. He turns to me.
"I . . . I didn't mean to upset you," he whispers. "I'm sorry. And I won't give up. Hey, if I've got your bow and arrow protecting me, I'm golden."
I laugh. "I know you're lying."
He smiles. "You see right through me, don't you?" He looks down and frowns. "Katniss, do you trust me?"
"Of course," I say.
He nods. "Don't freak out, then. What I'm about to do might scare you."
I raise my eyebrows. "What are you going to do?" I ask. He doesn't answer, merely points ahead. We're about to leave the tunnel. And just as the crowd roars because of the fire, Peeta Mellark puts his free hand on my waist and kisses me, right on the mouth.
Oh my God, I really will die happy now.
