Peeta and I arrive at the square ten minutes early. There's all ready a ton of people. We stand at the back of the crowd. "Now what?" I ask. We weren't exactly given an itenirary. Effie just told us to be here at nine.

"I don't know. Where do we go?"

I hear footsteps trudging behind us. I feel a hand on the back of my neck, walking me forward. A gruff voice speaks, "You're late, sweetheart."

"Nice to see you too, Haymitch," I say flatly but I'm actually quite glad to see him.

He leads us to the side of the stage. "Showtime." —"Welcome, welcome!" Effie speaks into the microphone. "Happy Mockingjay Day!" Today she's wearing another one of her strange, elaborate outfits, and her hair is a metallic gold, matching my Mockingjay pin. "Now, we have some very special guests with us today. Please welcome Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark!"

Our new anthem begins to play and the crowd erupts with applause. I don't move, and Haymitch has to push me up the stairs. Peeta practically drags me. Once I'm on the stage, I smile politely and wave. Effie leads us to the center of the stage where Caesar Flickerman is seated. Caesar's color theme this year is a sunset orange. I bet Peeta is loving it. Effie exits the stage, and Caesar calms the crowd. "Welcome everyone! Happy Mockingjay Day!"

In my mind I'm begging Caesar to start with Peeta, since he's always been good with words. But, knowing my luck, he doesn't. "So, Katniss, tell me. How is it being here today, one year later."

I stammer. I should be grateful, but I'm not. "Well…I'm just happy to be alive." This statement reminds me of my first interview with Caesar at the 74th Games.

"Good answer," he laughs as I smile. Thanks Caesar. "How about you Peeta?"

"I agree with Katniss one hundred percent. It's nice to know it's all over," He gives a reassuring smile. According to what people tell me, girls all over the nation are going crazy for him. I see a few girls squeal in the audience, and he waves to them and smiles. I suppress the urge to roll my eyes. I'm not jealous. I'm just… not used to it yet, even after a year.

"I see. How will you be celebrating?" I'm relieved that I dont have to keep up a certain image anymore. With Snow dead, I can finally be myself.

"Hmm…we actually haven't thought about it," I laugh. It's forced, but it works. The audience is smiling. I see my mother, and she's smiling too. I look to Peeta.

"Honestly, Caesar, we've been so busy, we forgot about celebrating. We'll probably just hang out with Haymitch or something," he laughs. I look over to Haymitch on the ground. He's scowling and muttering something. I stifle a laugh. "Will you be celebrating?"

"Oh yes, of course. Big parties to attend and all that good stuff!"

We go through, of what seems, millions of questions, before it's over. Finally, Effie escorts Peeta and I to the bottom of the stage where Haymitch is. President Paylor is about to speak.

We sit in silence while she runs through her speech. She goes through the history of Panem, the triumph and the fall. She then proceeds to talks about the Games. I grip Peeta's hand. Haymitch steadies me. No one understands except Peeta and Haymitch. I can't listen to this part without thinking of everyone, especially Rue. I eventually fall asleep because of that, and it's also just quite boring.

Not long after, I feel Peeta shaking me to get up. "Katniss. We have to move. Now." Peeta grabs my hand. I hear screaming.

Turning my groggy eyes to the stage, I catch a whiff of what I think smells of roses and blood. I watch as Paylor ducks to avoid a flaming arrow, which is aimed for her head.