A/N: Happy One Year Anniversary! Let's see, this time last year I was bawling due to the excessive feels running through my mind. What were all you guys doing at this time last year? As a gift, I wanted to update this fanfiction. Thanks for the surprising alerts, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. Peeta, in fact makes an appearance in this chapter!
Johanna slips her thick aviator sunglasses over her eyes as she shuts the car door a little too roughly. Shoving the bag strap higher up my shoulder, I walk around the vehicle to meet her. The trip here was uneventful, as all we really did was belt out to classic rock and discuss our different music taste. To my surprise, she didn't lecture me about the audition and I couldn't be happier. My stomach ties in knots at the thought of this once in a lifetime opportunity and the possibility of me messing up was more than I'd like it to be.
The neon flamboyant billboards blind my vision, I stop walking just to get a better look around this gigantic city. People pushed through the crowd, walking to their workplace, or school. Admiring the view, I am quickly brought back to my senses when Johanna's abrupt voice crashes my daze.
"Hey, Brainless… unless you want to be late for the audition, I advise you not to get lost. I'll be damned if I'm going to let you stand here and admire this beautiful city before getting that role. Got it? " I nod, walking furiously just to catch up with her. She seemed to know where she was going, maybe a little too well. She walked the streets almost effortlessly with confidence, swerving her way down the busy sidewalk.
None of my co-workers actually asked Johanna about her past, out of fear of being ridiculed. But frankly, it was none of our business what happened in her early years. Her experience, leads me to believe that she spent some of her time in the here, doing god knows what.
"Wow," I utter, finally walking beside her. "You certainly know your way around here, don't you?"
She glances over to me, a smirk playing across her face. "Well, I did live here for most of my college years…" She trails off; as if it was something she didn't intend to say aloud. I don't push though; I just give her a timid smile and continue to walk. I occasionally stopped in front of a store or billboard, engaging in the atmosphere as much as I possibly could before the swell of nervousness took over my entire being.
I feel my pocket buzz, and without thinking I dig the phone out. I covered my hand over the screen, squinting as the sun blinds the image of the recent text. I should have known it was Prim, she has been sending my good luck texts ever since she found out about this.
Break a Leg, Kat! (Not Literally.) I love you and I wish you all the best today! Mom and Gale send their good luck wishes as well. Don't forget to text me when you get the part!
A small smile breaks over my face, and I quickly text my thanks. Although, I can't help but feel my smile fade as I realize she never mentioned my father. Had he even known about it, yet? If my mother knew, what stopped her from telling my father? He'd probably chew me out if so, since his permission wasn't granted before the came here. I wasn't a child anymore though; I didn't need his authorization anymore. I was perfectly capable of making my own decisions, whether he liked them or not.
I quickly rush my way up to Johanna, as she is several paces ahead of me. I stuff my phone back into my pocket, and clutch the handles of my bag more tightly. My stomach protests in hunger. It's not as if I forgot to eat this morning, more as my anxiety would let me keep anything other than water down. I grabbed my phone again, as the buzz alerted me that I had received another text message. I shield the sun away from the screen, glancing at the sender.
I am betting on you, Catnip! Hey, I always knew you would be famous. Even though I'm right, I won't gloat all day. I promise…and I always keep my promises.
I feel myself stumble backwards as a blond man rushes into me. He seems dazed as the white and green coffee cup flies out of his hands, the contents splattering across the sidewalk, spilling over his large blue sweatshirt. His arms shake in the air as he fails to remove the sticky contents off of his hands.
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry. Are you alright? I didn't burn you, did I? I can buy you a new one if you want…" I trail off, as he glances up towards me. His piercing blue eyes halt all my recent thoughts, but I shake the feeling away and force myself to keep my composure. After a few moments, his large grin begins to show more enjoyment.
"You're new here?" Wiping his hands on his pants, he brings his hand out for me to shake. Awkward enough, we are standing the middle of the sidewalk. I nod, looking down at his hand, unsure of what to do.
"I'm Peeta." He replies, sticking his hand out further, encouraging me to take it. It seems he won't actually stop until I accept it.
"Hi, I'm sorry about your coffee." A chuckle escapes his mouth, as he scopes out the damage I had done.
"Like I said, it's perfectly okay. But you know, you could pay me back with a first name… maybe?" A cheesy smile forms on his features and I can't help but scoff at the boyish quality. I open my mouth, letting the first witty thing be the last thing I say to him but Johanna interrupts at the perfect time.
"Hey, Brainless… we only have a little time to get you prepared. Stop talking to random strangers and get your ass over here." She yells through the busy passing citizens, to my surprise they don't actually acknowledge her brash attitude. Almost as if they are used to it.
"Sorry, I have to go." I apologize and move around the blond haired man, Peeta, was it? An odd name, a nickname for "Peter," maybe? I guess I don't have a right to say anything. Katniss isn't exactly a run-of-the-mill name either. I don't look back, but I'm sure his mouth is gaping. Whether he was just trying to get something out of me or was being generally nice, I would never know. I didn't have time for that though, my audition was nearing, and my stomach isn't settling any. This couldn't that difficult, right?
Instead of the normal little auditorium at home, I was standing on deep mahogany wood flooring. Four people sitting in front of me in black chairs, hiding behind a long table. Plastic bottles and loose papers scatter the top. I was without the large audience, but my nerves seemed a million times worse. Maybe it was because of the small chance of me actually getting a part.
"Hello, Ms.…" The chirpy woman drags off, glancing down to the paper that lies before her, "Everdeen. How are you dear?" Her bright pink wig and lurid clothing is something I should expect, but I can't help but think how pretty she would be without the gaudy "costume."
"I'm well, and yourself-"
"Trinket. Ms. Trinket." She interrupts, giving me a small smile and looks to her co-workers. Half expecting them to introduce themselves, but they don't.
"Please forgive my colleagues manners, Ms. Everdeen. It seems everyone has doze off. We have been working exceptionally hard for days, ensuring we have the utmost perfect cast for our production." A sugary sweet smile appears on her face. I don't reply, instead I nervously play with the hem of my shirt.
Don't fiddle Katniss. Johanna's voice rings through my ears and I automatically straighten my posture.
"So, Ms. Everdeen what do you have for us today?" She asks, folding her hands together in front of her. She seemed nice, enough…
"I'm going to be singing the song, I Dreamed a Dream from Les Misérables." I answer and Effie smiles brightly. She looks to the others expectantly, but they just shrug and glance back down to their papers.
I open my mouth, letting the lyrics spill out of my mouth. The soft tune rings through my mind, the one I have practiced for hours just for this one audition. The hard work, the time put into this one chance, in hopes that the trip here wasn't wasteful and time consuming.
But the tigers come at night
With their voices soft as thunder
As they tear your hope apart
As they turn your dream to shame
The familiar upbeat version of My Favourite Things echoes in the small room, and I feel my voice trailing off. Ms. Trinket's eyes grow wide, as she grabs her purse from underneath the table and searches for her phone. Seconds later, she takes out a bright pink IPhone…the same colour as her ridiculous dress. A small part in my mind wonders if she changes the case daily, just to match her eccentric outfits.
She mumbles something to herself, sighing deeply before bringing her hand to the microphone and raises her eyes to meet mine.
"I'm so sorry, but I have to take this. We have enough anyways, we'll call you okay?" An empty apology no doubt, but I try not to let what she said affect me. I nod, grabbing my bag and leave out the door. Johanna is on me the moment I'm out in the open.
"What the hell? You weren't in there very long... You screwed up, didn't you?" I feel myself frown, clutching the bag tighter to my body.
"No, the-uh, the director had an important phone call. She said they had enough, and would call me." Her face softens, and a scowl appears over her features.
"She said that?" I nod, and a heavy groan escapes her lips, "Well, then how about we go get a drink to pass some time?"
"A Dry Manhattan," Johanna eyes the bartender eagerly. He is unbelievably attractive with his tan, toned body structure, his brown eyes glinting in the low light. He wipes the wavy brown hair out of his eyes, only every so often.
"No problem, anything for you?" He asks, his unnatural white teeth showing beneath his smile. I just shake my head. "Not at the moment, thanks." I give him a small grin and he walks away swiftly to grab Jo's drink. I stare at the cocktail menu, debating on my order but nothing appetizing catches my eye.
"I think I'm just going to get water…" She eyes me, shifting closer to the bar table.
"You better be shitting me, Everdeen. We are at a bar in New York City and you're going to get fucking water?" I shrug. I don't really drink much or none at all. I mean, after Prom and Graduation, Gale coaxed some alcohol into me. I had gotten completely smashed and had regretted it in the morning. Eventually learning the hard way, that it burns more coming up than it did consuming it.
"I'm not much of a drinker for obvious reasons…" The bartender walks over, setting a martini glass in front of her. A reddish brown liquid fills to the top and a piece of lemon rind is curled around the edge decoratively.
"No problem, anything for you gorgeous?" His wink sets me back a little, and I try not to cringe at the endearment.
"A Long Island Iced Tea for this one." She points her index finger at me, before taking a short sip of her drink. My mouth drops as the bartender saunters off. I spin my chair towards her, almost falling backwards.
"What the hell was that, Jo?" She seems amused by my anger, as she plays with the lemon rind.
"You need to loosen up a little bit…" Her pleasure dies down, suddenly looking unbelievably serious. "Look, kid. They aren't going to call you…"
I don't understand what she is trying to say exactly, who isn't going to call me?"
"You didn't make the cut…" Then I realize she is taking about today, the directors, the musical. She thinks I didn't get a part.
"How do you know? You weren't even in the room with us." I feel defensive, as if she wouldn't know anything about it. But that's not true, she is experienced… she knows the signs. I frown; a breathy sigh escapes my lips. She holds her hands above in a protective manner.
"I'm not going to get into detail, but let's just say that I have been in the same spot as you. I've been in your position. Of course, I could very well be wrong, but I the same thing happened to me. If I had someone tell me all the stuff I'm telling you now, it would have saved me a lot of time-" Johanna trails off as a large narrow glass filled with a clear brown liquid is set in front of me. Ice filled to the top, and a bright red cherry set in the middle. It looks so tempting to just grab the cherry now, but I don't want to seem childish.
"I'm sorry to break that news to you, but don't let something like that stop you. You are by far the best vocalist I have heard, in a while." A small smile plays across her lips, "You remind me of me. " I take a gulp the refreshing drink and set it back on the table, holding her gaze. The gears in her head were turning viciously, like she had an idea.
"What are you thinking?" She downs the rest of her drink, and sets a couple bills on the table before standing up.
"We are taking a little field trip before we head home." She grabs my arm roughly and pulls me out the door before I have a chance to grab the artificial cherry I have been eying ever since the drink was placed in front of me.
Thanks again for the alerts! I hope to have it up by next week, hopefully. I am oddly busy next week.
Have an amazing week, tributes!