Chapter 2
I finish the painting of Katniss just as I hear a knock on my door. I put the painting away and open the door.
I'm greeted by my prep team, and Porita, my stylist. And I can hear my escort, Effie Trinket shouting excitedly somewhere outside the Victor's Village. I move out of the way to let everyone in. They make themselves at home tossing handbags onto my furniture.
The prep team clean all non existing dirt off me while applying more makeup to themselves. They talk about their lives in the Capitol. They talk about how exciting it is for me because my first year or mentoring will be a Quarter Quell. I'm not sure why I should be excited about that though. Soon, my prep team are done and Portia is helping me into my cloths.
Effie comes in with a camera crew. She runs over to hug me. "Peeta, do you have all your paintings set up like I asked?" she says in her ridiculous Capitol accent. The camera crew, I think are going to get footage of my paintings to show the Capitol my hobby. I think Katniss's hobby is fashion designing, not that she would do anything like that. Her stylist, Cinna, did all the work. He's a good friend of Katniss's. Haymitch and I had a blast imagining Katniss designing cloths out of squirrel pelts.
"Yes, Effie. There in my painting room." I say.
Effie nods. "Perfect, Peeta, if you'll lead us to your painting room,"
"Right this way," I say, and walk to the room. I made sure to hide the painting of Katniss on the windowsill, because I don't want everyone today.
The camera crew get footage of my paintings and even a clip of me talking about them.
Effie claps her hand. "All right, Peeta we're going to get footage of Katniss and we'll start the tour." She waves the camera crew out the door and they head to Katniss's house.
Portia and I look at the window, to wait for Katniss to come out the door. As time goes by, a large amount of cameras are placed outside. We're going to be filmed as we walk out of our houses and meet each other to start the trip. I collect some of my paintings, to take on the tour. So I can look at my nightmares before I go to sleep, and, I want to show Katniss.
I watch out the window, as Katniss is literally pushed out of her house by Effie, I chuckle, and walk to the door. I look back to Portia, she nods. I open the door and start walking toward Katniss.
She starts running towards me. I guess we are the star-crossed lovers again. I catch her and spin her around but, I lose my balance and slip. She lands on top of me, and we kiss. And for a moment I let her fool me again. It's just a survival strategy. I tell myself. It's just a game.