Now who the hell is Peeta Mellark? Before I had the time to dwell on the thought a boy about the same age as Katniss, with blonde shortish hair and bright blue eyes stepped out. I recognized the face straight away.
He was the baker's son!
The cakes that are always so nicely decorated, put on display always makes my mouth water. But I try not to stay too long next to them knowing that there is no way in the world that I'd ever be able to afford on of them.
Also this morning, when Katniss and me had our little "feast" in the woods, I brought freshly baked bread (which by the way I stuck an arrow through it which made Katniss laugh) and she brought cheese made by Prim's goat. It was delicious; though I bet Katniss will now stuff her face with rich capitol food. I know I would.
Okay, back to business. I glanced back at the stage where Peeta and Katniss where standing one next to the other. Katniss' eyes were full of pain, like she was remembering something that happened long time ago. And it didn't seem like a good memory to me. Does it involve Peeta? That's why that look came to her face as soon as Effie called out his name? One thing was for sure; the two definitely knew each other.
***
It took awhile until they finally let in visitors, and I wasn't the first one to visit Katniss. Her Mom and little sister beat me to it.
I don't know if they planned to be quiet in there, and if they did, well, they didn't do a very good job. I could hear crying and hoping and promising from the room I was waiting to go inside to. Finally, the two made their way out, and I stepped in closing the door behind me before I spread out my arms waiting for a hug.
She doesn't hesitate and hugged me back tightly. Her hair still smells a little bit from the woods, though I'm sure she took a shower before she went to the reaping. I don't care, I love that smell. It reminds me of… her. I hold on a few more seconds, but then let go still holding her shoulders with my hands.
"Listen," I say. "Getting a knife should be pretty easy, but you've got to get your hands on a bow. That's your best chance." Katniss is the best archer I know and if she can just get her hands on a bow would save her life.
"They don't always have bows," she says and my mind instantly flickers to the year when there were only spiked maces. Gross. By the expression on her face, I knew she was thinking about the same thing.
"Then make one. Even a weak bow is better then no bow at all."
We keep talking about the horrible Hunger Games and what happened to the years before. But once she doubts her skills, I get angry.
"Katniss, it's just hunting. You're the best hunter I know," I assure.
"It's not just hunting. They're armed. They think."
"So do you. And you've had more practice. Real practice. You know how to kill."
"Not people," she bites her lower lip in frustration.
"How different can it be, really?" Easier said then done, I know. I don't think I'd be too thrilled either to have to kill a bunch of innocent people. But what choice did she have? She has to come back!
The stupid Peacekeepers come in then, way too soon, and so I ask if I could a little more time. They wont listen and start to drag me out. Katniss panics and holds on to my arms.
"Don't let them starve!"
"I won't! You know I won't! Katniss, remember I –" I try to say but they yank us apart and slam the door before I could I run back inside.
Well, that was that.
I can't go home yet though. There is just one more person I truly need to see.
Peeta.
As much as I hated the idea of meeting with Katniss'-soon-to-be-enemy, I know I just have to talk to him before he kills her.
I knock once, not wanting to disturb if anybody else's inside. Maybe his girlfriend came to say her last goodbye.
"Yes?" came an unsteady voice from inside. I decide that it is safe and walk in. There is an awkward silence for a second as I try to figure out what to say.
"Listen," I start. "I know it's not exactly fair for me to say this, but, can you try to protect her? If not, at least not kill her straight away?"
He straightens then says, "Why? Is she your girlfriend?" He seemed very bothered about this.
"Huh? No. My best friend."
"Oh. Okay." A smile returning to his face. Maybe he liked her and she didn't like him back and that's why she seemed bothered when they called his name.
Another awkward silence.
"Um, just don't tell her. We didn't have this convo." I say smiling.
"What convo?" He smiled back.
I got up and prepared to leave, but before I reached the door I turned around to ask just one last question, "Does she know?"
He didn't ask me what I was talking about because he obviously did.
"No."