A/N- Ta da!
((DISCLAIMER: I do not own The Hunger Games.))
CHAPTER 3: "Chariot Ride"
"He wants us to hold hands," I translate Cinna's words for Katniss, but she still looks confused. I give myself a moment to try and calm myself, and then I quickly take her hand before I lose my nerve. She gives me a shocked look like there's something wrong. Is my hand sweaty? Maybe I should just let go. Cinna gives us a thumbs up, which eliminates that plan.
Our carriage starts moving and I smile overtakes my face. I know this is a strange thing, but I feel like this is honestly one of the best moments of my life. I know Hawthorne will be watching us; hating that it's me with her, not him; hating that we're holding hands. I've never seen him holding her hand. But then again, maybe they don't only hunt when they're in the woods. This thought upsets me and I can't look upset. So I focus on the sounds of the Capitol crowd.
As soon as they see us they are screaming, at first they seem to be in terror of our fire, but then the screams turn to cheers. Cheers for District 12, then they're chanting for me and Katniss. I smile and wave as they go insane hypnotized by our flames. "Peeta Mellark: the boy on fire!" I utter to myself. I like it.
I see Katniss out of the corner of my eye and she's blowing kisses at the crowd with the hand I'm not holding. There's no way she can be enjoying this. It's so strange because I never saw her as that type of girl; the kind of girl that can lie right in front of your face. But I guess there's more to her then I thought.
We near the end of the parade and Katniss suddenly looks down and starts to release my hand. Instinctively I clasp onto her hand before she completely let's go, "Don't let go." I'm panicking, but to cover my desperation I grit my teeth and tell her a lie about feeling like I'm going to fall. She smiles and regains her grasp on me.
I look back at the screaming crowd and continue waving, but all I can think about is Katniss and the way her hand feels in mine. She is clinging on tightly, like she really doesn't ever want to let go. And I don't want her to, so even though her tight grip is hurting me, I don't say anything.
~theeShadyLady~