I'm being waxed and all fancied up by my prep team. I seriously find it excruciating when they pull the strips off my legs. I want to yell at them. But I can't do that. I need to follow Haymitch's orders. He said don't refuse or protest against what they do to you. I stumble upon the fact that these people are annoying, and it's very hard not to snap at them when they're waxing your legs, which today I've discovered is painful, very painful. Their stupidity is somewhat hilarious to me. But there's nothing to laugh at. They chatter on about how there must be something between District 12 tributes. I refrain myself from snapping at them that I'm right here, right in their faces. They talk about me as if I weren't here, and I don't like it.

Haymitch explained to me that if I want Peeta to survive in that arena, than I'd have to be both on his side and mine. That's impossible in the games, because obviously, there is only one survivor. Only one gets out. Preparing myself to die hits me like a bullet. I have no other choice. I can't watch Peeta die helplessly. And if I want him to get sponsors, there is only one way. That is to keep up with the rumor of us being together.

But still, I can't believe it's real. I can't believe I'm in the worst position ever, with the boy I love. I'm lost in my thought until I feel a sharp pull near my eyebrows. Great, they're plucking my eyebrows. I feel so superficial when they put on my makeup. My hair is tied up in a neat, high pony tail; letting some soft curls hang right above my shoulders. In minutes, my stylist, Cinna, comes in. He wears normal clothing. He seems very normal and calm, much better than my prep team.

My prep team consists of three women and a man. I don't pay attention to them, because I seem to be getting lost in my thoughts again. When I'm finally finished, Cinna helps me up from the chair, since I could barely move due to my ripped-of-hair legs. He hands me something to wear, and I put it on, trying carefully not to touch my legs.

Cinna seems real, unlike the Capitol people. He seems different, and I like it. I don't feel as if I have to refrain myself from yelling something at him, because in reality, that's how I feel about half of the Capitol's people.

Cinna breaks the silence like shattered glass. "Katniss, are you afraid of fire?"

My direct answer would be a yes. Of course I'd be afraid of fire, isn't everyone? Though for my best, and my safety, I should say yes so it doesn't encourage him to set me on fire or do anything to me that have to with fire, I don't say yes. Without any hesitation, I let out a quick reply. "No."

He smiles. "Good," he says, a bit cheerful.

I look at him through the mirror, suspiciously. He's going to have to tell me somehow. And when he does, I can't help but feel a bit terrified at first, until he finishes the sentence. I sigh in relief and eye myself in the mirror. My makeup makes me too pretty to be me. The tight black suit feels as if someone is choking me to death. But as I get more comfortable in it, it doesn't matter anymore. All that matters is, I'll get set on fire, but I won't get hurt.

Entering a room filled with chariots and horses, I see Peeta standing next to Portia, his stylist. He leans against the chariot, looking serious. It's no surprise to me. I knew it was just a matter of time when he'd realize how bad it is to make friends with other tributes. Allies, I don't want any and I don't need any. They'll betray you once they get the chance, putting you into a tougher situation with the lack of trust you hold in you. All the other tributes are around, and once a bell rings, they get on to the chariots. Peeta and I do the same, not saying a word to each other. Before we can even step on the chariot, Cinna lights us up with fire.

I look at myself, wondering when the pain will start. Surprisingly, it doesn't. Cinna was right, we can't even feel it. In fact, it feels a bit warm and good. Peeta looks at himself as I turn my attention to the chariot. I climb on as Peeta does, right behind me. I look straight ahead as one by one the chariots go through a gate. All I could think of once I got on the chariot, is I hope I don't fall off. It has happened once in the games, and sure enough that tribute didn't make an impression. Without even thinking, I grab Peeta's hand as I look down behind us. I glance at him, to see him looking right where I was.

"I just hope I don't fall off this thing," he says, almost under his breath. I tighten the grip on his hand as he looks up at me, his blue eyes meeting mine.

"I know, I'm hoping for the same," I agree, sighing. I have a feeling I'm holding his hand too hard, but it doesn't seem to bother him because he's holding on to my hand just as hard.

Our chariot starts to move and as it moves closer and closer to the gate, the more screams, and cheers I hear. I take a deep breath as our chariot is enveloped by numerous of colorful people. They scream. They cheer. They laugh and I think I even see some with tears in their eyes. It all makes me hold Peeta's hand tighter. It's all I could do to stop myself from rolling my eyes or stop smiling. I need to keep this bright, flashy smile on my face or otherwise, the boy right next to me won't have a higher chance of getting sponsors. Then the idea hits me like a bright light through a dense and dark forest. It just comes, and I know Haymitch is watching me, seeing if I have the brains to figure out that this is the best time to show the Capitol that our "romance" is real, even when I'm starting to wish it was.

While the chariot moves, I lift our entwined fingers up in the air so everyone can see. Once I do, numerous of people start screaming and throwing roses as us. The other tributes glare at us, with envy. Peeta stares at my face as I glance at his and smile at him. He stares at me for another moment, making the scene even more intense, well at least to me. I try to keep the redness off my cheeks, but what point would that have? It's for the Capitol, I keep reminding myself.

It's for the Capitol.

Then I feel it. Has he caught on to my plan? I can't even bother to think about that as the redness of my cheeks boils to the surface of my cheeks. His lips made contact with my cheek, and it only takes that to make me blush, very hard. But that's not the best thing here, the Capitol loved it. I look up to Peeta, staring into those blue orbs of his. I just wish, really wish, there was a way for me to gain the courage to tell him. But, it'd ruin everything. He must think it's for the Capitol, I'm certain of it. Not only does he think that, but if I tell him, he might think it's a trick. I can't tell him that I'm going into that arena, hoping to die so he'd win and try to do everything in my power to keep him alive.

To make the crowd even crazier, he winks at me. I smile, trying not at all to hide my blush. We look up at President Snow, who's giving a speech. His words only bother me even more, and I fog them up as I glance at Peeta. He's looking up at Snow as he gives his famous speech for every chariot ride every year. I've heard it so many times, and I've never known how terrible it must feel to hear it until now. I'm staring at Peeta, and I can't even try to keep my eyes from him. I'm going to die, and he doesn't even now. Does he ever think about me? Why do I even care? I'm going to die, and when I do, I'll be praying for him to be the last one, the last standing one, the Victor.

But if I had one wish, it'd change our circumstances. I would have told him by now if it weren't for the games, or at least that's what I think. I don't know how I can bring myself to think about it now as Snow gives his speech and the crowd listens intently. His blue eyes sparkle as the lights hit his face. The gold, blond hair shimmers and it can only get my heart to beat faster than it has already. Sometimes I wonder how stupid I might sound. It's stupid to fall for someone in this place with you. But, it was before everything. I couldn't help it, and sometimes I wish I didn't feel this way.

Snow finally finishes his speech. The chariots retreat back into the building. Once we're out of the people's sight, up in the twelfth floor, and put out, I let out a breath. Haymitch walks in with Effie as she babbles away on how amazing with did. I don't want to see her, listen to her, or even be in the same room as her. The annoying tone of her voice just ticks me off. Peeta excuses himself before Effie can even say a word to him. I'm next, but she catches me.

"Katniss, that was amazing!" She hugs me and talks to me about how beautiful Cinna made me look, how alluring Peeta looked on fire, and how lovely we look together as a couple. I look over her shoulder to Haymitch for his help. I want to run when he flashes a big smile at me. I glare at him when the idea hits me.

"Well, thank you, Effie," I say, as politely as I can. She squeaks and tells me what a good job I did by saying words such as thank you and making it as polite as possible. I smile and say, "But you must tell Haymitch that," I start to whisper, "I don't think he agrees with you."

She winks at me and squeaks, "Oh, Haymitch, don't you think the kids did a wonderful job?" Haymitch's eyes fall onto me, and I smile, heading for the room. Haymitch grabs me before I can leave.

"How did you enjoy your hand-holding time with Peeta?" He smirks, saying it loudly enough for Effie to hear it. "Bet you loved that."

My cheeks run red because of the anger forming in me. "Haymitch, it was fine, holding Peeta's hand." I couldn't bring myself to say anything more.

"Oh yeah, I'm sure you enjoyed Peeta," he says, laughing.

I was going to say something when he walked in, his blue eyes showing suspicion. "What about me?" He glances between us both. Haymitch smirks and it causes me to cough nervously.

"Nothing, we were talking about the chariot ride and how amazing you both did," he says, relief enveloping me.

Her smile, the tight grip she had on my hand that stopped my blood from circulating, and the thought of going into that arena with her make me drowsy and uncomfortable no matter how soft this bed I'm laying on is. I look into the ceiling, and I can't believe this is where I am. I don't want to kill her, and I'm not going to kill her. I can't kill her. Trying to forget her shiny, grey eyes and that adoring shade of pink she occasionally turns around me is so difficult, probably one of the toughest things I've had to deal with besides starving.

I can't stand being in my room the rest of the night after dinner. Effie and everyone else were oddly quiet during the dinner. Katniss stared at her food for most of the time, glancing at me from time to time. I want to ask her, what's going on her mind. She's quieter than ever, and she avoids eye contact. Something's going through her head, but I still can't figure it out. Effie was the strangest of all of them. Her normal conversation doesn't start. She sits there, staring at her food and eating slowly.

Then my attention landed on Haymitch, who slightly smiled at Katniss. Katniss glares at him, a glare so vile it could kill. What is going on? I glanced back and forth between them. I never really bothered to ask, but now that I'm staring at the ceiling and lying on this bed, it's nagging at the back of my head. It doesn't want to leave me alone, and I cannot stand being in this isolated room another minute. I get up from the bed and start for the hallway.

I'm wondering around the place, not caring where I end up in. I find a door that leads to stairs. I climb the stairs, lazily. When I get up there, I see her. She's standing there, staring at the fantastic view of the Capitol. Not noticing I'm here, she turns around to leave. When her eyes meet mine, she steps back, startled.

"Sorry for scaring you," I apologize, looking at her right in the eyes intensely. It's as if I'm trying to figure out what's going inside her head.

She's quiet for a second, until she says, "It's fine." It takes her all her strength to look me right into the eyes. That's enough for me to know something definitely is going on, and she's hiding it from me.

I walk towards where she's standing, looking at the view of the Capitol. Lights and colors never seemed so beautiful mixed together. Katniss turns around, standing next to me. I want to know what's going on in her head. But it's obvious she's not going to tell me. But I ask anyway. "What's going on with Haymitch?"

She looks at me, her facial expression confused. "What do you mean?"

"You know what I mean," I say irritated. I turn to look at her in the face, my eyes piercing through hers. Moving closer to her, I say, "Something's going on, and it has to do with me."

Her gray, stormy eyes show nothing but confusion, but I can see it. She's nervous. "There's nothing going on, Peeta."

I step closer to her, very close to her. Anger shoots right into me. I don't like knowing things last, and it's finally getting to me the fact that she always acts so strangely around me. "Don't lie," I raise my voice, unwittingly.

Now I've done it. Her eyes are filled with complete panic. I can hear her breathing, and it's unsteady. She steps away, but I take one step closer. My face is just inches away from hers when she says, "I'm not lying, Peeta. Nothing is going on."

"I don't believe you," I persist, stepping so close to her that I can already feel her body right up to mine. I gently grab her by the shoulders, trying hard not to hurt her. I look right into her eyes, "Please, tell me."

"There's nothing to say," she lies, not looking into my eyes. She's so uncomfortable that I swear I can just feel it.

I sigh, angrily. "Fine, don't tell me." I let go of her and start to walk away, thoughts clouding my vision. She might already be planning how to kill me. And if she's planning to kill me, she might want to think twice. Before I can leave, I feel her grab my hand.

I turn around in a second. When I look into those eyes, I see nothing but worry and sadness. I try not to care, but it's too hard not to. It's as if I want to care. I need to care. Anything that comes out of her mouth, at this point, I'll believe. "Peeta…I…," she sighs, "I-I…love you."

Thanks for reading, review please! Follow me on Twitter Katrina_BabyKat