Hey guys! So I meant to update yesterday but I got kinda busy..*sheepish smile*
And sorry this chapter is tiny. It was longer, but I cut it short..for dramatic purposes and whatnot..=P
Anywho, I wanted to thank the 2 new followers! THANK YOU! You guys are awesome! =D 3
And I can't believe I forgot this detail : I do not own The Hunger Games. It belongs to Suzanne Collins.
Enjoy! =D and I promise I'll update soon!
I slide down and sob into my knees.
They literally just confirmed my worst fear. That the Peeta I fell in love with is gone for good. I miss him so much it hurts.
I stumble to my dresser and open the top drawer. I pick up the box and unwrap it carefully. I gently touch the smooth surface of the pearl he gave me during the Quarter Quell. It's as pristine as it always was. As if nothing has changed.
Someone knocks hard on the door, startling me. I put the pearl back, walk over to my bed and fall onto it. "Katniss!?" I hear Gale's voice. He is the last person I wanna talk to. I burrow myself in the sheets and close my eyes.
I hear muffled sounds of knocking on the door, but I ignore them. I just want to talk to one person. I just wanna feel his arms around me, so warm and protective.
I drift into an uneasy sleep, sprinkled with nightmares about Peeta being tortured. I wake up screaming for him each time.
After what I feel is the fourth time, I feel someone stroking my hair. The touch is exceedingly gentle and so familiar. I open my eyes and see my mom's tired face smiling down at me.
"Mom.." I whisper and scoot closer to her, not questioning her presence. That can be done later. She pulls my head onto her lap. I close my eyes and allow her to keep storking my hair. All of a sudden, I feel water on my face. I open my eyes to see tears streaming down my mothers face. "Mom? Why?" I ask. She shakes her head and wipes the tears, saying "Sorry, it's just seeing you like this, scarred and worn out. The old Katniss was so strong." "She's gone mom. She can never come back now." I say. My mom gently whispers " Let it out honey. You can't hold it in forever."
And just those few words make me cry harder than I ever did. I shake and clutch her hands so tight that my finger marks become visible, bu she doesn't react. She just holds me closer and lets out her own tears. The awful choking noises escape me and I try to compose myself, but that just induces more sobs.
I fall asleep without realising it and when I wake up, it's almost four in the evening. I feel lightheaded, tired but a bit better than I did before. I change into the clothes my mother has laid out for me and go downstairs. When I reach the hall, I see all of them talking and laughing. As I come in, they slowly stop talking and become solemn. I sigh and say " You can talk in front of me. I don't bite." I sense the group letting out an inaudible sigh of relief.
Cinna pats the couch cushions and I go and sit next to him. He takes my frozen hands in his warm ones. My mother and Gale start talking about the stupid things I did as a child, for entertainment purposes. Haymitch steadily drinks through the bottle of wine which was meant for everyone. I roll my eyes and lay my head on Cinna's shoulder. "Oh hey, I bought you something. I forgot about it with the reunion and all.." he says suddenly. He moves to the end of the couch and pulls out a box. He hands it to me and winks. I take that as a hint to open the box. I pull it apart and a whole mess of fabric falls onto my lap.
I stand up and shake it out to find a beautiful green dress with thin golden straps. "Wow..it's amazing Cinna. Obviously." I say. "Turn it around." he says.
I turn the dress around to see a mockingjay, made entirely out of golden sequins, embroidered on the back. The slightest movement made it sparkle and look like..like it's on...
"I never stopped betting on you, Girl on Fire." says Cinna. A shaky laugh escapes me. The last time he said that, he was almost killed. "Thank you." I say, kissing him on the cheek. He smiles in return. "So, are you gonna go up and try it on now or after lunch?" he asks me. "Umm for what?" I say. "Well, I just asked when you're going to try it on." smirks Cinna. "Why do I have to try it on again?" I ask. He laughs and shakes his head, as if I was missing the most obvious thing in the world.
"For your interview with Caesar Flickerman tonight."
