Morning comes quickly and I spend it making muffins with Prim, and singing songs. Until it's time for me to get cleaned up. I fill the tub and scrub myself as well as I can. When I go into my room there is a blue dress laying on my bed.
"I laid it out for you. It was mine before I married you father."
I am not sure what to say, but "thank you." Slips out of my mouth.
"You're welcome."
I hug Prim again and I head to the governors house. When I arrive there are cars out front. Cars are not normally driven in 12. No one actually owns one. I can't imagine having one. Do the Mellarks have a car? I can't help but wonder. I walk to the door and ring the bell just as before. This time Madge doesn't answer the door. It's one of the servers.
"I am Katniss Everdeen, I am here for the dinner." I say
She doesn't say anything. She just nobs and steps aside so that I may enter. I have only been here, through the front door twice. Once yesterday then today. Tonight feels much different than yesterday. Tonight feels more formal, I didn't know anyone else would be joining us. But, it makes since now that I think of it, Effie did say there would be a camera.
"Katniss there you are" Effie startles me. I think she has two volumes loud and extra loud.
"Yes, here I am." I say. I don't want to actually be here.
"Your mate. Mr. Peeta Mellark, has arrived right on time with his Father. He's very handsome if I might add." I don't actually know what to say to that, so I smile and nod my head.
"Oh dear, please don't scowl."
Scowl? I wasn't scowling. Maybe that's what Madge meant about my smile yesterday.
"I'll try Effie. I promise"
"Ok, well that will have to do, there is simply no time to correct it. Stand tall and don't slouch. Mind your manners. You will have dinner alone and then when it's time you will have desert with the governor, his daughter and her new husband. There will be a camera that will take some pictures as you enter for desert. Try and smile." Effie explained.
Gale will be there I think. Well, at least I get to say goodbye and he gets to meet Peeta. Granted it's only 30 mins after I do, but still it's something.
I am shuffled into a small room with a table that is set for dinner. It's quite and the room is far from the grand dining hall I was expecting. It's quite a relief not to have to entertain through dinner. I'm not vey good at it.
"Hi" I hear a voice from behind me. I turn around to greet him
"Hi" I answer back.
My first impression of Peeta is that he has a nice smile. I remember him from the TV. Prim had actually picked him out as the best looking one. He is very handsome. Taller than me, but not overly so. Blond hair, blue eyes. Looks nothing like me so it must be true our genes are much different.
"It's great to finally meet you, I've been on the train with just my dad and he speaks very little."
That must mean he likes to talk. I am very quite myself. I may get along better with his father.
"It's nice to meet you too." I don't know what else to say.
"You hungry? They said to serve ourself. Dinner is on the tray over there." He points to the other side of the room where there are two trays.
"Yes, I am actually." When is anyone in 12 not hungry?
I don't move though. I don't know why. I am waiting on him I guess. Why is this so hard. I have met people before. None that I'm suppose to marry tomorrow though.
"Ladies first" he says.
"Alright." I answer as I walk to the trays. I pull the lids off both and I see our plates are made for us. It a good thing too since I could probably eat both our servings if left to fix my own plate.
Pasta with red sauces. I must be extra careful not to spill any on mother's dress. I need to wear it tomorrow and I have no time to wash it.
I pick up my plate and return to the table with it. Peeta follows me.
"I really like the color of your dress." Peeta compliments me.
"Oh thank you." I reply
Peeta just smiles at me. He does that a lot. Then I realize it's because I've been starring at him.
"Shall we eat?"
"Yes, I.. I mean, this looks good." I say trying to talk a bit.
"It does. Well, taste it."
I take a bite and close my eyes this has got to be the best pasta I have ever put in my mouth.
"I'm glad you like it." I head him say
I pop my eyes open and look at him. Did I say that out loud or could he just tell?
"It's ok." I say between bites
Peeta cocks his head to the side and smiles that ridiculous smile again and says. "Uhh.. huh"
What was that suppose to mean? I can't read him. He's smiling and eating like he has known me for years. I don't get it. How can he be so comfortable?
I continue to eat. Not saying a word. I don't want to mess my dress. Or drop any of this delicious food. Somehow he finishes a few bites before me. He just watches me eat and I hate it. I don't comment on it. But if it continues I'll set him straight. It's rude to stare at people while they eat. It was probably the best meal I have had in a long time, since my father died no doubt. I wonder if they eat this way all the time in 4?
Just as I am done eating and fixing to open my mouth about the staring there is a knock at the door.
"Come in." Peeta says. His eyes never leaving mine
The server from before at the door appears and says they are ready for us in the tea room for deserts and after dinner drinks. Peeta stands and I start to when he is behind me pulling my chair out for me.
"I can stand on my own." I tell him.
"Oh, I have no doubt that you can, it's just polite. Do men not pull out chairs and open doors for the ladies in 12?"
"If they do I've never seen it and no one ever has for me. How old are you?" I ask him suddenly thinking despite his looks he may be older, the way he carries himself suggest it.
"17, let get to desert before they come looking for us."
17, so not older. I wonder when his birthday is. Has he just turned 17 or is he about to be 18. Do they celebrate birthdays in 4? We don't really here, except a few. The first, 5th if you can afford it and 18th. That's about it.
"Peeta." I start.
He stops and turns to me. Looking at me with those eyes like he's looking into me. I forget what I want to say.
"Look Katniss this shouldn't take too long and then you can go and I'll see you tomorrow morning."
"Right, I was just going to ask when your birthday is."
Peeta laughs. I didn't find anything I said funny.
"Let's go in. We will get to that soon."
As soon as we the door to the tea room is opened there is a flash of light in my eyes and my whole face scrunches up.
"Wait, stop. We will have to redo that. She blinked." Effie's voice booms "places everyone, just stand in the doorway honey. Loop your arm through his and yes, just there Now smile and 3, 2, 1. Take the shot hurry." Effie sure has this, boss everyone around, thing down.
When the camera man and Effie are done with all our poses. We get to have desert. Chocolate cake. I know I have never had chocolate cake before. It's delicious. There isn't any time for me to talk to Peeta. I am guessing that's how it's suppose to be. I do talk to Madge and Effie. Trade a few words with the Mayor and that's it. They are shuffling everyone out.
"Katniss, I will see you in the morning" Peeta tells me as he departs
"See you in the morning." I rely
Somehow everyone is gone. I thought I'd get to say goodbye to Gale at least.
"Alright. Now that that is over and done with, I've had the nice policeman go fetch the car. I have a wonderful stylist at the Abernathy place. He will be getting you ready for tomorrow. You will stay there tonight and spend your wedding night there."
"I can't stay there tonight I need to go home. I haven't my things."
"The policeman will take you by your house to collect them. You must go to the Abernathy house tonight. Cenna needs time to prepare."
"Ok, ok. I... i want my sister at the ceremony tomorrow."
"Katniss, only the parents may attend these things. It simply isn't done."
"My dad is dead. My mother isn't right. Hasn't been since he died. My sister will be the one that will give me in marriage. Or I will not go to the Abernathy house tonight."
"What am I going to do with you. Sigh, I can't make promises, but I will do what I can."
The way she says it I believe her. I thank her and head out to the front. Gale and his driver are there. Gale can't drive. We have never had a need to learn. I am sure he will now though.
"Gale, I need you to take me to my house first. I didn't know I was going to the Abernathy house tonight I have to collect my things. And Prim." I add.
"That's all the way in the other direction." The driver complains
"You will take the lady to where she needs to go. That's your job." Gale scolds him.
"Yes sir." The driver replied.
"Why are you taking Prim?" Gale ask.
"She will be giving me in marriage tomorrow. I want to make sure she isn't late."
"They approved that?"
Approved? Is he kidding me?
"Yes sir they did." I respond and I don't try to talk to him again. He knows I'm mad though.
We arrive at the house and it's dark and quite. My mother is sitting at the table.
"Katniss?"
"Yes mom. It's me."
"Katniss. I want you to know I am proud of you. How you have taken care of Prim."
"I didn't have a choice mom. I don't have time for this. I am suppose to gather my things and go to the Abernathy house."
"They Abernathy house? Why?"
"Because I am the first in 12 to get transferred, there will be pictures taken. There were pictures tonight. They want me to be dressed and styled."
"I'm coming with you."
"What? No, I told them Prim is coming."
"She will come along as well. Mr. Abernathy is an old friend. But he's also a mean drunk. I will not allow you to go without an adult and until you are wed you are my responsibility."
Now she wants to be a mom. Great.
I don't argue with her anymore. I tell her of the car and we wake Prim. As we pile into the car I hear Gale say something about braking the rules and I want to remind him of all our illegal hunting. I don't, but only because the driver would probably tell and that would get Gale killed. Then there would be no one to look after Prim when I'm gone. As much has he has changed in the last month I know he will still take care of her at least