YET AGAIN I AM SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SORRY FOR NOT UPDATING IN OVER A WEEK! I honestly don't mean to keep you waiting this long, but I just have been so sick all week and today was my first chance to actually write it.

Please note: This may be a boring chapter not much happens in it, but I promise the next one will be good. You guys deserve some more passion between Katniss and Peeta and that will be in the next chapter. So I'm gonna shut up now, enjoy, sorry for any typos. I love you all!

Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favor!

P.S I do not own the Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins does!

CHAPTER 7:

"Katniss!" Effie's shrill voice rang through my bedrooms door, "It's time to get up! Breakfast is in ten minutes, and do not be late! It's a big, big day!" I heard her high-heels clatter down the hall and say the same message through Peeta's door. I stir and realise that someone's arms are around me. I look around, Peeta. Last night came rushing back. Oh my god. I can't believe Peeta saw me cry?! How embarrassing? And then I made him stay with me! Not that I'm really complaining about the last bit, I like Peeta's arms around me. It makes me feel safe and warm. But I can't be thinking about that, I mean a dream made me scream! How weak? I can't believe I sought comfort, that was possibly the weakest thing that I could do for the games. Now Peeta must think I'm weak.

I shake off my embarrassment, I need to wake up Peeta. "Peeta." I say and shake him slightly. He grumbles a little and tightens his arms around me, I smile. Stop smiling! I command my-self. "Peeta, we have to get up. Effie will kill us if we are late." I say.

He opens his amazing blue eyes and smiles lazily. Then he sees my face and it immediately turns to concern, he puts a hand to my face, I lean into it. "What's wrong Katniss?"

I smile half-heartedly, "Oh, nothing Peeta."

He sits up, making me sit with him. "Obviously it's not nothing Katniss. Just tell me."

"No Peeta. Don't worry. Let's go, don't want Effie to rip our throats out do you?" I tactfully avoid Peeta's question.

"I don't care if we are late to breakfast Katniss. Just tell me what's wrong." He sounds desperate now.

I sigh in frustration, "God Peeta, don't worry! It's nothing really. I'm just, ahh, um embarrassed ok?" I yell at him. He looks taken aback.

"Why would you be embarrassed?"

"Just, well, because I freakin' cried Peeta! I don't cry! I don't scream about dreams ever and I did! I shouldn't have! it was a sign of weakness, and I don't want to be weak for these games." I yell, I shove him in the chest and head for the closet.

Before I even get to look for something to wear Peeta grabs my arm and spins me around. "Don't walk away from me Katniss. Listen to me." He commands. I turn away and try to push him away, instead he backs me up to a wall and forces me to look at him with his hands. I struggle, but he is too strong.

"Stop it Peeta." I say.

"No, you are going to listen to me right now. Crying isn't a weakness Katniss." I'm about to protest, but he cuts me off again. "Listen, crying isn't ok? And so what if it? I was the only one to see you cry, no one else. And I don't you are weak. To me you're the strongest, bravest, kindness, smartest, funniest girl I have ever met. Besides when you cry, it means I get to cuddle you."

I smile half-heartedly, "That's the biggest lie ever Peeta. You can cuddle me any time."

"Good, because I like cuddling you."

I laugh, how is it that Peeta can make my bad moods go away in a matter of seconds? It worries me in a way that he has such a great effect on me. "Come on Peeta, Effie will kill us. Go get dressed and I'll see you down there." I say. I smile and give a quick, but sweet kiss. He leaves a moment later and I'm left alone.

I sigh, why did I do that last night? Crying, really? I wasn't emotional, was I? God why was everything so confusing?


Peeta was already in the dining room when I arrived. He grinned at me when I walked in the room, I smile in return. I sit next to him and he takes my hand in his, invisible to the hawk eyes around us.

"So today is the training day with the game makers." Haymitch begins. "It's important that you stick to what you are good at, Peeta make sure you show you're strength, if available have a wrestling match you can beat anyone in hand to hand contact. Katniss, go straight for the archery station, shoot straight, don't miss and if you want maybe throw a few knives. Anyway, today is extremely important. You get you're training scores which ultimately lead to sponsors. Don't stuff up, you need this."

We both nod. "Oh and make sure you are polite. The game makers deserve respect and so do the other tributes." Effie inquires.

"Yes Effie, because being polite will not get them good training scores." Haymitch teases.

Effie scowls at him, like actually scowls. I didn't think Effie was even capable of doing something like that.

"So basically we just have to kick butt and show the capital that we aren't afraid and are just as good as the Careers?" I ask.

Haymitch laughs, "Pretty much Sweetheart. I know you're better than the Careers, you just have to prove that to the rest of the Capital."

"Yes because that is going to be a piece of cake." I mumble. Peeta chuckles at my words, luckily no one else heard my sarcasm.

"Come on Katniss, Peeta. I'll escort you to the training area.


One by one the tributes went by, I felt relief when District 2 were gone, Cato had stared at me the entire time. It was creepy really. I held onto Peeta's hand tightly.

After hours of waiting, finally it was up to District 12. "Peeta Mellark." I voice announced. Peeta stood, for once he wasn't smiling, nor did he look happy. I didn't like that.

"Good luck Peeta." I say.

"Shoot straight Katniss." He replies. He cups my face in his hands and kisses me softly, and sweet. "I'll see you up in the room." He says, and with that he walks into the training room.

The minutes tick by, 10, 20, 30. God what on earth was taking so long? Finally my name was called.

I stood and took a deep breath. Here it goes. I walk into the room. The Game Makers were up in their room, they weren't even watching me. "Katniss Everdeen. District 12." I call. A few of them turn but not enough for my liking. I pick up the bow and arrow. I feel it, it's a lot different from them back in 12.

I take a bow and aim at a dummy. I shoot and miss slightly to the left. The Game Makers just laugh. I take another and hit it right in the heart. I smile. I shoot again and again. Hitting all my targets. I look up at them and not a single person has been watching me.

This, for some reason, absolutely infuriates me. They are all surrounding a freakin pig! A pig is more important that my score? Without even thinking about my actions I take an arrow and shoot it straight at the apple that was in the pigs mouth. They all turn at me startled, one of them even fell back into a punch bowl.

I take a bow, "Thank-you for your consideration." I drop the bow and arrow and walk right out of the training room without even being dismissed.

Crap, crap, crap Katniss! Why did you just do that? Now you're going to get a bad score and won't get any sponsors. Way to go Katniss.

Peeta was waiting for me when I arrived. "How'd you go?" he asks.

"I think I did something really stupid." I say.


"KATNISS EVERDEEN! I cannot believe you shot an arrow at the Game Makers! You're actions reflect badly on all of us!" Effie shouts at me when I have finally explained what happened.

"I'm sorry! I just got so angry! They weren't watching me. It's the first thing that popped into my head."

"Well now you're probably going to get a zero." Effie sniffs.

"Oh get over it Effie, they can't take it out on her or him. They are in the games after all, that's enough torment for anyone. Loosen you're corset, have a drink. You don't have to worry about everything." Haymitch cuts in.

"Has anyone ever gotten a zero before?" I ask completely ignoring Haymitch.

"No, but there is a first time for everything." Effie says with a sniff.

"Doesn't matter if you do get a zero sweetheart, it means the Careers will probably leave you alone because you won't appear as a threat. But in my personal opinion, if I was a game maker I'd give ya a good score. You got guts kid. A lot of it,"

"Thanks Haymitch." I say and then smile.

"Well we better watch the Training Scores, at least we will have one tribute who we will be able to work with." Effie announces before stomping into the lounge room.

"She is not happy." Peeta says coming to stand beside me.

"No she isn't." I agree. Peeta takes my hand in his and together we follow the rest of the crew to see the dreaded training scores.


It was no surprise when both Tributes from 2 got a 10, it scared me I'll admit because they are incredibly lethal. The fox girl got an 8, I wonder what else she could do asides from being really fast. The little girl from 11 got a 7, she obviously has something up her sleeve, but her District partner got a 10, that was worrying.

"Peeta Mellark from District 12, 10." Claudius voice rang out.

"Oh my god, ten! That's amazing Peeta." Effie's shrill voice broke our tense silence.

"Well done Peeta." I say beaming at him.

"And Katniss Everdeen from District 12, with a score of 1." My heart sank. One. My training score was a one? "Oh excuse me, I read that wrong Katniss Everdeen has a score of 11. That's a very good score indeed."

"Well done Sweetheart." Haymitch says and pats me on the knee.

"Eleven? I was not expecting that at all." I say.

"They must have liked you're guts sweetheart."

"That's amazing Katniss! Probably one of the highest scores ever!" Peeta yells, picks me up and spins me around in circles. I laugh like a child.

"Well you kids better go rest up, it's another big, big, big day tomorrow!" Effie announces, she sounds a lot happier than she had before.

"Alright. Night everyone." I say.

"Night." I hear Peeta say to everyone before he starts to follow me.

We stop walking at my door. "Well goodnight Katniss." Peeta says as he embraces me.

"Night Peeta."

"Hey do you want to stay with me tonight?" He asks.

"Ok." I agree. I know this morning I kept saying I was being weak, but really I couldn't say no to Peeta's arms. I drag him into my room and lock it. I change into a baggy t-shirt and shorts and Peeta does the same.

I jump onto my bed and Peeta pulls me to him. He leans down and gives me a soft, sweet kiss. He snuggles close to me and wraps an arm around me. When he does warmth spreads through my body. The warmth is comforting, something that I've craved for a long time.

I smile and fall asleep for the second time in a row with Peeta.


Tap, tap, tap! "Katniss! Time to get up it's a big, big, day!" Effie yells through the door. I groan and rub my eyes.

"Peeta!" I whisper in his ear and shake him.

"What?" he grumbles and sits up.

I laugh at his grumpiness. "Peeta it's morning. And Effie wants us up. As she says it's another big, big, big day!"

Peeta chuckles at my lame attempt at intimidating Effie. "And we don't want Effie getting upset do we?"

"No we do not." I agree. I jump out of bed and pull Peeta up with me.


"Ok so Peeta you will be coming with me, and Katniss you will go with Effie. We will switch in four hours' time." Haymitch says to us after breakfast.

I scrunch my eyebrows together, "But aren't we getting trained together?"

"You are, but this is for the interviews. I need to work with each of you separately." Haymitch instructs.

"Ok." I sigh.

"Come on Katniss. It's time to work on your manners, stance, etiquette and well how to be a girl." Effie says in her high pitched voice.

I swear I could punch Effie sometimes but this time someone else responds to her last comment, "Katniss is perfect the way she is." Peeta says defensively.

Effie widens her eyes in surprise, "Well Peeta I am appalled. I didn't think I would have to work on your manners but clearly I do. Katniss let's leave, the sooner we start working on your manners the faster it will get done." She storms off towards my bedroom. I sigh and follow her glumly. This is not going to be fun at all...


Three and a half hours later I'm attempting to walk in 6 inch heels with a book on my head. It's a rather difficult task. My book falls yet again on the first step I take. I hate high heels.

"Oh come on Katniss! We've been working on this for two hours! All we have managed to accomplish so far is how to smile, how to sit and how to present your-self, yet you can't take two steps in high heels!"

"I'm trying Effie but it's really hard!" I grumble.

"Oh give me the book. Try to walk without the book." I do as she says. I take cautious steps around the room.

Twenty-eight minutes later I can walk in my heels without falling or looking completely uncoordinated. "Now try it with the book." She instructs.

I put the book back on my head and I manage two steps before I fall flat on my bum. "Ouch." I mutter.

"Katniss Everdeen you are a lot cause! Go to Haymitch I can't take this anymore!" she shrieks. I stand up and leave without saying a word to her.

I bump into a solid body on my way down the hall. "Oh sorry." I say and look up. It was Peeta!

He chuckles, "How was your session with Effie?"

"It was terrible! I am officially hopeless. I cannot walk in heels! I really am not a girl." I mutter into his chest which I am now buried into. "I am going to make a fool of my-self. I can't even please Effie, let alone the world of Panem!"

He strokes my hair and kisses my forehead, "I'm sure you're not that bad. Besides if it helps at all I think you're perfect."

I pull back and smile up at him. "Thanks Peeta but you're opinion doesn't matter much to the sponsors."

"Ouch. That hurt." he says in a mock hurt tone.

"I'm sorry Peeta but if we want to survive, we need the sponsors and I'm going to ruin that for you."

"You aren't going to ruin anything Katniss. And if worst comes to worst you can always hunt for food, we can keep threats away and we know how to find water. We will be fine. Besides as long as we are together, we will get through this."

I smile. "You're right. We will do this. District 12 is gonna win this year." I step up on my tip toes and give him a lingering kiss. "I better get going to Haymitch. Have fun with Effie."

He grins cheekily, "That's what she said."

I push him, "Peeta you know that isn't what I meant."

He laughs, "I know, sorry. I did grow up with two older brothers cut me a little slack."

I smile, "Whatever Peeta. I'll see you later." I keep walking and find Haymitch waiting for me in the lounge room.

"Katniss take a seat." He says and gestures to the chair across from him. I sit. "So I'm going to give you angles, test them out and we will see which goes best, ok?"

"Sure."


"Oh my god your killing me here sweetheart. You're not sexy, funny, girly, brutal, confident, flirtatious, hell you have the charm of a dead slug." Haymitch grumbles. Am I really that hopeless?

"I'm sorry Haymitch! I've never needed to charm anyone before…" I trail off.

"Well you charmed that boy. Whatever you do, say or act to him certainly caught his attention."

"But I don't know why Peeta likes me! As you said I'm none of the above. I was just being me. Something you called as charming as a dead slug." I scowl.

"Sweetheart, would you at least attempt to not scowl on stage? It gives you a bad image. You aren't the deadly type. You can go. For all of our sakes, I hope you pull something out of the bag tonight. Because the rate that you're going, you aren't going to do well." He heaves off the couch and walks out of the room.

Shortly after a pair of strong arms encircle me. I don't even need to look up to see who they belong to. "Hey Peeta." I greet and lean back into him.

"How are you?" he asks pulling me to sit between his lap. I lean into his broad chest.

"Stuffed. I don't have proper etiquette and I'm as charming as a dead slug. Tonight is going to be embarrassing."

"Charming as a dead slug?" he asks confused.

"Yeah. Haymitch was trying to figure out what angle I should go for, but apparently I couldn't charm a fly. Doesn't surprise me really." I admit.

"I think you're charming. I think your funny, sexy, brave, smart, beautiful, kind, protective, honest and pure. You are way more charming as a dead slug. And if the people of Panem are too blind to see that then they are missing out." He says and then plants a soft kiss on my cheek.

I don't know why I let Peeta comfort me so much, I've never really depended on people before. Generally I just keep my problems to my-self and never deal with them. But here's Peeta taking them all away from me. He's too good for me. "That's all you Peeta." I finally say.

"You think so?"

"Yep. And you always know what to say. You're so good with words and I don't know how you can be but you are. And you're so strong too which amazes me. You're strong but soft at the same time. You're the pure one Peeta, not me."

"If you say so. Let's go to my room until we have to meet Portia and Cinna."

"Ok." I agree then stand up. We walk hand in hand down the hallway to his room...

Hehe sorry I cut it off before the juicy stuff happens. But don't worry Katniss will repeat it next chapter. Again I'm sorry if the chapter wasn't very good. Hopefully I will be able to update by the end of the week :)
Please review I love to hear you're thoughts.

Ciao for now, Molly xo