I don't have much to add today. Just a thanks to the people that have favorited and followed to this point! Don't be afraid to give me any suggestions or feedback in the reviews. I want to hear what you guys want for the story. Anyways, I really like this chapter (I'm probably going to say that about every chapter). This one has some stuff that I had the opportunity to be creative with. I like being able to develop relationships that Peeta has with others that really couldn't get much exposure in Collins' books. Let me know what you guys think of the chapter when you finish! Thanks again for reading!
Ryan
Chapter 7
After President Snow gives his short welcome speech, the chariots return where we are reunited with Portia, Cinna and our prep teams. Portia extinguishes us with some sort of spray. Portia can't hold back her excitement. She has a wide grin on her face. Cinna looks more humble about it, but he still can't hold back a smile.
"See? What did I tell you Peeta Mellark? And you thought I was just going to let you burn to death!" Portia says with a laugh.
I can't help but shoot her a wide grin. I'm really happy for them. Hell, I'm really happy for us. We looked stunning. That's when I notice the stare we are getting from the other tributes. Jealousy. I try to ignore their gazes, but it isn't possible. Then I feel Katniss open her hand up. Our hands were still glued together after all this time. I let go and rub my hand. She does likewise.
"Thanks for keeping hold of me. I was getting a little shaky out there." I lie.
"It didn't show," She assures me. She shrugs. "I'm sure no one noticed."
"I'm sure they didn't notice anything but you. You should wear flames more often. They suit you." I confess. I give her a small smile, looking into her eyes. I feel the butterflies in my gut. She smiles to me and kisses me on the cheek. Right on my bruise. My hearts stops. I wasn't expecting that. I smile and she walks over to Cinna. I suddenly let out a deep couple of breaths. Yesterday I was wondering if she could kill me in the arena. I'm sure she could. But I definitely learned one thing today, there is no way I could kill her. No way.
Next thing I know, we are being escorted to the Training Center. Each district gets a floor where we will be living until the Games begin. Go into the elevator and press 12, should be easy enough to remember. On the elevator Effie goes on and on about something but I don't pay any attention. I'm thinking about other things at the moment. I just turn to her every couple seconds and nod to let her believe I'm listening. I catch the end of what she is saying.
"...and this was very clever of me, I said, 'Well, if you put enough pressure on coal, it turns to pearls!" Effie's eyes light up, expecting us to be blown away by her wit. Though it is wrong. Coal cannot turn into pearls. Maybe she is thinking about the myth that coal can be turned to diamond. I just kind of give Effie a nod and look over to Katniss. She looks like she is holding back a laugh. I smile and shake my head at her. She smiles back. Although Effie isn't the smartest person I have ever met, I admire that she seems to genuinely care about us.
Our floor is beautiful. Much nicer than any place I have ever lived. First only ahead of the train, which is really sad if you think about it. I head straight into my room and am immediately blown away by how big it is. I lie down on the bed for a second. It is so comfortable, I could just sleep right there and then. Instead I get up and change out of my outfit and hang it up in the closet. I go into the bathroom to clean the makeup off of my face, then I notice the shower. It is unlike anything I have ever seen. I play with all the dials on it for a while before shutting it off and moving on. I clean my face then I quickly threw on a long sleeved white shirt and tan pants. I find a jacket that is to my liking as well. I throw that on too. The closet is strange, needing programing to find the outfit of my choice. Is this all necessary? At home, we don't get anything to this stature, and these rooms are used only once a year. I try not to think about it too much before I get angry.
I step out of my room and head into the living room. It is empty. I sit on the couch for a couple minutes before Cinna joins me. We greet each other. I don't know Cinna all that well yet, so it is pretty awkward at first. Then an idea strikes him.
"I was about to head up to the roof. It is beautiful up there. Helps me think. Would you care to join me?" Cinna asks me. His voice is so smooth and relaxing. I give him an unsure look at first.
"Are we allowed to go up there?" I ask honestly. I don't see why The Capitol would allow it.
"I don't see any signs saying we can't." Cinna responds with a smile. I like that answer. We head up to the roof, it is really windy up here. As soon as I get a look at the city from up here, I am immediately taken away by the beauty. Cinna crosses his arms, smiling. He seems to be impressed that I appreciate it. Like me, Cinna takes joy in the beautiful things in life.
"Why do they let us up here? Aren't they afraid that we'll, well, you know, jump?" I ask him honestly.
Immediately after my question, Cinna reaches his hand out over the edge and his hand quickly jolts back. A force field of some kind zapped his hand. He looks over at me and shrugs. No words needed to answer that question. I lean against the railing and look over the edge.
"How are you feeling? I'm sure this is all, overwhelming for you." Cinna is standing next to me. His question honest. I feel like he is genuinely curious of my opinion.
"Well, It's a lot different than home. That's for sure." I respond. I'm afraid to say too much, in case the cameras can hear us.
"You probably hate us all, huh?" He asks honestly. I'm shocked by his question. I can't believe he would ask me that. If anyone could hear him, we would be in trouble. Though, I get the feeling Cinna doesn't care what others think.
"Umm, well..." I start before Cinna cuts me off.
"You don't have to worry. The cameras can't hear us up here. You can be honest with me." Cinna says with a smile. I nod and relax a bit. I feel safer now.
"Well. Not all of you. You and Portia for instance. You guys have done so much for us already. You guys are giving us a real shot out there." I say, now in a more relaxed tone.
"It's despicable. What they do to you. To all of you." Cinna is now looking over the Capitol. I'm in shock over what he just said. I have never hears someone so openly bash the Capitol. Especially a Capitol citizen. I gained a whole new level of respect for him. Before I get a chance to speak, Cinna speaks up again, stepping back from the railing.
"We should head in. Dinner is probably almost ready." He says pointing his head towards the doorway. I nod. We head for the door and before we head inside, Cinna stops me. "By the way, she's not as closed off as she leads on to be. She has a soft spot for you, baker's boy. I can tell." Cinna adds with a smile before opening the door and heading in. Is my affection for her that obvious? It was awfully nice of him to tell me this, but it really doesn't matter since we will both probably be dead in a week's time. Not that I believe it anyways.
Shortly after, we are all sitting at the table and eating. Haymitch, Portia, Cinna, Effie, Katniss, and me. I'm not paying too much attention to the conversation as I'm more focused on my strange conversation with Cinna. It was strange listening to him bash The Capitol. The place that gave him his wealth and success. It is odd that he would be so quick to say those things. I respect him for it. At least I have finally heard of a Capitol citizen who actually sees how insane the Games are. Maybe there are more of them? I quickly dismiss that thought and turn my attention towards my food.
"I know you!" Katniss shocked me back to reality. She is talking about one of our servers. A small red headed girl. Oddly quiet she and the other server has been. The adults all stare her down as if she just shot the president.
"Don't be ridiculous, Katniss. How could you possibly know an Avox?" Effie snaps. I'm not sure what that is.
"What's an Avox?" Katniss asks bluntly.
"Someone who committed a crime. They cut her tongue so she can't speak." Haymitch says between bites. "She's probably a traitor of some sort. Not likely you'd know her."
"And even if you did, you're not to speak to speak to one of them unless it's to give an order. Of course you don't really know her." Effie expresses.
Based on the look on Katniss' face. I can tell she knows. Her eyes are shooting around the table. She is trying to come up with a lie. But why? How does she know her? Probably not a very good memory if she ended up here.
"No, I guess not, I just—" Katniss stammers.
I snap my fingers. "Delly Cartwright! That's who it is. I kept thinking she looked familiar as well. Then I realized she's a dead ringer for Delly." I lie. Delly Cartwright looks nothing like the girl. It was the first person that popped in my head so I just went with it. She was a close childhood friend of mine. Hopefully Katniss rolls with it.
"Of course, that's who I was thinking of. It must be the hair." Delly's hair is blonde.
"Something about the eyes too." I add. I look at Katniss, a sense of relief washes over her. The table relaxes. I've got to get that information out of her. But I doubt she'll open up to me about it. It seemed like a personal matter, and I've only been on speaking terms with her for a couple days. Doesn't mean I won't try.
