A/N: Just to let you all know…I'M NOT TEAM GALE! I HATE GALE! Well enjoy my story. I just want get through everything until the interviews, and the games. I don't know how I am going to write the games yet so bear with me. Review if you have any ideas.
Katniss' POV:
"Katniss are you okay?" Gale rushes into my room. I knew it was a bad idea to choose Peeta; I wouldn't be having these dreams about Gale if I would have chosen him.
"Yeah I'm fine. Just one of my usual nightmares" I inform him. I really haven't had a nightmare since I started hunting with Gale after my dad died.
"Well do you want to go take a walk?" he asks me. I slowly nod my head, not one hundred percent sure on the decision I was making. I haven't talked to Gale this much in a long time. The tone in his voice reminds me of all the good times we have spent together. We walk up to the roof and we just sit there, and watch the sun rise.
"I'm sorry about everything that has happened. Last night, and the day of the reaping. I-I shouldn't have volunteered. Can I tell you the real reason why I volunteered?" Wasn't it obvious he volunteered because it was HIS brother that got picked not Peeta's? I nod my head and I await probably a longly worded explanation.
"Well you and Peeta have been spending a lot of time together, and it kind of bothers me. Well when Peeta volunteered, I got mad because that meant you guys would be spending every hour together for the next month. So I volunteered hoping that somehow I would be the one to go with you. I knew they would make you choose, and it was just a test for me. I didn't mean to put you through all the sadness." This shocks me a bit. So he volunteered just so I couldn't spend time with Peeta?
"Well say something?" he stares into my eyes. I attempt to avoid contact with his. I can't believe he would be so selfish.
"Why would you do that? This has put me through heck! I know it may have been hard to believe, but I was practically in love with Peeta, and now he is back home killing himself for letting me go into the games without him!" I scream at him. Without even waiting a second for a response, I pull myself up, and walk out of the room.
When I get back down, Effie and Haymitch are already eating breakfast. I join them before Gale could come back to apologize once again. Right as I begin to eat, Effie gets up and leaves the room; probably to go apply some more makeup.
"Are you ready to go to the training center?" Haymitch asks me. Was he actually sober?
"Yeah I think…any last tips?" I ask him. He has probably told Gale this a million times but either I wasn't listening, or I was having nightmares about Peeta.
"Just don't show them that you can shoot; leave that for the final showing. Try to make friends too. You want some allies when you are in the games." Allies? Was he being serious?
"I don't want any allies! I can survive on my own!" I argue with him.
"Whatever sweetheart." he gets back up and makes his way to his room. "Get dressed!" he yells from his room. I see Gale walk down from the roof finally, but I quickly sprint to my room so he wouldn't see me.
When everybody is ready, Haymitch takes Gale and I down to the training center. I am taken by surprise when I see every kind of survival skill known to man, sitting in the room. Anywhere from spears and archery, to camouflage and setting a fire. A girl walks in front of us tributes and begins to talk to us. It's the usual: rules, cautions, and schedules. Most of the stuff she tells us is common sense, but when she gets done I am clueless on where to go. I stand there for a while and look around at all my possible options.
I decide it's a good idea to go with Gale, but I can't seem to find him. Then I spot him throwing spears and mingling and laughing with the careers. What a jerk! With that said, I go over and I try some knot tying. Then the camouflage station, then the climbing, then lastly I try the spears. I think I am just going to stick with archery for now.
When the training center is finally over, I go back up to my room and put back on my green silk pajamas. It isn't actually time to go to bed, but I just feel the most comfortable in them. I go and find Haymitch (who is probably with Gale) for our training for the interviews. I needed desperate help. I wasn't good at making friends, so how am I supposed to get a whole nation to like me?
I finally find him sitting with Gale in Gale's room. I slowly knock on the door, when I do this Gale gets up and walks out of his room, softly rubbing against my shoulder.
"So are we going to start the training?" I ask Haymitch. What had they been talking about before I came in?
"Actually, Gale has asked to train separately." He informs me. Why in the world would he want to do that?
"Why does he want to do that! This isn't about this morning is it?" I ask him. He takes a while to respond, as if he is determining if he should tell me.
"What happened this morning" he asks trying to change the subject. I scream at the top of my lungs and I go back to my room. I begin kicking and screaming as if I am a two year old.
"I'm sorry Peeta! This was the biggest mistake I have ever made!" I continue screaming. Before I know it, there are tears dripping from my red puffy eyes. Then I hear a knock on the door; I am almost positive it was Gale. He probably heard me screaming.
"GO AWAY!" I yell to whoever is at the door.
"Sweetie it's just me" Effie tip toes into my room. "It's time to start your training. I am helping you with your appearance. I'm sorry about Gale and everything, but we must continue." Was Effie actually trying to be nice to me? I get up and she takes me to her bedroom.
For the next two hours or so she works with me on proper stance and sitting position. She teaches me how to walk in heals, and how NOT to trip over my dress; which is probably going to be amazing. By the end, my feet are so tried I don't even want to continue with Haymitch next. Effie leads me out and into Haymitch's room where he is pacing back and forth.
"I'm ready." I scowl. He gives me a frown back.
"What am I supposed to do with you? You have the personality of a dead slug!" I find this offensive but so I don't make him even more upset, I ignore this "meaningful" comments.
"Well what is Gale going as?" I ask. I doubt he would tell me but I guess I could try.
"Likable, but is secretly strong. But then it comes to you? What to do, what to do?" He continues pacing. Honestly, I didn't even know what I would be good at either. Two hours of thinking and experimenting is a waste because when it's time for the interviews, I have no idea what I am supposed to do.
Cinna puts me into a long red dress with sparkles, and flames at the bottom. These are the same flames that were used on the outfits we wore in the parade.
"So are you ready for the interviews?" he asks me. How did he know? Was it my occasional screaming and my heavy breathing?
"No! Haymitch didn't tell me anything. How am I supposed to get a whole nation to like me?" I tell him. He walks a little closer to me as if he has a secret for me.
"You got me to like you?" This was true.
"Well that was different….I wasn't even trying." This was true as well. I honestly don't know how I got him to like me?
"Just pretend that you are talking to me. I will be out in the crowd, just look for me. Or…." This was a great idea, but what was his other idea? "Or pretend you are talking to Peeta." This takes me by surprise; he knew about Peeta and I?
"H-How do you know?" I ask him.
"I watched your reaping…isn't it obvious?" I begin to blush in embarrassment.
When I am finally dressed, Cinna leads me to Haymitch and Gale who are already in line for the interviews.
"You look good." Gale compliments me. I ignore him as well as Haymitch as he is whispering to Cinna about me. District by district each girl then boy are taken up on stage by Caeser. Everybody seems to be doing perfect. How could they be so prepared and not nervous? Cute little Rue is up now; she is so small, but from what she says, she shouldn't be underestimated. Now that is the kind of ally I would want. Finally, it's my turn.
"From district 12, you know her as the girl on fire, Katniss Everdeen!" Caeser Flickerman shouts which is my signal to walk on the stage. I take a big gulp and walk out on stage. My vision goes blurry as I turn to see the hundreds of people screaming my name. I finally am in my seat and Caeser is staring at me oddly.
"What?" I say. Everybody in the crowd begins to laugh at me. This interview was going to be terrible.
"I said: That was one big entrance you made at the tribute parade." He says to me. I try to find Cinna out in the crowd before answering his questions. I finally spot him sitting next to a group of random capitol people.
"I know. After I got over my fear of fire." Everybody in the crowd begins laughing again. "Cinna is just an amazing stylist. Just look at this dress." I stand up and show the dress to everybody in their seats. I spot Cinna once again, and he is spinning one of his fingers in the air, indicating that I should twirl. As he insists, I twirl and the fake fire from my dress spins with me as well. Now everybody is hooting and howling. This is actually kind of fun. Then I become dizzy so I sit back down.
"That was incredible; he really is a good stylist, you got lucky. So what has been your favorite thing in the capitol so far?" This answer was obvious.
"Obviously the lamb stew! I eat it all the time." The crowd laughs again. They must just really love me because the answers I am giving aren't meant to be funny.
"Ok last question." He sits up straight on his chair before he begins. "I know everybody in the Capitol has watched your reaping. How did you feel when your sister got reaped?"
"I was surprised. Her name was in their once. But I saw her afterwards, and I-I told her I would try to win for her." I swore before the interview I wouldn't cry, and I hope to keep that promise to myself.
"And Peeta?" What am I supposed to say about him? "That was one big decision you had to make. What made you decide Gale?" Was I really eligible to tell everybody this?
"Yeah, that was the probably the biggest decision I have ever made in my life. I chose Gale b-because-" I take a big gulp then finally spit out what I have been trying to say. "I wanted to keep Peeta safe. W-we are kind of-" I had to word this the best way possible, the capitol could think of it in a different way. "Together" The whole crowd gasps and Caeser takes my hand.
"Well our hearts go out to you. Best of luck, Katniss Everdeen! District 12!" I trot off the stage to be greeted by Effie and Haymitch.
"That was great!" Effie says while hugging me. "Perfect posture! I taught you well!" She continues. I quickly peel away.
"Good job sweetheart." Haymitch tells me before we go over to the television screen to watch Gale's interview. I knew right now, Peeta was either crying (because I mentioned him), smiling (because I told the whole world we are together) or killing himself (because I chose Gale).
"Well Gale, what has been the biggest change in the Capitol for you?" He asks him.
"The showers" Everybody laughs; I guess he was trying to be likable. "Tell me Caeser, do I smell like roses?" Gale leans in toward Caeser and he takes a wiff of him and nods his head.
"Now tell me Gale, is there a special girl back home?" He slowly shakes his head. He was lying. He has probably been with every girl in district 12.
"Come on! A quite handsome and charming boy like you has to have someone special, right?" Caeser argues. Was he setting something up?
"Well there is this girl but she doesn't even know I like her. I have tried to tell her before, but she is always busy with her boyfriend." he sadly says.
"Well here's what you do. You win these games, and there is no way she will turn you down. She will end it with her current boyfriend and run into your arms." Gale nods at his advice but then begins to say something. How do I not know about this mystery girl he likes? I know almost everything about Gale?
"I don't think that plan will work, sorry Caeser." he tells him. Now he is starting to kill me. I turn to Haymtich and ask him what he is doing, but he just ignores me and continues watching.
"Why is that Gale?" Gale takes a deep breath along with a big gulp then finally spits out his secret.
"B-because she came here with me." My jaw drops and I turn to Haymitch who nods his head at me. I just wanted to run out on the stage and punch him in the face! Was he telling the truth? Or was this just a setup?
PEETA'S POV:
"I'M GONNA KILL THAT KID!" I yell all alone in the bakery. I run to the front of the bakery, grab broom and begin to smash all the front windows of the bakery. I push the register off the counter and all the money goes flying. I run to the back and throw all the cookies and cakes I have made on the floor. I run to my closet and roll into a ball. I just sit there and cry for a while. What am I supposed to do now?
After a while of thinking, I pack all my stuff into a bag that I found in my brother room and I walk back downstairs. I look around at the damage I have made, it surprises me a lot. Ever since Katniss has been reaped, I haven't been the same. Without leaving a note of any sort, I begin to walk in a random direction. I had no one to love, and no one loves me so why should stay? I take one look back at the vandalized and broken down bakery but then continue walking in the opposite direction of the Seam.
A/N: Sorry this one is really long; I wanted to get the interview over with. And I am sorry that these last 2 chapters haven't been that different than the actual book, but I just am not creative enough to think of an alternate approach on it. Hopefully the games won't be the same.