What I Really Need
CHAPTER 11
Peeta POV
I barely slept after last night's events, I may have gotten in an hour or two but otherwise not a wink. I slowly get up, trying not to disturb Katniss, grab a robe and walk down the hall.
I walk into the kitchen and make a hot chocolate [even though I can get the avoxes to do it]. I sip on it and silently walk into the living room, to my surprise Billy is staring out the window. "Hey Billy," I say to him. "He turns around, "hey Peeta." I walk towards him and put a hand on his shoulder, "come on. Come with me." I lead him upstairs and open the roof door. "Wow, this is amazing." I am comforted by his comment. "It is nice isn't it. I was up here one night during my games and Katniss found me. After that I have thought about this place a lot. Do you have any questions about training, the games?" I ask him. He sits on the bench and looks up at me. "Does anything hurt during training? I mean it is obvious if I get stabbed or something in the games but in training this worries me." I hide my laugher at Billy' question well and answer as best I can. "No, not really. Well it depends if you fall off something like I did. I few laughed at me. But otherwise no." I sit next to him and put my cup on the table. "To be honest with you Peeta I am scared. I don't want to leave life this early but I would for Prim's sake." I stop him there, "Billy don't be scared, you need to be brave that will intimidate others to stay away like Cato last year. Anyway I studied the tributes and you are one of the oldest." I tell him, he gives me a smile then a hug, "oh the boys are being romantic." Haymitch says and he walks towards us. "Oh shut up Haymitch." Billy says. I slightly laugh even though it isn't funny. Now my bro understands the criticism I talk to him about that Haymitch says. "Nice to see you aren't dead from all that drinking. Where have you been?" I ask him, "well boy. I was talking to the other mentors and their tributes about allies for the games. After last year they are certain that Billy and Prim will help them win. So the people on your side and wanting to ally are District 11, 10 and 4." I am surprised that Haymitch has done this. "Thanks, well I better get ready and find Prim. See you later." Billy gets up and walks off. I feel bad for him and Prim too. "I am going for some breakfast, you coming?" Haymitch asks, I shake my head and he walks off.
I sit here for about five minutes when Katniss comes up. "Hey, thought I might find you here. Thanks for waking me last night. I just spent 10 minutes with Prim until Billy came." She walks over to me and sits next to me with feet next to her and head on my chest. "It was the least I can do and I just spent time with Billy as well. He asked me if anything hurt during training so I told him no and what happened to me last year in training." I tell her, she laughs slightly, "I remember that. I also remember the time after the games when you had a sack of flour over your head and the bag had a spilt and all the flour went all over you." We laugh at this, we begin to talk about all the silly things that happened to us when I said a comment that in a why declared my love to her, "I want to freeze this moment right here and live in it forever." I say, "OK" she says. "So you will allow it?" I ask, "I will." She says. We are looking at each other for a second when I feel the tension between us and she pulls away. "Um, I better go and see that Prim and Billy are ready." She gets up and walks away. I stay a little longer. As I get up I pour the cold hot chocolate onto a plant and go downstairs and get some proper breakfast.
KATNISS POV
I find Prim and Billy sitting at the table having some cereal and fresh orange juice. "Hey Katniss," Prim and Billy say one after the other. "Hey guys, all ready. Training uniforms look good." I tell them. "Are you going to eat with us?" Prim asks me. I shake my head, "not right now Prim." She nods & continues eating. I sit down on the opposite side of the table and sip on my juice. Peeta walks into the room which only adds to the silence, especially between us. That was until Effie walks in, "well hello everyone. I see you 2 are ready for training." She refers to Prim and Billy. To make the timing perfect Haymitch walks in. "Nice of you to join us Haymitch." Effie comments, "as always Effie. Now as for you 2 {prim and billy} bit of advice. Don't show off your skills straight away or don't show them at all either until the individual assessment for the Game Makers or until the Games, your choice." He tells them, "oh and don't do anything stupid like your sister Prim, she almost shot the last game maker." "Now that he has finished I have idea, what if we all had something gold as a district token. I have my hair and Katniss has her Mockingjay pin. It is here isn't it?" She asks me, "yes in my room." This brings a smile to Effie's face, "perfect."
I am very pleased with Effie's idea though it brings me worry it will spark more of a rebellion than what I already have. I get up walk to my room. I quietly change and make myself presentable.
PEETA POV
"Prim, Billy take the elevator to the underground floor and head though the double doors to the training centre. I will see you later." I say and leave them with Haymitch and Effie. I walk into my room and sit down to gather my thoughts. Is something wrong, why does she seem so distant from everyone, have I done something, what can I do to help her? All of my questions revolve around Katniss. I get dressed and walk to her room. "Katniss, can we please talk?" I ask through the door, "yes Peeta." She sounds disturbs so I walk in. I find her in a fit state. Tears on her cheeks, eyes puffed and Mockingjay pin in hand. "Katniss what's wrong. Please no lies." I question her. "I, I just don't know if I ready for all of this again. Stupid interviews, fancy clothes even though Cinna does design amazing things, Prim and Billy in the Hunger Games and marriage. I mean can we live this lie? Can you, having this burden on your shoulders that ruins your love life. I can't bear this." She is in tears and I hold her, "Katniss it is hard on both of us. I don't want Prim or Billy in the games either, as for the marriage well I dunno. I mean I don't see how it can affect our lives that much cause when you think about it, it is just a piece of paper and extra jewellery." I explain, she nods but speaks "I know but what about all the love involved, I don't mean anything huge. I just mean like the general stuff, when I was little my father always kissed my mother when she came home and always gave her a hug. I mean we only kiss like that when there is something emotion or we both feel something special between us." Katniss explains to me. I know she is upset so I comfort her, the best I can, "Katniss I don't expect that to happen all the time between us. We grew up in different lives. Like I said after the interview, you don't have to pretend to love me when it is just me or anyone else who knows the truth around them or me." I tell her, "and like I said, who said I was pretending." "Mm, must have forgotten that part." I lean down and kiss her lightly on the lips. "I better go find Effie and talk to her about this token stuff." I get up and leave Katniss to change and prepare herself for the day.
I walk into the living room to find Effie on the couch reading, "Effie, can we talk about this token thing." I ask her. "Of course Peeta. Please sit," she motions me to join her. I sit next to her and she speaks, "I was thinking a band or something for Haymitch. Any ideas for yourself or Prim or Billy?" She asks me, "I was thinking a golden hair clip with a primrose flower on it for Prim & a band for Billy like Haymitch. As for myself I was thinking a medallion that I can put pictures in, with the Mockingjay pin on the front and in the middle pic slot. I have an idea about it." I give the details to Effie and she sounds happy with them.
PRIM POV
I am the smallest and youngest child here so I stay close to Billy as we listen to the instructor. "Now pay close attention to what you do here, these could help all of you to survive as long as you can. Good luck." We depart and I stay with Billy which doesn't bother him. "Hey I was thinking what if we both looked into the plants station, it would help if we got separated cause I know poisonous plants and the edible ones." I suggest to Billy, "sure. That would be very useful." We walk over to the station and study this part.
We go to many different stations, but I struggle with the climb and monkey bars. It is going to be a long few days.