A/N: Ahhh I can't believe this story is almost over. Only one more chapter after this one. I'm relieved, but sad to see this story come to an end. I've really enjoyed writing it and have been floored by the response. Thank you so much to anyone who has ever reviewed/favorited/followed. It really does motivate me to write. I hope you enjoy this chapter and in case you didn't see I wrote two short little one shots for the Prompts in Panem challenge over on Tumblr last week - check out my profile page to read them! Thanks again and enjoy :)
Also! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE go follow me at "love is all we really need to survive" (remove spaces) and then put in dot-tumblr-dot-c0m. I'm cross-posting all my work there in case anything gets taken down. I love to interact/share sneak peaks with my followers there ;) Enjoy!
14 days.
Two weeks.
That's how long they expect me to be away from home. Away from Prim and my mother and Gale. That's how long they expect me to be away from my district and my woods. The only reason I have managed to keep some form of my sanity in tact is because Peeta is by my side.
Peeta is a constant source of comfort and stability through the never ending, and constantly changing, ceremonies and celebrations. Every meeting with district officials and dinner held in town squares, every new dress and hair style, starts to bleed into one another until I can't tell the difference from one to the next.
We start in District 11 and make our way in descending order until we reach the Capitol. At every district, we are suppose to celebrate their own Capitol Competition winner while acknowledging the prior district's victors as well. Somehow though, Peeta and I are constantly being thrown to the forefront of everything. Effie seems to monopolize all of the other district officials and makes sure the spotlight is always on us. She gets annoyingly good at slipping in a mention of how we met and the 'love affair' we find ourselves in that "could only have been made possible thanks to the Capitol".
And to my horror, people seem to eat this up. They scream our praise and gush when we're forced to share a dance. Word must even spread around the country, because as we continue through the districts the crowds seem to get bigger and louder, screaming our praises before we're even introduced. Every other district victor and their student leader are merely a side attraction to Peeta and I. I can feel their eyes on me at every rally, seething with anger and disgust that we're stealing the spotlight from them.
Each district victor and their student leader join us on the train for the next stops. With two people joining us in every district things start to get a little crowded on the train and Effie doesn't hesitate to insist that Peeta and I should share a room.
The suggestion makes my face burn from embarrassment and anger. I hate how involved she is in our relationship, I hate anyone knowing anything about us, I hate all of this.
Soon it all starts to take a toll.
Even wrapped in Peeta's arms at night it becomes harder and harder to sleep.
The anxiety and stress over these public appearances, where I'm forced to parade around like a doll for everyone's amusement, becomes too much. I hate wearing these uncomfortable dresses and wearing so much makeup that when I touch my face half of it comes off. I hate that the one thing in my life that was private and special and comforting has now been exposed to the public.
The relationship I have with Peeta is meant to be shared in that abandoned shack at the end of the Seam or in a private cluster of trees out in the woods. It is meant to be kept away from the rest of the world and their prying eyes. It's just suppose to be the two of us. No one else. I fell in love with Peeta because of how he made me realize I could still take pleasure in this world, that there were still good things to enjoy. Having that stained by the interference of Effie and the Capitol just feels wrong.
I start getting bags under my eyes from stress and lack of sleep. Soon the idea of attending another dinner and celebration brings a kind of anxiety I've never felt before. I get shaky and nervous, short of breath and desperate to escape before we're introduced. Peeta does everything he can to comfort me, but I know the only solution is is to stop this endless publicity tour of my private life.
We're on our way to District 4 one night on the train when things get worse than I could have imagined.
We're sitting at dinner with some of the other victors and student leaders. Effie, as always, is monopolizing the conversation and talking about how splendid everything has been unfolding.
I am doing my best to tune her out as usual and force some of the rich Capitol food down, despite feeling nauseas all the time lately. I'm mid-bite when Effie makes a comment so casually, I almost choke on my food.
"Oh and Katniss! You will not believe this. I've been told by some high up officials that President Snow himself has requested a meeting with you when we get to the Capitol. He must have gotten wind of what a sensation you've been on this tour!"
My fork clatters to my plate and I have to take a long drink of water to dislodge the food that got stuck in my throat. I feel Peeta's eyes on me, trying to see how I'm processing this latest bit of news.
"President Snow said he wanted to talk to me?" I ask skeptically.
Effie nods her head enthusiastically. "He did! He must be very impressed with the only girl to win the Capitol Competition out of all the districts. I wouldn't be surprised if even he has found himself caught up with the 'love story from District 12' that has been sweeping the nation!" She grins, that same maniacal grin that I've come to know and loathe. I'm sure she thinks she's just delivered me the best possible news and I should be brimming with excitement.
The only emotion I'm feeling, however, is fear.
Why would President Snow want to see me? It makes no sense. He knows how the Capitol Programs work, he must know that I wasn't exactly named victor because I outperformed all the other competitors. I was essentially chosen to win the competition because the Capitol wanted it that way and now the President himself is requesting my company. It makes me start to worry that I've been a part of something sinister for longer than I realize, that I have been on the Capitol's eye for longer than I dare think about it.
Peeta reaches over and places his hand on top of mine, trying to give me a reassuring look.
I try and offer him a small smile, but when I see the concern in his own eyes it turns to more of a grimace.
Later that night Peeta and I are curled up on the bed in our compartment.
He is sitting up with his back against the headboard and I'm curled into his side, my head on his shoulder.
He has been trying to console me for the last hour or so. I've been alternating back and forth between crying and shaking from fear. There's not much more he can do or say, but he does his best, running a hand over my hair, whispering soothing words.
"I want to go home," I mumble into his chest after we've been silent for a long time.
"Me too," he sighs.
"I miss my sister. I miss the woods. I hate this. I hate being this...piece in their games."
Peeta chuckles and I look up at him confused.
"You know I was actually just thinking the same thing the other day. Dressing us up, parading us around, using us for their agenda...it's like what Haymitch warned us about. We're just pieces in this game they play to try and control the districts," he explains.
I cling to him a little tighter, saying an internal 'thank you' for about the thousandth time on this tour that he is by my side through all of this. That, even in this never ending nightmare, I still have him.
"I don't want any of this to change us," I blurt out before I can stop myself.
"What do you mean?" He questions quietly, interlacing our fingers together.
"I just...this is all really stressful and just...hard, but I don't want any of it to affect us...like you and me." I hesitate for a moment, trying to gather my thoughts. "I just...there's the Capitol and their games and then there's us...I don't ever want those to cross paths...I don't ever want them to mess things up for us."
Peeta puts a finger under my chin and tilts my head so I'm forced to look up at him.
"They won't," he says, his eyes a steely blue that take my breath away with their intensity. "They can't." He leans down and kisses me very gently. When he pulls away he whispers words that make my heart start to pound and my stomach fill with butterflies.
"I love you."
I have to fight off the bizarre desire to cry. I grab a fistful of his shirt and pull him back to me, deepening the kiss. I let my lips tell him how I feel the same way.
When we break apart I get up and move off the bed.
"Where are you going?" He asks, breathless.
I lock the door to our compartment and then turn around and smile at him very coyly.
I walk a little closer to the bed before I stop and reach behind me, unzipping the back of my dress. When I let it fall to the floor I take pleasure in the way Peeta's eyes get a little bigger at the sight of me in just my bra and underwear.
"Wh-what are you doing?" He asks, swallowing thickly.
In response, I bit down on my bottom lip and unclasp my bra, letting it fall to the floor as well.
I don't look at him this time, suddenly shy over being so exposed, even though he's seen me like this before. I can feel his eyes on me and just that thought alone is enough for the wetness to grow between my legs.
With the past week and a half being nothing but stress and anxiety over this tour, I suddenly have the urgent need to just lose myself for a little while. I want something to take my mind off of everything, off of how the Capitol is using us, off of how something that was once so intimate and sacred has become a big charade, off of the recent news of Snow's request to see me.
I know just what I need too. I know all I need is Peeta's touch to come undone, to help me relax, to remember that all is not lost.
I grab the waistband of my underwear and slowly tug it down my legs until it is around my knees. Then I use my foot to pull it down the rest of the way before kicking it off to the side.
When I look up I see Peeta is sitting up more fully in bed, his eyes glued to me. I make my way over to him, crawling across the bed and straddling his hips, my completely naked body covering his fully clothed one.
I take his face in both my hands, kissing him as passionately as I can. I moan as his tongue pushes into my mouth and his arms wrap around my waist, pulling me even closer to him. He breaks away and then starts kissing down my neck, reaching one hand up to massage my breast.
I groan in satisfaction, running my hands through his hair. I'm getting so wet and the friction of his pants against my bundle of nerves is electrifying. I grind my hips against him and he hisses in response.
I decide I need to touch him, make him feel good. I reach down between us and undo the button and fly of his pants. He lifts up just enough that between the pair of us we manage to tug his pants down past his hips. Already I can see the effect this is having on him through his boxers.
I release him from his underwear, freeing his erection. When I wrap my hand around him he leans his head back and whispers my name breathlessly.
I take this opportunity to lick and suck the flesh of his neck, making my mark.
I start to work my hand up and down his length. I move from the base of his shaft, up and over the tip, taking the moisture that has already leaked, and spreading it down to the rest of him. He grows in my hand and when I pull my lips away he takes a few moments to watch in fascination as I continue to work to get him harder.
When it seems like he can't possibly get any bigger he suddenly puts his hands on my hips and flips me over to the other side of the bed so that I'm lying on my back. He grins cheekily and then quickly removes his shirt before properly ridding himself of the rest of his clothes.
When he returns to me he is much more serious. His eyes search my face, looking for any sign of doubt about what we're about to do, but I know he won't find any. I have never been more certain about something in my life.
To prove this I reach down between us and take him in my hand. I position himself at my opening, closing my eyes at the feel of his tip grazing my wetness. There is an ache in my lower belly that is burning to be fulfilled. I know only him being buried deep inside me will accomplish this.
I start to guide him inside me until he takes over, my hand falling away as he pushes his length more fully in. He leans down and kisses me and then flexes his hips until he completely sheathes himself into my core. I make a small, strangled cry, reacting to the feel of being stretched so fully and the sudden sharp pain of him breaking whatever innocence I had left.
I am breathing heavily, desperately trying to adjust to the feel of him. He hovers over me, his arms trembling, his entire being quivering with the effort to stay still and not to just start thrusting into me at a furious pace like I'm sure he wants to. Instead he just leans down and kisses my lips and cheeks and neck, whispering that it's okay and that he loves me.
After a few moments the pain starts to give way to a more pleasurable ache, my entire being tingling from the feel of us being joined in this way. I buck my hips towards him, encouraging him to move. When he pulls almost all the way out and then drives himself into me again I cry out, overwhelmed by the completely new, completely exhilarating sensation. The pleasure builds as he starts to go faster and soon his hips are moving in quick, desperate motions that almost seem out of his control.
"Katniss...I can't..." he apologizes.
"It's okay...I want you to," I reply immediately and the words have just left my lips when he pushes into me one final time. He stills, his entire body tensing, and I feel him throbbing inside me.
He collapses against me, dead weight on my chest as I run my hands through his hair, clinging to him, clinging to the memory of our first time.
I'm broken from my peaceful moment, however, when he suddenly pulls back, looking at me in horror. "Oh my god...we didn't use anything..."
I smile at him gently, pushing his hair away from his face. "It's okay...my mother makes me take something..."
He looks at me curiously and I clarify.
"I think she thought there was something going on between me and Gale for a while," I shrug.
He only nods in response and then rolls off of me. We both try and catch our breaths, lying side by side, holding hands. After a while he props himself up on one arm and looks at me sheepishly.
"If you want to try again...I think I can make you..." he trails off and I have to bite my lip to keep myself from smiling at the thought he could possibly be shy or embarrassed about anything after what we just shared.
"Of course I want to do that with you again," I say, leaning over to kiss him. "I want to do that with you for the rest of my life." The words leave me so easily, probably because it's so true and we just made love and all my defenses are down. It takes me a moment to realize what I actually said though and I immediately want to hide, to take them back, to explain that I was only joking.
Peeta, however, doesn't seem to even think twice about the mention of the rest of our lives. He only moves over me more fully and kisses me deeply.
"I love you," he says, rubbing his growing length against my folds, he hits that spot at the apex of my legs and I hiss at the jolt of pleasure it sends to the rest of my body.
This time when he pushes inside me I'm more at ease with the sensation and there is only pleasure at the beginning. His thrusts are more controlled, even and measured this time. I look up into his eyes to see him studying me carefully. I can only groan and whimper, breathless indications of my satisfaction.
He starts to push inside me a little harder and then a little faster, causing everything inside me to tighten like a spring ready to be uncoiled.
"Peeta!" I cry, gripping onto his arm. I feel like I'm going to split in two from the power of his hips, breaking me in the most perfect way. Everything is building, my muscles tensing, the ache between my legs reaching it's peak.
He reaches down and rubs that bundle of nerves and I come undone.
I can't even hear the sound of my own voice screaming his name.
I have an outer body experience, momentarily losing consciousness as wave after wave of sweet, tingly release rolls through me.
The next thing I'm aware of is being pulled against his chest, a kiss being planted on my forehead, and my body drifting off into a dreamless sleep.
We get to the Capitol the day before the 'special event' that will be held in honor of all the district winners of the Capitol Competition.
Tonight there is a dinner and dance for only important Capitol officials that we're expected to attend.
After sitting through hours of hair and make-up I am finally deemed presentable for public viewing. Cinna, who has grown on me during this tour, mainly because he seems to understand how much I despise every moment of it, helps me into my dress.
It seems he has saved his best work for last.
I look into the mirror at the girl I do not recognize. She is hardly a girl anymore. My make-up is a little more dramatic and my dress clings to every curve of my still slender frame.
"Think Peeta will like this one?" Cinna asks over my shoulder, with an amused smirk.
I can't help but blush and look down.
"I definitely don't hate it."
I turn at the sound of Peeta's voice who stands at the doorway of my dressing room. He smiles and comes into the room. "I got to tell you Cinna, you've done a pretty good job on this tour. Of course, it's easy when you have such a beautiful canvas to work with."
I roll my eyes, but can't stop the rush of delighted satisfaction his words give me.
Cinna just laughs and pats Peeta on the back.
"I'll give you guys a moment alone together before the madness ensues." He steps out of the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
"You don't look so bad yourself," I observe, admiring the way Peeta looks in his tux. It's tailored perfectly to his body, highlighting his muscles and tall frame.
He smiles and reaches out to hold my hands.
"How are you doing?" He asks quietly.
I shrug, focusing on the way he interlaces our fingers together. "Glad this is almost over," I whisper. And yet, as I speak the words out loud I can't help the feeling of dread that creeps up on me. A tiny voice in the back of my mind keeps terrorizing me, keeps reminding me that the end of this tour doesn't necessarily mean the end of the Capitol interfering in our lives. We can still turn out like Haymitch, forever haunted by the presence and control of the overpowering government in our lives.
"Me too," Peeta returns and I step forward and move into his arms.
We just hold each other for a long time until Effie comes and knocks on the door and tells us it's time to go.
They line every competition winner and their student leader up in order of districts at the entrance to the ballroom. I inspect the line, noticing how every pair before us makes an odd combination. In most of the districts it's boy-boy, the winner of the competition and then an older boy that served as his trainer. Out of all 12 districts I'm the only girl as victor, but there are two other girls that served as student leader. From 1, a tall, muscular girl with dark hair and from 7, a girl with short, brown hair.
Every pair from districts 1 through 11 before us looks awkward and uncomfortable standing beside one another in evening wear. The districts with two boys make sure to put a good amount of space between themselves.
I look over at Peeta, noticing the way my hand is grasping his curled arm he has offered me. I don't want to pull away, but I know this is just another way Effie has designed to make sure we stand out to the crowd. The 'love story from District 12' is about to be jammed down the throats of the people from the Capitol and I have a suspicion they're going to eat it up even more than the people from the districts did.
"Okay, bright smiles you two!" Effie commands, walking by us just as the doors to the ballroom open and the procession begins. The pairs before us enter the room to thunderous applause from the crowd.
We inch closer to making our debut as the line moves forward.
I shoot Peeta a nervous glance, clinging to his arm a little tighter.
"Ready?" He asks, eyebrows raised.
I can only nod my head in response, to nervous to formulate words.
When we enter the crowd goes nuts. That's the only way to describe it. I thought they were clapping pretty loudly for everyone else, but apparently they were holding back. People are screaming, clapping, calling our names. I can only nod and smile and wave, holding onto Peeta for dear life.
We walk around the dance floor and to the front of the room, taking the last two seats at the 30 foot long table where all the others have already taken their seats.
My eyes flick to the center of the table near the podium and I get my first in person glimpse of the man I've only seen on television screens before. President Snow has white hair and a white beard that covers most of his face. The only visible feature I can make out, in fact, is the snake like quality of his eyes...and how they seem to be trained directly on me.
I look away, unable to hold his gaze much longer. I feel like if I keep looking at him he'll attack and I don't need to entertain those kind of thoughts before our little meeting later.
Peeta holds out my chair for me and I hear squeals of delight from the crowd.
When he sits down beside me I immediately reach under the table and grasp his hand tightly, needing the comfort and reassurance of his touch.
The evening starts with a speech from President Snow who congratulates and praises the victors from every district and commends the student leaders for their aid in the competition.
I avoid his eyes, keeping my gaze trained on the crowd in front of us.
When he mentions the 'love story that has captivated the nation' I whip my head in his direction and manage a smile that I'm sure looks more forced than anything.
"A shinning example of how the Capitol Programs provide hope and opportunity for the districts," He smiles in our direction.
He says the words so sweetly, but I can see something dangerous behind those snake like eyes of his.
After the speech we're served a 5 course meal that makes my stomach start to rumble from the richness of the food. As the plates are being taken away Effie appears at the podium and insists that Peeta and I have the first dance. The crowd applauds their approval of the idea.
Peeta stands and takes my hand, leading me out into the center of the room where I can feel hundreds of eyes on me.
I wrap an arm around Peeta's neck as his own finds it way around my waist, bringing me closer to him. He takes my other hand in his and holds it against his chest, right above his heart. I rest my head in the crook of his neck and take a deep breath.
It's amazing, really. That in the middle of all this chaos, in the middle of all these bizarre people from the Capitol obsessing over us and the disconcerting presence of President Snow, I need only to feel the warmth of his body against mine to feel a little more at ease. The way his hands grip my waist possessively, the way he strokes the pad of his thumb against my palm. It makes everything else fade into the background a little. Not entirely, it doesn't make me forget about our current situation, it just helps me remember how much his presence in my life makes everything better.
The song comes to an end and as I lift my head up to look at him he gives me such a sweet, warm smile. I can't help it when I press my lips softly against his, momentarily forgetting, or just not caring really, that so many people are watching us right now.
When we break apart the entire room erupts into a cheer and I blush and look away, being brought back to my current reality. After a moment though, everyone begins to crowd the dance floor.
I am just about to drag Peeta away, maybe find a quiet place where we can be alone, when the ice cold feel of slimy, wrinkled fingers touches my shoulder.
I jump at the sensation and turn to see the cause. President Snow stands beside me, having appeared completely unnoticed, a look of mild amusement in his eyes.
"Ms. Everdeen, I hope Ms. Trinket informed you that I wish to have a word with you privately," he says, his eyes trained on me, full of something I can't decipher - Anger? Impatience? Annoyance?
"Oh, um yes..." I stutter.
"I hope you don't mind me stealing her away from you for just a few moments, Mr. Mellark," He adds good-naturedly, turning to Peeta.
"Not at all, Sir," Peeta returns without missing a beat. "I just hope you won't be too long. I'll feel a little lost without her by my side."
"She'll be back in your arms before the band stops playing," the President assures him, offering him what I think is supposed to be a smile, although it looks weird and twisted.
I shoot Peeta a nervous glance who mouths 'it's okay' to me before I turn to follow the President. He leads me out the side door of the ballroom that I hadn't even noticed before. We make our way up a long spiral staircase and then down a long complicated maze of hallways, turning left then right, then left and left again and then, finally, right.
He never acknowledges me, just walks two steps ahead of me so I'm facing his back the entire time. Finally, we reach a set of double doors that are huge and made from a rich oak wood. He opens the door and then gestures for me to go ahead.
I step inside the room and look around. Bookshelves that reach the ceiling line the walls, filled with old, dusty books that don't seem to be used much. A small couch next to a silver tray and stand that holds a couple of glasses and a bottle of dark liquor sit against the wall. At the far end of the room a huge desk, at least eight feet long and almost as wide sits with just a few random objects placed on top of it.
In front of the desk, two plush white cushioned chairs sit facing it.
"Have a seat Ms. Everdeen," the President speaks and it doesn't seem like an invitation, it seems like a command.
I move to the chairs and sit down.
He takes his time coming around the large desk, taking a seat in his high back chair, resting his hands on the arm rests. For a long moment he is completely silent, looking across the desk at me. I have to work to maintain eye contact, not wanting to seem weak or afraid.
"I must say Ms. Everdeen, all of the Capitol judges and officials were quite impressed by your exceptional skills during the competition. Your ability to create snares, start a fire, shoot a bow..."
I swallow nervously, but don't say anything in response.
"A natural hunter it seems."
I feel a shiver run through me at his words. I suddenly have the feeling of a child being found out.
"We're very glad it worked out that way, you see. The competition this year, a test of strength and survival skills, would naturally draw two types of youth. The ones who feel they have something to prove, but are completely inept. And then the ones like you Ms. Everdeen. The ones who already know they have an aptitude for those kinds of skills."
I open my mouth, but then close it again quickly, realizing I have nothing to say.
"And you do have a skill for those things, don't you Katniss?" the President asks, using my name for the first time and making me cringe.
"All those years out in the woods have taught you a great deal."
My eyes widen at the thought. He knows. How long has he known? How much trouble am I in?
"You see, for years we've been letting the hunting that takes place in the woods beyond the fence in District 12 slide. As an outlying district, we never cared too much or thought the time and effort it would require to prevent it was worth it," Snow explains, talking so casually he could be discussing the weather.
"Lately, however, I've come to realize that this is just simply unacceptable. If one district were to slip away from us, what's to stop the rest of them? It just doesn't cast the Capitol in a very favorable light to have some of our citizens so blatantly undermining us. Our power is a very important thing, Katniss. We are what keeps this nation together."
"I'm sorry!" I blurt out suddenly. "I'm sorry, I won't do it anymore, please!" I realize I'm shaking.
"Yes, well I'm glad you can understand where we're coming from," the President nods. "As you know, we could make life very difficult if you choose to defy us on this issue."
"Please..." I whimper. I realize every bit of the terrified, 16 year old girl I am in this little exchange is on display, begging for mercy and forgiveness.
The idea that I'll be trapped inside the fence of District 12 forever terrifies me. The thought that I'll never be able to roam free in the woods again is nauseating. In this moment, however, my fear overtakes all of that. Those snake like eyes burn through me and all I want to do is get out of here unharmed.
"It's a funny thing, you know. We set out this year planning the Capitol Program with the idea of hopefully getting a chance to reign in the rebels, the troublemakers such as yourself, so to speak." The President sighs, turns in his chairs and stands, moving over to a window at the side of the room. He stands quietly for a while, just gazing out at the view.
"But then something unexpected happened. It seems Effie Trinket finally managed to get something useful out of District 12 after all." He turns and comes back towards the desk, this time walking to the front and leaning against the edge so we're barely a few feet apart.
"It seems you and Mr. Mellark are quite the sensation. I didn't believe it at first, but the people want what they want." He leans towards me just a bit, the overwhelming smell of blood and roses infiltrate my senses. I have to work not to gag.
"I pride myself in being an intelligent man, Ms. Everdeen. I know the importance of the Capitol's power and I also know that it can be a very fragile thing." He examines me carefully for a moment, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "Having something to root for, giving people hope...it's a much more effective tactic than ruling with an iron fist, much more powerful than fear."
I shake my head, completely confused. I have no idea where he's going with this. "What are you saying?" I ask.
"The love story between you two is wonderful for the country's morale. A love story like yours promotes the Capitol Programs." He's silent for a moment studying me. "But what could make it even better? What would give everyone in Panem cause for celebration?"
I look at him blankly, wondering if he could possibly be talking about what I think he's talking about.
No.
There's no way.
"If you two were to give the nation what it wants...a happily ever after for an adored couple...then we could maybe continue to look the other way when it comes to your indiscretions beyond the district fence."
"So you want...you want..." I can barely get the words out.
"You know there's nothing the Capitol enjoys more than a big event...and what's bigger than a wedding?"
My stomach drops to the floor. I sink back in my chair, feeling as if the wind has been knocked out of me. I can't form words, I can barely sort out my thoughts. He must noticed my dazed expression because he harshly snaps me back to reality.
"Of course, marrying the boy won't be a problem, correct? I mean...it is genuine on your part, yes?"
My confusion quickly turns to anger. "Of course, it's real!" I practically growl at him, wondering in the back of my mind how I ever worked up enough nerve to talk to the President of the country like this.
"Good. I thought so, but I just wanted to confirm. Then there should be no problems."
"I'm only sixteen!"I squeak out, wondering how he can act like this is no big deal. "Peeta and I haven't even been together that long!"
I realize that the idea of marrying Peeta doesn't really frighten me as much as the fact that we're being forced into it by President Snow. I know we're young, but I also know how much I love him and that being with him makes sense. The thought of my life and my relationship being so blatantly manipulated by this man for entertainment purposes is what I can't deal with.
He sighs and turns to go sit back at his desk. When he does he looks up at me, the venomous, snake like quality of his eyes more prominent than ever. "Ms. Everdeen, might I remind you that the Capitol will generously be providing your family, which includes your mother and younger sister, with large amounts of food and money as a result of you being named victor. If you don't abide to our wishes we can just as easily renege on your winnings."
"No! Please, don't!" The words escape me before I can stop them.
A flicker of a smile crosses Snow's face.
That is when I know I'm indebted to this man, to the Capitol, to this corrupt government. If I want to provide for my mother and sister, if I want to keep them going when I am no longer there to support them, there is only one thing I can do.
I have to marry Peeta.
I move through the Capitol mansion in a daze, with no idea where I am or where I'm going.
Finally, after walking down a few staircases, making wrong turns and running into dead ends, I find a familiar looking hallway. At the end I spot a scruffy looking man holding a drink. When he meets my eyes I don't hesitate to go directly towards him.
The tears are already beginning to flow.
"What the hell happened, sweetheart?" Haymitch asks, looking bewildered and concerned.
I break down in his arms, letting him comfort me. Finally, I pull back and explain everything that just happened, the fear and anxiety pouring out of me.
"Peeta and I have to get married," I mumble through my tears, "if we don't get married he'll take it out on my mother and Prim, or worse."
I look up at Haymitch when he doesn't say anything for a moment.
I see his eyes are trained at a spot over my shoulder.
I turn to find Peeta standing behind me.