Chapter 24

"That's all very heartwarming, sweetheart, but we've got a show to put on and you're delaying it."

Peeta has a slight smile on his face while my signature frown makes its way across my lips. "Save it for Paylor, Haymitch," I growl as Peeta pulls me into his arms. "You'll get the show."

"Come on, sweetheart. Think about Panem. You're the Mockingjay who started the spark-"

"I've done enough for the country," I almost snarl then, but the comfort of Peeta's arms lessens the threatening tone, so it sounds more like a grumble. Haymitch gives us a hard look. "You're not going to back out of this now, are you, sweetheart? You got to see your friend. Now you get to keep your part of the deal."

Peeta nods and nudges me towards Haymitch. "Your prep team will be here soon. I'll see you at the interviews then," he says, before he leans down and places a quick kiss on my forehead. The forehead?

"Okay." Haymitch pulls me along after him down the hall before shoving me into a room nearby. He looks smug.

"Wipe that off your face."

"What?" he says.

"That look."

It deepens. "So you and the boy, eh?"

"Shut up." I walk into the adjoining doorway towards my prep team, who appear horrified at my smeared make-up and lip gloss.

"At least I wasn't sucking face-" I slam the door shut on his face, but not before my prep team overhears. They gape at me before Venia lets out a shrill squeal of excitement and grabs me. "Why didn't you tell us?!"

Flavius looks offended while Octavia merely gets to work on my damaged makeover. "You act like you despised Peeta's company! Why didn't you consult us? We could have given you fantastic advice!"

I balk, thinking about their over-extravagant garments and fashions. Peeta would be horrified if I approached him wearing whatever they would dress me in.

After they finish my makeup and reiterating their continued support of me and Peeta's relationship, my prep team release me, giving me their approval as they deem me acceptable for national television.

I'm ushered into the press room by some Capitol officials, their pressed gray suits rough as they brush against my skin. Gale is one of them, but I do my best not to look at him. There's something about why Gale got ticked off enough to blow up his experiments that bothers me.

Instantly, I'm showered with the flashes of cameras and shouting reporters converge on the table I am being seated at, throwing questions my way. "Miss Everdeen! What do you expect to see from the new Panem government?"

"Katniss! How is District 12?"

"What happened to your mother? Are you two close after the war?"

Paylor walks in then, motioning for the reporters to back down and settle back into their seats. "Miss Everdeen will answer questions shortly. She is to speak to Caesar Flickerman first."
I immediately spot Caesar in the crowd, his hair a flaming orange similar to Flavius's, sitting near the front. He's surrounded by camera crews, ready for filming.
I notice the empty chairs to my left and right and wonder where Haymitch and Peeta have gone, but I can't dwell on it. Caesar is taking the seat to my left.

"Katniss! It is so good to see you again." His smile blinds me as he grins obnoxiously.

"Its good to see you too, Caesar," I lie. This is the last place I want to be.

He sits back in the chair, a camera-friendly position. "Tell me, what have you been up to since the war ended? We haven't seen much about you in the last month!"
My heart is pounding. All of Panem is watching the broadcast hungrily. I have to lie effectively if I'm going to help Paylor. "Well, its been hard the last month. I'm still recovering from the after-affects of the war. But it is good to see District 12 rebuilding. There's been significant progress since I last saw it." Good. That was honest.

Caesar nods solemnly. "Yes, every District has been rebuilding well. It is good to hear that your home District is recovering after the bombing."

My throat closes up, imagining the houses exploding at the impact of bombs and flames erupting from every corner. I can only nod stiffly in response and try to keep my expression believable.

"Now." Caesar leans forward, his hands clasped together as he rests his chin on them. "You are aware that Peeta Mellark has been released from the Capitol as of late?"

There it is. Now I really have to shine.

"Yes, I was there when he got off the train." I see some reporters faces' soften while others scribble down my words on paper pads. Good.

Caesar looks touched. "How have the two of you coped without each other? Wasn't it hard?"

I pause, gathering my thoughts. "Peeta and I were both... damaged after the war. It was best if Peeta left to go to the Capitol for rehabilitation while I went back to 12." I stop there, but Caesar motions for me to elaborate on the actual question. Damn.

"It was definitely difficult without him," I manage out, stammering. I can feel thousands of eyes burning on my skin. "I went through so much with him. It only makes sense-"

I stop, suddenly wanting to keep this piece on information secret from Panem. From prying eyes. From everyone. If anyone is going to hear it first, its going to be Peeta.

It only makes sense that he will always be a part of my life that I don't want to let go of.

Then I'm questioning whether or not that's the right step to take. Its hard to deny that my feelings for Peeta have changed drastically in the past few years. He's saved my life, countless times. He is my hope. The dandelion in the spring.

But I know for certain that I can't live without him.

I must have spaced out because the reporters in front of me are gaping, waiting.

Oh crap.

"Did I say that out loud?" I mutter to Caesar, raking my gaze across the crowd.

In response, the reporters surge from their seats.