"What are you thinking," Mother demands after I enter the house, "getting involved with him like that? He could have us all killed!"
"He wouldn't do that," I snap back, "You don't know him."
"I don't know him! What, you think you do?"
"Look, it doesn't matter, he agreed that we couldn't be together. He said that he couldn't ask me to leave my family."
She starts to calm down.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Katniss." Mother says before turning and going back to bed.
"It's Parcel Day!" Prim says with a wide smile when I come down the next morning, blissfully unaware of the events of the previous evening.
"It is Little Duck! We have to be at the train station by 11:45 to meet Peeta and Mayor Undersee for the ceremony at 12."
We eat our breakfast while Prim gushes about the treats the Capitol is sure to be sending in those coveted parcels; I can only hope they've remembered to stock practical food as well.
Once we've finished breakfast Prim and mother help me get ready to go down to the station. They wanted me to wear one of my Capitol dresses, but I decided to wear something in between my usual hunting attire and the over the top outfits sent to me by the Capitol. I think Cinna designed the jacked, it's shocking how he's managed to design something that marries my hunting jacket with rich Capitol materials. I should let him look in my closet more the next time he comes to Twelve if he ever comes back to Twelve.
By the time I've finished getting dressed Gale arrives.
"Gale! I thought you had work today?" I ask.
"No, they gave us all Parcel Day off. I think they want a big turnout for the Capitol's golden boy."
I wince at his nickname for Peeta.
"Give him some credit, Gale. I mean it's not like he whisked me away from home forever in the middle of the night." I say, half-jokingly.
Gale isn't amused.
"Anyway," Gale says, "We should start heading over now, it's nearly 11:30."
Has time really gone by that fast?
When we arrive at the Train Station we're immediately waved over by Peeta to join him, Mayor Undersee, and Portia, who seems to be carrying some sort of a briefcase that's latched on to her wrist. Gale stays back, waiting for his family.
"Hey Katniss," Peeta says happily, "Ready for today?"
"Yes, but I don't think I'm nearly as ready as Prim is, she's been going on all morning about the treats from the Capitol," I say, amused remembering Prim's breakfast time anticipation.
"I don't think she'll be disappointed! Although I don't know exactly what's in the parcels. Grandfather likes his surprises." Peeta says.
"By the way, where are Prim and your Mother?" He adds.
"I think they're over there next to Gale," I say pointing in their direction.
"Would you mind if I go over there for a moment?" He asks.
"Not at all."
I watch as Peeta beams while exchanges pleasantries with Prim and Mother. Once they're done talking he moves over to speak with Gale. I can't make out what he's saying but Gale looks like his normal standoffish self, before looking somewhat surprised and almost happy. Peeta shakes his hand and makes his way back over to us.
He looks at me and says, "Later tonight I'm going to have Gale over so he can give me his assessment about Twelve and working in the mines, would you like to join us Katniss?
"Sure," I say, "I'd enjoy that."
"Peeta," Portia says before we can discuss further, "you and Katniss have an interview with Caesar Flickerman in a few moments."
That's news to me. I assumed there'd be an interview or two along with the ceremony and photo ops, but I didn't expect to be sharing the stage with the President-Elect. Not that I mind, I don't really interview well anyway. Maybe he'll pull most of the weight.
Portia ushers us over to where a camera and a monitor have been set up. Once we're both in frame I hear Caesar's unmistakable voice, "Mr. President-Elect, Katniss Everdeen, how are you?" He says enthusiastically.
"I'm well, Caesar, and how are you?" Peeta says.
"I'm doing splendid, sir! It's not every day I get to interview the President-Elect and a Victor at the same time."
Peeta smiles and agrees.
The interview was mostly a blur with Peeta doing most of the talking, his empathy for the common person on full display, declaring the he believes that every day should be Parcel Day in every District, among other soft policy pushes.
Peeta and I thank Caesar, and the interview is over faster than it began.
We head back over to Mayor Undersee and before long we step up onto the raised platform.
"Good afternoon!" Mayor Undersee intones to the gathered crowd, "It's a very exciting day. Today, because of Katniss Everdeen's valiant performance in the 74th Annual Hunger Games, we will receive the first of twelve special deliveries from the Capitol. In addition to the boxes filled with food and treats for each family, we also have with us a special guest, President-Elect Peeta Mellark."
Peeta nods and smiles at the crowd before approaching the microphone.
"Thank you Mayor Undersee, it has been a pleasure getting to meet you today. I also want to say a brief word of thanks to the Everdeens, who have been very gracious hosts. Speaking of the Everdeens, I'd also like to again congratulate Katniss Everdeen on her extraordinary victory in the 74th Annual Hunger Games, and as someone who doesn't watch or participate in the Games, that's saying something. I certainly paid attention this year. I paid attention because of Katniss' tremendous character and moral fortitude. Anyone who loves their sister enough to face down near-certain death and cares enough about strangers to lay flowers at their resting place is someone truly remarkable and someone I want in my corner."
I begin to tear up at the mention of Rue, but quickly regain my composure.
Peeta continues, "But today is about all of you. Today, some of the most deserving people in our country are finally getting a small piece of their due. Truly, the work you all do on a daily basis keeps our great nation running. We owe you all a tremendous debt and I hope this will be the first of many steps we can take to try and repay that debt."
I hear murmuring in the crowd.
"Thank you."
The crowd begins to applaud, louder than I've ever heard in District 12.
Peeta and I go over to the train and unload the first parcel, passing it to a family in the front of the crowd.
The applause is deafening.