A/N-
Just another one shot you might like. This is my view about the tribute parade in the first book. Katniss' POV.
I don't own the Hunger Games
"Remember, heads high. Smiles. They're gonna love you" Cinna tells us, before setting our capes alight.
My body tenses, waiting for the heat to burn through the costume and frazzle on my skin. I wait for the flames to lick my back and send darts of pain along my spine. I wait. But, it doesn't come. Instead, I'm greeted with a soft tingling sensation that tickles my back ever so slightly. I relax my body a little with relief. It's a weird feeling; being set on fire, but I suppose it looks good. Peeta looks amazing, so I guess I look the same. Pretty much.
I can hear each District being called, starting from District 1. Looking to one of the screens, I can see the tributes, riding on their chariot, dressed in jewels to represent their District. They make luxury items for the Capitol, hence the sparkles. They look stunningly beautiful and seem perfectly calm and confident as they wave to the crowds. Completely different to myself, trembling with fear. But, it's not fear of the fire behind me. It's the fear of everyone watching me. Waiting for me to mess up.
Quickly, too quickly, the tributes are drawn into the spotlights. District 11 has just been called and now, I'm feeling more nervous than ever. I turn to Cinna, but I can't understand what he's saying over the cheering of the crowds. Luckily, Peeta does and whispers to me.
"Hold my hand"
I look at him uncertainly, but I take his offering hand. Cinna gives us a thumbs-up and disappears behind, as our chariot starts to move.
My grip instantly tightens and I receive an encouraging smile from Peeta. He seems a lot more at ease than me, but in his eyes I can see the anxiousness he feels inside. We draw back from our gaze and face ahead. The doors open and we are pulled into the city.
And it's beyond anything I could have imagined.
The crowds of people stretch out far and wide, spreading out for miles and miles. The screams and cheers are deafening as people chant for the Districts ahead of us. But, as soon as me and Peeta are the centre of attention, the crowds go silent. I glance at Peeta and he glances back at me. We both look panicked, not knowing what to do next. Is this supposed to happen? Why are they staring at us in such... shock?
Then I realise. We're on fire.
The capes flow behind us in a wave of fire, crackling like real flames that leap around fearlessly. And that's how I feel now. Fearless.
On the screens around us, I can see the cameras are focused on me and Peeta. I don't blame them - we look fantastic. The light from the flames brighten up our faces and the minimal amount of makeup we have on proves just right. We don't look fake; we don't look pretty. We look dangerous. And I like the feeling.
Within a few minutes of new found fame, I find my free hand reaching up and waving to the crowds. Waving to the people that scream my name. Katniss. Katniss. Katniss. It's not long before Peeta's doing the same and the crowds cheer even more wildly. They love us and it seems that everyone is reaching out for a kiss. So, I give them what they want and blow kisses to them all. I'm not just glowing on the outside, but I'm also glowing on the inside.
I am the girl on fire.
Our chariot finally pulls in, along with the eleven others. We stop waving, but the crowds still chant our names. No one seems to be paying any attention to the other tributes, as if it's just me and Peeta. Just the two tributes from District 12, who stand surrounded by ferocious flames.
My eyes flicker over to Peeta and he grins at me. It's then, that I notice our hands are still joined; our fingers still locked together. I suddenly feel embarrassed and loosen my grip, expecting Peeta to do the same. We've done our parade, so there's no longer any need to keep the act going.
But Peeta doesn't. Instead, his grip tightens. I look at him in confusion, but he whispers in my ear.
"Don't let go"
A/N- Like it? If you did then please leave me a nice review and I'll write more!
Thanks, FireflyLlama x