Katniss sighed before walking toward's Peeta's office. When she got there, she found Haymitch pacing outside.
"Haymitch, what's wrong?" Katniss asked him, laying her supplies down and grabbing his hand.
Haymitch sighed worriedly. "Snow is in there with Peeta…"
"What?!" Katniss snapped, her temper flaring. "Why would he-what would he-"
"Apparently the talk of revolution in the districts is becoming too noticeable. 10, 11, 12… they're beginning to fight back. Apparently that's part of the reason Snow brought you here this week… He wanted to keep an eye on you," Haymitch explained. "He's worried you're fueling the uprising."
Katniss rolled her eyes, yet her heart fluttered as she heard more about the district's support for her that she never asked for. She was grateful, but now she constantly had to worry about the people of the district's well being. It's on me, now, she thought to herself.
"How could Snow think that? I've been doing everything he asks," Katniss whispered. "I'm a slave to the capitol."
Haymitch looked around, worriedly. "The people in the districts are watching your every move. They know you would never be doing this on your own terms. They know something is behind it."
"Do they know about Prim?!" Katniss snapped, worriedly.
Haymitch sighed. "Of course not. I'm sure the people think you're trying to get in contact with Peeta. If they knew Prim was locked up… that would spark a rebellion from 12 to 3 at least. The whole country remembers when you volunteered for her. And she looks just like-"
"Rue," Katniss finished for him. The door opened suddenly to Peeta's office. "Just keep your head down, okay?" She said quietly, picking up her logs.
President Snow walked slowly towards the two of them, staring Katniss down on the way. "Miss Everdeen," He muttered, as he continued to walk past her.
Katniss quietly released her breath she forgot she was holding. She looked at Haymitch, frantically. Haymitch touched her face lightly. "Stay strong," he told her.
Katniss slowly walked in. Peeta's eyes flickered up before rubbing them with his fingers.
He looks stressed, Katniss thought. I need to learn more about what's going on.
Haymitch closed the door behind her, leaving Katniss and Peeta alone. As Katniss continued to walk towards the fireplace, She watched Peeta as he sat on the couch as still as a statue with his head in his hands.
She knelt down in front of the fireplace, staring at it emptily. Not looking at him, she suddenly felt incredibly worried. "Are you okay?" She whispered to him, before she could help herself. I can't start working until he responds.
Peeta sighed, taking his head out of his hands and staring at her backside. Her long, beautiful braid… "Don't worry about me. You don't even know me," He began, standing up and walking towards his desk, collapsing in his chair.
Katniss suddenly felt angry. She began stacking logs rather loudly on top of one another. "You're right," she snapped. "I don't."
Peeta suddenly felt guilty. He looked over at her, and couldn't help but smile as he watched her go from sensitive to furious within a matter of seconds. As she hastily stacked log on top of log, he laughed quietly. "Aren't you going to apologize for asking about private business of the President?"
Katniss looked over her shoulder at him. The concern was evident in her eyes, even though she tried to look angry. "I'm sorry sir…" She said confusedly. What about last night? She wondered. "It's none of my business… Sir-" She began.
"I apologize for my behavior last night," Peeta said quickly. Katniss quickly turned her head back around, staring at the fire. She couldn't let him see that her cheeks became flushed as she remembered his hand on her neck… his hot breath lingering so close to my lips…
She quickly gasped and shook her head, before realizing that she had stopped stacking her logs. She continued adding log…after log…after log…
"I'm really not one to take advantage of a servant like that. I had so much to drink…" Peeta started again slowly. He watched her furiously create the fire.
Katniss picked her next words carefully. "It's fine…" she said quietly, turning around briskly and hoping he noticed her rosey cheeks. She needed him to know… It really was fine. It was better than fine. He hasn't touched me since the last games… Why is he being so rude now?
Peeta caught a glimpse of her red face before she turned back around and attempted to light the fire. He involuntarily smiled when he noticed her face had turned red. Was she blushing?... Stop it, Peeta, he reminded himself. What about Glimmer…
"Yes, well, it won't happen ever again, I assure you," he continued proudly. "I'm a loose drunk, I'll tell you that, fire girl."
Katniss felt a quick jab at her heart, remembering how he called her by her first name the previous night. Suddenly grateful that the logs had caught fire, She stood up, brushing her hands and looking at him angrily. "Right," she stated, bitterly, before curtseying overdramatically and strolling out the door.
Peeta sat at his desk, gaping. He shook his head, in admiration of her spirit as he watched her walk out the door. "Oh, fire girl?" He called back at her.
Katniss turned around angrily. "Yes, Sir?" She spat out. She didn't like that Peeta was being so disrespectful towards her. It wasn't how she remembered him.
"This Friday night is the masquerade ball at the President's mansion. I'll need you to set up the fires between 6 and 7 before the party starts at 8," He announced to her.
Katniss blinked. "Fine," She said. Fine? That's all you could come up with?
Walking past Haymitch, she made her way back to the prison to visit Prim one last time before her rendezvous with Cinna.
"Did you see Peeta today?" Prim asked her quietly.
Katniss looked into her sister's big, blue eyes, with the image of Rue flashing through her mind.
Katniss closed her eyes, attempting to block out Rue's face."If they knew Prim was locked up… that would spark a rebellion from 12 to 3 at least. The whole country remembers when you volunteered for her…"
"Prim," She said quietly, opening her eyes. "He's not the Peeta that you know anymore. He's different."
"Did he hurt you?" Prim asked, worriedly.
"Of course not," Katniss muttered, looking down. "Even the worse version of Peeta wouldn't be abusive," she explained, almost resenting him for it. This would be so much easier if I could hate him.
"His soul is kind, Katniss. He'll remember," Prim started.
"Prim, I don't want to go here again. They hijacked him," Katniss breathed, flickering her eyes around to make sure no guards heard her. "He is never going to remember."
"I read about hijacking before they took me," Prim started. "If he achieves complete connection with someone, his memories will return instantaneously."
"That's just legend, Prim. You know that-" Katniss attempted to disagree.
"Have faith in him, Katniss," Prim looked at her. "He would if it were you."
The guards called time, and Katniss kissed her hands. "I'll see you tomorrow, my cute little duck."
"Goodnight, mockingjay," Prim said, releasing her hands and backing in further towards her cell.
Katniss walked slowly back towards her quarters, reflecting on her interactions with Peeta and Prim. Both of them constantly gave her so much to think about, on top of worrying about Snow, Haymitch, Cinna, and all the rebels in the districts that were beginning to fight on her behalf. As if I don't have enough on my plate just worrying about Prim…
Finally arriving back at her room, she locked the door and flicked on the light, seeing a box on top of her bed. She rushed over, quietly opening it and pulling out the contents.
A make up kit.
An outfit belonging on the cover of Capitol Couture.
A Black headband made of feathers.
Katniss realized what she had to do to be out in the open. I have to become a member of the capitol.