Katniss made her way out of the garage, feeling empowered. I'm the mockingjay. I'm the mockingjay…
She crossed through town before noticing the center of the capitol where the tribute parade was held. Before she could help herself, she began walking down the grand aisle, remembering what it was like to be on display, terrified, and holding Peeta's hand for the first time. "C'mon, they'll love it" he had told her, but she knew he just wanted to touch her. It did make an impression.
Suddenly, a dark figure came running out from behind the podium. Flying into Katniss, he knocked her to the ground.
"Ouch! You little-" Katniss began before the stranger clamped his hand over her mouth.
"Shh, shh, shh," the person said quietly. Katniss froze when she saw Glimmer running across the stage.
"Peeta?" Glimmer called. No, it couldn't be… Katniss turned around slowly and looked upon the face of the President, who was staring worriedly at Glimmer. He held Katniss close to him, with his hand still over her mouth. "Where are you, Mr. Sexy President?"
Katniss heard Peeta slowly release his breath as he watched Glimmer walk away. Suddenly realizing his proximity to her, he slowly pulled his hand away from her mouth and helped her stand up, then brushing off his clothes.
"I'm sorry," he began, looking down. "You know what it's like, running from someone you don't really want to see…" he trailed off as he looked at her face, his mouth gaping slightly.
"You should watch where you're going next time, Mr. President," Katniss responded.
Peeta laughed slightly. "Do I know you from somewhere?" Warning bells went off in Katniss' head and she began walking back down the town center aisle.
"I don't think so," She said as she continued walking.
Peeta suddenly kept up behind her. "You seem so familiar to me…"
Katniss smiled fondly at him. "You could say I'm new around here," she explained, as she remembered holding his hand in the chariot riding through the exact spot where they were walking now.
Peeta sighed. "I don't normally take to knocking strangers down, you know," he explained with a smile. "I apologize, Miss…?"
Katniss started walking faster. "It's okay."
He kept up with her. "You'll probably bruise-"
"I've had worse," Katniss replied automatically. She stopped and looked at him, smiling. "Don't lose any sleep about it."
Peeta smiled at her. "I have plenty of other things to lose sleep over."
Katniss began walking again. "I can imagine," she said with a smile.
Peeta continued to walk behind her. "You don't seem like most girls around here."
Katniss looked over her shoulder. "How do you mean?"
Peeta stopped her, touching her shoulder. Her back was to him. "I don't know," he explained. "Most girls would freak out over a paper cut. I'm surprised you're not crying right now."
Katniss looked at him slightly and began walking briskly again. "I'm not a big crier," she snapped.
Peeta laughed. "You most certainly are not," he said. Katniss could feel him smiling behind her as he followed her home. "Well listen, as a new citizen, you really shouldn't be walking around here alone. How about I walk you home?"
He's flirting with you.
Katniss smiled. "That's really not necessary."
"Of course it's necessary," Peeta smiled. "You're a young, beautiful girl walking alone through a city. You need some brute force behind you."
Katniss stopped and stared at him. "Who said I don't have my own force?"
Peeta gaped at her. "Like I said… you're not like most girls around here."
They stared at each other for a few seconds before Katniss started walking away slowly.
Peeta called out to her. "Hey, new girl?"
Katniss turned around and smiled at him. "Yes, sir?"
Peeta winced. "Eugh! Don't call me sir. All the stupid servants call me Sir."
"They aren't stupid," She snapped at him, rolling her eyes.
"Excuse me?" Peeta asked her. "Do you know who I am?"
Katniss strolled up to him, leaning her face in close to his. "I heard you were a kind and honest President," she said slowly. "Every person deserves respect, even your servants…" She trailed off as he stared at her lips. "Sir," she finished.
He was leaning so close to her she could feel his breath on her face, and her body got chills. She leaned in a bit closer, teasing him, before walking away backwards. "Goodnight, Mr. President," she said to him, waving, and then turned around.
Peeta gaped after her, watching her strut away. "Will I see you again?" He blurted out before he could help himself.
Katniss turned back around and looked at him. "Only time will tell," She answered mysteriously.
"Tick, tock," he called back, as he watched her disappear into the darkness.
Peeta collapsed in his bed later that night, his mind still dwelling on the beautiful stranger that he bumped into.
Her spirit… her eyes…
"Yes, sir?"
A brief image of Katniss' face flickered in his mind before he closed his eyes, attempting to drift off to sleep. No, it couldn't be.