As I step onto the train I'm taken back. I had thought the Justice building was fancy, but this made it look shabby.
"You wouldn't think they were preparing us for slaughter." I glance at Peeta when he talks and maybe I've gone a little crazy, but I laugh. He looks at me and arches an eyebrow. "What's so funny?" He asks but can't help grinning. I shrug and run my free hand over the smooth marble counter holding more food then I've seen in my life.
"Are you two...?" Effie speaks and we both turn to her. I find her looking between our intertwined hands, and touching hips. I don't answer, she's just another Capitol person and has not right to be involved in my relationship. It was odd putting the label relationship on what Peeta and I have. It implied boyfriend and girlfriend. He was much more than my boyfriend.
"Yes." Peeta answers pulling me from my thoughts.
"Then why would you volunteer, dear?" I'm surprised by the sympathy in her voice and look to Peeta curious about that as well.
"Because I told her I would never leave her. Also, because I need to protect her at all costs." Peeta looks at me with a sad smile and I feel my stomach drop. Maybe if I hadn't let my weakness get the best of me and beg him never to leave me until after the reaping this wouldn't have happened. Silently I curse my weakness.
"Well, I'm truly sorry for you both." Effie say honestly. It only bugs me though.
"We don't need your sympathy." I snap and she purses her lips. I'm ready to say more but Peeta's hand clamps down over my mouth. I scowl at him which makes him grin.
"Where's Haymitch?" Peeta asks keeping his hand over my mouth. I'm seriously considering biting his hand, but I guess he knew that and removes it.
"Ah, yes. I shall go find him." Effie says leaving the cart to find out mentor. When she's gone Peeta chuckles and I arch an eyebrow.
"That is why you hardly have any friends." He jokes and I glare at him smacking his arm, which only makes him laugh some more. "Oh, come on Kat. You're not exactly good with people." Now I grin.
"It's a wonder why you love me." I tease and his arms find my waist.
"Because I love your feisty personality, your defiance, and stubbornness. Your love for your family, and for me. Because when you love, you love with a burning passion. Also, you're the most beautiful girl inside and out I know. Whether or not you could work on your manners some." He leans in his lips brushing against mine as the door opens. I jump back pulling away from him. I turn to see Haymitch Abernathy stumbling into the room.
"Was I interrupting?" Sarcasm and humor drop heavily into his tone. Peeta and I both watch him as he takes a long drag from a bottle of alcohol. Great, at this rate we wouldn't be getting any help and both end up dead. Which if my plan works, neither of us will be dead.
"So, you're our mentor." I say and he eyes me drunkly as if he has no idea what I'm talking about.
"Mentor?" He tries the word.
"You're suppose to help us get sponsors, and give us advice." Peeta drops my hand and puts his arms around my waist keeping me from attacking Haymitch. I try to wriggle free.
"Here's some advice, stay alive." He starts laughing and I feel Peeta's grip on me disappear and watch as he knocks the bottle of liquor to the floor. Haymitch punches him in the jaw knocking Peeta down. Out of anger for him hurting Peeta, and refusing to help I grab a butter knife and sent it wizzing past his head just barley missing him.
"Peeta are you okay?" I ask and help him up. He gives a nod and rubs his haw. Haymitch looks between the two of us as if trying to figure something out.
"What's going on between you two?" He asks curiously. I wouldn't say anything because I didn't think it was his business, but I know Peeta thinks otherwise.
"Look, I'm in love with her, and her with me. Hence why I volunteered. She asked me to never leave her and I promise I wouldn't. I want to keep her alive." Haymitch ponders this and I shake my head.
"No, Peeta. You're the one coming out if both of us can't. I'm not going back to District Twelve without you." I half shout at him.
"You have Prim, Katniss!" He argues you and I feel guilty, but I don't let it affect me.
"You don't get it Peeta! I was broken from my father's death, on the brink of death myself and you saved me in more way than one. You made me whole again, but not in the way you think. It's like my dad told me once. Once in a while someone finds someone and they become two parts of a whole, and when they lose one part the other becomes a shell of themselves. I thought it was a bunch of lies until I met you. As cheesy as it sounds, you're my other half. I need you! I hated my mom for being alive but not living when my father died, but now I understand her and I forgive her, because if you were to die and I were to live I'd be exactly like her."
I forget about Haymitch as Peeta and I argue over who should win these games. I hardly notice Effie come in.
"That goes both ways Katniss! You think I would be okay without you? Because you're wrong!"
"I'm not leaving the arena if you're not, and you can't change my mind! I don't care what you say, or what you give me. Nothing will change my mind. You promised you would never leave me, and if you die in that arena you're doing exactly that leaving me." I can see guilt come across his face and he's about to argue so I crush my lips to his.
"Well, looks like I got a pair of fighters this year." Peeta and I pull apart and I see Haymitch grinning approvingly. "You two have a spark, and passion. A fire. If you two become the Star-Crossed Lovers From District Twelve, I bet you, I could even get you both out alive. Here's the deal. I'll stay sober enough to help you, as long as you don't interfere with my drinking." With that he turns on his heel and leaves the cart.