Fire. Cinna was actually going to set me on fire. I wanted more than anything to scream 'Are you nuts!?' at him, but I'm reminded of Haymitch's words. "Don't object or complain about anything they do to you". I press my lips into a hard line as Cinna explains how he and Portia came up with a suit that's fire proof. Honestly, it sounded like a lot of bull shit to me, but Cinna was the only kind person I had met so far. I decided I'd give him a chance.
"So, Katniss will you please follow me? I'm going to do your hair, and we'll get you into your costume." I nod standing up. Really there was nothing I could do, I would comply or Haymitch would forget our deal. I sit in a chair hating every minute of being dressed up. Dressed for slaughter. That was pretty accurate. Maybe I wasn't totally sane anymore but the thought almost makes me laugh. I clear my throat to hold it back.
"Katniss what you did for your sister was very brave." My eyes flit up to the mirror in front of me where I see him looking back at me through the reflection.
"Why do you care?" My voice doesn't come out snappy as I had intended it to be, instead it sounds almost genuine.
"Because, you're brave and when I saw you dive into that boy's arms well I felt sympathy for you." I scuff laughing without humor. I was really sick of hearing about people's sympathy.
"You're not the first." I say.
"How despicable we must seem to you." This catches my attention. I notice my scowl fall from my face as I look in the mirror. I don't say anything waiting to see if he continues. "Katniss, I want you to know I want to help you." I nod as he says this. Cinna isn't so bad.
"It's not me who needs help." It comes out almost silently but I know he heard it when his hands stop working on my hair, and his expression changes.
"You don't plan on coming out do you?" His eyes meet mine in the mirror.
"Not unless we both can." I look away from the mirror dropping my gaze. He isn't having this so he spins my chair around so I'm facing him.
"You really love him, don't you?" I snort looking up.
"Well it wasn't an act." I say it like it's obvious, but I guess some people could think I was trying to get sponsors. Just the thought makes me sick, but I wouldn't put past some of the people who've been in these games to do something like that. Although, honestly I can't remember one year someone got reaped with someone they loved. This was defiantly a first. "I just wish he hadn't done it."
"People do stupid things when they're in love." This causes my lips to tug up at the corners slightly. With this I decide to go ahead and like Cinna. He certainly wasn't like every other low life that lives in the Capitol. He spins my chair back around and goes back to silently doing my hair. Once he's done my air had been done in an elaborate braided hairdo.
"Follow me." I slide off the uncomfortable leather chair and follow him to the other side of the room clutching my robe around me tightly. He pulls out a black spandex looking suit. Once it's on it hugs my body in every way possible, the sleeves ending in a perfect black line at my wrists, and the legs ending in a perfect black line at my ankles. Once this on he has me pull on black leather boots. Once these are on he puts on a black cape.
"Alright, let's get you down to your chariot." I smile weakly and nod. I was not looking forward to tonight. I would have Peeta with me though, and this thought comforts me. At least until we're in the arena it will.
When we reach the chariot Peeta and Portia are already there. My eyes scan the area for Haymitch surprised he isn't here to give us advice. Peeta's arms extended and without hesitation I walk into them. I feel his breath against my ear as I lay my head on his shoulder.
"How do you feel about this whole fire thing?" I pull away just enough to see his face and I give a short laugh without humor. He arches an eyebrow.
"I'll rip off your cape if you rip off mine." I say it quiet enough Portia and Cinna won't hear. A grin stretches across his face at this.
"You've got a deal." He leans down and kisses my nose. I had no idea how he managed to make me feel even a little happy when we were going to face our deaths in less than a week. I feel a hand on my shoulder and I jump spinning to see Haymitch.
"Don't do that." I snap which only causes him to grin and chuckle. I'm taken back when I see him the closest to sober I have ever seen him. He really was going to keep up his end of the deal.
"Now listen you two, we're going to play your little romance up for all it's worth. Make sure to hold hands and make sure the crowd knows your in love."
"It's not a little romance, thank you." I scowl at him which only causes him to give a sarcastic smirk.
"You know what I'm getting at, sweetheart." I find it hard to just full on smack him when he calls me sweetheart. The name is bitter and sarcastic coming from him, and everyone who's met me knows I'm not a 'sweetheart'.
"Must you call me that?" I arch an eyebrow and he just laughs some more.
"What did I say, sweetheart? Don't argue. Now get in that chariot and make the crowd see you two are hopelessly forever in love." The last part comes out more sarcastic than anything he's said so far. Peeta's arms wrap around my waist instantly when he notices I'm losing my temper with Haymitch. He holds me back with a steal grip that I repay him for with a glare.
"Alright, you two get in the chariot and we'll light your caps on fire." My anger disappears and is suddenly replaced with a fear of being burned alive. Great. I'm going to die before I even make it to the arena, I think to myself. Peeta takes my hand and gets into the chariot before I do.
"It may feel weird, but you should not feel pain at all." Cinna assures us, but it does little to calm me. My grip on Peeta's hand tightens considerably. I brace myself for the burning that never comes.
"Ah, good it works." Peeta and I exchange a look. As I look at Peeta I notice the flames flickering and casting shadows across his face causing him to look more dazzling than usual. Peeta leans down and whispers in my ear as the first chariot starts moving.
"You should wear flames more often, they suit you." I can't help but laugh. He looks at me with a grin. When it's out turn we hold up our joined hands for everyone to see. Once we come into view people gasp then begin cheering and shouting our names. I grin spreads across my face and I decide to wave to the audience.
I catch sight of Peeta and I on a monitor and see we're getting the most screen time, but I also see two dazzling people, and by the linking of their hands, and looks on their faces they're in love. I look to Peeta and give him a smile. This audience is ours. I kiss Peeta on the cheek which causes the audience to applaud more.
For the first time in who knows how long the District Twelve tributes have wiped out all the other tributes. This gives me hope, especially when I see the other tributes stealing glances at us when we gather into the city circle. I give them a smug grin holding on to Peeta's hand for dear life.
I watch as Snow appears and talks about the dark days and how courageous we are. I try to tune out most of it not interested in one word her has to say, but I notice the camera's cutting back to Peeta and I frequently. I was sure we had gotten more than out share of video time, but we were too dazzling. It looked as if even the president couldn't help but look at us.
I step out of the shower glad to have all the makeup washed away from my face. I wouldn't need to have any of that done until interviews, so I had a couple days. I sigh and dress in a pair of black pajama pants, and a flowy light take top. I decide to leave my hair done and I make my to the dinning room where Haymitch, Effie, Peeta, Cinna, and Portia all sit.
"There she is, Katniss Everdeen the Girl On Fire." I arch an eyebrow as Cinna says this and I take a seat next to Peeta. He smiles widely at me and I slip my hand into his. It wasn't even a conscious action anymore, it was just natural.
"Congratulations guys, you are now known as the star-crossed lovers from District Twelve all over Panem." Haymitch says and Effie beams clapping excitedly.
"I even took it upon myself to talk you two up. Oh, and I said something very clever. Since you come from the coal mining district I told them that if you put enough pressure on coal it turns in pearls!" Peeta and I look at each other and try not to laugh before looking back at Effie.
"That's very creative, Effie." Peeta says kindly. He was always the sweet one. Effie beams and continues eating. I shake my head and continue eating myself. I look up as someone pours a drink into my glass. The girl's face hits me.
"Oh I know you!" I wasn't sure from where though.
"Don't be ridiculous, Katniss. You wouldn't know an avox." I turn to Effie as she says this confusion plain on my face.
"What's an avox?" Peeta gives a breathy chuckle beside me and I shoot him a scowl which only makes him chuckle some more. As Effie explains what an avox is he leans in whispering in my ear.
"You have a very beautiful scowl, you know that?" I elbow him jokingly which makes him laugh. When I look at the avox again I realize how I know her, and I know Peeta knows her too but from what everyone had said any form of recognition would get her punished, and I had caused her enough problems.
Peeta and I were in the woods when he had pulled me down into the concealment of some bushes. I had tried to ask what was going on but his hand came down over my mouth. I watched with wide eyes as a girl and who I assumed was her lover run through the woods. About five seconds later an arrow attached to a long fire entered the boys body killing him.
The girl screamed for help and cried to the boy she loved. I looked at Peeta picturing myself in that position if that had been Peeta...I pushed the thought from my mind and watched as the girl was pulled upwards. Her eyes locked with mine for a split second and she cried for help. I stayed put next to Peeta holding on to him tightly realizing he could be taken from me just as easily as that girls love was taken from her.
"Delly Cartwright!" I jump as Peeta says this. What the hell did Delly have to do with any of this? I was still irritated with her for her goodbye after the reaping. "I thought she looked familiar too, and she's a dead ringer for Delly." I look up meeting Peeta's eyes. His blue eyes are filled with guilt and I know he remembers how we so cruelly left the girl to the Capitol.
"Right. That's it." I say and give him an appreciative smile. He was always saving me from trouble.
"Well if that's all." Effie says with relief coloring her voice. They bring out a cake to celebrate out entrance but really the cake sticks in my throat with the avox girl standing in the corner watching us. I felt awful for not helping her. After dinner we all gather on the couch to watch the recaps. I curl up close to Peeta, his arm wrapped tightly around me.
We look just as dazzling on tv as we did on the screens in the Capitol.
"Well, you two had better get some sleep. Training starts tomorrow." Almost all at once Haymitch, Effie, Portia, and Cinna leave to their separate rooms. I sit with Peeta in silence for a little bit after everyone's gone.
"Do you think we have a chance?" I ask softly trailing my eyes up to his face. His breathtaking blue eyes meet mine.
"If the Capitol people grow to love the star-crossed lovers they won't really have a choice but to let us both live, or they'll have some seriously unhappy people on their hands." I nod as his lips touch the top of my head. Peeta always knew what to say, and how to make me feel better. "We better go to sleep." I nod in agreement and walk hand in hand with him to his room.
"Want to stay with me?" Peeta asks gently brushing a piece of hair out of my face and I nod feeling like a small child.
"More than anything." I say and he smiles pulling me into his room. I curl up into his side afraid that something will happen and I'll lose him forever. I hold on to him tightly grateful I didn't have to sleep without him tonight.