Ok so I do apologize for disappearing again, I've been so busy with school I hardly have time for anything else. I will try my best to update quicker, but I hope that you like this next chapter and please review to tell me what you thought of it and I thank everyone that has added my story as a favorite or a story alert I feel very loved and appreciated.

Chapter 6

I awoke the next morning to a rather loud knock on the door.

"Peeta, wake up. It's a big big day" Effie said from outside and walked away.

My moment of confusion was quickly cleared up when I gazed down at the sleeping beauty in my arms. It never ceased to amaze me how innocent people appeared in sleep, especially Peeta, he looked so untroubled and at peace in his sleep, his messy blonde hair slightly covering his closed eyes.

But suddenly the moment of happiness disappeared as a great sadness fell over my heart when I realized today was the interview. I glance down at the teen, wishing that he somehow could come out as the victor, such a wish might have been a little selfish but I did also believe that he deserved to win more than those horrible carriers.

"Peeta, wake up" I said softly, gently shaking the sleeping figure.

I heard a soft grumble and felt him snuggling into me more, refusing to wake. I laughed softly and tried again, "come on Peeta, wake up."

Peeta suddenly sat bolt up right, fully awake, "I'm up, I'm up. Don't beat me mom!"

The way that he acted I could tell I triggered a horrible memory and I felt terrible for doing so.

"Peeta" I said cautiously as I sat up so I was next to him.

He glanced back at me and the panic seemed to disappear from his eyes, "oh Cinna. I'm sorry I thought I was…"

"Back home?" I suggested and he nodded.

Though he tried to hide it I could see the pain in his eyes at remembering home. What had happened between Peeta and his mother to make him so jumpy? I decided that I didn't need to know. Peeta was hurting and it was my job to comfort him. I pulled him into my arms and wiped away the tears that had started to roll down his cheeks. I didn't dare say that he probably should go to breakfast; he just needed someone to hold him while he recovered.

There was a loud banging at the door that made Peeta jump.

"Peeta, come down and get breakfast" Effie squeaked from outside.

"What are we going to do?" Peeta asked quietly, panic obvious in his voice from knowing that we were at serious risk of getting caught.

"Peeta!" came a male voice I instantly recognized as Haymitch's.

"We have a couple seconds before they break in. We need to hide the clothes" I whispered quickly.

Peeta nodded and we both scurried to hide the garments, minus the pants we put back on. I could hear the lock turning and was starting to panic.

"Quick get in the bed" I said as Peeta climbed in.

I got under the covers and moved up so the back of my head rested on his chest. He placed his legs closely on either side of my body and covered my head just as they opened the door.

"Peeta, did you not hear us calling you?" Effie huffed, her over powdered face turning slightly red as she said this.

"I just woke up Effie" Peeta replied, stretching his arms to prove his point.

"Well hurry up" she snapped and left the room with her nose in the air.

Even though I couldn't see I could feel Haymitch's eyes on us as he lingered at the door, I knew that he wasn't as easily fooled as Effie.

"Come out whoever you are under the covers, don't even try to deny you're there" Haymitch said finally.

I froze, I was completely terrified that he might report me, but there was no use in hiding now. I slowly poked my head out from under the covers, ready to face whatever punishment I might receive, and I saw a shocked expression on the victor's face. He probably had expected a tribute, but certainly not a male and defiantly not me.

"Well, I knew a couple people had their eyes on you Peeta, but I didn't think Cinna was one of them" Haymitch finally said, gazing at both of us in turn.

"Haymitch…"I began, but was interrupted.

"I know what you're going to ask Cinna. Lucky for you I'm not one for following the rules so I care little of reporting you two."

I sighed a great breath of relief, "thank you Haymitch."

"Yeah, yeah, I suppose you should have some happiness before you get thrown into the arena anyways. Now put some clothes on you two and hurry down to breakfast."

After all the preparation that Peeta went through I could tell he was a little nervous for the interview.

"Tell me what you're thinking" I said softly, gently placing a hand on his that seemed to be shaking slightly.

"Why do they make us do this? Drag the days out before we go into the arena. I just want it to be over with."

I knew that he knew the same fact about the games and there was nothing more I could do for him than hold him for a while and try to sooth him the best I could. I glanced at the time and knew that I had to go.

"It's time I go get Katniss ready. I'll see you after the interviews alright?"

Peeta nodded and I gave him a quick kiss before leaving. The time I had spent talking with Peeta Katniss's prep team was able to get her ready.

"Close your eyes" I told her when I entered the room; I wanted it to be a surprise of when she saw her dress on her, and after all that work I had put into it I hoped she liked it.

It took a couple moments to get everything perfect and when I was finally done she asked if she could open her eyes.

"Yes" I replied, my heart soared at the beauty in front of me as I gazed at her, "open them."

When she opened them I could tell she was stunned by what she saw in the mirror. She said nothing for a moment or two as she gazed at her reflection.

"Oh Cinna" she whispered with a hint of a smile, "thank you."

"Twirl for me" I said softly and she spun in her dress, making it glitter and sparkle like the very flames that were her spirit.

"So, all ready for the interview then?" I asked, seeing the worry in her eyes.

"I'm awful. Haymitch called me a dead slug. No matter what we tried, I couldn't do it. I just can't be one of those people he wants me to be" she said, frustration and defeat in her voice.

I turned her words over in my head and realized why Haymitch failed. It was because he was trying to make her into something she wasn't. The words came clearly to me, "why don't you just be yourself?"

"Myself? That's no good either. Haymitch says I'm sullen and hostile" she said, a glint of anger flashing in her grey eyes.

"Well, you are… around Haymitch" I said, offering a smile, "I don't find you so and the prep team adores you. You won over the game makers and the citizens of the Capitol can't stop talking about you. No one can help but admire your spirit."

It was all true, I had heard so much about the girl on fire buzzing around the Capitol ever since Katniss had gotten here. I could still see the worry in her eyes and offered a solution to make her less nervous when that didn't work I tried another. I suggested that she look for me and pretend she is only talking to me.

She seemed to like this idea and she nodded. She was able to go on with a plan and it seemed to make her feel better. But just as we were about to leave Katniss stopped me.

"Cinna…" she said, I could see the fear building in her features.

"Remember, they already love you" I said gently, "just be yourself."

I hardly paid any mind to the interviews before district 12 since most of them were just like any other year, but when Katniss was up I gave her my full attention to give her a little comfort. I was starting to drift again, unintentionally, when the last part of Peeta's interview captured my full attention again.

"I don't think it's going to work out. Winning… won't help in my case" Peeta was saying.

"Why ever not?" asked Caesar.

"Because…because…she came her with me."

So I know this chapter wasn't as interesting as the last one, but just wait until Peeta is thrown in the arena then I'll be doing some of the story from his point of view. Anyways please take the time to review, it doesn't have to be long I just want to know what you thought.