Hello friends! I just wanted to say thank you for such a great feedback. I nearly cried when I seen people actually liked it. I'm a true romantic so I love the idea of having a Hunger Games wedding. But thank you so much for the support, you guys make me happy!
XO -Kayla 3
P.S. I had a "guest" review who said I knew a lot about waxing...and the comment made me giggle! I want to clarify that I am a licensed cosmetologist so I do know quite a bit about waxing...=]
I must have drifted off shortly after I starting daydreaming of Peeta. When I was awaken I could hear Cinna's voice coming from outside the bathroom. I was still in a half dreamy state but I was excited to get to see him. After a few more minutes they ushered me out of my now chilly bath. They gave me a robe to wear while they finished up my process. Once I was covered I could barely stop myself from running into Cinna's embrace.
"Hello Katniss. How are you?" he said with a smile. "I'm great! Cinna, you've done such a great job! I was there all day. I love it!" I say excitedly. "Well I'm glad! Are you excited to see your dress and shoes?" Cinna asked me. I nodded, because I really was excited to see them. "Well you have to wait until tomorrow! I want to see it on you all at once. And stop pouting," he said with a smile. He was right I was pouting but not with hard feelings. I was extremely excited but I knew Cinna would make me breathtaking. I wasn't even nervous about that. Cinna pointed out to me about how giddy I was, and how he has never seen me like this. Even on a good day.
Cinna had known about the star-crossed lovers scheme since the beginning. He may have guessed why I feel this way, but I haven't told him. I know there is too much surveillance to admit to anything that hasn't been the truth from the beginning. After Cinna has said he hellos we get back to work. But I know the worst part is over with. For the next few hours Cinna cuts my hair, paints intricate strips of white on my nails, I think he called it a French manicure, and rubbed my body down with a soft exfoliating foam. After I'm showered with my rose-scented soap, and lathered up in a thick creamy lotion it's almost time for dinner.
Before exiting the bathroom I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I do not have a drop of makeup on my skin but I look so different. My skin looks creamy, unflawed and rested. Like I haven't lost even a minute of sleep my whole life. I hate to seem vain but I look beautiful in such a natural state. I can't see one scar, or under eye circle. Not any redness, or marks either. The Capitol amazes me with the things they can do with their beauty products.
I proceeded to the living room area where Cinna braided my hair while it was still damp. "I have always loved how your hair looks when you unbraid it. So I figured I could create a natural curl without using much heat. Your hair is too gorgeous to damage," Cinna explained. So when my hair is braided we sat down to eat our dinner. It was my favorite. Lamb stew, and dried plums. Over dinner we discussed little details of tomorrow. But Cinna was very passionate about not giving me any details about my shoes, or my dress. I tried to hint to him about my new feelings. I think he finally understood when I mentioned my proposal. I took time to explain every detail of my engagement to him, emphasizing romantic details. I seen the moment he finally realized my point. "I bet you are so in love aren't you?" Cinna asked. "I really am. Tomorrow is going to be so amazing to me." I said purposely. Cinna formed a giant smile on his lips, then walked over to kiss my head and wrap me into a big hug. "Katniss, I'm so happy you feel that way. I want you to be happy, and you do you know. You deserve every happiness life can give you." Cinna said to me I could feel my eyes stinging with unformed tears. "Thank you Cinna." I gasped out.
After we ate dinner we all settled on the couch and discussed the Capitol's wedding traditions. And I was told I would have to perform each one with Peeta by my side. While Cinna and I discussed them, my prep team chattered to themselves about my wedding details. I happily overheard that they haven't seen my dress or shoes yet either. Good so I'm not the only one.
One Capitol tradition was that the bride and groom can not see each other the night before the wedding, or the day of until the bride walks down the aisle. That rule irritated me. I want to see him now. I was going to give him a wedding present, but Cinna assured me that he would personally deliver it to him for me. My gift wasn't much. It was my father's pocket watch. It was passed down to him from generations ago. I had not even known about it until a few months ago. My mother presented it to me shortly after the date was set. I know she must have been hiding it from me, she probably thought I would sell it to get money for food. And I would have. I truly loved my father and I would love to be able to keep a piece of him. But what good is it to be able to tell the time if you are dead from starvation? I wanted to give the last remnant of my father to Peeta, the man I loved. And then maybe one day he could pass it down to our…child.
The second Capitol tradition is the removal of the garter with the groom's…teeth…and then thrown into a pile of willing single men. The one to catch it is the next one to be married supposedly. Same goes for females, but they are to catch the bride's bouquet. Another tradition of Capitol weddings is that the bride must have something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. This is something I personally don't understand.
After this tradition is announced me and Cinna try to find things that add up. "Ok so for old you have your mockingjay pin. Your dress and shoes are new, that could work out for that. Let see, something borrowed….my mind is pulling up blank." Seems like a first for Cinna. I'm not having much luck myself. "Ok I think we should skip that one for now. Do you know anything for your something blue?" Without a hesitation I thought of the bluest thing I could think of. "Peeta's eyes," I blurted out. I didn't mean to but I could never have anything bluer if I tried. "Katniss that's adorable!" I blushed at that. "You have your something blue," Cinna says with a smile. I smiled back thinking of how much that would flatter Peeta. I get to see him smile again, oh my god. My breath catches and Cinna can see that. I start to become extremely red from my embarrassment. "Katniss he will love that. And I swear you are so adorable in love." Cinna's comment didn't help with the blushing. "Well there's more to cover but not too much and besides we have all day tomorrow to discuss it anyway. Also don't worry I will figure out about your something borrowed. Just, please, try to rest." Cinna stood and walked to the door and I stood and followed. He wrapped me in a hug and kissed my forehead. "Tomorrow I'm going to do my best to make you the happiest bride. And you are going to be so beautiful. Good night Katniss," Cinna said to me as he opened the door. "Good night Cinna. Oh, and Cinna," he looked back at me," Just…thank you for everything." He smiles at me again. "You are quite welcome girl on fire." And then he's gone taking my prep team with him.
Suddenly my room is quiet. It's nice to be away from my prep team's constant babbling. I settle back on the couch and click on the television. First thing that pops up is news coverage on my wedding. The funny-looking reporter with her purple braids and curled ends coming off her head was going on about the "exciting festivities". There was some banter between a few of the oddly colored Capitol celebrities on another channel. They were discussing if my dress will have flames attached to them, like my tribute parade dress did, or if the dress will not be white at all. Just red with flames on the dress. I felt an instant panic at that thought then instantly relaxed. It was silly to even think Cinna would put me in a dress like that. He respects me and what I am comfortable in. While I pondered this I heard a light tapping at my door. I almost break my neck to get out of the blanket I had wrapped around myself. It must be Peeta waiting at the door. Oh I can't wait to see him.
I rushed over to the door and jerked it open expecting to see my handsome Peeta with a big smile on my face but instead I see my old friend Gale. My smile faded a little bit from the glorious one that it was. "Hey Catnip," he almost whispered to me. "Hey Gale. What are you doing over here?" He looked me up and down, I seen his eyes widen a little. I was instantly embarrassed when I realized I was still in my thin robe. It wasn't extremely revealing but it was however tight. It did it's job of hugging every curve. I cleared my throat as I crossed my arms over my obviously there breast. Now that I don't ever miss a meal my figure has completely filled out. I didn't even notice until I caught Peeta staring one day. He was admiring my new healthy curves. Oh I hope he looks at me like that tomorrow nigh- STOP IT! Great now I was blushing at the thought of Peeta checking me out. And Gale noticed. "Catnip I know you are probably busy it being the night before your wedding and all but I wanted to talk to you. Would you like to take a walk?" I knew I probably shouldn't but I felt wrong just abandoning my oldest best friend like that. "Sure just let me get my other robe."
I walked into my bedroom and grabbed the silky bedtime robe. It covered a little more and wasn't as tight as my current robe. I rushed to put it on and get back to the door. We start to walk and I can instantly tell he's taking me to the roof to talk. I don't know what he wants to talk about though. Probably just to wish me a congratulations. As soon as the roof door closes behind me I instantly have his lips assaulting mine. One of his hands is on my right hip, and the other is squeezing my left breast.
As soon as I completely realize what he's doing I try to shove him back. He only breaks the kiss and pushes his hardness against my lower stomach, holding me in place. I shove him again harder and he backs off. "What the fuck are you doing Gale?" I'm screaming at him, I have never been so angry with my best friend as I am right now. "Catnip we both know how you really feel about him. And we both know how much you want me instead." I can see pure lust in his eyes. But it's not the same lust I see in Peeta's eyes. Gale's is more intimidating, more forceful. Even by the way he kissed and groped me. It wasn't pleasurable at all. It almost hurt. "Gale, I don't know what you are talking about. You are spe-" "Katniss you know what I'm saying. I know you have to marry him tomorrow. And I know you don't want too. I know you want me." It was all I could do to not let my mouth drop open. Now that I can get a good look at him I can see his eyes are rimmed red. He's been crying. And I can taste the alcohol on my lips. He's been drinking too. "Gale I don't know what you want me to say." He gave me a smirk, and put both his hands on either side of my head. He leaned into my ear to whisper. "Even though you will be his wife you can be my mistress. Do you know the things I can do to you? The things I can make you feel?"
My heart is breaking, he wants so much to have me but he never will. I love Peeta and I don't want anyone else but him for the rest of my life. Gale is actually thinking I want to be with him over Peeta. He thinks I would actually mess around with him while I am married to Peeta. Is that the kind of vibe I'm giving? Surely not. I thought my love for Peeta was written all over my face. As I look at Gale I see his heart breaking. And I know what I'm about to say won't help it one bit. I'm about to lose my best friend. "I'm sorry Gale…but no." He looked at me bewildered. "I want Peeta. I have for a while now. I need you to be my best friend, and be ONLY that." I can see his eyes sparkling for sadness. "But Catnip I love you! I always have. And you love me too! I know you do. I want you, and only you!" I can hear his voice breaking, he's trying his best to cover it but he's failing miserably.
"I do love you Gale, but not the same way you do me. I'm marrying Peeta and I-" "Katniss how can you say that? In the beginning you were very obvious that you didn't love him! It was forced from the start because of the Capitol! You've never even had sex with him!" How could he possibly know that, it could just be because he blowing smoke but I have no way of knowing. Now I'm really mad. "Gale I love him! No we haven't had sex but I'm saving that until tomorrow night!" I can feel tears running down my face. I'm so angry for him doubting me, I'm even angrier because my sex life with my future husband is absolutely none of his business. "And yes, it was forced, in the beginning," my anger is subsiding because I know what's about to happen," but now it's not. It… It hit me out of no where. I'm so in love with him. A-And I'm so sorry." As I getting teary for hurting him I look up to him, he looks like I just hit him across the face with a bat. "Well I'm sorry Catnip. I hope you two have a wonderful life!" He starts to the door. As he opened it he gave me one last heart breaking look. "Gale, please wait," I whispered but it was too late he had already slammed the door behind him. There he goes…my best friend just walked out of my life.
As I walked back to my bridal suite I got to thinking about tomorrow. My wedding day to my Peeta. Tomorrow night is my…wedding night…wow. Almost instantly I have goose bumps up my arm. I don't want to think about the upsetting situation that just happened. Just to my future, to my husband. As I crawl into my plush bed I force myself to think nothing but happy thoughts. Which wasn't hard after all. I knew what just happened with Gale hurt but I always knew I would have to be upfront about it someday. In the back of my mind I've known for two months it would have to happen. So while I probably just lost my best friend I get to gain a best friend, and a loving husband. As I lay my head on my pillow and continue my blissful thoughts of Peeta, for the second time today I fall asleep thinking of his beautiful self.