Disclaimer: The Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins
When I told Madge about the engagement, she was ecstatic. She said she already knew, though, since her father had found out earlier this morning. I guess Peeta and I really can't keep any secrets anymore.
She seemed excited to be the only maid of honor. I really couldn't think of anyone else for the job. Sure, I had alliances, but I really only had two friends-Gale and Madge. And the only thing harder than telling Gale I was getting married would be asking him to be my maid of honor. Or man of honor - whatever they called it.
I find my way home quickly as it starts getting dark. As I walk into the house, I realize Peeta's already sitting on the loveseat, waiting for me.
On the television there's pictures of Peeta and me in the Hunger Games, in the Games again, then us starting a rebellion. Before the montage of me and Peeta is over, there's a quick clip of me standing by that tree, shouting Peeta's name in my first Games. I don't remember what I was thinking back then, only that I didn't have to kill him.
Peeta frowns when the montage is over. "I should have proposed to you after our first Games," he says quietly.
I sit down next to him on the loveseat, which is so small I'm practically on his lap. "But I wasn't in love with you back then."
He shrugs. "But you had to pretend you were. You would have had to say yes, and I wouldn't have had to worry about you saying no. If I was smart, I would have asked you then."
"Well, I said yes now, and at least this time you know it's for real."
He laughs. "Well, that's true." He kisses my hair as my mother walks in the room. Effie follows behind her, and her face is lit up with excitement.
Haymitch comes in after, a bottle of white liquor in his hand, and a bored expression on his face. "It was only a matter of time," he mutters, eying my ring.
It's a dainty ring, nothing too flashy. The most outstanding thing about it is the way Cinna altered it to reflect the light like fire. But simplicity is beauty to me, and I'm sure Peeta very well knows that. He knows I wouldn't have wanted anything too flashy.
Effie dumps a large stack of papers in front of us. Each bundle is held together by a paperclip.
Peeta and I each pick up a bundle, examining each location quickly before tossing it aside.
"No," I say, tossing the third bundle aside.
Peeta shakes his head at his bundle.
Effie sighs. "Guys, there's only one more left," she says eventually.
We both look at the pile. She's right. There's only one location left.
It's the last arena of the last Hunger Games. There's nothing living there anymore, but now they offer space for parties and such.
"I don't know," Peeta says.
"Why would you even suggest this?" I ask. "I mean, how many times do Peeta and I have to see that ugly place?"
Effie cringes and looks a little guilty, as if she's about to apologize.
Haymitch shrugs, offering something insightful for the first time tonight. "It's perfect," he interjects, plucking the stack of papers out of our hands. "It's the place where you guys began, so to speak. The place where you, Katniss, actually started caring about him. What better show of rebellion would it be to get married in the very place where the old Capitol tried to kill you?"
"But the rebellion's over, Haymitch," Peeta says.
"Then this will be the cherry on top. Kind of like spitting in their faces."
I think about it for a little bit. Well, they do say most geniuses are crazy. "I think Haymitch is right. It's kind of fitting for us, don't you think? It's like we're throwing everything back at them."
Peeta sighs, looking thoughtful for a moment. I can't help but notice he looks kind of cute when he's thinking. Usually, he's a quick thinker, so when he's thinking about something, it's kind of adorable. "Alright. If you like it, I guess it's a good idea."
"Well, then the place is all set then." Effie claps her hands together, excited once again. "Your reception is going to be held in the new Capitol building, because they already offered, and it would be rude to turn them down."
I agree. I guess it doesn't really matter to me where the reception is. By the time we finally make it to the reception, I think I'll just be glad I'm still alive.
Effie grabs the bundle with the arena location. "I'll book it as soon as I can. But I need a date first."
I look at Peeta. I'm not good with dates. I guess it doesn't really matter to me when this thing is happening. I'm still in shock it's happening at all. It feels so surreal.
Peeta shrugs. "It's spring now, so how about something mid-summer?" he suggests.
I nod. "That's okay with me, summer is nice."
Effie squeals, and Haymitch rolls his eyes. "Perfect! I'll have it booked."
The next couple of weeks the only thing I see are wedding dresses. Prim and my mother excitedly rush downstairs every time Cinna comes by with his sketchpad and fabrics. Madge is there too, occasionally offering some insight, but mostly sitting quietly in the background.
I help Cinna design my dress a little. Even though I'm no good with any of this designing stuff-even though it was supposedly my "talent" after my first Games-Cinna asks for my opinion for each little detail, so I pick whichever way I like best.
When the dress finally comes to life, there are cameras all over my living room, only I'm not wearing the dress I designed with Cinna. Instead, I'm wearing another dress that he made for me. We decided that the groom shouldn't get to see the dress until the day of, and this was the best way to keep the dress a secret.
So what did you think? Reviews?:)
More wedding planning, Finnick, and Annie ahead. And Katniss still has to meet the rest of Peeta's family... ;)