Disclaimer: The Hunger Games belong to Suzanne Collins. No copyright infringement intended.
The next day, Peeta and I are called to the Capitol. The Capitol isn't as crazy as it was post-revolution. I mean, people's faces aren't structured to resemble cats anymore - but there is still dyed skin, outlandish hair, and outfits that make me want to gag.
As the train pulls into the station, Peeta squeezes my hand. "Nothing bad is going to happen," he promises, although I have no idea how he thinks he can shield me from the world. But knowing Peeta, I know he'll damn well try.
"How do you know?" I ask.
He kisses my forehead. "Because I won't let it."
The Capitol buildings are mostly reconstructed. After all, the bombs from the revolution have torn much of it into the ground. A new government has been put in place, significant figureheads replaced, but the Capitol still reeks of suspicion for me. The fact that the basis of the Capitol has changed does not reassure me that the essence of the people have.
"It's different now," Peeta reminds me, as if sensing my thoughts.
"Not all that different," I mutter, but I let him lead me out of the train car.
Peeta smiles and waves graciously at the crowd that has come to see our arrival. Soldiers hold them back, making sure we don't get attacked, jumped, or assassinated. After all, not everyone in the Capitol is entirely happy with the star-crossed lovers from District 12 who have completely turned their lives around.
The crowd, of course, goes gaga for Peeta. Girls scream, people are star-struck, mothers are blowing my fiancee kisses. I force some semblance of a smile on my face, and call it a day.
For the millionth time, I am relieved that Peeta is so personable, so marketable. He always knows how to work a crowd, what to say. After all, he's the one ultimately responsible for my sponsors in the Games. He's the one that made me so desirable. It's by his clever words and his wit that people really like me. Peeta actually makes me seem nice - a feat impossible to achieve on my own.
Yet, Peeta's soothing words whispered in my ear are not enough to dispel the knotting feeling in my stomach.
I have no idea why we've been summoned to the Capitol. Peeta theorizes that we're going to receive some kind of award of honor for the rebellion. Finnick's words from the interview echo in my head: I have a creeping sense of dread - for whenever Katniss finds happiness, it's always whisked away from her grasp.
The next day, Cinna wraps me in foils of soft gold fabric, making me shine like a trophy. I look beautiful, the gold reminding me of the color of sparks. Even though the rebellion is over, Cinna still keeps up with the whole Girl on Fire theme when designing my clothes.
"What do you think?" he asks, smiling ear-to-ear.
I twirl in front of the mirror, like I twirled for Caesar seemingly so long ago.
"Beautiful," I sigh, staring at the girl who's beaming at me in the mirror. Her eyes, painting with smoky greens and golds, her face, sharp and sophisticated, her lips and innocent light pink color. I am definitely designed to look as though I've got a revolution under my belt.
I look intimidating.
When I meet Peeta to depart to the president's mansion for the banquet, he looks ravishing. He looks like my other half - probably my better half. He gives me a reassuring look, kisses the back of my hand, and smiles at me.
"If looks could kill," he whispers. Haymitch is standing by the doorway, rushing us out, flask in hand. He rolls his eyes at our open displays of affection. Poor Haymitch, who's girl had died after his Games. Poor Haymitch, who seems only to care about me and Peeta now, but even that does not keep him from loneliness. After all, Peeta and I belong to each other. There's something shared between us, that Haymitch never will share with anyone ever again.
"Don't you think you should put that away?" I say tightly. After all, he's going to drink more at the banquet.
"Don't worry, sweetheart. I won't embarrass you. Besides, I don't want to be sober for this."
I don't know what he means by that, and neither does Peeta. Peeta shoots Haymitch a concerned glance, but shakes it off. After all, Peeta promised nothing would happen to us.
Hopefully, this was a bit of a longer chapter! Hope you guys enjoyed:) Please review!