Chapter 2- Pawn

I had this terrible habit of tapping my feet when I was nervous or upset. I guess I had a mixture of both, still shell shocked from the reaping. I wouldn't see my mother, my father, my brothers….anybody. My hands clenched into fists, and for once I had anger instead of fear for the Capitol. I knew that any second someone would walk in the lavish room and wish me luck, etc… I wasn't ready to face anybody yet, my emotions were hardly stable. What would the arena be like this year? Thick forest, mountain ranges? I searched my head for any survival techniques, it was empty. The only I knew how to do is to bake and paint. Peeta Mellark the wonder boy who survived the arena by feeding his competitors a poisoned cake. I gave a dark smirk at my pathetic sense of humor. The large oak door to the room opened and the grim face of my family entered. The only one who seemed close to tears was my father; I guess I really was a daddy's boy. My father kneeled at the chair I sat in and bent his head over my hands.

"How are you holding up?" he asked in a gruff voice. A few drops of his tears landed on my fists. My mother stroked her hand through my blonde hair and gave me a weak smile. Although she was a stubborn and sometimes rude woman…maybe she really did care about her youngest child. We were quiet for a moment until a Peacekeeper came in and directed my family out. My oldest brother Rameur placed a firm hand on my shoulder and through gritted teeth said the most sensitive thing he ever uttered.

"Play it safe Peeta, and come home…come home dammit." I had no other visitors, and that didn't surprise me. I wiped away a tear that was about to fall down my cheek, and at that moment I realized that my fight with the Capitol was on.

The train was luxurious; the room I stayed in was twice the size of my own house. I ran my hand through my dark hair, afraid that if I let any emotion slip that my chance of winning would be ruined. Just by looking at my build it would be hard to pass as a weakling. I would have to play off my anger for the Capitol and the games into a character that the audience would enjoy. Mysterious, dark…I could pull that off. There was a light tapping at my door and without even my permission Effie Trinket waltzed in like a graceful doe dipped in pink makeup with a sparkling suit and 5 inch heels.

"Heeeeloooo Gale!" she said cheerfully, "Why don't you come join the rest of us for some supper, I say you must be starving!" Effie stared at me with her large eyes blankly. She was a doe, her eyes holding nothing, just reflecting my face.

"Yeah sure." I replied, keeping a stony face. I follow her until we reach a dining table covered in cloth, silverware, and plates that could feed my family for years. This is what made me despise the Capitol the most. The districts did all of the dirty work, and got to starve for it while the Capitol ate fine meals, and lived where everything was at their disposal. Peeta was already there conversing with Haymitch who for once seemed sober enough to carry a conversation. Looking at the pair closely I could see a resemblance between the faces and build. I guess Haymitch really was his uncle. They looked at Effie and I, as we entered halting their conversation. Peeta gave me, his competitor a grim smile. We had a past, one that I thought would never be brought up again, yet it seemed unavoidable with us living so close together, and soon fighting each other.

"Oh it seems you both got here early!" Effie said astonished raising her eyebrows at Peeta and giving him a look that said: whatever you're doing to Haymitch keep it up I can almost stand him. Effie quickly grabbed a seat farthest from the two leaving the only open chair next to my fellow tribute. We had a feast, pork covered in a fine sweet sauce with cooked slices of potatoes and Haymitch even offered me a sip of wine. It was a fine liquid and it washed down not only my food but my troubles as well. I could almost bear such a tense situation. Then we got to see the recap of the reaping in all of the districts. When it was District 12's time to "shine" we all saw Haymitch make a fool of himself again. Effie shivered, probably reliving the experience. I burst out laughing. And between breaths I managed to speak.

"We are so screwed."

I stagger back to my room exhausted. Tomorrow we would arrive at the capitol and meet our stylists. Through my abstract thoughts I managed to bump into Gale who was standing in front of my door. I looked up, he was at least 6 inches taller than me, with broad shoulders and a smooth face and a mouth that was usually set in a scowl. I bit the inside of my cheek trying not to remember the events of last year.

"We need to talk." He said opening the door for me like a proper gentleman. I nodded to shy for words. I sat on my bed while he leaned against the wall. I sighed deeply, there was no avoiding this. A year ago some boys managed to steal some liquor from the Hob and they threw a tiny celebration to root for the District 12 tributes, although we all knew they had almost no chance. I was there along with Gale, Katniss, Kaeb, Madge and a few others that I don't remember. That was the first time I had ever been drunk, I can barely recall the events of that night. There was a lot of singing honoring our tributes, Katniss had a beautiful voice. I don't know how it led to this, but that morning I awoke at Gale's house, naked in his bed with him. Just by the way my body ached I knew that we had slept together. I think Gale knew it too. I left before he had a chance to say a word.

"What is it?" I asked, already knowing the answer but afraid to admit so. Gale rubbed the back of his neck and gave me a slightly pained expression.

"I never thought it would be you…you know?" He plopped down in the bed next to me and laid down, his arms sprawled against the covers. My fingers tapped against my knee. I didn't want to talk to him, just looking at him made me physically and mentally weak. I swear that Gale Hawthorn would be the downfall of me.

"I know…What made you want to volunteer in the place of Prim?" I said, gathering up to ask the pressing question. He sat back up and looked at me with furrowed eyebrows.

"I'm not going to let them take a poor innocent little girl to use as one of their pawns in this game." Gale cracked his knuckles.

"Yeah…" I could feel the conversation falling down hill from this point. I mean what else can I say to someone who is going to kill me? As he was about to speak I decided to get it over with and say my mind.

"Gale…why are we pretending that we can be friends? You and I both know that if you win, I'm dead, and If I win you are. This is pointless. I'm not saying I want to be enemies…I just don't want the games to have control over me as much as you do." I couldn't clamp my hand over my mouth fast enough. He slowly turned his head toward me.

"Peeta?" he whispered. Gale removed my hands and leaned over and hovered above my lips. I thrust my hands against his chest, pushing myself away from him.

"Are you crazy! Were both men. Not to mention that in a few days we will be out to kill each other...Gale go…just go." With his hands pressed to his forehead he left my room. I flung myself back down on the bed holding back the urge to scream. Last year seemed to be repeating itself. The only circumstance that was the same was the scent of alcohol on his breath.