Chapter 2

It was a painful few days as the Capitol doesn't show training or anything like that. So instead we watched all these useless chat shows with gamblers who had high hopes for people even though they hadn't even interviewed the tributes yet.

Endless replays of the Chariot parade. I never got tired of seeing Katniss looking so beautiful and happy.

However I do get tired of Effie Trinket on all the mini interviews that are done by video links to chat shows. She constantly raves about Katniss and Peeta and how they really stand a chance this year; of course I'm pleased she thinks that. It's just her voice. It annoys me too much.

The days are passing so slowly and I'm getting jittery and can't stop moving. I've checked on my cheese twice in the past hour, my goat has silky soft hair from me combing it so often, and my attention-seeking cat is sick of the sight of me. Gale offered to teach me how to hunt to pass a few hours.

'Gale this is hopeless. I can't do it!' I say frustrated, my fingers are sore from fiddling with the rough rope while Gale is teaching me some knots.

'You can you just need practise. Here, take this,' he hands me a length of rope about my height 'tie it around your waist then when you get bored just practise, you'll get better. I promise.' I make some noise of thanks and tie the rope around my waist.

He tries to show me how to use a bow and arrow, one of Katniss' small ones from when she was my size. It looks so well used, and I'm struggling to hold it at shoulder height. After about 2 hours we gave up. I'll stick to cheese.

Peeta's family invited us over for the interviews. We accepted and arrived there half an hour before the show started. Gale said he wasn't in the mood and was going to stay with his family. I brought some cheese and Mother brought some edible leaves so only get out on special occasions. I guess it's because they don't live in the Seam and wants to impress us. We all sat down at their long well used wooden table. His oldest brother is completely silent and I never find out his name, and his older brother is called Rye. It was silent and really awkward.

I spread some cheese on some toast made by Mr and Mrs Mellark.

'This toast is really nice Mrs Mellark!' I say trying to ease the tension.

'Thank you Primrose this cheese is great. Your goat must be having a really good season.' She says in reply, sounding slightly forced.

'I wouldn't be surprised at the moment! All she does is groom that goat and feed it!' says my mother, my face blushing red as Rye, his oldest brother and Mr Mellark turn to smile at me. The oldest brother looks at me with sad eyes often throughout the meal. Rye gazes into the middle distance for a while then turns and says

'What did you think of the chariot entrance? Katniss looked amazing!'

His father nods and so does his brother and mother.

'The stylists are really talented this year aren't they? I can't wait to see what they do tonight!' says mother, her smile is huge but her eyes look slightly watery.

She then bursts into tears and Mrs Mellark takes her upstairs to calm down. Mr Mellark follows after them a moment later.

All three of us stare at our plates. Rye is focused on spreading cheese completely evenly on the toast; the other brother is watching me.

'It will start in about 10 minutes. I'll carry two chairs into the other room Rye, you and Primrose should wash up.'

Rye nods and lifts the heavy wooden block the toast was on and the knives while I carry the plates in a large stack.

'Prim, do you think Peeta is mad at me for not volunteering?' he asks me quietly while he passes me a plate to dry.

'No I don't think he is. He wouldn't have wanted you to; he wouldn't want to see you in danger like that.'

'But Katniss-'

'Katniss is an exception. And I love and hate her for it. I'm mad she left us because she's the only thing holding us together and keeping us alive. But she had good intensions to keep me safe so I love her for it.' I say slowly and barely above a whisper.

'I'm sorry Prim. But she stands a good chance you know, she could win.' He says

'I hope so.' I say just as Mr Mellark walks in and tells us to sit down because the interviews are going to start.