OH MY GOD! I love everyone! Thank you sooo much for all of the reviews! You guys are very helpful and kind to me and I really appreciate it! Thank you so much! Now to the story: I am veryyyyy sorry that it took me a while to update but this chapter is especially long for the ppl who wanted it! Ok I am adding a character tell me what you think about it! I hate mentioning I don't own anything…you obviously know I don't so ok! Onward to the next chapter my lovely peoples:
PEETA'S POV:
My hand made fluid motions on the paper. My eyes shot up and down making sure I didn't make a single mistake. Katniss was looking off into the distance and showed a kindred emotion on her face. I was guessing that she didn't want to look to emotionless for her sister. The lighting was darker than before. It was getting later into the night. I wasn't bothered by it and neither was Katniss.
"You know I can stop now and we can continue in the morning. If you feel tired I wouldn't want to keep you." I wanted to keep this moment but forcing it was out of the question. "I want to continue Peeta. Getting this done is very important." She gave me a small smile to confirm that she was telling the truth. I believed her and nodded slightly.
I focused myself back to the sketching. The silence was peaceful. It was calm in the room which made my concentrating easy. I went over the picture with my pencil giving it a hazy look. This was by far the best sketch I have ever drawn. Her strong facial features shown in the dim lighting. Her knees were folded and her fingers wrapped loosely around each other. The atmosphere was light and happy. She had a genuine smile on her face. It lit up her surroundings. Looking at the picture made me think of her sister Prim.
Prim was a gentle, kind, loving little girl that meant the world to her sister. Everyone in District 12 knew Prim. People took pity on her. She was so small and fragile. Her sister had to hunt in the woods. I am positive that Prim would worry about Katniss. After all, Katniss was illegally hunting. Peacekeepers wouldn't arrest her but there was always that one chance… I didn't want to think about it.
I liked how the picture looked, so I decided to start painting it. "I'm going to start painting this. If you want to stretch or leave you are free to do so." I really hoped she would stay and keep me company. Being alone was never something I liked doing. People would always hang around me in school, but I never had any true friends. People would just come and go. There were only few "friends" that stayed for years and appreciated my company. Katniss had only one friend. Madge. She was the mayor's daughter. The two girls got along quite well even though they came from opposite sides of the district. I would always see them sitting together at lunch. No one ever bothered them; people would be too afraid. Katniss and Madge were strong and united. Characteristics that few were able to grasp.
All of those thoughts clouded my head, and I didn't even hear Katniss response to what I said. She was standing with one leg on the arm chair. She bent her back forward and moved her arms in an elegant stretch around her head. "So are you going to leave?" I hadn't heard her at all so hopefully she didn't think that I wanted her to go. Katniss had a huge smile on her face. "I told you that I would never leave you here alone. I know you would do the same." She looked down. I said, "of course I would do the same! And thank you. I'm happy that you chose to stay."
After getting all of the paint and brushes, I sat back down and got back to work. Katniss pulled a chair right behind me and watched attentively. The paints were dry and semi cracked. I swiftly took my water and put two drops of it into each paint color. Swirling them with my paint brush made the colors more vibrant. I cleaned off my brush and then dipped it in to a cherry red. I lifted the red brush up towards my paper. The red paint filled the little flower I put in her hair. The flower was a Primrose and I hoped Katniss noticed it.
The water bowl was filled to the brim with all the colors I used, but I wasn't even half done. The painting had zero flaws, and I wanted to keep it that way. This whole time Katniss has been sitting close and patiently behind me. I would glance once and a while and she would give me a smile and told me that the painting was getting better and better. That made my spirits rise and peace envelope me.
Even though I had a while left of painting to go, my focus was really becoming fuzzy. I was fighting hard to keep my eyes open. My hand was shaking and losing its balance. I looked over at Katniss. "Are you tired? Don't lie, its ok if you are." She looked up at me and I could just tell. She didn't even have to say she was tired but I let her anyway. "I am a little tired Peeta, but if you need me to stay up I will." I wish I had the strength to stay up with her but I simply couldn't do it. I was over tired. "I'm actually really tired. Let's get ourselves some sleep and I can continue in the morning." Then, she leaned over my chair and gave me a tight hug. I lovingly put my hands around her waist and pulled her into my lap. I felt her breathing on my neck. I soothingly rubbed her back. It was as if we were talking to each other through our actions. We didn't need words. "Thank you so much for doing this for me. I'm happy that whatever happens, I am certain that my sister will know that I am always and forever there for her." She relaxed in my arms and I held her close. I knew how she felt. Having the people you care about know that you will always be with them is important. I don't really know that I have someone who deeply cares about me. My dad probably does. Maybe my brothers. Definitely not my mother. I bet she wouldn't even care if I died in the Games. It's sad when I think about it, so I push it out of my thoughts.
We sat for a while. Both of us were really tired and I was in a comfortable position. My body felt weak and Katniss was in an entangled sleepy ball lying in my lap. My heart beat slowed and my vision was weak and not focused. Katniss was looking up at me, but her gaze was wavering. I slowly and gingerly kissed her forehead. She just looked at me while holding a faint smile on her face. It was a moment in time for me that I would never forget. "Goodnight, Peeta", she whispered. It made me remember the night before when I carried her to her room. She looked angelic when I carried her before, and she looked all the same now.
It then occurred to me. Neither of us were in our rooms. We were falling asleep on an arm chair. As if she read my mind, Katniss said, "I'm too tired. And I know you're tired. All of this…stress has put a heavy weight on our sleeping habits. I don't mind if I wake up here tomorrow. I promise that I will try not to kick you when I sleep." I laughed. We both laughed. I was happy she wasn't angry with me. It was good I was able to get on her good side. I really needed a friend now that everything was put at a frightening halt.
"Goodnight, Katniss", I spoke with sincerity. She settled down against my neck and slowly fell to sleep. She was hugging my torso and breathing on my neck. I had my arms around her back and stomach holding her so she wouldn't fall. I didn't want to rush our friendship; these things were delicate. The Games were hurting the both of us and I did not want Katniss hurting more than she needed.
I looked off into the distance. The moon was glistening silver. It shown into our car and lit up the floor with shadows that danced in fluid motions. The leaves were shining like precious jewels with silver streaks. It rained this morning and the dew remained on the leaves.
I lifted my legs up on the coffee table and settle for the rest of the night. Katniss was light in my arms and I was extremely comfortable.
My eyes weren't cooperating with me though. Falling asleep was difficult, but I managed to rest pleasantly. Then after a long wait, my mind swam into all blackness, a dreamless night.
~Crash~
I felt Katniss roll over in my lap. I yawned and pulled her closer to me. The chair was very small. It wasn't meant for sleeping on. We both seemed to manage really well though. I was comfortable and Katniss didn't seem like she was uncomfortable, so it was perfectly fine with me.
~Crash~
I jolted forward and almost pushed me and Katniss on the floor. She instantly woke up and hopped up onto her feet. I followed suite. We ran for our connecting door somewhat afraid of what may lie behind it. I went in front of her and burst through the door. I first saw Hamitch looking quite angry. Effie looked nervous and slightly frightened. Haymitch took a large whiskey bottle and threw it forcefully into our large metal sink. It shattered into lots of sharp pieces. "What are you doing?" I asked slightly pushing Katniss behind me. I was confused. Yes, Hamitch could drink, A LOT, but he would never hurt anyone unintentionally. I didn't understand.
"Do you know how long we have been sleeping for?" He was upset and we all could tell. "No, please tell us Haymitch", I wanted to keep things calm. Although I didn't fully understand this whole "time" situation, so I really did want to hear what Haymitch had to say.
"It's been five days", Effie chirped up in a shaky voice. She really was shaken and, frankly, I was a little shaken myself. "Five days? I don't think that's possible, unless you are sick", I said. "That's exactly what I said, genius. But then I drank my normal tequila in the morning and it tasted strangely different. Trust me; I know what tequila tasted like. So, I analyzed it on this fancy Capital thing and it showed signs of a sleep draught", he sighed. "I've been checking every single drink on this psycho train and they all have been tested positive." Surprisingly, he put an arm around Effie's small shoulders. "We've been getting rid of all of our bottled drinks since four in the morning." Her purple wig was on a slant, and besides all of the make-up on her face, we were able to see dark bags under her eyes.
"I think the Capital has something to do with this", Katniss finally spoke out from behind my back. I forgot that I had been holding her there since Haymitch's little outburst. "I think it's right to say that we all do sweetheart", Haymitch said. All of us nodded our heads. The Capitol really had its way of twisting people's lives.
Out of the blue, the speakers all around the room hummed to life. Everyone looked puzzled. The speakers made a little beep and a voice came out and spoke.
HELLO AND GOOD EVENING! MY NAME IS CEASER FLICKERMAN, AND WE HERE AT THE CAPITOL HOPE THAT YOU ARE HAVING A WONDERFUL TIME ON OUR CUSTOM MADE TRAINS!
Yea just marvelous, I thought.
NOW WE HAVE SOME SPECIAL PLANS FOR YOU TRIBUTES. IT IS GOING TO BE AN EXCITING YEAR. WE ARE HAVING SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES AT THE ARENA, SO YOUR STAY ON THE TRAINS WILL HAVE TO BE EXTENDED FOR A TIME. WE ARE NOT SURE HOW LONG THIS WILL LAST SO I SUGGEST YOU PREPAIR YOURSELF FOR THE WORST.
THERE WILL BE A VISITOR FOR THE TRIBUTES. ONE AND ONE ONLY. THIS PERSON WILL HAVE EXACTLY ONE WEEK FOR SETTLING POURPOSES ONLY.
YOU WILL HAVE DAILY ANNOUNCEMENTS AND WE WILL UPDATE YOU THE BEST WE CAN.
I WILL TALK TO YOU SOON AND IF YOU EVER NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO REMEMBER YOU CAN CONTACT ME ON THE THIRD LINE ON OUR CAPITOL TELEPHONE.
WE WILL BE INTOUCH! AND ONE MORE THING…TRY TO GET ALONG EVERYONE!
The line on the speakers dropped. I looked at Katniss and grasped her hand. It was still early in the morning. On the electric clock it read 7:05 AM. We all were in bewilderment. But we had each other and I didn't want us to get in arguments all the time and not get along. I would somehow get everyone to get along. Hopefully it wouldn't be that hard.
A chopping sound came from outside the large windows .The four of us walked towards the window to see who was the person that would be visiting our 'happy family' for a week.
The sleek black machine with long jet black blades landed right above our train just missing the tops of the trees. A ladder came down for the machine and I saw a person hanging from it. The person was wearing loose black pants that were old and baggy looking. He was wearing a long sleeve grey sweater that had a whole in the shoulder. The guy had dark brown hair and fair skin with a few scars. This guy also had silver grey eyes, somewhat matching Katniss.
This guy's name was Gale Hawthorne.
Ok im done tell me what you think and I will update as soon as I can! The chapters will get longer and longer ;)
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