Katniss
"Mama!" Posy shouted, as she jumped into Hazelle's waiting arms. Gale chuckled, as I held my distance.
"I don't trust her." I sighed, as Gale gave me a look.
"And to think, she was the one who raised you for a good eleven years of your life. Shame on you, Katniss." He laughed, squeezing my hand.
"Shut up. You know exactly why I said that, Gale." I smirked, almost laughing out loud when Gale began to yank my shirt sleeve.
"So stop being doubtful and say something!" Gale laughed, before yanking me back to the gate. An odd silence fell upon us, mainly caused by our impromptu leave. Madge gave us a helpless smile, as Hazelle slowly lowered Posy and gave her son a hard stare. Lilly was no different, despite the fact that her face seemed absent of expression. At least she's still the same.
"Mom." Gale and I both started, hoping to calm the tension. Lilly simply nodded, while Hazelle rushed over to Gale, pulling him into a hug, along with Posy. I smiled, glad to see Hazelle was back to her old self. Lilly on the other hand was a completely different story. It was like she wasn't worried about this entire mess, and she was only thinking of herself and Prim, which was completely understandable, in her case. None of this bothered me, however, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt for what I said about her before.
"We've heard about what happened. Gale, why didn't you say anything? You couldn't believe how bad things have gotten!" Hazelle said, through tears. Gale looked concerned. He hadn't seen his mother this tragic since the death of his father. Sensing his discomfort, I inched myself closer to him, and clasped my hand between his, interlocking his fingers with mine. It wasn't much, but from that one simple gesture, he knew I cared. Looking through his eyes, he got my message loud and clear: Thanks for trying, Catnip. I gave him a weak smile, before Hazelle rushed us to the Seam. Bracing myself for the worst, my grip on Gale's hand grew tighter, as we headed into the home, we abandoned months ago...
Prim
"And now, what you've been waiting for, the Training score results!" Caesar Flickerman's voice called from a nearby television screen. I'd been dreading this day for a while. Not only would I make a complete fool of myself in the Capitol, I'd make a complete fool of myself to the entire country of Panem, assuming that this was a mandatory viewing. I felt my shoulders drop as they began going down the list of tributes.
"From District One, we have Glimmer and Marvel. Shall we see the scores?"
"Who even cares anyway? We're all going to die one way or another, so why humiliate us even more?" I moaned to myself, throwing a pillow over my head, not caring what anyone thought. At least I was still watching the stupid thing.
"Glimmer:5! Marvel: 9! Moving on to District Two!"
I sighed as they began to prattle on with more scores, questioning the reason why I even came here. Why was I chosen? This was my very first year, and why did my life have to be taken away, just so I could be apart of the Capitol's stupid punishment? Gale and Katniss were right. The Capitol was just a power-hungry city, looking for ways to make it seem better then everyone else. The rest of us were just it's poor, helpless citizens, forced to listen to every unruly command made to us.
"It's just not fair!" I yelled, tossing the pillow to the side. Tears began streaming down my face. I didn't want this. I wasn't supposed to be here. I was supposed to be back home in the Seam, enjoying life as a kid. Not watching my life fade away in some arena for the viewers entertainment! Each day in the Capitol, only made things worse and worse. It was beginning to come to the point where I started becoming miserable.
"What's not fair?" A small voice asked, closing the door behind her. I jumped, feeling my face burn up with embarrassment. Jerking my head around, I felt a pang of relief when I noticed who it was. It was Portia, Peeta's stylist.
"Nothing, I was just... Talking about the way the Capitol scores tributes!" I lied, adding in a fake smile to make it seem more realistic.
"I didn't know the scores made you so emotional." Portia grinned, wiping away a few tears from my eyes. "So tell me then, what really happened?" She asked, placing herself next to me on the couch.
"I told you Portia, I'm just upset for those, poor, under privileged tributes, who were scored incorrectly." I giggled, making Portia do the same.
"Come on, Prim, you know you can tell me anything. I may not be your stylist, but you can still think of me as a friend. And as a friend, it's my job to not only help you look fabulous on the outside, but on the inside to, get what I mean?" She asked, brushing back my bangs. I sighed, and held my hands over my knees. I knew Portia meant well, but I just couldn't bring myself to say anything.
"Not talking, hm? What if I tell you a secret of my own? I swear, you'll wanna know this. But you have to tell me what's wrong first." She stated, in a sing-song voice. I raised my eyebrows. Was she for real?
"I just...- I miss my family back home. I miss the Seam, and Gale, and my sister Katniss, and my mom." I sighed, as she placed a finger against my chin.
"Homesick? I see what you mean, but is that really all? I still think there's a few details your missing out on." She smiled, causing me to groan.
"You know me too well. I guess I'm nervous about the scores too. I don't think I did really well." I confessed, as Portia placed a hand against my shoulder.
"Scores only matter if they're very good, no one pays much attention to the bad or mediocre ones. For all they know, you could be hiding your talents to get a low score on purpose. People use that strategy. Trust me on that one. I may be new in the stylist's game, but when it comes to the Hunger Games, I've seen this more than once." She grinned. "We all believe in you. I know you'll be the next victor, and when you're back here, having the time of your life in the Capitol, just be sure to thank me in your speeches." We both giggled on that one.
"So, Portia. About that secret..." I pretended not to notice as her face became a deep red.
"A promise is a promise. I'll tell you, but this stays between you and I, okay?" I nodded, as she began her story.
"You've obviously met Cinna, right? It's a stupid question, I know. Anyway, I was just looking over some designs for Peeta's next interview, and out of nowhere, I just could not stop thinking about him! Crazy right?"She laughed, the red darkening as the story continued.
"So? What else happened?" I asked, grinning.
"Have you ever had that feeling, when you meet someone special, and they just take your breath away? It's almost like you can't live without them, you know?" She gushed, falling back into the couch.
"Oh my gosh! You're-"
"I am!" She squealed, blushing even harder.
"Oh My God I'm so happy for you! Wait, does he know?" I asked, pleased with the news.
"Why else do you think I'd keep it a secret from him? I mean, we aren't official or anything, but it's cute to think of us like that." Portia smiled. Just then, several footsteps echoed off the hallway. One quick look was all she needed. Within a minute, the two of us ran into my room, locking the door behind us.
"He's here!" I shouted, bursting into a laughing fit, causing Portia to playfully jab my arm.
"Prim? Did you forget what I just said?" She scolded, desperately trying not to laugh. Nodding I pretended to 'lock,' my lips, while throwing away the imaginary key.
Portia? Prim? Are you guys in here? They're about to announce our scores!" Peeta called. We stayed silent, not wanting to give away our hiding spot. The sounds of the television were the only audible sounds.
"And finally, District 12! Peeta Mellark:8. Primrose Everdeen:10! Thank you for watching, and happy Hunger Games!"
Shouts, cheers, and the occasional congratulations were heard from beyond the door. Portia hugged me, before we ended up flipping out on the abundance of good news. Never in my life had I felt so good about something.
"I told you! I knew you did good!" Portia gushed, ruffling my hair.
"Thanks. Now, all you need to do is-"
"Don't push it!" She laughed, as we departed the room, to join the festivities with the rest of our team. For once, I'd actually forgotten why I was so upset.
Katniss
Closing my eyes tightly, I felt numb as we entered the Seam. Why was I so nervous about seeing my own home? It's not as if I was about to set foot into a giant mine explosion. It was simply just a visit to the Seam.
"I know you two are probably exhausted from all the traveling you've done, so we'll give you some time to relax, and then we'll start asking questions." Hazelle laughed, before allowing Posy and Gale into the house. I stood behind them, desperately wanting to go in with them. But Gale had other plans.
"Go, Catnip. It'll be better for the both of you. Give me fifteen minutes, an hour, tops, and I swear, we'll be back on the road to the Capitol. Trust me." He whispered, before being greeted warmly by his two younger brothers. Sighing, my mother lead the way back to our old home in the Seam.
"Katniss, you've been so quiet lately, is something wrong?" Lilly questioned, as she pulled her hair into one of her trademark buns. I felt my voice break.
"You don't know, do you?" I whispered, before turning over to look at her, tears threatening to spill at any given moment.
"Know what?" She rushed to my side, but I pushed her away.
"It's always been the same with you. Forget about her completely and then as soon as she's gone, pretend she was never even here!" I shouted, standing up. Lilly's eyes filled with sorrow.
"Katniss, you don't understand-"
"I understand that you obviously aren't fit to be a mother!" I yelled, not caring that an endless supply of angry tears flowed from my face.
"Katniss, did you ever stop and thought about how this entire thing effected me? For weeks, I couldn't even find the strength to do anything. All I kept thinking about was you and her. Then when I realized that she was going to be in the Games, I almost fainted. I know I've let this go a bit over my head, but you're out of your mind if you think I'd just forget about my own child like that!" She replied, her tone, sympathetic. I calmed down. She actually cared about her.
"Katniss, I'm sorry. I know I was too harsh..." She stammered, looking for the right words.
"We just need to get her back, okay?" I said, embracing her. She buried her face into my shoulder, and began to cry. It was probably one of our first arguments in a long time, and I was just assuming things. Why was I so stubborn sometimes?
"Tell me you'll bring her back, please?" Lilly asked between tears. I nodded, afraid that I'd repeat her actions.
Letting go, she brushed off her tears, gave me a long hug, and handed me my game old game bag.
"You don't belong here. The four of you should be getting her back. No matter what happens, I want you to know, that even though I may have been a bit spacey in the past, I've always cared for you and Prim, Katniss. Don't you ever forget that." She smiled, before kissing my forehead. For once, I didn't resent her for it.
You have my word, mom. She's coming back here, whether the Capitol likes it or not.
A/N
Happy 75th Hunger Games! And May The Odds Be Ever In Your Favor! ;). But seriously guys, I just want to say, thank you. A year ago today, this was just a thousand words of a random idea, that came to me one morning. I never expected it to be anything like this. Chapter after chapter, you guys kept telling me what you wanted to see, what you liked, and what you thought of the plot. As the months went by, the amount of readers increased, as well as the reviews. I cannot express how thankful I am to each and everyone of you. Hell, I'm thankful for you, dear reader, as you read this line. And this one, Annnnd this one too. This has been an amazing journey, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon. You guys are all amazing, and I love every single one of you :3. You all deserve Mockingjay pins of your own! Thanks so much, and I can't wait for whatever I plan on doing in the future. You guys truly welcomed me into the world of fanfiction.
Happy Birthday, Breakaway!
xoxo SerenityColtheart