I've greatly appreciated all the reviews I have been receiving and am excited about how well liked Nightlock is. Her character is actually based on the lead protagonist of one of my favorite novels. And to answer a question mentioned in a review, in this verse President Snow visits every tribute each year to make sure they stay in line with the capitol ideals, which will be explained by Haymitch in this chapter. Katniss did do something to signify rebellion in the capitol by how she honored Rue with the sign for goodbye and the flowers. Otherwise, there will be minor changes for plot twists and to fit how a third sister might affect the sequence of events.

I love how this story seems to write itself. Here is another fun plot twist I decided to add before moving along faster with the storyline.

Please enjoy!

Chapter 9:

The Victory Tour

Katniss spent the rest of the summer rebuilding her relationship with us, instead of preparing for her Victory Tour. It didn't take much for Prim to forgive her, bouncing back to her idolizing Katniss within days. Mother acted like nothing ever happened, much to my shock. Maybe the woman actually cared for someone other than herself. It took me about a week to forgive myself for hitting Kit-Kat, placing little to no blame on my older sister for her depressive behavior over the past month. This was hard for Katniss to accept, so we made a deal. I decided her talent for the Victory Tour.

I chose the one talent I had that would benefit Katniss for the tour; cooking. Although I was a good cook for most normal dishes, I wasn't the most patient teacher. Katniss would laugh whenever I had to correct her cutting method or how she was prepping the ingredients. I usually replied with a rolling of my eyes or demonstrating the action myself for her. This became a normal routine over the next month with the occasional food fights whenever we got bored of waiting for the meal to finish. Much to my surprise, she caught on to my recipes quickly.

Before we knew it, it was time for Katniss to leave for the Victory Tour. Prim begged her to bring back lots of stories about the different districts, which Katniss promised happily. Mother just hugged her, wishing her a good trip. I on the other hand made sure she had the recipes she needed memorized and a promise to pick up new recipes for me when she could. We hugged each other, knowing that my training would begin when she returned. It was time for me to grow up.

The tour was televised, making it easy to follow Katniss's journey through the districts.

She was well received in District 11, the mayor presenting her with flowers much to her amazement. Katniss gave a small speech about Rue, honoring her memory the best she could. I almost cried when Rue's mother hugged her, knowing it must be hard for the family to not have their daughter around. This created a response in the crowd by them demonstrating the District 12 Goodbye for a loved one. I remember last seeing it when Katniss was honoring Rue during the Games. The quick action of the Peacekeepers ended the uneasy commotion caused by the gesture before ushering Katniss off the stage.

The remaining districts were less eventful, though the intriguing interest in Katniss seemed to increase with each speech. I found their enthusiasm towards her presence frightening. This would only draw more attention from President Snow towards Katniss. It might result in consequences that Katniss and I both feared with all our hearts. Prim being reaped the year she becomes eligible for the Hunger Games.

It was the last two districts that showed some animosity towards her. Kit-Kat did happen to personally kill one of Districts 1's and 2's tributes, so some hostility could be expected. I watched her make her speech each time, holding my breath in fear. I could only hope they would leave her alone. Some threatening glares were seen from the murdered tributes families but nothing substantial. I was relieved when she left the districts heading to the capitol.

Her interview with Caesar Flickerman was discomforting to me. His questions were frivolous and materialistic at best. However, his last three questions perked up my interest as he motioned towards the crowd with his hand. I leaned forward towards the screen, gripping Gale's hand in mine. I had gotten closer to Gale while Katniss was gone, much to my surprise. We seemed to have a lot in common when it came to our opinions towards the capitol. I waited in anticipation for Katniss's answer, hoping she was wise with her words.

Caesar's hair was still the same color from the games, shinning brilliantly under the stage lights. His friendly smile, which I suspected to be fake, was a ploy for him to try to comfort Katniss I believe. He stroked her knuckles, waiting patiently for her response. Was he trying to help her or destroy her?

My sister licked her lips, forcing an endearing smile across her face. "Well Caesar, I have been enjoying spending time with my family. Both my sisters have grown in my absence and I am looking forward to catching up with them when I return." Her words were sincere, despite the monotone way she delivered them.

No matter how much time has passed from the last interview, Katniss was still a horrible actor. Caesar's question was about how she been spending her time since returning to District 12. A sickening uneasiness gripped me as I realized they might know about her depressive state during the summer. Were they trying to discredit her as a Victor? It would make her an enemy to the public eye, a weakling.

Gale squeezed my hand, concern flickering in his eyes as I turned towards him. "Is everything alright, Goldilocks?" His prodding towards me did nothing to alleviate the fear that was starting to overtake me.

Shaking my head, tears threatened to fall as I fought the fear in my heart. I could not allow the capitol to take my sister away from me again. My voice was caught in my throat, making me unable to answer Gale. Our relationship had changed in these last several weeks, almost mirroring the one he had with Katniss. Was I developing feelings towards Gale Hawthorne?

"Now Katniss, you are the victor of the 72nd Annual Hunger Games. This is a very desirable thing to some people. Is there anyone back home vying for your attention?"

Caesar's voice brings my attention back to the screen, ripping my gaze from Gale with the shock of such a question. How the hell did he know about Gale and Peeta? Was I just being paranoid? I watch Katniss closely, hoping to figure out if she suspects what I already know.

Katniss bows her head, blushing as she tries to find her voice. "No Caesar. There are none that I know of." I watch in shock as she is able to pull off the perfect response to his question. How did she do that?

"Now Katniss," he coaxes, knowing there is a story behind that blush. "I find that hard to believe. A beautiful girl such as yourself must be beating the men off with a stick. Tell old Caesar the truth. Is there someone back home?"

"Well, my sister complains about how I scare the boys off. She says I am too serious about things for my own good. That I need to lighten up about love." She smiles shyly at him, blushing deeper under his gaze. "Until I am able to accomplish this, I don't believe there will be any man in my future."

I watch, not knowing how she is able to respond to his questions so easily. Thankfully, she used something I said over a year ago. In a way, Katniss hadn't been lying to Caesar. I did believe she was too serious about life, that she needed someone to love. A man that would give her a reason to live besides her family. A man like Peeta Mellark.

Just thinking about Peeta made my heart race, much to my dismay. Why couldn't my heart understand what the mind had already accepted? Peeta Mellark belonged to Katniss, not me. He would never be with me and my heart had to learn to understand this. I glanced at Gale out of the corner of my eye, my breath catching as I realized something for the first time. Gale was a very handsome guy.

All these thoughts about love and men were giving me a headache. I quickly turn back to the screen, realizing I missed the last part of the interview. Katniss is standing now, shaking hands with Caesar as she says goodbye. I could kick myself at my foolishness. Caesar's reaction to Katniss's statement was missed by me because I was too caught up checking out Gale.

Groaning, I bury my face in my hands. Why did I have to realize things like this at the most inopportune time? Gale had released my hand during my mental tantrum, using it to rub my back instead. Did he understand he was only making the situation worse? I peek out through a hole between my fingers to realize Gale was gawking at me. Why was he showing so much interest in what I was doing when Katniss was still on the screen?

Did Gale like me? This thought scared me as much as it thrilled me. Was it possible that I liked both Peeta and Gale at the same time? I drop my hands into my lap, leaning back into my chair groaning. My eyes focus on the wooden ceiling of Katniss's cottage as I contemplate my disastrous dilemma. Only I, Nightlock Everdeen, would be stupid enough to fall for two men whose hearts belong to someone else. That someone else just so happened to be my older sister, Katniss Everdeen.

Why did I have to have such rotten luck with men?