Hey guys! I decided to update today because you have been so great reviewing really fast and all!! I'm officially back to school tomorrow!! THE HORROR! lol I don't mind THAT much but let me just say that I am not a morning person so getting up early is sooooo hard for me!!
Depression....lol
We're getting close to the games now and I have a few suprises still to come so STAY TUNED FOR MORE :D
As usual, thanks for taking the time to read this and please review if you think its worth it!
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Chapter Fouteen - Prim.
I didn't even have time to take in my first ride in a car, before we arrived at the station. My head was still swimming with emotions and I could feel them tearing at the seams, threatening to burst out. But I had to keep it in.
Strategy is everything.
That was one of the first things that Gale told me. We spent many nights working on what angle I would need to portray. Katniss already had that sort of quiet dangerousness about her that she didn't have to work on but I needed to think of something.
We decided that the young, afraid girl was a bit overrated and besides, there were high expectations for me because I was Katniss's sister. So I thought then that it would be interesting to play up the strong, confident, sly angle; when nobody would expect that from me.
And as my appearance was the total opposite of that angle, people would be deadly curious to find out what my secret talent was.
Not that I actually had to have one, I just had to make it look like I did.
I wondered to myself what angle Reed would play, but he didn't look like he had much of a plan. He didn't look like he cared too much either way. Actually, as we pulled up in the car to the station, Reed happened to be asleep, his head lolling against that car window. I stared at him in disbelief. This was my partner.
I was doomed.
"Reed," I smacked him on the shoulder harder than I had needed to, "Wake up!"
He jerked off the window and stared at me blearily. "Uncool," he complained, rubbing his shoulder, "I was having a nice sleep."
"Yeah, well, I did you a favour. No one will sponser you if they see you sleeping like that," I snapped.
He shrugged and stretched. For the first time, he looked out the window at the hordes of reporters training their cameras on our car.
"Hey!" he exclaimed, looking around then back at me, "Did you see this?"
I rolled my eyes.
He waved experimentally and a dozen reporters started flashing their cameras. Reed laughed delightedly.
I couldn't believe him.
Then the door of the car was opened and I stepped out into a blur of white flashing lights that made it hard to see. I fumbled for a minute, unsure of where to go, and then I felt a steady arm on my elbow leading me towards the train and I looked up to see Reed.
He didn't meet my eyes and I was too dazzled by all the cameras to speak.
Once inside, we had to stand looking out a few minutes so they could get more shots of us, then finally we were off. I grabbed onto the back of a chair, anticipating the speed of the train from the stories that Katniss had told me.
But she hadn't said that it felt like flying.
I wasn't sure, but I think I liked it.
We didn't have long to adjust however. We were immediatly led to our own seperate chambers and I took wobbly steps, clutching the walls frequently when I thought I was going to fall over. Reed smirked at me and I felt my face getting hot.
Effie Trinket showed me my room and told me to help myself to anything I needed and when to be ready for dinner.
I don't remember saying anything back to her, but I could have for all I know. It was like one of those out of body experiences, this was happening to someone else, not me, not Primrose Everdeen. I sat on the bed for a few moments, pulling myself together.
I felt slightly sick. Maybe these trains weren't the best idea after all.
It's ok, I told myself, this is all part of your plan. Part of your secret from the Capitol.
You wanted this, it took a while to assure myself, this is what you wanted.
Nodding, I pulled myself off of the bed and looked around the room. It truly was beautiful. I opened a drawer and found a pile of flawless clothes; there were silks and satins that would pay for food for a year back in the District.
I grinned, running my hand over the smooth materials.
Running into the bathroom, I feasted my eyes on the one thing I had been looking forward to out of this whole situation.
The shower.
I had heard so much about the infamous shower that I had even attempted to build a makeshift one at home with a saucepan that had holes in the end of it, but Katniss said that it wasn't the same.
I hopped in gratefully, but I was careful about choosing which buttons to push, as I had been warned. It worked perfectly in the end. It was warm and sweet and I came out with my skin tasting like roses in summer.
Then I padded into my room in a huge, fluffy white towel and chose my clothes. I put on a white skirt that fell in light ruffles a little bit above my knee and a long sleeved, silky blue top that clung to my skin in a perfect fit.
I wondered how they knew my size already.
I dryed my hair with a strange appliance that had a handle and blew out hot air. Then I slipped it up into a wispy bun.
I was loitering around the room, wondering what I was supposed to be doing when there was a knock on the door. I opened it immediatly, expecting it to be Effie, but to my suprise it was someone else.
"Peeta!" I squealed and hugged him, causing him to stumble slightly on his bad leg. I smiled a quick apology.
"Hi Prim," he smiled genuinely.
"Where's Katniss?"
"She's waiting for us downstairs with... Reed," his features darkened slightly, "So I offered to come up and get you. Are you ready for dinner?"
"Let's go!" I beamed, slamming the door behind me and following him down the rattling corridor. Everywhere was so polished and perfect.
The first thing I saw in the dining room was Katniss and I ran to hug her immediatly. "Prim," her breath tickled my hair and I took in her comforting warmth. I liked having a little piece of home with me. Then I really noticed the room.
"Wow," I exclaimed, pulling out of Katniss's embrace and taking in the mahogony glossed table covared with gleaming white places.
"You'll get used to it," Katniss smiled thinly and I wondered what she was thinking about.
Peeta took a seat and gestured Katniss to sit beside him. "Brings back memories, doesn't it?" he murmered to Katniss and I tried but I couldn't hear her response.
Effie was already sitting beside Haymitch, who was slugging cheerfully from a suspicious looking drink and rambling about something that sounded like "Family reunioun!" That left one seat beside Reed. I shuddered.
He whistled low when I walked over, "Someone raided the Capitol drawers." I blushed slightly and glared at him before sitting down.
It wasn't untill then that I realised he was wearing a bathrobe.
I stared, gobsmacked. His hair was still wet from what I assumed was the shower and he was snug in a dark navy robe.
"What?" he asked, "Pink, over there, said I could wear whatever I wanted." He gestured at Effie who I noticed was glaring at him alarmingly from across the table.
I shook my head and decided not to bother commenting. It was just Reed.
Dinner was delicious. Unbelievably rich and satisfying. Though I hadn't gone hungry in a long time, the food in the District was nothing to that food. I was tempted to lick the plate when I was finished. It was comfortable as well with Katniss and Peeta there, it felt like being at home.
Then the tension that hung heavy in the air, like a trap ready to spring, descended and we all filed into another room to watch the replays of the reaping.
Size up your opponents. Not all of them will join you willingly.
Gale's voice rang in my head and I nodded to myself. I sat a on a plush couch next to Katniss and though she smiled warmly at me, I could see the panic in her eyes.
It ran through each reaping, one by one, and I tried to pay close attention and pick out the most threatening tributes.
Don't underestimate anyone. You don't know what they are really capable of.
I realised that Gales had been right about that. How was I to know who was acting and who was truly afraid?
A few tributes jumped out at me as dangerous but I tried not to think about them like that. They were just people who would eventually be rebels.
There was only one twelve year old tribute, a boy from District 9. The boy from District One was disturbingly quiet, The girl from Two had bright blonde hair and a viscious smile, the girl from Eleven had caramel coloured skin and looked terified, and so on... In particular I remembered District 6, as a girl with crinkly, golden coloured hair was called up and when it came to the boys, her twin brother volunteered immediatly.
Neither looked upset, though.
Just determined.
When it came to District 12, I watched my face as I step forward and I was suprised to see no fear in my eyes. Then Reed lopes onto the stage casually and I notice Katniss's empty chair in the background of the shot. Then it cuts to a clip of Reed giving me a high five.
I narrow my eyes at him. "I'd forgotten about that," I muse, and he grins broadly.
The faces of the other tributes swirled around in my head and I started to feel panic rising.
"Maybe you two should get an early night," Katniss said, glancing at me and I nodded, wanting to be away from everyone for a while.
Reed stood, yawning. "I do need my beauty sleep," he said solemnly and I rolled my eyes.
"You would," I muttered.
Haymitch nodded at me, sloshing his glass, "Get ready, sweetheart. This it it."
I gulped, smiling thinly, before Katniss led me out of the room and upstairs to my chamber.
"Why did I do this?" I bursted out when we got into my room, "You were right. I can't do this!"
Panic bubbled over shrilly into my voice.
"Prim, prim," she hushed, "It's okay. Calm down. You can do this. I was just afraid before. But you can do this."
I sobbed, "I can?"
"Do you think I would have let you go if I thought you couldn't?" she raised her eyebrows.
I considered that and it calmed me slightly.
"No," I said in a small voice.
Katniss nodded, satisfied and helped me dress for bed. I climbed in beneath the soft covers, my eyes widening. It was lying on cloud.
I laughed, suprised and Katniss joined me. The Capitol may be evil, but you had to give them points for style.
"Peeta and I will help you along the way," Katniss said reassuringly, "And Haymitch may be crazy, but he knows what he is talking about. When he's sober."
I giggled, but then I stopped frowning. "Why did Haymitch come too? Couldn't he have stayed home this year?" I wondered aloud.
"He came for you," she smiled, "We all did."
I felt strangely comforted by this random act of kindness from Haymitch.
"Come now," Katniss whispered, "Sleep."
I lay down and she sat beside me, stroking my hair untill I fell asleep.
My last thought before I fell asleep was:
I wish I could tell you everything, Katniss.
I wish I didn't have to lie to you.
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Lie about what, you ask?? Well, you'll just have to wait and see now won't you!
Thanks for reading and I hope you review!
STILL HAVEN'T GOT MY HANDS ON CATCHING FIRE :(
Anyone heard of the new film coming out: District 9. I know it's nothing to do with HG but the name reminds me of it so I wanna see it!
AMAZING SEREIS I'VE STARTED: Mortal Instruments series - City of Bones, City of Ashes, City of Glass. I've only read the first one but you should check them out if you haven't yet because I have to say it was brilliant!!
