Long story short, I get no sleep. The next morning at breakfast, Haymitch informs us that today will be our first day of training. Then I fall asleep on my pancakes. Haymitch shakes me awake.
"Focus Katniss!"
"Right sorry…" I mumble, and then eat some pancakes. I frown as I taste some of my hair on the pancake.
"I'm not that hungry."
"Great, because it's time to go." Haymitch announces, and we're shoved into the elevator. Peeta tries to make friendly conversation in the elevator. It's very awkward. We get down to the training center and all the other tributes are already there. Throwing very large, very heavy looking spears with deadly accuracy. I probably should have listened to Haymitch. I try to remember from the book what Katniss did exactly in the Training Center, but I can't. It's my own fault really. When I was reading the books I skipped through a lot of the beginning to get to the arena. What can I say? I'm impatient.
Then Peeta motions me over to the knot tying station. Why not? I join him and start trying to tie knots. It takes me about an hour to get one knot. One knot. I give up. Peeta moves on to the camouflage station. I yawn. There's no harm in resting my eyes for a few seconds. No big deal. I close my eyes and lay my head down.
A small child pokes me awake.
"Are you sleeping or playing dead?" Her voice asks timidly.
"uuuuuwwwaaaattt?" I mumble, slowly coming to my senses.
"Did you not sleep at all last night? You must be really tired. You slept for three hours." She informs me. I realize she must be Rue.
"Are you Rue?" I ask.
"Yep. I'm from District 11." She says. I nod and rub the sleepiness out of my eyes. Then my eyes shoot open.
"Wait. Did you say three hours?"
"Yep." She says while giggling. "You're funny."
"Do you think I could get the Careers to laugh themselves to death?" I ask. And she starts laughing some more. I like this chick. She laughs instead of giving me "the look." You all know what I'm talking about so I'm just gonna call it "the look" from now on.
So I chill with Rue for a bit. I force myself to talk to Peeta also. I nap a little too. On the third day of my routine, the Gamemakers start to individually access us. I'm ready though with my super bow skills (thank you Katniss). I figure that if that doesn't work maybe I'll use my super singing powers from Phantom to wow them (if it still works).
I'm still a little nervous when I go in. I'm last and it seems like the Gamemakers aren't paying attention anymore. I can't really blame them. I go forward and grab the bow and arrow. I take a deep breath and shoot. I get a bullseye. I smile proudly and look up at the Gamemakers. My smile falters as I see they aren't even looking. They're preoccupied with a roast pig. I'm not going to let that get to me. I ready my bow and draw the arrow. I adjust my feet, when suddenly I slip on a puddle I didn't realize was there. Before I can caught myself, I let go of the arrow, which goes flying into the Gamemakers judging area, right into their roast pig. I quickly get to my feet. OH SHIT. I've done goofed. I swallow and then try to revive the situation. "Thank you for your consideration." I say as gratefully as I can and then I quickly turn and retreat to the exit, too embarrassed to even wait for their dismissal.
Looking back on it, I suppose that may have come off as rebellious and unruly.
After that I brace myself as I ride the elevator up. I'm praying that somehow plot armor will save me because I'm the main character. There's a little ding that signals I've arrive. I swallow and put on a fake smile. As I gaze around the room, I see no one is there. I smile for real. Now if I can just get to my room and avoid them until they announce the scores I be fine…
"How'd it go, sweetheart?" I hear Haymitch jeer. I turn to find him reclining on a chair, drinking (of course).
"I thought you couldn't have alcohol in here." I reprimand him (even though I'm really just trying to change the conversation).
"It's water. To help with my hangover." He says matter-of-factly.
"Good luck with that." I turn and try to make a retreat to my bedroom. We all know that never works though.
"Not so fast. How bad was it?" He says. I turn back, defeated.
"...They'll definitely remember me."
"What. Did. You. Do."
"I may have…um…shot an arrow. At the Gamemakers." I freeze and wait for the yelling. Instead, I'm confused when Haymitch laughs.
"Why are you laughing?"
"Because it's funny, sweetheart."
"Can you not call me that? It's very condescending."
"Alright sweetheart." He says and then walks away. What? Okay then… That was an interesting conversation.
Later, we're all squished together on the couch waiting for the scores to come up. I don't pay attention to the other Districts. I do remember a few thing from the books, and they were that only the Careers are significant threats. Peeta gets an eight. Then my score comes up.
"Eleven." Thank you Plot Armor. "That's pretty good."
"Pretty good? Katniss, you do know the highest score you can get is a ten?" Peeta says. I figure now would be a bad time to mention I wasn't even aiming for the Gamemakers; I just slipped.
"Hm. I'm just glad I didn't get a negative number of something. I could see that happening to me." I yawn.
"I'm pretty tired. I'm a gonna go get some shut eye." I leave.
"Be ready for interviews tomorrow Katniss!" Effie squeals as I leave.
"Mhm." I mumble.
Early the next morning Effie drags me out of bed (I mean literally drags) and starts rambling about interviews. Next thing I know I'm getting stuffed into a dress. It's a little tight.
"Sorry. I guess I shouldn't have had that extra muffin."
"Don't worry. We'll get you into this dress one way or another." I frown when Effie says that.
Finally after an hour of struggling, they get the dress zipped up. I can't breathe. And I'm pretty sure I have at least two broken ribs. Then we start actually practicing for the interview. I'm not going to go into detail, but it was bad. Painful. Gory even (don't ask). I'm now traumatized and I haven't even gone into the arena yet. Then after a few more painful hours of training with Haymitch, it's time for my interview.
"Just smile." Effie says. I force a smile. She cringes. My smile disappears.
"Be yourself." Cinna says with a smile, trying to make me feel better. "And don't forget to twirl."
I try to let the advice sink in, and I walk on stage. I shake Caesar's outstretched hand, and he has the good grace not to immediately wipe his off his suit.
"So, Katniss, the Capitol must be quite a change from District Twelve. What's impressed you most since you arrived here?" Caesar asks.
"Uhh. The food." I say honestly. My stomach grumbles. I haven't eaten since his morning. Surprisely Caesar and some of the audience laughs. I feel a little better. Hopefully because I'm the protagonist they'll naturally like me. Right?
"Now Katniss, when you came out in the opening ceremonies, my heart actually stopped. What did you think of that costume?"
"Well, if it's making people's hearts actually stop, maybe I shouldn't have worn it." I say. Caesar and the audience laugh some more.
"But in all seriousness," I say, "it was brilliant. My costume designer, Cinna, was brilliant. It was gorgeous and I couldn't believe I was wearing it. I can't believe I'm wearing this either." I say, mainly because I was sure that we wouldn't get it on this morning. I stand and the audience oohs and ahhs. I remember I'm supposed to twirl. Alright. I start to twirl, and the audience goes crazy. Then I step on a long piece of fabric on the trim of the dress. Before I can stop myself, I'm flailing wildly. I see myself falling face first into the audience.
Then there's a hand around my waist, and I'm pulled back. I turn to find none other than Peeta holding me.
"What?HOW?WHAT?" I grasp for words.
"I saw you falling on the screen, so I ran onstage to catch you." He answers.
"What? But makes no sense. No way could you have run all the way from the wings to the front of the stage in time to catch-"
"Shh. Shh. It's alright Katniss. Clearly you're a little dizzy from your almost accident, you'd better sit down." I glare at him, but realize Caesar and the audience are still there. I also notice an awkward breeze where there shouldn't be one. I gaze down to realize I've torn a huge gash along the back of my dress.
"Okay. Let's sit down then." I smile, while dying on the inside.
"Well I guess now is as good a time as any to start Peeta's interview. Katniss, you're welcome to stay." Caesar says. I smile, but picture impaling Peeta with one of my high heels. I'm so focused on my daydream, that I don't pay attention to their interview. I'm vaguely aware of them sniffing each other. I don't know. Then Caesar asks a question and I tune in.
"Handsome lad like you. There must be some special girl. Come one, what's her name?" says Caesar. I start to panic. I can't let Peeta answer or else I'll be stuck playing romantic interest for the rest of the book.
"Oh, it's not someone I know is it?" I ask, before Peeta can reply. "Let me guess. Was it Suzy? Barbara? Margaret?" I say. Peeta opens his mouth to reply, so I keep talking.
"Y'know Caesar, back in District Twelve, Margaret and Peeta were best buds. He used to make bread for her and she would would pick flowers for him. It was adorable. I would bet my money that if Peeta had any special girl it would be her. Let me tell you-"
"Katniss, Katniss, my goodness. Aren't you talkative tonight?" Caesar interrupts me.
"Now, Peeta," He begins. No no no. "Is she right?"
"There is this one girl. I've had a crush on her ever since I can remember. But I'm pretty sure she didn't know I was alive until the reaping."
Sound of sympathy from the crowd. Unrequited love they can relate to. All I can think of is how to stop this.
"She have another fellow?" asks Caesar.
"I don't know, but a lot of boys like her," says Peeta. Jeeesus CCCHHrist. This is unbearable.
"So, here's what you do. You win, you go home. She can't turn you down then, eh?" says Caesar encouragingly. I scarf. Caesar and Peeta look at me.
"Oh sorry. Just something in my throat." I lie. Peeta looks at me for a moment and then continues.
"I don't think it's going to work out. Winning…won't help in my case," says Caesar mystified. Because it's not like it was BLATANTLY obvious or anything. I'm sure he just rushed onstage to help me because he didn't want his district partner getting harmed. I can't even watch this anymore. Peeta blushes beet red and stammers out.
"Because…because… she came here with me."
"Oh goodness. But that could only mean one thing!" I say sarcastically. "I never would have guessed."
"You must be very shocked Katniss." Caesar says, completely missing my sarcasm. "You didn't know until know?" I blink. Is he kidding?
"Not until now." I continue with the sarcasm.
"Well. With that our time is up. Best of luck to you both." As we leave the crowd is deafening. I don't think they even notice that my dress is torn down the sides. I'm silent backstage, even as Haymitch, Effie, and Cinna try to talk to me. The elevator ride up, I am stone cold. When we get to our room, Peeta tries to talk to me.
"Katniss…You're not mad? Are you?" He asks. I slowly turn to face him, smiling coldly.
"Mad? Me? No…Don't be ridiculous. It's not like you made a complete and utter fool of me." I say, colder than when I was the Ice Queen.
"Oh thank goodness." Peeta says sighing. "I was so worrie-"
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME? OF COURSE I'M MAD YOU IDIOT!" I yell, completely losing my cool. "You degraded me to the status of a helpless, heartsick girl whose only purpose is to follow you around like a lovesick puppy! I have more goals in life than just trying to be your girlfriend! In case you hadn't noticed…" I stand there breathing rapidly.
"You are the fool." Haymitch says. I didn't even notice him come in, I was so angry. "He made you look desirable."
"Desirable? This is exactly the problem with today's social media. Women are only deemed valuable if they are sexy and feminine. Well, I've got news. Women are valuable, not because of their beauty or thin body, but their intellect, and creativity, and uniqueness. And that is something you cannot appreciate. But I refuse to be distorted by the unrealistic ideals of the media." I cross my arms defiantly.
"What the hell are you talking about?" Haymitch asks.
"The social injustice of our society."
"Who cares? We're forcing children to fight to the death. You really think there aren't going to be social injustices?"
"And I'm just supposed to stand by and let it happen?!" I reply angrily.
"Yes. It's all a big show. It's all about how you're perceived. How do you think you'll get more sponsors?" Haymitch says.
"He's right." Cinna agrees.
"When did you get here?!"
"When you were having a yelling fit."
"You're golden, sweetheart. You're going to have sponsors lined up around the block," says Haymitch. I grumble. "Come on let's eat." Haymitch says.
"I'm not hungry." My stomach growls, giving me away. "I just really tired." I say and storm away into my room. I sit on my bed and do breathing exercises and punch my pillow many times until I feel a little better. I'm so drained I try to get some sleep. You can all guess how that ended up.
Editors. Except this time I was in the area with them. Being chased. I'm in my interview dress and I can barely run. I fall on my face, ready to die. Then there's a bow and arrow in my hands, ready to fire. However, I can't bring myself to let it go. I remember the Editor lying cold and lifeless, and I remember the other Editor mocking me about it. Instead I lie helpless as an Editor shoves a knife through my heart.
After I wake up, I lay in bed and await for the Hunger Games to begin.