Disclaimer: I own nothing but my own thoughts and words. Suzanne Collins owns the HG and all the characters she so wonderfully created.

Chapter 6

The movie screen hanging against the Justice Building in the square had a time clock countdown to the viewing. Though there was still ample time before it would begin, many people were already arriving in the square. Since it was a mandatory public viewing it was required that you sign in with the Peacekeepers and remain in the area for the entirety of the viewing. And you were required to actually watch. Anyone caught dozing off or not looking towards the screen could be punished. I hated how the Capitol forced us to gather together and watch as a group. Some things deserved to be private. Like grieving the loss of your friend who was reaped. Or technically volunteered for the Reaping, same difference. How am I supposed to be excited about the games when I know they will be her demise? I look down to Prim, who has taken my hand and is walking towards the check in lines with me. Surprisingly, I rather enjoyed having her at my dinner table this evening. She obviously misses Katniss and is terribly worried for her safety but she's such a kind spirit that she somehow manages to still bring a lot of positivity wherever she goes.

The Mellarks have been over for dinner before, being town merchants and all, though they've never been there with the Everdeens before. The Everdeens have never been invited to dinner with the Mayor. Seam people rarely have a purpose for dinner with the mayor. I can't put my finger on it but there is definitely something weird between Mrs. Mellark and Mrs. Everdeen. The Mellarks own the bakery in town and it's well known that Mrs. Mellark is not exactly a nice person. But tonight there was a vibe coming from her that I couldn't quite pinpoint that seemed a little different than her normal gruff attitude. Perhaps having your youngest child taken away by the Capitol makes your mood a little altered. That would make perfect sense but somehow I didn't think that was what I was picking up from her.

As Prim walks hand in hand with me, she's swinging a small takeout container in her other hand. Prim's eyes had been so big and awestruck when Mabel served the dessert. Mabel had made a 7-tier chocolate strawberry shortcake. Or tallcake as I called it whenever she made this dessert. Layers of chocolate pound cake, whipped cream and strawberries. With it's sweet strawberries and the richness of the chocolate pound cake, it was a divine combination of flavors and I liked it so much I never tired of it. Living in the Seam Prim obviously didn't get treats like dessert very often. Most children her age would've made pigs of themselves, eating as much of it as they possibly could. Not Prim though. She was so lady-like and polite. Eating only her small portion and savoring each bite as she ate. After dinner I'd slipped into the kitchen for a moment and asked Mabel to box up the leftover dessert for me to send home with Prim. When I gave it to Prim, I could see her hesitation in accepting it but the desire to have it was in her eyes as well. I reassured her that with it just being myself eating at home most of the time that the dessert would spoil long before I could finish all the leftovers. That seemed to be valid enough of a reason for her to accept it, grinning ear to ear and thanking me as she did. I smiled a little, feeling glad that I was able to bring a little happiness her way.

"Rory! Look what I got!" Prim cried out as she raced towards him.

I watched from a few feet behind her as she opened the lid for Rory and Vick, who happened to be Gale Hawthorne's brothers, to peek in. Both their faces immediately brightened at the sight of the rich dessert.

"Where'd ya get that from?" Rory asked, obviously in shock with his mouth gaping open.

"Madge gave it to me. It's the best thing I've ever tasted! We had it for dessert at the Mayor's house tonight."

Rory and Vick seem sad suddenly and just nod at her. I realize they probably wanted some dessert too. I'm guessing they didn't normally get any at their house. I frown inwardly, wishing I'd thought of this before hand and had Mabel deliver it to the Everdeens house directly rather than giving it to Prim who would have to bring it here to the viewing in front of all her friends. I'd have to be more thoughtful next time and make sure I looked at the bigger picture of things.

"This was all leftover and Madge didn't want it. I'm so full I couldn't possibly eat another bite but I took it anyway because I didn't want to be rude. Here, you take it and share it." Prim says as she hands the container to the boys. She's lying though doing it so eloquently. She most certainly did want that dessert but she knew they wanted it too so she was happily handing it over. This is part of why everyone loves Prim so much. She genuinely wants to make people happy.

"Seriously? You don't wanna save it?" Vick asks in disbelief.

"No, I've had too much already!"

"Thanks Prim, this is awesome!" The boys reply, almost in unison.

Prim grabs my hand again and pulls me over to a row of seats. "You'll sit with us right Madge?"

"Um, well, I …sure." I stutter because I couldn't think of a reason not to sit with her. Truthfully I don't mind sitting with Prim. It's the younger Hawthorne boys I was hoping to steer clear of. After Gale was so short with me today about bumping into him I was hoping to avoid any further interactions. Maybe Gale would be off sitting somewhere else amongst the crowd, surrounded by a gaggle of flirtatious girls would be my guess.

I slide into the seat next to Prim and I'm staring down at my hands in my lap, trying to ignore my surroundings when a small, sticky hand pats my knee.

"Who are you?" The small sticky handed girl asks. She has a half eaten, whipped cream covered strawberry in her other hand and a trickle of pink strawberry juice dripping down her chin.

"Hi, I'm Madge. And who might you be?" I reply smiling at the little person in front of me.

"Posy Hawthorne. Look what I got!" She replies, holding up her the treasure of her half eaten strawberry.

"I see, how nice!" I laugh as I reply. She must be Gale's little sister I think to myself. I knew he had one but I can't recall ever seeing her. She's cute as a button though. I notice she's barefoot and think back to how wonderful it is being a small child. Memories of feeling the grass between my toes in my backyard with my mother flood my mind. I haven't walked around barefoot outside in as long as I could remember. It's only then that I notice the bare feet of Rory and Vick too. Hmmm. That seems odd. They're young but not like Posy. It isn't normal for them to not wear shoes in town like this. I can't figure it out though so I wave away any thought of it and focus my attention on Posy who is now busy licking her whole hand in effort to get every drop of dessert off of them.

"You lost Undersee?" I hear from above me and look up into the sour face of Gale Hawthorne.

"Prim invited me to sit here, thank you very much." I retort. Why is he so annoyed with me? I wonder to myself.

"Yeah, well, my siblings don't need your leftover food so can you not do this again?" He asks while gesturing at the now nearly devoured dessert.

"She didn't Gale! It was my leftovers from the tribute famly dinner tonight and I was the one who gave it to them." Prim says softly as she rushes to my defense.

He doesn't respond to her or to me. Just purses his lips and swoops down to pick up a now completely sticky Posy and place her in his lap as his sits in the only empty chair left in our row. Which unfortunately is right next to me. I let me eyes fall to the ground and brace myself for a long evening. As I'm looking down though, I see that Gale too is without his shoes. My eyebrow must furrow a bit in confusion because Gale notices and snaps at me.

"Got a problem?"

"No, it's just, I um…you don't…where are your shoes Gale?" I choke out, stumbling over my own words. Why does he unnerve me so much?

"Just didn't wear them. That okay with you your highness?"

"I was merely asking though I'm sorry I did. It obviously isn't any of my business." I reply. My voice cracking as a lump begins to form in my throat. I cannot let him upset me. I cannot cry in public. I should sit somewhere else. Somewhere out of his way. I'm about to get up and go find a different seat when the movie screen flickers and the viewing begins. Too late to move seats now. Once it begins the Peacekeepers won't let you move around. I sigh and turn my eyes to the screen before me and try to remember to uphold my illusion of support and excitement for the Games. I can feel Gale's eyes boring into me angrily as I sit. What is his deal? Is he just upset about Katniss? Surely he isn't still angry that I bumped into him. Maybe he's always hated me and I just never had knowledge of it.

The loudspeakers at either side of the screen begin to blast the Panem Anthem and we all rise from our seats. I glance over at little Posy who is swaying gently to the sound of the music. Such innocence in being a child I think. I wonder if I ever enjoyed the music of our anthem the way that she is now. Once the song is over we are told to be seated and the gamemakers are presented followed by mostly mandatory applause. What a cruel job it would be to create the arena, the very place in which children would fend for their lives and fight to the death. I couldn't do it, that's for sure. No amount of illusion would be able to mask my disgust for that task.

After the gamemakers and President Snow are seated, they begin, in numerical order, presenting the tributes of each district. The tributes ride in chariots and are decked out head to toe in costumes designed by their appointed stylists. The costumes tended to represent the major trades of each district. District 12 was a coal mining district and therefore not exactly the most stylish when it came to costumes in years past. I find myself scooting to the edge of my seat as the chariot for District 12 comes into focus. Something is glowing. I squint my eyes together and lean even further in towards the screen. Wait! Is the chariot on fire? I'm about to panic as they finally come into full focus and I realize they are fine. I sit back just a bit now that I can see Katniss and Peeta are fine. Not on fire really. Some sort of fake fire that glows all over their costumes. It's mesmerizing to my eyes and must be to everyone else too because I hear gasps and whispers coming from the seats all around me.

I'm so enchanted by their flames that I almost miss the swear word that slips from Gale. I turn my eyes just slightly and look at him in a questioning glance but quickly regret it when I see the anger spread across his face. I immediately turn back to the screen and pretend to watch the few remaining minutes of the presentation but I'm really trying to figure out Gale Hawthorne. What is he so angry about? I just do not understand this boy. Shouldn't he be somewhat happy that his friend looks nice and is getting positive attention because of it? If you are seen in a positive light as a tribute you are more likely to gain sponsors for during the games. Without sponsors you never stand a chance. District 12 is usually dressed in drab, boring coal miner outfits never begin the games with much by way of sponsorship. I think this year may be different and for the first time since Katniss boarded that train to the capitol I feel a glimmer of hope rising up inside me.

Authors Note: I want to again thank everyone who has read my story, added it to alerts or favorites and especially all of you who have taken the time to write such wonderful reviews. I love all your interest and feedback! I hope to have another chapter up later today but if not there will definitely be a new chapter posted tomorrow. Thanks again for all the positive response to this story!