This sucks, I know, and I'm sorry. I really wanted to update, and I'm so ill it's unbelievable.
The next chapter will be a lot better. Also, I feel you should know, there will be no Peeniss in this story. Because I hate it. ;D
Unsure of when my next update will be, I'll try for tomorrow, but if I'm still feeling this bad it's just gonna be a one word chapter, and the word will be 'vomit'
Thanks for reading and what not, enjoy!
Also, for any of my other readers, I will definitely update my Quitt fic tomorrow! I promise.
We're sitting in the lounge, waiting for the scores to be announced on television. We're all very full from dinner and sitting around in various states of relaxation. Katniss looks a lot happier than she did at dinner, and I find myself thankful for that.
I take a drink from my glass of wine, ignoring the nagging in my head at letting Quinn down, although I'm not really sure why I'm bothered. The girl has a tendency to get under my skin.
The career tributes, score high, naturally. Most of the other districts average around 5, however, the little girl from district 11 gets a 7. I see Katniss's eyes darken, knowing she's already thinking about protecting the girl. I can see why, although they bear no resemblance to each other, she reminds me of Prim. They hold themselves in the same manner, and they're both so tiny. I know Katniss is thinking the same thing.
Peeta gets an 8, which is brilliant for district 12, but Katniss's mark blows us all away. Eleven! The gameskeepers must have seen the spark in her, knowing she'd make an excellent contestant.
"There must be a mistake. How . . . how could that happen?" She looks up at myself and Sue, eyes wide.
"They must have liked your temper. Add at bit of fire into the games." Sue replies.
They chatter a little more but I'm not really listening. I'm staring into my wine glass absently. I don't want Katniss to get killed trying to protect that little girl. Her name is Rue, I think. More girls named after flowers.
I corner her as she's retreating to her room.
"Have you been up to the roof yet?" I ask, and she looks taken aback, probably because I barely talk to her. She looks blankly at me.
"Come on." I grab her arm and tug her gently forward and up to the roof.
When we step out onto the bare tile, I move over to the railing at the edge. The streets are pretty empty tonight, in preparation for the interviews tomorrow.
"Why are we up here?" Katniss asks me, standing further away.
"It's nice up here while the streets are empty. Quiet. I spent loads of time before my games here, enjoying the quiet. It's a bit harder to get alone time back downstairs."
Katniss moves and stands next to me, resting her arms on the railing.
"I'd tell you not to make any alliances, but I know you'll ignore me. So try not to get too attached." I know I sound bitter, but I can't help myself.
"What are you talking about?" She knows though.
"The girl. Rue. I know you'll meet up with her eventually, if she survives the bloodbath. Just remember, you can't save everyone." I laugh cruelly. "Or anyone. Sometimes, not even yourself."
She's quiet for a minute, thinking about what I've said. "Does it ever get easier?" She asks, turning to look at me. "Losing someone you love?"
"No, it doesn't. It gets manageable. You can sort of push it to the back of your mind, try and forget it for a while, but it's always there, like a splinter you can't get out, stuck under your skin, irritating you." I sigh, turning to face her. "I know I haven't spoken to you, not since I won, not when you were reaped. And I'm sorry, it's just…" I let out an aggravated sigh. "For so long, you were like a sister to me, which was nice growing up with brothers, and I don't think I can stand to watch you die. Your family's been through enough. Hell, I've been through enough. I just want to be able to take you home, you know? I know you can do this Katniss, I know you can win, but you'll let your heart get involved, and it'll cloud your judgement. I know what that's like." I let out a shaky breath and sink down to the floor, back against the railing. Katniss sinks down next to me. "I didn't intend to leave the arena, you know? The minute a met her, I knew I was screwed, but I'd go down fighting if it meant she got to leave."
I heard Katniss sigh before she spoke. "I couldn't bear the thought of it, Prim going into the arena. She's so small, she'd be killed outright. She couldn't hurt a fly, but you know that."
"They need you Katniss, they need you to go home."
She stood up, and I rose with her. "You should probably go to bed, Effie will kill me if you look like crap before your interviews." She nodded and turned to walk away. I turned back to the railings, looking out over the night.
"Santana?" I turn to look at her and she's closer than I thought, wrapping her arms around my waist. "Look after them?"
"I won't need to Catnip, 'cause you're coming home." I hold her for a second before she breaks away.
"Thanks 'Tana." She turns without another word and walks back into the building.
I stay on the roof.