Katniss age 17
2013
"Uh, Hi. I don't know if you remember me Katniss, but I'm..."
"Peeta Mellark. Yes. Of course I do." I cut him off.
His face goes from complete shock to and easy smile. This makes me smile a little.
"How've you been?" He asks.
"Good as I can be. Oh, and I'm so sorry for your loss. I only just heard." I say hoping it's not too intrusive of me.
"Thank you. A lot of people here still don't know. Everybody at my old school did. They treated me like some kind of a celebrity. Just because I happened to have a game that weekend I didn't want to miss, I skipped the trip my family was going on. They think I'm something special for not dying. Which, I only felt awful about for a long time. I had to... uh... talk to someone about it. That's why I didn't come here right away." He explains looking a little sad.
"Oh-" I start.
"Sorry. I shouldn't have unloaded on you like that." He says quickly.
"No, it's ok. No judgment here. After my dad passed away, I slept in a closet for a week. But... I'm selfishly glad you weren't on that plane... as is anybody who knows you, probably..." I say awkwardly.
"I don't know about that but, I'm thankful to be alive. Coming here is sort of like starting over. At least as far as the kids go. Most of the adults who knew my parents were at the funeral, but Haymitch asked for them to keep it private for my sake. Let me, talk to who I want, when I'm ready. I'm really grateful my dad had a plan for me in case something happened, because Effie is great and I'm actually happy to be back." He says looking down.
But, then he looks back at me and gives a half smile.
"Well, I think you are very brave and also, I hope your brother gets better. All I can say from my experience, is slowly, it gets easier." I say.
I put a hand on his arm and he looks at my hand then back at me with those intense blue orbs. I drop my hand nervously.
"Well, Thank you again. I... um... I came over here because we are going be dancing together for the routine later so... I was hope... I mean wondering, if you would like to get a little practice in." He says holding a hand out to me.
Just as I'm about to answer him, Gale picks me up from behind and swings me around and then puts me back down.
"Wow, Catnip who knew you clean up so well. You gotta come see Annie and Finnick. They've been asking to see you since the ceremony." Gale says.
I turn to Peeta who gives me a smile and an understanding look.
"Gale, this is Peeta, you remember, from school and camp. Peeta this is Gale." I introduce.
"Yeah good to see you Peet." Gale says shaking his hand.
"Yeah, you too, Gale. I'll see you later then." Peeta says the last part to me.
He walks over to Thresh. I forgot they were close friends. I notice Prim dancing with Rue and Rory and wave at her. She giggles and waves back.
When I walk over to Finnick and Annie, I see two other girls I don't know with them.
"Katniss, girlfriend. You are wearing that dress." Annie says hugging me.
"Thanks Honey! Annie you know you look beautiful all the time, so putting on a party dress just enhances all that umph you already got going on." I say and we laugh at our imitation of Tyra Banks.
Annabeth Cresta without heels seems to tower over me at 5'9". But with heels, forget about it. That fact, along with her long, luxurious, auburn locks, hazel eyes, and curves that don't stop, make her look like a Victoria Secrets model. I guess she'd have to, to stand next to Finnick Odair, and feel comfortable. He's 6'2" and built like an Abercrombie model himself. With bronze hair and the most brilliant green eyes, they are without a doubt, the most beautiful couple I've ever seen.
They are both attending San Joaquin Valley College. He's majoring in journalism, but water sports are his passion. He lettered in high school and was captain of the state champs Swim, Water Polo, and rowing teams. In fact, he got a scholarship in Water Polo.
Finn does everything water related. From Swim team to Diving, Surfing, Sailing, Rowing, Water skiing, Jet skiing, kayaking, and canoeing. He's also scuba certified. He's the assistant swim couch at my high school and he's a lifeguard during the summer.
"This is Joanna Mason and her little sister Delly Cartwright." Annie says.
"Half sister. We have the same dad." Joanna says shaking my hand.
Joanna is pretty. She has brown eyes. Short, black, retro Rihanna type hair. Some visible tats on her athletically built arms. She's borderline buff actually, except she's tiny. She's not really dressed up even though it's a wedding.
Joanna seems not to like the curvy, curly blond haired, blue eyed girl that's half a foot taller, standing next to her. No wonder their last names are different. For sisters, they look nothing alike. Delly shakes my hand too.
"I LOVE your dress! I heard the Cinna did this whole wedding! What was it like to meet him? Is he A-mall-zing or what? We should get a Mani Pedi sometime!" Delly almost screeches, only I don't think she's imitating an over the top fab celebrity fashionista.
YIKES! Okay, I don't think I like her either.
"Umm..." I say.
"Delly, is going to be attending Soulsbyville High this semester. Maybe you could show her around? What do you say coz?" Finnick implores me.
"Uh huh." I say.
Finnick gives me a nod and takes Annie by the hand and leads her to the dance floor.
"GO BEARS! RAWR!" Delly chants while making paw gestures.
I jump, startled and Joanna face palms.
"You're completely ridiculous." Joanna tells Delly.
"Oh, before I forget. Who's the hotastic blond guy you got paired with in the wedding party? He's by far the most doable guy in Shoot-me-Ville." Delly says, using her finger to fake shoot herself in the head.
Okay, I hate her!
"SHUT YOUR HOLE! Go stuff food in your face!" Joanna tells her.
Delly looks applaud but takes out her phone and then walks away.
"Thanks. She's... uh... interesting." I try to find something not mean to say.
"Yeah like, my dad cheated on my mom, with her mom, years ago. Then she pops up needing a place to stay last month and now she lives with my dad and me. Except she's a BI-!"
"Uh UMMM!" I clear my throat cutting off the curse word she was about to drop, just as a little boy walks by.
"That kind of interesting?" She finishes and smiles.
I laugh and she says, "I like you Kat. You can call me Jo. I've seen you around haven't I?"
"I don't know. I don't go out much. But you look familiar too." I say.
"Hmmm... It'll come to me. Well, you don't have to show Smelly around if you don't want. But the blond groomsman she was talking about is named Peeta. He's a friend of mine. And he's starting back to school also. So if you could do me a favor and don't let her get her grubby little paws on him, I'd appreciate it. Cause he's been through enough this past year." She says.
"Oh yeah. No problem. I kind of know Peeta from camp anyway." I say.
"Oh snap! That's where I know you. Tuolumne Trails? I was a counselor." She says.
"Umm. Yeah." I say awkwardly.
I remember her now too.
Katniss age 14
2010
I yelled for help, for over what had to be an hour. My voice was getting hoarse. It started getting darker and the dogs were not moving. So I tried to move down the tree slowly, but my movement only resumed their snarling, circling and barking once again.
I wondered if I would die there, but I wouldn't let myself give up. Finally, after what seemed like hours, I see movement that isn't the dogs. I see lights and then hear laughing. Cato Clove, Marvel and Glimmer come waltzing through the woods and I wait to say anything. Then Cato, notices me since the dogs are barking. He yells at them and they whimper off. They're his dogs. Tears begin welling up in the back of my eyes, but I don't let them fall.
"Hey, what are you doing up there?" he asks.
"Oh... just sightseeing!" I shout back.
"Huh, is that right?" Clove asks.
"So you don't need any, help?" Glimmer yells.
I feel trapped. My heart racing, I begin to panic, and then I remember what Madge told me.
"Well Brutus told me to meet him here, and I was hoping he would, since Annie dumped him for sleeping with you." I lie.
"WHAT?!" Glimmer screams.
"You're crazy... she's gotta be mental, right?" Marvel asks.
"There's no way..." Cato says looking at Glimmer who now looks mortified.
"Who told you... that?" Clove asks me.
"You're the only one who could've told!" Glimmer shouts at Clove as she pushes her. Clove shoves back and Cato moves to break up the scuffle.
"Wait a minute! You slept... No you had SEX! With my brother? You said you loved me! You skank!" He yells.
"Cato it's not like that, someone spiked the punch and we were drunk! We woke up and... we felt awful, and... it was a mistake. I'm so sorry. Please!" Glimmer begs.
"Then why didn't you tell me?" Cato rightfully accuses.
"We knew we couldn't tell you! We vowed never to talk about it again. But someone secretly taped it and sent the tape to Annie. I'm so sorry." She cries.
Omg! I guess Madge was right.
While the dramatic saga was unfolding, I snuck down the tree and began to make a getaway. I thought I was home free. Marvel came out of nowhere and grabbed both my arms behind my back, as if I was getting handcuffed by the police and Clove gave me an evil scowl. Cato and Glimmer continued to argue and yell. So Clove suggested to Marvel for them to leave, and to bring the girl, or she's gonna tell.
"No, no I won't. Just let me go I won't say anything," I beg.
"How do I know I can trust you?" Clove asks.
"What do you want, to let me go?" I say.
"Hmmmmm, how about... every day you bring me your food. Cabin A and we'll let you go... for now." She says smirking.
"And if I don't?" I ask.
She punches me in the stomach and I feel like I might throw up, except I'm completely void of food.
"If you don't, I'll let Glimmer exact her revenge on you and believe me she will. But I'll hold her off as long as the food comes." She says slyly.
"Okay deal." I spit.
"Let her go Marv!" She orders.
"See you for breakfast Kat-Piss!" Marvel yells at me as I run away from them towards the lights that are now lighting the cabins.
When I get back to my cabin, dinner had already been served. Most of the kids are either getting ready for bed, showering, or were around the bonfire with the counselors. I so badly wanted to run and tell Finnick, or better yet go home. But I think about school and Glimmer exacting her revenge like Clove said. So I get some water, eat the granola bar I've been holding on to, and go to bed before my roommates come back.
Madge tries to wake me when she gets in, but I pretend to be asleep. When I do finally fall asleep, it's restless and filled with nightmares of dogs and Clove's face.