Part 14
Dinner is silent, except the small talk between Cinna and Portia about some kind of clothes that are now "all the rage" in the Capitol. I haven't seen the outside world since that night on the roof. And since every other night after tonight will be some type of man-made sky, I decide to go outside tonight. When we are done with our sea food dinner, everyone goes to the living room. I order another fruit drink that I had at dinner and wait. I sit there and watch the interviews. Of course, the first tribute is the girl from 1. I have this weird feeling for her after hearing Haymitch's story about his games. I don't hate her, I just don't like how she much she looks like the person Haymitch described. Her hair is also blonde, but straight. She has green eyes as well and her smile, well, I can't really say it is evil. She looks almost hopeful that she will get back home. The same way I do. "Effie?" I whisper. "Yes Prim?" She answers. "Could you wake me up for my interview, I am really tired." I say. She nods and says "Of course." Then summons an avox to get me a pillow and blanket. When I'm snug, I close my eyes and fall into sleep. The last thing I remember is seeing the boy from 1 walk off the stage.
"Prim, Prim, your interview is almost on!" Is what I am waked up to. Plus Effie's violent shaking of excitement. Of course, I should have just asked to be waken for Peeta's interview because I don't want to see myself on TV. I probably look so stupid. But it may have gotten me sponsors. Anyway, it's just me, skipping onto the stage, cute silly laughs, a little mad, and then blowing a kiss to the audience. Nothing much to look at. Then Peeta comes on, and that changes.
"So how is the Capitol treating you Peeta?" Ceaser asks.
"Great, it's different here. Much different than in District 12." Peeta says.
"Really? How so?" Asks Ceaser.
"Well, water actually comes out of the ceiling. And it is warm!" Peeta and Ceaser laugh. He already has the crowed; that is obvious.
"So Peeta, do you have a girlfriend back home?" Ceaser asks. Always something personal.
"No, not really." Peeta says, smiling at the ground.
"Oh pish posh! I bet the girls are dying to be with you! Peeta…tell me."
"Well, this one girl at school has caught my eye. Actually, more than caught my eye. She has stolen my heart, but I don't think she knows that I exist." He looks back at the ground and has a sad expression.
"Well, Peeta. That's an easy fix. You win the games, go home, and she will be begging for your attention." Says Ceaser.
"Actually Ceaser, If I win, that would completely destroy my chances with her. I'm better of dying in the arena." Peeta says. Everyone else has seen his interview, but I haven't. I look at him strange, but he seems to be avoiding eye contact. So I turn back to the screen.
"That is highly unlikely Peeta. Would you care to explain why you think that?" Asks Ceaser.
"Well, my district partner Prim. It's her sister, the girl I love back home. And that's why I want Prim to win and go back home. So her and her sister can be happy." Peeta says.
I gasp. Did he just say that? I look at him and everyone looks at me. "Excuse me" I say, and walk out of the room. I walk down the hallway and up to the roof. I sit there. I'm not really sure why this bothers me, but it does. He loves Katniss? That explains seeing her run to the woods with Gale. This shouldn't really matter actually. It will only boost my chances of getting home, and Peeta isn't the one to play any tricks. Or is he? Is he going to poison my food to make it look like an accident? Then go home to Katniss? No, I don't think he would do that. I hear the door open behind me and I don't have to turn to see who it is. "You know, Katniss isn't going to get married anyway. She never wants to risk bringing a child into the world." I say, even though I'm not sure why. He laughs and stands beside me. "Prim, you know that's why I want to get you home right? So you will be happy. So Katniss will be happy." He smiles at her name, and then frowns. "So Hawthorne will feel better..." What is up with him and Gale? Did they get into a fight or something at school? "Peeta? Why do you hate Gale so much?" I ask before I realize the words are even coming out of my mouth. "Oh Prim, I don't hate him, I'm jealous of him." Jealous? Jealous of what? Peeta's family owns a business in town and can afford basically anything. Gale starves. Peeta has a mother, father, and brothers. And he doesn't have to worry about feeding his family. Gale has a mother and 3 siblings to feed. What would he possibly be jealous of? "Of what Peeta?" He looks at me and answers "Katniss. He is always hunting with her and at her house and hanging out with her." He says. "Oh, that makes sense" I say. He decides something then says. "Prim, you said Katniss doesn't want to marry, but she has a boyfriend. Why?" I look at him really confused, and then simply say. "She doesn't have a boyfriend; Gale is just a friend and a hunting partner. I mean, how else could she keep our family fed?" He looks sad again, and then sighs. "She could have always asked me. I would have given you anything you guys needed." He says. "But Gale is her boyfriend Prim, it couldn't be more obvious." I don't like that he is doubting me. "Peeta, he really isn't, I think I would know. I live with her." He casually says. "Oh what do you know, you're only 12." But when the words come out, I hate the way they sound. "Peeta, I may be 12, but I am a lot smarter than you think! I know many different pants that are edible, I know how to shoot, I know how to get a 10 in training, and I think I know what my own sister wants for her future, and a husband is not part of it!" I raise my voice because if I don't he will never understand what I am saying. Peeta looks shocked at my intensity and raises his voice as well. "Prim, you don't see her like I do at school; she really does have something with him! They walk to every class together and the way he looks at her, the way he want to just lean down and kiss her every time they have to leave each other! That's how I know they are together. Believe what you want but I know the truth!" He exclaims. I look him right in the eye and say, "My family and myself have been through a lot, seen a lot, and done a lot. But the one thing I never do is lie. So believe me when I say, They are not a couple!" I exclaim back. He looks mad now, but not like he would rip my head off. Not yet at least. The next thing he says to me is so unexpected. "Sometimes I wonder if I really should protect you. Or if I should just try to get home myself!" He says, and then quickly regrets his words. He must see the hurt on my face because he goes right to apologizing. "Prim, I didn't mean that, I'm sorry." But I'm too sad and to mad at him right now, that my next words aren't even my own. "Fine!" I say with a few tears escaping my eyes. "Don't be my ally, I don't want you now anyway! It will just be Rue and I." I say, tears really running now. "Hang on a minute-" He says but I cut him off. "No, you wait. I'm serious. I don't need your help, and I don't want you anymore. Don't come near me, because I will just walk away." I say, I turn and leave. I go to my room when the tears really come out. I hope kicking Peeta out just doesn't affect what I have with Rue.