Prim, the prince, the guards, and I step out of the carriage, me more relunctantly.
"Come on Katniss!" Prim urges excitedly. I sigh and step out focusing my emotions on the fact that this is for Prim and not on my anger at the prince.
Prince Peeta extends his hand out to me, but I pretend not to notice and walk right past him. I hear him sigh and he runs up past me and Prim to Plutarch and starts talking to him. I give another annoyed grunt as we approach the gates. As we're walking through the castle I hear some of the younger guards whistling at me which makes my blood boil.
We enter the ballroom and the guests freeze and the music stops with a screech. I figure they're paralyzed with joy, as their "precious prince" has returned, but then I realize that they're all staring at me. I look around awkwardly and walk towards a nearby table. The music restarts and the party commences, but I can feel many eyes on me. The ones I notice the most are the big, beautiful, magically blue eyes of Prince Peeta, who is staring admiringly at me. I pretend not to notice, but I can feel my cheeks turning as peach at the roses on my dress. Of course I hate him. I mean, I hate the whole royal family! But still, there's something about him that I cannot place that makes him so beautifully special. He's handsome no doubt! But those eyes just make me feel as he's peering into my soul! And I hate to admit it, but if he wasn't a part of the Mellark royal family, I would probably be friends with him, or possibly in love.
A few times I return Peeta's gaze, but he tries to pretend as if he's not staring at me by paying attention to what Plutarch is talking about. I fiddle with my hair and before I notice the group of boys, probably a little older than me, making their way towards my table.
The leader of the group abruptly says to me, "Hey babe." I look at him with disgust.
"Ever hear of saying hello?" I say coldly.
"Ever hear of being polite," mocks one of the minions.
"Of course. I hear politeness is to be used on humans," I spit, "not turkeys."
The leader breathes in and out trying to hide his anger. "I'm sorry sweetheart. You seem new around here. Do you not know who I am?" he says to me.
"Why would I want to have scum as an acquaintance?" I shoot back. I can't help but notice out of the corner of my eye notice that Prince Peeta, Plutarch, and Boggs are trying to contain their laughter, obviously listening intently to the conversation.
"Babe, many would be glad to have the pleasure of my presence," he says.
"Well Many must be stupid. You'd better go find Many and let her bask in your presence instead of someone with common sense," I say. That's when I hear Plutarch and Peeta crack and start laughing their head off. I also hear Boggs trying to contain his muffled laughter. I roll my eyes, but I know that a smug smirk is creeping its way onto my lips.
The leader glares at me. I shrug and try to walk away, but he follows me. I try again but he follows me there too. Peeta must not have liked this, because he walkes up no longer laughing, but with a serious, composed expression. If I were any more open book I would've swooned right then and there, but I still pretend I hate him and tell myself the same.
"Excuse me, but there a problem Lord Cato?" he asks.
Lord? I think. I must've said it out loud because Lord Cato smirks smugly at me.
"Yes, Lord," he says and I glare at him.
"I don't think Lady Katniss appreciates your company, so I would leave her be," Peeta tells him.
"Lady?" I hiss, this time on purpose. What gives him the right to call me royalty? Peeta shoots me the look saying 'keep your mouth shut if you want him to leave' so I stay quiet.
"Why don't you scurry on back to the little princes room. I mean that's where you spend most of your lunches," Lord Cato laughs. My fist is about to kiss his nose when Peeta takes on of my lacey, peach, gloved hands.
"Miss Katniss, my beautiful vision, may I have this dance?" he asks me. I look from side to side and then turn my head to see who he's talking to but then realize that not only is everyone staring, but that he is talking to me. I point to myself making sure if I'm wrong or not which makes the audience laugh. He gives me this hopeful look, but I can see the glistening light in his eyes telling me to play along.
"Whatever," I reply and reluntly allow him to wrap and arm around me and take me onto the dance-floor. Everyone goes back to talking and dancing and laughing as we dance. "Why'd you do that?" I ask.
"Because, I couldn't have your first mandatory ball be ruined by that knight reject," he replies.
I allow myself to smile and as the music commences he sways me.
The tune of violins, pianos, organs, and singers play as we sway around. I can't help but blush as his beautiful blue eyes stare into my grey ones. He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear and twirls me around. He does this several times and dips once or twice and at the second to last measure of the song he picks me up and twirls me in the air. When I come back down he dips me, allowing my curls to bounce and the music ends. A loud applause erupts and I notice that once again all eyes are in me, but not just on me now. On us! I know my cheeks are burning right now. He lifts me up and the clock chimes midnight. I turn around to see my little sister clapping with the crowd and in love with the new couple we've accidentally just made of ourselves, but also very sleepy.
"We've got to go," I say picking up Prim.
"Wait," the prince stops me as I head for the door with little Prim in my arms. "Let me escort you."
"I don't think—"
"Please!" he says cutting me off.
"Fine," I answer.
We ride through the woods in the royal carriage. When we arrive I wake up Prim and tell her that I'll tuck her in later. She tiredly leaves and just as I'm about to head in myself when Prince Peeta stops me.
"I wasn't lying when I told you looked beautiful," he tells me.
I look at him speechless and just as I'm about to object he cuts me off by kissing my cheek and whispering, "Meet me by the entrance to the woods tomorrow afternoon." I nod impulsively and he waves goodbye to me and walks into his carriage.
Too confused as to what just happened to think I walk up to my room and change, kiss Prim goodnight and go straight to my room. I put in my only night gown—which is good condition for 5 years of use—and tie my hair into a ponytail.
I fall into bed and pull on the covers, not eager for whatever tomorrow may hold.
Hey to all those reading. Hope you liked my chapter. My finger hurts cause I jammed it during my basketball game, so it's really hard to type right now. Anyway, stay tuned for the next chapter. By-e.