Chapter 6

I open my eyes. I hate that I don't have anything to do. The interviews are tomorrow night. I start to think more about what would happen in the Games, if Katniss and I were friends. And what if the last two tributes just so happen to be me and her? Then Katniss might hesitate to kill me. And then does something stupid. My only option to ensure that doesn't happen, is to make sure Katniss doesn't see me as her friend. To do that, I'll have to be her competition.

I get up and walk to the dinning room, there, Haymitch sits at the table. "Haymitch," I say. "I'd like to be coached alone from now on." I say.

He shrugs. "I knew it would happen at some point, care to tell me why now?" So I tell him my thoughts.

Effie comes in. "Oh. Hello. I didn't realize you two were up so early." says Effie.

"Peeta wants to be coached alone." he tells her.

"Oh. Very well then." she says.

Minutes later, Katniss comes out and gets her food. She eats some and looks up at us. "So, what's going on? You're coaching us on interviews today, right?" she asks.

"That's right." says Haymitch.

"You don't have to wait until I'm done. I can listen and eat at the same time," says Katniss.

"Well, there's been a change of plans. About our current approach." says Haymitch.

"What's that?" Katniss asks. I look at my shoes.

"Peeta has asked to be coached separately." Haymitch tells her.

Katniss is quiet for a moment. "Good," says Katniss. "So what's the schedule?"

I zone out the rest of the conversation. I feel tears threatening to spill. I hold them back. I won't let myself cry in front of Katniss.

Haymitch touches my shoulder. I look up. "Not the reaction you'd wanted from her?"

"It's what I expected." I say. "You don't understand."

Haymitch looks around. "Come now, kid, let's talk about this somewhere else." I follow Haymitch back to my room. We both sit down.

"You have feelings for Katniss, don't you?" he asks me.

I nod. "What made you guess?"

Haymitch laughs. "The way you look at her. The way your doing everything you can to help Katniss come home."

"Everyone tells me my feelings for he are obvious. But Katniss is completely oblivious to it all. I wish she knew."

"She'll take a lot of convincing to believe you." says Haymitch.

"I wish everyone knew." I confess. "Would saying I liked her during my interview be bad for her?" I ask.

I'm now getting a lecture from Effie. About how to present myself in front of the audience. I don't pay attention to a single word she says. I know how I want to present myself anyway.

Haymitch helped me. Told me how I should announce my love for Katniss to the whole world. I think this would win Katniss some more sponsors. I have to do this for Katniss. I'm only wondering how I could fit the confession into a three minute interview.

Effie's time is soon up, and it's time for diner. I'm soo excited to see Katniss I almost sprint to the dining room. Once I get there, I find Haymitch, but not Katniss. I frown and sit down. After minutes of meaningless chatter, I ask the question. "Where's Katniss."

Haymitch smirks at me. "She got frustrated, she said she wasn't coming down for diner, and I'm glad. That girl has no personality."

I finish my food without talking again. Then, I excuse myself, and walk slowly to my room. As I pass Katniss's room, I hear glass shatter. I stop and walk to her door to hear better.

More glass busts. The redheaded Avox that Katniss told me about walks down the hall. She frowns as more glass breaks. She motions toward the door. Asking me what's going on in there. I shrug, suddenly unable to speak.

The Avox runs her hands over her face and walks in. I go to my room and take a shower. I know I'll get cleaned off tomorrow, when I'm preped for my interview. So, I stand under the water for a while. When my knees get tired, I sit down and let the water pours on my head. I get lost in thought. I consider why Katniss was breaking things, and blame it on Haymitch.

I've been in love with Katniss since I was five years old. I'll love her until the day I die.

I cry a little, and turn the water off. I dry myself and put my night cloths on. I lay in my bed and fall asleep soon after.