AN: So it's only been about two years since I've written anything on this. Whoops. Things have gotten crazy, I'm not going to try to make excuses but I am going to try to start writing again. It calms me so that's always good. Anyways, I will start updating regularly again. Here's a nice, fat chapter to make up for my absence.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of these character or any claim to them. All that goes to Suzanne Collins.
Sunday could not have gone by any more slowly. I didn't dare watch the Capitol feed. All they would talk about is the odds of survival, how many they thought would die at the Cornucopia, and what they thought the arena might look like this year. This would have no effect on me except to make more upset. As much as I dreaded the beginning of the games, I just wanted them to be over. On the other hand, Katniss and Peeta were still very much alive at this moment and they might not be in only a few days. I tried to keep it out of my mind, along with my impeding evening out with Gale which seemed silly in comparison with what was likely on Katniss' mind at the moment.
So instead of thinking about that, I tried to keep myself busy around the house. I had already cleaned just about everything I could and had ran all the errands that would be necessary for the coming weeks so I simply moved things around. I knew I wasn't really doing much but what I really wanted to do was eavesdrop on my father and whatever conversations he might be having with Haymitch. Once I gave up trying to seem busy I sat next to my door, pretending to read while hoping some sort of sound would carry through the crack in the door of my father's study.
After a few hours of silence a call came through and I could pick up some of the conversation from Haymitch, who still sounded extremely sober.
"The sponsor money I got from the kid will be a nice little start," Haymitch began. "Compared to the Capitol sponsors it isn't much but it could do an awful lot of good in the beginning."
"Well I can't say that that was my idea at all. That was all Madge and Gale," my father says in a slightly irritated tone.
"Your daughter is a good friend. In fact, I wouldn't mind seeing some of that friendliness come through in Katniss. I have never met a more hostile, private, stubborn person in my life," Haymitch spits.
"I think you need to take a look in the mirror and try saying that again," my father retorts. After that bold statement that I think only my father can get away with there is a moment of silence and I hear a class hit the table. So much for sober Haymitch.
"At least the boy is charming and we're going to use that for both of them."
"How so?" my father asks, truly seeming puzzled.
"Oh, you'll see soon enough," I hear along with another gulp of liquid, "and I think you will be pleasantly surprised at how the Capitol is going to eat it up. I know I've said it already Harland but I think I can get one of these kids home this year."
"I'm really hoping you're right Haymitch and I'm going to be selfish. I'm mostly hoping that for Madge's sake. I know she tries to be nothing like her mother but I'm afraid of what might happen if neither of her friends come home."
After hearing this, I decide I don't want to hear the rest of the conversation. I climb over to my bed and just lay there for a while, deciding what to do next. I go over my pact with Gale in my mind. Be strong; check. Be supportive of them both; check. Collect money for sponsorship; check. What's next? The thing I don't want to admit is that once the Games begin, we are completely powerless. There is nothing we can do to stop the Capitol or the other Tributes from killing Peeta and Katniss. Nothing. I can't keep thinking like this. Tomorrow is school and then there are the interviews and I get to see what Haymitch's big surprise is. I hope it has something to do with my advice to Peeta but who knows what Haymitch Abernathy is thinking.
It takes me a good twenty minutes before I realize that I've been reading the same page in by book over and over. The day has passed by so quickly up until now and suddenly the clock seems frozen. I barely remember my morning in school and I think the teachers kind of give a free pass to anyone that's closely associated with someone in the Games. I came home from school right after and did my chores, which ate up a pretty good amount of time. Then I picked up my book from last night and hoped that it would keep me occupied for at least a while. As it turns out, it has. Not that I've read more than 20 pages in the hour that I've been sitting here but at least time is passing. I decide to go up to my room to decide what I'm going to wear to the square tonight.
Traipsing up the stairs, I realize that today is the first time since the Reaping that I haven't heard my father on the phone. Maybe he is actually get a break. I know he definitely needs one. After entering into my room I stand in front of the closet for another twenty minutes in a daze. My mind is definitely not in District 12 right now. It's far away in the Capitol, trying to imagine how Katniss and Peeta must be feeling right now. I really can't guess simply because I'm not in that situation but I know that, as the interviews get closer, Katniss is more nervous than Peeta. Peeta is a natural charmer, he could talk the Careers into rebelling if he wanted to. Katniss, on the other hand, is not quite a people person. There's a reason that, although she's my best friend, there is still a lot I don't about her. She's reserved and has a select few friends. While the citizens of District 12 understand this, I don't really think that the citizens of the Capitol are quite going to grasp her reserve.
I snap out of this line of thought when I hear a light knock at my door.
"Come in," I say barely audible, still in a slight stupor. The door opens and I see my mother's face in the crack of the door.
"Hey honey, what are you up to?" She asks, her eyes still full of pain. Her medication may help her body and part of her mind but I can still see the pain in her eyes. If anything, the medication only helps her like a mask would a burn victim from the mines. It keeps my father from worrying about her too much and it keeps the Capitol thinking that they've fixed her. It doesn't fool me, though. Sometimes I wish I couldn't see into people like I do. Times like these make me realize that all too much.
"Oh I'm just trying to pick out something to wear tonight," I answer her.
"Where are you going?" She continues to question, until she realizes part of the answer, "Are you meeting Gale again tonight?"
"About that. He just wanted to talk about Katniss and the games a little bit in private. I promise, nothing is happening," I assure her.
"Suuure," she teases. "Honey, I understand. You're growing up. There's nothing wrong with going out every once in a while. Just don't hide it from your father and me. That's only going to make things harder. So are you going to watch the interviews together?"
"Yes," I smile without even realizing it, "he asked me to watch in the square and I can't decide what to wear." It makes me happy that she understands and is okay with this. Whatever this is. For once she can be my ally instead of my warning example.
"Oh and you're struggling because you want something that will keep you warm after the sun sets?"
I chuckle and she seems to get the point.
"Except you want something that will let you wear his jacket again?" She says with an understanding wink. She steps over to my closet and goes through my clothes. I expect her to pick out a dress but instead she goes for a pair of pants and a cute blouse with no sleeves. "Go with this, the pants will keep you pretty warm but the blouse will make you shiver enough to get the jacket from him."
"Mom, I didn't know you were so devious."
"You don't think I caught your father without a little bit of planning, do you?" Her medication seems to be working. "Now turn and let my put your hair up in a braided style I remember. It will leave your neck exposed and, if I'm right, he'll want nothing more than to touch that soft skin."
"Mom!"
"Okay, okay! No more help from me then. I'll braid your hair and then get out of it." Her fingers move quickly and quietly and in no time at all she's done. I also notice that she's correct once I've changed. The pants have just the right fit and the blouse flows just enough. Along with my hair she's transformed me into a vision that seems more like Katniss and less like me. With Gale, that might be what I need. I only allow myself to think about him for another moment before I look at the clock and decide to head down to the square. There are a number of people gathered, a lot of faces that I recognize but none that take the time to speak to me. I see Darius over in the corner, watching passively over the crowd in his shiny uniform. It's then that I spot Gale, talking to one of the mine workers that probably just got off of his shift.
I walk over and am about to put my hand on his arm when the mine worker's eyes widen and look me up and down. He hits Gale on the chest playfully and turns to be with his buddies. Gale turns and smiles, more widely than I had hoped. I'm waiting for him to speak but he doesn't say anything.
"Is everything okay?" I ask, suddenly very nervous.
"Yeah, yeah. Remember what I said about that pretty dress?" I nod. "Well forget that. This is what you should wear if you're going to try to be convincing to any man."
I blush and before I can say anything he takes my hand and leads me to a good spot in the square where we can watch the interviews.
"Haymitch says he has something interesting in store," I whisper to Gale, hoping no one learns of my eavesdropping.
"With Haymitch in charge, who knows what will happen." Gale laughs. He seems a bit nervous. I hope it isn't because he's being seen in public with me. If that's the case, it's just starting to get dark so he won't have to worry about that much longer. The screen comes on and there's no more time for conversation. Caesar appears and makes his introductions. I see Peeta and Katniss sitting on the stage in the background. Peeta looks very handsome in a nicely tailored black suit and Katniss, of course, looks beautiful. I sneak a peek at Gale to see his expression. He can't take his eyes off the screen but he isn't looking at Katniss at the moment. His eyes are glued to Glimmer, the sexy Tribute from 1 that is barely covered by her outfit.
Soon enough her time is over and every male in the square seems disappointed as the boy from 1 comes up and acts like an overly excited child. The tributes from 2 both are made even more frightening by their confidence and haughtiness, though this could easily be their downfall as well. The tributes from 3 and 4 aren't very notable, though the boy from 4 seems to actually be quite humorous and gets a good amount of laughing. The fox girl, her name is Teumessia but calling her the fox girl seems easier, seems to be playing the 'I'm smarter than anyone here so try to catch me' card which seems like a pretty bold move.
I shiver and Gale takes his jacket off and puts it around me. Looks like my mother was right about wardrobe choice.
No one else catches much attention until Rue, the little girl from district 11. There is no other way to describe her than precious. Caesar asks how in the world she got such a high score and she giggles. He then asks her what her greatest strength in the arena will be. The crowd is silent and she doesn't hesitate for a moment when she answers, ""I'm very hard to catch and if they can't catch me, they can't kill me." she pauses and smiles, "So don't count me out."
"I wouldn't in a million years," says Caesar signaling the end of their interview. In a complete change of feeling, the male tribute, Thresh goes with the silent and scary approach as he barely answers anything Caesar asks him. When Katniss takes the stage after him every claps in the square and the hum that we can hear is so audible, so strong, that it is unmistakable. People are excited. A victor means the whole district benefits for an entire year. A victor means fewer starving children and better general life for a time period. This is the only possible bright spot coming from the Games.
Gale takes hold of my hand and squeezes it, looking very nervously at me. My stomach stirs and I swallow hard. Great. Now I'm doubly nervous. Caesar begins the interview and I don't think Katniss has a clue what is happening on stage. He asks her what has impressed her about the Capitol and she mentions the lamb stew. Everyone thinks this is hilarious, here and in the Capitol.
"Just like Katniss to be impressed by the food," Gale chuckles. Caesar goes on about the stew and gets the crowd going so Katniss settles in. Once he's warmed the audience up he goes in for what the crowd cares about, the chariot entrances. "Now, Katniss," he says in his best interview tone, "When you came out in the opening ceremonies, my heart actually stopped. What did you think of that costume?"
"You mean after I got over my fear of being burned alive?" Katniss offers.
"Yes. Start then," says Caesar. "I thought Cinna was brilliant and it was the most gorgeous costume I'd ever seen and I couldn't believe I was wearing it. I can't believe I'm wearing this, either." She lifts up the skirt to spread it out. "I mean, look at it!"
Every gets a closer look at the gown and I realize just how gorgeous it truly is. Suddenly Katniss starts twirling and as she twirls, the bottom of the dress seems to catch fire and the flames come from the jewels studding the dress. It is perhaps the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. Judging from the audience reaction, it might be the most beautiful thing they have seen too.
Katniss sits down and Gale whispers again, "Maybe that was Haymitch's surpise."
"I don't think so," I whisper back. "Whatever he was talking about comes from Peeta's interview."
Gale nods and turns back to the screen. They talk about the training scores and then move on to Katniss' most touchy subject; Prim.
"Let's go back then, to the moment they called your sister's name at the reaping," says Caesar. The crowd has calmed from the dress reveal. "And you volunteered. Can you tell us about her?"
"Her name's Prim. She's just twelve. And I love her more than anything."
You could hear a pin drop both in the audience and in the square here. Everyone loves Prim.
"What did she say to you? After the reaping?" Caesar asks.
This is hard for Katniss, who can't even open up to me. "She asked me to try really hard to win."
"And what did you say?" prompts Caesar gently.
"I swore I would." She answers confidently.
"I bet you did," says Caesar and the buzzer goes off, signaling time for Peeta to take the stage. This is the time when Peeta shines. The crowd is laughing hysterically. He talks about working for his dad and makes little jabs at all the other districts comparing the breads we eat. Then he launches into talking about how difficult the showers are in the Capitol and everyone is cracking up. Gale, however, seems not quite so amused by Peeta in general. Suddenly the mood gets very serious on screen.
"So Peeta, is your lady back home rooting for you and pining for your safe return?"
"Oh you know she would be if my girlfriend actually existed."
"Handsome lad like you. There must be some special girl. Come on, what's her name?" says Caesar.
Peeta sighs. "Well, there is this one girl. I've had a crush on her ever since I can remember. But I'm pretty sure she didn't know I was alive until the reaping."
Everyone in the square is waiting expectantly so that the new gossip can flow.
"She have another fellow?" asks Caesar.
"I don't know, but a lot of boys like her," says Peeta. I glance at Gale, his face hardened to stone.
"So, here's what you do. You win, you go home. She can't turn you down then, eh?" says Caesar encouragingly.
"I don't think it's going to work out. Winning won't help in my case," says Peeta.
"Why ever not?" says Caesar, mystified. I'm waiting for the bomb to drop. They're going there. They listened to my advice.
Peeta blushes beet red and stammers out. "Because...because she came here with me."
The square erupts and people are going crazy hearing this crazy bit of news that is no surprise to me. The camera flashes over to Katniss and she is shocked, blushing. Gale stands up and takes off, out of the square. I have no choice mentally and my body seems to just go after him. I follow him around the corner calling out his name. He's clearly upset and I just want him to know I'm here for him. I round the corner and two hand grab my waist.
The next thing I know, I'm against a wall and Gale's lips meet mine passionately. I can't help but to kiss him back. It's now that I realize how badly I wanted this to be the outcome. That I wanted this to happen. His lips are soft and his hands are rough as one comes up to my bare neck. Gale pulls back and looks me in the eye for just a moment. Something flashes but I'm not sure what it is.
"I'm sorry," he mutters before taking off toward the Seam.
I stand there with so many emotions going through me that I'm definitely more confused now than I was just minutes before.