"It's a big, big, day!" Effie claps her hands, ushering me towards the front door.
Katniss and I's prep teams had shown up at the crack of dawn and I haven't gotten the chance to see her all day. I was anxious and I think it was obvious to everyone.
"You'll see her soon," Effie says. Apparently, it had been publicized in the Capitol thal President Snow's elusive grandaughter had followed me back to my district and had spent the last few months here with me. They were all excited to not only see her face for the first time in years, but also to get details on her budding relationship with their beloved Victor. "They're not going to be able to contain themselves when they see the two of you together! Okay, you're first."
I'm forced outside in the snow to answer some questions for the cameras and it seems to take forever. My family wasn't planning on saying goodbye so I was ready to go and get this tour over with.
"A little birdie told us that a certain Capitol princess is smitten with you," the interviewer says. "Is there any truth to that?"
"I don't kiss and tell," I say, immediately feeling my cheeks heat up. I hadn't meant for that to slip out but when I turned on that switch like I did during all of my Capitol interviews since being reaped, I couldn't help but let out those kinds of comments. I had always been great in front of crowds, I just turned it up for the Capitol since it's what they want. It's part of what got me out of the Games alive after all.
"That sounds promising," the interviewer beams. I'm sure they're excited to get the biggest scoop of the year. "How have you spent your time since becoming a Victor?"
"I've taken up painting, " I say, remembering the talking point from Effie. Since I don't need to go to school anymore, Victor's were expected to take up some sort of craft to show off for the Capitol. Now that I could afford paints, I chose painting. It was similar to drawing which I would do with stray pieces of charcoal or old pencils that were worn down to a nub. "I've sent some to the Capitol," I tell the interviewer. I knew they were going to present them during my interview with Cesar Flickerman at the end of the tour.
"That's wonderful! I'm sure everyone will be excited-"
"Peeta!"
The interviewer's face lights up and she waves the camera in Katniss' direction. Katniss runs out of the house, a huge smile on her face. Her eyes don't leave mine as she makes a beeline straight towards me. For a second, I think I might be dreaming, and we're back to the way we were before I messed it all up. She barrels into me, her arms wrapping around my neck. I lose my footing from the force and we fall into the soft snow. Her hair is braided back, and her prep team left her looking young, not heavy makeup like in the Capitol. I wonder if that was Haymitch's idea to make her look less intimidating to the public? Her dress is a dark green under her matching coat which is soft. It feels like real fur.
"Hi," I say, moving a strand of her hair behind her ear.
A guarded look flashes across her face for just a second and I know she's pretending. Stupid Peeta. Of course she hasn't magically forgiven you overnight. Her face transforms back into a smile. "Hi."
Katniss leans down and presses her lips to mine. It's just like I remembered, all soft and warm, and Katniss. I can't help myself when I grab the back of her neck, bringing her closer. She sighs, and her lips part, deepening the kiss.
"Ahem."
Katniss and I quickly pull apart and she blushes, refusing to meet my eyes. That had to be a good sign, right? Unless I'm reading too much into it.
"Sorry," I give the interviewer a sheepish look. "Can't help myself, I guess."
"It's quite alright," the interviewer says. I help Katniss up and she clings to my arm. "Ms. Snow! How are you liking District Twelve? It seems you are certainly enjoying yourself."
"It's been wonderful!" Katniss says. "Everyone has been so kind and it's beautiful. And Peeta makes the best cheese bread. Oh, you have to try some."
I can tell that once the Capitol gets a taste of the ray of sunshine that is Katniss Snow, they're not going to get enough of her. Even the interviewer is already enamored.
"Maybe he'll share his recipe with us," the interviewer laughs.
"Sorry, no can do. It's my secret recipe," I joke.
"But you shared it with me," Katniss says.
"Well, I've always had a weakness for pretty girls," I wink and her blush deepens.
"Well then, I guess you're a lucky girl, Ms. Snow" the interviewer says.
"Katniss please. Ms. Snow makes me feel old," Katniss says, wrinkling her nose.
"Of course. Katniss," the interviewer smiles.
We head towards the train station with a promise from Effie and Haymitch to meet us there and the interviewer continues to ask Katniss and I questions. She answers most of them with enthusiasm, while I try my best to keep up, too distracted by getting to be near Katniss again after weeks. Her face is completely healed, without even a scar left over. She does have some dark circles under eyes like she hasn't slept well in a while.
"Right, Peeta?"
"Sorry, what?" I snap my eyes back to Katniss who's looking at me with concern.
"You'll have all the time in the world to stare at Katniss when you're on the train." the interviewer teases.
"Sorry," I say and now it's my turn to blush. "What was the question?"
"I was just asking about how the two of you met," the interviewer clarifies. "What do you remember about that day? Katniss says you were a little apprehensive at first, but she had never been so excited to meet anyone before."
"Did she?" I glance over at Katniss. "Well, I think she just caught me by surprise. She was just so different from anyone else I had ever met that I didn't believe she was real. I was a little overwhelmed by all the amazing things I was experiencing for the first time in the Capitol and she was like…this ethereal being. She was wearing this orange dress. It's my favorite color, and of course she knew that. And you know the first thing she does? Before I even know her name?" I take Katniss' hand and I spin her around. She giggles and I catch her around the waist. "She twirls. I mean, who does that? But she did. I can't really explain it, but I've been hers ever since." I lift my wrist, showing off the cuff. "Look, she's even claimed me."
The interviewer places a hand over her heart. "What a lovely story. Well, we're excited to see more of the two of you during this tour. We better let you get on your way," the interview says. She turns to the camera, reciting whatever sign off she's rehearsed before heading to the Justice building. I think they needed more footage from around the district to supplement the story they wanted to tell, leaving Katniss and I alone on the train platform.
"You remembered all those things?" Katniss asks, a flicker of hope in her eyes. I hate that I've reduced her to this.
"Of course I did," I say, taking her hand in mine. "Katniss, what you heard with Gale-"
"Peeta," she tries to interrupt, tugging her hand away but I refuse to let her go.
"No, Katniss. You said your piece, now I'm going to say mine. What you heard with Gale, I didn't mean a single word of it. I might have thought that way, at first, before I got to know you, but I couldn't help it then. You're not the enemy, you never were. And what this became, it wasn't pretend. I guess it was easier to keep lying than to admit…"
"Admit what?"
"That I'm really falling for you, Katniss Snow. And I don't want to stop."
"I don't-"
"Don't say anything. Not right now," I say. "I know I hurt you, but I do see you for who you are. And I'll keep trying to prove it until you believe me. No matter how long this takes." I hold up the cuff with her symbol. "This means I'm yours and I mean that, Katniss."
She's silent for a moment and I think I've just fucked it up even more when she finally speaks. "Give me time, Peeta," Katniss says.
"Katniss! Peeta!"
We turn and see Prim, running towards us with something in her hand.
"Prim!" Real excitement explodes on Katniss' face and she meets the little girl halfway, lifting her in a hug. "What are you doing here?"
"Mom said I could come and say goodbye before you left. She was going to come too but one of our neighbors went into labor. Here, I brought you this," Prim says, handing Katniss a small book. "It was my dad's. It's his plant book. He would record all the plants he found and write about them and draw a picture. I was hoping you could take it with you and record the plants in the other districts since I won't be able to see it."
"Wow," Katniss says, tracing the cover of the book. "Are you sure you want to trust me with this?"laughs.
Prim nods. "Mom said I could and I think Dad would have liked that too."
"Thank you Prim. I'll guard it with my life and bring it back to you. I'm not a very good artist, but I'm sure Peeta could draw the pictures."
"Of course I can," I tell Prim. "But only because it's you," I ruffle her hair and she gives me a toothy grin. I heard from Haymitch that Prim had visited Katniss several times while she stayed at his house and they were closer than ever.
"I'm going to miss you so much, Katniss," Prim says, throwing her thin arms around her.
Katniss squeezes back. "I'm going to miss you too. But I'll see you soon. And I'll take good care of this."
Effie sticks her head out of the train, looking around. When she spots us, she waves us over. "Come along, children! We have a schedule to keep."
"Oh, you can't be late!" Prim says excitedly. "Bye Katniss!" She hugs her one more time. "You too, Peeta." She hugs me too, with more strength than a person her size should have.
She waves us goodbye as the train pulls out, and Katniss doesn't back away from the window until we can no longer see her.
Katniss turns from the window and I'm eager to talk to her again, but she backs away. "I should change."
"You look beautiful," I tell her and she blushes. "You always do."
Katniss frowns. "I don't…" Her voice drops down to a whisper. "I don't know if you're telling the truth."
"I am. And that dress is your favorite color."
"How did you know my favorite color?" Katniss asks, surprised.
"I asked Haymitch," I say, wishing it was a little more romantic than that.
"Oh."
"I'm going to win your trust back," I tell her. "I know this may have started as a request from your grandfather, but everything now? Everything is different. I like you, Katniss Snow. And I'm not ashamed of it. I'll shout it if you want me to," I say, taking a deep breath. "I LIKE-"
Katniss slaps her hand over my mouth. "Okay, okay," she laughs, some of the light returning in her eyes. "You're going to alarm the others." Her hand drops and my hands find her waist. "Win my trust back, Peeta Mellark. Please."
With that, she walks towards her room, looking back with a soft smile on her face before going into her room.