Up In Flames

Chapter 5

Disclaimer; do not own hunger games! (no) do not own hunger games! (yes)

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I go into my room, and Effie Trinket tells me to do anything I want, everything is at my disposal. Just to be ready for supper in an hour. I peel off my mother's blue dress and take a hot shower. I've never had a shower before. It's like being in a summer rain, only warmer. I dress in a dark green shirt and pants.

At the last minute, I remember Madge's pin. For the first time, I get a good look at it. After a minute, I finally realize what it is. A mockingjay.

My father loves mockingjays, but now that he can no longer sing, he doesn't hear or see them much. My father used to have an amazing voice, whenever he sang, all the birds would stop to listen.

I sneak to the edge of my room, sticking my head out the door. There's no one in the car presently. I make my way down the hall, searching for Peeta's room.

When I finally find it, I reach my hand to knock and, The door flies open, causing me to fall forward.

Strong arms catch me and I look up into Peeta's crystal eyes.

"Hey" he says, smiling.

"Hey" I answer back, my cheeks turning red. I step back. "Um, I just, uh- wanted to see you" my train of thought is lost.

"Well, I wanted to see you too" he comes closer and kisses me.

After a second, I put my hands on his chest.

"Um, Peeta?"

"Yeah?"

"Gale kissed me"

"What?" he looks surprised.

"When he came to see me, and he told me he loved me. But I pushed him away" I sigh "I can't imagine being with anyone but you Peeta"

Peeta looks annoyed, not angry. "I wondered when something like this would happen.."

"You mean you guessed?"

"I see the way he looks at you Katniss"

"What's that supposed to mean?" I'm confused.

"It means that he's in love with you. You have no idea, the effect you can have" he laughs "Sometimes I wonder why you're with me, when you could have him"

"But I don't want him, I don't want anyone but you Peeta"

"And I wouldn't want to be with anyone else"

We walk together to the dining car, hand in hand. Then take places side by side at the table.

"Where's Haymitch?" asks  Effie brightly.

"Last time I saw him, he said he was going to take a nap" says Peeta.

"Well, its been an exhausting day" she says. I think she's relieved by Haymitch's absence, and who can blame her?

The supper comes in courses, and Effie comments on how at least Peeta and I , have decent table manners.

And I suppose that compared to last year's tributes, we do. They had both been from the seam and had never had enough food their whole lives. And when they did have food, table manners were surely the last thing in their minds. Peeta's a bakery's son. My mother taught me and Prim how to eat properly. But something about Effie's comment annoys me so much that I make a point of eating the rest of my meal with my fingers.

Peeta smiles at me and chuckles softly. I throw a cold glare back at him.

After dinner we go into a different car to watch the recap of the reapings.

One by one we see the other tributes, the names called, the volunteers stepping forward or, more often not. We examine the faces of the kids who will be our competition. A few stand out in my mind. A monstrous boy who lunges forward to volunteer from District 2. A fox-faces girl with sleek red hair from District 5. A boy with a crippled foot from District 10. And most hauntingly, a twelve year old from District 11. She has dark brown skin and eyes, but other than that, she's very like Prim in size and demeanor.

Then lastly there's District 12, me volunteering for Prim, the rest of District 12 giving me the salute. Haymitch falling off the stage. Then Peeta's name being drawn, the look of desperation in each others' eyes as we flung ourselves into a hug.

"Your mentor needs to learn a lot about presentation" Effie says sternly.

Peeta laughs "He was drunk" says Peeta "He's drunk every year"

"Every day" I add. I can't help but smirk a little.

"Yes" hisses Effie "How odd you two find it amusing. You know your mentor is your lifeline to the world I these games. The one who advises you, lines up your sponsors . Haymitch can well be the difference between your life and death!"

Just then, Haymitch staggers into the compartment. "I miss supper?" he says in a slurred voice. Then he vomits all over the expensive carpet and falls into the mess.

"So laugh away!" says Effie. She hops in her pointy shoes around the pool of vomit and flees the room.