"Now how are you finding the Capitol and don't say with a map?!" Caesar chuckled, making the audience and Peeta laugh. We all stand around the television, Haymitch and I keeping an eye on Katniss.
"It's different, very different from back home"
"In what way? Give us an example"
"Okay, well the erm, showers here are weird" I laugh along with the audience, as Peeta makes a joke, at least, I think it is.
"Showers? We have different showers" Caesar gives the audience a quick raise of his eyebrows.
"I have a question for you Caeser, do I smell like roses to you?"
Now that got me by surprise, Peeta is practically asking Caesar to smell him. I shake my head and laugh, as I go and get a drink of water.
When I return, I instantly notice the tension in Haymitch, the eagerness in Effie, and the confused look on Katniss, that's when I know Peeta is about to tell the nation.
"I don't believe it for a second! Handsome man like you, Peeta, tell me" Caesar begs. Peeta sighs, and leans forward a little.
"Well there, there is this one girl that, I've had a crush on forever" There were a few 'ahh' from the audience and Caesar "But I don't actually think she, recognized me until the Reaping" Here we go...
"Well, I'll tell you what Peeta, if you go out there, and you win this thing, and when you get home, she'll have to go out with you, right folks?!" The audience cheers in response, and Caesar gives his famous evil laugh.
"Thanks but I don't think winnings going to help me at all"
"And why not?" We all intake our breaths, our eyes glued to the screen. Peeta's silent for a minute, and then sighs.
"Because she came here with me"
Silence overcomes us all. We're speechless. I take a look at Katniss, who's frowning slightly. I decide to break the tension.
"Effie?!" I joke, causing me to get THE death glare from the lady herself.
"And it's not Lucinda?" I'm so startled by his question that I instantly laugh
"No" Peeta whispers "It's not Lucinda"
"Well that's bad luck"
"Yeah, it is"
"And I wish you all the best of luck" They shake hands
"Peeta Mellark! District Twelve!" And that's it, the interviews are over. But honestly, if Katniss' looks could kill, Peeta would instantly drop be the first to go.
_*_
"How'd you think they're doing?" Haymitch asks, as we step out of the lift and into the apartment.
"Well hopefully she hasn't killed him yet"
"Hmm, no I think she'll do it when they get back, you know, to get away from the cameras."
Haymitch and I are the first back from the interviews, much to our surprise, even Effie wasn't back yet! We stand on the balcony, overlooking the entrance to our apartment.
"I suppose" Is all I can say. All I can think about is what I have to do in that arena tomorrow. Peeta really has grown on me I have to say. He's not just a pretty face, he's got a good heart, and he fights for what he believes in. As a matter of fact, he's not the only one. Katniss has too, she's going to prove difficult in the arena, let me tell you. And little Rue, Ah, what a sweetheart.
But my thoughts are soon interrupted, when there's a loud bang, as though someone had just been thrown against a wall.
" Haymitch what in the world-" But once again, I was interrupted
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" I hear the sound of Katniss shout.
"Haymitch!" Effie yells frantically, so Haymitch and I come to the rescue.
"YOU DON'T TALK TO ME AND THEN YOU SAY YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON ME?!" By this time, we've reached the floor, and are running towards them.
"YOU SAY YOU WANT TO TRAIN ALONE IS THAT HOW YOU WANT TO PLAY?! HUH?!" Haymitch and I both tackle her away from Peeta, the poor boy.
"Stop it!"
"LET'S START RIGHT NOW!" And she stops, at least, I hope she will
"He did you a favor!"
"He made me look weak!"
"He made you look desirable! Which in your case, can't hurt sweetheart" Haymitch explains, slightly out of breath.
"He's right Katniss" Pipes up Cinna.
"Oh course i'm right! Now i can sell, the star-crossed lovers from District Twel-"
"We are NOT star-crossed lovers!" Katniss glares at Peeta.
"It's a television show!" Haymitch sighs, so I speak up.
"Katniss being in love with that boy might get you sponsors, which could save your damn life!" Katniss looks confused for a moment.
"Why don't you get out of here, maybe I can deliver you both in one piece tomorrow"
I slip off my heels, and rub the heels of my feet, giving Peeta a small smile, before I hear Effie bark at Katniss.
"Manners!"
_*_
I lie in bed, unable to move, or think for that matter. All different thoughts are telling me to do all sorts of crazy things. I've never been able to sleep before the Games. Never. It's always nerve-wracking, all hope just seems to vanish, without a trace. I lift myself up, move the hair away from my eyes, and get up for a glass of water.
While I'm there, I splash myself with freezing water, seeing if I could do anything to stay awake for as long as possible, you know, because you don't want tomorrow to come?
"Luce?" I almost drop the glass. Haymitch is standing in the doorway of the kitchen.
"Jeez, Haymitch! That was scary, especially in the dark!" He chuckles, and then takes a seat.
"Sorry, I heard someone get up, I was just wondering who it was."
"Oh, well now you know" I place the glass in the sink, and lean back on the counter.
"How are you feeling?"
"Honestly? Not so good" I admit.
"Don't worry, as soon as the horn sounds, you'll be completely in your zone" He shrugs, as though he knows what's going to happen in the next scene of a film.
"But what if it's just me and Katniss left? Or me and Peeta left? Or me Katniss and Peeta?! None of us will be able to kill each other. And I'm not sure I'll be able to live with myself if I let them sacrifice themselves for me." I sigh, rubbing my temples. Haymitch was silent for a moment,
"But that may not happen-"
"But what if it does?! What then! I've never been in a situation like this before, and probably never will be, Haymitch what do I do?!" Halfway through, Haymitch took me in his arms, and embraced me tightly.
"No matter what happens, I'll support you no matter what, I'll do all I can to get you sponsors-"
"No, we've made an agreement, all of us. We're going to save Katniss, we all know she's got a better chance of winning that Peeta, please Haymitch, for me?"
After a moments hesitation, he nods "But you know, if I'm ever in desperate need of something, you can always send me something" I shrug, causing us both to laugh.
"I love you Haymitch, thank you for always being there for me, when no one else was, you're the only one who's ever understood that I've ever been through. We've shared our pain as Victors together, and I can't thank you enough for that" He smiles, and wraps his arms around me, hugging me more tightly than before. When I'm sure I feel teardrops on my shoulder, from Haymitch's rare few tears, he whispers
"I love you too Luce"