The Boy with the Bread

Chapter 4

My resolve to keep Katniss alive does not vanish when I wake up the next morning. In fact, the decision has become stronger. I don't really care about what happens to me, but I know how much Katniss's family depends on her. I can't be the one to return home the victor, having to face them with her death. If Katniss were to die in the Games, I would of course do everything in my power to help and support her sister and mother, but I'm not about to let that happen. I may not know her very well, and I have not spoken to her much, but I respect her. I admire her. I like her. And I don't want to see her die.

I begin to wonder if I should tell her my plan. How would she react to it? I ponder this as I get dressed for the day and brush my teeth. No, I decide. I probably shouldn't tell her. I have a sneaking suspicion that she won't like it. But then again, it might make us allies if she did know that I'm not out to kill her, so perhaps I should. These thoughts go back and forth in my head as I leave my room to go eat breakfast.

Maybe I'll confide in Haymitch about this, I think. After all, he is supposed to be our mentor.

And speak of the devil, he's there in the dining car. He looks a little more sober today, though his face is puffy and red from how much he drank the previous night. When he sees me, he raises his glass full of some sort of red juice.

"Well, if it isn't the boy tribute! Sit down! Sit down, that's what chairs are for!" He exclaims.

I just nod and follow his suggestion, pulling my chair up to the table that is set and ready for breakfast. "How are you this morning..?" I dare to ask. I wonder if he has any memory of my helping him last night.

"Oh I'm fantastic," he drawls, "better than last night. It was nice having my own personal nursemaid, though. I should hire you to take care of me every time I pass out drunk," He says, obviously remembering everything. I'm not sure if he's mocking me or not and I try to ignore his comments. It's then that I notice that Effie has appeared, looking her usual, vivid self.

"Come to think of it, I would have enjoyed your company last night even more, dear Miss Trinket," he says in that same drawling tone.

She blinks, unsure of what he's talking about. He continues to chuckle, and she huffs, exasperated. I keep my eyes on the plate, only looking up to see what the breakfast is when the servers appear and set it on the table. I grab a roll that is shaped like a crescent moon, recognizing it as a type of breakfast roll that my father bakes.

"Whatever it is you are talking about, I don't think I want to know," Effie says loftily.

"Oh, come now, Effie. You know you like me," he says as he broadly grins. I do my best to avoid looking at either of them as a mug full of a creamy brown liquid is handed to me. It looks like coffee and it's warm as well, but when I ask what it is, the server tells me it's called hot chocolate.

"I think I like you better drunk," she mutters before stalking off to a side table where she pours herself a mug of coffee.

As I begin to serve myself a little bit of eggs and fruit, Katniss appears. Already embarrassed, and with Haymitch still chuckling and Effie muttering to herself, I decide to keep my eyes down. The hot chocolate tastes good anyways and I sip it slowly. It is sweet and creamy, just the right amount, unlike the intensely rich cake from last night. Katniss is also served some and I notice her eyeing it warily.

"It's called hot chocolate," I tell her. "It's good."

She must agree with me because before she eats any amount of food, she gulps the beverage down. I can't help but smile a little, though I turn my attention to my breakfast, starting to think of home. My first thought is of my younger self watching my father eating his breakfast. He would dip his bread into his mug of coffee that he drank every morning, probably to soften the stale bread as best as he could. I had always asked if I could try it for myself, but he would just smile and tell me I wouldn't like it. It turns out, he was right. I have always preferred tea.