I Learn Why

District 11

sorry for not updating everybody :( i feel pretty bad. hope you like the chapter!

I didn't like everyone watching me, and my skirt was uncomfortable. I wasn't used to it - I felt like I wasn't wearing any pants. Because I really wasn't.

I clung to Father's hand, squeezing my eyes shut.

"Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen," someone announced, and Father pulled me blindly forward.

It was like thunder was in my ears.

"Thank you, District Eleven," Mother said. Her voice was almost hallow, and it boomed even louder than the clapping. "Thank you for welcoming us."

Father knelt down and kissed my cheek. "Ivy, open your eyes," he whispered. I opened one, getting a face full of Gray's baby spit. Father laughed, but I don't think anyone could hear him. "Now the other one."

I didn't know so many people were watching me. Us. Mother and Father. Me. They were staring at me.

I was frozen to the spot.

"And who's this?" a man with blue hair asked me, and pushed a little stick in my face.

"Ivory," I whispered, but my voice was airy and loud. "Ivory Everdeen-Mellark."

"Oh, good! And what's this one's name?" Blue-haired-man smiled at Father.

Father grinned back. Why was he so happy? "This is Gray."

The thunder was back again. My ears rang.

Blue-haired-man's smile never disappeared. "You're very proud of your family, aren't you, Peeta? Tell me."

"Extremely."

"So Katniss," blue-haired-man started. "This is the little girl's district, is it not?"

I thought they were talking about me, so I shook my head.

Mother smoothed my hair back. "Yes."

"What does it feel like to be here? You must feel some guilt."

"I feel guilt everyday," Mother whispered.

"Well, we have the girl's family here today." He waved a hand, and a five kids and their parents walked on stage. They all had dark skin and brown hair. Mother made a choking sound.

"It's okay," Father whispered, touching Mother's shoulder. She moved away.

"Thank you, Tributes," the father grunted. He didn't meet my mother's eyes. "Thank you for helping my daughter."

"I- But-" Mother started. She sounded like she was choking again. I turned to the crowd, and someone in the front kissed three of their fingers and raised their arm. Then more and more did the same, until a sea of people had their fingers in the air.

Blue-haired-amn ignored them. I was so confused. "So Katniss, if you don't mind me asking, do you miss being the Mockingjay?"

I reached for her hand. She grasped mine tightly. "I will always be the Mockingjay," she said. She sounded bitter, not like Father.

I learned in school that people called my Mother a Mockingjay. I still didn't understand.

I tugged at the hem of Father's shirt. "How come she's a mockingjay?" My voice still echoed across the meadow, loud in my ears.

Blue-haired-man laughed. "She doesn't know of the Hunger Games yet?" he wheezed. The crowd was silent. "Why haven't-"

"This is over," Mother nearly growled. "We're done."

Blue-haired-man wasn't laughing anymore.

"C'mon," Father said softly, pulling me my the hand, but I was still clinging to Mother's. "We're going to go home now."

"You have no right to speak of... of that situation in front of my children!" she shouted at blue-haired-man. I felt her fingers tremble. "There will be no more interviews."

"Katniss," Father whispered, letting go of my hand and grabbing Mother's wrist. "Katniss, we should go now."

"Yes," she said through gritted teeth, and turned to follow us off the stage. "We should go. Right. Now."