Peeta x Reader

Chapter 4: The Capitol

Y/N POV

In the morning, I sit next to Will at breakfast. We are served warm bread and butter, fruit, sweet oats, and milk. Is every Capitol meal going to be like this? I eat all I can hold and I'm so distracted I don't even notice that Peeta isn't at the table with us.

"Hey Effie, where's Peeta?" I ask, dabbing my face with my napkin which makes her smile.

"I woke him up but I think he's still getting ready." Effie says. I look at Will and we both shrug. We hear footsteps and glance over to see Peeta, clean and dripping. His clothes are damp and his hair is still wet like it was last night. He sits down quietly and simply says, "Good morning." He makes eye contact with me and smiles. I smile back but I'm still confused and I don't want this to be a distraction to me right now.

Maybe that's his tactic. To distract me from the games. To confuse me so I'm not focused on winning. Is his plan to take me out? I don't know if I could hate him for that, and I know it's not his choice. He has to kill me to win. And he has to win.

"Alright, we're almost at the Capitol. As soon as we arrive, you'll be set up with a lovely team of stylists who will be getting you ready for the carriage ride." Effie explains.

"Your costumes will have to reflect who District 12 is, so you'll most likely be in coal miners outfits." Will explains. In his Games, Will was in a dirty gray jumpsuit and smothered with a dark powder to resemble the miners in our district. 12's costumes are always the consecutive least favorite.

"I have faith that this year you'll be the favorite. I'm betting on you guys." Effie reaches across the table to grab one of my hands and one of Peetas. We all look at each other and Effie starts tearing up. "I feel like I already know you so well."

This is absurd of course, because neither me nor Peeta have spoken a kind word to Effie this whole time.

"Thank you, Effie." Peeta says sweetly while I just smile.

"And after the parade you'll be taken back to prepare for interviews. I'll help you with that of course." says Will. I'm really glad Will is my mentor this year. He wooed the crowd in his Games during the interviews, which maybe is the most important thing you can do. If people like you, you get sponsors.

The train slows to a stop and Effie squeals. I look out the window to already see people shouting happily and running around. There are already cameras and commotion. I look at Peeta and he has gone up the window and is waving and smiling at the crowd while I sit back. Impressions have already started and I realize that Peeta will not need much coaching for his interview. He is great at talking to people and they already like him. I can see some of them holding signs in the crowd with his name on them and they're calling out to him. They already love him.

I leave Peeta and go over to Will.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"I don't want you in that coal outfit." he chuckles but is serious.

"The outfit is fine. I'm not worried about it now." I say.

"The crowd will have to like you. The people in the Capitol will have to like you. Peeta's already got that down. The outfits won't help." says Will, looking over at him.

I am debating whether or not to tell Will about last night, about me and Peeta. But I don't even know what's going on between me and Peeta. We're not together but I don't know if he wants to be or if I want to be. I decide against it as Peeta sits next to me, interrupting our conversation. The train comes to a stop and as the big glass doors open, a small group of Peacekeepers are waiting for us. The grab us and we are separated and escorted through the crowded streets to small, bright rooms. I try to smile at people and copy what Peeta's doing because I know this might be the best thing I can do for myself now.