Peeta x Reader

Chapter 5: The Parade

Y/N POV

     Cinna leads me outside and I see that Peeta is already situated in the carriage. I can see that he is in a similar outfit to mine. He also has a black jumpsuit and cape but no headpiece. I sit next to him and we talk for the first time since last night.

    "How do you feel Peeta?" I ask.

     "Ridiculous." I laugh at this and then wonder how he thinks I look. I have tons of makeup on and a big headpiece. "You look beautiful, though." I blush at this and he grabs my hand and squeezes it. He can probably sense how nervous I am. 

     "Peeta, how am I supposed to make them like me?" I ask, because he has already made such a positive impression on the Capitol. 

     "Be yourself." He replies.

     "We both know that's not going to work. They don't like me." I say.

     "They don't know you. Not like I do." He says. They never will.

     "How am I supposed to make them like me?"

     "Just smile. Be polite. Right now all we have to do is seem nice."

     "If we take this approach, Peeta, we're just going to appear weak."

     "Not to sponsors."

     We decide to try to present me as a sweet, innocent girl to attract Capitol sponsors but I don't know how we're going to be eye-catching with these costumes on. Cinna and Portia approach us.

     "Okay, time to shine," Cinna says grinning. "Y/N I could tell you were unsure about the outfit, but here's what'll make you guys stand out." 

     "Now don't worry," Portia says, "You won't actually feel the flames, but it'll just look like you're on fire."

     Peeta and I look at each other terrified. Before we can protest, Cinna and Portia light our capes and my head piece on fire. I wince, fully prepared to die right here before the games even start. But I feel nothing. Peeta looks at me, yelps, but then smiles.

     "Wow." Peeta says, admiring me.

     "She's beautiful, isn't she?" Portia can't keep her eyes off me either. I hope the people watching feel the same way. I wonder what they'll think in the District. Will they even recognize me with all this Capitol makeup on? Suddenly I feel embarrassed, out of place, and not like myself. Peeta gives my hand a reassuring squeeze and the carriage starts to move. We both stand up straight and I smile.

     I face the crowd and wave because Peeta does. I try to copy his expressions and gestures to the cameras. Everyone falls silent once we come better into view. I think it's because they're afraid we're burning, but then the whole Capitol square erupts into cheers and applause. Everyone is on their feet and hollering at us. Peeta and I stare directly into the camera and with our hands locked, hold them above our heads. This encourages the crowd even more.

     The carriage makes a few laps around the square and each time, I pass President Snow. He sits surveying everything on a large chair. He is very pale with white hair and a short beard. He is drinking from a wine glass but the color is unlike any liquor I've ever seen. Blood red.

     The carriage comes to a stop. The parade is over but I don't let go of Peeta's hand. I am overwhelmed with emotions of foolishness and happiness. Cinna extinguishes our flames and without thinking, I lean over and plant a kiss on Peeta's lips. I've been wanting this for so long I realize. He kisses me back, letting me know that he feels the same. We pull away and smile at each other until Will approaches us.

     "Great job out there guys," Will is beaming. He turns to Cinna and Portia. "Their clothes are incredible."

     "It's only Cinna's first year, you know." I say proudly. After today I consider Cinna my ally.

     The stylists and Will share kind remarks about each other while Peeta and I smile and nod. Eventually he pulls me away, excusing us from the conversation.

     "So... we were on fire today." he laughs. I smile.

     "Thank you for everything Peeta. For comforting me. For helping me, giving me advice. I owe you a great deal." I say, seriously.

     "I'm sure no one was looking at me today. Not with you right next to me." He glances down at his shoes and then back up at me, sweetly.

     "Y/N, what's going on?" Peeta grabs my hand and locks his eyes on mine.

     Is he talking about the kissing? About the games?

     "What do you mean?" I ask.

     "Us. Those kisses didn't mean nothing." I notice it's hard for him to say this out loud. We've been best friends for so long and I know he doesn't really want anything to change.

     "Well... Peeta I-" I'm cut off by Will and Effie, saying congratulations to both of us. It's hard for me to hear them. I've been so overwhelmed since the Reaping and I don't know how much longer I can contain having new information fed to me.

     Effie escorts us back to our rooms, giving us most of the day off.  "Dinner will be at 7." is all she says. Peeta and I separate in our rooms and I strip out of the jumpsuit. I step into the confusing shower, pressing buttons and having freezing and scalding water shot at me until I find comfortable settings and press a button marked 'SAVE'. I stay in the shower for a long time, thinking. I think I do want Peeta. To be with him, for real. But I don't know if I can tell him that. I can't even say it out loud to myself. It would be unfair for both of us because of what we're about to face. 

     One of us is going to have to kill the other, and I made a promise to myself to keep Peeta safe.