Till The Mockingjays Sing

Chapter 2 - Revenge is sweet

(Katniss P. O. V)

"...We are all of us united, all into one. Panem today, Panem tomorrow "

Applause. Peeta bowed. I didn't bother to. Why should I? I hardly said anything. Glimmer's family nodded at me. Marvel's family just gave me a cold look.

Haymitch whispered on my ear, "Nice job sweethart." I nodded to show I understood. The chilly wind hit me in the face, full-blast of it. I shivered, but not as much as I did in District 2. The young girl's icy look was still on my mind.

Effie herded us back to the train. "Next stop is the Capitol." She said in her funny Capitol accent. I let out a small groan. Effie ignored me and went on talking.

"You'll both have a lot of things to take care of, so chop chop, to your stylists!" She ordered.

And we did as we were told. Without even eating lunch, we were whisked off to our stylists before either of us could get a word out.

"Ahhh, the Girl on Fire is back?" Cinna said gently. I smiled, this time a genuine one. Cinna's kind manner always made him easy to be around. I gave him a small "Yep" and nodded my head to show I was ready. Cinna assigned my prep team to work while he went to fetch the dress.

As usual, Venia, Octavia, and Flavius had their chatter complaining about party food, and wrong dresses and hairstyles. I nodded every now and then, even though I wasn't really listening.

Finally, they all had my makeup on and squealed and said what a picture I looked. Cinna entered the room with a plastic bag, my dress. "Close your eyes." He said. I did as I was told, my heart thumping. I felt them putting on the dress and fiddling with my hair.

When Cinna demanded I open my eyes and look in the mirror, I gasped.

I was wearing a hyacinth blue dress down to my ankles. It was decorated with countless diamonds. On my head lay a gold crown, excatly the one I had wore when crowned victor.

Cinna smiled at me. "What do you think?" He asked. "I think it's absolutely gorgeous." I murmured. He gave me a light smile. "I thought you would like it." He said, stroking my hair. "Ready to go, Girl on Fire?"

I nodded. I was ready.

My prep team kept gasping and squealing and saying how marvelous I looked. I normally ignore them, but this time even I thought I didn't look too bad.

Effie held my hand. "Come, come." I held Peeta's hand and let Effie lead the way. We entered through the huge marble doors to a crowd of cheering fans waving roses and blowing kisses. The deafening roar blasted through my face, and I smiled. The Capitol anthem began playing and Peeta and I led the way, Capitol people shouting and screaming behind us.

I sat down at the honored guests' seat and looked up at President Snow as he stepped up to the balcony. His white hair looked as fresh as ever, that suit straight and formal as usual. He waited until the cheering died down before he began his speech. I squeezed Peeta's hand and held my breath.

President Snow cleared his throat. "Ladies and gentlemen, the victors of the seventy-fourth anual Hunger Games are here, standing in the same room you are! I would like to welcome the third Quarter Quell and congratulate Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark on their engagement!" More clapping. I saw myself in the television camera and realized I had been unmistakably blushing.

President Snow clapped his hands. The crowd cheered. "Let the feast- begin!"

Avoxes appeared out of nowhere and filed the table in front of me with everything. Every single thing you could name. Salad. Hamburger. Hot dog. Cheese buns. Pizza. Pasta. Macaroni and cheese. Everything.