Chance || Peeta Mellark

Idea [15]

The time had come, the group sat on the couches in front of the television, waiting for Caesar Flickerman to announce the individual scores. Alexis hadn't had the chance to speak to either of the tributes about how they went, but she guessed this score would give her an idea. She remembered the other night, the talk that her and Peeta had about him just throwing around weights to show his talent.

"It's Peeta and all he can do is throw a ball..."
"Oh yes. Strong boy, is strong. Yes! He shall be scored a 100 out of 12. Highest score ever!"

She smiled as the conversation played in her head, she looked over to the boy, the nerves and anticipation clear on his face. She wanted to go over and assure him he'll be fine but alas she diverted her eyes to the screen.

Each tribute was showcased, from here we learnt who was the most dangerous. As usual it was the careers all scoring 9 and 10's, the Boy from Two looks like he would be the leader, Cato was his name. He almost had the same sneer as the boy with auburn hair.

Then it came to District Twelve, Alexis had zoned out from what Ceasar was saying only to see an eight come under Peeta's photo. "Peeta!" Effie calls out, excited.

"Congratulations."

"Well done."

Finally, Alexis looked over to him, it seemed as though he was seeking her approval, "You did good, Pita." A smile came across his face, as he nodded, "Strong Boy is strong..." she laughs to herself as only the two would understand, she could hear a scoff come from the boy as everyone looked back up awaiting Katniss' score.

Katniss wasn't so confident with her score, she had told us her story before we sat down. She had shot an arrow at the Gamemakers, well not exactly at them, it was at an apple near the gamemakers. Alexis had laughed, congratulating the girl on being so confident with her shooting. We watched as Katniss' photo came up closely awaiting her score. Then it showed. Eleven. Everyone went hysterical, congratulating her on such a such score. Alexis went up to the girl and hugged her, congratulating her on such a high score. Her eyes then drifted to Peeta, he  looked worried. She took a deep breath before walking over to him and hugging him, she then lifted herself to her tippy toes to whisper in his ear. "So, so strong."

His chuckle blew his breath down her neck, giving her a shiver, "Thanks, Lexi..." Once they released each other he reached up and scratched the back of his neck and Alexis cleared her throat, stepping away from him. Then the girl got a proper look at the boy, he was scared but he tried hard to hide it. Katniss getting a high score must be making the boy nervous.

After a while, it was time to have dinner. Alexis pulled herself from her bed and walked into the dining room to see food spread across the entire table. She sat down next to Haymitch before Katniss walked into the room. She scanned the room as she sat at the table, "Where's Peeta?"

Haymitch swallowed whatever foul liquid was in his mouth before answering, "He's in his room." He answered honestly, "Now listen, tomorrows the last day we get to work with our own tributes before the games. So we will be going down at 9..."

A look of confusion crossed Katniss' face, "Well what about him?"

"Oh he says he wants to be trained on his own for now on," Haymitch answered simply. Alexis' then zoned into the conversation. This was news to Alexis. What does he mean 'he wants to be trained on his own'?

"What." Katniss asked as Alexis began to fill her plate with a roll and a rice, stew mix.

"This kind of thing does happen at this point." Haymitch explains, "There's only one winner, right?"

One winner.

An idea began floating around in Alexis' head. As the old saying goes, 'when there's a will, there's a way' and Alexis had that will. She was going to get them both out.

The girl quickly picked up another plate, filling it with the same things as the original plate. She then picked up both and walked down the hall, saying nothing, only the sound of her heels against the tiles to be heard. As she reached the end she juggles with the plates to knock on the door. When he didn't answer, she let herself in.

Once she entered and closed the door she saw him sitting on the end of his bed, his head resting on his hands. He looked up to see the girl, "Look, I don't really want to talk.." Alexis' shushed him as she handed him a plate which he took without question. The girl then pulled over a chair to sit in front of him, the sat in silenced for a moment just looking at each other until Peeta let out an uncomfortable chuckle. "Was there something you wanted?"

She nodded, "I don't know how to put this." She then looked around the room, she was suspicious that someone was watching them. She quickly sat beside the boy leaning over to his ear so no one could hear but him. "I have an idea." She could feel Peeta nod, "I want to get you both out, both out of the games." She whispered, barely audible. She pulled back to see the confusion on his face. "You have to listen to me though."

"Of course." He said, the look of concern still prominent on his face.

Alexis nodded, "Your interviews are tomorrow, afternoon?" She asked and he nodded, "During your interview, I want you to..." she then moved closer to his ear, "Confess feelings for Katniss."

The boy pulled back so quickly, both teens were in shock, for different reasons. Alexis was not expecting him to react like that, whereas Peeta did not expect that to come out of the girls mouth. "I cant do that." The boy said in a harsh whisper, "I'm not in love with her."

"But you have to be." Alexis pushed, she was sure this idea would work, "Peeta you're smart, just imagine it, 'the star crossed lovers of district twelve', could you imagine the way the Capitol people will react? They love that kind of stuff." The girl explained, "They'll begin to root for you both to win..." Peeta still looked unconvinced, "Even you two holding hands at the parade, you've already started it."

Peeta shook his head, "I'm not in love with her." Alexis angled her head, "I'm in love with someone else."

"Well pretend you're talking to that someone," Alexis said softly, "It'll sound more convincing, you need to convince the Capitol. I need you both to come out. Alive." The girl grasped the boys hand softly, "Please."

The boy was still for a moment, before he finally nodded, "Okay."

A smile came across the girls face, "This will work," She said standing up, the boy was staring into her green eyes, almost pulling her back down to him through such an intense look. "I'll talk to you tomorrow, I'll give you more detail, but other than that... just be yourself. They will love you."

A grin crossed his face, "Yeah?" He called out as the girl began to leave, she poked her head back into the doorway from the hall.

"Yeah."