The boy with the bread: The back story to Peeta Mellark

Chapter 15

Peeta's seated in a gold coloured chair wearing a white suit. It took the makeup crew over an hour to get him ready for the cameras, from covering up the scars and bruises, to styling his hair. The image they created made him look to be cared for, not thrown in a cell-but of course President Snow wouldn't want anyone knowing about that.

His heart is beating rapidly as the camera crew is preparing to air. This isn't the first time he's going to be on Capitol Tv, but that doesn't make him any less nervous. He's shaking as they touch up his outfit while seated in a chair across from Caesar Flickerman's.

The thought of Katniss sudden'y pops in his mind: will she watch this? Is she even at a place where Tv is accessable?

Who on earth knows the answer to that.

President Snow appears infront of him and interupts his thoughts, "Mr. Mellark, as they prepare you for an exculive interview that will be airing in less then ten minutes, I need to suggest some words for you to say."

Peeta puts on a confused face, "What do you mean?"

Snow sighs, "Caesar will ask you about that last night in the Quarter Quell. We want you to sort out the confusion and tell the districts what happened."

"Okay, what's so hard about that?" Peeta responds, "I wanted to save Katniss, but other people got in the way of my plans and I got kidnapped-"

"You will not mention anything of the sort. Explain what happened before the force felid broke: Brutus and Chaff. The wire."

"Is that all he's going to ask me about?"

"He might mention the war begining to form. You take our side, weather the people who watch this are on the rebel side or in the Capitol. Weather you want to take their side or not. Call a cease-fire, Peeta." he says the last part slowly, almost like he's trying to make Peeta listen carefull, afraid he'll mess it up. A cease-fire. That's what he wants.

"We're on in five!" A male voice echos throughout the studio and even though Peeta is looking right at Snow, his facial expression lies as the face he wears is clam and collected . . . . Peeta knows that on the inside, he is nervous.

By the time the clock ticks down to 0:00, the timer begins as their broadcast starts.

Caesar settles himself more comfortably in the chair and speaks to Peeta, "So . . . Peeta . . . welcome back."

The thought of being live on capitol Tv after what just happened is making Peeta forget how to speak. But after a few seconds, he sends Ceaser a slight smile and responds, "I bet you thought you'd done your last interview with me, Caesar."

"I confess, I did," says Caesar. "The night before the Quarter Quell . . . well, who ever thought we'd see you again?"

Peeta frowns, remembering that night, "It wasn't part of my plan, that's for sure,"

"I think it was clear to all of us what your plan was," Caesar leans in to him a little, "To sacrifice yourself in the arena so that Katniss Everdeen and your child could survive."

"That was it. Clear and simple." Peeta quickly remembers what he was told-the little amount of information Snow told him-and adds, "But other people had plans as well."

"Why don't you tell us about that last night in the arena?" Caesar suggests. "Help us sort of a few things."

They are at the point where the citizens in the Capitol and in the districts on the edge of their seat, waiting for Peeta's reply. This is the point where what comes out of Peeta's mouth could lead to danger, or maybe peace.