peeta mellark ༄

3. hide behind that babyface

lyrics, cigarette daydreams by cage the elephant

you were shocked to see how dirty your stylists truly thought you were. you thought it was impossible for anyone to feel cleaner. every unwanted hair, dry patch, and scar seemed to be stripped from your skin. you felt bare and naked.

now, you lay alone in a room, laying on a table with a gown to cover you. it wasn't until you heard footsteps that you sat up.

you were met with a man, in his early 20's most likely, with gold eyeliner and gold accents, piercings along his ears and overgrown stubble.

he put his hand out for you to shake. "my name is cinna."

cautiously, you took his hand in yours, exchanging your name. he nodded. "it's nice to meet you. i'm sorry this happened to you, and i'm here to help you in any way that i can."

you were speechless for a moment. this was the first time anyone besides your brother and your aunt, had felt sorry for your situation. it was more surprising hearing it from someone from the capitol. you decided there that you liked cinna a lot more than anyone else from this place.

"so tonight," he started, "they have the tribute parade. they're gonna take you out and show you off to the world," he informed you.

you swallowed. "turn me into a capitol fashion icon?" you joked sadly. cinna gave a chuckle. "no, don't worry about that. usually they dress people in the clothes from their district. you're coal miners, but i have something better. everyone has seen the coal miners. i wanna do something that they're gonna remember. did they explain about trying to get sponsors?"

you shifted and looked off bashfully. "i think that's more of peeta's strength," you thought out loud.

cinna smiled. "we'll see."

within an hour, you and peeta were dressed up in some strange black suit. cinna explained to you both that the fire was not real. "these suits are built so you won't feel a thing."

"looks pretty real to me," peeta returned.

"that's the idea," cinna told. "you ready?" he brought the stick with the small flame of blue fire closer, and you stepped away instinctively. cinna gave a laugh. "it's okay, dont worry. here. peeta first?"

the boy in question nodded, and within a second, cinna brought the fire to his suit and he burst into flames. your heart pounded, until peeta gave you an astonished smile, and you were able to calm down. his eyes were wide and filled with wonder, giving you the nostalgic feeling of being a child. his hair was slicked back again, to your distaste. you much preferred it waving over his forehead. the fire lit up his eyes, so closely his skin seemed gold and his eyelashes feminine. you smiled in amazement at cinna.

peeta lifted a flamed finger to your suit, causing yours to fire up this time. you flinched in surprise, clenching and unclenching your fists. you really couldn't feel a thing.

"told you," cinna remarked. you smiled.

"the first chariot is already gone," he added. "step into yours, smile, wave," he instructed. "make an impression." with one last smile, cinna was off to wherever he was supposed to be, leaving you and peeta to step into the chariot and wait for the black horses to be given the signal to take off.

"you scared?" your district partner asked, looking at you with dark hazel eyes.

"no," you answered. "are you?" he turned to face forward, breathing in. "a little." you could see the anxiety written across his features, from the slight furrow in his brow and the upwards glance on his eyes.

you faced forward as well. "just don't make me hold your hand," you joked with a straight face, attempting to ease the tension.

he smiled in return. suddenly, the horses started to move forward. you could hear caesar flickerman's voice echoing in the crowd, and you gripped the front of the chariot anxiously.