Princess of Panem

2.2

"Carine" (I don't know if this is actually her name but according to research it is) Jerraco greeted the Everdeen matriarch. She smiled at the man greeting him as well and the two started a conversation. Katniss looked to the side to see Prim and Melody talking about something medical. Gale was holding Melody's hand while speaking to Lux and Finnick about his unit. Cordelia who was holding hands with Finnick was in conversation with Regina about some trainee. Cordelia sat three spaces away the three spaces open. A redhead whom Katniss recognized from the tapping of Atlas's reaping sat next to Cordelia. Regina seemed happy by her arrival.

"Victoria Collins." Prim told her before turning back to her conversation. "Where's Leila?" Melody asked looking at the two empty spots. "With Johanna." She nodded turning back to her own conversation. Another woman sat next her. She did not look like a Kane, she had a different face shape and blue eyes. Her black hair was in a bun and she was huffing. Lux got up and moved to be in-between Victoria and the new woman. "Reign Kane." She introduced herself. Katniss nodded.

"Where's Percy?" This time it was Prim who asked. "Medical wing he's having his check-up." Prim hummed. "Who's Percy?" Katniss asked in a low voice. "Her and Lux's kid, he's like a month old." Katniss nodded. There was a groan as the TV sounded with Capitol music, Caesar Flickerman smiled at the screen. "Today we have a very special guest. Peeta Mellark!" Katniss stood up staring at the screen. Peeta looked mainly healthy he had lost a bit of weight but looked fine otherwise. Cordelia clenched her fist as the others screamed at his interview. She was even more pissed when Lux did and Reign stayed quiet.

Gale himself looked upset but didn't voice he stayed quiet. "Lux sit down." Finnick said annoyed. Katniss was staring at the blank screen. Prim had gotten up and went to put a hand on Katniss's shoulder. Before she could the teen ran off. "Lux you are an imbecile. You have no idea what happens in the Capitol what he's going through he's saying what he needs to say to survive. Something every Victor at this table has done." Cordelia then followed Katniss she could still hear her footsteps. They stopped and Cordelia found Katniss curled up shaking. "They'll kill him." She whispered.

"Coin won't try to save him, I'm the reason he's like that and I can't save him." She sobbed. Cordelia rubbed the girls shoulder. "Katniss, you underestimate yourself. You're the mockingjay there is no rebellion without you. If you demand something Coin will have to give in." Katniss blinked looking at the older girl. "She'll try to deny you but if you demand it you'll get what you want." Katniss slowly nodded before her breathing got harsh again. "I can't breathe. I can't." She started clawing at her shirt trying to say she couldn't breathe her breaths getting shorter and quicker. "Katniss, Katniss, look at me focus on me, copy me. In out, in out," Cordelia repeated it till Katniss had calmed down.

"What was that?" The teen questioned. "A panic attack I got them too after my Games." Cordelia remembered her first one she'd almost had another just freaking out over not knowing what had happened. "But why?" Cordelia sighed. "When the Games end they start another one inside your mind. You likely had one because you were panicked. Sometimes them come in the form of flashbacks, it's good if someone close to you knows. Different people have different ways of stopping them, you'll figure out what works." Katniss grabbed her wrist. "What do you do?" Cordelia sat down next to the teen. "I do a tapping thing with my fingers. Index, middle, ring, pinky, repeat sometimes I just tell myself in, out. Other times Finn has to help me by talking to me and reminding me I'm not in the Games."

Katniss nodded. "Please don't tell my mom, or Prim, or Gale I just I don't want them worried." Cordelia nodded. Her own family didn't know too much about what she went through, Regina had more of an idea due to Annie, Lux could probably guess but Reign was by far the most stable out of them so there was a good chance he didn't know. "Try distracting yourself keep yourself busy it helps." Katniss nodded allowing the woman to help pull her up, as Cordelia turned to walk back Katniss stopped her with a hug. "Thank you." Cordelia separated herself. "You're a strong girl Everdeen, be safe." Katniss nodded watching the woman walk back towards the cafeteria. Katniss followed her hoping to find Prim.