DUSK ~Peeta Mellark~

Interviews

I didn't really know where to start on the last day of training before private sessions, so I just went to the camouflage station. I had always been good at painting so I hoped that would come in handy. I was really just messing around since I figured I wouldn't have time to paint my entire body while in the arena. All I was doing was painting on my finger to experiment and see what I could do. I heard someone approach the station and looked up to see Peeta.

I gave him a small smile and went back to painting on my finger, but he broke the silence. "I thought you'd be somewhere with Katniss." I looked back up at him as he spoke. "Yeah, I kind of thought you would too." He smiled and laughed a bit. "So why aren't you with her?" I questioned.

"Sometimes she's a lot to deal with." I laughed a little and put down my tiny paintbrush and moved to wash the paint off my hand. "Is that what you like about her? Her stubbornness?" He didn't answer my question and instead asked me one. "Is Finnick the one who taught you to go for everyone's secrets?" I finished washing off my finger. "Maybe I just like knowing everyone's secrets." With that I gave him a smile and walked away.

-

The day for interviews came and Stan was helping me get ready. Since my parade outfit was pretty big, he didn't make me wear anything too crazy. A blue dress that in my opinion looked like a blue disco ball. But I was probably being dramatic. It was really beautiful.

EXAMPLE:

While I was backstage, I watched Effie tend to Katniss' dress -which was a wedding dress for whatever reason- while saying "Just be yourself. Actually, be your happiest self." I thought it was funny that Effie Trinket had to remind Katniss to be happy on stage. Johanna started talking to Katniss, so I went behind the curtain since it was almost my turn.

Beetee walked up the steps that led to bleachers that we had to stand on and Ceasar called my name. I stepped onto stage, the light hitting my eyes instantly blinding me. I put on my best smile and sat in the chair beside Ceaser's chair.

"Hello Kora. It has been a while since we have seen you. How has victor life been treating you?" His question seems easy to answer given the current situation, but I must act nice. "It was great until the quell announcement honestly. I think I speak for most of the victors here when I say it is not exactly thrilling to be sent back into the arena"

I remembered to speak the truth while also being polite as well like I had been taught only two years ago. "Yes, I think most would agree with you. But we wish you luck in the arena." "Thank you." I say in return. I do not get how they wish me luck when they will be watching me fight for my life for fun. None of this makes sense.

"So, I am assuming you made sure to spend time with your brother and sister?" I sit up a bit at the mention of my siblings who are most definitely watching me right now. "Yes, I did make sure we got to spend time together. You never know when the last time you will get to be with your family is." People start to clap and cheer at that response.

Ceasar asks some more little questions before my time is up and I walk up to the bleachers. I tune out the rest of the interviews until Katniss comes out in that huge wedding dress. But as she spins it disappears and a blue dress under it reveals itself. She raises her arms slowly and as she does so wings rise from the sides of the dress.

I recognized the bird. A Mockingjay. We don't get many in 4, but they lurk around sometimes. It is amazing how talented Cinna is. Then Peeta comes onto stage already dropping bombs on the capitol by saying things like he and Katniss are already married but they didn't tell anyone.

But the biggest bomb he drops sends everyone going crazy. "I wouldn't have any regrets at all if it weren't..." He trails off seeming hesitant and I can't help but get curious. "If it weren't for what? What?" He takes another second before answering. "If it weren't for the baby."

My jaw drops and the crowd goes wild yelling to stop the games or postpone them. I see Peeta look at his mentor in the crowd and smile a bit. He was lying. That genius made up the whole thing.

I see Haymitch give him a smile back as he raises his flask of alcohol. When Peeta gets to the bleachers all the tributes hold hands and raise them in the air as the lights are cut out. But the cries to stop the games and save the "baby" do not stop.

A/N: By far my favorite chapter! We hope you guys enjoyed it too!!! It was a bit short but we go a lot of Peeta so at least that happened! Next is the actual games so it will get a lot more fun from here!! Thanks for reading!