Begin Again [Wattys 2013 Finalist]

Chapter 35

I'm anxious the whole time on the train, nervously anticipating being interviewed again. I wonder how Peeta manages to stay so strong about it all. For God's sake, the last time he did one of these interviews he was full on hijacked! But he's fine and I can't stop dreading it. I try, yet again, to play chess with Peeta and Haymitch. And, yet again, I hate it. I end up passing my time watching TV. I can't manage to get away from the promos for the interviews. The same footage of myself and everyone else plays on the TV over and over again. When the train finally arrives in the Capitol, I practically sprint off. It's mid afternoon and we don't have to be anywhere until tomorrow morning. Peeta pulls out the sheet of paper from Paylor with the information for the hotel. Haymitch is sober enough to walk and talk without stumbling (thankfully) so we decide to walk instead of calling a car. The weather is nice. Sunny, but I can feel the breeze on my legs. I let myself become distracted with all the colors and styles of the Capitol. I note that animal features are still in style, in addition to pets with dyed fur. Every time I see a woman in a dress that looks like its covered in bubbles or a man wearing shoes with stacked heels, I subtly point it out to Peeta and we both laugh. It turns into a little game, and even Haymitch joins in. We finally arrive at a huge hotel and get our keys from the front desk. Haymitch is on the sixth floor. Peeta and I are on the fourteenth. Paylor really went all out, because I've never seen anything like this place. Maybe once. It reminds me of the one that was used to house the tributes. The extravagant lobby, glass elevators, and finally, the huge suite that we stay in. It's beautiful, but it's just so similar to the one I remember. As I decide if I should bring this up or not, Peeta says, 

"It's designed just like the tributes' hotel. It's so similar!"

I nod in agreement, adding,

"It's not as big and high tech, but I can't stop thinking about how much they look alike."

"Does it bother you?" He asks, concerned. 

Surprisingly, I shake my head no and he agrees. It doesn't bother me. It's in the past. It's better now. We're not going into the Hunger Games. After repeating these thoughts, no, facts, in my head, I've finally convinced myself not to freak out. As Peeta and I throw our bags on the bed, we hear a knock on the door. We open it to see Paylor and invite her in. She greets us and says, 

"I can't stay, I'm sorry I'm in a rush, but here's your schedule for tomorrow!" 

She smiles and leaves as quickly as she came, leaving us to look over the plan.

10 AM: I leave for prep.

11 AM: Peeta goes to get prepped.

1 PM: Depart for interview.

2 PM: Arrival at stadium.

3 PM: Interviews starts.

7 PM: Train departs.

"Easy enough," Peeta says.

I shrug in agreement when the door flies open. No knock. I know before turning around that it's Johanna Mason.

"Hey, brainless," she says to me, using the old nickname.

"Peeta hey!" She continues as she hugs him.

She wraps her arms around me, but I don't hug back. 

"Oh, come on Katniss."

I finally hug her back at the sound of her using my actual name.

"I'm starved. Lets go out to dinner," she says, practically reading my mind.

"I have a better idea," I say.

Thinking of Annie and her son, I suggest we go get them and order in. 

"I'll lead the way!" Says Johanna, who already knows what room Annie is in. We stop twice. Once to invite Haymitch to dinner and once to say hello to Beetee and invite him as well. Haymitch greets Johanna with open arms, but passes out drunk on the couch immediately after saying hello. He must hate it here more than I do. We knock on Beetee's door and he lets us all in with a smile on his face. Never the less, he declines our invitation to dinner, claiming that he's exhausted. We decide against inviting Enobaria and finally get to Annie's room. When she opens the door and sees us, she practically shrieks with excitement as we hug.