The Broken Pieces (Skinny Love Sequel)

Chapter Three

Chapter Three

~Katniss's POV~

My legs burn from jogging around District 1 for two hours. I had to fly here from District 12 for a meeting. I woke up early then took my daily jog to empty my thoughts with my earphones in, softly playing music. Of course, it's interrupted by someone calling me though.

"Hello?" I exhale while saying, still pacing myself in running.

"Meeting is in 40. I'd hope you come now to take a shower and such." Effie replies.

"Be right there." I hang up while changing directions.

Soon enough I make it to the building we are staying in. "Mummy!" Ari's cries build up.

I take her from Johanna and she calms down. "Get ready now darlin'!" Effie shoves and I hurry along. "Mummy." Arabella mumbles. "Yes baby?" I kiss the side of her head.

"Bed." She yawns.

"Try to take a nap." I dress her in a black and white dress then wrap her blanket around her small body. She lays her head onto my shoulder as I dress into a pair of jeans with a floral top, overtopping a yellow jacket.

"Katniss!" Effie shouts. I walk downstairs and hush her since Bella had fallen asleep.

"I am sorry but we need to hurry on now." She rushes and I go outside to the large car. It drives us to the Justice Building of District 1 and we enter.

The room we meet in is a large white one with a chandelier dangling over top of us. Many men and women in fancy suits and dresses loudly chatter. They instantly stop as they acknowledge my presence. "Mrs. Mellark." President Snow raises an eyebrow, while sitting down in the middle of everyone.

"Good luck." Effie wishes me while happily walking away. Leaving Arabella and I with them, I didn't want to bring her but it was requested by the board.

"Is that the child?" A pink haired lady chirps.

"Arabella Grace." I nod while slightly tipping Ari's sleeping figure towards her. She gasps and awes. I laugh at the small gesture.

"Take a seat." Plutarch pats the seat next to him as I gratefully obey.

"Now, this year's games need to have a different setting then the woods. Ideas?" Plutarch asks everyone.

"Maybe an island." Someone throws up an offer.

"Yes! Blaring heats and annoyingly uncomfortable sand." Someone else adds.

I watch as every one bickers back and forth.

"Maybe a new torture every hour?" I hear someone screech.

"Okay, okay." President Snow quiets them down, "It's decided. A beach that gives a different thing of torture every hour."

Everyone becomes in agreement.

They end up talking about things I couldn't care less about like gas rates and market sales. I play around with Arabella before I hear something I am interested about, the medical department.

"What's the updates on Peeta Mellark?" I chirp and everyone snaps their heads towards me as it grows silent. Nervousness lurks in my stomach but I keep a strong expression on my face.

"Mr. Mellark?" President Snow's deep voice booms as I almost shiver at the intensity.

I nod as courteously as I can, not wanting to upset him.

"He is doing somewhat well, we are getting closer to the solution." The leader of the board of medicine answers.

A few mumbles are heard within the crowd.

"Thank you." I give a smile to the strict looking women but she returns the smile. That is until Snow glares at her politeness towards me and she returns to her dull expression.

President Snow clears his throat, "Yes, now. Is everyone happy with the current status of everything now?" It's obvious some want to say something but they're too frighten of him to speak up so they stay quiet.

"Good," He replies. "You are dismissed."

Everyone grabs their things and I try my best to be the first one out, not wanting to be apart of this hideous meeting with these people who are incredibly bloodthirsty.

"Mrs. Mellark, can you stay?" I drop my hand from the golden doorknob and spin on my heel to become face to face to the President.

"Indeed sir." I walk over to him as he directs me to his office that is connected with the board room.

"Take a seat." He demands in which I obey. Arabella becomes fuzzy as I silently pray she'll stop while bouncing her on my knee.

The peacekeepers walk out and shut the door as Snow sits in front of me to capture my full attention.

"Now, I'd like to discuss the rules about your mentoring." He begins. "You may give simple things such as survival tips and how to make alliances but you mustn't talk about how the arena will be set up or hacks that are talked amongst the board meetings. Are we clear?"

"Crystal." I state. He gives a sick smile.

"Wonderful, you're dismissed." I thankfully leave and am grateful it wasn't long, Bella began to panic. She must've been acting like that because she didn't get to sleep long for her daily nap.

I'll probably put her for bed extra early tonight.

Effie escorts me back to the car in which we drive back to our assigned home. We are leaving in two days so I somewhat have some time to relax before heading back to my original district. I have to admit District 1 is very pleasurable though.

Setting Arabella in her crib, I kiss her forehead goodnight.

"Sweet dreams." I mumble while turning the light off and walking out.