What if Katniss didn't Volunteer? (Complete) (2013 Watty Award WINNER:)

Part 7

We sat in the waiting room for the private sessions. Peeta and I are the only two left while Thresh is in there now probably blowing them away even though he is from one of the last districts. With his size, they couldn't not notice him, even if they tried. I know his time is almost up and it will be me next. I want to say something to Peeta but nothing wants to come out of my mouth. I am just to nervous. In a minute, I hear a computerized women's voice call my name. I stand up and am at the door when I hear Peeta say

"Prim, good luck." And smiles. I blush a little and smile back

"Thanks" I say, and open the doors. I look up in the corner and the game makers are al talking. They are probably drunk and so stuffed full they could puke. They want to go home with their families and take a nap I'm sure, so I won't be getting much attention.

"But you have to!" I tell myself as I walk over to the weapons. I pick up a bow, finding it only slightly different than the one I used in training. I found during training that the faster I shoot the arrows the more accurate I am. I look at the game makers again and find them pouring more wine and laughing. I don't know right away what at, then I realize it's me! They are laughing at me! I hear a few of them say

"Oh how cute, she thinks she can use a bow!" And

"Go on honey, why don't you scoot up a bit?" All of them laugh.

They are making fun of me. I give them the meanest look I can which only makes them laugh more, and grab my arrows. I look at them and harshly say

"Primrose Everdeen. District 12. Don't forget it while you are drunk." Then turn and start shooting. I do a few moves as I shot at the dummy about 40 yards away. I spin around, tuck and roll. I even jump on a crate and do a flip. I keep shooting my arrows, but never looking where they land. I can't concentrate on that right now. Just grab, load, release, and repeat. When I finish shooting, and the quiver is empty, I find that I did much better than expected. I hit the dummy every time! If they hit a real person, every shot but 3 out of 12 would have killed them! The others would have wounded enough to pull another arrow! I myself am in shock, but keep it hidden. As if I knew I would do it! I look at the game makers and every one of them has their mouth hanging open. I walk toward the balcony where they sit and say very smugly.

"Aw how cute! Bugs are starting to fly in their mouths." And I smiled. Then I said, even louder than before,

"Primrose Everdeen! District 12! Don't forget it when you sober up." And then left.

When I get back upstairs, everyone except Peeta is getting ready for dinner. I go to my room and I take a fast shower. I didn't realize it but I sweated a lot during shooting. I can't wait to tell everyone, but I will wait for them to ask. So I don't seem cocky.The only scent I have used is Primrose and I'm starting to smell it a lot. I love the smell, even if it is made by these dreaded people. It's weird though, how much I have changed since I have come here. Back home, I would always try to look for the best in people. Here, all I can see in these people is my reflection of hatred for them. I guess not all of them are bad; some might even disagree with the Games. But how can they stand up and say something without being shot before finishing their sentence? I get out of the shower and dress into a blue dress that goes down to my calves. I like this dress. It's pretty and I don't have to be attending a special occasion to wear it. I towel dry my hair and leave the remaining bit wet. I brush through it and go out of my room.

In the dining room, Peeta has just showed up and is heading for the table. I take a seat between him and Cinna. I can't wait to tell Cinna about my session today! To tell him that his hard work to make people notice me has not been wasted. But I don't get the chance. As we are all siting there eating, Haymitch and Effie turn to Peeta.

"What did you do during your session today?"

Peeta replied. "Just threw weights around. I threw a couple spears that hit each dummy I was throwing at in the heart or stomach. They game makers didn't seem very impressed. So after 15 minutes, I left."

Haymitch and Effie nodded in approval and went back to eating. I waited for them to ask me. I coughed a few times and "accidentally" kicked the table to get some attention, but it didn't work. I am furious! I might be 12 but I'm still a person! Still a kid! I sat there waiting and when nobody bothered to even look at me, I spilled my drink. All over the table. Peeta got up,

"I will go find an avox." He said, and went into the kitchen. Everyone just sat there, waiting for help to come. I am so mad right now that words could never describe how I feel. I stood up suddenly, knocking over my chair, and yelled.

"Hey! I'm still alive here! I just had my training session too! No one has bothered to even look at me, let alone ask me what I did! I'm not dead yet, so quit treating me like it!" I turned on my heel and left the table. I walked around the corner to the sitting room and waited for someone to follow me so I could flee to my room. No one came, but I heard Effie say

"That girl needs to learn some manners!" I hate her remark but I hate myself more. I don't get mad at people. I'm nice. I always have been. I need to go apologize. I'm about to stand up and go back, but out of nowhere, I heard Peeta.

"Wow guys, come on! You have no hope for her at all! Quit worrying about me and help her! That's what I'm doing, in the arena, so you might as well too!" Then I heard footsteps coming for me. I should run to my room and lock the door, but I sit still. I watch as Peeta forms from the corner of my eye, to right in front of me. He doesn't look mad, and he calmly says

"Let's get out of here."