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

Part 12

By the time Rue left and it was only Peeta and myself in the room, I was shaking and sweating. Peeta hadn't looked at me until now, and by the look on his face, I must have looked really nervous. Probably green with sickness because I felt like I was going to see my lunch again. He called for a servant to bring me water and grabbed my hand.

"Prim? It's okay, it's just an interview. Don't worry." He says as calmly as he can.

"Easy for you to say, Haymitch actually stayed with you for more than 30 seconds. He told me to be cute and innocent." I say, scared as I see the time winding down.

"He didn't help you? I'm going to kill him. Anyway Prim, just think of it like this, my interview is going to be 10x harder than yours. Just go with cute and innocent like Haymitch said." He says. I look at his eyes.

"Why is yours going to be harder?" I ask, curious.

"Well, I can't say right now, but you just watch my interview and you will see." He says, and a body guard of some sort shows up. Peeta hugs me and lets go of my hand. "Remember, cute." He reassures me with a smile. I return it with one of my own and am led down the hallway until I am on the edge of the stage. Thresh is just walking off the stage as Ceaser is introducing me.

"And now, from district 12, the girl that got a 10 in training, who blew us away at the opening ceremonies," 'Please Ceaser, stop bragging me up. I have enough problems the way it is.' I think to myself.

"Primrose Everdeen!" I need to make a good impression, for the sponsors. So instead of walking out there like the other tributes did, I skip merrily with a giant grin on my face, until I bounce in front of Ceaser. He is laughing along with the audience. I give them my cutest smile and joyfully take my seat.


"Well, I have never seen a tribute do that before" He says still laughing.


"Well, I am one of a kind Ceaser!" I exclaim. I don't really like doing this. Acting like I enjoy this when in fact I don't. I don't want to share my life with these people, but I'm going to. If I want to go home.



"So Prim, how are you liking the capitol? What so far has impressed you?"



The food comes to mind first, but I go with the showers.



"The Capitol is fantastic! What I really love right now is the showers. We don't have anything like them back at home! They give off scents, and are really warm, like rain!" I say, just a bit too joyfully. 'Tone it down a little.' I think to myself.



"Well, I am glad you like it." He says and smiles. "Now, usually I ask more questions, but this one has been on the mind of many people." He asks.



"Yes?" I say respectfully.



"Well, at the Reaping, there was a young girl. About 16 years old. When your name was called out, she looked like she was going to get sick, but then the cameras went back to you. Do you know her?" He asks.



"Um, yes Ceaser I do. She is actually my sister." I say.



"Yes, of course she is. Can you tell us about her?" He asks.



Of course I can, but I really don't want to. But I need the sponsors if I want to see her again, so I do.



"Well, Katniss has been keeping me safe for the last 5 years. After my father died in a mine explosion, she has been buying the stuff for our family and working for it while my mother stayed busy as a healer." I say. I had to lie just a little because if I said she has been hunting in the woods, she would be executed and my mother would be arrested for not being able to take care of her kids.



"And she has always been there for you?" He asks.



"Of course she has! She loves me more than she loves herself. She has been working so hard to keep me safe." I say.



"And despite all she has done for you, she didn't volunteer? That seems a bit odd." He says. That comment really makes me furious!



"Well Ceaser," I say calmly not to lose my temper. "If the cameras had stayed on her longer, you would have seen that she fainted. That by the time she came to, Effie had already led me into the Justice Building." I finish.



"Oh, my dearest apologizes. I had no idea that's how it had happened. Well, I do hope that you can make it back to her Primrose." He says.



I smile, still showing my cuteness, and say "Please, call me Prim. And thank you. I hope to see her again in a few weeks as well." I say, even though I'm not sure I will get back. Then my buzzer goes off and Ceaser reaches for my hand. I let him grab it and help me up.

"Ladies and gentlemen, Prim Everdeen!" He says raising my hand above me. He let's go after a long applause, and I walk back where I can from. While I'm on my way, I give the audience a big smile and blow them all a kiss.