Catching Fire: The New Story

I Lie My Way Through

Katniss's POV

Like every other Peacekeeper, the one walking before us wears a pearly suit, created with strong armor for protection. The man is unusually tall, tall than any man I have ever seen. His helmet hands off his belt, the screen lifted. It is odd seeing his without the head protection, although Darius is usually without his at the Hob where I mostly see him. His hair is blonde, which indicated he was not born and bred in eleven. His skin is light and pale, like Peeta's, but wrinkled by age. His eyes I caught a glimpse at, almost blue but more toward green. He strides with pride; he looks strong as he leads us through the Justice Building, intimidating. The man pushes open a set of giant, stone doors full of recognizable people.

"Peeta! Katniss! Where have you two been?"

Our prep teams rush over to us, engulfing us in hugs. I wrap my arm tight around Peeta's arm; Peeta holds my other hand in his and gives me a reassuring squeeze.

"Peeta! Oh, your cheek! What happened?" It is Portia who takes notice in poor Peeta's injury. She is rather loud when she says this and everyone's attention turns toward us.

"Well, um –" I stutter. I got this far, I might as well make something up. "We were just talking a walk around the Justice Building, exploring a bit, when Peeta, uh." I bite my lip. To keep my act up, I water my eyes. "Well, he was hit!"

All the Capitol people gasp, Haymitch stands in the back, glaring. He is probably wondering if I would rat him out. Effie comes running to us, putting her hands on the sides of his face; she examines him thoroughly. I continue my story. "Yeah," – I give a nervous laugh – "While we were walking around, we ran into some two men arguing and Peeta went to stop them as they got physical. He was hit before Peacekeepers came to stop them."

"Well, Katniss, don't you worry your pretty little heart on his cheek. We can fix him up in no time. Come on, Peeta." Portia dragged Peeta away, his prep team swarming him and practically crying for him. Cinna and my prep team take me to another room to change for the dinner party. We pass Haymitch and I give him a dirty look. He will get what he deserves later.

The three wacky dressed Capitol people before me squeak questions my way, but I am too tired to answer any. If today was as long as it was, how would the rest of the two weeks on this Victory Tour go? I just sit in the chair they placed me in and let them apply new makeup, slipping on a simple, pink dress on me. It is sparkling on the top, cuts off at my waist with a gold belt, and ends with ruffles that reach my knees. Layers of fabric flow out from under the ruffles and hit my ankles. Just breathing moved the whole dress. Cinna hands me gold heels, an inch too high for me. I carefully walk to the mirror to take a look at my dangerous self. Flavius has left my long hair down, curling it in big ringlets. My eyes shine with every movement. My hair sparkles in the light; my lips are a dark, plump red, so kissable.

I give a small smile to my prep team, who stand behind me in unrest to see my reaction. "It's beautiful, as always. Thank you."

"Oh! You are so welcome, my dear!" they squeak. I smile, and they follow me out to meet with Peeta. He is dressed in a light gray suit, it fits him well; it, as well, matches my dress well.

"Wow, they did a wonder on your cheek!" I say, lightly running my thumb on his now perfect cheek. He winces when I apply pressure to his injury. I rub my thumb against my fingers and feel the thick makeup from Peeta's face.

"Ready?" he asks. I nod, giving a small smile. I then look into his eyes to see him staring at me. They are filled with all his love, giving me the softest glance. I know he thinks of me as this gorgeous thing, as if I was this piece of exotic diamond he has worked so hard to discover after years of research and hunting for me. His eyes travel my body in a way that I no longer find uncomfortable; they memorize me, ever crease, curve, imperfection, and sparkle on my dress. He shakes his head and leaves his gaze, grabbing my arm in his after looking into my eyes and smiling.

Effie then pushes us out to the dining room, and dinner goes by quickly. We meet many people, not one name I remember, as we walk to our seats. Peeta is at my right, Haymitch to my left. Everyone else is scattered around the table, talking amongst themselves or with some important person I met a few minutes ago. Peeta and I stay quiet, a bit too quiet for everyone else. Effie continuously tried to pull us into a conversation but we end up to ourselves again.

Before we leave, Peeta and I thank the mayor and send some waves to everyone. Our prep teams, Effie, Haymitch, Peeta and I walk out the Justice Building to the cars that take us to the train station. Peeta and I take a car with Haymitch. The atmosphere is quiet and uncomfortable for me, at least. I lean my head on Peeta's shoulder; he places kisses on my head every few minutes. I don't push his love away anymore, and I think he sees that now. Everyone enters the train tired of the long day. Effie suggests hot chocolate in her tired Capitol voice before bed, and everyone agrees. We all fall onto a couch or chair while we wait for the Avoxes to bring us the chocolate. I end up beside Peeta, kicking my shoes off, and laying my legs over his lap. I lay my head on my chest, his arm wraps around my waist. We all shiver when the hot mugs hit our hands. Peeta keeps me extra warm as we sip on the chocolate. The feeling of wanting Peeta more enters my mind again. I want his look, his touch, his fingers tracing my body, memorizing every mark and scar. Although it all makes me uncomfortable at times, it is easier to handle, and I want more. More, all of what he is offering me. I want it, I need it, I love it. I sigh, shaking my head. Peeta and I walk to my room after finishing the chocolate. He waits on my bed as I change into shorts and tank top, washing my face in the bathroom and leaving my hair down.

Peeta tucks me in, his jacket laying on the edge of the bed, his shoes kicked off at the door. "Goodnight, Katniss," he whispers against my forehead. He places a gentle kiss and I smile.

"Goodnight, Peeta," I say, kissing his lips. I am as surprised as he is, but he only smiles, picks up his jacket and shoes, and leaves, closing my door behind him.

I close my eyes, trying to forget what I just did. I relive the day, something I have come to do often at night, and wince when I remember the old man, Rue and Thresh's family. He died for me; Rue believed I could win, and she died for me as well; Thresh gave me mercy at the sight of giving Rue a peaceful death she deserved. They died for me at the hands of the Capitol, just for me.

*

Author's Note:

Tbh rewriting these chapters are fun at times, like today. I've learned so much from when I started writing on freaking Instagram. I used to post the chapters there, but I transferred them to wattpad after I discovered it. It was a good move, this book almost has 200k reads.

I love all my readers! Thank you for reading and commenting and just loving THG with me. Thanks.

~Jez xo