The Mentor

7

I wake up the next morning early. When I step into the shower, I catch sight of myself in the mirror before it steams up. I haven't looked this exhausted since my Victory Tour, and before that, my Games. I let the hot water soak into my skin, then wrap my hair in a fluffy towel, put on a black t-shirt that extends to my knees, and go out to breakfast.Haymitch, Peeta, and Katniss are already there. I look at the table and sit next to Katniss. She gives me a look of surprise, maybe suspicion, but I heap my plate full of fruit and bread, ignoring her.It's not until Haymitch finishes several plates of stew that he looks at Peeta and Katniss."So, let's get down to business," he says. "Training. First off, if you like, I can coach you separately. Decide now.""Why would you coach us separately?" Katniss asks."If you've got something to hide," I say. "A special skill, a talent…""I don't have any special skills," Peeta says. "And I already know what yours is, right? I mean, I've eaten enough of your squirrels."Katniss studies him for a moment. "You can coach us together," she says."All right, so give us some idea of what you can do," Haymitch says."I can't do anything," Peeta says. "Unless you count baking bread.""Sorry, I don't. Katniss, I already know you're handy with a knife," Haymitch says."Not really," she says. "But I can hunt with a bow and arrow.""And you're good?" Haymitch asks."She's excellent," Peeta says. "My father buys her squirrels. He always comments on how the arrows never pierce the body. She hits every one in the eye. It's the same with the rabbits she sells the butcher. She can even bring down deer.""What are you doing?" Katniss asks him."What are you doing? If they're going to help you, they have to know what you're capable of. Don't underrate yourself," Peeta answers."What about you? I've seen you at the market. You can lift hundred-pound bags of flour. Tell them that. That's not nothing," Katniss snaps."Yes, and I'm sure the arena will be full of bags of flour for me to chuck at people," Peeta says. "It's not like being able to use a weapon. You know it isn't.""Shut up, both of you," I say, and I turn to Haymitch. "Peeta can wrestle. He got second-place in their school competition.""What use is that?" Peeta asks. "How many times have you seen someone wrestle someone to death?""There's always hand-to-hand combat!" Katniss snaps. "All you need is to come up with a knife, and you'll at least stand a chance. If I get jumped, I'm dead!""But you won't! You'll be living up in some tree eating raw squirrels and picking off people with arrows. You know what my mother said to me when she came to say goodbye, as if to cheer me up, she said maybe District Twelve will have another winner. Then I realized, she didn't mean me, she meant you!" Peeta shouts."Oh, she meant you.""She said, 'she's a survivor, that one'. She is."Peeta's face is white. I force my hands to stay in my lap, resist the urge to brush his hair from his eyes."But only because someone helped me," Katniss says softly.Peeta shrugs. "People will help you in the arena. They'll be tripping over each other to sponsor you.""No more than you," Katniss says.Peeta rolls his eyes at me. "She has no idea. The effect she can have."Katniss glowers down at her plate, and in that moment, I have no idea what this effect is."Well, then," Haymitch finally says. "Well, well, well. Katniss, there's no guarantee there'll be bows and arrows in the arena, but during your private session with the Gamemakers, show them what you can do. Until then, stay clear of archery. Are you any good at trapping?""I know a few basic snares," she mutters."That may be significant in terms of food," Haymitch says. "And Peeta, she's right, never underestimate strength in the arena. Very often, physical power tilts the advantage to a player."I cough, and Haymitch grins. "Unless you happen to be Piper, in which case you happen to be clever.""Yeah, don't underestimate the little ones or the ones that seem weak," I say, looking down at my very small frame. "You'll learn you were wrong the hard way. Look, in training, keep your skills a secret. Visit the plants and ropes stations. Learn to throw a spear or a knife. Ignore the Careers. Save your skills for the private sessions. Got it?"They nod."One last thing," Haymitch said. "In public, I want you by each other's side every minute." They both begin to protest, but he slams his palm down. "Every minute! It's not open for discussion! You agreed to do as I said! You will be together, you will appear amiable to each other. Now get out. Meet Effie at the elevator at ten for training."They both leave the table, Katniss looking royally pissed off."What are you playing at?" I ask him. "First the matching costumes, then the clothes today. Now you want them to spend all their time together. What's going on?"Haymitch looks at me. "Piper, during your Games you had Leif beside you all through training, alongside the chariot. I realized something about that, a strategy.""You think that helped me win?""There's nothing the Capitol loves more than a good tragic ending. Most of them were convinced Leif was in love with you, and then Magnus. Half the reason the Capitolians are all still so obsessed with you is because those boys made you unattainable.""You're trying to turn Peeta and Katniss into a pair of star-crossed lovers," I say, and he nods. "In that case, you should know…last night Peeta told me he's in love with her."I've never seen Haymitch look so pleased. "Piper, there'll be sponsors left and right.""For Peeta or for Katniss?" I ask softly.Haymitch's smile fades. "I promised you I'd get him home and I will." He stares down the hall to where the tributes disappeared. "Katniss reminds me a little of you.""Peeta said the same thing.""Yeah, well, I'm not saying Katniss is your long-lost twin. You knew how to play the game. You caught the Capitol's eye and then made them all fall in love with you without batting an eye." He sounded almost bitter."That's not a bad thing," I remind him. "I won my Games, didn't I?""Yeah, well, there are a lot of times when I wish you weren't so damn charming."I stand up and kiss his cheek. "I'm only that way for them.""That's what you think," he says. "But trust me, Pidge, it's really hard to hate you. Maybe you can get through to Katniss. You're good at opening people up, figuring out what makes them tick, and finding a way into their hearts.""The only problem is, those people usually find a way into my heart too," I answer.Haymitch shrugs. "They sure as hell don't trust me. Maybe they'll trust you."