It's Always Been You

Chapter Twelve; Just To Be Sure

"Do either of you have any skills?" Peeta asks as Zane takes a few bites of his soup. I look over to Acacia who is picking at a piece of bread, an uninterested look on her face. Zane shrugs. "So neither of you have any type of survival skill at all? Please, enlighten me, tell me how you survive every day in District 12."

"Woah there," Haymitch says as he enters the train car. "Haven't I taught you anything about mentoring?" He asks as he pats Peeta's back. He sits down next to Acacia, looking her up and down. "Perk up, honey."

Acacia gives his a look, rolling her eyes and letting out a deep sigh. "I can throw a knife." She says, and I raise an eyebrow.

"Can you be more specific?"

"I used to mess around with my older brother. He was six years older than me, so we'd 'train' for the games together. He said that if one of us were ever to be reaped, he'd want us to be prepared. We threw knives and made bows. I can hunt a little, but nothing like you. I can fish, also."

"That's a start. You have an advantage since you're 14. We can watch the videos of each tribute tonight, and we will see who the two of you will be competing against." I say.

"Zane, can you do anything?" Peeta asks shaking him to get his attention. He looks up, seeming troubled. He looks as if he's about to start crying.

"I can't." He says, looking down at the table. "I haven't ever trained or even picked up a knife. I'm going to die in there."

"That's not true, Zane, we can help you." I say. Haymitch looks at him, frowning.

"I'm going to my room." Acacia says, standing up and taking the piece of bread with her. She reminds me so much of myself last year. Maybe if she's smart, Peeta and I can bring home a victor.

"I'm going to mine too." Zane says, smiling politely. "I'm sorry if I seem rude, but I'm only eleven. Im not coming out of the games, and everyone knows that." He nods to Peeta and I, leaving the dining area.

"He's smart for such a young boy." Haymitch says, taking a cookie from the table next to him. "It's a shame."

"God, I feel horrible, Peeta." I whisper, leaning into him. He strokes my hair, kissing my temple.

"He'll be alright." Peeta says. "Maybe we can get Acacia to ally with him."

I nod in agreement, closing my eyes, and falling asleep on Peeta's shoulder.

+++

I wake up in a haze. My hair is a mess, and I am soaked in my own sweat. I look over to the couch that's in my room on the train, and see Peeta sketching on a sketch pad. I stand up, stumbling towards the door, barely putting my hand on the knob when my legs give out, and I fall to the ground, losing any consciousness.

+++

"Katniss, Please!" I hear a low, soft voice pleading as a wet rag is placed on my forehead. "Please stay with me."

"Oh calm down, Peeta!" I hear a sarcastic voice call from behind him. "She's just stressed out, she's going to be perfectly fine. Quit being so dramatic."

"I don't want to listen to that anymore!" Peeta says as I open my heavy eyelids. I am laying on the couch in the living room of the train, Haymitch, Effie, Acacia, Zane, and Peeta standing over me examining me up and down. Peeta and Haymitch are facing each other arguing, and don't even notice I'm awake. "She's been sick for weeks, and I don't want to hear that she's just stressed out anymore. There could be something seriously wrong here!"

"Peeta, I'm okay," I croak, grabbing his arm and pulling him closer to me. Everyone lets out a sigh of relief, and sits down on the couch across from me.

"Katniss, you need to go see a doctor as soon as we get to the Capitol." He says, burying his head into my shoulder. I stroke his hair with my hand, attempting to sit up. Peeta helps me, and I look over to the other four who are still staring at me.

"I'm fine, Peeta, I promise."

"You're not fine, Katniss!" Peeta says, squeezing my hand. "Please, just go see a doctor. I promise I will leave you alone about it afterwards."

I nod, attempting to shake my horrible head ache.

"You missed the tribute videos." Acacia says, plopping down on the couch next to me. "There are only three fourteen year olds. The other two are from 8 and 2. There are no careers this year, because no one was trained well enough to volunteer. There are seven ten year olds, six eleven year olds, four twelve year olds, and four thirteen year olds."

I nod, somewhat listening to Acacia but watching as Zane's face turns ghost white. He is clearly terrified but trying not to show it.

"That's good," I say, nodding. "You have an advantage like I said."

She shrugs.

"Okay, you two," Effie says, motioning for Acacia and Zane to stand up. "I think it's time you go to bed. You both have a huge day ahead of you." They say their goodnights and both go to their rooms. I know neither of them will find sleep tonight.

"Katniss, can I talk to you for a moment?" Effie asks sweetly. Peeta and I exchange a glance, and she grabs my hand. "It's just about Acacia. She wanted me to tell you something private and... girly." Peeta lets go of my arm, planting a small kiss on my temple.

"I won't let anything bad happen to you." He whispers as I stand up.

"I know," I nod, kissing his cheek. I follow Effie to her bedroom where she shuts the door behind us.

"Katniss, I have something for you." She says, sitting down on the bed. "I know that you think you're stressed out, but Peeta told me you've been throwing up in the mornings and are always dizzy. I couldn't help but notice that your breasts increased greatly in size." She goes into the bathroom, bringing me back a small box. "I want you to take this pregnancy test."

"What?" I ask, shocked. "Effie, that's not necessary. There's no way I'm pregnant. I'm not even late."

She raises an eyebrow, making me take the box from her. "Just take it tonight, darling. Let's just make sure before you go to a doctor and they're the ones to tell you."

"Why would I take a pregnancy test, when I know for a fact that I'm not pregnant. There's no way!"

"Oh," she says. "You and Peeta haven't..." Her voice trails off, but I know what she's saying.

"I mean, we have, but..." I bite my tongue to keep myself from stammering on anymore. It's just getting awkward. "I think I'd know if I was pregnant. Wouldn't I feel fat and... pregnant?!"

"Not necessarily." She whispers. "Just keep it with you. You don't have to take the test, but I highly recommend just making sure."

I nod, stuffing the box in my bra. This can not be happening.