Catching Fire: The New Story

we're Engaged! and Still Sixteen!

Katniss's POV

"Oh, Peeta," I whisper. He smiles at me while he kneels in front of me. I suggested this, so why am I surprised? Because he said later, that is what he wanted. He wanted time and he wanted me. I guess he chose sooner rather than later, sooner is now. I cover my mouth in disbelief, hoping this can convince Snow and the audience. By their cheering, it sounds like they are pretty convinced. Maybe even the districts are too. I let a tear fall when he pulls out a small, blue velvet box from his suit pocket. He opens it up and in it shines a reasonable sized ring stuffed in the white cushion.

"Katniss Everdeen," Peeta begins. His voice is cracking already, tears sparkling in his eyes. This is his last minute plan. How could I not imagine him taking the chance when offered? I let a few more tears fall as I stand up and he takes my hand. "I've loved you for so long, since I was five. Since I first saw you in two braids instead of one. Since I saw you sing in class, you were so excited to sing. Since as long as I can remembered."

I sniff at the recalling memory. I never knew I could act this emotional, or have my hand asked in marriage. I have always thought Gale would ask one day, like everyone predicted. But that would be years and years ahead of us when we were both working and at a good age to get married. But things change, obviously. The Capitol now controls my feelings, like they control everything else I do. But is the Capitol controlling Peeta's feelings? This relationship can't be a no-sided one, right? He has to love me to have done all the things he did for me. Has he truly loved me for that long? Every since I sang the Valley Song in grade school? He certainly shows it at every chance, and his shapely statements tell me so. I can't help floating back to that first day of grade school. My father had taken the job of walking me to school, my mother stayed behind with baby Prim. He walked me into the playground where most of the children I would school with for the next eleven years were. I remember our teacher, but I have forgotten her name after years without her. She was sweet and from the Merchant side of town, blonde hair and blue eyes. All the children were taken into a classroom, there she asked us if anyone knew the Valley Song. My hand flew into the air and she called on me. I stood on a stool in front of the whole class and stated my name: and I sang. That wasn't the first of last time I had sung in front of a group of people. I loved singing, I was good too. Once my father died, speaking became a minimum at school. I had lost my confidence and support, I was never going to sing in front of anyone ever again. I lost many friends from my depression. I can remember some faces in the group of five year olds, now I see them older and my age. The others are blurs of color or empty spots, but all I want to remember is Peeta.

"I have dreamed of doing this, ever since I was a young boy. I believed that no matter when I saw you, singing in grade school, or yesterday back home; I would always love you as much as I do now. Katniss Everdeen, will you marry me?"

I was unable to answer. I don't think I can, I am so surprised and shocked. My suggestion was purely a suggestion, it was a mere idea. Something to be looked over like it was to myself after the quarry with everything. I wipe a tear from my face, a mystical liquid that has been brought out of me by this occasion. And the thought of past people I no longer have.

"Yes," I breathe out. I can only truly answer him, but he probably thinks I am doing it for the cameras. If no one were around, if a curtain was hung around us and separated our moment to ourselves, I couldn't be able to say no. In reality, all of Panem is watching. But that doesn't change my answer, it wouldn't. Peeta is good, my father wouldn't wanted someone good for me. Peeta is pure and gently, as sweet as candy, and I wouldn't mind warming up to him. I don't mind marring Peeta, I want to marry Peeta. Peeta smiles bigger than I thought he could. I laugh, "Yes!"

He removes the ring from its box and slips it onto my finger. He stands and picks me up with him, spinning me around. He lowers me to my feet and our foreheads touch. The audience is on a high, cheering so loud I can't even hear myself think. Their favorite couple is now engaged. But I can't hear their screams of joy, I am happy. Truly happy that I will get to spend the rest of my life with Peeta. I am not happy - I am ecstatic. This is the most jubilant I have been in a long time. 

How could I have fallen for this handsome boy without notice? How has the boy with bread filled a hole in my heart I lost when my father died? How has Peeta broken the barrier around my heart and stolen it in less than a year of nothing much said or done between us? How could Peeta make me love him so quickly? How has our tragic bond brought us so far apart yet so intimately together? 

I bring Peeta close and cry into his shoulder. My tears make small dark circles on his green suit. I tiptoe to reach his lips, how he has grown so much in the past half year. His height staggers mine more than last, and now most of the men in our district. We let go, only out arms around our waists keep us touching. He wipes my tears and possibly smeared makeup with his thumb. He brushes his hand against my cheek, making me shiver and my smile wider. He presses his lips to mine again quickly. I place my free hand on his stomach.  

"And here we have President Snow to personally congratulate out Star-Crossed Lovers on their engagement!" Caesar announces above the crowd. We straighten up as we see Snow walk on stage. The audience gasps and points and whisper their excitement to their neighbor. Snow shakes Caesar's hand, then awkwardly embraces Peeta and shakes his hand. He whispers his congratulations into Peeta's ear and steps toward me. He shakes my hand and hugs me.

"You should've aimed higher," he whispers in my ear. The smell of blood and an increase of roses makes my nose scrunch up as if that were the stench of a thousand generations. I almost gag, bringing my lunch back up. My skin crawls with cold, my spine shivered. What did I do wrong? How could I possibly have aimed higher? What else was there to do? I didn't know this was happening, this was a surprise on my end alike everyone else. Could he be lying to scare me? I hardly doubt it. 

What do I do now? He has the power to destroy my life, my district. He can reach Peeta or myself as easy as saying our names. But I keep my smile wide under my fear. The real one from the old Katniss I held seconds ago is now long gone. Peeta wraps me in his arms again. And I cry once more into his suit. Not of happiness this time round, but of fear that I one day might not be able to hold him close. Or he hold me.

*

I blasted Big Time Rush while writing this. Sorry for any mistakes. 

~Jez xo