Catching Fire: The New Story

Chaptet 65

Katniss's POV

Once we are completely outside in the evening light, I try not to squint my eyes in the sunlight. Along with our outfits, they glow like fire coals on fire burning on a piece of wood for hours. Our crowns have the same glow as the suits we wear. My dress is burning all around with the fake flame. Peeta's bright suit makes his blue eyes stand out even more than ever. I never realize how loud the crowd is until my head hurts. They scream our names and throw roses, like last year. Yet, this year, we don't wave or throw kisses back, with them waiting to catch them. We don't catch the roses. We stay looking far away into nothingness with a smirk.

We gain dirty looks by the other victors. I then realize I am the youngest victor here. Possibly the youngest person here. The back of the victors heads turn to their faces and watch us as the crowd gives us all the love and affection.

The other carriages loop around the City Circle, my impression on the other stylists was worthless. They tried mimicking Cinna's and Portia's idea of incorporating their district values into their outfits. 3's lighted suits make sense, but 10's flaming belts with their cow suits have people confused.

Our costumes have caught the other tributes attention, of course. District 6's morphings addicts have black all over. And not like our suits last year, with their big eyes and yellow sagging skin, it seems disgusting. They can't tear their eyes away from us. The anthem plays and we make our final trip around the circle. I look up and see the presidents eyes trickled on us. I smirk.

Our hands are held tightly until the doors of the Training Center have closed behind us. Our hands don't fall, but loosen. Cinna and Portia help is off, she is extra careful with me. Cinna probably told her too. I smile and thank her. I look around for Haymitch. He's here too, but at 11's chariot. I recognize Chaff. Him and Haymitch pass a bottle back and forth every year on television. His dark skin and perplexing muscles make him an opponent to look after.

His stumped arm reveals nothing. He lost his left hand in his game around thirty years ago, I believe. I'm sure they offered a replacement, unlike Peeta, he didn't take it.

Seeder, female victor-tribute, had Seam features. Olive skin and straight black hair. Her eyes, golden brown that glow like Finnick's hair, announce she's from yet another district. She looks strong, but is possibly in her sixtys. By the looks of her, she hasn't turned to liquor. Which is good and bad. Good, she's still beautiful. Not like most of the victors who had gone to alcohol. Bad, she's strong, yet kind. Before any words come from our mouths, she embraces me. I know it is somehow connected to Rue and Thresh. Before I could stop myself, I whisper. "The families?"

"They're alive." She says back softly, then she lets me go.

At surprise, Chaff throws his good arm around me. I look up at him, he's quite tall for a man his age. "Such a beautiful girl." He says.

Everyone laughs as I blush. I smile. "Thank you."

"You caught a good one Peeta." Chaff says nodding to Peeta. Now he blushes. Everyone laughs.

"I know." Peeta says.

"I bet you ten bottles of liquor Katniss can beat the shit out you." Haymitch says. He's not drunk, just having fun with an old pal. I still look at him dumbfounded. Chaff gives a loud laugh, turning heads.

"You're on!" Chaff says. Haymitch pats his back and they go back to talking. They say their goodbyes and we head toward the elevators, guided by Capitol attendants. My hand links with Peeta's and be pulls me close. As I enter the elevator, Peeta hand still in mine to my left, someone stops the doors from closing.

A girl, dressed in a deep green dress, stands before me. She rips off a leafy headdress and tosses it behind her, not caring to look where it landed. But her attire, she's from seven. Lumber and paper, thus the tree. She won by making believe she was weak and useless. Once in the arena and weaponed, she was a killing machine. Her name is, Johanna Mason.

"You guys look amazing." Johanna says.

"Thank you." I reply.

Johanna takes off large clips from her hair, leaving her black short cut hair in its up-do. The red streak in hair stays put in the bangs hanging above her eyes. She starts removing her bracelets, having spikes all around it. While doing this, she says.

"My stylist is an idiot. District 7, Lumber. Trees. Ugh! I'd love to put my ax in her face." She throws her last bracelet in the floor with a thud. "So, how does it feel, now that the whole world wants to sleep with you?"

"I don't think the whole world-" I start.

"I wasn't talking to you." She says, turning around and facing us, interrupting me.

"Okay?" I say under my breath. I continue to look around and not at her. Johanna has gotten on my last nerve. She turns back, stands in front of Peeta, our hands dropping, and says, more of a command then a question. "Unzip."

Peeta replies. "Yeah." Without hesitation. He looks at me as he grabs the small zipper at the top of her dress. I give him an annoyed look, he declines my unpleasantness. And unzips it for her. It stops at the bottom of Johanna's back. I look back at Haymitch, he laughs a little.

Johanna lets her dress fall to the floor in a puddle of fabric. She is now starch naked. I look away from her, annoyed of her strip moment. She sighs and turns to face us once again. Haymitchs' eyes are on her chest. Peeta's too. I'm about to slap him out of his thought, when the doors open.

"Thanks." Johanna says, leaving the elevator and all of her clothing, but her shoes. "Let's do it again some time."

"No, thank you." Haymitch says with a smile. The doors close and were alone again. I'm so annoyed at this point. Peeta and Haymitch start laughing.

"What's so funny?" I spit.

"You, sweetheart." Haymitch says between laughs.

"Oh, what about me?" I ask.

"Your reaction to that couldn't have been better." Haymitch replies. Peeta laughs more. I would laugh, but then I would be laughing at myself. Why would I do that? Give them the power to laugh at me? No. Oh okay, if they want a show, they'll get one. I think.

I let them laugh until the doors to the twelfth floor open. I stand right between them. And look at them, they stop laughing. Peeta is about to say something. But I've already dropped my dress from my shoulders, just showing my undergarments.

Peeta stares at me. Haymitch too. I raise an eyebrow. And laugh.

"Thanks. Let's do it again some time." I say, mimicking Johanna's voice. I turn in my heels, and do the best walk. Making sure to move my hips until I reach the top of the stairs. With the boys eyes still on me. I strip of my shoes and sprint to my room, where I lock the door and sigh. I don't grab any other clothing to cover my chill. I climb into bed and try to sleep, the nightmares come instantly and I'm wishing Peeta was with me. And I wasn't mad at him. But I am. And he's not here.

YES! THIS CHAPTER IS FINALLY UP!! THIS IS LIKE MY FAVORITE CHAPTER. HAHAHAHAHAH YUS!!!O hope you like it. It took me F O R E V E R L A R K XD okay. Idk. I think I should sleep now. Idk. Bye.

~Jez