Hunger Games (reversed)

Chapter 4

She is really sweet and nice and tells me to trust her for the costume she has picked out for the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony is where all the tributes from each District ride in on a carriage where all the people of Panem can finally meet them. Most designers dress their tributes for their District. Like District 12 is known for coal mining, so they might be dressed in black or something. Portia dresses me in a sleek black unitard and black boots. It also has a cape around the neck. I wonder why it is so plain. She puts little makeup on me and tell me it's not needed. Portia walks me over to the chariot waiting for the others. We make small talk until Katniss comes over with her stylist names Cinna. He's an African colored man that looks completely normal except for his bright gold eye liner and few piercings. Katniss is dressed exactly the same as me. What are our designers thinking? No other tributes are dressed the same and they are going to think something of us. District 12 has always been the weakest district. I think only 2 or 3 have come out alive from that arena.

Katniss pov

I get to our chariot where Peeta and his stylist are waiting. We are dressed exactly the same. I walk with Cinna till we reach the others. Peeta looks so cute in what he's wearing but I can't let him know I was looking at him. Instead I just turn my head and look at Cinna. Peeta probably doesn't even look at me like I look at him. I've liked him for as long as I remember. We've been in just about every single class together. Even kindergarten. His dad would always come pick him up from school and talk to my mom. We would play with each other sometimes, but we weren't even friends. I think the first time Peeta really looked at me was when we both were on the stage before heading to the train. Anyways, Cinna and Portia blab about how our costumes will be lit on fire, but not real fire. Peeta looks nervous but it's not that big of a deal to me. They promise we won't even feel anything and I trust Cinna.

"Hey, what do you think about the flames?" Peeta says smiling

"If I rip yours off will you rip mine?" I say laughing.

"Okay" he says while laughing

We laugh until it's time to get ready. I hear the beginning music fill my ears blasting through the stadium were in. We get led to huge doors that will enter us into the thousands of Capitol people and sponsors waiting for us. We get lined up in order from District 1 all the way to District 12. District 12 has always been the laughing stalk over the Districts. Finally the doors open and District 1 rides to our destination ahead. I hear the crowd cheer, and soon enough it's our turn to go out. We get into place and Cinna lit our costumes. Once the audience sees us, they scream like crazy. They must have done a wonderful job on the costumes, I think. Peeta reaches for my hand and it's an instinct to snatch it away.

"Hey, they'll love it." He says looking into my eyes.

Oh, it's for the sponsors.

I reach for his hand and we raise our joined hands high. The audience goes louder than before. It's amazing how loud they are screaming for us.

"District 12!" They chant over and over. We smile and wave with our free hand. I get lost in Peeta's grip and for some reason it just feels right to be holding hands with him. I look over and see his gorgeous smile, which makes me smile. I grip his hand tighter, because at this point he's like my wall. I would probably fall without him there.

We finally pull in and get in place. Peeta starts to move his hand away and I stop him before he can, "Please. No. You're the only thing keeping me up" I say.

"Okay." He says and smiles again.

Omg! That sounded so desperate, I think. Whatever, it's the truth though; I really would have fallen without him here. The anthem plays then a small man with white hair appears to give a speech. The crowd slowly dies down to their President. His name is President Snow. He is the one who controls all of Panem. I absolutely hate him. He grumbles his speech and finally he's done. We get walked out of the stadium where we meet Effie, Haymitch, Portia and Cinna.

"Great job you two! And look at you, you girl on fire!" Cinna says and kisses me on my check.

I let go of Peeta's hand and we both massage our very limp hands.

"You guys did astonishing!" Portia squeaks. "I swear we did not stop getting compliments about you guys!" she says pulling us into a hug.

They all go into a small group and talk about tonight's plan.

"You did amazing Kat, you should wear flames more, they look good on you." Peeta says with a smirk.

Is he trying to play me? I'll just play back.

I put on my cutest girl smile, walk over to him, go on my toes and kiss his adorable check. I walk over to Haymitch and Cinna who led me to the Training Center, our "home" until we go into the arena.

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