Our Love is Real

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

3 Months Later

I wake with a jolt. My old prep team is peering over my face, just as they always do. "We're here!" they yell happily when I struggle to open my eyes. My stomach erupts with butterflies. Today is the day. Today is the day I get married.

"Beauty Base Zero, everyone!" Effie calls. She arrived minutes after my prep team. Haymitch is probably being wrestled into a bow tie and a nice shirt somewhere. As for Peeta, well...I have no idea where he is. I fell asleep next to him last night, but when I woke up, he was gone.
In a matter of minutes, my features were erased, then penciled and printed back in. I look flawless. My nails are back to oval shapes with a clear coat on top. My eyelashes are long, my eyebrows are plucked into uniform shapes. I'm led into another room in my house to change into my dress. I still don't know what it looks like.
"Oh, Katniss," Octavia gushes, "It's gorgeous. You're going to love it!"
I smile as the dress slips over my head. Flavius holds my hand as I step into my shoes. They are flats, thank goodness. There is some adjusting made, then I'm told I can open my eyes. I gasp.
"Oh," I cover my mouth with my hands. It's beautiful. It's a simple, sweetheart neckline that's gathered right under my bust and tied with a bow in the front. It's made out of creamy silk that I can't help but rub in between my fingers. My shoes are lacy and show just the tip of my toes. Pearls cover my neck and wrists, and my ring matches perfectly.
There's a sniffle in the back of the room. It's Effie. I walk over to her and give her a hug. "Oh, Effie," I say. Tears well up in my eyes. There's another sniffle from her nose. She releases me from our hug and holds my face in her hands. "I just...I can't believe my two victors...my beautiful victors. They're getting married today." I smile at her and kiss her cheek. "It's okay, Effie." She nods and smiles weakly. A tear falls down her cheek. "We love you, Effie. Thank you for everything." I hug her again, and when I turn around, Flavius holds out his hand. Suddenly, Effie says, "Katniss, wait!" She pulls something out of her pocket. A few more gasps. My mockingjay pin.
She pins it onto my dress and says, "Just a touch." She smiles and releases me. I look back at Flavius and take his warm hand."To the Square?" he asks. I nod.
"To the square."