imperfect fit ; an everlark au based off of 'the selection' series

t h i r t y - f o u r

I barely sleep. Between getting in so late and the excitement over what's coming, it's impossible. I curl closer to Prim, comforted by her warmth. I'll miss her so much when she leaves, but at least I have the prospect of her living with me to look forward to.

I wonder who will be leaving today. It doesn't seem polite to ask, so I don't; but if pressed I would guess it's Nina. Clove and Delly are popular with the public- more popular than I am- and Glimmer and Esim have connections. I have Peeta's heart, and that leaves Nina without much to hold on to.

I feel bad because I really don't hold anything against Nina. If anything, I wish Glimmer would go. Maybe Peeta will send her home since he knows how much I dislike her, and he did say he wants me to be comfortable.

I sigh, thinking of everything he'd said last night. I'd never imagine this is possible. How did I, Katniss Everdeen- from District Twelve, a nobody- fall for Peeta Mellark- from the Capitol, the future king of Panem?

A tiny part of my heart throbs. How will I explain this to Gale? How will I tell him that Peeta has chosen me and I want to be with him? Will he hate me? The thought makes me want to cry. No matter what, I don't want to lose Gale's friendship. I can't.

My maids don't knock when they come in, which is typical. They always try to let me rest as long as I can and after the party, I certainly need it. But instead of going to prep things, Stacy goes around to Prim and gently rubs her shoulder to wake her.

I roll over to see Tig and Annie with a garment bag. A new dress?

"Miss Prim," Stacy whispers, "It's time to get up."

Prim slowly rouses. "Can't I sleep?"

"No," Stacy says sadly. "There's some important business this morning. You need to go to your Mom's room right away."

"Important business?" I ask. "What's going on?"

Stacy looks to Tig, and I follow her eyes. Tig shakes her head, and that seems to be the end of it.

Confused but hopeful, I get out of bed, encouraging Prim to do the same. I give her a big hug before she goes to Mom's room.

Once she leaves, I turn back to my maids. "Can you explain now that she's gone?" I ask Tig. She shakes her head. Frustrated, I huff. "Would it help if I commanded  you to tell?"

She looks at me, a clear solemnity in her eyes. "Our orders come from much higher. You'll have to wait."

I stand at the bathroom and watch them move. Annie's hands shake as she pulls out fistfuls of rose petals for my bath, and Stacy's eyebrows are knit together as she lines up my makeup and the pins for my hair. Annie sometimes tumbles for no reason, and Stacy tends to do that with her face when she's concentrating.

It's Tig that makes me scared.

She's always put together, even in the most frightening and taxing of situations, but today she looks as if her whole body is full with sand, her whole frame low with worry. She keeps stopping and rubbing her forehead, as if she could rub the anxiety out of her face

I look on as she pulls out my dress out of the garment bag. It's understated, simple . . . and jet-black. I look at that dress and know it can only mean one thing. I gasp, tears filling my eyes before I ever know who we're mourning.

"Miss?" Stacy comes to help me.

"Who died?" I ask. "Who died?"

Tig, steady as ever pulls me upright and wipes the tears from my eyes.

"No one has died," she says. But her voice isn't comforting; it's commanding. "Be grateful when this is all over. No one died today."

She gives no further explanation and sends me straight to my bath. Annie tried to keep herself under control; but when she finally breaks into tears, Tig asks her to go get me something light to eat, and she jumps on the command obediently. She doesn't even curtsy as she leaves.