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

t h i r t y - n i n e

I surreptitiously watch Peeta the next morning at breakfast. I wonder how he much he knows about the people being kicked down districts, if anything at all. Only once does he glance my way, but he seems to be looking more at something near me.

Anytime I feel uncomfortable, I reach down and touch Gale's button, which I'd laced onto a piece of ribbon and made into a bracelet. He will get me through my time here.

Towards the end of the meal, the kings stands, and we all turn towards him. "As there are so few of you now, I thought it would be nice for us to have tea before the Report. Since one of you will be our new daughter-in-law, the queen and I would like to make more opportunities to speak with you, learn your interests and such." I instantly feel nervous. The king is nice, sure, but I'm not sure how I feel about the queen. I haven't spoken to her yet, and she didn't seem happy with my debating on the Report. While the other girls watch him eagerly, I sip at my juice. "Please come an hour before the Report to lounge on the first floor. If you're not familiar, don't worry. The doors will be open, and there will be some music playing. You'll hear us before you see us," he says with a chuckle. The others giggle lightly.

Soon after, the girls begin making their way to the Women's Room. I sigh. I usually try to interact with people or use the time to read. This will be a Glimmer day. I will park myself in front of the TV and zone out.

It's easier said than done. The girls seem particularly chatty today.

"I wonder what they want to know about us," Delly gabs.

"We just have to remember everything Effie taught us about poise," Esim comments.

"I hope my maids have a good dress for tomorrow night. I don't want to go through what I did for Halloween. They're so scatterbrained sometimes." Glimmer sounds pout.

I shake my head as thoughts of her slapping her maids roll through my mind, and I resist the urge to yell at her. I try to focus on the ridiculous show in front of me, but I can't seem to tune out the other girls.

By lunch, I'm a ball of nerves. What will they want to say to me- the girl from the poorest district, in last place for a poll her own people vote on? What will the queen want to discuss with the girl she expects so little from?

-

King Harry is right. I hear the floating melody from the piano lounge before I even find it.

I hesitate before walking in. I decide to pause before I speak, really think about my words. I realize I want to prove her wrong. I want to prove that magazine wrong, too. Even if I lose, I don't want to go home a loser. I'm surprised by how much this suddenly means to me.

I step through the doorway, and the first thing I see is Peeta standing along the back wall of the room talking to Caeser Flickerman. Caeser sips wine as opposed to tea, and he suddenly loses Peeta's attention. I see Peeta's eyes rake over me, and I could have sworn his lips make the shape of a Wow.

I turn my head and blush, walking away. I take the risk at glancing at him again and see that he's watching me move. It's hard to think rationally when he looks at me that way.

King Harry talks to Nina in a corner and Queen Agatha talks to Glimmer in another. Esim sips at her tea, and Delly walks around the room. I watch as she passes Peeta and Caeser, giving Caeser a warm smile. She says something, which they both chuckle at, and keeps walking, peeking over her shoulder at Peeta as she does so.

After that, she makes her way to me. "You're late," she jokingly scolds.

"I was feeling a little nervous."

"Oh, it's nothing to worry about. It's actually kind of fun."

"You're already done?" If the king and queen have finished speaking with two girls, I have a lot less time to compose myself then I thought.

"Yes. Sit with me. We can have some tea while you wait." Delly pulls me over to a table, and a maid approaches us immediately, setting tea, milk, and sugar in front of us.

"What did they ask you?"

"Actually, it was very conversational. I don't think they're trying to get any information exactly, more like they're trying to get a feeling for our personalities. I made them laugh once!" she gushes. "It went really well. And you're naturally funny, so if you just talk to them like you talk to anyone else, you'll be fine."

I nod before picking up my tea. I don't think I'm naturally funny, but she makes it sound all right. Maybe they have to compartmentalize themselves. I'm sure it will go fine.

"I love your dress! The fabric is amazing, you look like a sunset!"

"Thank you," I say. "Cinna and my maids are very talented.

"Absolutely! I like mine, but if I become princess, I'm stealing yours!" She laughs, maybe meaning her words as a joke, maybe not. Either way, the thought of my maids hemming her clothes bothers me. I force a smile though.

"What's so funny?" Peeta asks, walking over.

"Just girl talk," Delly says flirtatiously. She's really on tonight. "I was trying to calm Katniss. She's nervous about speaking to your parents."

Thank you for that, Delly.

"You don't have anything to worry about. Be natural. You already look fantastic." Peeta gives me an easy smile. He's clearly trying to open up our lines of communication again.

"That's what I said!" Delly exclaims. They share a quick look, and there's there's feeling of them being on a team. It's strange.

"Well, I'll leave you to your girl talk. Good-bye for now." Peeta gives us both a short bow and goes over to join his father.

Delly sighs and watches Peeta go. "He's really something." She gives me a quick smile and goes off to talk to Caeser.

I watch the elaborate dance of the room, couples coming together to speak, separating to find new partners. I'm happy to have Esim join me in my corner, though she doesn't say much.

"Oh, ladies, the time has gotten away from us," the king calls. "We need to make our way downstairs."

I look up at the clock, and he's right. We have ten minutes to get down to the set and prepare ourselves.

It doesn't seem to matter how I feel about anything. The queen or maybe even the king don't think I'd be a likely candidate, they didn't even bother speaking to me. I was excluded, perhaps on purpose, and no one even noticed.

I hold it together through the Report. I even make it through dismissing my maids. But once alone, I break down. The stress of the past few weeks seems to collapse on me all at once.

I'm not sure how I'll explain myself when Peeta comes knocking, but that ends up not happening. He never shows. I can't help but wonder whose company he's enjoying instead.