Prim's Games Book 2

Chapter 11

I let go of Peeta's hand and carefully touch my dress. And then I realize that it's not actually on fire. I sigh in relief and hold Peeta's hand again. The crowd keeps screaming our names. I try to remember what Cinna told us. Stare straight ahead. Ignore the crowd. No smiling.

When the chariot finally stops, I see President Snow on the small platform, studying me. I glare at him and he just grins. And then he starts his speech.

"Welcome, welcome, to the third Quarter Quell." He starts. "Thank you for your tributes and their siblings-" He grins at me before he continues.

I tune out for the rest of the speech.

*******

When we get backstage, the other tributes are glaring at us. I glare back. Leo, Katniss, and Peeta talk in a small group. I'm standing next to them and petting the horses until I hear someone.

"Psst!" They whisper.

I look around. I don't see anyone.

"Psst!"

A confused look forms on my face.

And then someone grabs my arm and pulls me into a dark part of the stage.

"Prim! It's me! Elizabeth!"

"Elizabeth!" I say and hug her tightly.

"Shh. No one can know that I'm here. Grandfather thinks that I'm reading in my room."

"What are you doing here?" I ask.

"I just wanted to see you again, in case you...don't make it out."

I look into her eyes, and for the first time, I see sadness and pain in them instead of happiness.

"Don't be sad." I say.

"You don't know what's going to happen. Grandfather has a plan. But I'm forbidden to tell you about it." She starts to cry.

"It's okay. Don't cry." I hug her again.

"It's horrible. You don't deserve this."

"I'll be okay."

"I have to go." She hugs me one last time and starts to walk away.

"Elizabeth." I say.

She stops for a moment. "What?"

"Just remember this; I've always loved you like a sister. You're my best friend. Don't you ever forget about me. Okay?"

"Of course. And I've always loved you like a sister." She says.

And then she's gone.

********

I walk out of the darkness and run over to Katniss.

"Ready to go?" She says.

I nod and I try to hold back tears as I think of Elizabeth.

We step into the elevator. Sadly, there are three other tributes in there with us. Finnick, his District partner, and the District 7 girl.

"Oh, look Johanna. It's Prim."

"I would prefer it if you didn't call me Prim." I snap.

"At least I didn't act innocent." He teases.

"That wasn't an act!" I scream.

I'm about to slap him when I feel someone holding me back. Peeta.

"Oh, is Peeta going to protect you?" Finnick laughs.

My face heats up.

"I hate you!" I scream. "I hate you Finnick Odair!"

I see his district partner put a hand on his shoulder. She's an old lady, but she looks nice.

He finally stops teasing me and I just glare at him.

"I have an idea." Finnick says a moment later.

"You don't say." I roll my eyes.

"Why don't we become allies." He says.

"No thank you." I say.

"Just think about it." He says and steps off the elevator. The old lady smiles at me with an apologetic look and follows him.

"Well, that was something." Says the District 7 girl, who I'm guessing is Johanna.

I nod in agreement.

"My stylist is an idiot. District 7. Lumber."

We just stare at her.

"It was nice meeting you!" She says and walks away.

"Well okay then." Peeta says.

When we finally get off of the elevator I run to my room, unable to hold my tears in anymore. I take off my dress and slip into a nightgown. Then I wash my face and my hair into a braid. As I lay down in bed, I start to cry. I miss Elizabeth. I want my mother. I don't want to go into the games with Katniss and Peeta. I miss District 12.

"Prim?" Katniss knocks on the door.

"What?" I sniffle.

"May I come in?"

"Fine." I say.

She walks in with Peeta, holding a tray full of my dinner.

"What's wrong, Prim?" She asks, setting the tray down.

I just cry even more.

"You'll feel better if you tell us." Peeta says, sitting down next to me.

I nod. "But let's go somewhere private." I say, looking up at the ceiling. There are probably some cameras in this room.

"Okay." Katniss replies.

We walk in the hallway until I find a random closet. Once we're inside and I've shut the door, I blurt out everything that they don't already know. I have to fill in Katniss about President Snow and what happened in the Districts. Lastly, I tell them about Elizabeth.

"Prim, I didn't know." Katniss says and hugs me tightly.

"I know." I whisper as I start to cry again. "I just want to go home."

Peeta pats my back. "We'll get you home."

"But I wouldn't be able to live without the both of you."

Katniss just sighs.

"Why don't you go to sleep?" Peeta suggests.

I sit down on the floor. "I don't feel like walking." I groan.

"I have an idea." Peeta scoops me up and carries me to bed, with Katniss trailing behind.

"You can take the tray. I'm not hungry." I say.

"Okay. Goodnight Prim."

"Goodnight Peeta." I give him a hug.

"Do you want me to sleep with you tonight?" Katniss asks.

"If you want to." I reply.

"Okay." She says.

Katniss climbs into bed and kisses my forehead. "Goodnight, Little Duck."

"Goodnight Katniss." I reply.

And with that I fall asleep.

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