Against All Odds

Don't Let Me Burn To Crisp...

A/N: Back to Katniss' POV!

As Peeta and I ride in front of the Capitol viewers, I can't help but wonder. Do they feel anything? When their favourite tributes die, do they feel sad? Or do they move on and cheer for another one who they think can win? I'm jarred out of my thoughts by the feeling of heat behind me.

I whip around, and see that Cinna has started the fire on my costume. Oh great. Oh god... please don't let me burn to crisp and die before we even enter the arena...Think of Prim! I tell myself. Let her be the last thought you have before you die! I desperately try to think of nothing but Prim. PRIM. Prim, prim, prim.....

Suddenly, Peeta grabs my hand. I jerk it back and feel the urge to slap him arrive. Again. Only for the.... 10th time within the past 14 hours. Then I start to feel bad, because he's really been nothing but nice to me, and I'm going all badass grumpy psycho killer on him. I sigh, and take his hand. He grins.

"Don't worry, they'll eat it up!" He reassures me. With that, he lifts our hands into the air.

Wait, what?!

Okay, holding hands was one thing. It was alright. Entwining our fingers and holding them up for the rest of the world to see? UNACCEPTABLE. I wanted to wrench my hand away. But again, I couldn't. Why? The stupid cameras would pick up on it and create so much unnecessary drama.

I manage to content myself only with scowling and glaring at Peeta pointedly.

He just shrugs and smiles.

Suddenly, I notice the district 2 tributes.

They're dressed in some kind of gold armour, and they look absolutely intimidating. The blonde brute has his arms crossed, and is wearing a cold, arrogant smirk. His blue eyes are icy, and they make me feel as if he's exploiting my weaknesses, making me his next target. I can picture many girls back home gushing over him.

Ugh.

The girl next to him is petite in comparison, but what she lacks in size, she makes up for in viciousness. She wears a matching smirk, the same as her district partner. She also has a sly, pissed off look in her eyes. I get the feeling that she wasn't someone you would want as an enemy.

Unless, of course, you're on a suicide mission.

Suddenly, the boy from two whips around and our eyes connect. The feeling is chilling because I feel like he can see through me, and into what I really am. Why should I worry? It's not like I'm a bad person!

No, you are only prepared to let Peeta die so you can save your sister... A quiet voice in the back of my mind says.

I grimace. Sometimes, I really wish my own brain had a button that said, 'Shut Up' on it. No such luck though. Clearly, evolution still had some unfinished work to complete.

We both stare at each other and it turns into a contest of who will flinch, blink, or look away first. I am determined that it won't be me. I need to show him that I am better than him, and that not everyone worships the ground he walks on, despite what he thinks.

My eyes begin to water.

I refuse to look away.

I force my eyes to stay open.

And just when I think I will blink, Peeta nudges me, giving me the perfect excuse to turn away without looking weak.

"What?" I say, feeling an unexpected gratitude at the save.

"Why are you looking at two like that?" He demands looking slightly confused,

"I'm not, I just thought that he was trying to intimidate me, and that I needed to show him who was better!" I barely manage to restrain myself from snapping at him.

Peeta just shrugs, and turns away, so I resume looking at district 2. I find that he still doesn't seem to have looked away. We both keep staring, until the loud, booming voice of Claudius Templesmith distracts us.