The Hunger Games - Primrose Everdeen

Chapter twelve

My face burns as I leave the stage and Peeta takes my place. Watching him up there is interesting. Ceasar and him make a few funny remarks. Really, he's outshining the rest of the other tributes. Charm and appereance must be everything now, and the fact that he looks so strong will help too. 

Finally, after my turn is over I'm able to clearly pay attention. If only I was up first so I had been able to give my attention to the tributes from the other Districts. But I didn't. And now I'm paying for it. Possibly with my life. I mean, what if a tribute mentioned a skill that if I knew they had I would have been prepared for? Could it have meant the difference between life or death?

I shake my head clear and pay attention to Peeta again. Ceasar asks him about a girl back home. Why does it matter, a girl back home? Maybe sponsors will want to sponsor him so he can get back to her, right? It doesn't matter. Doesn't affect me. Just him.

"I don't beleive that for a secound," Ceasar begins. "A handsome looking fellow like you!"

Peeta smiles, but he doesn't look too happy. "Well there is this one girl. I've had a crush on her forever, but I don't think she really noticed me until the reaping." Sympathetic cries shoot through the audience.

Ceasar gives an apoligetic look. "Here's what you do, you win, go back home. She can't say no then."

Peeta, still slightly smiling, shakes his head slowly. "Wouldn't work."

"Why ever not?" Wonders Ceasar.

"Her sister," Peeta starts. "is Prim. Even if I didn't kill her, she'd never look at me the same. Never forgive me." The aundience is gasping, I even hear some sobs. 

It takes a moment to place who he is talking about, but eventually I do. Katniss. My sister. I feel awful. If I live, Peeta can never be with her. But Peeta was right, if I die Katniss will never forgive him.     Nothing would work for him. Would he even want to go back if this is true? Is this why he has been so nice to me, telling me to win?

They exchange a few more sentences, then Peeta's three minutes are over. I leave, not wanting to face him yet. I want to talk to him, really, but I just can't now. The tears are already starting to flood my eyes. Soon they'll flow like a stream down my face until there are no tears left in me. Why is this that is making me sad? It shouldn't, it's not about me, it's about my opponent. An obvious weakness in Peeta's survival in the Games. 

I'm about to disapear from everyone else when I don't realize where I am going. Quickly, I run back and find Haymitch, Effie, Cinna, Portia, and of course Peeta. "How did I do?" I blurt before any other question comes out.

"You did great, Prim!" Effie beams. "Fantastic job, both of you!" 

I shoot a look towards Cinna for his opinion. Among them all, Cinna is the kindest, and other than Haymitch when he's drunk, is the most honest. "Prim, you did fine. Don't worry." Says Cinna.

Peeta stands there looking at everyone else. "And how did I do?" He says finally. It's easy to see that he's uncomfortable, I'm not sure why, though. Probably because of what he just admitted infront of the entire country.

Portia pats his back. "You did great up there. Very moving. And funny at times, too."

For a moment we stand there, then Haymitch turns around and begins walking. "Well, let's go." He says over his shoulder.

Poor Katniss. How she must be feeling right now. Confused, nervous, mad. I can't tell. Katniss's emotions were easy to read off of her face, for me at least, but at such a far distance where the only picture of her that fills my mind is when she stood in the sixteen's section at the reaping in total shock, or when she hugged me saying how sorry she was. I can't bring up what her face may look like now. Shocked or angered. Scared or nervous. Before the reaping I had never seen shock or scared or even nervous. Only anger. And now, I don't now what emotion comes to life on her face. 

"Prim? Are you even listening to me?!" Scowls Effie. 

I look at her nervously. She looks mad. Really mad. Now I've done it. I've pushed her over her limit. "Sorry, Effie. I was just thinking of my sister..." That needs no further explanation, and should be a valid excuse. Well not for Effie.

"You need to pay attention! Concentrate on what you're doing!" Effie shouts. I jerk my head back. So far, she's been upset, flustered, and of course angered. But never have I seen her furious. And I don't mean regular furious, I mean absoulutely furious. 

"I'm so sorry. I just miss home so badly! I'm very sorry!" I almost shout back. Should I? Just scream back at her?

Haymitch shakes his head. "Let her be, Effie. Kid's going into the Games tomorrow."

Oh no, I think, run. "I don't care! She needs to listen to me! I am not to be ignored! I have just about had it with her!" Exclaims Effie. Never before have I seen someone so pissed off, especially not at me. "She forgot her manners, showed up late for super, then ignores me!"

"Damn it, Effie, you don't run the show!" Haymitch yells. I can easily tell that he isn't just defending me anymore. He's defending himself and anyone else that Effie has ever  been an escort for, all of whom are dead, as I will be. 

Fortunely, I finally listen to my head and turn on my heels and head back to my room. "Primrose! Get back here now!" Effie orders.

Before slamming my door, I shout back, "No!"

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