The Hunger Games: After Mockingjay 2 Roth's Revenge

The Next Day

"You look marvelous, dear!" Effie screams!

"It is a bit tighter then I remember." My mother says while looking around at the bustle. "I think I have put on a few pounds."

"Oh, nonsense! It's just baby weight! It's easy to lose before the big day. Just drink water and skip a meal or two and if you would like I can make a stop back at the Capitol for you 'favorite' water!" She offers in her odd accent. I know she is referring to the water the Capitol people drank at parties to make them vomit in order to eat more. I heard about it in school.

"I'll have to pass, Effie." My mother says while spinning in front of the mirror.

My mother stands before me in her wedding gown. It is the very gown she wore during her interviews on Caesar's talk show after my father announced her fake pregnancy. I'm not supposed to know that story, but it's not difficult to ask for answers when Uncle Haymitch is under the influence.

"What do you think, Kayla?" My mother asks while turning to me.

"You look beautiful, Mom." I whisper while standing up.

"You will need a dress as well, dearest!" Effie squeals again. "Don't you worry, your dear aunt Effie will have the perfect pink gown for you when I return! Oh you will look so cute! I will have to bring my wigs for you to try on. I'm thinking a coral, or maybe teal. No! Orange! Yes orange and yellow and-"

"Well I'm going now." I interrupt while rushing for the door. "I would love to talk garments Aunt Effie, but I promised to help Mr. Radilla in the garden today. I'll be home before dinner is on the table!"

I race out the door and slam it shut while Effie continues to ramble on to my mother about my fantasy outfit. I am not looking forward to any wigs or heels or even gowns. The very thought of myself being shoved into a princess gown makes me want to hurl.

My feet carry me swiftly to the fence where I cross the border and race down the hillside. Grass swats at my legs while I make a beeline for the rock formations. I can't see any silhouettes up there so I make the assumption that he isn't here yet. Then again, will he come?

I pull myself up onto the ledge and walk to the end of the boulder where I look out over the treetops. My watch is telling me that it five minutes until four so I decide to take a seat and wait. I don't know if he will come and I can only hope that he does. I haven't been able to get him off my mind since I met him yesterday. it's strange. I never thought boys were cute. Girls grow up believing boys have cooties and that that they are gross, but the older you get, the more you fall in love with them. It just takes some time for puberty to hit and hormones to soar.

"You wanted to meet?" I whisk around when his voice hits me.

"Um, yes, I did." I say, swallowing hard. "I'm shocked that you came."

"Well, I had nothing better to do." He shrugs. "Might as well meet with a little girl and have a chat."

"I'm not a little girl!" I yell while standing up and stomping my foot.

He laughs.

"That's exactly the kind of response I expected from someone so young."

"If you're just going to be rude, then just leave." I say.

"Nah, I'll stay."

"Why?"

"Cause I like irritating you." He says while tipping back on the balls of his feet. "And because your face gets all pink and cute when you're pissed."

I quickly touch my fingertips to my cheeks and feel the warmth under the skin. He just called me cute.

"Anyway, is there anything you want to talk about?" He asks.

"Uh... I don't know." I whisper. "Do you have any questions for me?"

"I have one and I'm sure you might know it considering you are from 12."

"Alright. Shoot."

"Do you know Katniss Everdeen?" He asks and I tilt my head to the side.

"She's my mother so yes, I do know her pretty well."

"She's.... she's your mother?"

"Yes, why do you seem so shocked?"

"Uh... no reason..." He trails off. "Um, look, can we maybe do this another time? I have to go. I forgot that I had to do something."

"Right now?" I ask sadly. "But, you just got here. Can't it wait?"

"Uh, no. It can't. Look, I'm really sorry. Tomorrow will work better." He says quickly while stuttering on his words. "I'll talk to you tomorrow. Bye!"

"Wait!" I call out. "Don't go!" But he's already gone and there's nothing left of him other then his footsteps in the dirt. What caused him to leave so hastily?