CHAPTER 14

It's time for the party. We have basically practiced dancing and singing the whole week and now it's time. I am waiting for everyone else to be prepped, since I was first. The prep team dressed me in an elegant, flowly, black dress that is down to my knees. It reminds me of Glimmer's interview dress only black and more practical. They put my hair in a braid as usual, and stuffed me into black flats. My eyes have a simple smoky glare to them and my lips have simple clear lip gloss. Nothing super big this time. Honestly, I can't wait to see the other victors. I haven't seen them in over a year! I will be especially happy to see Annie with her son and Johanna. I cannot imagine Johanna in a dress, though. Her sytlists aren't as good as Peeta and I's are, so they will probably stick her in an embarrassing dress. Poor Johanna. Just then, Peeta walks down the staircase to join me. He has on a simple, short sleeved, white button-up and black pants. They let his curls roam free and do nothing with them accept combing them. I love that they did that. His hair looks better when it is natural. He has a very little bit of natural make up on his face and has black dress shoes on.

"You look great." I say.

"I look normal, but thank you. You look amazing!" He says back to me.

"Thanks."

I hug him carefully so I don't get makeup on his white shirt.

As I break away, everyone else comes down the stairs, Haymitch wobbling behind them.

"Everybody ready?" Effie says.

A series of yeses and yeahs echo through the room.

"Alright, we are off! Just in time too!"

We board a hovercraft and we are silent the whole way. Just nothing to talk about. When we reach the capitol, so many people are inside. There is a special table for victors and their prep teams. Peeta and I sit next to each other and the prep team files in after us. Other victors are there and eating already so I get a plate and pile on food. Sadly, we sit next to Enobria. I order from right to left, it goes; Annie, her son, Johanna, Enobria, Me, Peeta, Haymitch, Beetee. Nobody to talk to until we are done dinner. I finish dinner quickly and wait patiently for everyone else to finish. My favorite thing I ate is the lamb stew, as usual. Capitol people begin to file out of their seats onto the dance floor with the music slightly playing. I think that when we are all done, they will blast the music and put on disco lights and such. Slowly, the victors get out of their seats too. I quickly rush over to Johanna when she gets up.

"Hey Johanna!"

"Hey Katniss! How are you?"

"I'm great! How has life been for you?"

"Boring as usual. I live alone in my house, go out in public and only a couple people wave. Haven't been asked for any interviews and I'm still too scared of rain and water. I'm also too scared to go out on dates. I'm afraid I might lose him, just like my family."

"I know what you mean about being scared. Well, that's too bad about everything. I've been extremely busy lately with all this capitol stuff to practice for. Did you practice for this?"

"Yeah, all the victors did. We are supposed to have dates to dance with, but I suspect none of us do. I am guessing though that you and Peeta are dancing together?"

She gestures towards Peeta who is talking to Beetee.

"Yeah, I guess."

Speaking of you and Peeta, how are you guys?"

"Uhh good I think."

"Good you think? I heard the other day that you could be knocked up!"

"Oh well I'm not. And umm... kinda a long story!"

"I would assume so. Well it's good that 2 of us are being loved. Annie is still pretty beat up. "

"Yeah, I guessed she would be."

Somebody pokes my shoulder. I turn around to find Peeta. His face is close to mine and we both look startled at the unexpected closeness. Johanna laughs at us.

"Uhh I guess I'll leave you two here then? Talk to you later, Katniss! Have fun, but not too much!"

She backs away and gives me a wink. I roll my eyes and she gives me a smile before turning around.

"Ughhh even Johanna now!"

"Yeah, I was talking to Beetee and he seemed pretty interested in us."

Suddenly, a speaker roars throughout the place and tells all the victors to get on the dance floor with their dance partners. Uh oh. This is it. Peeta gives me his arm and I link our elbows.

"I assume your my partner?"

"I would sure hope so."

We walk onto the dance floor as the crowd clears off it. Johanna comes up with Beetee, Enobria with some guy I don't recognize, and Annie plans on dancing with her son, causually. The music starts up and Peeta seems to know exactly what he's doing. I follow his lead, dancing to the slow music, and let him do the work. When he gives me the cue to dip down, I trust him to hold onto me. I force myself downwards and his strong hands grip me so I don't fall. The crowd claps and I let out a smile. This isn't half bad! The music ends and Peeta and I close the dance with a bow and a curtsy. Everyone roars and more up beat music blasts out of the speakers. The lights go down and colorful lights spew everywhere around us. Peeta and I separate because Effie told us that other people would like to dance with us too. Unorganized lines form in front of each one of the victors and we begin to dance with all of them. Peeta has the longest line, of course. You can always tell when he switched people to dance with because a loud and shrill yell would come from all the girls. I begin to laugh at him. I get through my line quickly, finding only a couple boys attractive. Peeta is still going with everyone and I watch, laughing my head off. He is acting like all these girls are ghosts. He carefully dances with each one so he doesn't get to close to them. Only a couple does it seem he lets go with. Everyone's lines end and capitol people begin to dance with their own dates. All the victors watch Peeta as his line still comes. Soon, everyone gets bored and leaves him. Johanna comes up to me and tries shouting through the music to start a conversation again.

"Jealous, Katniss?"

"No! I just enjoy watching all these expressions on his face. I like watching him get tortured."

"I do admit that the facial expressions are priceless. I wouldn't expect a couple to like watching each other getting tortured though."

"We aren't officially a couple, really. We're more friendly than romantic to each other.

"Oh really? Well here's a question. Do you like him?"

"Yeah."

"Do you love him?"

That makes me pause. Do I love Peeta? I know I love him, but in what way? Do I LOVE him?

"Umm I .... I ......... uh .... yes."

"Good because he is definately a keeper. If you let go of him, many of these girls will swoon right over him. I might even try to get him."

That disturbs me a bit but I don't let it show.

"Aren't they swooning over him already?"

"Yeah, but I mean completely going head over heels for him. You're lucky."

"I know."

I need to change the subject.

"Hey Johanna?"

"Hhmm?"

"Did you find anyone you like while you were dancing?"

She glances at a guy and says no.

"You're lying! You like that black haired kid over there?"

Johanna looks back at him then to me again.

"Okay, maybe. His name is Gerry. He's from district 8, textiles."

"Oooooh! Go talk to him some more!"

"Okay, okay. I know I'll have to eventually or else you will force me."

"You are right.... GO GO GO!"

I push her towards Gerry and she stumbles over to him. They talk a bit and then I lose interest. This is going to be a great day,I can already tell.