Fate

Chapter 13

Katniss P.O.V.

"Absolutely not," I say as I look at my reflection in the mirror. "I am not wearing this dress."

"You don't have time to change into anything else," Effie tells me.

"It's too short," I say as I try pulling it down a little, which then over-exposes my breasts. I let out an aggravated sigh.

"It sends a message to everyone," Effie tells me.

I have to refrain from rolling my eyes. "What message?"

"That you're not a little girl anymore."

"I'm also not a stripper," I mumble. "Can we please find something a little more… modest for me to wear?"

"That dress is fine, Katniss."

I know she's losing her patience with me, but this is absolutely ridiuclous. It's way too tight around my stomach, showing off what little baby weight I've gained. But Effie's right. There's not time to do anything about it.

I don't say anything as I walk off and over to where Peeta's at. A boyish grin spreads across his face when he sees me. I go to stand beside of him.

"I take it you like this dress a lot more than I do," I say to Peeta. He laughs a little and wraps an arm around my waist.

"You okay?" He asks me. "You look a little pale."

"I'm fi-" But before I can get the word out, the room tilts, and Peeta quickly catches me in his arms.

"Katniss!" Peeta gasps. "What happened?" I take a deep breath and close my eyes, willing everything to be still.

"I'm just a little dizzy."

"Come here," Peeta says as he leads me over to a chair. I slowly sit down, trying my best not to fall over. "Are you feeling sick?"

"No," I say as I shake my head. I hear Effie talking, but I don't pay attention as to what she's saying.

"She can't go out there like this," Peeta says.

"She has to," Effie argues. I quickly look up at Peeta to see him shaking his head.

"I said she's not going to do the interview," Peeta says as he looks down at me.

"Peeta, I'm fine." I try to stand up, but fall back down in the chair when the world starts spinning again.

"You're not okay, Katniss," Peeta tells me. "You look like you're about to pass out." I take a deep breath, feeling the nausea creep up on me.

I quickly reach over and grab Peeta's arm. "Peeta." I say. I don't have to speak another word for Peeta to know what's going on. He quickly grabs the nearest trash can and holds it out for me as I begin to vomit.

Peeta kneels down beside the chair and uses his free hand to hold my hair back.

"You're okay, Katniss," he tells me softly.

"Peeta, you… have to… go," I say between gasps of air before I start heaving again.

"I'm not leaving you."

"I'll be… okay… for a few minutes." Peeta starts to shake his head again, but Haymitch walks over to us.

"Go get the interview over with," Haymitch tells Peeta. "It won't take long. I'll stay with her."

Peeta gives me an unsure look, and I nod my head.

"Go on," I tell him. Peeta sighs and leans over to kiss my cheek.