CHAPTER SEVENTEEN!

ANGER.

THE LAST THING ELENA WANTED TO do after seeing Peeta on the television was have a meeting with the entirety of District Thirteen the following morning. She doesn't want to listen to the people call him a traitor or hate on him for being practically forced into saying those words — he deserves to be safe just like they are.

"Good afternoon. Thank you for interrupting your schedules. They have already been adjusted to compensate for the delay," President Coin begins as she stands above the people of District Thirteen.

Elena usually is not quick to make judgements on people but she cannot help but feel as if Coin not a good leader. The way she carries herself exudes overconfidence and even a sense of arrogance - in some ways she reminds her of Snow.

" I have an announcement for the citizens of 13, and our welcome guests from 12. Katniss Everdeen has consented to be the face of our cause to help unite the districts against the Capitol," Coin continues and Elena looks to Finnick who stands beside her, catching Katniss walking towards them out of the corner of her eye.

"Are they going to get Peeta and Annie?" Elena asks and Finnick moves his gaze to her, giving her a sad smile as he tries to find the right words. Unless Katniss has somehow convinced them, there is no way Coin would go and collect Peeta after the interview the other night.

"In exchange, I have promised several concessions. First, we'll assess all opportunities for the extraction of the Victors held hostage in the Capitol. Peeta Mellark, Johanna Mason —" before Finnick can even speak the question is answered for him, a small smile arising on Elena's face.

However, the smile is quickly wiped away when she hears the obvious displeasure from those around her. Elena controls herself, trying her hardest to not muster up her scariest glare to give them - not that it would even be that scary.

"And Annie Cresta. Once freed, they will be granted full pardon for any and all crimes committed against the rebel cause," Coin is interrupted by the audience showing even more hatred for her words. "If Katniss Everdeen fails to fulfill her duties, the deal will be off. Thank you for your attention. Please, resume your daily schedules,"

Sometime after the meeting, Elena finds herself on her lonesome as everybody else walks off to do their duties. Due to the fact she suffered a concerning head injury, Elena is still off work until she is better. Whilst she's not against the fact she gets out of work, it is overly lonely to be by yourself for more than half the day.

Apparently, Katniss and a small team have gone out to film some small videos to promote their cause. She's aware of the fact Haymitch and Gale had gone with her and yet she has no clue where everybody else is. Her brother is more than likely with Finnick but where they are, she doesn't know.

"You hiding?"

Elena turns her head to see Prim standing there with a small smile on her face. Over the past few weeks, Prim has been of great help to the blonde from District Four and her cat has been of great comfort. Elena has always wanted a cat but her brother was greatly against the idea.

"Not exactly, just thinking really," Elena replies as the younger girl sits to her right. "What are you doing in my neck of the woods?"

"I couldn't find you out in the halls, it's almost dinner time. Mum said I should come and find you before everybody else eats all the food," Prim speaks.

"I don't know why they'd want to, it's not the most appealing. Thank you, though. I am a little hungry,"

The two blondes walk side by side towards the dining area which is already full of people. Elena squeezes past those in the crowd to her usual table which is unsurprisingly empty, most of those she usually eats with busy at this moment. She then notices Gale and Katniss walking over to her and she smiles softly before the television switches on again.

"She was arguably our favorite Tribute. And I think that's what we all find most astonishing, is that this girl was adored in the Capitol. And I think for you, Peeta, it must be particularly painful," Caesar begins and when the camera cuts to the male tribute, he looks almost sick.

His face is sunk in and he is a sickly pale colour. In his hand he holds a white rose, his eyes staring directly down the camera almost as if he's looking straight at her. Peeta fiddles with the rose.

"He's changed so much already. What are they doing to him?" Katniss questions and Elena spares her a quick glance before returning to the screen.

"The rose. Why have you got a rose?" Caesar asks the boy who moves his gaze to the flower in his hand. "Is that for Katniss? Or is that for Elena? Pretending to be in love and winning the games — was that your plan the whole time? To insight a rebellion?"

"I loved Katniss, I did. I don't think we were meant for each other," Peeta's voice is soft and Elena moves to stand beside said girl, grabbing her hand for comfort due to the fact Finnick and Jace are nowhere in sight.

"Interesting. So it's Elena whom has your heart? You only knew each other for such a small period of time, does love really spark in that time? Or was she a part of the rebellion? Are you giving that rose to a girl who is potentially a part of all that violence?" Caesar tries to cause some sort of negative reaction.

Elena gulps as she watches the boy she's come to adore fiddle with the flower in what either seems to be fear or nervousness.

"Unless, of course, Peeta, you think that perhaps she's being forced into being a part of this because of who she is associated with. Finnick Odair, Katniss Everdeen —" he tries to sound sympathetic but it is obvious he is just digging for information.

"Yeah. Yeah, that's exactly what I think. I also think they're using Katniss to whip up the rebels. I doubt she even knows what's happening and what's really at stake," Peeta sounds different to how she remembers him last and even further from the friendly boy in the arena — her Peeta is a different man.

"Now, Peeta, I doubt that the rebels will ever let her see this. But if they do, what would you say to her? To Katniss Everdeen, the once sweet Katniss Everdeen. What would you say?" Caesar asks.

"I would tell her to think for herself. Don't be a fool, Katniss. I know you never wanted the rebellion. The things that you did in the Games were never intended to start all of this," Peeta is now openly crying as he stares down the camera once again.

"The rebels have made you into something that you're not, something that could destroy all of us. So if you have any power or any say in what they do or how they use you; please, please, urge them to stop this war before it's too late, and ask yourself, can you trust the people you're working with? Do you know what they really want?"

"We need to respond," Gale's voice is quiet as Caesar signs off.

"Did you see what he looks like?" Katniss asks her best friend who doesn't seem the slightest bit bothered by the boy's condition, admittedly angering Elena.

"I saw a coward,"

Elena snaps her head to him and glares.

"You don't have any idea what he's going through," Katniss defends.

"I don't care! I would never say what he just said. Not if they tortured me, not with a gun to my head," Gale retorts.

"Yeah? What a great man you are then. The almighty Gale Hawthorne who sits on his high horse. When did you ever compete in the Games, Gale? When did you ever experience that psychological torture?" Elena hisses and the boy looks a little surprised she's speaking to him like that.

"He's only looking out for himself," Gale speaks. "Coin has called a meeting, we need to respond,"

"When did 'we' become you and Coin?" Katniss asks.

"Everyone has a choice. How can he sit there in the Capitol and defend the people who destroyed his home and murdered his family?"

"Ever think he doesn't know? Why would they share that information with him Gale? It will do nothing but jeopardise their agenda. Maybe you should take a moment to put yourself in his shoes because you've done nothing but criticise him from the beginning," Elena is furious.

"She's right, Gale. He doesn't know. How could he? Nobody's seen what the Capitol did to Twelve. I have to show them," Katniss backs the blonde girl up.

"Yeah. Maybe then you'll get it through your thick skull that Peeta is not the enemy, he's a victim just like the rest of us,"

Elena makes the point of bumping into the taller male as harshly as she can as she walks by, personifying the anger that is feeling deep within her. Deep down, she knows that Gale probably doesn't believe his own words but the past few weeks have been rough — unfortunately he was the person who had to feel weeks of bubbling emotions, anger, sadness, fear and frustration all rolled up within her.

No matter what the people of Thirteen think, she will defend that boy to her last dying breath. No amount of hate and criticism can change that — Peeta Mellark was going to be saved, even if she has to do it herself.

NOTE!

Thank you for reading!