Chapter Text
The bath is run deep and hot with lots of bubbles, but its not for me. My twelve year old sister, Prim, stands beside me in the bathroom, slowly removing her clothes while I run the shower for myself. Some might find it strange that we are sixteen and twelve yet still shower/bath at the same time, but we find it comforting. Our father died when we were young and our mother threw herself into her work. While she's always been able to provide for us she's never been there for us. Its always just been the two of us for as long as we can remember. It gets awful lonely in the big house when we're the only ones home. That's why we always stay in the same room - even the bathroom.
Once I'm satisfied that the shower is just the right temperature I strip off and climb in as Prim sinks into her bath. I squirt some orange scented shampoo into my hand and massage it into my head. With my hair still full of bubbles I grab my razor off of the bench and begin shaving my legs.
"What are we doing tomorrow?" Prim asks quietly. "I want to do something."
"And we can, Little Duck." I say. "Whatever you want to do."
"Can we go to the pool?" She asks as she looks up at me with excitement in her eyes.
Prim loves the pool. But I haven't taken her in years. That's where all the popular kids hang out, you see, and popular isn't really my scene.
I finish shaving my legs and rinse the shampoo out of my hair, avoiding her question. I then pick up the bottle of orange conditioner up off the floor and massage a generous amount into my hair before I begin shaving my arms.
"I don't know, Little Duck." I finally say. "Are you sure you want to go to the pool?"
"Yes!" She squeals. "So can we?"
I avoid her question, instead I put my razor away and rinse the conditioner out of my hair. I reapply it and massage it in again before picking up my bottle of lavender body wash.
"If that's what you want." I give in and it instantly becomes worth it with the way my sister's face lights up.
"Oh my god! Thank you, Katniss!" She cries. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"
I sigh and rinse myself off. We have enough money to have anything we want yet its the simple things that make her happy. And seeing her happy is what makes me happy.
I shut off the shower and wrap myself in a towel before beginning my extensive face cleansing routine. I may be a loser at school but I don't want to look the part.
Once finished I dry myself off and pull on my panties and bra. By the time I'm dressed for bed in my short shorts and tank top Prim is out of the bath. She dresses in a thin satin nightgown then we leave the bathroom.
"Can we go out onto the roof?" She asks.
"Sure." I say.
I grab our father's old hunting jacket and pull it on over my pyjamas and Prim wraps herself in one of those blankets with sleeves that she loves so much. It might be warm inside but its chilly outside at night.
We sit up on our roof for hours. Talking about everything and nothing. I'm about ready to suggest going inside when Prim catches me off guard with a casual question she asks.
"Do you know who I think you'd be cute with?" She's looking me square in the eyes, a serious look on her face.
I shake my head. A smile graces her lips and she turns to face the house next door to us. The light is on in the bedroom across from mine. Prim turns back to me before saying the name of the guy who sleeps in that room.
"Peeta Mellark."