Chapter Eleven
It was late afternoon when we arrived in District 4. I wasn't exactly sure why we were visiting this District, but I wasn't going to question it. I didn't want to seem like I was badgering them or annoying them. "Mom, are we almost there?" Rye whined, tossing back his head.

"Just about." Mom answered before going back to her conversation with Dad and Haymitch on the couch across the room. Looking at the way they were speaking, I knew I wouldn't be allowed to hear. They were crouched and speaking in low, hushed voices. Yup, definitely not for my ears.

"Hey, I can see the ocean." Rye perked up, his eyes widening at the sight. I turned around, looking over my shoulder.

Wow.

The dazzling water seemed to go on for forever. There was no land behind the water. Only water. For miles and miles. Each wave sparkled from the sunlight, crashing against each other to form brighter lights.

I squinted my eyes, trying to watch the waves pound against the shore. "It's so bright." I said, speaking my mind.

"Yeah, it hurts my eyes." Rye agreed. I turned around, watching him rub his eyes. He blinked them as he opened them again, meeting my eyes. I smiled, letting out a soft chuckle.

He giggled back, looking down at the placemat. We were forced to sit at the table. Well, I wouldn't say forced. It was either the table or our room. I really didn't want to go back there. "Do you think we'll get to play in the water?" He asked, his fingers tracing the lines in the table.

I shrugged my shoulder. "Maybe. We are spending the night with Grandma." I answered.

"I've never met Grandma," he said, his face contorting. He looked up, his gray eyes locking with mine. "What's she like?"

"I actually don't know," I replied, lowering the left side of my face. "I was really little the last time I saw her."

"Were you my age?" He asked.

"About," I nodded. "Maybe a little older. You were a baby."

"Does she think I'm still a baby?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "No. She knows you're not a baby."

He grinned, looking back down at the table. "Good. Because she might have been expecting a little baby and would have got me a crib to sleep in. That would be very uncomfortable."

I laughed again, tossing back my head. "She won't make you sleep in a crib," I assured. "Or eat baby food." I quickly added. He tossed back his head, his giggles echoing around the room.

Mom and Dad perked up, glancing at us to see what we were doing. "What do you two think you're doing?" Dad asked, playfulness present in his smile.

"Willow said Grandma was going to feed me baby food!" Rye laughed, pointing at me. My jaw dropped as I looked at Dad, shaking my head.

"I did not!" I defended, slightly laughing. "He asked if Grandma thought he would be a baby and I told him she wouldn't!" I explained. Dad stood up, walking towards us.

He quickly scooped up Rye, making him laugh louder. "Grandma doesn't think you're a baby," Dad chuckled, gently pinching Rye's sides. "But your Mom does!"

Mom grinned, standing up to come Dad's side. She leaned over his shoulder, looking down at Rye. "You're my baby boy!" She cheered, covering his face with kisses.

He giggled up a storm, slightly kicking his legs. Then he paused, looking over at me with a smile on his face. "What about Willow? Is she a baby?"

"My Willow?" Mom asked, playfulness in her tone. She strode towards me as Rye laughed. She placed her hands on my shoulders, looking at Rye. "You think she's a baby?"

He laughed, nodding his head. Mom put her face near mine, her gray eyes looking into mine. "Of course, she's a baby! She's my baby girl!" Mom cheered, placing kisses on my face. I giggled, pushing her away. "Right, Peeta? Isn't she our little girl?"

Dad came to her aid, covering me with kisses as well. I laughed, trying to push them away, but they were too powerful. It felt like a millions kisses were being targeted on my face as Rye laughed in the background.

I opened my eyes as Dad rubbed his nose against mine. "She's our little peanut." He teased. I giggled, hearing my childhood nickname.

Slowly, the train came to stop as the kisses did. Haymitch rose from the couch as we packed a few items, the things we'd need to sleep at Grandma's. We all crowded around the door. I watched as Mom slipped her hand into Dad's, him giving her a small squeeze.

"Haymitch, have you met my grandma?" Rye asked as the doors opened. Haymitch nodded, brushing his dark locks out of his eyes.

"Yes, I met her a long time ago." He briefly replied. Rye oohed, looking forward. Suddenly, I felt a wave of nervousness. Something felt off. I felt anxious.

Quickly, I slipped my hand into Uncle Haymitch's. I didn't want to be alone. I felt him look down at it, but he didn't say anything or let go. He must have realized that I needed support.

I glanced over at Rye, whose hand was also in Haymitch's. This must be a sight. Haymitch isn't known for his kindness or gentleness. If anything, you would think he would be cussing us out and shoving our hands away.

Maybe it's just because he's our family. Maybe it's because he secretly loves us on the inside. Or maybe it's just because he's drunk and needs support to walk. I did see him drinking a few glasses of alcohol before we got off.

I shook my head, clearing it from those thoughts. Of course, Haymitch loves us. Otherwise he wouldn't put up with us. He wouldn't have helped me last night on the train and he definitely wouldn't have agreed to come on this trip if he didn't love us. There's no doubt in my mind that he doesn't love us.

As we walked further into the crowd, our group of three behind Mom and Dad, I heard a soft voice gasp. I titled my head, trying to get a glance at whoever met us here. Arms wrapped around Mom and tears were pouring down her cheek.

Grandma.

"I'm so happy to see you again, Katniss." She croaked, laying her head against Mom. Mom didn't speak, but she kept her arms wrapped tight around her. Dad watched on the side, a sad smile on his face.

"Is that Grandma, Uncle Haymitch?" Rye whispered. Haymitch nodded his head, but didn't speak. He just stood there, taking in the moment. Was it like this the last time too? Haymitch taking care of us while Mom comforted Grandma?

They let go, their arms lingering on each other. Grandma brushed her graying hair from her face and her blue eyes met mine. "Oh, Willow. Look how you've grown." She cooed, walking towards me.

Her soft hands gently brushed my locks from my face. Her quiet eyes studied me, taking in every detail. Slowly, she leaned forward, placing a kiss on my nose. It wasn't like the kisses on the train just moments before. Her kiss was so soft that it reminded me of a butterfly landing on my nose. "You're just as beautiful as your mother." She grinned.

Before I could thank her, she wandered off to Rye. She kneeled down in front of him, cooing as she told him how big he had grown since the last time she held him. Of course, Rye giggled and explained he was no longer a baby.

Typical Rye.

"Well, should we drop off your things then head to the restaurant? I told Annie we'd meet her there." Grandma smiled, standing up and patting down her skirt.

xxx

"This is a restaurant?" Rye asked, his head scanning the quiet room. District 12 is a little behind on the new Capitol wave coming in. New ideas and social developments have been making their way into the districts, hitting the most popular places first.

District 12 is far away and still being rebuilt from the rebellion. It might take decades before the Capitol craze hits us. Maybe not even that. We're lucky enough that the train can come in and out without any problems. After all, the bombing took most of District 12 nearly 25 years ago.

Rye and I were seated at the end of table. I was beside Dad and he was by Mom. Haymitch sat next to Dad and Grandma across from them. There were two chair left. I knew one was for Annie, but the other was a mystery.

I smoothed down my dress and tucked my newly braided hair behind my ears. Grandma tried explaining the concept of a restaurant before we come, but I only slightly understand what she was trying to explain.

Basically, you're supposed to look nice. You're supposed to wear your cleanest dress and make yourself presentable to the public. People make any food you ask for on their menu and you sit and let them take care of you.

I thought it was a silly idea. Why would someone have millions of different options for someone to ask for? How do you even know how to cook every item? And why do we need to look nice? We're the guests. We should get to dress as we please. But, my inner ideas tell me it's just the Capitol way. And there's no way I can change, no matter how bad I want to.

"Hello, Katniss. Good evening, Peeta," A dark haired woman greeted, giving slight wave to Mom and Dad. She continued to say hellos to everyone, but paused when she saw us. "You must be Peeta's and Katniss's children."

Rye and I nodded our heads as Mom and introduced us. The woman smiled, nodding at us. "Nice to meet you two. My name is Annie. I'm a close friend to your parents." She briefly explained.

We awed, giving her s soft smile. I knew she was a friend, but Rye obviously didn't, because I could tell that she just answered a million of his questions with one statement.

Suddenly, a tall, muscular man rushed to the table. He fixed his tied and swiped his bronze locks from his sea green eyes. "Good evening." He grinned, waving at us.

Everyone waved back. I had no idea who he was and I knew for a fact that Rye didn't. The man looked familiar. Was he possibly a former victor? A friend of Mom and Dad's? Maybe Hyamitch's old friend?

The adults started making small talk, smile beginning to grow. Rye and I on the other hand, well, we were nearly bored out of minds. There was only so much to do at a restaurant.

Before I could think, the strange man knelt down beside me and Rye. "Hello," he softly spoke, gathering out attention. My eyes locked with his green ones, entranced with the brilliant color. We didn't have eyes like this in 12. "You two are probably wondering who I am."

"Yeah. I was wondering who you were, but Mom says it's rude to ask." Rye answered. The man chuckled, nodding his head.

"Well, she's right," he replied, smiling. "My name is Fredrick." He answered, placing his hands on the table. "I'm a child of former victors, too." He added.

Our jaws dropped. He has victors as parents, too?! This must be some crazy coincidence. I thought for sure Rye and I were the only ones. Well, at school they act like we're the only ones.

"So you know what it's like?" I softly asked. "Everyone expecting you to do great things." I briefly added.

He grinned, showing off his pearly white teeth. "I know exactly how that feels," he nodded, his bronze hair shimmering in the dim lights. "It's not all sunshine and rainbows, is it?"

I shook my head, earning a laugh from him. He glanced at the adults, then back at us. "I just wanted to tell you two who I was and if you ever need any advice on how to handle the pressure from being the child of two victors, I'm always here." He explained, placing a phone number on the table.

He stood up, then walked back to his spot at the other end of the table. Gently, I picked up the card, feeling it between my fingers. Quickly, I memorized the number as Rye begged to get a look.

I handed the card off then looked back down at Fredrick. As if the light bulb turned on in my head, I realized who his parents were.

Annie and Finnick Odiar.

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