Happy Valentine's Day, darlings!

And more importantly: Happy Birthday to this story!

Oh myyy, how time flies~

)o(

I wake up from a faint tapping sound at my door. I listen for another sound whilst slowly becoming aware of my surroundings. I find myself still curled up against Effie, much like I was when I fell asleep. My shirt's stuck to my skin with half-dried sweat and I vaguely remember waking up multiple times throughout the night, but I can't quite recall what I dreamed and am glad for that. Deciding I must have imagined the knock, I close my eyes again, only for the knocking to become louder.

The door's opened a few seconds later and Haymitch flicks on the light. I blink against the sudden brightness as Effie throws a hand over her eyes with a groan. My mentor only smiles at the sight of us curled up together, grumpy at being woken."You'd better get up, princess, kiddo. Afterall, it's a big, big, big day. Right, Effs?"

Effie's up in an instant, bustling about and organising everything by the time I make it out of my room for breakfast, yawning and rubbing my eyes. Definitely too early. I'll never understand how she can be this active this early. Then again, Katniss goes hunting at the crack of dawn...

I've barely eaten anything when the prepteam shows up. Flavius and Octavia immediately want to start getting me ready, but Venia is luckily more perceptive, indicating my almost full plate."Let her eat. We can't have her dropping of stage, can we?"

I smile and nod my thanks."The audience loved you yesterday,"I remark before digging in while they chatter on and on in absolute excitement.

Once I'm done eating, I let them primp me as they see fit until Cinna shows up. He dresses me in a light blue dress and matching shoes. At first I think the dress is all frills and lace, but then I realise I'm wrong. It's entirely made of cloth primroses that look so real I actually am tempted to smell them.

"It's beautiful,"I tell him, and I really mean it. Then it's almost time for the interview, which takes place in the sitting room with only a few cameras watching.

Caesar Flickerman hugs me tightly as I enter."Congratulations, Primrose. How are you?"

"Just a bit nervous about the interview,"I admit. Smiling and looking adorable was one thing, actually speaking is something entirely else. What if I somehow anger Snow?

He pats my cheek gently."You'll do fine. I promise, nothing you say will be wrong."

I can only hope that's true.

Someone counts backward and just like that, we're being broadcast live to the entire country. Caesar Flickerman is wonderful, teasing, joking, getting choked up when the occasion presents itself. I try to go along with it as best I can manage, considering I have really no idea what they want from me.

Someone no one could view as a danger, Effie said. But how exactly would I ever be viewed as a danger by Snow? Not even knowing that, I can't exactly do the opposite. So I just try to sound pro-Capitol without sounding pro-Games, as that would disgust me too much and everyone could easily see right through me. I'm not exactly the best liar. I praise Cinna, Effie, the clothes I've been given, the food and thank all my sponsors – whatever I can honestly say that the Capitol will likely enjoy hearing.

"Who is your favourite Victor, dear?"Caesar asks finally, as he does all fresh victors. I'm relieved to know the interview is almost over, but realise I have no idea how to answer. Most Victors joke about it being themselves or just throw out a random name, some answer the Capitol will like. I consider saying Johanna Mason, the girl with the brilliant strategy and the deadly axe. Finnick Odair, whose status as youngest Victor I usurped. Enobaria Sevina, who is undeniably a Capitol favourite. Or maybe another outer-district kid like me who won against all the odds. Before I can decide what Snow might want to hear, what my team wants me to say, what is the right answer, I already find a name tumbling from my lips."Annie Cresta."

There's a few seconds of complete silence that seem to last forever. Caesar, so practiced in this, seems taken aback."Annie Cresta?"

The unspoken words hang between us heavily, easily guessed. The poor, mad girl. The tribute who won by being the best swimmer. Who only killed people by dragging them deeper when they tried to drown her. The woman from Four who isn't a Career. The Victor who barely counts as a Victor. Favourite Victor, Annie Cresta?

But it's hardly as if I can take it back now that it's been said, so I nod with a smile."Yes, Annie Cresta. We're alike, she and I. We won by outlasting the competition."

And Caesar, bless him, chuckles as if that were the best answer I could have possibly given and I'm so thankful I could kiss him. That man is an absolute blessing.

Caesar signs off and I'm finally free to say my goodbyes to my prepteam, Cinna and Portia and I'm off. Once we're on the train, Effie hands me a neatly wrapped package."I thought it best to keep it for you until the cameras were gone."

I open it and find my mockingjay pin and the portrait of Amber that Peeta made for me. The weeping mess I am reduced to for the next few hours proves her judgement to be sensible.

The rest of the journey passes me by in an absolute blur. I think there's food at some point; Haymitch must have carried me to bed because I can't remember going there; I wake up screaming; Effie never leaves my side. I couldn't really say how long I'm on the train, it all melts together.

Then we're finally pulling into District Twelve.

I completely forget about the cameras the second I step of the train, jumping out as soon as it stops and searching the crowd for my loved ones.

Rory is first to reach me and I fling myself into his arms, letting him lift me of my feet and twirl me around, his laughter filling my ears as giggles spill from my mouth. He has barely set me down when Katniss already embraces me, crying and laughing at the same time and then Mum's there, peppering kisses on my face and pulling both me and Katniss into her arms. Over her shoulder, I can see Livia and Estelle rushing to meet me hand in hand, bright smiles on their faces, Vick not far behind with Posy on his back.

I'm home.

)o(

And that concludes this story! Or, well, the first part of it. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, followed, favourited or even just silently read along. You guys are the best! xx

I don't think I'll get the sequel up this Sunday, so it'll likely start on the 23rd.

So, keep an eye out for Littlest Victor, coming soon to a theatre near you ;)