Sneak Peek at Fidelity, Bravery, Integrity...Congeniality?
If you're unfamiliar with this one, this is my THG/Everlark Miss Congeniality AU, which I started writing a while ago, just for fun. I recently got some inspo for it, so I started working on it a bit again, among a few other fics. Some of this scene is verbatim or close to from the movie, but I've adapted it. Enjoy!
P.S. I don't have a cool fic cover/banner/aesthetic for this one yet, so if you like making those and are willing to make one for me, I'd love that!
“You know, I don’t appreciate your selfishness and immaturity when I’m working as hard as I am.”
“You’re working hard?” Katniss sniffed. “What does it matter? It’s fixed. I’m in the Top 5. Congratulations to me.”
“But is that enough?" Cinna asked sincerely. "Have you no dignity, no pride in your performance, in yourself?”
Cinna pressed his lips together. “Right. You hide behind those frumpy, oversized outfits and work suits and push away anyone who gets close, including someone who could love you.”
Katniss sneered. “Yeah right, like who?” Who other than Prim could love her?
Cinna pinned her with a look.
“You’re dreaming," Katniss scoffed.
Katniss glared at her stylist.
“You’re afraid he could love you," added Cinna.
“You’re crazy!" she exclaimed. "He doesn’t care about me, let alone love me...," she muttered the last part.
Cinna folded his arms tightly. “You tell yourself that because you have low self-esteem. Not to mention, you’re afraid.”
“Of what?!” She was getting more and more defensive by the second.
“Of being hurt. Of loving someone you could lose. Of being vulnerable and real. You name it.”
“I’ve had enough of this; I’m going to bed!" She dug her pointy heel into the marble floor and prepared to spin on it.
“Oh yes, just run away like the scared little girl you are.”
“Listen, you‒!" She turned back to face him and jabbed a finger at him. "I…!”
“Hm, I thought so.” Cinna raised a brow, and Katniss was dangerously close to pulling her weapon on him, just to make him piss his pants for harassing her.
“You're afraid," Cinna reiterated. "Terrified. In place of friends and relationships, you have…sarcasm and a gun.”
Katniss scoffed. “Look, I have friends and family I love and who love me. And I don’t have relationships because I work 24-7. You have no idea why I am the way I am!”
“Well, while we’re practicing interview questions, why are you the way you are?”
“None of your damn business.”
“None of your damn business,” Cinna repeated. “Well, I’ll bet the judges have never heard that one.” He snatched the crook of her arm when she turned to leave again. “Where are you going? We have more work to do here.”
Katniss spun around, and this time, she did pull her gun. “No,” she said pointedly, “we’re finished.”
“We’re finished,” Cinna said, a little breathy. She’d frightened him, and suddenly, she felt bad. She kept her hardened look on; although, she felt her lower lip beginning to tremble.
Before she could do something stupid, like cry, Katniss snatched the elusive pastry from him and spun on her stilettos. She tipped a little but remained upright, and as quickly as she could walk-hobble, she exited the studio.
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