Okay! First of all, thank you to all the people who have already reviewed! My computer did something funky and messed up my paragraphs and spacing the first time I uploaded this chapter, so I re-uploaded it and hopefully it is fixed! Oh and for someone who asked, yes, I am definitely Team Peeta! Enjoy!

I remember the first time it happened. The first time he hit me. I was walking back to Gale's house after a day of hunting. I came home after the rebellion and had no one left. My mother was working as a

doctor somewhere in District 2 and everyone else was dead. Well, Peeta is alive, but he was somewhere in District 4 visiting an aunt of his and I didn't know how long he would be gone. Plus, I wasn't exactly

sure where we stood with our relationship, if you can even call it that. I couldn't stand to be alone all the time and Gale is my best friend. I honestly don't know what I would've done without him.

Anyways, I was walking up to the porch of the large rustic-looking house. The dwelling was not located in Victor's Village but it was still rather extravagant. The wooden carvings on the front door looking

as if roots were springing up and trying to claw their way through the door. I walked inside and closed the door behind me. Gale was standing in the kitchen area washing his hands. I smiled at him but his

terse words took me by surprise, "You're late."

I raised my eyebrows at him and said, "Yeah, I was heading back and saw that the bakery was being reopened. I went inside to check it out and started talking to Rick. He said they will finally reopen in

two weeks when Peeta returns." Gale turned to me, his gray signature Seam eyes glaring at me. "Of course, you can't wait until Peeta comes back, can you?" he said, emphasizing Peeta's name with

contempt. I wasn't sure where this was coming from. I mean, we weren't a couple exactly, but I guess we weren't just friends either. I hadn't really thought about it. We spent most of our time healing and

trying to forget the past. Well, maybe not forget, but remember without it hurting so much. He did hold me when I cried or woke up screaming, and I did the same for him. Peeta and I aren't the only ones who

have nightmares. Gale had fought in this war too.

"I'm not sure what you're talking about Gale?" I took a few steps toward him but stopped when I saw his hands ball into fists at his sides. His fingers were clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white.

"Oh sure!" he spat. "You are just waiting for your precious Peeta to come back so you can leave. Even though I'm the one who took care of you, I always have!" I could see now that he was having some

kind of episode, even if it wasn't as crazy as the ones Peeta is tortured with.

My voice turned to a soothing tone as I said, "I know you have, and I thank you for that. Don't be mad, that stuff you said isn't true."

Gale took three large steps toward me and I heard his leather boots scrape across the wooden floor. He grabbed my wrist and hissed, "Just come home on time." I yanked my arm away and pushed him

back.

Scowling at him I said, "Don't talk to me like that." He raised his arm and I was not expecting what came next. His swung his hand down and came in firm contact with my cheek. I could feel the sting but

that wasn't what brought tears to my eyes. The worst part was, for the first time in my life, I was afraid of Gale. I stood silently for a moment and stared up and him, waiting to see what he would do next. His

eyes flickered from anger to regret in a second. And that's when I ran. I turned and ran up the stairs with all my speed. I raced into my room and flung the door closed behind me. The lock clicked in place as I

stood with my back against the door, waiting to hear the footsteps that soon came. I slid down to the floor and hugged my knees to my chest. Salty tears streamed down my face and I wiped them away

angrily with the back of my hand.

"Katniss! Katniss, I'm sorry. Please open the door." Something was wrong. That wasn't the Gale I knew. I sat there and refused to open the door for several minutes of silence. "Katniss, I'm really sorry. It

was just one of those things, where I remember the games, and the war, and… I'm sorry. Please open up. Please, Catnip?" I could hear the hurt in his voice; he was sorry. And maybe I wasn't giving him

enough slack. I had those days too. When I couldn't believe my sister was gone, and I was angry. Angry at the world. Angry at everyone. So slowly, I rose to my feet and wiped my face with my sleeve. I

opened the door just a sliver and he slowly pushed it the rest of the way. Gale pulled me into his arms and I cried just a little. "I'm so sorry. It will never happen again, I promise." I looked up into his eyes and

I believed him. In that moment, I was sure it would never happen again.

But it did.

Okay! How did you like it? R&R please! I promise I will try to update soon!