A/n Hi, there! I know this same story-line has basically been redone over and over and over, post-mockingjay, pre-epilogue, but it's really the only one that interests me.

Butt saving time. Disclaimer: The Hunger Games and characters in this story belong to the wonderful Suzanne Collins. I do own this creation, however, so don't steal.


My name is Katniss Everdeen. I am eighteen years old. Prim was called for the reaping of the 74th hunger games. I volunteered in her place. I was in the hunger games… twice. I started a rebellion. I was the Mockingjay. I killed Coin. My mother is in another district. Gale is in district 2. I am in district 12. Peeta is alive. I am alive. I shouldn't be alive. Prim is dead. My father is dead. Finnick is dead. Plutarch is dead. Coin is dead. Snow is dead. Rue is dead. Millions of people are dead. Because of me. it's all because I pulled out those stupid Nightlock berries at the end of my first hunger games.

My body racked over in sobs. Dr. Aurelius, Haymitch, even my own mother, had suggested I take a walk through the District in attempts to boost my mood. What was wrong with them when they said this? After weeks of sitting in my house in the Victor's Village alone, besides a short, silent visit from Greasy Sae each day for breakfast and dinner, I decided I should try it out. No. It was a bad idea. I haven't spoken much to Peeta since he planted those Primroses in front of my house, just a small wave and dainty smile exchange, and then back to my own despair. Greasy Sae's granddaughter would sometimes offer me to play with a string of yarn with her, but I would just give her a small smile, in memory of Prim and Rue, and reject her offer, sending her off to her own little world again. She seemed happy. I sure wish I was her age again, before I was able to have been reaped. Before I was starving. Before my father was dead. Before everything was so complicated. And this morning, she said something to me that brought an entire new form of heart-break to me.

"My momma told me about the rebellion and the hunger games." She then took me into a tight hug as I lent on my knees. "Thank you, Mockingjay." She whispers to me, as if about to cry.

"No problem." Was all I could muster before lying in bed for another couple hours and setting out to the district.

But what sent me to the District was the thought that this was what my mother was like when I lost my father. When she lost her husband. When I had neglected her presence afterwords. Maybe that was what Peeta was doing. Neglecting my existence.

Surprisingly enough, I had spent so much time in the house I had not even noticed the reconstruction of the town. Of course, the Seam was gone, basically the entire city merchant, but still, better for the starvation issue. We were no longer a coal-mining District, but instead, a medicinal District, which would probably mean the return of my mother some time soon. As I ventured by the stone pavement of where Gale was whipped, although the post was gone, I spotted a small, green, lizard. I let out a tiny shriek and took off. I found my feet in front of Peeta's new bakery. I could smell the warm, fresh bread, through the clearly polished glass doors. There was a ton of customers in there, all laughing and smiling, and I noticed Peeta handing out cookies to a group of young children with a warm smile. That smile that I miss so badly. I watch them through the doors and when I see most of them thank him, then turn to leave, I run around the corner of the building and peak at them leaving the bakery with large smiles and cookies for all. When they're all gone, along with the rest of the adults, it's just one customer, who seems to be laughing and joking along, with Peeta. My Peeta. I'm tempted to go in. So tempted.

I bring my hand to the cool metal but quickly jerk it away. What am I doing? I can't just waltz back into Peeta's life, what if I trigger a flashback or something? I would never know how to deal with that, especially since it's endangering not only him, but myself as well. As I see Peeta hand a small white paper bag to the customer, who is sitting comfortably on a wooden stool, I decide to walk in. There's a bell above the door that rings when I open it and I grimace at the noise, not wanting to have been spotted so instantly. For a second, Peeta's beautiful blue eyes meet mine but then flicker back to the customer, who is turning to leave. This man looks at me with a sweet smile, he's about my age, and says something to me.

"Miss, I know you don't know me, and I don't know you too well, but you were an inspiration. You are so brave and wonderful, not to mention beautiful, along with every one of your scars, I would like to take you out. Would you do me the honor?" He asks. I'm flabbergasted. I can feel Peeta staring daggers at the man, who has dark brown hair, but his sunglasses restrict me from getting even a glance at the color of his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I'm just walking through town today. Odds are I'll be home and sobbing about my… um… family. I'm just not going to consider socializing right now. Maybe some other time?" I say, politely. Because the other half of me was ready to scream, "I JUST GOT OUT OF LEADING A REBELLION, BARELY ALIVE. I WAS IN THE HUNGER GAMES TWICE AND YOU HAVE THE NERVE TO ASK ME OUT? BESIDES, I HAVE PEETA!" but the thought of Peeta constricted me from saying it.

"You'll keep your word, some other time?" He asks me. I know what this means. This means that I'll owe him a day. A date. I hear Peeta shuffle around the kitchen, trying his hardest not to invest in my personal life, but I know that he's eavesdropping.

"Of course." I promise. He smiles at me, takes my hand and kisses it gently before walking out the glass doors.

Suddenly I feel dizzy. I'm left alone in the building with Peeta, who just witnessed some man, probably a friend of his, ask me out. I feel like I'm back in middle school. I wander around the front room, sunset orange walls and a yellow tiled floor. There are paintings hanging on the walls, and I freeze when I see a painting of Haymitch, Effie, Peeta and I. I look at it, tearing up, but I don't cry. No. I won't cry. I'm strong enough to bare through this. I am strong enough not to cry. I continue walking the outlines of the walls. This time, when I come across a painting of my beautiful Prim, in the dress and hair-do she wore for the reaping, I collapse onto the floor, sobs coming on at full force. Peeta rushes over to me within seconds, and takes me into his arms.

"Are you alright, Katniss?" He asks. I flinch from his touch a second, but don't refuse him. I've missed this. His strong arms around me, comforting me through my horrible memories and nightmares. Those nights on the train where we would sleep together and he would chase my nightmares away with only his presence. Out of all the good nights about the Hunger Games –if there were any- those were my favorite. Suddenly, I remembered I had yet to answer his question.

"No. No, I'm not alright." I manage a whisper, but even then, my voice cracks somehow. Is that even possible?

"I miss Prim. I miss my mother, and Finnick, and Darius, and Plutarch, even Effie and Haymitch! Nobody's around anymore. But most of all, I miss you." The last part comes out under my breath, I'm surprised he can hear me through the loud sobs that leave my mouth.

God, I sound like a dying whale. Suddenly he freezes. I look up at him, my glassy eyes struggling to look up at him, and he's staring into the distance. Is he trying to fight off a flashback? A flashback of something that never was? Of me killing him, or attempting to, at the least? I was frightened. By Peeta, for the first time. Even during the games, when he had joined the Careers, I wasn't frightened. Then, I wanted so desperately to put an arrow through his heart and end his life there.

Maybe it would have been easier.


a/n so, what do you think? It's my first time writing in the present-tense and it's kind of weird. I keep having to go back and change it from past-tense to present-tense. Also, if you haven't noticed, this is Katniss's point of view. I think the whole story will be, until further notice. Maybe not, though. I'm not sure yet. Please leave a review, tell me if you liked it, hated it, or what I can do to make it better. Don't be afraid to suggest ideas either, which I may or may not use. *wink* *wink* ;)

-Tori-

P.s, I don't know when I might be updating next, maybe in a week, maybe a month, maybe even in a few days, if I'm feeling creative. It also depends on the amount of reviews I get.

P.p.s, just in case you haven't noticed, the title of this story was inspired by a song by R5... which is also called "Say You'll Stay". (The title was also inspired by the line, "Stay with me?" from the hunger games.