Part 1: Something is off.
Peeta P.O.V
She walks past me and I catch a whiff of her scent. Mint and wood. She's already been hunting I guess, but she's never back early. I notice I'm still standing outside when I should get back to the kitchen; once inside I put bread in the oven and think for a while. I start to wonder if something is wrong but quickly wash it away as I see my brother snapping his fingers in front of me. "Peeta?! You're burning the bread!" he shouts and I rush to take it out of the scorching oven. "Come on Peeta, what's wrong with you today? You know mom would kill you if you burnt another one. That'd be the 3rd one this week." He continues but I miss most of it; I'm too worried about Katniss, she didn't even stop by the window today. She usually does, but not for long. It probably hurts having something you really want right in front of you but knowing you can't have it. "Sorry Rye, I'm just worried about…her" I tell him, whispering as I say her. Mom knows dad never really got over Katniss' mom, but neither of them talk about it. She hates it when I bring up her daughter, Katniss; I think she takes it like I'm taunting her. But I can't help that I love her. Either way it still earns me a whack upside the head every time. "Why are you worried? She's not starving is she? That's all that can really be wrong." He states matter of factly. Sometimes I wonder what really goes through his head. "First of all, that's not all that could be wrong and second, that's not It." he mumbles something I don't catch then clears his throat. "Well then what happened?" he asks. "She got back from the woods early. She never comes back early! Only on reaping day, but it's not reaping day today and she didn't come by the window either. Something's not right." I sigh and lean against the counter while rye takes in what I said. "Well, what doesn't sound right to me is your head. You worry too much Peeta. I'm sure she's fine, maybe she just had a rough day. Ok? Just get back to work before mom gets back or we'll both get it." I sigh again but heavier and start on cupcakes. Maybe I am over thinking it, Katniss is probably fine. But Katniss doesn't have rough days. I worry more and put my ingredients down. I have to make sure she's alright. I have to! I start toward the front of the bakery as I hear the door open. We're closed so that could only be one person. Mom. I duck behind the counter packed with breads and pastries until I hear the footsteps stop. Oh great, she knows I'm here, I think and soon start to panic but then they continue, straight past me, into the kitchen. No! I really hope Rye covers for me or I'm dead. I quietly sneak back to the kitchen but stop dead in my tracks as I hear my mom yelling. "Where is your idiot brother?! He's supposed to making the cakes and by the looks of things; it seems he already started but what? Did he just disappear?" I hide behind the door leading into the kitchen and press my ear against it, so I can listen to see if I need make a run for it. "No mom, of course not, he just had to pee. But don't worry, I was taking over for him." I hear rye blurt and feel my chest ease up a bit until I hear the click of heels start toward my hiding place. "Are you sure, rye?" she asks with a mocking tone. "I could've sworn I passed something blond coming in." she takes another step toward me. "That was probably the bread mom, don't worry. A-and I'm sure you've had a long day, why don't you go rest. I'll make sure Peeta gets out of the bathroom real fast." He stutters and ushers her up the stairs leading to our house. As soon as it goes silent I run in and continue the cupcakes as if I didn't almost get caught. Soon enough rye comes back and rushes over to me. "Where the heck were you?! Mom would've beaten you if I hadn't covered up for you." He whispers harshly. "Sorry, I-I don't know what came over me. I just had to make sure Katniss was ok." I admit sheepishly and look down at the dough. "Are you out of your mind? You knew mom would've been home soon and you still risked leaving?" he asks in disbelief that I would be so stupid. "I know, sorry" I say "can we just back to work, it won't happen again" I promise him, still not making eye contact. I hate when my older brothers make me feel weak, even though it was my own fault. "Okay. Just don't do it again." He sighs and we work the rest of the night in silence.
