Peeta's POV
The laughing from next door was unbearable. The Everdeens were hosting a birthday party for one of the Hawthorne kids. I didn't know which one, I think it was one of the younger boys, Rory or Vick. I had baked the cake but dropped it off earlier with Prim. It was Sunday which was Gale's day off so he and Katniss would both be in the woods. Together. Why did I even know Gale's schedule? I hated him. No, I didn't. I just hated that Katniss loved him. Katniss loved him. I didn't know why it was so hard to wrap my head around it. She was lying to me, she was using me, and she had really messed with my mind. She loved him and not me.
Another shout and I moved up from the kitchen table. Was it creepy I was just staring at their house through the window? Oh no, I can't be a creep. I just needed them to be quieter, if they were quieter is would be so much easier to ignore them. If they threw any more parties I could end up like Haymitch. I needed more friends. I'm sure friends would help.
I sent one more glance out the window and was about to turn in for the night but suddenly saw something move outside. I ran outside to see who it was but when I opened the door there was no one in sight. I looked around a few times and saw someone walking down the dimly lit street "Wait!" I called out.
The person turned around and started to walk towards me. As she stepped into the light I saw that it was Madge Undersee, the mayor's daughter. "Madge? What are you doing here?"
"Peeta?! Oh, I was just… I was maybe going to go to Vick's birthday party but then I was already so late, I didn't want to interrupt." Her look of surprise made her bright blue eyes appear bigger and doe-like, they matched her dress and it went well with her white cardigan. She was nice, if not quiet although I never really talked to her before. I had no idea she knew any of the Hawthornes but she was Katniss' friend so I guess it was more of a mutual friends type thing.
"Madge, how are you?"
"Oh me? I'm good, great even." She sent me a small smile. "How are you Peeta?"
"I'm doing amazing. How can I not? I won the hunger games with the love of my life." I raise my voice at the last bit because I think I have the right to be a little bitter about the whole situation.
Madge just stares at me though and I'm forced to look into those bright blue eyes and I'm caught off guard because it's sad. She looks lonely, wistful even and I wonder at that moment how I must look, my best guess would be that I personify self-pity. And all of a sudden she smiles and all those silent feelings are gone.
"Take care of yourself Peeta." And she leaves, just like that. If I were friends with Madge then maybe I wouldn't just be helping myself.
