We do not own The Hunger Games.

Here's the first chapter. Enjoy!(:

-Star

When I had thought about the Victory Tour, images of screaming fans and speeches to make came to mind. Not Gale.

Definitely not Gale.

And yet, there he was, sitting across from me at the table on a train headed for District 1. His dark eyes met mine and instantly narrowed. He had this "What're you looking at?" expression upon his face as he gave me a challenging grunt. I rolled my eyes and turned away.

Glancing to the right, I turned to see a beautiful girl with soft, black hair scribbling hastily in a large sketchpad. Her brow was furrowed in obvious frustration, and I was waiting for the pencil she was gripping so intensely to snap in two. It was this very girl's fault that the annoyance known as Gale was here with us. She didn't look it at first glance, especially when she was all done up by her Capitol crew, but this girl was a fierce warrior. It seemed like just days ago that she and I were running through the forest, trying to stay alive and not get killed. I was useless, in all honestly. I didn't do much of anything to help her; she did all the work. She was the one who put up with me. She was the reason I was alive.

Katniss sighed, finally dropping both the pad and the pencil and letting them fall in a heap on the floor. I got to my feet and walked over to her, picking up the scattered objects as I did so. "You'll get the hang of it eventually," I told her.

Her eyes, so similar to Gale's, I noted sourly, stared blankly up at me. "When Cinna told me I should try to sketch some designs of my own, just in case someone asked me to demonstrate my talent, I never thought it would be this hard," She sighed, staring down at her hands, which were lying limply in her lap. "I knew it was stupid from the beginning."

"Katniss, the Girl on Fire, can take out anyone with her deadly arrows. But she can't sketch a simple dress?" I smiled teasingly at her.

"Shut up."

"Here," I took the pad and flipped it open to a clean page. I leaned back and began to sketch a figure on the page; Katniss leaned in with interest to watch me. As I drew I thought back to yesterday afternoon.

Katniss had barged into the house, where I sat with Haymitch, and slammed her hands down on the table.

"Whaddaya want, girlie?" my former mentor grunted, raising one brow.

"The Victory Tour," she stated simply. "I want to bring Gale with."

"What?" I was shocked.

Haymitch busted out in laughter. "And why's that?"

"Because I can," Katniss muttered simply, crossing her arms and turning away. I thought I caught a slight trace of a blush upon her cheeks and frowned. "And, why can't I?" she went on, turning back to face us. "No one ever said we couldn't bring others along with us. It's not like he'll be up on stage, he can just be with us on the train and-"

"I'm not even going to bother to argue with you," Haymitch shrugged, cutting her off. "You're in one of your moods... Lord knows you won't see otherwise," She glared at him. "I'll make some calls, pull some strings."

"Thank you, Haymitch."

I waited until Haymitch had walked out of the room, bottle of vodka in hand, before looking at her. "Why?"

"I don't need a reason, Peeta," she hissed.

"Katniss-"

"I don't question you!" she snapped angrily. "He's my friend, and I want him to come, okay? That's it!"

But that wasn't it.

I began to draw a long dress onto the girl I had sketched. After I had a rough outline I added pattern to it, getting creative with the designs. I heard the girl beside me sigh, and smiled.

I don't think Katniss will ever understand how much I really care for her. I don't think she realizes how badly she hurts me, either. Every little unconscious action she makes stings; and they all tended to involve Gale. Ever since that day on the train home Katniss and I haven't acted the same towards one another. It hurt to find out that everything she said to me while we were in the Games was all for show. Every word, every touch...

Nothing.

She was oblivious to others' feelings; she didn't seem to see that her happiness with Gale only tormented and destroyed me inside. It used to be me that made her smile like that. But not anymore.

"Peeta, you put me to shame," Katniss sighed in defeat. "I have no talent."

"Tell that to all those dead game you've captured and killed with your excellently crafted traps," Gale replied from over at the table.

"They're not that good," she muttered quietly.

"Don't kid yourself; you know they are."

"It helps to have a good teacher," Her warm tone made me frown.

"Too bad Peeta can't seem to teach you how to draw."

I scowled and stared bitterly down at the woman on my paper as I finished up the last touches.

"I mean, you taught her so many things out in the arena," Gale went on. "I bet she can hide herself so well now!"

"Gale, stop," Katniss hissed.

"No, it's okay, Katniss," I replied, looking up and stared Gale in the eye. "At least I'm not a forest barbarian."

Gale got to his feet. "At least I can care for the people who are important to me, instead of just hiding in the mud!"

"Well, I think my family prefers to eat my pastries compared to whatever it is you find daily out there!"

"You-"

"Stop it!" Katniss yelled again, rising to stand between us. "Can you just stop? You're acting like idiots!"

"He-"

"Don't!" she snapped, cutting me off. "I don't know why you two have this immense hatred for each other, but can you please at least try to get along? This whole trip is going to be Hell unless you two play nice, so please, for me, stop fighting."

I glanced briefly at Gale before staring at Katniss. "For you, not him," I replied, my tone still harsh.

"For you," Gale agreed, crossing his arms.

"Thank you," Katniss sighed, returning to her seat. I stood standing, my eyed locked with Gale's. "Peeta," she tugged at my sleeve, breaking off our staring match and pulling me back to sit beside her.

I picked up the sketchpad and resumed drawing while Katniss watched. Gale began to talk with Katniss about the Victory Tour and asked her questions about what was to go on. I listened on silently, not entirely interested.

"Alright, well I think I'm going to bed," Gale muttered, getting up. "Which way to my room?"

"Ah," Katniss stiffened beside me. "I was going to tell you..."

I instantly perked up. "What?" I demanded.

"Well, Haymitch told me that they didn't have an extra room for Gale and asked me what I suggested they do, so..."

"No, please," Gale gasped, staring pleadingly at her.

"Don't tell me you..." I trailed off, horrified.

"So I told them you two could share a room," Katniss finished bleakly.