Chapter 1: A Question Left Unanswered

On the way to District 12, Peeta and Katniss decided to have tea beside the window. Both of them still traumatized of what just happened at the arena. They still remember the brutal ways of the tributes on how to kill, what they did and sacrificed to survive and Cato's last moments. Katniss couldn't look at Peeta's leg which has now been replaced by a carved and handsome wood. Nightmares haunt her and she wakes up with cold sweat, her blanket wrapped around her like a straitjacket and Peeta bursting through the door panicking and asking about what's happening.

Though still shaken by the past events, Peeta was quite impressed with Katniss. She was a strong girl and very brave. She's different from the other girls he had met before. Even though they're friends, one thing bugs his mind all day making him uneasy and absentminded all the time. One day, he decided to ask the one thing he was bursting to tell Katniss, which is that time staring absentmindedly outside the window.

"Hey…" he began, sitting down beside her on the couch. "Hmmm….?" replied Katniss, who looked at him momentarily and drank her tea. "Can I ask you something? It's something very important…" "Oh… err… sure… what is it then?" "Do you remember th-that ki-….? Was tha-that r-re-re..?" he stuttered. "I-I'm sorry, I didn't catch that…" said Katniss, raising her left eyebrow a little. "I said…" Peeta replied, as he took a deep breath. "Do you… remember that ki-kiss? Was that re-real?" "Oh…. err…" said Katniss, temporarily shocked.

Peeta's P.O.V

As I wait for Katniss' answer, my chest starts to rise and fall rapidly. I looked at her brown and ferocious eyes; those eyes that made my heart flutter. I know that she's thinking… but what? I really don't know what will be my reaction when she answers… If it's yes, I'd probably be the happiest man ever and run wild in the hallway for hours… I'll act crazy… But… what if her answer is no? I don't know… Maybe that will be the end of my world... I don't even know if we can still be friends… Answer now Katniss, please, before my courage fails me and fear takes over me… Please…

Katniss' P.O.V

What the heck?!... Why is he asking me this now?... Should I tell him the truth that it was real?... Or should I deny it? God… Why am I being stupid right now? If I tell him the truth, I'm sure this spread faster than an attacking tracker jackker. I've had enough publicity and I'm tired of it… Everyday, since I became a tribute, cameras followed me and my entire journey in Cornucopia. I don't want that to happen again... But, if I deny it, it would break his heart… What the hell am I going to say?... Please… I need a… miracle now… Why is he looking at me like that? Does he know what I'm thinking? It seems like he does…

"Stop looking at me like that…" said Katniss suddenly, breaking the silence and making Peeta jump a little. "Sorry…" said Peeta in a whisper.

While they were figuring each other's thoughts, Eiffie burst in the room, screaming at the top of her voice, all dignity forgotten.

"A RAAAAAAAATTT! There is a disgusting rat on the hallway! Haymitch! Where are you?! Kill that RAAA-!"

Eiffie stopped at the sight of them, one foot hanging midair and a shocked look on her face. There was a long silence, only the rattling of windows and Katniss' tea cup can be heard. If this wasn't a serious situation, Katniss and Peeta would have gone down on all fours and burst out laughing till their sides ache.

"Oh! I am so so-sorry d-dears… I didn't me-mean to di-disturb or something... I'll just pretend I didn't see any-anything an-." "No, no, no… It's fine Eiffie, besides; we're… done talking… aren't we? Katniss said while she surreptitiously stomped on Peeta's foot, making him wince a little. "Aww! Yeah… we're done Eiffie… I… I… was just… leaving." He said.

And he left the room as fast as he could and feeling stupid at the same time. As soon as the door closed, Eiffie narrowed her eyes suspiciously and started asking Katniss insane questions.

"What were you two doing here?... Were you doing something? Or he just asked you something?" "Eiffie, do you and Peeta know something I don't?" "What?! No… None at all… Why?" said Eiffie slightly raising her eyebrows. "None… It was nothing…" "Ok? So… Did he ask you to be his girlfriend?" "What?! No! Eiffie?! Have you gone mad?"

"Haha! What were you two talking about then?" "Nothing…none..." said Katniss while slightly blushing "Sure?" said Eiffie with a little smirk. "Yes…" replied Katniss slightly annoyed… "None…of your business…" she said, standing up and leaving the room.

Eiffie's P.O.V

I really think something fishy is going on… But, I still… need to know. Why did Katniss blush awhile ago?… And why did Peeta left the room hurriedly when I came in? "You do not believe anything unless there is a solid proof." I thought. But something really obvious between the two of them made my train of thought lost track. The question is what? It's already on the tip of my tongue but I can't say it…

After Katniss left the room, Haymitch called all of them to the train cabin. They were asked to stay there by the train driver since they are already approaching District 12. While they were waiting, an unusual and interpretive silence filled the cabin. Peeta constantly taps his wooden foot, Eiffie's pink and rather beautiful face was at its palest color. Haymitch and Cinna walks back and forth the cabin area with hands in their pockets and Katniss was shaking all over and her hands are clenched tightly around her old leather jacket. She wore her signature braid and her mockingjay pin which was given to her by Madge.

"We are now approaching District 12" said the driver through the speaker. As they drove past the electric fences where Katniss used to cross and wild trees, they can already hear the cheers of the people in the plaza. As they neared the station, Haymitch led the rest of the gang to the front door. Their luggage would be carried separately by the peacemakers. When the train stopped, President Snow's voice could be heard through the thick glass and metal; "Ladies and gentlemen, I give you your 74th Hunger Games winner… Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark! Together with Eiffie Trinket, Haymitch Abernathy and Cinna!..." The door opened and the cheer magnified tenfold and the dazzling sun blinded them temporarily. Together, Peeta and Katniss walked towards District 12, towards home…