Another short chapter from Peeta's POV (Don't worry, the chapters will be longer soon!)

Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games.


Chapter 2

Peeta Mellark crouched low to the ground, grabbing some loaves of bread from the bottom rack of the bread trays. He was making another visit to the Everdeens today. Ever since Katniss had been taken away to the Games, he had been visiting Prim and her mother to give them bread. By the last few weeks, he was at their house almost every day. He knew they needed the company with everything that had been happening to Katniss in the arena. Not that Prim really knew what was happening. Her mother wouldn't allow her to watch a second of the Games. Prim seemed to enjoy his company and it helped her take her mind off her sister.

"Stealing bread again!" Carac, his brother, said as he jumped out from behind the rack. Peeta was startled and lost his balance. Luckily, none of the bread dropped.

"I'm going to the Everdeen house today." Peeta stated. Carac had caught him once before so he knew about their little arrangement.

"Why? They are so rich now, they can afford to buy their own bread." he said. Then Peeta watched as a devilish grin appear on his face. "Oh, I get it. You're going to see her."

"Stop it." Peeta said pushing his brother.

"But I am right, aren't I?"

"Yes." Peeta admitted. There was no sense in hiding it. Carac knew that he liked Katniss.

"Looks like you have a chance now that Gale Hawthorne is out of the picture."

"You shouldn't say things like that." Peeta said annoyed.

"But it's true. You saw how they were towards the end. If he came back with her, you wouldn't stand a chance." Peeta knew he was right. He painfully watched as Gale and Katniss' relationship progressed throughout the Games.

"What makes you think I stand a chance now?" Peeta asked his brother. With everything that Katniss was going through, the last thing she needed was a boyfriend.

"Aww, poor Peeta." Carac said with fake sympathy. "Maybe if you took off those blinders you would see that there are plenty of other girls that like you."

"But I don't want other girls." Peeta retorted.

"Listen, you're charming, sensitive, and good-looking—not as good-looking as me but no one is." he brother said adding in a little joke. "As far as what girls want, you're a winning combination."

"But what if that's not enough for her?"

"Than she's not worth your time." he said as he started walking towards the door. "Oh by the way I'd be careful if I were you. You know mom counts the loaves."

"I know. That's why I've been making them a little smaller…so I can take the extras without her noticing."

"I've taught you well." Carac said with a wink. He wished him good luck and then left the room. Peeta grabbed the bag of bread and left through the back of the store to set off for the Everdeen house. The walk wasn't as far as it had been now that they lived in Victor's Village. On days like this, he was thankful for that. Even though it was before noon, the hot August sun blazed down on him. Even the shade didn't provide much relief.

When he reached her house, he was greeted by Prim.

"Peeta!" Prim exclaimed as she wrapped her arms around his waist.

"Hey Prim." he said giving her a pat on the back. He followed Prim to the kitchen, where her mother was.

"Good morning, Mrs. Everdeen." he greeted her. He joined her at the kitchen table, where she was peeling potatoes.

"Nice to see you Peeta." she said.

"You too. So how is she doing today?" he asked. Peeta usually waited further into the conversation to ask how Katniss was doing but he couldn't wait today.

"Well she got out of bed today so she's improving." her mother said with hope. Peeta had to keep from rolling his eyes. Getting out of bed was hardly a cause for celebration.

"Maybe I could go see her?" he suggested. The smile from her face disappeared.

"Today is not a good day. Poor Madge Undersee ran out of the house earlier crying. I don't think she is in the mood for visitors today."

"Oh." he said dejected. Their conversation was interrupted by Prim running into the kitchen.

"Peeta, look at my new dress for school!" she said as she twirled around.

"Very pretty." he said with a smile. His comment must have satisfied her because she quickly kissed his cheek before skipping out of the room.

"She's going to be a handful." Peeta said once Prim was out of earshot.

"I know."

"How is Prim handling all of this?" he asked her.

"Not very well." Mrs. Everdeen admitted.

"She looks fine to me."

"She hides it well. I still hear her crying from her room every night as I pass it. Her and Katniss have barely said two words to each other. I worried about them."

"Perhaps if I talked to them, I could help." Peeta suggested. Mrs. Everdeen nodded her head.

"Maybe you could come by tomorrow. It is Prim's first day of school and I have to stop by the Hawthorne's house. I don't feel like leaving her alone in the house just yet." she said.

"I'd like that." he said with a smile. He said his goodbyes to the Everdeens and was on his way. Tomorrow he would get to see her. He realized that he had to play his cards right. It was crucial that he didn't say or do anything to mess up his chance for her to trust him. He went home to work out a plan.