Chapter Two

A/N: I've decided to elaborate, on high demand! I was just going to add a little epilogue for now and come back and make a full-blown story later on. But, my friend threatened to kill me if I ended it where I had. So, I decided to make this a multi-chapter story. Thank her.

Disclaimer: I don't own The Hunger Games.


I slowly got up from the bed. Today was Monday, my most-hated day of the week. That is, it used to be until I had my boyfriend, Peeta Mellark.

Before a month ago, saying Peeta was my boyfriend was just some stupid fantasy. Now, it's wondrous reality. What more could I want?

I got dressed faster than usual. I couldn't wait to see my Peeta. My Peeta. I like the sound of that.

A small breakfast, consisting of bread and milk, was awaiting me at our little table. I didn't argue with Mother when she demanded I eat something. I simply sat down and ate.

"You've seemed happier these past few weeks," Mom remarked with a cautious tone. "Do you care if I ask why?"

"Yes," I answered, my steely eyes never leaving hers. She had gotten better, but she still was distant. She had been that way since Dad passed. I would be lying if I said it didn't hurt Prim or I.

"I'm your mother, Katniss. I should at least have a right to ask."

"Well, you don't," I said and got up from my seat and left, leaving my breakfast behind.

"Katniss!" My mother yelled, but I was already out the door.

Peeta was waiting at the spot where the Seam and Merchant's intersected as usual. I tried to smile when I saw him, but what had happened this morning brought down my mood.

"What's wrong?" He read my expression.

"Nothing," I tried to lie. It was no use against Peeta. He knew me too well.

"Katniss," he warned. "Don't lie. I know you're upset. Let me help you."

I really didn't want to bring him down, so I lied again. "I'm fine."

"Fine." His acquiescence surprised me.

"Really?" I questioned. He usually went on and on until I told him.

"No," he answered. "Tell me. I'll be upset all day if you don't."

Damn him. "It's nothing."

He stopped. "Please, Katniss," he pleaded, his voice leaking desperation.

I sighed. "It's Mother. She's trying to worm her way back into my life."

"She is your mother." He pointed out.

"Yes, but after my father died," I gulped. It was always hard to talk about this. "She just became a ghost of herself. I'm not going to let her back in that easy. How do I know she won't hurt Prim and I again?"

"You don't," he said simply. "You just have to hope. How did you know she wouldn't do it before?"

"I didn't," I replied honestly.

"Exactly. You just have to trust her." He sighed before finishing. "It won't do you any good to just keep shutting her out."

Silence.

"Thank you," I thanked him. "I actually feel better now."

"See," he said. "You should trust your boyfriend more often."

I laughed. "You're too perfect."

He chuckled. "I try."

I stopped him and pecked his lips before we entered school. A few people still stared at us when we showed affection in public, but neither me nor Peeta cared at all. We were content with each other.

I waited and waited for History, the only class Peeta and I have together, to roll around. It seemed to have taken decades, but it finally became time for our last period.

I graciously took my seat beside him and smiled. All too soon, though, the lecture began.

History had never been my favorite subject. I merely tolerated it. The Capitol used this class more than any other to praise itself. All we ever learned about was the rebellion and the Hunger Games. Never have we been taught of the times before the rebellion, when it could have been slightly more peaceful. At least there wouldn't have been any Hunger Games.

From what I piece together, the Capitol was power-hungry even before the rebellion. The Hunger Games just added to their dictatorship.

"...Katniss," Peeta shook me. "Class is over."

"Sorry," I apologized. "Lost in thought."

"It's not like you missed anything," he said. "All he talked about was how the Capitol has kept order in Panem since it was created and that the Hunger Games were essential to keep us in control."

"Hmm," I hummed. "I wish I had suffered through it with you."

"Be glad you didn't."

I laughed and exited the classroom, hand in hand with Peeta.

"Peeta!" Prim's voice echoed down the hall. She had grown attached to him in the last month. Could I blame her?

"Hey, Prim," he ruffled her hair when she reached us. We began to walk down the sidewalk when he continued. "How's Buttercup?"

Buttercup had somehow gotten outside and to the woods. Here, he had gotten himself into some poison ivy. I'm not sorry to say I laughed at the devil cat's misfortune.

"He's better," she remarked sadly. "He should be up and at it by Wednesday."

"Good," Peeta said. "Be sure to give him plenty of food."

"I will," she smiled. "Are you going to talk, Katniss?"

"Yes," I answered. "I just don't really care if the cat dies."

"Katniss," Peeta faked shock. "How dare you."

"Be nicer, Katniss," Prim commanded. "Or Peeta won't kiss you anymore."

My face turned bright red. "Thanks, Prim."

"That's not your promise to make, Prim," Peeta told her then turned to me. "I might not be able to resist."

My face was definitely similar to a tomato now. "Let's stop talking about the stupid cat."

"Apologize," Prim demanded.

"No," I said firmly. She simply grinned and turned to Peeta.

"When you get married, is she going to wear white? Or will she wear some other color so she isn't like all the rest? Are you going to wear a tuxedo? How many children are you planning on-"

"Sorry!" I burst. "Will you shut up now?"

She smirked. "Gladly."

"Was that so hard, Katniss?" Peeta swooned next to me.

"Shut up." I glared at him. He was no longer affected by my harsh demeanor so he just purely laughed.

"We're here!" Prim announced and, sure enough, we were standing at the place Peeta had met me this morning.

"Go ahead and go home. I need to talk to Peeta," I told Prim. I just wanted to be in private with Peeta to kiss him goodbye.

"I see," she said. "Just don't take too long talking."

I threw her an icy glare. She giggled and skipped down the dirt road home.

"Sorry," I apologized for Prim's actions.

"Don't be. I like Prim," he laughed hardily. I think what he really meant was, I like watching you squirm.

"Bye," I said and kissed his lips. He pulled away much too soon for my liking.

"Bye," he repeated and walked on his way down the road to head home.

Hunting, now, I reminded myself. Time to see Gale.

We hadn't gotten too hunting yesterday and decided to move it to today. The sooner we got our kill, the better.

I headed home with a goofy grin on my face and it vanished just before I walked in the door.

"How was school, Katniss?" Mother asked me, trying to make up for this morning. I almost made a snappy comeback, but remembered what Peeta said that morning.

It won't do you any good to keep shutting her out.

I sighed and replied, "It was fine."

"Do you have any homework?"

Making small talk with my mother was harder than setting the ocean on fire. "Just need to finish reading a book."

She stared at me for what felt like forever. She was most likely contemplating asking me the same question she did this morning.

"Go ahead and ask," I told her rather reluctantly.

"Why have you been so happy, Katniss?" She finally asked. "You used to be so sad all the time. Is it Gale?"

"No," I assured her. Better tell her now rather than later. "You know the baker's son?"

"Mellark?" She clarified. I nodded. "I know him. Blonde hair, blue eyes."

"That's the one," I smiled. Despite my mother being here, I still smiled just thinking of Peeta. "Um, well, I've been kind of..." Choose your words carefully, Katniss. "...seeing him for the past few weeks."

"Oh," she seemed slightly shocked to let something like this slip by her. "I didn't think you wanted to date."

"I just didn't see it as a possibility before."

Awkward silence.

"I'm happy for you," she finally spoke. "Maybe you could invite him over for dinner some time."

"Maybe," I nodded. "I need to get ready to hunt. Be back in an hour or two."

"Alright," she said. "I love you."

I sighed. I just couldn't bring myself to say I loved my mother. Not yet, anyway. She put Prim and I through too much for a simple mend.

I pretended not to hear her and got into my hunting gear. Maybe speaking to Gale could help with this undeniable confusion.


"You're late, Catnip."

"Sorry," I marched past him into the forestry. "I had to talk to my mom."

"You actually talked to her for once?" He laughed. " It has to be important for you to talk to her. What was it about?"

I froze. He didn't know about Peeta either. I really didn't want to bring it up. "Nothing major. Just some school things." It wasn't a total lie.

"What kind of 'school things'?"

I had been dreading this moment ever since my first kiss with Peeta. I closed my eyes shut as tight as I could and spoke. "Boyfriends," I muttered, trying to be vague.

He tensed up. "Oh."

He didn't question me any further so I just went ahead and grabbed my arrows.

Hunting went by without any more conversation. We just killed. And killed. And killed. Eventually, anger found its way into my body and I used my frustration to aim better. Gale noticed, I know, but he still said nothing.

It took about an hour, but we finally finished. I could finally go home.

"Katniss?"

He didn't use my nickname. That was the first clue that something was up.

"Hmm?" I answered, knowing if I spoke I would blow up on him.

He crushed his lips to mine and, not wanting to hurt my friend, I didn't pull away. I didn't kiss him back either. I just allowed him to kiss me.

He pulled away and I was happy. He couldn't kiss me anymore. That was Peeta's place.

"I've got to go," I said and scurried underneath the fence.

"Katniss!" He shouted after me. "Catnip, wait!"

I didn't wait. I ran and ran until my house was in view. I burst through the door and didn't bother to reply when Mother and Prim both tried to ask about my trip. I just kept running until I was in the safety of my room. I threw myself under the covers and prayed for sleep to take me over. My prayers were answered when sleep overcame me and, for a whole night, nothing was confusing. I was just Katniss Everdeen. And I was content with that.


A/N: What do you think? I NEED ANSWERS! You must review or... I don't know what but YOU WILL PAY!

Just kidding. Maybe. Wouldn't you like to know?

Peanut Butter.

Love,

Kristen XOXO