Author's Note: I'm taking this story really slowly, so try not to get too anxious J Just sit back, relax, and enjoy

Disclaimer: All rights belong to Suzanne Collins who writes these great books.


Katniss' POV:

It's been three days. Three days since I left home. Three days since I volunteered. Three days since I've been whisked away and thrown into this world.

I look across the city, as I sit on the roof of the Tribute Center. The resources are limitless here. The Capitol burns through more energy in one night than District 12 does in a whole year. I see the bright lights that dot the skyline, I can hear the electric hum of the constantly activated force field, and it frustrates me. Their lives of luxury come at the price of our suffering.

Although I am frustrated now, my feelings of frustration heighten when I am inside. I'm constantly being whisked around by Effie, dolled up by my stylists, and told off by the drunkard. It's the only reason I like coming up here; I like the peace and quiet.

I hear the elevator ding behind me, but my eyes stay trained on the skyline. I already know who it is; it's Peeta. I invited him up here. I like having him around me. He is like a rock for me: sturdy and consistent, unlike Gale who was a tornado of impulsiveness and emotions.

I can feel Peeta sit down next to me, both of us dangling our legs over the edge.

"Isn't this a little dangerous for tributes?" He asks.

I pick up a nearby pebble and throw it at the force field. It bounces back, answering Peeta's question. He chuckles in response.

The wind starts to pick up, and I regret not bringing a sweater out with me. Of all the options from my seemingly endless wardrobe, I chose a short sleeve shirt and light pants, mistaking the weather outside. Noticing my shiver, Peeta quickly slides off his jacket and wraps it around my shoulders. His hands begin rubbing circles into my back. I freeze, this was a sign of affection I was not used to. He murmurs in my ear saying something about how I'm tense, and a shiver runs down my spine. He merely chuckles again.

Why was I letting him do this? Because I was lonely? Because I'm sad? Because I miss Gale? Gale. I remember Gale, but I still don't stop Peeta. I expect to be filled with guilt, but instead, I am actually kinda enjoying this. Peeta puts his arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer to him. We are very close, but instead of pushing him away, I tuck my head into the nook of his neck. His warm body radiates heat, and I snuggle even closer. Still rubbing circles, I feel all the tension slip away; all my anger, all my frustration, all my anxiety disappear with his touch.

"We should go inside. It's getting late," he whispers into my ear, which only makes me snuggle even closer to him. To this, he laughs, stands up, and scoops me up into his arms. Caught off guard, I squirm and he only holds me tighter. He walks into the elevator and presses the District 12 button. The door slides open, and we can hear Haymitch and Effie talking in the living room. He mouths at me, "Quiet," and proceeds to tip-toe to my room.

Upon entering, he carefully places me on the bed and tucks me in. I smile at him, my eyes still closed, enjoying his touch. I thought he was going to join me, but to my disappointment, he is nearly to the door by the time I open my eyes.

"Peeta," I squeak, and he turns to look at me, his eyes wide with surprise. He must've thought I was sleeping already. "Will you stay with me?" I ask tentatively, waiting for his answer. I like having him around me; his presence is calming and it soothes me. He looks around and hesitates, then I realize how this might look to him.

"I just want to sleep," I say, feeling my cheeks heat up. He nods his 'okay,' and climbs into my bed. He puts one arm around me, and looks into my eyes for his approval. I move closer to him, and taking this as a yes, he wraps both arms around me, pulling me even closer. I bask in his warmth and security he provides me. And for the first time in three days, I finally feel safe.


The sound of someone else's breathing wakes me up. It's a heavier breathing, not like Prim's. I open my eyes, and throw off the sheets, frantically trying to remember where I am. Then I see Peeta shift next to me. Peeta. The memories of where I am, more specifically what happened last night, start flooding in. I realize I slept with Peeta. Well, not technically, we actually only slept, but I still feel a blush creep to my cheeks. I get up and decide I need to take a shower after what happened last night. I let Peeta continue sleeping and hop into the shower.

The cool water runs down my back and wakes up my brain. It begins to dawn on me; what the hell did I let happen last night? Why did I let Peeta carry me to my room? Why did I ask him to stay? Why did I let him sleep in my bed? For crying out loud, Gale and I have barely had our first kiss. Why was I letting Peeta in so easily? All these questions are spilling out, too fast for me to even think about answering them. All I know is that whatever happened last night, is making me feel all warm inside. My insides feel like they've been tossed around, flipped upside down, and returned to its original state as if nothing happened. Everything seems like it should be fine, but I know it's not. Tired of my thoughts, I shut off the water and step out of the shower. I slide into a robe and walk outside, half-expecting Peeta to still be in my bed. But he isn't. I can feel my heart sink. No, actually, it doesn't sink, I convince myself that I am only feeling surprised that he left early.

After throwing on some clothes and attempting to towel-dry my hair, I walk outside into the dining room where I see Peeta, Effie, and Haymitch are already seated eating. I choose a seat next to Haymitch, careful to avoid Peeta's eyes.

"Good morning!" Effie says cheerfully.

I inwardly sigh and mumble a "good morning" back.

"Are my tributes ready to show the Gamemakers what they're made of?" Effie asks brightly. I inwardly sigh again. Today is the day we get a score for our skills. Just me and the Gamemakers in one room.

"I hope you all slept well last night because today is a big day!" Effie says, attempting again to start a conversation. I look at Peeta to see if he's listening, but his plate seems to have captured all his attention.

"Well I don't know much about how much sleep they got last night," Haymitch says. "But it was so nice of Peeta to come wake you up, you know, I assumed that's what he doing when he snuck out of your room this morning, Katniss," Haymitch says, sarcasm dripping from his voice. My cheeks heat up. Suddenly, the small pastry on my plate has become far more interesting than our current conversation. I can feel Haymitch's stare on me. Why wasn't he drunk?

Peeta's voice pulls the attention away. "Actually, I was trying to wake her up," he says matter-of-factly, "although, she didn't want to, so I decided to let her sleep. I quietly left the room so as not to wake her." I look up at Effie and she seems to buy the story. Good enough for me.

"Oh right, of course," Haymitch says sweetly, "Effie would you mind leaving the room? I need to talk to our tributes and prepare them for later."

As Effie leaves, Haymitch is glaring daggers at us.

"Did you not forget only one of you can come out of that arena alive?" He hisses. With that, he gets up, grabs the bottle of alcohol off the table, and stalks out the room, letting his warning settle over us. The meaning is crystal clear: don't get attached sweetheart.