CHAPTER THREE

Katniss' POV

"The plane will be landing in fifteen minutes time."

The emotionless voice jolted me back to my senses. What was I doing here? To break Peeta's heart? In my mind, I see the look on Peeta's face whenever I talked about Gale. No, not jealousy. Just longing - I realize I've seen that look on him too many times - longing that he was that boy I talked about, the boy I'd spent hours with in the woods, setting snares, shooting rabbits and deers, collecting edible plants... I realize - again - I hurt, too, when I see that look on his face. For a second, I hate myself for causing him hurt.

I weighed my happiness against his own. I replayed moments in the first Games, where he teamed up with the Careers to protect me. When he told me to run after I had dropped the nest of tracker jackers on him, knowing Cato would be on him in a minute. Getting cut by Cato... Whispering my name in his sleep as he beckoned for death by the river bank... He was selfless. While I, I took on an ally, blew up the Careers' food supply, dropped nests - all I cared about was about my own life, whether I would make it out alive to go back to my mother, Prim... Gale.

Peeta's love for me... was not just a strategy in the Games. It was true. I should have known that. Ever since the day in the cave... when he told me how he fell in love with me. For the audience. A small part, well... maybe more than a small part... of the story was true. Absolutely true. Making me realize that maybe, just maybe, he was really, genuinely in love with me.

During the Games, I had always ruled that out as a possibility, knowing only one of us can live and what good would it do even if I knew the truth? Especially during the Quarter Quell, where only one - or none at all - of us could live. But now. I'd always been with Peeta for the Capitol. For President Snow. But the only thing that's left of the Capitol is the smoldering remains. Nothing. The force that had been holding Peeta and me together is gone.

I could be with anyone now. Peeta. Or Gale. The choice is mine. But who would I choose?

"The plane is landing now. Please buckle your seatbelts."

Peeta. Gale. Peeta. Gale. Peeta. Gale. The boy with the bread. The boy I spent four years in the woods with. I have to choose. My decision would affect either Peeta or Gale. But... but... it would affect me too. I'm choosing my future. Would I want to make a decision just to please everybody? Or would I want to choose whoever makes me happier? All my life, I've been trying to please people. Make them happy. It was a job. Trying to please Prim and my mother so they wouldn't worry. Telling Prim I'd try to win for her. Acting like I'm in love with my fellow tribute, Peeta Mellark to please President Snow. And even when I'm with the rebels, I had to please President Snow just so I wouldn't lose the immunity of Peeta, Annick, Johanna...

And I realize... I'm tired of trying to please people. I'll do what I want. I'm no longer being controled by the Capitol.

When the plane lands, I know exactly where I want to go.