Again thank you to all of you who have subscribed to my story and/or put me on alert. I'm gonna try to update every other day and I as you can see I 'm a big fan of cliff hangers so keep reading. It gets juicy!

I searched Peetas' face as he struggled to find the answer.

"Katniss I-I"

"Let's go!" Haymitch yelled at the two of us.

Suddenly I felt ill because the seriousness of what I just asked him hit me like a punch to the gut. How could I have asked him if he loved me on his first day back in district 12? I no longer wanted an answer. I just wish I could take back ever having asked him in the first place.

"Forget it Peeta. Let's go home."

I could tell he was still searching for an answer as we made our way towards the car.

Nothing came to him.

The whole way home Haymitch and Peeta made small talk and I sat in silence hoping that Peeta would forget about everything that just happened. "Great. He's been home for less than ten minutes and I've already screwed things up."

We dropped Peeta off at his house first, exchanged an awkward hug goodbye, and left him to his own devices. Haymitch followed me over to my house because he said he had something very important to speak with me about.

"I don't know what you two were talking about earlier but I just want to warn you. Peeta is better but don't get too attached to him just yet. He needs time to adjust to life here in district 12 again. We don't know what this environment will do to some of the memories in his mind. We don't want to set him off.

Too late, I thought to myself. I've already asked him if he still loved me. I don't think it gets any closer than that.

"Okay Haymitch. I understand."

And with that Haymitch was gone and I made my way upstairs to sulk in my bedroom. I slowly undressed, distracted by thoughts of Peeta. I climb in the shower and let the water wash away the stench of selfishness I couldn't seem to rid myself of. After toweling off and getting dressed I remember the cheese buns that Peeta made for me. I make my way downstairs to find the basket sitting on the kitchen table.

I open the basket only to find it empty.

"I thought I'd put them in the oven for you. I remembered you like them warm."

I scream so loud I'm almost positive Gale could hear me all the way over in district 2.

"Peeta! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

"I'm sorry. The door was cracked so I figured I'd just let myself in."

I sighed. "Thanks for putting the buns in the oven for me."

"You're welcome."

Peeta was staring at me now pretty intensely. I shifted my body weight, feeling really uncomfortable with this strange silence.

"You're still in love with Gale, real or not real?"

I remembered what Haymitch said about not getting too attached to Peeta so quickly. I wanted to scream of course not! "I'm madly in love with you and I haven't thought about anything else except being in your arms for the past three months!" I decided to play it safe and change the subject.

"You must be excited about being able to paint again. You were always such a brilliant artist."

"Gale. Real or not real Katniss."

"Peeta I don't think that now is the best time to-"

He scoffed. "It's just like you to ask me if I'm still in love with you and take off running without letting me explain."

His voice was full of distain.

"Peeta I only left because-"

"Because you're selfish!" Peeta yelled slamming his fists into the wooden table.

Haymitch warned me about this but I didn't think I would experience it so soon. This was not my Peeta. He had been replaced with the Peeta who was hijacked.

"Peeta please listen to me."

Smoke started to form like clouds from the oven. We had forgotten all about the buns.

I'm coughing now but Peeta stands there, arms folded across his chest waiting for me to finish.

"I'm listening." He says nefariously.

"The buns! There burning Peeta!" I yelled between gasps of air. I walk towards the stove but Peeta stands directly in front of it.

"Peeta please don't do this!"

The last thing I see before I black out are the flames that have enveloped my oven and Peetas' back as he walks away.