A/N (skip bold for story)

I DO NOT OWN THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY OR THE CHARACTERS

I have revised the chapters to make it more believable. (Not big changes.) I also changed the story's plot.

Enjoy the story.

Dear guest reviewer,

Thank you for the help, but I am an inexperienced writer. The "weird connection" may not sound believable, but to be honest it's the only thing I can come up with. I agree the story has been going fast so I have changed all updates to Friday. That way the chapters can properly developed. Peeta has been to the Capitol before. He has traveled a lot in my story. So he did not only stay in District you for the help and I will consider a lot of the tips.

Dear other guest reviewer,

The tag was not part of the play. They were playing tag for fun.

-PinkSteam

Peeta P.O.V.

Where am I? Who am I? Wait a minute. It's at the tip of my tongue... Peter Mellark? No. Patrick Mellark? Nah. Ahh, Peeta Mellark. That's it! Wow Peeta how'd you forget your own name? So silly.

I feel a presence, but I usually only feel it when Katniss is in the room. Maybe she is. When I try to open my eyes pain shoots through from my back to my head. Right, the whipping. I can feel the pain but I can't feel my back... Strange...

"Hurry mom, I think he's unconscious!"

"I'm trying too Katniss, stop worrying he will live,"

Yes! I'm going to live! Thank you random voice!

The second voice confirmed it's Katniss. I'm leaning towards Katniss's mom for the second voice but it might not be.

"I'm going to get some more morphing stay here,"

Morphing... Oh right, morphing! The drug from the Capitol. Madge used to tell me about how her mother used morphing when her aunt Maysilee Donner died. I hear morphing can be really addicting.

"Bye mom,"

Yep, it's her mom.

When her mom steps out of the room I hear something that makes my hear stop.

"Why Peeta, why? I could have taken the whipping," Yeah right, "Why though?" Because I love you! "I like you Peeta, but I can't do anything about it. You're with Delly." But I want to be with you! Wait, did you just say you like me? "I know you think I'm with Gale, but I'm not. He's like a brother to me that's all." Wait, what? Seriously? You're not? Then why don't you just date me? I've been waiting so long! "I will never stop owing you though. First the bread that saved my family, I doubt you know the effects of that one burnt bread loaf. Second you saved me from the whipping. You took my punishment. Something you never deserved." You don't owe me anything!

"I really like you, but you can't be with me." Yes, you like me! Wait, but I can't be with you? Why not?

"Katniss go to school, you have already missed four days staying with Peeta," Mrs. Everdeen urges. Four days? It feels like only 3 hours ago. What no, don't leave!

"Bye Peeta," Bye Katniss, come home soon.

I guess the plan to forget Katniss is over now.

Just when I'm about to fall back to sleep, Katniss kisses me. It may just be a quick peck on the lips but it was my first kiss. My first kiss. With my first ever love.

Just then, I fall fast asleep.

When I wake up I feel a pounding sensation in my head. Slowly, I open my eyes one by one. I see Katniss's sleeping face. She must be back from school.

I take a minute to adapt to my surroundings. It appears I'm laying down on a wooden counter. Cut carrots and potatoes beside me. Somebody must have been cooking. I glance my eyes briefly around the home. I can see chipped paint on the door. A small bedroom with a twin sized bed. Dusty windows. Wooden cupboards that screech when opened. Seam houses have always fascinated me.

Although something catches my eyes in the far left corner of the bedroom. A jewellery box. With the pearl I gave her in first grade. Part of me is happy she kept it. But the other half is confused why.

I glance around again and see a glass of water. Water. I need water. I hate to wake her up, but the dryness is unbearable.

"Katniss," I test out my voice. It's rough and scratchy. "Katniss," I continue to urge. On my forth try she wakes up.

"Peeta," I can see the shock on her face. She's so adorable, it makes me smile.

"Water, water please," I'm starting to lose my voice due to dehydration. I have never wanted water as much is now. She grabs me the glass of water and I chug it down in seconds. The cool, refreshing water glides smoothly down my throat. It feels amazing.

When I attempt to sit up, she stops me.

"You won't be able to sit up for awhile,"

There is a lot of awkward silence for a moment. If you drop a pin on a carpet, you would be able to hear it.

"Why'd you take the whipping?" Katniss questions. Not now.

"Peeta you're awake," Mrs. Everdeen unintentionally interrupts. Shock fills her face. "How are you?"

"I'm fine a little sore though," I smile, although it doesn't quite reach my eyes. Katniss isn't falling for it though.

Later in the day, I begin to write Katniss a letter. The letters are slanted though as I'm writing while laying down on a counter. I start to write.

Dear Katniss,

I have been feeling something between us. I know, you're wondering why I'm writing this and not telling you face-to-face considering I'm temporally living in your house until my back heals. Well, I have knew about this for a while. Since I was five years old really. At the first day of kindergarten you caught my eye. Your hair was in two braids instead of one and you had a red dress on. My dad pointed you out to me.

He said "See that girl Peet, I was in love with her mother but she married a coal miner." And being the curious little kid I of course asked why. "The coal miner, when he sang, all the birds would stop to listen."

When the teacher had asked who knew the valley song, your hand shot up in the sky. You sang the entire song, word to word. I then knew, I was a goner. Ever since that day, I watched you walk home. Every single day.

I watched you take care of Prim. You put her needs before yours. If even got so bad, you had to sell Prim's old baby clothes. I saw you outside in my backyard. Leaning against a tree. I tipped the bread in the fire so I could give it to you.

Although, the next day at school, I saw you walking home with Gale. I thought you two were dating. So I kept my distance. When we had to be drama partners, I knew it was fate.

When you spoke to me on the table, I heard everything. You thought I was unconscious but I wasn't. I was awake, fully alert.

I took the whipping for you because I love you.

I hope you feel the same way.

-Peeta

I read over this letter so many times to perfect it, I think I have memorized the whole text. Just when I think it's perfect, I fold the letter into quarters and write her name on it. Followed by 'From Peeta' on it. After, I throw it onto the counter beside me.

I drift off to sleep. Dreaming about intense grey eyes and silky brown hair.

Katniss P.O.V.

I stretch out of bed, carful not to hit Prim who is beside me. I walk out to the kitchen to check up on Peeta. He's safe and sound asleep. A piece of paper catches my attention. This was never here before...

I take the paper in my hand to see my name written on it. I can't help but feel a little worried.

I see it's a letter for me from Peeta. I start to read.

Dear Katniss,

I have been feeling something between us. I know, you're wondering why I'm writing this and not telling you face-to-face considering I'm temporally living in your house until my back heals. Actually yes, I am thinking that.

I continue reading. Well, I have knew this for a while. Since I was five years old really. During the first day of kindergarten you caught my eye. Your hair was in two braids instead of one and you had a red dress on. My dad pointed you out to me.

Where is this exactly going? How does Peeta remember something that happened over 11 years ago?

He said "See that girl Peet, I was in love with her mother but she ended up marrying a coal miner." And being the curious little kid I of course asked why. "The coal miner, when he sang, all the birds would stop to listen." I remember my dad, when Dad sang, the birds did stop. I reread that part. Peeta's dad was in love with Mom? When did this happen? I've got to ask mom soon.

I watched you take care of Prim. You put her needs before yours. If even got so bad, you had to sell Prim's old baby clothes. I saw you outside in my backyard. Leaning against a tree. I tipped the bread in the fire so I could give it to you. You saw me? How?

Although, the next day at school, I saw you walking home with Gale. I thought you two were dating. So I kept my distance. When we had to be drama partners, I knew it was fate. That's why we stopped talking?

When you spoke to me on the table, I heard everything. You thought I was unconscious but I wasn't. I was awake, fully alert. Shoot! you heard everything. What did you think about it?

I took the whipping for you because I love you. I hope you feel the same way. "I love you too Peeta." I whisper softly.

A tear streams down my left cheek. Tears of or sadness or joy? Both. How could I have not noticed? He loves you Katniss. You hurt him, but he kept trying. But he loves you and you love him. When I turn around I see Peeta stir and wake up from the crickets outside. Shining blue orbs locking with my dull grey eyes. It's now or never!

"I love you too Peeta," Unsure, I lean in.

Peeta P.O.V.

I wake up to crickets in the distance. When I look around the room, I see Katniss with the letter in her hand. Her expression sad. But also happy. She looks like shes been thinking hard. I can almost see the little gears turning in her head. I hope she likes the letter.

"I love you too Peeta," Katniss tells me. Those 3 simple words, can make your entire life better. Brighter. Magical.

We kiss. Our first real kiss. I lean in and meet Katniss halfway. My lips mold hers as our tongues fight for dominance. I win. She fists her palm in my hair while I hold her waist. We break the kiss when we both run out of air. She smiles, a bright smile. She should do that more often.

After a week, I can sit up again. I have broken up with Delly. She too, knew we weren't right together. The medicine they gave me worked miracles.

The first thing I do is go to the lake to swim with Katniss. I pack my swim shorts sunscreen, and a picnic basket. She packs a bikini.

I finish changing to find Katniss in her bikini self conscious.

"Don't hide, you're beautiful." I tell her sincerely. She smiles as she removes her towel. I don't know why she's embarrassed, she shouldn't be.

I take out the picnic basket and set everything up. I spread a blanket over the grassy land and take out all the food. I place the loads of cheese buns I brought in a big plate. I put that plate in the centre. I lift off the cap of the tupperware container full of sugar cookies shaped as hearts. Before I finish to unpack the food, Katniss takes a cheese bun and bites.

"These are so good," Katniss moans lost in the food. I chuckle. I'm glad she likes the food. I take out a couple bottles of water from the basket.

When I turn around I see that Katniss has finished her cheese bun and is eating a sugar cookie.

"If you keep cooking like this I just might have to marry you," Katniss murmurs, her mouth full of food. I don't think she really means it, but if she did I would be willing to do that. I shake my head to clear the though as I pass her a water bottle and she thanks me.

I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now, and live in it forever.

Quickly we finish all the food except for the cheese buns. I save those in a plastic zip up bag for Katniss later.

Katniss pulls me into the water. I form a trick.

"Katniss, help I can't swim!" I start to slap the water. I then hide in the water. I can hear her screaming my name. I stop my breathing to prevent bubbles. Just then, I pop up.

"Boo!" I laugh.

"Peeta don't scare me like that!" she looks so worried I start to feel bad.

"Just kidding," she laughs, I laugh along with her.

"Race to the rocks and back?" I challenge. Katniss agrees. She was always so competitive.

"1, 2, 3; G-" Katniss cuts me off as she starts before me. Two can play this game.

I was going to go easy on her, but what's a little competition? I kick as fast as I can, cupping my hands as I push the water beneath me. After a while, I start to tread the water trying to spot Katniss. She is about 20 metres behind me. I continue to swim again until I meet the rocks. I do a roll in the water to change directions. The rocks are suddenly closer than they look. I hear a loud thump and my head aches. I see spots of mixed colours. It gets more difficult to breathe by the second. The next image I see is black. All black.

*Beep, beep, beep*

When I open my eyes I see a young girl. About sixteen. Her hair is in a braid and tears stain her face. She is holding my hand. She looks like my enemy, Katniss Everdeen.

"You're awake," she whispers hopefully.

"Who are you?"

I watch as hurt crosses her features.

"Katniss, your girlfriend." she answers. So this is my enemy...

The voice in my head starts talking: She's a liar! You can't believe anything she says. She's some kind of mutt the Capitol created to use against the rest of us! Don't trust her. I did, and she tried to kill me. She killed my friends. My family. Don't even go near her! She's a mutt! She's a stinking mutt!