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RedheadedGodess: Yes, you were.

Disclaimer: I'm not Suzanne Collins and I don't own The Hunger Games.


When I wake, my back feels lighter. I crane to get a good look at it and find the bags of ice are no longer on me. Sunlight is peeking in the window, and Madge is nowhere to be seen. Having just woken up, my brain is a bit slow, and it takes me a moment to figure out that I slept until morning and Madge is probably eating breakfast with Prim. I also slept in my clothes. Well, I say clothes, but really my bra and pants. I manage to get myself to roll out of bed and I glance over at the nearest clock, discovering that it's seven in the morning. It's later than I usually sleep, but not terribly late, which I'm grateful for. I hastily grab fresh clothes, scamper into the bathroom, and change, looking into the mirror to decide if I need to spend a lot of time on my hair. In the end, I just decide to undo my current braid and braid it back, then pop a mint in my mouth even though I'm about to eat.

I go to switch cars, but pause before the door. I have no idea if the blonde boy, who I try not to refer to as "Drink Boy" will be there. And if he is, how will I react? Now that I'm thinking about it, I do feel bad for being so rude to him last night. After all, he tried to help me after he spilled his drink on me, and what did I do? I just told him to stay away and then proceeded to stomp back to my room. I sigh and try to think of other things. If he's there, then he's there. No words need to be said, after all. Well, maybe a quick "sorry." My stomach grumbles loudly at me, and I step into the dining car. As I predicted, Madge and Prim are sitting at a table, talking with smiles on their faces.

"Er, hey." I say when I reach the table. Madge looks up and smiles.

"Katniss, you're up!" she squeals, and scoots herself and her plate of some Capitol food over. "Come on, sit down! These are so good. They're called 'pancakes.' You have to try them!"

"Madge, calm down." I say, giving a small smile. I then call a server over. They all have red hair and wear the same outfit. The hair thing is kind of strange, really… "Uh, may I have some… pancakes?" I ask rather awkwardly, hoping I pronounced the word right.

"Coming right up." They reply stiffly and walk away. I turn back to Madge, who tapped on my shoulder.

"Hey, how's your back?" She asks a little quieter. "Still hurting?"

"No, not as much." I say, and it's the truth. I'd hardly noticed I had the burn until I started thinking about the blonde boy. Was he here now? I give the room a quick scan and find that he is indeed in the car, and at the table behind us. Suddenly, the air feels very awkward. I will not be able to eat my breakfast in peace knowing the boy I was so rude to sits behind me. But I can't say anything. He'd certainly just reject my apology.

I have to stop thinking of this, though, because the waiter brings me my pancakes. They're circular, and look to be made of some kind of batter. Sweet-looking syrup is poured over them, and they've also been dusted with a white powder. On top are a few bright red berries, ones we could never get in Twelve. Our berry bushes are far duller. I take a fork and knife, glad I've learned to use silverware, and get started. When I take my first bite, the pancakes themselves seem a little plain, but the syrup fills my mouth with a wonderful taste. I quickly eat one, and then another, clearing my plate. The only things I've ignored are the berries. As soon as I bite into one, a tart flavor brings my taste buds to life. Even the corners of my mouth seem full of a tart taste.

"Mmm…" I let out louder than I intended to, drawing the attention of Madge.

"Good, isn't it?" she says. "You know, I saw this other thing on the menu too. 'Waffles…'" But I have to turn my attention away from Madge, because there's a light tap on my shoulder. Of course, it's the blonde boy. Who else would it be?

"Hey, can I… can we talk? Um, over… over there?" he points to the other side of the car, close to the door we came through to get on the train. I sigh and nod a response. I get up out of the chair, motioning to Madge that I'll be back in a moment.

"I'm so sorry. Really. I can't believe I spilled that hot chocolate on you." The words come out of his mouth quickly, and I nod. So that's what he spilled on me. Hot chocolate. "I was just coming to… to give some to you, and I stumbled, and spilled. I feel so bad." He buries his face in his hands, and I feel very bad for him. It's me who should be apologizing for being so rude.

"It's… really okay." I reach my hand out to touch his arm, surprising myself. It sends a tingle through my arm, and I almost can't get the next words out. "I… I shouldn't have been so rude. Can we just forget that this ever happened?" I really hope that he'll be able to forget. That he won't be upset forever. He takes his hands off his face, causing me to drop my hand.

"Sure. Are we… are we good then?" He smiles, and I feel a huge rush of relief.

"Of course." And I return the smile easily.

"My name's Peeta, by the way." he adds.

"Katniss." I say. It would be an understatement to say I was happy.


Sorry if the last part was a little rushed... I'd love to see some reviews on this story too! It only takes a minute and makes my day!