Chapter 9 – Reactions and Revelations

AN: Thank you for the reviews, alerts and favored I received for this chapter. I am overwhelmed by all the responses. You guys are awesome. Thanks to IcyPinkLemonade, Shellibug, wonderishome, pistonsfan75, Lhaine07, guests, Tsukune08, pumpkinking5, LACR, torunnaa.94, FlyFaeriesDance. I greatly appreciate the time and effort you made for leaving a comment or review. This chapter is rated PG and will have Haymitch, Rye and Katniss' POV. Mature rating for future chapters, you have been warned. Thanks for your interest. On with the show.


Haymitch POV ––

"How's your boy," I asked Jimmy as I helped myself to a cup of coffee in his bakery. The shop was filled with Merchants and Seam. Their combined presence surprised me as I walked inside the shop. It was after all the weekend and the busiest day of the week for them. I waited for the room to clear before I approached him. I could hear Rye in the back working. The silence was welcomed as the last customer exited the shop.

"Come back and try our pumpernickel loaf," Jimmy advertised as he handed the bag to his customer. The customer left with a big smile on her face––she was Seam.

Jimmy looked haggard but not weary. There was always a dark shadow looming over him, like a heavy weight on his shoulders and body. He smiled as he looked my way. "He's doing well, Haymitch. He sleeps a lot but Lily says that's to be expected. I'm just so happy to have him back home." 'And alive,' I added in my head.

"I'm sorry I can't get him any more morphling." I wanted to do more for him but there was little I could do without alarming Cray and the Peacekeepers of my connection with the black market that ran amongst the districts. Nathan was kind to extend his wife's supply but that I knew that what I gave Peeta was not enough for the injuries that he sustained. The cup of coffee was the last thing I wanted to drink. I knew in the days to come my mind had to be focused. The coffee mug was warm letting me know that the brew was hot to drink so I waited letting the heat warm my hands.

"Oh, we got some more from Agatha Berridge." My brows lifted in curiosity. I thought by now she would leave Peeta alone since he was tainting himself with a Seam girl. "She was here yesterday with food and medicine." He sighed. "He also had a few visitors from his classmates this morning. The girls from his class mainly dropped off food and what not. I never knew he had that many admirers."

"Your boy's a catch," I said. I knew the rumors around the slagheap. Peeta was the one boy whose name was never mentioned or attached to any girl who went there. Even Rye and Graham visited the heap before getting engaged or married. "I bet Agatha was here to see Peeta herself," I chortled. "She's relentless. I thought she'd give Peeta up because of Katniss."

"She was adamant about wanting to see Peeta. I don't know what Evelyn is filling her head with but she's determined to have him. I just don't understand why. I mean, I know my boy's a looker and any girl would be lucky to have him but Agatha?"

"The Berridges look for a long pedigree and the Mellarks have descendants dating back to the first settlers on District 12. And, you have a thriving business. That's the kind of shit that's important to them." They valued things of prestigious and status nothing of substance like love and family. It was a well-known fact that Agatha's parents was an arranged marriage. In truth, they hated each other's guts.

"She doesn't want Peeta because she loves him but because of our heritage? It's wrong to enter a marriage on that basis. I would never put my son through that." 'Good for you, Jimmy,' my mind cheered. His marriage wasn't arranged but as the years passed it soured to a point that they tolerated each other for the sake of appearance and for the business.

"Well, I think Peeta has other ideas on marriage," I teased him. "Seems to me cat's out of the bag now. I mean, everyone thinks your boy and Garrett's girl are together."

"But we know better. I don't think Katniss…is even aware of Peeta's crush on her. I'm grateful that she stepped up and protected Peeta, but I don't think she thought of the consequences of tying herself to him like that."

Jimmy proceeded to tell me about the events that happened while Peeta was mending with the Everdeen's. I wasn't surprised by the outcome and Katniss' reaction.

"I'll never forget the look on his face, Haymitch. I thought nothing could break my heart watching him find out that she doesn't…I mean I understand that they're not together but to listen to that conversation with Peeta around to hear. She hasn't been very receptive to his presence whenever he was around her. Her actions and rejections shattered him."

Everyone who had eyes knew that the youngest Mellark boy had a crush on Garrett's oldest daughter. I'd tease Garrett and Jimmy wondering when I'd be invited to their toasting. "Poor kid. I always thought that your boy must have a high threshold for pain. I mean, of all the girls for him to fall for…Garrett's daughter?" She was surly and abrasive with people and she had no patience with idiots like her classmates. However, I could see what Peeta saw in her. She was strong, fearless and devoted to her loved ones. Both Peeta and Katniss were very passionate in the things they believed in and the people they loved. Both were too mature for their age to enjoy what was left of their young life they had. The reaping was in a few weeks. The chance of Peeta getting reaped was high. You'd be lucky to find love and survive the reaping ceremony.

"When he first told me I thought, well he's only a little boy with a crush so it wasn't a big deal. I thought it would blow over once he grew out of it. But he older he got, the more he fell for her, Haymitch. But now, after all this time he's still enamored by her. I mean he never even talked to her. Who falls like that?"

"That's a long time for someone to have just a crush on, Jimmy." I knew that his son Peeta was different from among all the boys in 12. He was quiet, reflective, kind and gentle despite having a bitch for a mother. I noticed how most girls giggled and acted around him at school.

"He begged me to take him home, Haymitch. For months he's been trying how to figure a way to get close to her. Just to talk to her, you know? And now all he wants to do is hide from her. It's heartbreaking watching him giving up."

"Do you really think he's given up?"

"I think he is. I hope not." Then I noticed a smile in his face like he was keeping a secret but couldn't wait to tell someone.

"What's with the smirk, Jimmy?" I asked. I tipped the coffee mug on to my lips gauging if the liquid was warm. Feeling the tepid temperature I took a slow sip. I flinched wishing I had a shot of whiskey to accompany it. It was too early in the morning for me to be sober and coherent. I loved being in an alcoholic bliss. It's the after that I didn't look forward to.

"I um…I asked Katniss if she wanted to work here at the bakery?" I burst into laughter causing my coffee to slosh in the cup and dribble down my hand.

"You didn't," I choked liquid down my throat as some escaped through my lips. "You asked Katniss Everdeen to work here?" He nodded like a naughty boy who was caught stealing a cookie from a cookie jar. "Does Peeta know what you've done?"

Jimmy's amused face turned sour as he flinched in response. "I haven't told him." I gasped.

"Jimmy, why did you do that?"

"Haymitch, he…Peeta finally has an opportunity to be with her, you know. I mean I knew she's difficult and I'm not saying she's playing hard to get with Peeta. But, he's…I can feel him giving up and…how else can I help him but give her a job here." He paused and sighed. "He's pulling away I know it."

"You better tell him before he finds out on his own." Getting rejected by someone you loved stung like no other pain you'll ever felt. Then to find said person who rejected you working at your father's bakery? Ouch, that's beyond an awkward moment. I felt sorry for the kid. It seemed that papa Mellark was now playing matchmaker to his lovelorn son.

Before he could respond a loud bang is heard from the back of the bakery. "Rye, what's going on?" Jimmy looked around to find Rye missing but the back kitchen door opened. We ran to the back. One the ground was Rye holding Gale Hawthorne on the ground face down. "Rye, what the hell are doing?"

Gale grunted as Rye pressed his knee on the middle of his back. "He…said he wanted to trade." Jimmy and I looked at each other knowing that the fences were turned on. There was no way that Gale had anything to trade with.

"So I told him to talk to me since you were busy." Jimmy's brow lifted. Rye didn't normally bartered with Hawthorne. It was usually done with Jimmy. "Gale said that he wouldn't deal with me and only wanted to talk to you, dad."

"I don't want to talk to him," Gale spouted his breath hard and harsh. "I only deal with Mr. Mellark."

"I was busy up in front Gale, you could have traded with Rye. What really going on?"

"I told him to show me what he was trading with and he refused so I asked him to come back later. He wouldn't leave. Just as I was about to go inside he…said something about Peeta that really pissed me off," Rye explained.

"Peeta stole Katniss from me," Gale yelled. His anger displayed on his usually handsome face. "That fucking weasel doesn't deserve to be with her. No Merchant especially Peeta should be with Katniss."

"My brother saved her life you asshole," Rye said. "He saved his girlfriend's life." I wondered whether Rye knew the truth of his brother's relationship with Katniss. I'm sure Jimmy explained everything to him. He was confirming and protecting his brother.

"That doesn't mean that he owns her. She's just feeling obligated to him."

"Rye, let him go," Jimmy ordered his son. "First thing, son." He turned to Gale as Rye released him.

"I'm not your son," Gale gritted through his teeth as he got on his feet and dusted the dirt off his clothes.

"Listen, Hawthorne," Jimmy continued. "Number one, Peeta didn't steal Katniss. She went to him willingly––"

"That's a lie––" He was angry. I've seen his temper. He spoke and acted without thinking of the consequences of his actions.

"Shut up, Gale," I instructed him as I went toe to toe with the young man. He was much taller than me but I could easily put him down if necessary. Gale towered over a lot of people, but his fighting skills were lacking. Rye was a wrestler I wasn't surprised that he had Gale down on the ground seconds flat. "You need to learn some manners when you talking to people." Gale scoffed as I continued. "They are together and you better get used to it. She picked Peeta."

"You're lying. I never seen her with him ever."

"Well, you know Peeta sneaks out a lot," I mumbled. 'Mostly at night,' I said in my head. But Jimmy didn't have to know that. The kid has his own secrets that I wouldn't divulge even to his own father. "And besides, what Katniss does in her own time is none of your business." I hated getting involved with teenage love affairs. They were messy and left tragic results and consequences. District 12 had a building full of unwanted children.

"Gale why are you really here?" Jimmy asked. I could tell he was losing patience with Gale. It was Gale that beat up Ivan and he would have let Peeta take the fall. Jimmy was right to be angry with him.

"I wanted to see if I could talk to…Peeta," he said under his breath. 'Are you out of your fucking mind,' a voice exploded in my head. Why would he even think that was a good idea?

"Are you fucking serious?" Rye bellowed. Gale looked disinterested at his outcry. "He's hurt and don't need you needling him about his relationship with Katniss."

"Why do you need to talk to Peeta?" I wondered to myself not realizing I had voiced it out loud.

"I wanted to ask him. If it was true that he and Katniss are together?" he said. Gale looked sick at the idea of Peeta and Katniss together as a couple, like it was impossible.

"Get out of here, Hawthorne," Jimmy sputtered his eyes red with anger and breath harsh. "Katniss already spoke to you and her word should be good enough. If she told you she's with my son, then she is with Peeta. You leave Peeta alone, do you hear me?"

"You can't tell me what to do, old man," Gale returned in derision.

"My dad asked you to leave and stay away from my brother," Rye added. "I suggest you listen to him."

"Leave Gale," I supplied. I didn't know what Gale thought he would accomplish by 'talking' to Peeta. "You will leave Peeta alone or you're not participating in our next card game." Gale gasped, anger apparent in his eyes. He knew I was threatening him. Our next 'card game' was to finalize our plans. I was clearly giving him the option to decide what was important to him. His delusional attachment to Katniss or the mission he volunteered for.

"Make up your mind Gale," I said to him. "What are your priorities? The next few months are going to be life changing and you…need to realize that not everything will come your way. Focus, Hawthorne."

"So while I'm endangering my life why does 'he,' he emphasized. "Gets to stay here and get my girl." It took a lot to lose my patience and Gale was tipping the scales. I grabbed him by the arm and dragged away from Jimmy and Rye. Jimmy's second son Rye knew nothing of our plans. What I had to say to Gale didn't require an audience.

"Let go of me," Gale whined as he struggled to free his arm from my grasp.

"You listen to me Gale," I sneered at him. "I know that it was you that beat up Ivan. And you were willing to let Peeta take the fall for your stupid and reckless behavior. You let Peeta get beat up knowing it was you that gave him those bruises." He looked shocked. "So don't be so mighty and righteous thinking that you volunteering makes you a hero." I grabbed the front of his shirt. "You stood there and called Katniss a liar and not know the facts. If she said she was with Peeta and they are together, you better get it through your thick skull that she's with Peeta."

I pushed him hard causing him to stumble backwards. "She was never your girl. And, you better stay away for Jimmy's boy or you'll not just answer to them but to Mr. Everdeen and me. Have I made myself clear?"

I was confident enough to know that Peeta could take care of himself. He had proven that time and time again. But I had to make it perfectly clear to Gale that Peeta was supported not only by his family but with me as well. No one was ever going to hurt him ever.

Gale grew angry. It was evident as a sneer appeared on his face. "I know about your dalliances in the Slagheap, Gale. What makes you think that Katniss would want you after all the girls you took there?" I spat back. "She deserves better than that." I stood before him gauging his mood and temper. It abated for now. "Take care of your business, your family should be your first priority. You should have no problems getting another girl."

Without waiting for a response or reaction, I walked back to the bakery. Rye and Jimmy were at the front attending to a couple of customers. "Hey, Jimmy," I started. "Is it okay if I checked up on Peeta?"

"Oh, go ahead," Jimmy returned. He picked up a plate with a cheese bun. "If he's awake can you give this to him? I don't think he's up for the stuff his classmates dropped off, but he needs to eat." I nodded my head and headed up the stairs.

Pushing the door open, I found Peeta on his stomach fast asleep. The window was wide open as I felt a cool breeze pass through the room. A blanket was draped on his prone body. I flinched at the sight of the stitches on his back. The thread was perfectly seamed together as Lily did a great job sewing his skin back together. The scars will be apparent once the stitches are removed. They will always be a physical and painful reminder of his experience.

I placed the plate down on his desk. His room was unusually neat for a teenage boy. On the walls were his drawings. He was talented that's for sure. I looked down at the boy who reminded me of myself at his age. He had so much promise in his life once he survived the reaping. Peeta's breath grew erratic, as I knew he was suffering a nightmare. I wasn't at all surprised that he was having them.

After a few minutes of watching him, the cadence of his hard breath alerted me that he had awakened. He let out a painful groan.

"Peeta? Are you okay?" I asked as I knelt beside him.

"Haymitch? Help me," he cried out.

"What's wrong, Peeta?" I brushed his hair from his eyes.

"Cray…stop him…please. I can't…" His voice and words softened as he focused his eyes on to mine.

"Peeta, you're home, okay. You're not…Cray is not here."

"I'm sorry," he whispered. "Nightmares…they…I can't stop dreaming about Cray," he admitted as his breathing even out.

"It's all right Peeta, I understand. I have…I have nightmares too," I admitted. "It's normal. You'll have them for a while. You can have to remember that you're safe and home with you family." He relaxed and closed his eyes. "Tell me for real Peeta, how are you feeling?"

"I'm okay now, Haymitch," he said with a sad smile. "I'm really glad to be home." I nodded. "I just feel tired all the time and my back is on fire."

"You're dad said he got some more morphling for you." Peeta just smiled and closed his eyes. "Hey, you hungry? I brought up a cheese bun for you. You're dad said you've been sleeping since you came home. You got to be hungry."

"I can't eat…just too…tired."

"Try, Peeta. You need your strength to get better. You need to eat to heal." I didn't know why it was important to me for him to recover. He wasn't my kid, but I guess I felt responsible since his incident with Ivan. Had I known what was going on I would have talked to Cray and had him removed out of the district. Each district was in a tumultuous state. Snow didn't need the extra problems from any of them, especially a Peacekeepers harassing the locals. Cray may be cruel and unjust but he knew the politics.

At present, Cray lost control and rationale because of the death of his nephew. He struck out and targeted Peeta. He was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Why am I invested with someone's kid? Why did I care to what happened to Peeta? I don't know. Maybe because he reminds me too much of myself when I as his age.

Peeta ate but slowly. It almost took him an hour to eat the cheese bun. I gave him the morphling and acquitted the room and headed downstairs. Inside the shop was once again filled with customers. Merchant tolerated the presence of Seam it was…a big step and a rather late one. "Peeta ate but went back to sleep right after I gave him the morphling," I told Jimmy.

"Thanks, Haymitch for looking out for my kid," Jimmy said in a grateful manner. He handed me a bag with a loaf of his sourdough bread. It smelled delicious.

"No need to thank me, Jimmy," I returned. "The kid didn't deserve to what happened to him. I'm just sorry that I couldn't do anything to stop Cray from hurting Peeta." Little did realize that Peeta's problems were from over. It was only a matter of time that Cray would find his way to get back at him.

RYE POV ––

The gaggle of girls that flew into the shop was unexpected. They came to visit Peeta and brought food, flowers and trinkets for him. My brother was a celebrity. I knew he was adored by a few but this…because of the incident with Cray made him attractive and wanted more than ever. Even Agatha Berridge still wanted him. I couldn't help but feel a bit jealous then I remembered that I had Delly. Speaking of my fiancée, she was not coming in today so dad continued to work in the front. He told me that Haymitch was attending to him. A guess it was a bit a reprieve for dad sine he hasn't left Peeta's side since his return. I didn't blame him considering we almost lost him.

I'm still riled from my encounter with Gale Hawthorne. He was beyond insulting my brother and telling me that he shouldn't be with Katniss. Granted, they weren't together to begin with but to say that Peeta shouldn't with her angered me. He had a lot of nerve bossing people around and telling people what to feel. His assumptions were based on arrogance and not on facts. Peeta was in love with Katniss which was obvious.

I always knew that Peeta's infatuation with Katniss never waivered as he grew older. No matter how many girls threw themselves at him or I set up all he wanted was her. So it didn't surprise me that he protected Katniss from Ivan. But then he would have protected anyone even a Seam girl. Would I have reacted the way he did? Not really, I would gone for help instead of confronting Ivan on my own. I wasn't that reckless.

I had never felt so helpless, angry and scared in my life when Cray brought Peeta out from the Justice Building. Then, things went to shit fast and the next thing I knew he was being whipped. And, asshole Hawthorne accused of Katniss of lying. Couldn't he see that she was trying to protect Peeta? He was selfish and angry that he couldn't see the whole picture. I knew Katniss was lying when she claimed that she was with Peeta that night. I didn't I think she had it in her to protect Peeta that way considering how she's been treating him every time she met him. I told Peeta if she was treating him that way it was a sure sign that she didn't like him and it was time for him to move on. I could tell it broke his heart but that was the reality. I couldn't stand there and let her do that to him time and again. But Delly, my fiancée had been encouraging him not to give up. I remembered when she gave me hell when I advised Peeta to move on.

"You don't listen to Rye, Peeta," Delly told him. "He doesn't know what he's talking about. Katniss does like you but she's resisting it."

"I don't know, Delly," Peeta said. "She wasn't very…receptive to the cookies I tried to give her for free."

"Delly, she practically was mean to him when he tried being nice to her," I argued. She ignored me.

"Listen, Peeta," she said. "I'm a girl I know what I'm talking about. Give her time and be patience. She likes you but doesn't know it. She's just doesn't want to admit," I never understood that kind of logic. If like someone, you like them, right? How can you not know that you like them? She didn't make any sense.

"Don't listen to Rye. I tell you she does like you." Man, Katniss was hard work. Why would Peeta even fall for that?

That was why I encouraged him during the celebration albeit I was drunk but coherent enough to know what he was dong. I didn't realize that Peeta saved Katniss from Ivan that night. Dad explained it to me. I couldn't understand why Cray was pushing and accusing Peeta for killing Ivan. It made sense now. The only problem was we still didn't know who killed Cray's nephew. I was sure it wasn't Peeta because my brother wasn't a killer. He wasn't capable of such violence.

That night Graham came by to see Peeta. "How is Peeta doing, dad?" he asked. In his hand was a burlap bag. Inside it contained cow meat––meat that was expensive. It was rare for us to get beef but since marrying Sonja it wasn't that difficult to get meat from the butcher. That's what Graham benefitted when he married Sonja. My brother Graham was mom's favorite. We all knew it. I didn't mind because with that kind of responsibility it meant if you failed in anything mother wanted from you her disappointment and disdain was epic. She let you felt it for a long time.

As for my marriage to Delly Cartwright, her father managed the coalmine. There was nothing to benefit from marrying her. I love Delly and that was it. In the same token what would Peeta gain marry Katniss Everdeen, a girl from the Seam? He would gain nothing but grief for crossing the social class divide that existed in District 12. He would be shunned by Merchants and definitely rejected by our mother for falling for a Seam 'whore.' She'd accused Katniss of seducing Peeta not realizing that his feelings for her were real and true. My brother, Peeta the ever romantic just couldn't fall for someone that mother would approve and to top it off, he fell for the daughter of dad's former fiancée. It was unfathomable. He loved whom he loved despite age, looks and social boundaries. That's my brother Peeta defying conventions but following with his heart.

"He's fine, Graham," Dad answered him.

"Is it alright to see him?"

"He's with Haymitch." Graham jerked in surprise his eye wide and mouth open.

"Haymitch? What is he doing here?"

"You do remember that Haymitch was the one that was with Peeta the night he was questioned?" Dad reminded him. "He cares about Peeta."

"Oh," Graham said. "I thought…" He stopped as he glanced at my direction. 'Hmm…what was that about?' I wondered. He walked upstairs without a single word. He stayed long enough to see Peeta awake but soon left when he fell back to sleep. There wasn't anything Graham could do anyway.

It was good to have my little baby brother home. Now that I knew Gale's intentions I have to keep an eye on him. He was definitely trouble. I hated the arrogant asshole thinking he could talk to Peeta while he was trying to recover. He had a lot of nerve. To say that my brother was not good enough for Katniss Everdeen was ludicrous? She'd be lucky to have him.

Speaking of Katniss. My dad's idea to hire was…risky but brilliant idea. This would give Peeta the opportunity to be around her more often. I may not approve of his choice for a partner but she was whom he wanted. It's going to be quite interesting having them around each other. Delly would be ecstatic for she knew how long Peeta had a crush on her. I just hope that it won't blow on our faces if he ended up hurt and rejected by her again.

During the course of the weekend, dad was busy between helping in the shop and attending to Peeta's needs. He slept most of the time, but he needed assistance to go to the bathroom. Mrs. Everdeen showed up Sunday afternoon to check up on him. This was the only day the bakery was closed. Even Delly came by to see him.

"Has he been eating at all?" she asked dad as she pressed her hand onto Peeta's forehead. "He's a little warm. He might have a slight fever." Peeta was awake but tired.

"I don't have any appetite for anything, Mrs. Everdeen," Peeta said. "My stomach hurts when I eat anything."

"I gave him soup and bread but not a whole lot," he answered. Concerned and worry etched on dad's face. "He just doesn't have any appetite for food, just water.

"He needs to eat more if he wants to heal faster, James," she told him. "Peeta, you lost weight since the incident. You need to make sure you eat more." Dad too looked as if he lost weight himself. There were dark circles underneath his eyes and his skin looked sallow. She stayed long enough to medicate his wounds, feed him and give him another sponge bath. This was Peeta's daily activity until he was back on his feet.

"Since Prim will be here after school, I won't have to visit as often. Only for his bath, cleaning his stitches and incase something bad happens." Her last statement alarmed me. What could happen? He's home, mending and alive.

The weekend passed without any incident. Peeta continued to sleep. The only thing that changed was that we had more visitors asking about him then actual customers. It was annoying. On a good note, because of dad's new policy we were busier than ever that we actually ran out of items long before the end of business hours. With mom not around the business was thriving. With the profits, Dad said it was enough for Delly and I to marry sooner than we hoped. We had planned our wedding a week prior the reaping ceremony because we were trying to save enough to furnish our new home that was assigned to us. We could marry now if we wanted to.

"I want Peeta to be able to stand on his own to feet," I told him. "I can't have my best man fainting when we have our civil ceremony and the toasting." Delly agreed with me.

School had been difficult since Peeta's incident. Many Merchant classmates were appalled that my brother was cavorting with a Seam girl, especially since the girl was Katniss Everdeen. She had been rumored to be Gale Hawthorne's girlfriend. I never saw any evidence since he was reputed to taking girls to the slagheap.

"I see that you're brother has been slumming with the trash," Oscar Bolton said. He was a classmate in some of my classes and a member of the school wrestling team. He was still 17years old, an age still eligible for the reaping ceremony. Oscar hated Peeta because my little brother whipped his ass once. He was bullying a young Merchant, someone three years younger than him. Peeta came to his defense and wrestled him to the ground. Mind you, Oscar was at least twenty pounds heavier than Peeta but with his experience with Graham and me, he knew how to defend himself with a much larger and heavier opponent. Peeta had him on the ground before Oscar blinked. It was humiliating because at the time, Peeta was only 14. Since then no one messed with Peeta. It was at that age that girls swooned and flocked towards him. He in returned didn't acknowledge them. His focus was always on Katniss. It wasn't a big secret to those close to him that he adored her.

"You're just jealous," I returned. "Don't think I know that you have a thing for Everdeen herself." A few Merchants classmates had ranted about taking Katniss to the slagheap. She was far to intimidating and scary for anyone to have tried or asked. However, no one dared since she was Gale Hawthorne's 'girl.' Or so we all thought.

"Well, she is a piece of ass that I want to––" Smack, the sound reverberated in the air. I gasped in surprise as I watched Delly slapped Oscar in the face so hard his cheek was red and his eyes watered.

"Don't talk about Peeta's girlfriend that way," she seethed between her clenched teeth. My brows furrowed in amusement as Oscar palmed his cheek. "Don't think Peeta won't kick your fat ass if he ever heard you talk about Katniss that way." He looked startled then angry. "He did it once and he can do again, Oscar."

A few of our classmates laughed and snickered at him. "And just to remind you, you would have peed in your pants if Cray ever tied you to a post and whipped you." I had forgot to mention that when Peeta fought Oscar that first time, he peed in his pants. An incident with Cray and Oscar would not only peed in his pants but probably shit in it as well. He backed off with his tail between his legs as he noticed that no one was amused or impressed by him.

Delly herself had gotten a few scuffles with Merchant girls in her class. The girls reacted in disgust. "How can you approve of Peeta with…that…trash from the Seam," one red head girl spouted the feeling of jealousy apparent in her face.

"Peeta deserves better," another girl added.

"Why would he want…her?" The insults continued. Delly raised her head and shoulders up.

"You're all jealous that he wants her and not you," she stated. "If Peeta deserves better than you don't deserve him either. He doesn't deserve sloppy seconds." They gasped in shock and shame. Two of the three girls were reputed tramps in our classes. After that day, no one spoke out of turn against Peeta and Katniss.

I watched Katniss in the days since the incident with Cray. She had always kept to herself, talking to no one but Madge Undersee. I had always thought their friendship was an odd one––the intimidating Seam girl befriended by the Mayor's daughter of District 12.

I didn't really see the appeal or the attraction that Peeta had for her. She was surly, broody and abrasive with everyone around her, even Seam classmates veered away from her. I guess Peeta saw something in her that we couldn't.

On Monday I practically ran back to the bakery as soon as the last period bell rang but I detained because I had to pick up all of Peeta's assignments that he had missed. I wanted to get home as soon as possible since he had difficult time the night before. His scream woke us up that I thought we were under attack. Dad's heart almost stopped when he saw him on the ground. He had another nightmare and rolled off the bed landing on his back.

I flinched as thinking that he opened up his stitches the way he yelled in pain as dad and I laid back on his bed. As I expected he was bleeding that my stomach lurched at the sight of his blood seeping through his white t-shirt. Dad immediately tore his shirt apart, wiped his blood with a blanket and ordered me to get a bowl with warm water and a washcloth. In relief, it wasn't as bad as it looked that all Peeta needed was Dad to apply the healing lotion on his wounds.

Peeta couldn't calm down and ended up awake for the rest of the morning with dad by his side. I demanded to stay and help but dad insisted that I went back to school since Graham would be helping him until the school term was over. I couldn't focus as my mind couldn't process everything that has happened for the past two weeks––the celebration, Dad removing mom from our lives and the bakery, and Cray whipping Peeta. Our lives had been quiet and calm before all this turmoil and the reaping ceremony was weeks ahead.

As I crashed into the bakery, a customer left leaving the storefront empty. I sighed in relief not ready to work.

"Graham, I'm going to see Peeta for a few minutes before I start to work," I told him as I headed towards the stairs. I could hear Dad in the kitchen speaking to someone. To my surprised I found Primrose Everdeen in our dining table pulling out her books from school.

"Hey, Rye," she greeted me. She was a cute kid with blond hair and blue eyes. You would have never guessed that she was part Seam.

"Hello, Primrose," I greeted her back. I had forgotten that Dad had hired Katniss to work with us. That was whom he was probably talking in the kitchen.

"Are you going to see Peeta?" she asked. I nodded my head. "I wanted to check up on him but Katniss said I should leave him alone."

"I don't see why you can't since you are also helping him, right?" I retorted. "Come on, he'll be probably happy to have some company beside dad and me." She smiled her cheeks dimpled. She was a cute kid who was far friendlier and approachable than her sister. They were the sun and the moon in personality. I opened the door to find Peeta attempting to rise. "Shit, Peeta. What are you doing?" I asked as I ran to his side and placed a hand on his elbow.

"Peeta!" Prim hollered as she followed suit and ran to his side as well. "You shouldn't be getting up by yourself." There was fear and concern in her voice.

He wore a white t-shirt and light blue boxer shorts with his favorite dark orange socks on his feet. "I thought I heard voices and…I'm tired of lying on my stomach," he explained as we sat him on his bed. He sighed in relief and chortled to himself. "I think my butt's numb because I can't feel it." I looked into his eyes. They were unfocused and bleary. His hair was tousled and cheeks ruddy. He looked tired not rested as I hoped he'd be from sleeping all day.

Our voices must have alarmed dad as he ran up the stair with Katniss right behind him. "What's going on Rye? Is Peeta okay?" he asked his voice strained with concern. "Peeta what are you doing up?"

"Hey, dad," he greeted him. "My head kinda feels funny." He blinked twice to adjust his vision as he sway back and forth. Then suddenly his blue orbs went straight to Katniss like as if he was imagining her in his bedroom. He quickly turned his head as his cheek went cherry red.

"He's okay, Mr. Mellark," Prim answered. "When was the last time you gave him the morphling?" Dad had been afraid to give him medication this morning as Peeta resisted breakfast. He claimed he wasn't hungry. But, with the painful puppy eyed look he gave dad, he relented. The last time I saw Peeta before leaving for school he was asleep his soft snore muffled as his face was smashed against a pillow.

"About an hour ago."

"Did you give it to him on an empty stomach?" I was impressed at the young 14 year-old taking charge of the situation.

"He wasn't hungry and he was also in pain all morning."

Prim lifted the blanket on Peeta's bed and spotted blood on it. "When did this happen?" she asked as she pointed to the blanket and his torn bloody shirt.

"Early this morning," dad explained. "He had a nightmare and landed on his back." Prim then turned to Peeta and looked at his back. "He wasn't hurt that bad and I put medicine on his stitches once the bleeding stopped." Prim didn't look pleased.

"How are you feeling Peeta?" she asked him.

"Hey, Prim," he said back with a goofy look on his face. She placed a hand on his forehead.

"You're a little warm. You're feeling sick or you in any pain?"

"Nope," he answered back with a pop on the 'p.' "You guys look…fuzzy."

"Fuzzy," Prim smiled back. "He's a little loopy from the medication," she whispered to us. Oh, okay that explained his odd behavior. I liked him this way all goofy and funny.

"And the room I think…is spinning. Or I'm spinning." He placed a hand over his eyes then retracted it. "Nope, you guys are spinning." He paused for a second his face changed from amusement to melancholy. "I think I need glasses." He sighed his shoulders slumped and lower lip puckered. "You all look fuzzy." He repeated again.

"He needs to have food in his stomach," Prim stated. "His body is only absorbing the morphling. Peeta's reaction with the morphling on an empty stomach makes him loopy." She giggled to herself. "I never seen anyone react that way before."

"At least he's not in pain," I added.

"Katniss can you go down stairs and get a cheese bun for Peeta," Dad ordered her.

"I'll get it, dad," I said. "I should go to work since Prim is here to take care of him." I ran past everyone and headed down the stairs. I stopped in shock and horror as I found my…mother inside the bakery. 'Shit, what is she doing here?' my mind formulated.

Graham was nowhere in sight. She craned her neck to look past the door to the kitchen when she spotted me. "Where is that stupid father of yours?" she said with an ugly sneer on her face.

"He's busy," I returned as I turned to the display case and grabbed a cheese bun. She was no longer in our lives but her presence still…frightened me. She was my mother but, all I felt from her was resentment and fear. Memories flashed in my head as years of her abuse still affected me.

"Can I help you with anything? I suggest you try our cheese buns." The first time Peeta baked the bread without any consent she hit him so hard that the bruise took weeks to heal. Granted it was on the side of his stomach and well hidden. She screamed that making the cheese bun was expensive and not profitable. It never made to our menu until she left. Today, it is our best selling item in the bakery.

"Don't you dare get smart with me, Rye," she spat. "Where is he?" She must really be upset with dad as she ignored me.

"Upstairs with Peeta?"

"James," she screamed as she approached the stairs. I blocked her path before she took another step. "Get out of my way, Rye." I held my ground and didn't budge.

"No," I said in firm and clear voice. She knew not to touch me as I towered over her. I'd never hit her but that didn't mean that I would let her push me around anymore.

"James, get down here now."

"What's going on?" Dad asked as his reached the bottom of the steps. "What are you doing here, Evelyn?" His face and tone was hard as he noticed mom's presence.

"Is it true?" she roared. "Is it true you hired Katniss Everdeen to work here?" She went straight to the point of her concern. She thought of Katniss and not of Peeta, her youngest son who nearly died a week ago.

"He's doing fine. Thank you for asking about your son, Peeta, Evelyn," dad blurted back with disdain in his face.

"Answer me," she blurted back. Her hatred and anger was apparent on her face. I knew she hated anyone Seam. Her hatred for Seam was stronger than her love for her family. I wasn't at all surprised by her priority though the thought hurt me more than I realized. Had she ever loved us at all?

"This is my bakery, Evelyn," he reminded her. "And I told you, I will do as I damn please with my bakery. You come over here screaming and your first question is about Katniss. You didn't even ask about your son. As his mother, you should be concerned about his welfare not who I employed in my bakery."

"He's fine from what Agatha told me," she sneered.

"And as for that, whatever you told Ms. Berridge you can forget about it," Dad insisted. "I will not sign over Peeta's love life to some pedigree seeking Merchant brat who's only looking for solidifying her lineage as the First families of District 12. I will not permit him to marry that…that…" He struggled to find words. Dad never spoke ill of people but he would had made an exception for the Agatha.

"Well, I will not permit him to taint his bloodline with that whore's daughter," Mom screamed back. Graham entered the room from the kitchen. His face displayed horror and surprise.

"Mom, what are you doing here?" he asked. Before she answered the door opened and a customer walked in. She was from the Seam. Her face too etched with horror and fear as she noticed mom.

"Get out," Mom bellowed. "Get out."

Dad grabbed mom by the elbow and led her to the door. I tried to smother the laughter, shock and surprise on my face as she struggled to loosen her arm from him.

"Unhand me, James," she whined. "Let go of me."

He led her outside but not far enough that I could still hear them. "You will not set foot into this shop until you know you're priorities," he advised her. "Peeta is my son, I am his father. You are his mother, act like it. Have you even thought about what pain he's going through? So God help me, Evelyn. I will protect my family from anyone who hurts them even from you. I should have protected them years ago. That is the shame and guilt that I will live with for the rest of my life. You are not welcome here, ever until you see sense." He walked back slamming the door behind him. Tears brimmed his eyes as he wiped them with the back of his hand. He leaned against the wall and held a hand to his chest and took a deep breath. His breathing was choppy and harsh like as if he had been running.

"Um…should I come back," the Seam woman said in a timid voice.

"Sorry, Gertrude," dad answered him. I looked at him in surprise. He knew her. "Don't leave, please." He walked back to the counter. "I'm sorry you had to see that. Please don't be scared. I promise she won't be here to bother anyone. What would you like today?" Dad ranted. It was the first time I ever seen him do that.

"Um…can I take a look around first," Gertrude said her head down as she spoke.

"Take your time. Next time bring your grandbaby," he said with a smile back on his face. "He should be two by now, right?" She smiled back and nodded her head. "Rye, can you get a cheese bun and bring it upstairs." I wondered at dad's ability to adjust his mood. He went from anger to cordial in seconds flat as he attended to our customer. But underneath the calm demeanor I detected the stress in the way he moved, the shaken timber of his voice and a vein surfacing on his left temple. Fighting with mom took a lot out of him. He was shaken.

"Sure dad," I said.

"Dad since Rye is back I think I should head back to the butcher shop," Graham started.

"Okay, son," Dad replied. "Give my love to Sonja and my grandson." With a plate of cheese bun on hand, I walked back upstairs. "Tell Katniss it's safe to come down."

As I entered the second floor, I found Katniss and Prim standing inside Peeta's bedroom. Both girls had tears in their eyes. Peeta was not with them. I panicked. "Where's Peeta?"

"Rye, thank God you're here," Prim spoke her voice shook as she turned to me. Katniss had a hand over her mouth.

"What's the matter? Where is he?" A sob sounded inside the room but I couldn't tell where it was coming from. Prim pointed to his closet. "How did get in there?"

"It was horrible Rye," she started. "He was sitting quiet, you know with your dad. Then, he heard your mom screaming and then your dad left the room." Oh, God. He heard mom downstairs. "I think he panicked and got scared because…because he fell on this hands and knees and started crawling to his closet. Katniss and I tried to stop him but…he was so scared that we couldn't touch him without hurting him."

"Oh God," I muttered under my breath. Peeta's sob were soft behind the closet door. I placed the plate on his bed. "Peeta," I said as placed my ear on his door. "It's me, Rye. Can I open the door?"

"Rye?" he croaked his voice soft and shaken. "Don't let her find me. I didn't mean to break it." Huh, he wasn't making any sense. Then, I remembered that the morphling affected him. He wasn't coherent. I tried to remember the last time he accidental broke something and mom punished him for it. There weren't that many but each time was memorable as she left bruises on him that lasted for days to heal. Dad had explained that Peeta's experience with Cray affected him in a way that heightened his memories of pain with both the whipping and the abuse from mom. They blended together as one painful memory.

"She's gone, Peeta," I said firm and loud. "She'll never find you, I promise." 'She'll never hurt anyone of us again,' I swore. He was quiet for a few seconds. "Are you hungry, I got a cheese bun for you."

"He needs more than that," Prim said. It was still too early for dinner so there was nothing but bread in the house.

"All there is in the kitchen is bread," I announced.

"Do you guys have any meat, I could make a stew while I'm here," Katniss spoke for the first time. Her eyes were red. Behind the steel orbs there was anger.

"Hey, did you hear that, Peeta?" I spoke to the wooden door like an idiot. "Katniss is going to make stew for you." He remained quiet behind the door for a minute or two. We waited for a response. "Peeta?" Worried, I pried the door open. Peeta sat on the floor leaning on the wall with his eyes closed. He was asleep. The incident had tired him out.

"He can't sleep like that Rye," Prim said worry displayed on her young face. "He needs to get back on his bed." With help from Prim and Katniss we managed to place Peeta back on his bed. "You really need to get him to eat Rye. He's losing weight too fast." I noticed that Peeta's muscle mass was leaner than before. He wasn't large and muscular to begin with like Graham and I. "But I guess he tired himself out crawling into the closet so we should let him sleep for a while."

"That will give me enough time to make something for him, Prim," Katniss voiced. Her eyes were glued to Peeta his body covered with a clean blanket from waist to feet. I removed his sock knowing how hot he got underneath it. "Rye, is it okay if I use you kitchen to make stew for him." She was about to reach down to touch but she stopped herself.

"I'll show you where everything is that you'll need," I said back. A few minutes later, I ran down the stairs to help dad. After an hour, Katniss joined us downstairs.

"Peeta still asleep?" I asked her.

"Yeah, the last time Prim checked," she responded. "I made rabbit stew. It's simmering right now and should be ready in another hour." Rabbit stew, it was not my favorite but Peeta's. I wondered if she knew that.

She looked around her, the bakery was empty and we still had another hour left before we closed. "Is there anything else I should do during the down time?" Besides, replenishing the baked goods, I explained that she could sweep the floor and wipe down the counters and glass on the display case as well.

"When dad says you're ready, he'll want you to have more responsibilities in the kitchen," I explained. Her brow furrowed. "We're going to make a baker out of you yet." She snorted. The hour passed without incident and it was time for the Everdeen girls to go home.

"Thank you for deciding to work here, Katniss," Dad said as he handed her a bag. "Take this with you?"

"I don't have any money," she argued. "This was my first day and I hardly did anything––"

"Whatever is left over at the end of the day will go to waste, Katniss. This is not a handout." Katniss' eye bulged in her sockets. I wondered if she remembered her first encounter with Peeta. "You've earned it." She looked hesitant and reluctant.

"Thank you Mr. Mellark," Prim said. "We…appreciate your generosity, don't we Katniss?" She eyed here sister her brows furrowed as if she was challenging her to disagree in front of dad.

"Yes, I mean, yes Mr. Mellark," Katniss relented. "Thank you."

"Its' been a long first day for you both and I appreciate everything you've done today," Dad continued. "Especially for helping Peeta this afternoon, Prim. That was not what I expected when I asked you to stay while waiting for Katniss."

"I don't mind, Mr. Mellark," Prim said. "I'm here anyway so I want to help Peeta as much I can."

"Thank you," Dad returned. "I'll see you tomorrow." He turned and headed towards the stairs. "Rye, lock up. I'm going to check on Peeta." I watched him leave. Katniss and Prim was about to walk out the door.

"Katniss, hold up," I said startling her. "Can I talk to you for a minute before you leave?" She bit her lower lip. "I won't take long."

"I'll wait outside Katniss," Prim said as she walked outside not giving her sister room to object.

I cleared my throat. "Listen, I know that you're not with Peeta." I started. "If you were I would have known." She grimaced in return. "I don't know what kind of relationship you have with Gale Hawthorne. Or if you in a relationship with him but…"

She waited as I chose my words carefully. She was after all working here now and in a few weeks with Peeta. I needed to protect him from Gale and even from her if she didn't care for at all. Before I could continue she interrupted me, "I'm not in a relationship with Gale if that's what's your asking." That was not what I expected from her.

"It isn't my business anyway but, Peeta is my brother and…I know why you did what you did to save him." I was grateful but realistic of the situation. Peeta adored her, but she didn't return the feeling. "I want you to tell Gale to stay away from Peeta."

"I don't understand?" Her face grew blank.

"He came by wanting to 'talk' to my brother," I informed her. "He's got a lot of nerve showing his face here, you know after what he tried to do." I couldn't gauge her reaction as her face showed no emotion––anger, concern or surprise. Nothing, I saw nothing on her face. "He got a pass today, Katniss. The next time he won't if he ever gets near my brother, understand?" My threat was real. I knew Peeta could defend and protect himself but Gale needed to know that if came after Peeta, he also be dealing with me. "Katniss?" She was quiet as she just turned and walked out the door.


Katniss POV ––

Anger bubbled in my stomach. Gale tried to see Peeta. The idea boggled my mind. 'What would he gain by talking to Peeta now. He was still hurt and mending,' the thought rattled in my head. The more I thought about Gale's agenda the angrier I became. He wanted to confront Peeta regarding our relationship. "Katniss? Are you okay?" Prim asked.

"What?" I snapped at her.

"Katniss?" Prim's face looked shocked and hurt from my outburst. I sighed and refocused my thoughts as I smiled back at my little sister. She didn't deserve my anger as I directed it towards her.

"It's been along day, Prim," I answered back as grabbed her hand. Seeing Peeta again was…difficult; especially when his mother came. Watching him trying to 'escape' from her as he crawled to his closet more than broke my heart. I was filled with sorrow, pain and anger. How could any mother treat her own child that way? How could anyone treat Peeta the way she treated him?

I recalled all the scars and blemishes on his body from his arms to the back of his legs. They obviously were given by his mother for transgression he committed. The thought sickened me of young Peeta being abused by her. The memory and sight would haunt me forever.

"How was your first day, Katniss?" Dad asked as we walked through the door.

"Memorable," I returned with as much sarcasm I could muster underneath my breath. It was more than memorable as I recalled the events that happened that afternoon.

"Oh, what happened?" I filled in the details of my first day at the bakery. Dad wasn't surprised with the appearance of Peeta's mother but he was shocked when I told him about Gale.

"That boy has a temper that needs to be––" Dad started his face filled with anger and impatience. I knew how he felt.

"Prim, please go to your room?" Mom ordered her.

"Why?––"

"Let her stay, Lily. It's no secret that Gale is angry with Katniss for rejecting him. And the fact that she chose Peeta over him." I gasped in surprise at Dad. "What was he thinking that Jimmy was going to let him near Peeta?"

"Garrett," Mom interrupted him.

"He's an idiot," Dad continued. "Peeta's hurt and he wants to talk to him about what? About you and your relationship with Peeta? Gale just doesn't give up. I have a good mind to––"

"Garrett, that's enough," Mom said her patience too was worn thin.

"Dad, you know that Peeta and I aren't…you know," I said my voice shook as I tried to find the words to explain the true nature of my relationship with Peeta. "…together, we haven't been seeing each other at all."

"We know you don't have a boyfriend, Katniss," Mom said.

"It doesn't matter," Dad stated. "What you said that day…everyone believes that you're his girl now. You have to continue the ruse, Katniss." He seemed okay with Peeta as my boyfriend. I mean, my pretend boyfriend.

"I wasn't thinking when I blurted it out. I just wanted to help Peeta."

"I'm not upset that you did what you did, Katniss. You saved his life." I didn't think of it that way. All I knew was that he was hurt and being punished because of me.

"We're not together…that way. I don't have a boyfriend." 'Not even Gale,' I wanted to add out loud. He wasn't worth mentioning his name. Just the thought of him made my blood boil.

"You could do worse you know."

"Garrett, don't encourage her," Mom said her face stern. I could tell she objected the idea. I thought she liked Peeta?

"I like Peeta better than Gale," Prim added her two cents. I scowled back at her. "What? He's gorgeous, nice and sweet. The girls in school adore him. Ever since the whipping all the girls talk about how strong and brave he was." That made me…uncomfortable. Even now that Peeta was my pretend boyfriend girls still wanted him.

"And Rye told me that the bakery have been getting a flock of girls wanting to see him. They've been dropping off food and presents." My mood soured. I didn't want to talk or hear about other girls talking about Peeta. He was mine…I mean pretend mine as in my fake boyfriend.

"I have homework to do," I bristled as I removed my shoes and walked to my room for peace and quiet taking the bag that Mr. Mellark packed for me. I could smell the fragrance of cheese and garlic that permeated through the bag–– they were cheese buns. As I entered my room I dropped on my bed facedown covering my face with a pillow to stifle my scream. Thoughts of Gale, Mrs. Mellark and Peeta flooded my mind. It was bad enough that I was working at the bakery. All day I felt anxious anticipating the moment I stepped foot in the shop. I barely slept and ate all day. Even the lure of the baked goods in the shop didn't entice me. At the bakery I was jittery and unfocused. How can I work there feeling like that?

I was tongue-tied when Mr. Mellark greeted me. As usual it was Prim who saved me from making a fool out of myself by greeting him for the both of us. What is it about that family that has me flustered? I didn't think that I would actually see Peeta today.

But after today, knowing that Mrs. Mellark was adamant to marrying off Peeta to Agatha, something in me snapped. Then, when Prim and Rye mentioned that all those girls still wanted him even knowing that I was his girlfriend, I knew why that bubble in my stomach appeared each time I saw him. Why each time he was near me I felt suffocated and anxious around him. I never recognized the feeling before. I was attracted to Peeta. There was no way I could deny he was gorgeous with his blond hair that curled at the tips when it grew too long and the piercing blue eyes that sent shivers down my spine.

'Oh God,' my mind exploded. I want Peeta, not just as a friend. I want him to be my real boyfriend. There were so many signs that been right in front of my face. And the feelings I got whenever people like Agatha and all those Merchant girls who wanted him irked me. I realized what I had been denying myself. Peeta was mine, long before I ever knew it. I wanted him to belong to me. I sat straight up from the bed. The revelation overwhelmed me.

The thought of Peeta Mellark as my boyfriend was…it didn't scare like I thought it would. I smiled at the idea of calling him 'my boyfriend.' Then, flinched as I realized that he wasn't mine at all.

I had missed opportunity to talk to him today. However, in the state he was in it would have been futile. He was still sick and medicated with morphling. I doubted he would be coherent enough to have a conversation. I have much to make up for.

An hour later, I'm on my bed with pencil in hand and notepad on my lap. I couldn't concentrate as my mind flashed to the boy back at the bakery. I hope he enjoyed the rabbit stew I prepared for him…I mean for him and his family. Was he eating, was he still asleep? Maybe he hates rabbit stew.

Prim had the good sense to leave me alone in the room as I brooded in silence. She had already finished her homework so leaving in peace was a wise decision. A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. "Katniss, it's time for dinner," Mom said. "Eat before the food gets cold."

I sighed and grabbed the bag on my bed. "I was wondering if you were going to share that with us," Prim asked as I sat beside her after washing my hands.

"Sorry," I returned. "I wasn't thinking when I took it with me to the room. Here, have one." I opened the bag and placed four cheese buns on a platter.

"These are delicious," Dad said as he took a large bite. "Did I tell you how glad I am you accepted working for the Mellarks?" I smiled back. "I mean I know you've only worked for a day. It was kind of Jimmy to offer you a job there seeing that you don't have work experience of any kind."

"I think he's really grateful for helping Peeta, Garrett," Mom stated. "However, his timing was just impeccable.…asking Katniss to work for them. It's a stroke of luck for us since Cray turned on the electricity on the fences. Who knows how long it's going to be on." I wondered about how I was going to provide for my family. Mom was right that I was lucky to be working for the Mellarks.

"Well, no one should give you any grief about working at the bakery since you are Peeta's girlfriend," Prim teased me. My skin felt hot as I prayed that the color of my skin hid my blush. I could tell she loved the idea of Peeta being my boyfriend. How could I have thought that she wanted him as well? Fighting for his affections was the last thing I wanted between us. I sighed in relief that she only thought of Peeta as a friend. I cringed when I realized how possessive I was towards him when he wasn't my boyfriend for real.

"Stop teasing your sister, Prim," Mom berated her. I could tell that mom didn't relish the idea of Peeta being my boyfriend, even if he was my pretend boyfriend. As for dad, he liked Peeta. It was odd that mom opposed Peeta while dad encouraged the fake match. Prim and I cleared the table and was adjusting to spending a quiet evening together with our family when someone pounded on our door so loud that the door shook from the hinges.

Scared, Prim saddled to my side and sat beside me. Mom looked tense as dad opened the door. Three armor suited Peacekeepers with rifles in their hands stood on our doorstep. In front of them was Head Peacekeeper Cray. An ugly sneer etched on his mouth. Right beside him was my best friend Gale Hawthorne.


AN: Thank you for reading this chapter and I hoped you enjoyed it. Have a great weekend.

AN2: to my 'The Weary Heart' readers, due to a few requests, I am in the the process of writing another epilogue, one that will be years ahead since the last one. I don't know when I'll post it but i will give you guys a heads up.