I hummed quietly as I strolled down the market district of twelve, making my way towards the Mellark Bakery.

I sighed as I thought of Peeta. It had been six months since he told me he used to like me.

Key words; Used To.

I sighed, thinking of that day. It was still pretty much the only thing I talked about.

It's not like you can be mad at him Ellis. You should have figured out your feelings before you left.

I waved at a family walking down the street, them all reciprocating before moving along, smiling.

I wonder if the other districts are like this, I thought.

I was leaving for the victory tour tonight, which meant that tomorrow I would have to start two months of going to all the other districts and to events in the capitol.

It also meant that I would be leaving Peeta again.

This is why I was on my way to the bakery. We were spending the day together.

Even if he would rather spend it watching her.

I grumbled slightly at the thought of the girl Peeta liked, or should I simply call her Katniss.

Despite the fact that he has never talked to her, he certainly talked about her quite a bit.

Like about how pretty she was.

Or about how she sold his father squirrels.

Maybe I should start illegally hunting, and then maybe Peeta will love me.

I sighed, well aware that I was being ridiculous. It wasn't Peeta's fault that he only thought of me as a friend.

It also wasn't his fault that I couldn't seem to do the same about him.

I ran a hand through my wavy hair, which had grown to my mid-back now, and obtained a somewhat lighter color.

I was dressed in a pair of beige shorts, my worn out brown sandals, and a pastel yellow blouse.

I paused as I reached the Mellark Bakery, taking a deep breath as I entered the door. " Hello? Anyone here?" I asked, smirking as I walked to the counter, peeking into the back.

came walking in, a fresh tray of bread in his hands. He smiled as he saw me, putting the bread on a large rack. " Ellis! Good to see you."

" Morning . Is Peeta here? " I said, leaning against the counter.

He nodded, turning to Heath, saying, " Go get your brother." He turned back to me, saying " What are your plans for the day?"

I smiled saying " I'm not sure, Peeta won't tell me. He said it's a surprise. We wanted to spend the day together since I'm leaving tomorrow."

He nodded, turning back to his bread, smiling, saying, " Well whatever you do, be sure you have fun."

" Peeta! Your girlfriend's here! " Heath shouted from the back, causing a bright red blush to break out on my cheeks.

Peeta came rushing in, his hair shorter from a recent cut, a slight tinge of pink flushed on his face. He slipped off his flour-covered apron, tossing it aside as he grabbed a small box off the counter before coming around to my side.

" Have fun you two! " His father said, smiling at us as Peeta pulled me out the door, his hand pulling on mine.

I waved to as Peeta dragged me down the road, saying " Sorry about my brother."

I laughed lightly, saying "Relax. It's fine Peeta. I'm used to your brother's antics."

Peeta was never very close with his brother, let alone his mother. His father, on the other hand, was always close with Peeta.

He sighed a relieved sigh, his charming smile crossing his lips, his eyes shining in the sun.

His stupid charming smile.

I smiled, walking along beside him as he led me to some mystery location.

I noted how much more toned Peeta had gotten lately.

All that lifting at the bakery is obviously paying off.

I smiled as Peeta turned to me, saying, "Cover your eyes."

I grinned, laughing slightly, but did cover my eyes nonetheless. I felt Peeta's hands take my shoulders, leading my further along, his breath hitting my neck, sending shivers down my spine.

" Okay, open them." Peeta said, moving his hands onto mine, slowly pulling them away from my face. I smiled, saying "Peeta. This is so amazing." I grinned as I hurried over, a small blanket laid on the ground by the fence.

I sat down, Peeta following, before sitting down across from me, smiling still. " You like it?"

" Like it? I love it!" I said smiling.

Peeta smiled, a slight blush spreading in his cheeks. " I have something else for you too." He said, setting a small white box in front of me. I looked at him, raising an eyebrow before slowly pulling of the lid.

Inside was a small white cake, my name perfectly put on top in light blue, a flower iced beside it.

I grinned, saying, " Peeta, it's perfect."

" I just thought we could celebrate your birthday, since we never really have gotten to before."

I smiled, dipping a finger in the icing, raising an eyebrow at Peeta.

"Don't." He warned with a smile, holding his hands up in a stop motion.

I leaned forward, rubbing the icing on his nose, a laugh emanating from my mouth.

" Now your going to get it!" Peeta laughed, grabbing a dollop of icing on his fingers, tossing it in my direction. It landed with a splat on my blouse, a gasp coming from my lips.

I smirked, wiping some off my shirt, before wiping it down Peeta's arm, saying "Oops."

He laughed, tackling me, icing and cake being tossed between us. After a few moments I shouted " Truce! Truce!"

I panted, lying back on the blanket, Peeta's body over mine, him laughing.

I stared at him, smiling as he looked down at me, his laugh fading away into a smile as well. He reached his hand down, brushing some hair out of my face.

Oh my gosh.

His thumb grazed over my bottom lip, him whispering, " You have some icing."

Oh my gosh.

I nodded aimlessly, staring into his dough eyes, his staring right back.

"Icing." I mumbled quietly, my eyes darting to his lips as his head dipped down to mine.

Oh. My. Gosh.

I fluttered my eyes shut as his lips pressed into mine, my heart thumping in my chest. My hands moved onto his arms as his lips moved in perfect sync with mine.

My hand slid up, bringing the icing from his arm with it, tangling into his perfect blonde hair, pulling his mouth closer to mine.

He rolled us over, his hands moving onto my lower back as mine moved onto his face, the icing sticking to my fingers. "Happy Birthday." he whispered, pulling away from me for a moment, before pushing his lips back onto mine.

Maybe he still likes you after all.

He pulled away for a moment, smiling at me as he moved away the cake box beside us. My eyes glanced past us, landing on a brown haired girl in the distance behind the fence.

Katniss. She was looking this way, Gale behind her, oblivious.

Peeta quickly glanced that way, before kissing me again.

Or maybe he doesn't.

But I didn't stop him. Because as silly as it seemed, for that moment I felt like I was his Katniss. I was the one he still liked.

But your not. You lost him to her.

You lost, no matter how much you deny it.

[-]

I know you guys were begging for some Peeta/Ellis action :D

But this was kinda depressing to write ;(

Anyway, the next chapter is probably going to be the second to last one before the 74th games start, which is where the fun really begins

Thanks for reviewing guys! 25 more reviews for an update tomorrow, if not, see you guys Wednesday!

Thanks