Just a heads up! This chapter's in Peeta's POV. I figured another Peeta POV was a little overdue and plus, I think this is a little important to the story. This chapter kind of explains (for those of you who were wondering) what happened the day Gale showed up and what was going through Peeta's head that day and the next day. Hope you enjoy!

I'm trying. I really am. Why can't she see that? I've gotten better. I've gained control over the "other Peeta", but she just doesn't see that either. Maybe she thinks I had an episode when Gale came. Well, she would be wrong.

In the Capitol, I hated being separated from Katniss. I was so afraid that something was going to happen to her. There was a part of me that still wanted her dead, even after seeing what a monster I had become on one of the fancy Capitol televisions, but it wasn't as strong as the part of me that desperately needed to keep her breathing. I do admit that sometimes at night I have a flashback and I clutch my blanket tight to contain myself, but compared to what I was, it's a miracle for me to be where I am now basically.

When we split up in the Capitol, I knew it was for the best. I knew it was what I had to do, but not knowing if she was okay was like hell on earth.

When I saw her, burnt, just like me, I wanted to die, basically. I always told myself, "Peeta, do whatever you can to protect her. Be there for her." I wasn't, and look what happened. Then, I saw her on the ground in front of Gale and that same feeling of helplessness and guilt came back. He wasn't going to hurt her and get away with it.

Gale was strong. I'll admit that, but not as strong as me when someone I love is messed with. All I got out of it was a couple of cut knuckles when Gale ducked and I punched the brick wall of the bakery. After that, I was infuriated. I hit him hard enough to knock him out, then, not wanting to leave him there, I took him to a doctor that recently moved to twelve. I didn't lie about what happened. There's no point in that. Luckily, the doctor understood why I did what I did and left me in the clear.

I left before Gale woke up, but when I tried to open the door to Katniss' room, it was locked, and I knew she had a reason. I called her name, but there was no answer. I sighed and went over to my house to change. I had luckily left a few pieces of clothing over there and now I'm glad I did. I slept at my place, figuring Katniss needed space for a while.

When I saw her burst through the bakery the next morning, she looked worried about me. I figured everything was back to normal, but then, she acted uncomfortable when I kissed her forehead. Okay, I thought. Maybe she just needs to think. Then, she told me that she didn't want me sleeping in there anymore, and I got a little mad. Don't get mad, Peeta, I thought to myself. She's just gone through something. Give her some space. I could deal with that. I lost it when she screamed at me when I woke her up. I could feel the hate in her voice. By that point, I was fed up. That's why I'm at Haymitch's house now.

Right after I left her room, I came here. I need to talk to someone. I pry the knife from his fingers and shake him. He pops up immediately and starts swinging, but soon realizes the knife's gone. "What?" he snaps. I notice his hands are alcohol free. His shirts not even stained from the liquid. How long has it been since he's had a drink? I can tell that he needs one soon.

"I need to talk to you," I say. He rolls his eyes. "Well hurry up," he mutters. We walk into the living room and I push trash off of the torn up couch so I can sit down. "It's about Katniss," I say. Haymitch holds up his hands. "Hold up, let me get comfortable. I can tell I'm going to be here a while." He adjusts himself on the couch and then tells me he's ready. The way he's acting is getting annoying.

"Okay," I start. "One minute, I think she might actually want to be with me, and the next minute, she is screaming at me to get away from her. I just, I don't know what to do Haymitch. I don't want to leave her alone and her think I'm abandoning her, but she doesn't want me around, and she does a good job of showing it. I just, I just don't know, Haymitch." He sighs and runs his fingers through his greasy hair.

"Well," he says. "The girl always was a little hard to understand." I can agree to that. "It's killing me, Haymitch," I sigh. "She's been acting this way since Gale showed up at the bakery." "Wait, what?" Haymitch asks. I explain the whole story about Gale showing up, me finding Katniss on the floor, the fight, and then Katniss locking me out. He shakes his head.

"Boy," he says. "Why do you love her?" This makes me angry. Why do I love her? I don't know. I just do. I don't think you ever really "know" why you love someone. If you can name a particular reason, it's not love. It's a crush. I can't say why I love Katniss Everdeen. It's just as natural as breathing to me. I just stare at him. "Well I was just wondering," he shrugs.

"Just tell me what I need to do, Haymitch," I say. He just shrugs. "I learned a long time ago that I'm not good at judging what's good to do when it comes to her. I guess you should just go up to her and tell her how you feel about all of this." I shake my head. "I can't do that," I say. I couldn't. "Well, then I don't know what to tell you," Haymitch grunts. "She confused me the day I met her and she confuses me now."

I put my head in my hands. "I came over here to get help," I sigh. He laughs, and then chokes. I almost smile, but I don't. "You would come to me… for help?" Haymitch asks. "Don't flatter yourself," I snap. "You're all I got."

Haymitch sits up on the couch and looks at me. "I can try something, but I can't guarantee it will work." He has a smile on his face, and I can guarantee that whatever it is, he's going to enjoy doing it and Katniss isn't. "Don't do anything you'll regret," I say. His smile stretches wider across his face. "Trust me," he says. "I won't regret it."