:DISCLAMIER: I DO NOT OWN 'THE HUNGER GAMES':

:IT BELONGS TO SUZANNE COLLINS:

Ten

Before I return to my home, I decide to stop by Leevy's apartment. The new establishments are all the way across the square so it's a really long walk from what houses are left in the Seam, which is in the opposite direction. I take good care that the hem of the dress does not brush the hot pavement. It's around two in the afternoon and the sun is up high. The rays of light touch the dress and the colors spring up, making it look as if I am carrying stars. The people who pass by me eye my dress with such awe and shock and when they meet my eyes they simply smile, no doubt thinking about my future wedding.

I wonder if they knew all along that I'd end up with Peeta; if they believed that we were truly star-crossed lovers or if they saw that it was simply an act to evade the Capitol's torture. I myself could not anticipate such events. All my life, since my participation in the Games and my defiance with the berries, I knew I would soon marry the Boy with the Bread but not for the reasons I hold now. I never loved Peeta as a husband, I loved him as a friend; same goes with Gale. But now, something has changed; I love him. I really love him. I've never told anyone not even myself before this point. I guess that is something that I should be grateful for from the Games; it brought me Peeta.

I realize that I'm right at the doorstep of the apartment building so I bring my attention back to Leevy. The receptionist greets me and I ask for Leevy. She gives her a ring and tells me I can go right up.

Leevy's apartment room is in the fifth floor of thirty floors in all. I climb the stairs even though the elevator is vacant. I don't because the structure is similar to that of the elevator in the mines; and elevators, generally remind me too much of the Capitol.

When I reach the floor, I find Leevy already waiting for me across the staircase. Her dark hair is tucked in the collar of her shirt and her hands are inside the pockets of her pants.

"Long way up?" she greets me.

"You get used to it." I answer, smiling. She notices the dress and starts to walk toward me.

"I've seen this before." She says quietly. "In the Rent Store down the block in the square."

"The store's not there anymore, did you know? I tracked the lady who owned it and she let me buy it from her." She touches the fabric and smiles.

"I've always loved looking at this one."

"Me too. Listen, would you keep this for me? I can't keep it in the house because Peeta's always around."

"So its true?" she says with confusion and enthusiasm in her eyes.

"What?" I asked confused myself.

"That you're really getting married? Rumors been going around that you two are finally getting together again but no one really knows for sure especially when Gale visited." Suddenly I'm shocked. Even after all this time, Peeta and I are still the topic of gossips and news and the talks of everyone. We're still in some sort of way, in front of cameras. Now, I realize, every time I walk out of my house, I've received interested looks. People follow my every move with their sharp eyes! Peeta and I have never really been out of the spotlight. We're still entertainment for them.

"I don't care. You shouldn't either." I answer out of anger.

"I'm sorry, Katniss. I didn't mean to offend you." She says.

"That's okay. Please take care of the dress." I simply say and step forward to give her a hug.

"I'll see you soon." I tell her and leave. When I reach the streets I take my steps carefully now very aware of the looks everyone's giving me. I pay them no notice and walk straight home. When I open the door, the smell of baking wafts through the air.

"I'm back!" I call

"I'm in the kitchen." I remove my shoes and work my way into the kitchen. I didn't realize the mess Peeta and I created last night. Crumpled papers are everywhere and puddles of water, stained with paint surrounds the table in the living room area. I make a mental note to clean up later today.

"Hey, what's cooking?" I ask, hoping its cheesebuns.

"Definitely not buns in the oven, darling." Haymitch's voice answers. Instinctively, I scowl. How does he know everything? I enter the kitchen and surprisingly find him alone siting on the island next to a try of cheesebuns, gulping down a whole bottle of wine.

"I hope you don't mind me breaking and entering, sweetheart but I ran out of supply." He raises the bottle to me and drinks.

"What are you doing here." I demand.

"I'm your guardian, remember? Just checking in."

"A call would have sufficed." I signal for him to get off the island counter and he does, toppling over the seat next to it. "You're drunk."

"Anything new?" he says. I suppose not. I take one of the cheesebuns.

"Where's Peeta?" I ask even though I expect he wouldn't know.

"Gone out. Somethin' about a pearl. Or a ring, I don't know." He answers lousily. My ears catch the words like an explosion. A ring. I couldn't help but smile.

"What's with you?" Haymitch asks, staring at my face.

"Nothing." I say removing the smile off my face. "I think you should go."

He grabs a handful of cheesebuns from the try and starts to make his way to the back door.

"I'll stop drinking when you have tiny feet making loud rackets in this house." He said as he exited the house. A code for never.

For the next few minutes I try my best to keep my thoughts away from what Haymitch said about pearls and rings and buns in ovens. After I've eaten my fill of cheesebuns, I take some towels from the kitchen cupboard and start to wipe the puddles of water in the living room. It pick up the pieces of paper and throw them in the trash.

I settle myself on the couch and browse through the Book. I turn each page carefully. I'm on little Finnick's page when I hear the phone in the study ring.

I put the book down and go to the study.

"Hello?"

"Katniss, darling!" the Capitol accent is sharp and authentic. It's Effie. I can almost see her pink hair and painted nails.

"Effie!" I say. Up until now, Effie still serves as our escort. Everywhere and anywhere we go, she's behind all the planning. She calls every now and then to check that Haymitch is checking on us. I really have no idea what she does when Peeta and I have nothing going for us. Maybe she takes care of Paylor's schedule too. Maybe not.

"I heard Peeta's back in Twelve! How wonderful! And, timely; I might say."

"Why?"

"Oh, the Monuments, my dear! Your very first one, right here in the Capitol!" her voice rises up in such a high pitch that I have to remove the phone from my ears.

"Monuments?" I ask dubiously. Monuments for what?

"Yours, of course! Who else's? Alright, the hoverplane arrives tomorrow at noon and I'll pick the three of you up in your respective homes and we'll be on the go! Don't worry, Katniss, I've taken care of everything!"

"Who else will be there?" I ask her praying that Gale would not which is far from possible. If anything, his team would be assigned on protecting Peeta, Haymitch and I.

"Well, everyone who is anyone!" she simply says. "Now, remember, everyone will be there so put on your smiles and chin up! Don't you fuss, I've already gotten a Prep team to make sure of that." It's a miracle she's capable of that attitude over what Snow put her up to during the Rebellion.

"Thank you, Effie. We'll see you tomorrow at noon!" I tell her and we end the conversation. I put the phone back in its cradle and close the study room door behind me.

When I leave the room, the house is still quiet. No sign of Peeta. I wonder where he's gone. Where he could go. I don't really know anyone who makes rings in District Twelve. No. I tell myself. I mustn't think about it. It's supposed to be Peeta's surprise. I hope it's what I think it is. Stop thinking about it.

It's almost seven pm so I try my best to fix up some dinner. I cook some beef soup and heat up some leftovers Greasy Sae left in the refrigerator the other day. I sit on the kitchen table and impatiently tap my fingers on the counter, waiting for Peeta. After maybe half an hour, he appears through the front door. He meets me in the kitchen and sits by me.

"I'm sorry I'm late. You should've eaten without me." He says as he scoops some soup into the bowl and hands it to me.

"Thanks. It's okay. Where have you been all day?" I ask repressing a grin.

"Wedding stuffs." He answers cleverly.