"Yikes," Finnick quips the next morning as I hurry into the break room for a cup of coffee. I was hoping to avoid everyone in the office-my puffy eyes are still prevalent-but I should have known that I'm not that lucky.

He's leaning against the counter, and I turn away from his gaze to keep him from seeing the extent of my disarray. "Good morning to you too, Finnick," I mutter under my breath. My tone is clipped, and I hope he gets the message and leaves me alone.

From the questioning look he gives me its clear that Peeta didn't tell him what went down between us last night. Being Finnick he doesn't leave me alone, but my pre-coffee and post-breakup brain is struggling to tolerate his chipper morning self.

"What's biting you in the ass?" He asks, popping a sugar cube into his mouth. Finnick is quite shameless with his sugar habit, and any time I go to his office there's a big chance he's sucking on some sort of sweet. Usually it's funny, but more than anything I want to be left alone right now.

I ignore his question, quickly dumping sugar in my coffee, but Finnick corners me between the fridge and the counter. "Come on sweetheart," he whispers, tilting my chin up to look him in the eyes. We're so close that I can see the freckles that line his nose, and the smile lines forming at the corner of his eyes.

I slap his hand away from my face, suddenly irritated. "If you really want to know Finnick, Peeta and I broke up last night, and I'm about this close," I hold my pointer finger and thumb up to his face. "To having a total break down, so if you don't mind fucking off that would be great." Sarcasm and anger line my voice, and the words flow out of my mouth without a second thought.

Surprised, Finnick takes a step back with his hands up. "Katniss," he says softly, but I'm already running out of the room. He doesn't come after me, and for that, I am grateful. As I settle into my desk I'm hit with waves of regret-Finnick is my friend and my boss-I know I shouldn't be talking to him like that.

But I can't help it. I'm sad, angry, stressed out, and anxious all at the same time. I can still hear Peeta's voice in my head, pleading with me to stay as I left him last night.

"Katniss, no, let's talk about this," his eyes are frantic but so am I, and the guilt of this whole situation is weighing down on my chest.

"You're making this harder than it has to be," I say calmly, my words unreflective of the chaos of my mind. I don't recognize my voice, and it feels like I'm watching this scene from above. "You may not want to decide between me and this campaign, but I will."

"You're letting him win! Snow is getting exactly what he wants and you're too self-righteous to see it!" Peeta's voice is raised and I can't tell if it's because he's angry or upset.

"Don't yell at me!" I scream back, finally losing my cool. "Don't act like this is my fault because we both know it's not!"

I hate fighting with Peeta. I hate the pink blush that creeps up his neck, and I hate the way his hands instinctively curl into fists. I hate the way his friendly demeanor completely disappears and he is replaced by someone who is not the man I love.

I'm jolted from my daydream by a knock on my door. "Come in!" I call, opening my laptop to pretend like I'm getting some work done. This is the second day in a row that I've walked into work looking like I haven't slept, and I don't want all my office members to start questioning my sanity.

Marvel, one of my interns, sticks his blond head in. "Haymitch wants to see you in his office." There is nothing about his tone that signifies its for something bad, but my heart sinks regardless.

I nod back, running a hand through my messy hair before making my way through the hallway. I keep my head down, making sure to avoid the glances of my coworkers. I hold my breath as I knock on the door of his office. "Come in," Haymitch's gruff voice calls.

He looks me up and down when I walk in, letting out a low whistle. "Well, you look like shit," he comments curtly, smiling at my shocked expression. "Trouble in paradise?" I don't take his words personally, but they do sting to hear.

I sigh deeply- I should have known that Finnick wouldn't keep his mouth shut. "Haymitch, I'm so sorry, I can explain," I try to get out, but he waves me off.

"I dont want to hear it." His tone is sharp and clipped, but his expression tells me he's not angry. "I know you and Peeta have tried to keep your relationship out of the office, but I really can't have you like this. I hate to say it, but I'm disappointed in you Katniss." The way he disciplines me like a father strikes a nerve in me, and for once I wish he would just coddle me the way I secretly want him to. I want to explain, but I know it wont make a difference. "This is a work environment, and I can't have you spewing your emotions everywhere. Take the rest of the day off, and come back when you have your shit figured out," he finishes, turning back to his computer in front of him.

I stand there momentarily in shock, half surprised he didn't fire me. I open and close my mouth until he looks back up at me. "Are you still here? You're dismissed."

Silently, I send him a grateful smile. Sending me home was doing me a huge favor, and we both knew it. I swear I hear him mutter, "Kids these days," under his breath as I make my way out of his office.


"Katniss, I think you need to take a deep breath," Madge advises through the screen as I spill every detail of the last 24 hours to her. My hotel room is empty, the decor of the random hotel I checked into is nothing compared to the suites Peeta and I once occupied at the Four Seasons. All I have is my laptop, makeup, and a hastily packed bag of clothes.

"I mean I don't know how I can be calm if everything I've worked on for the past five months is suddenly going to shit," I bite back unintentionally, the stress flaring my anger. The understanding but disappointed look she gives me through the screen is enough to make me feel shame. "Sorry," I mumble, running a hand through my disheveled hair.

I see her shift from a lying down to a sitting position on her bed. "Babe, it's ok. Do you want me to come up there? I can be there as soon as possible," she offers, but we both know she's just being nice. While there's nothing I want more than to cuddle in bed with my best friend and a bottle of wine, I know I can't make her drop everything.

"No, no," I insist, sighing. "We both have too much work, it's not a good time for either of us to abandon our responsibilities." I glance at the clock on the TV before looking back at Madge. "I feel bad, I've already kept you for so long. It's almost 11, I can text you in the morning." I try to fake a smile, but I can tell she doesn't buy it.

"Katniss," she starts, but is interrupted by her own yawn. "I'll let you go, but if you need anything, I am only 2 hours away, ok? Do not hesitate to call me, and do not do anything stupid. We can deal with this in the morning. I love you, alright?" The mother in her is coming out, and it's comforting to hear her tell me everything is going to be ok, when it's probably not.

"Love you too, good night," I call into the phone before hanging up. I check my texts again, my spirits only falling farther when I see no new ones.

Peeta hasn't texted me once, the last message from him reading Mexican or Chinese?, in reference to dinner two nights ago. This isn't like him, and he's usually the first to cave in and apologize after a fight. I chuck my phone across the room, tired of waiting for the screen to flash his name.

Without the sound of Madge's voice echoing throughout, my hotel room suddenly seems too empty. Any good memories I had of Peeta and I spending all day in bed are erased by feelings of loneliness and quiet. I never realized how used to I was to having someone else making noise in the kitchen, hogging the bathroom, or complaining in bed. Everywhere I look around, I'm reminded of Peeta and his absence.

I eye my phone in the corner, scolding myself before rolling off the bed to turn on the TV. The noise offers me comfort as I open the mini bar fridge in search of the bottle of Rosé I know is hidden in there. I'm in the middle of searching the cabinets for a glass, when I hear the distinct mention of the name I've been trying to forget.

"Peeta Mellark, congressional hopeful, delivered a speech this evening on what critics are calling a career move of a lifetime," the pretty blonde on the TV screen delivers, no idea the significance of the words that just came out of her mouth.

"No way, no way, no way," I whisper to myself in disbelief. Forgetting all about the wine I run to the TV, turning up the volume just as the screen flashes to a video of Peeta. My heart thumps so loudly its hard to hear his words, but in my heart I already know what he's saying.

He looks perfectly calm as he sits down in a discussion with local journalist Ceasar Flickerman, known for his brilliant coverage on political scandals. His hair is perfectly styled and he looks like he's gotten more than the collective 8 hours I know he's slept in the past two days.

"What my girlfriend and I do together is between the two of us, but it was brought to my attention that some constituents were unhappy that we were seen purchasing emergency contraceptive two nights ago." He holds up the picture for everyone to see, but I can't help but look away. I'm almost angry that he's doing this for everyone to judge us, but the rational side of me knows he knows what he's doing. His adams apple bobs up and down as he swallows before the camera turns back to him. "However, I would like to use this as an opportunity to speak about the importance of Sex Education in schools as well as women's rights to their bodies. No woman should face scrutiny for a decision that should be left to her, her partner, and he physician alone."

His tone is the persuasive one he uses to get people to listen to him, and I can almost picture the women watching this video nodding in agreement. But knowing Flickerman, he's not going to let Peeta off that easily. "Councilman Mellark, are you not concerned about how this incident speaks to your character, specifically your young age? You are at the age where most would consider settling down with a family."

Peeta shakes his head like he's sure of himself, and I can't help but smile to myself. "My girlfriend and I are very comfortable where we are right now, however it is her body, and I will support whatever decision she makes with it." The video clip ends, and I'm left sitting on the bed, completely stunned.

My first instinct is to grab my phone and call Peeta and ask him what he thought he was doing going on TV and airing our dirty laundry, but I'm interrupted by a knock on the door. "Oh my fucking god," I mutter to myself as I open the door and come face to face with Peeta Mellark.

He doesn't look nearly as neat and composed as he did on TV, and it's my instinct to reach out and run my hand though his hair. I rethink my decision when my hand is already halfway in the air, but Peeta grabs it and holds it in front of him. He doesn't let go.

"How'd you find me?" I ask, completely forgetting how he just confessed to the pictures.

He doesn't sound surprised by my question, glancing down the hallway before shrugging. "You always like to go on walks in Rittenhouse Park, so I figured you'd stay in a hotel nearby."

It's my turn to shrug at my predictability, his presence taking away all the urgency and stress I felt only minutes before. "You brought dinner?" I ask, almost amused as I stare at the plastic bag in his hand. "It's like 11 at night."

He looked away from my face and at the bag like he'd forgotten he bought it. "Oh yeah, I hoped you hadn't eaten dinner yet." We're both tip-toeing around the inevitable conversation we're bound to have, but my stomach rumbles to remind me that I've only managed to drink a couple of cups of coffee today.

"Well, come in," I say as I step out of the doorframe, gesturing inside. His eyes linger on the TV still set to the local news station, and I know we're going to have to have our talk right now.

"Did you catch the news?" He says slowly, trying to read my face as I open the container of fries and pop one in my mouth. Peeta knows I rarely go to sleep without watching the news, and its almost like he's asking if I drank coffee this morning. I nod my head yes, sighing deeply as he makes his way to me. "Thoughts?" He's close enough that I can see the freckles that line his nose, and I smile sadly as I shake my head.

"You're an idiot, because I'm not worth it," is all I say, looking up at him.

He scoffs like I'm the idiot for saying that, and manages to make me feel better about the sinking feeling in my stomach by pressing his forehead to mine. "Yes you are, and I'd do what I did tonight a hundred times. And you know why?" He asks rhetorically, pulling his face away from mine. "Because I love you, and don't you ever forget."

I almost laugh at how cheesy he is when nobody but me is around to see, but he holds my chin steady and looks me in the eye. I roll my eyes before pressing my lips and my body into his, reveling in his warm embrace.


As Peeta and I sit in Haymitch's office the next day, I already know that he is not happy with Peeta's stunt last night by the way he avoids looking me in the eye. Effie sits next to Haymitch in a big black chair that contrasts her bright pink blouse and eyeshadow. She chooses to look straight at me, probably judging me for my choice in outfit. Peeta grips my hand as Haymitch goes through papers and reports from last night.

"Haymitch," I try hesitantly, but he waves me off.

"I don't want to hear what you have to say," he bites back, and I have to resist the urge to flinch. "We are down a lot of points, because loverboy here decided he needed to be the knight in shining amour. Conservative news stations are playing you off as an inexperienced babykiller, which in my opinion only emphasizes the need for sex ed," he scoffs.

Peeta gives him a steely look. "C'mon Haymitch," he tries to reason, but this only excites him. "Give her a break, it was my doing."

"Do you want to tell her what you agreed to, or should I?" Effie cuts in sharply, obviously tired of this back and forth. I look from her to Peeta to Haymitch, but none of their expressions offer me any comfort.

I feel my face start to heat up. "What am I missing here? Someone please just tell me." The three of them look at eachother, and I pull my hand out of Peeta's grasp.

Effie clears her voice, nodding at Haymitch before speaking. "Katniss, you and Peeta are going to have to get married."