A/N: Sorry it's taken ages to upload! School has been hectic :) But here is the next chapter :) Enjoy!
As I walk outside, Gale following close behind, the chilled wind hits me like a ton of bricks. I immediately wrap my arms around my body and turn to face Gale, a lump sitting in my throat. I wait for him to speak, or an attack, both I'm not certain will come. No matter what he told Peeta. Luckily for me, there are people around, walking in and out of shops. He wouldn't try something out here would he? I'm not one hundred precent convinced. Finally, the urgency to get back inside into Peeta's arms over takes me and I let myself push through my fear.
"What do you want Gale?"
"I just wanted to see my best friend. Is that such a terrible thing?" He says with a slight tone of over exaggeration in his voice.
"It is when you try to take advantage of it." I hiss, my arms wrapped around my body. I'm not entirely sure what has come over me since inside the bakery, when I was petrified of what Gale would do to me, but I guess there must have been a part deep down when I realised I have been through so much more, and I can deal with him. I dealt with the capitol, with others help, but Gale is only one man, not thousands. I can deal with him all by myself.
"I in no way was taking advantage of our friendship Catnip, I just missed you." He smirks as he takes a step forward and brings his arm out, ready to brush it against my skin. I instantly take a step back.
"You have no right to call me that Gale. Not after EVERYTHING you have done."
"And what have I done Catnip?" He takes another step forward. I hold my guard. He wouldn't dare try to hurt me. I've been through two hunger games and a rebellion, he has no idea what I'm capable of when I'm under threat. Minus what happened yesterday, due to being in complete shock and feeling betrayed.
"What about being the cause of the deaths of hundreds of children? For killing my sister with your contraptions, for abusing our friendships and abusing me? What about those huh!" I stand my guard and take a step as I remind him of his violent past. His face scrunches and his jaw tightens. He's angry. He close his eyes quickly and stares at the ground before bringing them back up to face mine.
"And yet, you never see it coming. Nor will you next time." He smirks as Peeta comes out with his order. I want to punch Gale, to end the fear of his actions, but other than Peeta's presence, I'm scared of his threat.
"Here you go Gale, everything you ordered for." Peeta smiles as he hands the bag to Gale. I catch his eyes glance at me in concern, but he's able to quickly conceal it.
"Thank you so much. I better go, but I hope to see you both again very soon." He smiles to us both as he walks off in the direction of the old seam.
Peeta's hand clasps around mine as he pulls me back towards the bakery. When we are finally in the sanctuary of the bakery, Peeta pulls me further into the kitchen and turns to me.
"Are you okay?" Peeta asks as he rests his arms on my shoulders.
I don't say anything, I simply collapse into his arms, speechless for words. Peeta doesn't say anything, but comforts me as I attempt to sort out the many thoughts sprinting through my mind. He holds me tight in his muscular arms, and with one hand, gently rubs it up and down my back. We stay like this for quite some time until he decides to speak.
"Do you want to tell me about it?" I realise that I'm let my real emotions break through the surface, and Peeta's seeing it. I can't let him. He'll find out the truth and I can't risk that happening. I straighten myself up and stare into his eyes. I force myself to smile as I slowly bring my hands to his cheeks.
"I'm fine." I bring my lips to his and gently press them together.
I decide to help Peeta in the bakery for a few more hours before going to the other shops and heading home. I'm not ready to leave Peeta just yet, not when I know Gale's still around. And I most certainly don't want to be in the house by myself. No, I want to stay right here for now, and help anyway that I can. I take over Anthony's job at the register while he and Peeta work in the kitchen. Peeta is trying to teach Anthony a few different recipes, and while I am trying not to ears drop, it's quite a show when Anthony goes to hit the dough, like Peeta instructed, and the flour explodes onto his face. I try to suppress my laughter as I watch Anthony bring his hands up to his face and attempt to get the flour off his body. Peeta is losing himself in fits of laughter. This happens a few times, before Anthony finally learns what not to do. Eventually, I decide I should be heading, I still have to go to the butcher for some meat and clean the house a bit. I will have Haymitch next door in case anything happens, in case Gale comes around and puts his threat into action. The very thought of his plans sends shivers down my spine, but I need to find the strength to continue on with my everyday life without the fear of Gale. I need to take control over my own life. So when Anthony decides he's had enough of cooking for one day, I let him take control over the registers and I go in to find Peeta.
"The boy can make a mess, I'll give him that!" Peeta laughs as he cleans up the flour covered benches.
"Well, he's still doing better than what I would." I smirk as I walk up beside Peeta.
"Ahh I don't know. Maybe… possibly." Peeta smiles at me.
"It's alright to say it Peeta, I suck at baking! That's your job, and mine is to hunt. That's how it's always been," I say as Peeta takes off his dirty apron and wraps his arms around me. "But, my job also includes keeping the house clean so Effie doesn't murder us! So, I have to go. But I can't wait to see you later on." I smirk as I bring my lips closer to his.
"Trust me, I can't wait either." Peeta laughs as he smacks his lips into mine. After a few minutes of useless attempts to break away, I finally am able to gather up enough strength to resist the urge to kiss Peeta once more. I pick up my bag, let Peeta give me another kiss goodbye and leave the safety of the bakery as I step into the town square. There are less people around since Gale and I were out here, but I don't let it bother me. I want to get the things and get back home as soon as possible.
As I walk into the butchers, I am greeted instantly by Mr Toretto, an old trader, with a gentle hug and peck on the cheek. Along with Greasy Sae, I could always count on Mr Toretto to help keep my family alive, especially before the games. I return the hug before finally decided on my order.
"My dear Katniss. How have you been child?" Mr Toretto takes his place back behind the counter, both hands resting on the bench.
"I have been fine thank you. I would love to catch up, but I'm in a bit of a rush sorry." I apologise.
"That's fine Katniss, that's fine. What can I do for you today?"
"Can I please just get the basic order? You know what I mean." I smile graciously at him as I reach into my bag for my purse.
"Of course my child, of course." He beams as he goes back into the kitchen and fetches my various parts of pig, cow, chicken and turkey. Since the end of the rebellion, a variation of meat has been set into the different districts. Now, instead of wild dog, we can get cow and chicken. The meats are so different from what I'm used to, but it still tastes delicious, and I've learnt not to be picky whilst growing up in the seam. I thank him with a hug and pay him the appropriate amount, along with an extra tip for old times, as I do each time I see him.
As I am walking back from the butcher to the victor's village, a part of me senses the reminder of danger, as if I'm back in the arena. My ears are listening for any signs of danger, while my eyes are focusing on the path ahead. I can feel my hands clench at my sides, wanting desperately to be clasped around my bow and arrows. With no weapon to protect myself, other than my hand to hand combat skills, I find myself powerwalking to get home. As soon as I reach my front door I push it open, run inside and slap the door closed behind me, locking the door as I do. When I turn back towards the kitchen, I see that Effie is standing over a drunken Haymitch at my table.
"Have you gotten house's mixed up again Haymitch?" I ask naturally as I set my back down on the floor and watch Haymitch's fingers clasp tighter around his bottle. He doesn't answer me, but when I look at Effie, she has a certain face on her that somehow alarms me.
"What's going on?" I ask. Effie looks at me, her arms folded across her chest and her eyes glowing with tears.
"I'm sorry Katniss, but someone needed to know."
"What are you talking about Effie?" I ask, trying my best not to sound too worried, especially with Haymitch in the room, but for Effie, I'm certain she can see the fear in my face.
"You know what I mean Katniss. I'm sorry, but it needed to be done." I can feel the tears about to break free, and I desperately don't want any of this to be happening.
"Is it true Katniss? Did he touch you?" Haymitch slurs in anger.
I can feel my body stiffen as the fear of Haymitch realising what Gale did becomes true. If Haymitch knows, it's only a matter of time before Peeta does. And then there's no way I can protect them.
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