Peeta's POV

Katniss and I awkwardly eat our salads in silence. They were freshly made from the kitchens downstairs and brought up by a man in a white apron. I realized that all I had left in the fridge was an egg and a small pitcher of milk. Guess you have to go out to the city to buy food if you want to make meals yourself. Kind of like the Merchant's Village? Though I don't know why you'd bother with the city when you have a full sized kitchen only a few floors away.

I felt terribly haughty ordering on the intercom by the front door. All I had to do was spit out the food and how much and in less than five minutes a knock comes from outside.

I shove a piece of lettuce my mouth. It tastes oily and sprinkled with salt, but it doesn't get rid of the lasting taste of her lips. I can still feel them pressed gently against mine and I can't erase the image of her blushing cheeks from my mind.

We kissed. But what it means, I don't know. Did she kiss me just because I kissed her hand? Was it a "thank you" because of my help? Was it out of pity? Out of love? My mind is still trying to figure Katniss out.

Her emotional state is not great right now, so I'm not going to take advantage of it, of her. I just wish I could get inside her head and understand her feelings.

I look across the bar counter to see Katniss munching away, nearly done with her lunch.

"It's good?" I ask, swallowing.

She nods.

"I don't think Capital food could ever be bad." She replies, her mouth full.

I agree. I kind of feel guilty eating it though. When we were training for the games I felt like we deserved the food because we were going to die anyway, but now I'm not fighting for District Twelve or filling myself up in order to do so.

I clear our plates when we are finished. Both of us lean against the kitchen counter, unsure of what to do now.

"We're free for the rest of the day." I tell her, though I know she's already aware of this.

"Yeah... what do we do now?" She asks with a chuckle.

"I don't know. When do we ever get free time?" I admit. With Cynthia and the prep team not at our heels, we have some down time before the next event.

"Wanna watch something?" I suggest, peering over at our untouched screen embedded into the wall across from the comfy couch.

"Sure." Katniss answers, grabbing a blanket from beside the sofa and settling down. I grab the slim remote on the coffee table and set myself down beside her. She throws the blanket over us both.

The screen dims, and then lights up in a happy blue color. I instantly think of the channel we'd both like to tune in to, for the rebellion can always get a hold of it and broadcast their secret propos.

I turn to Katniss and pulling away her flowing dark hair, I whisper into her ear.

"District Thirteen can always break into channel 246, do you want to see anything?" I ask her. She must be dying for news. Her eyes widen.

"But, cameras," She mouths, glancing around the room.

I shake my head.

"They only face us, not the screen-I've checked," I explain hastily under my breath.

Katniss nods in reply.

I flip to the channel number.

Please, let there be anything broadcasting today.

We are so hungry for news, but especially Katniss. If District Thirteen could say anything today, just to reassure her...

The screen remains blank as we wait. I anticipate for Finnick or President Coin or anyone to appear. A crackling sound comes and the screen turns grainy.

I sigh.

"They cut the channel from our room," I spit.

"I'm not surprised." Katniss replies quietly, folding her arms.

"They're forcing us to avoid District Thirteen as much as possible," I say, shaking my head.

"Yeah... maybe it's best if we don't try to sneak peeks at the screens. It will just get us into trouble with Snow." Katniss admits, leaning back into the cushions of the sofa.

Guilt creeps up within me upon hearing her.

"You're right, but don't you want news? You haven't heard anything for weeks not including what I told you, that is," I protest with a frown.

"I don't want to know anything if it's going to cause issues. The safety of Thirteen depends on us." She whispers that last sentence, because of not wanting be be overheard by listening devices or fear of the burden we have, I don't know.

"Okay, I understand." I say, gently draping an arm across her shoulders. Surprisingly, she leans into me, her head resting on my chest.

We sit in quiet for a while, and soon Katniss drifts off with her head still resting on me. I absentmindedly stroke her hair, thinking about another way we could see District Thirteen's broadcasts without getting caught.

I am startled by a brisk knock at the door. Katniss jerks awake, her head slamming into my chin. I wince.

"Ow," I say, rubbing my jaw.

"Sorry Peeta!" She exclaims, her mouth gaping.

"It's fine, I'll get the door." I chuckle over our accident, scooting up from the couch and striding over to the door.

I pull it open to find a tall, skinny man standing before me with ridged cheekbones holding a silver tray with his gloved hand.

"An invitation addressed to room 1147," He announces in a professional manner, holding out the tray to me. A coral pink envelope lays neatly upon it.

I clear my throat.

"Um, thank you... very much," I say, hesitantly taking the invitation from him.

He nods and turns on his heel to leave.

I shut the door and head back over to Katniss, who still lays curled up on the couch.

"What was that all about?" She asks, a usual eyebrow raised.

"Uh, I guess we've been invited to something." I explain, showing her the pink envelope.

Katniss takes her fingers and starts to peel the paper away, ripping it until the sparkling card shows beneath. With an concerned face, she yanks the card from the teared envelope.

To Mr. Peeta Mellark and Miss Katniss Everdeen

You both are cordially invited to the annual Capital Masquerade Ball!

This yearly ball commemorates some of our most memorable victors, gamemakers, and sponsors who have honored the Capital in participating or contributing to the Hunger Games.

Sunday October 24th

5:30PM to 2:00AM

The President's Mansion

*Dinner and nightly hors d'oeuvres will be served

President Snow himself will also be presenting many of our prized contributors with special gifts to honor them for their service to the Capital.

Katniss sets the card on the edge of the couch, rubbing her forehead.

"Okay," She mutters.

I swallow.

"That's in two days."

"I know," She replies, glancing up at me as a clear scowl traces across her face.

I can't help but laugh.

"You really don't like dressing up, do you?"

She shakes her head, a smile creeping up her face.

"I despise it."

A/N: Sorry everyone for the wait! I've been pretty busy lately, but I finally had time to write! I've got some good things coming up in this story so stay tuned! Thx!

-AvaLizzie