I wiped off my makeup before getting ready for bed. I put on a tank top and shorts, feeling the soft fabric against my skin. It was a small consolation for what was happening.

Peeta didn't say much of anything else after those couple words. I was very angry and very confused. And concerned. If the situation was as bad as Peeta and Haymitch made it seem, then Cinna could be in trouble.

The thought made me edgy. I was scared enough for myself and for Peeta, but now I had to worry for Cinna too. Not to mention, tomorrow was the start of the Games. What if something happened to him while I was in the arena?

I shook my head. No, I couldn't think like that. I had to concentrate. Concentrate. I took a breath, and then I took another. I had to calm down.

I couldn't sleep, so I snuck out onto the roof, hoping to find Peeta there like last year. He wasn't. He said it was up to me now, but what was I supposed to do about anything? I loved him, but he didn't seem to love me. I knew I was stubborn and that I was hard to be around at times, but if he truly loved me he would just handle me at my worst and enjoy me at my best. I sighed.

Everything had gotten so complicated that I wanted to just leave. Disappear. Go into a forever sleep, but that wouldn't happen unless I was killed tomorrow, which I figured was going to happen.

Some tears slid down my cheeks at the thought, and I turned to leave the roof, running into Haymitch. His eyes widened, like he wasn't sure what to do now that he was here. He must've been looking for me. I crossed my arms, trying not to cry.

"I'm…" he stammered. "I'm…"

Without another thought, I rushed into his arms, hugging him tightly. A moment later, he returned the embrace. At that moment I was so thankful for him.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'm so sorry," he muttered, stroking my hair.

"Haymitch… I'm so confused. No one is explaining anything to me. Not about Seneca, the Mockingjay, Snow. Why am I in trouble? What's happening in the districts now? What do I need to watch out for? Can't you just tell me?" I began sobbing. I pulled away from Haymitch and stared at him, trying to demand an answer by looking angry, but I knew I just looked scared. Haymitch kept holding onto one of my arms, probably making sure I wouldn't run away. It would be a lie if I said that thought hadn't crossed my mind.

"Sweetheart, do you trust me?"

"Tell me, please!"

"Ivy," he said seriously.

"Yes, I trust you."

"More than Peeta?"

"Yes."

"Then trust me when I say this is protecting you," he responded.

"That's not good enough! Tell me what you're protecting me from," I ordered.

"If you know too much about all that is happening, you will be killed. We plan on getting you out alive…"

"What does that mean? And why me?"

"Ivy, I'm trying to help you. Just listen!" He paused until I looked like I wouldn't interrupt again. "The districts are still rebelling. No one believes that love was the only reason for the berries. But, people believe you are in love."

"Does Snow?"

Haymitch sighed, "No."

"So, he's going to kill me even if I win?" I looked down at my feet expecting a yes. Haymitch didn't respond. "Haymitch?"

"We aren't going to let it get that far. Now, please go to sleep and stop thinking about it…"

"Not let it get that far? Haymitch, what are…"

"Ivy! That's enough for now. I might not get that much time to speak with you tomorrow, so just listen for a little longer."

"Haymitch, no. Please, just explain everything!"

"Trust Peeta, Finnick, and Johanna only in the arena. I'll help you as much as I can. Remember that you are pregnant now, don't slip up or else they will know Peeta's lie. Stay alive."

He tried to walk away, but I gripped his arm tightly.

"Can I really trust Peeta?" I gulped. "Does he still love me?"

Haymitch softened a little, "Ivy, he has never stopped loving you. If anything, you're the one who has." He shook my arm. "Good luck, sweetheart."

And with that, I knew that the conversation was ended.

I leaned on the railing, trying to piece together what information I had left.

The rebellion was because of what Peeta and I did last Hunger Games. They chose me as the leader of the rebellion, calling me the Mockingjay. I could only guess I was chosen because of what I said about Rue, how I spoke up. Snow threatened Peeta to subdue the districts or else. My family might be dead. His family could be dead.

Cinna made me a mockingjay dress. He could be dead.

Suddenly, my eyes widened. "Get that far," I thought aloud. Get me out, I thought.

I knew.

I understood.

Everything seemed so clear all of a sudden.

They were going to try and break me out. He said they planned on getting me out alive, and I assumed he meant by sending me parachutes with gifts. But he meant break me out before the Games were over.

Haymitch… Haymitch was helping the rebellion. Finnick and Johanna must be in on it, since he said I could trust them.

But…

He said I could…

I began to cry. Peeta was protecting me. It all made sense.

I rushed through the doors, running down the hallway. I had made such a mess of everything, and I now understood. It was all up to me now. I barged into Peeta's room without knocking. I found him sitting awake on his couch, bags even darker under his eyes. Did he ever sleep? He looked up as soon as I was in view.

"Ivy, what are you doing here?" he asked.

I shook my head a couple times, tears falling, before rushing towards him. He stood up as I ran towards him. I grabbed his face in my hands and pulled it towards mine, kissing him hard on the lips. After a second, I pulled away quickly, leaving Peeta leaning towards me, confused. His face softened when he realized what had just happened. I grabbed his arms before I wrapped my arms around his torso and hugged him tightly. His hand began to stroke my hair. His other hand held my waist securely to him, so that even if I wanted to move, which I didn't, I wouldn't be able to.

I began muttering, "I'm sorry. I get it now. I'm so sorry. You're protecting me."

"How do you know?" His fingers went under my chin and pulled my face to see his. I couldn't look into his eyes, so I stared off to the side, shrugging with a smile on my lips. His hand stayed on my cheek.

"I figured it out. I wasn't sure I could trust you, but then Haymitch came and talked to me." I began to breathe heavily, trying to get air. I had run so much and was so close to Peeta. "Haymitch tried to be vague, but I know now. I know that you are going to get us out. I can't know because if something went wrong then…"

"Shut up for a second," Peeta laughed, cutting off my rambling. I began to blush as he kissed me again. He pulled me so close to him I could feel his chest rise and fall as he breathed. My hands wove themselves into his hair, and we fell onto the couch. He continued to kiss me, and I could feel us both smiling.

After a while, we just lied there together. His hands were drawing shapes on my bare shoulders. I was squeezing his hand tightly, never wanting to let it go. I remembered when his hand first touched mine at the reapings forever ago. How much that one handshake had meant to me. He was still here.

"What if I die?" I asked.

"Well, obviously I won't let that happen," Peeta chuckled next to my ear.

I turned to face him. I curled my toes into the couch as his nose touched my forehead. "What if you die?" I asked.

"Then you continue."

He seemed surprised at how fast I dropped the subject. Normally, I would fight with Peeta on that one. But not tonight. Tonight was one final night of peace. And I knew Haymitch would never let me live if that meant letting Peeta die.

"How can you forgive me for yelling at you? For hurting you?"

"I hurt you before, this is payment for my wrongs, I guess," Peeta said, nuzzling his nose into my hair.

"I'm going to miss you," I sighed.

"We aren't separating," he answered, pulling me towards him again. He kissed me gently on the lips. I felt a couple tears in my eyes from how happy I was. How could anything have been wrong with us? How could that fight and silence have gone on for so long? How could I have ever thought that he never loved me at all? His arms were so tight around me. I was so close to him. I had missed Peeta so much. I kissed him again before snuggling into his arms to try and sleep. He whispered to me as I fell asleep. He was telling a story. I don't remember much of the words, but I did remember him mentioning a girl like me a couple times. He kissed my head a lot too.

After a while, he asked, "Ivy?"

"Hmm?" I asked, almost sleeping.

"I'm sorry if I said anything in the interview that you wouldn't like. I didn't mean for it to be that way," he mumbled.

"You mean our wedding and wedding night?" I giggled.

"Yes, that," he sounded nervous.

"I'm not mad. But I don't know how to act pregnant," I answered.

"I'll help you through it. Like any good husband," he laughed again. I wished I would never have to leave where I was right then. Lying with Peeta, laughing and smiling and kissing. Life seemed perfect in that one moment. But before I could answer him, Effie barged through the door.

"There you are!" she laughed. "Time to get ready! We have a big-big-big day," she said a little less enthusiastically.

"Thank you, Ef…"

Peeta interrupted, "Good morning, Effie. Thank you for coming to get us. May I have one more minute with Ivy? We can escort ourselves to our stylists."

I looked at Peeta with a sly smile. Effie blushed and backed out of the room. I ended up standing up. Peeta followed suit.

"I'll see you soon," I muttered, trying to leave.

Peeta laughed. I loved when he laughed. I hoped I would hear it for the rest of my life. Suddenly, I wanted to rebel against the Games. I wanted Peeta and I to survive together again. Just so that we could always be this happy. "Oh, Ivy, if you think I just wanted to say good bye with some privacy, you're all wrong."

"Well, then what did you want to do?" I smirked, standing still.

Without another word, Peeta set his hands on my waist and drew me close. His lips found mine, and I knew we would be there longer for the minute he promised Effie. I stood on his toes to reach him easier, and suddenly he was lifting me up. Our faces smashed against each other's.

"This might be the last time we kiss in private," I giggled. He kissed me quickly again before answering.

"It won't be," he smiled. His eyes found mine. He looked so sincere, so sure of himself. I wished I hadn't doubted him for all those weeks. His forehead hit mine softly. "I promise you."

"Are you keeping that promise?" I joked, pushing my lips close to his, trying to give him the hint to kiss me again.

He got the message. But before kissing me again, he said, "Yes."

After a couple minutes, or possibly longer, there was a loud knocking on the door. "Ivy! Peeta! Get your sorry asses to your stylists right now!" Haymitch yelled. He gave us just enough time to detangle from one another before he opened the door. "I'm here to personally escort Ivy to where she need to be with no distractions," Haymitch said, trying to sound sour. I think I saw relief in his face.

I turned to Peeta, blushing still. He pulled my tank top strap back up, as it had fallen down. Haymitch rolled his eyes from the doorway.

"Goodbye, Peeta," I smiled, walking slowly towards the door.

He smiled in return, looking far happier and awake than I had seen him in forever, "I'll see you soon, Ivy. I love you."

Before I could answer, Haymitch replied sarcastically, "Yeah, yeah, she loves you too. You better get moving too, kid. Ivy isn't the only one going into the Games. And Portia has been waiting ages."

With that, Haymitch led me away from Peeta. But I knew I would see him soon. Sooner than it seemed. And I couldn't stop smiling.

*A/N Sorry for any errors as I didn't spend much revision time on this. Another chapter should be out soon! Thanks for anyone reading this far! I'm very excited to write these Games!*