Ready

"Delly Cartwright. As always, she gives me a smile that suggests I'm her best friend in the world. She gives this smile to everyone."

Why did I invite Delly to stay with me? Who knows how long she could stay here, perhaps, forever? It's not that I don't like her, but she is just too…cheerful, I suppose. Not the kind of person I would be friends with.

A face pops into my bedroom door. "Oh hello, Katniss!" she chirps. "Peeta came over and brought some treats! Want to come?"

I nod. Might as well be on friendly terms with her, but even if I acted hostile and aggressive to her, she would act nice anyways. Does she ever even get mad? Or is she a happy sunflower all the time?

I follow her down to the kitchen, where a woven basket of various breads and muffin lay. We both grab a muffin and sit on the island counter, where Delly tries to make some small talk.

"So, how has District 12 been so far? I'm so excited to see all the new buildings and there are just so many people to meet!"

I stifle a groan that urges to come out of my mouth and reply, "Oh just great. Peeta opened his bakery and I think they might tear down the electric fence and just replace it with a normal one."

She grins. "District 12 certainly is becoming a better place!"

Not without Prim. But, I wouldn't say that to her. At least not to her face.

I wave goodbye to her as I head out into the woods, grabbing my bow and arrows as I leave. As I walk out of the Victor's Village, Greasy Sae says with a wink, "Make sure to get some good meat!"

"I will!" I reply, with a smile. I'll also get some away time from cheerful Delly. Maybe Delly staying at my house will be good, maybe she'll see Peeta and they can reminiscence on their good old lives in their little shops. While I starved and worked for my life.

For a few hours, I hunt and gather enough for a feast. I think of Prim and her goat and all the wonderful things in the world. Might as well get all my thoughts out of my head when I can.

When I come home, there is a rosy glow in the windows. Delly has seem to lit all the candles. Perhaps she really does like me. I walk in the kitchen, finding Peeta and Delly chatting.

"Hi there, Katniss," she says, waving me over, "Peeta brought up some more bread! You really must have good business, Peeta!"

"He does," I interrupt, "He gets about twenty customers a day. Almost more than the old bakery."

Peeta glances at me before saying, "I might even need to get a couple of people to help out, too. Do you know anyone who can help out, Delly?"

"I would, but I'm thinking of reopening the family shoe shop. My brothers went off to another district, I'm not sure which, so it'll be just me running it, just like you!"

After dinner and a few more hours of repetitive small talk, I excuse myself upstairs and grab a letter on the way, somewhat discreetly. When I'm safe upstairs, locked in my bedroom, I open the envelope and begin reading my daily treasure.

Dear Katniss,

I'm here in the Capitol. You don't look happy to see me. In fact, no one does. Angry whispers surround me. I even heard that Boggs said to you that I might be here because Coin wants me to kill you. I don't want to kill you. I promise, I'll try my best not to. What a terrible promise that is. I wish I was back in District 13, or even better, back in the old District 12. Katniss, don't ignore me. Please, just help me. I've lost my friends, my life, and just everyone I loved. I need some help, and only you can give it to me.

Sincerely,
Peeta

I never thought about how Peeta felt about his situation of him coming to the Capitol. As usual, I was only focused on my feelings and my situation. Peeta's experience might have just been worse than mine, him not knowing who to trust and what to do. Maybe I wasn't there for Peeta, but I will be there for him now. It's a whole new page, a whole new book, and I'm ready to open it.

A/N: Well, uh, hi there. Long time no see. Sorry about the short hiatus, life has been so hectic and what not. But, I'm glad I got this chapter done and I'm glad you read it! So thank you all for supporting me and I hope you have a great day!