CHAPTER 57

Happy Birthday

We spend the next hour enjoying of our dinner, talking and joking, and a while ago I began to feel something I didn't know, something that still, is new to me. And it has to do with Peeta I guess, or maybe it has to do with me. I'm not sure.

Something too that is making me feel so good is him. All that he's done for me, not just today, but he makes me feel like I am worth caring for. And just my Dad and Prim could make me feel that.

When I woke up this morning, I was expecting to see Prim. A long time ago she used to be the one who woke me on my birthday, she would say something like, "Wake up, Katniss! Today's your birthday, come on!", cheerfully, and for me, it was just another day to survive, another day to hunt and keep my family alive. But Prim always saw the goodness and the reasons to be happy in the little things, like my birthday. That day was one of the few in which I didn't hunt, instead, Prim made me breakfast with the few things she could, she would make me a tea or give me her piece of bread. She took me to the Bakery and we used to fantasize about which was the best and most beautiful cake, and which one we would like to have. On an occasion, I don't know how but she managed to get me a cupcake from the bakery. Of course not one of the ones that were on the shelves at the bakery, but one that supposedly was ugly and wasn't frosted with the right colors. She sang me happy birthday and though she had given me the cupcake, I gave it to her most of it, and I remember her face when she tried it, it was delicious. And that was how Prim made my birthdays a memorable occasion, a memory I can smile to.

But of course when I woke up Prim wasn't there. And I missed her. But the nostalgic feeling settling on me faded away quickly, because Peeta was there, and I knew-

"Katniss?", says Peeta staring at me snapping me back into reality. I guess this is not the first time he's calling for me. I was too lost in thought.

"Sorry, what?", I say distracted.

"I said that if you could pass me the basket?", says Peeta.

I turn around and see the basket in which Peeta brought the food, "Ah, yes.". I stretch my arm out to grab it, and when I do I almost drop it, and a few napkins fall to the ground.

Before the wind blows them up, I grab all of them, and toss it back into the basket. "That was clo-", I say as I turn around, but I don't get to finish the sentence.

Another surprise. Between us, Peeta has placed a pretty big chocolate cake, frosted with blue and yellow flowers, and at the top of it, with white cursive frosted letters, it says, 'Happy Birthday Katniss'.

I give him a look, but I'm smiling.

"Surprise again!", he says. "What's a birthday without a cake?".

"I never had one", I say fixated on the cake Peeta has made. The design is just beautiful...

"A cake?", he asks with a hint of surprise in his tone. I guess that he always had a cake for his birthday.

"Yeah, this is the first one".

I think I see Peeta flinching a little, I guess he didn't know I never had a cake.

"Sorry, Katniss-", he begins in a sad tone.

I squeeze his hand, "Don't. Don't apologize. There's nothing wrong with this being my first cake, well for my birthday of course because I always manage to eat the ones in the bakery", I say and Peeta gives a short laugh. I go on, "There were things that you had that I never had, and things that I had and you didn't, and it's okay. I was just contemplating the moment, thanks, Peeta, it's beautiful", I throw my arms around his neck and hug him.

"Okay, one more question. How did you bring a cake here?", I ask.

"That story is even longer, let's save it for some other time", he says laughing.

I laugh too, "Okay".

From the basket, Peeta takes out a packet with red candles, and starts pushing them into the cake.

He has just placed five when I say, "Do you know how many years I'm turning now?", I ask suspiciously.

"Yep", he says pushing candle after candle.

"Hmph. How many?".

"Do you really want me to say it out loud?", he says with a smirk.

"I dare you to do it".

"Are you sure? I think I don't have enough candles...", he says evilly joking.

"Hey!", I say throwing a napkin at him, "I'm not that old!".

He laughs. "I'm just a few months older than you", I protest.

"But that makes you older than me".

"But I look younger", that was the first thing that came to my mind.

"Actually I think we both look the same age", he says.

"Well, I dared you. How old I am?", I say.

He takes in a breath, "Today, Katniss Everdeen, you turn nineteen years old", he says placing the nineteenth candle.

"That's right", I say.

Peeta takes out a match and begins lighting the candles up.

"You're not going to sing happy birthday to me, are you?".

"Actually, I was going to", he replies.

"Oh, really? No! I never know what face I should put when someone's singing that song", I say.

"Then just listen", he says lighting the last candle up.

"Ready?", I nod.

Peeta takes in a deep breath and begins singing in a hoarse, out-of-tune voice, "Happy Birthday to you, happy birth-", I burst out laughing, not capable of hide it.

"Are you making fun of my beautiful voice?", he says trying to sound serious but the grin in his face is too big.

"No!", I say incredously and still laughing.

"Don't laugh at me or there will be no cake for you", he says in another failed serious tone.

I bite my lip and say, "Okay".

And Peeta starts singing again, this time, we both burst out laughing together.

/ FEEDBACK IS ALWAYS APPRECIATED! I am so sorry I didn't update in the week, I was pretty busy. And this is a short chapter but I promise I'll post a new one soon :) Are you enjoying this chapters? Don't miss the next ones! Have a great weekend and thanks all for reading! /