I know I said I would try and upload every Friday...well it's Saturday...and it's been a few weeks...sorry?

Life got in the way, but this chapter is getting us closer to the Victory Tour, so I hope that counts for something!

I visit Madge the very next day after that. I wait until school lets out and I put in some effort with my appearance if only for the practice and to show Snow that I'm trying if the house really is bugged.

I fix any problem areas on my face that I never bothered with before. I coat my lashes to make them longer and I add some blush to give the illusion of a healthy complexion and glow. I like to think it makes any smiles I offer seem less forced or faked. I put on a pretty sage green dress that would not look like it belongs anywhere near me if not for the color. I only put it on because my prep team took the time to shave my legs yesterday and I know they would appreciate if it weren't going to waste. I throw on a jean jacket that for some reason has been designed to look like a glamorous version of a worn one with tears and loose threads and everything. And I just use the same boots I wore yesterday that were a better Capitol version of my old hunting ones.

The moment I went over to the Mayor's house, I felt really awkward. Before the Reaping, Madge and I never really talked much despite always sitting together at lunch and anything school related. It really came as a shock when she came to see me off before I left for the Capitol. She also added to that surprise when she gave me her gold pin. My token.

Now that I came back, I've only really seen her at random. It was always just passing by or while running errands. Never because I went out of my way to visit her. Thankfully, Madge didn't question me. She only smiled happily and invited me into her house where she lead me to her room.

She offered me cookies and tea and it was after we were eating that I finally felt brave enough to show her the music sheets.

"I don't know how to read music so I don't really know how these are supposed to go," I manage to mumble out.

She just looks at me curiously while examining the sheet music and then setting her tea down and motioning me to follow her. She walks downstairs and into one of the many rooms. She opens the door and the first thing I see is a grand piano.

She walks over to the bench and pats the spot next to her. She props the sheet music in front of her and starts playing. It's one of the catchy repetitive songs, but hearing it on the piano almost makes it sound beautiful. She plays the next one, too, and ends with the Valley Song.

When she's done she says," I can play while you sing and we can practice until you get the hang of it, if you want?"

I nod and she patiently tells me how to roughly read the notes so that I know how the song is supposed to go. We start with the Valley Song because it's the most familiar, even if I haven't sung in the longest time, and when I'm done Madge pauses," I didn't know you could sing like that..."

I frown," I don't sing...or I didn't."

"Well, then I don't know if it's a good thing you are now," she says quietly almost thoughtful," You're better than all of this." You're better than them, is what she really means but doesn't say.

I pause and look at her for a terrifying moment before I compose myself and offer what I'm sure will be one in many fake smiles," Can we keep trying? I want to work my way up to the other ones, and Effie will have my head if I don't get these right."

She offers an understanding smile in return and we keep practicing. I find myself not minding it and find that I would really enjoy hearing her play more than I will ever enjoy singing for the Capitol.

Once it becomes late enough, I tell her I have to get going and she surprises me with a hug and has me promise to come back tomorrow to keep practicing.

I smile in return and nod before heading home. I walk through town and if I thought people stared at me before it's only increased tenfold with my new get up. I curse myself for not leaving before the shops closed. I'm in the middle of Town and not only am I out of my house in what feels forever, but I'm also in a stupid dress and I can't feel more ridiculous.

I'm still cursing myself when someone calls my name and I turn with a scowl on my face until I come face to face with a pair of familiar blue eyes and blonde curls," Peeta?"

He smiles happily like he always seems to do and then asks," What brings you here?"

I hesitate before smiling back sheepishly," I was visiting Madge."

He nods," I forgot you were friends with her, you must miss not seeing her in school."

I bite my lip considering I didn't really know we were friends back then but just nod.

He hesitates before asking and the sudden flush of color on his cheeks confuses me," Is that why you're dressed up?"

I frown in confusion before I remember my appearance and I hesitate before settling for the easiest truth," Kind of, I have to look the part now."

"Part?" he asks confused and I push the thought that the slight pout he has on his face is almost endearing aside and answer instead in an attempt of humor," Of a Victor, Haymitch isn't much to look at so it fell on me, I guess."

He grins and then smirks teasingly," I'd rather see you in a dress than him any day."

The thought of Haymitch in a dress is enough to make me giggle uncharacteristically and say," That makes you and all of Panem!"

He chuckles wryly before asking," Do you want me to walk you home?"

I shake my head thinking of the time," You don't have to, I don't want you to be late for dinner."

He smiles happily," I have time."

I hesitate and he looks at me concerned," Unless you really don't want to-"

I cut him off before I can stop myself," Thank you then," and we fall into step with each other.

"How's your neighbor been?" he asks jokingly," As friendly as ever?"

I roll my eyes," He's friendly alright... when he's not passed out in his own filth."

"So not very often?" he asks sarcastically and I smirk.

"He's okay," I say after a bit thinking of the times he's tried to protect me," He's still looking out for me, in the only way he knows how, I guess."

" I only hope it's enough," he says after a moment and I turn defensive.

"He does what he can," say hesitantly knowing it's true," He's doing what he can to make sure we both survive."

"You shouldn't be surviving," he says quietly," You should be living...thriving."

I stop walking and look at him for a moment before muttering," You get used to it."

We walk in silence the last bit of the way and he reaches out before stopping himself and instead saying with a smile that while still bright, isn't as bright as what I'm used to," See you on Sunday!"

I nod and try to return his smile, but if his isn't as bright as usual, mine isn't fooling anyone either.

And so my days continue. I visit Madge and I can see we are real friends now. It's not as awkward anymore and Prim has even come by to see what I'm doing. People have begun to talk and she was curious. It didn't help that after that first week of practicing, Effie came back and I was made over all over again for an impromptu photoshoot for my supposed single covers. They wanted to start recording right away, but had to make sure the covers looked perfect in a typical Capitol fashion.

They aired those on TV and I had to fight my embarrassment of having to appear so vapid and silly posing for pictures for my new life as a singer. I also had to fight the cramping of my hand as Effie had given me a crash course in penmanship for my new signature. They wanted to print some of the pictures to sell with my perfected signature in the Capitol for what I can assume will be an unthinkable amount of money.

I regretted them airing any of that even more when Gale ended up showing up at my door looking furious.

"What the hell was that, Katniss?!" he demanded angrily not even bothering to wait for me to invite him in.

"What the hell, Gale?" I hissed not willing to deal with whatever he was mad about," What is your problem?"

"You!" he hissed back," Can you imagine what I thought seeing you acting like an idiot for all of Panem?"

"What are you talking about?" I demanded hoping he wasn't talking about what I thought he was.

"A singing career, Katniss? Really? Can you stoop any lower?" he answered in a condescending voice I was not about to tolerate from anyone, especially not him.

"Yes I can actually," I shot back smartly, thinking of what I'd almost been forced into," But you see when it was between that and a fabulous singing career, imagine what you think I chose to go with...

"I will sing until I can't anymore if that's what I have to do for-"

"For the Capitol, Katniss?" he demanded," Have you forgotten what they did to you?! What they put you through?! Haven't you had enough of being their little puppet?!"

"Have you forgotten that I don't have a choice?!" I fired back," No one does! And I'm not as delusional, as you, to think otherwise. So you can stand right there and judge me, but it won't change anything I'm doing just because you don't like it. Because guess what...I don't like it either!"

"Then stop," he said putting his hands on my shoulders and I had to resist the urge to get them off," You can fight this. You can use this to help the Districts. Screw the Capital!"

I gasp and pushed him away from me," Get. Out!"

He looked at me confused before becoming angry again," No. Not until-"

"Get out!" I cried and shoved him towards the door," Stop talking about things you don't understand or leave me alone."

"I can't, Catnip," he tried," I can't watch you do this to yourself...to us-"

"There is no us," I told him, angry now," You were my best friend, Gale. And the second I stopped being who you wanted me to be, you left me behind."

"No that was you-"

"No," I cut him off," It was you. I told you to get used to what I was doing or leave me alone. You made your choice. The choice is still there. If you want to be my friend, you're going to have to leave me to do what I have to do. No questions, no demands, no anything."

"That's not fair, Katniss," he tried," I'm just trying to help you."

"You can't help me," I said, a wry smile making it's way on my face," No one can. I can't even help myself.

"So I don't need you. I'm fine. So if you can live with that... then we can try to be friends again, but things are different now. And you have to understand that. Can you do that?"

He looked at me, and for a second I was sure he was just going to storm out and not look back, but he surprised me and muttered," Fine."

"What?" I said not expecting that.

He crossed his arms and looked away grumpily," You heard me."

"Are you sure?" I asked him suspiciously.

"I said I was," he snapped and then cringed," Sorry."

I shook my head," I know."

"So are we going back to Sundays again?" he asked quietly.

I almost agreed, but then stopped and remembered," Not out there. I don't do that anymore."

He frowned and then said," But you love it out there!"

I closed my eyes and nodded knowing he was right," I do, but I can't anymore. It's better for everyone, if I don't."

"Then what are we supposed to do instead?" he demanded.

I stopped and thought and then remembered Peeta," Peeta bakes for me on Sundays. You could come try some...if you want."

"Mellark?" he asks incredulously," What are you doing with the baker's kid?"

I looked at him sharply, daring him to say anything about Peeta," He's my friend."

He looked like he wanted to protest, but thought better of it from my tone, and just said," I'll see if I can stop by."

I nodded and that was that.

Effie pulled me aside the next day and demanded to know why my family wasn't living with me. I had to stop myself from saying I didn't know either, but settled for," My mother wanted to stay close to the Seam as the healer..."

She looked appalled and then declared," Well, that won't do! President Snow, himself, wanted me to let you know that he wants them to move in as soon as possible. "

I gripped the table in fear and looked at her alarmed," He does?"

She nodded almost proud of herself," It's not fitting for a young lady to be living by herself. Goodness knows, Haymitch can't be much help in case something happens."

I no longer resented my mother for not wanting to live here. I now feared what would happen if she did and I surprised myself by saying," But my mother can't travel that far every single day. Her patients are there...they-"

"Can come here if they need her," she says promptly cutting me off and turning to some people," We can start by dropping by and having these people move their things here."

And after that they did just that. I hesitantly went with them hoping that I would be able to soften the fear of Capitol people dropping in and taking everything with them.

My mother was in the middle of making dinner when we knocked and Prim answered with a squeal," Katniss, why are you-"

And then she trailed off as the people around me brushed passed and started to take things. My mother looked like she was about to protest when I cut her off with a meaningful look and said," Isn't it nice of them to help you move in to my house? Your business here in the Seam is basically done and you can now officially move in!"

She looked a bit confused and obviously wanted more from me but looked at the men moving things and then slowly nodded," Yes, of course, Katniss."

Prim looked surprised and looked between us almost torn between being happy to be moving in with me and confused as to why Mom never agreed to it or mentioned it before, but simply asked me innocently," Are we really moving in with you?"

I nodded and made an effort to smile," You really are, Little Duck."

It doesn't take long to pack what few things they own. I notice a few more clothes than before and am happy to know the money I'd given them was being used. The men then left and Effie was "kind" enough to go with them to allow my family time to say goodbye to their home.

The minute she left my mother turned to me and said," Katniss, is everything alright?"

I sigh tiredly and look away and she continues," I barely recognize you anymore, and what they've been saying on TV and in town, and now this?"

"I don't have a choice," I mutter and then glare at her," Do you think I want to be slathered in makeup and dressed up everyday when the last thing I want to do is get out of bed?! Do you think I would ever want to sing for anyone in the Capitol? Do you think I'm enjoying myself?"

"Katniss," Prim squeaks out and I feel awful for springing this on her and arguing with Mom in front of her, but I have to do this now before we have to go to the house they've bugged.

I run my fingers through my loose hair and look at Mom," President Snow didn't think it was appropriate that I was living all alone and...insisted... that you both live with me. "

Mom gasps and turns a bit white but then looks at me with what can only be labeled as grief and then pity. The emotions in her eyes are gone as soon as they appeared and she just nods stoically before saying," Alright, I understand."

I nod too and turn towards the door," I thought you would..."

We then make the trip down to what is no longer just my house and I try not to look back and think about what this means.

My mother wasn't too comfortable with the idea of living in Victor's Village, but she surprisingly made due. She and Prim were actually happy to be able to better tend to their patients with readily available supplies after I very firmly showed them where the money was and told them to get what they needed. My mother protested but after I left without taking no for an answer, she reluctantly started to use the money.

She bought food to send home with patients, better medicines, she even used one of the rooms downstairs as a kind of office to treat her patients. She did this, I realized, so that I wouldn't run out at the sight of blood or be rendered nauseous at the sight of someone's injuries. I found myself appreciating her thoughtfulness, but not forgetting the countless times she'd already failed me before and since I'd gotten back.

But Prim was happy. She got into all the other boxes of hobbies Effie had sent and unsurprisingly had a knack for all of them. She learned to play the flute, arrange flowers, cook, and so on. I feel that she might have even been able to paint or draw if I hadn't given all of those to Peeta.

Despite Mom being okay with everything, I still felt uncomfortable remembering everything that had happened when I first arrived. I also couldn't help but be reminded of what her and Prim living with me meant to President Snow. How they could and would be used against me in this never ending game he liked to play.

I was done with games but I couldn't give up. I had to fight for them this time, instead of me. Even if I had to lose myself in the process. I dressed the part, I looked the part, and I acted the part. Every song I sang, every picture I took, and ever interview I was coached for, I gave it my all. I was as vapid, innocent, empty headed, and charming as I could be. And for someone who had been dubbed as "charming as a slug", I was proud of how far I'd come.

Haymitch, in his more sober moments, had even narrowed his eyes at both me and the screen before muttering," Who knew you actually had it in you, Sweetheart..."

I immediately dropped the facade and snapped at him which almost made him sigh in relief but he caught himself before taking a sip from his flask and going back to his disgusting house.

Things went on as normal as they could. Madge and Peeta remained by me through it all. My mom and Prim were quickly adjusting. And while Gale was no longer in my life as much, he wasn't completely absent. He would sometimes stop by and I would send him off with some bread or some cake or whatever Peeta baked.

Peeta loved having an unlimited amount of ingredients, and he would always make far too much. Much more for me, my mom, Prim, the odd patients, or even Haymitch to eat in a week. I would always offer Peeta as much as he wanted, but even that wasn't enough. And so I often tried to give Gale as much as he would take. He had many little mouths to feed to say no.

That still didn't mean it was easy. He then took to bringing me and Peeta game from his hunts in the woods. A rabbit or squirrel or two depending on how much Peeta made. Peeta protested, at first, but I insisted he take it as he was the one making all the food. Not me. He eventually gave in and even told me sheepishly that his family really enjoyed having fresh meat.

Gale didn't like everything in my life. He found it almost impossible to not scoff at my new clothes. He hated my friendship with Madge. And he only barely tolerated Peeta. But I made it very clear that if he kept being a jerk, I wasn't going to be having any of it. He would back off, but not without brooding. It was tiring, but he was trying, and that was a start.

Finally it was time for my Victory Tour and with it came preparations. I was to dress up and look nice for the cameras that would be waiting by the train. Haymitch would be coming with me and I would be putting to use what I'd worked so hard on.

Unfortunately the day I was leaving was the day Peeta would come visit me on Sundays. I'd gotten so swept up in everything else that when Prim came into my room and said in confusion," Katniss?"

I didn't look up from my frown as I tried to deal with finding the stuff I used to coat my eyelashes," Yes, Little Duck?"

"Peeta's here," she said quietly almost like she wasn't sure how I would react," He's downstairs..."

I paused from looking and then deciding that leaving him downstairs with my Mom wasn't the best idea I say hesitantly," He can come up..."

She looks at me startled but nods and runs downstairs to get Peeta. I look at my face and huff in annoyance at having to do this everyday. I was getting better, at least according to my prep team, but I still found it to be pointless.

I hear a light knock on my door and I see Peeta walk in with a bashful smile," Katniss?"

"Hey," I say tiredly," You came..."

"Well we can't very well break tradition now, right?" he says in a teasing tone as he looks around.

I stop looking around the vanity Effie gave me to raise an eyebrow at him," We have a tradition now?"

He smirks playfully," Well, of course, we do. It doesn't have to include a meal, but we are still friends, right?"

He looks to be teasing, but there's a hint of truthful hesitance that I can't help teasing wryly back," Well, I'm not one to break tradition..."

He smiles back happily and I'm almost momentarily taken aback by how much he lights up my dreary room until his smile dims as he says," So you're leaving today? On your tour?"

"Yes, I'm just getting ready for the cameras waiting by the train," I say looking through the million makeup brushes I had to choose from.

"Well, as much as I enjoy seeing you off," he says standing to look over my shoulder but I can't bring myself to care about how close he is," Your mother wasn't too happy to see me here, so I don't think I have much time left up here..."

I smirk," Are you scared of my mother?"

He pretends to think about it and look away," I would never...I have you to protect me, either way, right?"

"A lot of good I'll do right now..." I mutter scowling at the mirror.

He pauses before speaking up," What's this for?"

I curse myself for pouting but I can't help it," Part of the whole "look" deal... My prep team is going to be redoing my makeup before I leave, but if I'm going out I need to do something... but it's not as easy as they make it look..."

He nods slowly before picking up a random tray of eyeshadows and then saying softly," You don't need all of this."

I stop and narrow my eyes," Excuse me?"

"You're beautiful, Katniss," he says, so sincerely, I can't help but want to believe him," You don't need to dress the part... "

"I do, though," I say trying to fight my growing blush by turning back to the mirror," I need to look and dress the part of a Victor and makeup is a part of that. Especially today when there could be cameras anywhere."

He says nothing as I finish and then get up to get a jacket that'll be warm enough for the snow," Do you want to go to town? I need to pick up some things before I leave, and say goodbye to Madge and Hazel..."

He looks at me with what I can almost describe as pity, but somehow...not. It feels like he genuinely cares about me and what I'm going through. Even when everyone else around me has been treating even the slightest remark I made as whining.

He just nods and gives me his usual smile before following me out where we pass my mother who looks at me and Peeta somewhat coldly," Where are you going?"

I look at her cooly, but not as much as her," Town."

She nods and there is a pause before Peeta asks," Do you need anything Mrs. Everdeen? We would be happy to pick it up for you."

She looks at him for a second, in surprise, before dropping the cold look slightly and reluctantly saying," Some bandages would be nice. And some rubbing alcohol...that is...if you're also going to the Hob."

I turn to Prim," Do you want to come, Little Duck, or are you going to stay here?"

She shakes her head with a smile," I'm good, Katniss, but say hi to Madge for me!"

I smile back and nod," Okay, I'll be back in a bit. My prep team and Effie should be here by then. They'll know what to do, but they can set up in my room."

"I'll can draw you a bath when you get home, if you want," my mother offers.

I look at her and consider for a second. Since they've moved in, I've tried to make an effort with my Mom. Things are even shakier than before the Games, and that's saying something, but this time I am trying. I make an effort to let her do things for me when she offers to help. And so I begrudgingly just nod," Thank you."

And with that we're off. I inhale the cold air. The air is a bit crisper and cleaner in the Victor's Village than in Town and especially in the Seam. Almost as clean as being in the woods, but not quite. The freedom isn't there, and that is part of the appeal.

"Haymitch is going with you, right?" Peeta asks interrupting my thoughts.

I nod," Yeah, he kind of has to. We're the only two Victors from District 12..."

He seems to think about that for a moment before turning to me," Good. I'd feel better knowing he was there for you."

"As crazy as it sounds," I say with a wry smile," I feel better having with come, too."

And I am. Haymitch is surly, violent, and drunk most of the time. He smells awful and has the worst sense of humor, even by my standards. But he did his job — more than his job—because despite how much the nightmares and the guilt and the self hatred and pity weighs down on me, I'm still alive. And that is thanks to him.

He could have left me to waste away after he left me in that house by myself, but he didn't. So no matter who Haymitch is, I owe him. And that's for always. And I don't mind. He could use someone to look out for him, too. At least to make sure some food makes it into his diet of alcohol and spirits.

That reminds me of something and I gasp," Haymitch told me to wake him up an hour before the cameras come..."

"We can stop by the bakery and bring him something to eat," Peeta says and then frowns," Or is that a bad idea?"

I shake my head and laugh slightly," It's worth a try...He might need some food in him to be able to make it through being made to look...presentable."

He joins in and then we stop by Hazel's and I let her know I'm leaving. She gives me a hug and promises to let Gale know. I slip her a pouch of coins and insist she takes it," It'll make me feel better. Being gone for so long."

She tries to protest, but thinks better of it," I won't tell Gale."

I nod and then we're on our way nearing the Hob. I get the bandages and rubbing alcohol. I'm just saying goodbye to Greasy Sae when I feel someone tug on my braid and don't have to even look to know who it is," "Aren't you supposed to be on a train?" he asks me.

Peeta looks at Darius warily but as law enforcers go, he's one of my favorites. Never really throwing his weight around, usually good for a joke. He's probably in his twenties, but he doesn't seem much older than I do. Something about his smile, his red hair that sticks out every which way, gives him a boyish quality."They're collecting me at noon," I answer.

"Shouldn't you look better?" he asks in a loud whisper.

I can't help smiling at his teasing, in spite of myself. "Maybe a ribbon in your hair or something?"

He flicks my braid with his hand and I brush him away. "Don't worry. By the time they get through with me I'll be unrecognizable," I say.

"Good," he says. "Let's show a little district pride for a change, Miss Everdeen. Right, Peeta?" He winks at him and shakes his head at Greasy Sae in mock disapproval and walks off to join his friends.

Peeta raised a questioning eyebrow," Friend of yours?"

"Define friend," I deadpan and Greasy Sae laughs and says," Try and enjoy yourself out there, at least. And I'll have a nice bowl of soup ready for you when you come back."

I nod and motion Peeta towards Town. We go to the Mayor's house to see Madge. She greets me with a hug and says hi to Peeta," Are you ready for your Tour?"

I bite my lip," As ready as I'll ever be. I'm more nervous about singing for all of Panem."

They had spent months preparing for my debut as a singer. My albums were produced and would be distributed for sale when I reached the Capitol. I think they would be selling a few copies for exorbitant amounts of money the second I step foot in the Capitol. The rest of Panem would have to wait until I made it onto Caesars stage to sing my debut single before they ever heard any of my music.

The thing that got to me was that my interview would be a mandatory broadcast for all of Panem. That meant that I would have to sing for everyone. Every district. Not just the silly and frivolous Capitol.

She smiles encouragingly before pausing and looking serious," Just so you know, I'll understand if you act different on camera...from who you usually are."

I look at her sharply and frown," What do you-?"

"I just understand how these things go," she says cutting me off," And I just hope you have a...safe trip and please be careful."

My eyes widen," Madge, I...thank you..."

She nods and looks between Peeta and me before saying brightly," Well, you should probably go before they arrive. It's almost 11!"

I hug her goodbye and we walk to the Bakery. Peet speaks up," What did she mean by you would act different? On camera."

I slow down and say as cautiously as possible," Different in that I can't exactly act like how I am with you guys. Especially Haymitch."

That doesn't seem to be enough," Is something wrong?"

I look at him worriedly but school my features into what I hope is reassuring," No, everything is fine! I just have to be careful with my debut and make sure people enjoy it and-"

"You're such a bad liar, Katniss. I don't know how you've made it this far." He begins to mimic me. "No, everything is fine! I'm so happy! I'm so grateful for the Capitol's generosity!" He shakes his head. "Never gamble at cards. You'll lose your last coin," he says.

Anger flushes my face. "All right, well what else am I supposed to say for the cameras? The truth? Everyone would be dead in a minute!"

I gasp and cover my mouth but it's too late and he looks just as alarmed as me. I look around and am just grateful that there is no one around to have heard me, even if my voice was never very loud. I look at him and just shake my head," I'm going to do what I have to do. And I'm sorry if you don't like that."

He looks hurt and shakes his head," I didn't mean it like that."

"Then how?" I snap already done with this conversation. It felt like a repeat of the one with Gale and I hadn't been able to truly get through to him, either.

"I don't want you to be unhappy," he says sadly and I feel something in my chest crack," This isn't something you want to do. You didn't want to sing. It was a memory of your father, and you didn't want to share that with everyone, but you are. You have always been happiest in the woods and free and yourself. I haven't seen you be any of that since you got back."

"How would you even know that?" I ask shaking my head. As far as I knew, he'd never even noticed me after I hadn't thanked him for the bread.

"I paid attention," he says simply, but I know there's more that he isn't saying, but before I can pry we reach the bakery.

His brother Rye is behind the register and when he sees me he wiggles his eyebrows," Well, what do we have here, little brother..."

"Rye..." Peeta starts off warningly, but his brother waves him off and he just jumps down from the register and with a flourish puts his arm around me," Little Miss Katniss, what an honor it is to finally meet you!"

I look at him incredulously, but he acts like nothing is wrong and continues," Especially since this one only ever brings you here when it's only him and the old man working."

I don't know where he's going with this but, by the way Peeta is starting to turn a bit pink, I think he's teasing him," I guess he's just trying to expose you to less competition."

"Competition?" I ask him warily.

He nods smirking," He probably knew he would never be able to compete with all this...the second you laid eyes on me!"

I look him up and down and then just turn to Peeta," Is he always like this?"

He rolls his eyes," Worse. This is him on his best behavior."

Rye shoots him a wounded look," I am hurt, Peeta."

He reaches over to untangle his brother from me and I shoot him a grateful look and he deadpans," You'll live."

"Well what can I help you with, Katniss?" Rye says brushing Peeta off good naturedly.

"I just need half a dozen rolls," I say thinking it best not to buy too much if both Haymitch and I are going to be leaving soon.

"Coming right up," he says and heads to the back.

I nod and then look up to see a clock hanging on the wall and gasp," Is that the time?!"

Peeta looks up and nods," Yes... do you need to go?"

Rye comes back with the rolls in a paper bag and I ask," How much?"

"One coin," he says slowly probably confused by my change in attitude.

"Okay, here," and I give him the money and then hastily put it in my game bag with the bandages and rubbing alcohol.

"I've got to go, but it was nice spending time with you before I have to leave," I say turning to Peeta.

"I'll see you when you get back," he smiles sadly," Good luck on your Tour, Katniss.

I nod and then I am in such a rush to leave that I accidently move to give him a hug without even thinking. I realize my mistake a second too late, but Peeta thankfully doesn't question me and just hugs me back.

I feel a bit embarrassed, and feel my cheeks turning a bit red, but say goodbye. I wave to his brother who is behind the counter once more and smirking, and run out of there as fast as I can.

And so that's it! A longer chapter than normal to make up for not uploading in so long... I will try and upload this Friday!

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