"He's not being sincere." Gale declares after the broadcast ends.
"What makes you think that?" I ask.
"He's a Capitolite, they're are the same. They don't care about people like us."
"Not all Capitolites are like that, Gale."
"Oh really," Gale demands, "who?"
"Cinna and Effie." I reply.
"Oh, come on Katniss. Effie, really?" Gale asks incredulously.
"She means well, she's just…" I trail off.
"My point exactly," Gale says, satisfied with himself.
"Well when Peeta's comes for Parcel Day next week, maybe you can judge him yourself." I say, a little indignantly. I don't know why I'm rushing to Peeta's defense like this, but somehow I don't like how Gale is able to write him off without ever actually meeting him.
"Maybe I will." Gale declares.
The next few days pass uneventfully, and before I know it Parcel Day is upon us. It's tomorrow. I'm reminded of this when the phone rings.
"Hello," I say, picking up the phone.
"Katniss, it's Peeta, how are you?"
"I'm good, Peeta." I reply.
"I'm just calling to let you know that I'll be arriving in District 12 later tonight. They're putting me up in an unused home in Victor's Village for the next week or so, I just didn't want you to be alarmed if there's an increase in Peacekeepers and a flurry of activity next door." He says.
"Thank you, I appreciate it." I say
"I've asked to be able to move around the District without escort and with minimal security as to not put additional strain on the Peacekeepers, for some reason they agreed. I suppose that's a perk of the job. I don't think Grandfather was very happy about it though."
I don't know how to respond to that, especially over the phone. Doesn't he know the phones are bugged, that by talking about the workings of The Capitol with me puts me and my family at risk.
"My phone calls are secure and can't be tapped. So you can speak your mind" Peeta says, as if he read my mind.
"Oh, well, I understand, I'm not a fan of having an escort either."
"Oh really," he says playfully, "I'm sure Effie is happy you feel that way."
"I'm sure she is!" I say, playing along.
"Well, I've got to get ready to leave Ten. See you tonight."
"See you tonight." I echo.
I'm ready. I have to be.
The whirring of a hovercraft landing comes a few hours later.
"Do you think that's him?" Gale asks. He came over about an hour ago and is, I assume, waiting to meet Peeta for his first impression.
"I don't know who else it would be," I reply.
Prim and Mother join us in the living room. We're all staring at the door with rapt attention.
There's a knocking at the door.
I look at our small welcoming party, silently willing one of them to get the door.
They don't, so I do.
"Peeta," I say as cheerfully as I can muster, "how are you?"
"I'm well. How are you?" Peeta says, embracing me in a way that surely raises ire in Gale.
"I'm good," I say.
As we separate I notice a young fashionable women standing behind Peeta.
"Katniss, this is my assistant Portia, I don't think you've met."
"No, but Effie's mentioned you," I say to both Peeta and Portia as we shake hands with the former.
"It's nice to meet you," Portia says.
"Peeta, this is my sister, Prim, and my Mother."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Peeta says, shaking both of their hands with a smile.
"And this is Gale," I say.
"Gale Hawthorne, it's a pleasure. You and Katniss met after the mining accident, right?"
I suddenly remember the story Gale concocted for the interviews about how we became friends, something about how we met after the mining accident that killed both our fathers, not too far from the truth, I guess.
"Yes, our families became very close." Gale says icily, shaking his hand.
"I'm so sorry, it's never easy to loose a loved one. I lost both my parents a number of years ago and, well, life's never quite the same." Peeta says sadly, avoiding making eye contact. I think he's trying to hold back tears, but I can't be sure.
Gale seems taken aback by Peeta's comment.
"I'm sorry. You're right, it's never the same" I finally respond.
Peeta nods.
"I should probably go and help Mom with my Posy." Gale says to me.
"Okay." I reply
"It was nice to meet you, Gale." Peeta says while shaking his hand.
Mom is the first to speak after Gale leaves.
"Prim, let's get started on dinner."
"We should probably head back." Peeta says.
"No! Stay for dinner, it won't be a problem at all." I find myself saying before even thinking about it.
"Are you sure?" Peeta asks.
I can't take it back now even if I wanted to.
"Yes."