I wake in the same fowl mood I went to bed in, only now I am hungry. I didn't come out for dinner last night. Breakfast is always slim and being Sunday I really need to go with Gale to gather in the woods. It hits me after that thought, that he's gone. I am alone. At least that's the way I feel.

It's still dark outside, so I throw on my old jeans and t-shirt, my worn in boots and my father's jacket and I head to the woods. I have spent every Sunday here for as long as I cant remember, first with my father then with Gale. We can't afford a lot of food, and some medicine is made from plants as well. My father taught me what plants are safe to eat and what was dangerous. Gale's father had died in the same accident as my father. His family has four children, they were on the verge of starving. I helped them gather as much as I could. Gale could also hunt, he taught me some. I won't do it without him thought. We do ok now that the pharmacy is doing better, and Gale's mother had found work after they baby was born so they will be fine as well. As long as I still gather.

I get back with my days gather before the sun is up, I had eaten berry's in the woods, so I'm not as hungry as I was when I left, but I am not satisfied either. I leave everything in the kitchen for my mother, then go take a shower, I take in my appearance and I realize that Peeta was not wrong, I am too skinny. I don't know why him saying that made me so mad, I just wanted him to like me even a little bit and he doesn't even like the way I look. If he's not even attracted to me, how will this even work. I was definitely attracted to him. His arms were like, I don't even know, but last night even though I was mad I dreamed of those arms around me and of what those hand could do. Sigh, He's never going to want me that way. He may have to have sex with me, but he'd never really want me.

When I get out of the shower and head into the kitchen I hear Delly's voice.

"Yes, Katniss is invited, Peeta just didn't get a chance to invite her before she left yesterday."

"Katniss, come here."

I go into the kitchen and see Delly, my mom, and Prim. Delly is dressed in a blue dress.

"Hey, Katniss. We were invited to church with the Mellarks today. I was wondering if you wanted to walk to the bakery with me?"

"Thanks, but I don't really have clothes for that."

"Didn't you get your package last yesterday?"

My package, I had forgotten about that. When the boys are 17 they pick out a bunch of stuff for their mate, clothes, under garments, stuff to make you smell good, makeup.

"Mom?" I went to bed so early she would have it.

"It's on your bed."

"I'll wait Katniss, just hurry."

I don't want to go, but I can't say no, so I turn and go to my room. The box is on my bed, John wasn't kidding when he said Orange was Peeta's favorite color. No wonder they thought we were the other's mate. I pull out the orange dress and slip in on, along with some ballerina shoes. I braid my hair down one side and head back down to Delly. I've never been one for make-up.

"Delly, lets go." I say to her

"You look beautiful Katniss, Peeta is going to love you in that."

I want to say something smart, but I hold myself back. I smile at her and we head to the bakery.

It's quite as we make our way to the bakery. Delly and I weren't friends, but it seems we will be family now, so I'll need to try, but not today. I need to try with Peeta first. I just don't know how to get people to like me.

Peeta and John are waiting outside the bakery when we arrive, Mr. Mellark is not.

"Hi, ladies." John greets us.

"Hi," We both say

"I like your dress Katniss." I think that is the most words Peeta has ever spoken to me.

"You picked it out.. so." Oh, I am bad at this. With my words Peeta puts his head down. Sigh

"Well, Delly I know I picked that dress and I have to say, it looks way better on you than it did when I picked it out." This makes Delly blush. John is great at that.

"Shall we go? Dad went ahead of us."

We head in the direction of the church. I haven't been to church since my father died, we use to go every week. I missed it at first, but it was just too hard to go back. There is only one church, like there is one bakery, one pharmacy and one shoe shop, its not like I could just go to another one. John and Delly are walking ahead of Peeta and I. They are talking easily and about half way to the church he reaches for her hand. They are going to have and easy time at this. They may even love each other by the time they get married, in 30 days. I look over at Peeta he seems to like to look at his feet. I just hope we can have a conversation before we are married.

"Peeta," I say, right as we make it to the church steps, he stops walking and looks at me. Delly and John keep walking into the church. He doesn't say anything so I start again.

"I um.. Did you know my father died, six years ago?" I wait for his answer it takes a moment, but then he nods his head. Right, everyone knows that.

"Ok, So the thing is, his service was here, and I ... I." I seem to have lost my own voice here, I'm almost crying. crap. Then I feel it, him. He has wrapped me in a hug. I real hug. Not a side hug or a pat on the back, but a real wrap me up hug.

"Do you want to go home?" Peeta whispers in my ear and I shiver, then shake my head no.

"Do you want to go back to the bakery with me?" I nod. Where did my voice go? Shaking and nodding is Peeta's thing not mine.

"Ok, come on then. I'll make you some tea."

I pull back and look at him in the eyes. Wow, I never realized how blue his eyes were.

"You won't get in trouble?" I ask, because one I don't want him in trouble and two I know some parents that would be pissed if their child skipped church and then were alone with their Mate before the wedding.

"No, I'll explain to them, it's ok. I promise."

Hmm.. A promise, He's speaking and he comforted me. Maybe he and his brother had a talk and he has accepted he will be tied to me, like it or not.

He doesn't say anything else we just walk back to the bakery. He leads me to the back entrance, I've been here before, I have traded with the baker a lot over the years. His trades got better when his wife died, We don't head straight to the bakery, instead we head up the back stairs to the apartment where the Mellarks live. When we reach the top of the stairs there is a long hallway. I realize this is the other side of the apartment than I was on yesterday. We walk about half way down the hall when Peeta stops.

"When we get married, we will live here. Do you want to see where you will sleep?"

I'm not sure why he's asking me this, is he expecting something today? Is that why he brought me here? I don't know what to say to this. Do I want to go into the bedroom? I don't say anytime, surprisingly Peeta fills in the silence.

"We don't have to now. I just thought you may want to check it out. We have 30 days, it can wait." He starts walking again, but I don't move.

"Well, come on." Peeta calls for me. I turn from the door he was stopped in front of and head down the hall after him.

He makes us tea and I make sure to remember he doesn't take sugar. That's something they told us in school to make sure we knew. Coffee, Tea, meals. Make sure you know what your husband likes. We sit in silence, but its not uncomfortable. Peeta starts lunch at 1140. It smells so good, I have no idea what he is cooking, but I'm sure I have never had it before. 12:10 I hear a sound downstairs and look to Peeta.

"I'll be right back."

I hear Mr. Mellark and John. I can't make out their words, they seem upset though and then muffled voices and quietness. The four of them walk in and I feel embarrassed.

"Good afternoon Katniss." Mr. Mellark addresses me.

"Good afternoon Mr. Mellark, Sorry about this morning." I offer as an apology.

"No, worries my dear. You will make it in your own time. Maybe you and Peeta could go when there is not service going on."

That actually sounds like a great idea. I file that away in my things I need to do folder in my head.

"That would be lovely." I say, choosing my words carefully.

"Lunch is almost done, I started it a little early." Peeta interjects

"I smell bacon, Peeta." Delly says.

Bacon I've heard of that. never had it. Maybe that was they awesome smell.

"Yep, having BLT's." John says to her.

BLT's what the heck? B.. B, I'm thinking that is Bacon. L... L, Leaks? Lemon? Lettuce? No clue, and T.. T, Thyme, Tea, Turnips? Maybe I should go before I embarrass myself even more.

"I think I am going to skip out on lunch, I didn't tell my mom I was staying, this late."

"I told her, Katniss. When I told her we were invited to church, it was actually church and lunch. I am sorry I thought I told you as well."

Great now what can I say. Sorry don't want to eat your food. Sorry, don't know what that food even is. I'm panicking I can feel it, Everyone is looking at me.

"Please stay." It was Peeta. He was trying. Give and take that's what Effie always said in class.

"Ok." was all that I said.

"Well, now that that is all cleared up, I will go start cutting the lettuce and tomato for our sandwiches." Mr. Mellark said and winks at me. He knew, he knew that look on my face meant I had no cue what we were eating and he was helping me. Thank you Mr. Mellark.

"Bacon is almost done. John go down and get the bread." Peeta says, He's in his element here, cooking for sure.

The sandwiches are great. They serve them with finely sliced, fried potatoes they call chips.

"Where is Finnick and Anne?" John ask

"Anne and little Nick aren't feeling well, they stayed home. She wants to meet you girls though. Finnick said she's been a little lonely since she have been in 12." Mr. Mellark explained.

"She was from 4 right?" I ask.

"Yes." Peeta answers.

I bet that's super hard. I bed it will be for Gale's wife as well. I decide to tell them about that.

"My friend Gale."

Peeta and John both look at me when I say his name and it makes me stop a moment. I get nervous.

"He um.. Was matched with a girl from 7. They will be moving her after they are married. He's there now."

I see everyone physically relax when I finish that sentence. So I continue.

"I just thought maybe, they would could talk and understand what the other is going through. Not that I wouldn't like to also be friends with her, I'm just not very good at it." I finish.

"That is a great idea Katniss, we should all hang out when they get back the four couples, the eight of us." John suggested.

We all nod and finish our lunch.

After lunch is done and cleaned up Mr. Mellark excuses himself to his room. Sunday is the only day of the week the bakery is closed, but he will be up prepping for tomorrow in a few hours.

John and Delly seem to have really hit it off, they are sitting on the couch's she's almost in his lap. I am about to say I need to get going, but Delly speaks before I can.

"Have you two set a date?"

"A what?" I ask, because that can't mean what I think it means.

"A date for your wedding?" Yup, that is what she meant.

"No", Peeta speaks up "We have 29 more days to choose from. It will be before the deadline.

I look at him. I know he s right. I don't add anything.

"We are getting Married Saturday." John says

"Saturday, like a week from yesterday? That Saturday?" I ask

"Yes," Delly says.

"I'm so excited, we talked with the pastor, today and he said no one has booked this Saturday yet. My mother said to go with the earliest day available and Mr. Mellark was also good with that date."

"That's, That's great Dell, really." I can't help but think it's too soon. Honestly though even if they hated each other, there isn't anything they can do about it. Might as well get it over with right.

"I am going to the Housing Department tomorrow morning Peeta, We aren't living here. I'll help, but I am going to be learning the shoe shop. We already talked to Delly's parents yesterday when I walked her home. Her father isn't well, I need to learn fast." John was explaining.

"Why don't you just live at the shoe shop?" I ask.

"We want to live alone for the first year. We are going to pay for a one year home and then live at the shoe shop."

I nod, a lot of couples did that, they wanted to live alone, get to know each other, get pregnant and then they would move into the apartments over the shops. Except the factory workers, they would keep their houses, most of the time they were the very poor. Finnick is the exception, because he came from the bakery. He has connections and works extra shifts here to make up anything they lacked.

Peeta sighs and looks at me. I have no idea what that looks means.

"I should get home."

"I'll walk you." Peeta stands.

I want to tell him no, that I can walk myself, but I know it would sound rude. So I nod and smile. I tell, Delly and John goodbye and we head out the door. The same one we come through before. I stop at the door Peeta had stopped at before.

"You want to go in?"

I shake my head, and I walk to him. Down the stairs and out to the ally.

The walk home is quite. Peeta is always so quite. We arrive at the Pharmacy and he turns to me.

"Kat.. Katniss?"

I turn to him, at least he spoke.

"Would you um. Would you go with me to John's wedding on Saturday?"

Was he asking me on a date?

"Yes." He said.

I must have said that out loud. I do that a lot. I need to get that under control now.

"Yes, I would like that." I answer. I actually would not like to go at all, but I don't see that as a choice. I look at the man I am going to marry and decide I should, have a good time. He's really tired to hide his hate for me today. Since he hugged me I haven't felt like he hated me at all. Maybe he realized, like me, that it doesn't matter. We don't have a choice.

"Great. Can I see you before that? I mean I want to know you, before we get married." Peeta says

Right I think. Know me.

"I'll allow it. What is your schedule like? Since school is out mine is kinds open."

"You can come for lunch any day.

I feel like he just wants to feed me more food, and after the lunch I've had the last two days, I am beginning to see that as a good thing.

" Ok, Lunch then?" I ask

"Yes, see you for lunch."

"Bye Peeta."

"Bye Katniss" He says as he walks away.

And just like that I am going on dates with Peeta Mellark. My Future Husband.