Chapter Four: Sianer

It was quite awkward, seeing him for the first time in weeks. Doesn't seem like weeks. Seems like an age. 'How've you been coping then?' I didn't seem to hear him at first. I don't know how, but I seemed lost in space. 'Sianer?'

'Sorry, and we've been coping well. As well as you can in the Games,' I said, snapping back to reality, as he took my hand.

'We? You mean you and Holosity?'

'Yes, and Alexita, Katia and…' I didn't finish. I did miss Sara. We never knew each other for long, but I really do miss her. A tear ran down my cheek. I felt Peeta's finger gently wipe it away.

'It'll be okay, Sianer. I promise. Remember Sara. Don't you forget her,' he said, reassuringly gripping my hand, tightly. I squeezed his hand as a reply, and we started walking. We walked in silence for a while, until I said, 'Will you team up with us? Alexita, Holosity, Katia and I? We need someone like you and to be honest, you need us!'

He considered this for a while looking into the trees ahead. I could almost hear his brain working out what I was saying. Until he said, 'It's such a nice sunset.'

'Yes. I've always loved a sunset.'

'It's probably my favourite colour. The orangey sunset.'

It was strange having a normal conversation with Peeta. Not having the Games loom over our personal lives. I realise now, how much I actually care about Peeta. No! I mustn't think it, because I know only one of us can come out of this Hellhole. Maybe neither of us. Never both of us.

'What about you? Your favourite colour?'

'Purple. My mother was a seamstress and she used to make me purple blouses and dresses when I was little. She even made the manky curtains at the front of the house. My father always says that they're an eyesore, those bloody moth-eaten sun bleached rags! But I never let him take them down. I don't know why. Maybe it was because mother made them,' I paused a moment before saying, 'I want to be home. I can just imagine home now. Walking down past your bakery, the small of fresh bread following me. Then ending up at the Seam. Ending up at my house. Smelling like Cats. I miss it.'

'I miss home. Probably not as much as you do, but I guess anywhere's better than here. I miss frosting the cakes my mother made.'

'What? You did those? They were amazing! I never knew you did them! Every month, on pay day, my father and I used to go by the bakery and get a cake! I would always go for the-'

'The purple ones?'

'Yes…how did you know?'

'I used to wait for you every month on pay day. I knew you would come and get the same cake every time! The little purple cupcake!'

I laughed at this. Then my smile faded a little. 'I don't think we would have met properly if it wasn't for the Games.'

'I guess they got one thing right then,' he replied. What it was meant to mean, I don't know, but I liked this little comment. Another pause.

'I know this isn't a nice question, Peeta, but… have you…you know… killed?'

'Not intentionally. I mean, I didn't set out to kill them; it was self defence, but… I didn't feel good about it. But I guess if I hadn't I wouldn't be talking to you.

'I guess you got one thing right here then,' I said with a smile. He laughed a little.

'Oh so that's the only thing I got right there then? Am I that thick?' he said in a sarcastic yet playful voice. I laughed. We both laughed together a while. I hadn't laughed like this for weeks. Maybe years.

'Mind you, I still think you should take up my offer,' I said. He looked at me with an inquisitive look. 'If it weren't for them I would be dead in a few days, and not talking to you right now.'

'Ahh, so there's another thing they got right. I think I might just take up that offer.'

I looked at him, and he looked straight back. Fighting to hold back tears, I smiled. 'Thank you, Peeta' He brushed his lips against my hand and then slowly to my lips. That's when we heard her scream.