A/N: I'm ignoring the crapload of stuff I have to do and updating on here instead because I'd much rather be around you guys than locked up in my room with a textbook...or two...or ten. :( Anyway, just wanted to let you guys know: this story is going to have two more chapters before I complete it and move on to the sequel, which should have the first chapter up the same day that this fic's last chapter is published. Wow...the time has just flown! Thanks for reviewing and favoriting (is that even a word?) and just generally being so freaking awesome. Feel free to include anything you want to see as I wrap up this story in your reviews! Enjoy :)

Katniss' POV

I sneak back inside after a hunting trip with Gale, my game bag loaded down with all sorts of food, and furtively check to make sure Peeta isn't home. Once I've established that he isn't, I yell, "SAE!"

"In the kitchen, Katniss!" she calls.

Gale and I enter the kitchen and instantly are enveloped in billowing clouds of steam. Whatever Sae's cooking is making my mouth water.

We've decided to throw Peeta a surprise birthday party; everyone from the rebellion who is fortunately still alive is making an appearance. Gale and I are providing the game, and Delly is making Peeta's cake. It promises to be a fun night.

Haymitch arrives at that moment. "Hey, girl on fire! What do you want me to do to help?"

"Hey, mentor man. Can you go get Rose?"

He scowls at the nickname, but turns and stomps upstairs.

Gale shakes his head. "Wow, Katniss. Just...wow."

Haymitch returns, holding Rose. He looks at her. "You've got nothing on her, Katniss. I wonder just how she got to be this pretty."

Gale laughs. "Peeta begs to differ."

"Can you both just shut up?" I snap irritably.

"Whoa, hormonal victor alert. Better look out, guys!" calls Sae from behind another column of steam.

"If you burn the house down, YOU can explain it to Peeta," says Haymitch, mimicking my tone of voice.

Just as I'm about to kick him, the ringing phone provides a welcome diversion. Gale goes to answer, listens for a moment, then hangs up. "Delly. Peeta will be here in five minutes."

"Damn," I say. "Okay, let everyone in."

I'm standing in the kitchen, looking as normal as possible, trying to ignore the fact that about thirty people are jammed like sardines in tins around my living room. Haymitch is grunting loudly from behind a couch. "Hawthorne. Your. Butt. Is. In. My. Face."

Peeta walks in at this just as everything is silent once more. Perfect. Everything goes according to plan. "Hey, Katniss. How was your day—"

"SURPRISE!" everyone yells, jumping out from their hiding places. Peeta stumbles backwards a few steps in shock. As the throng sreads to every corner of the room, a loud call can be heard from behind the couch: "GALE! GET UP!"

Oh, great. Angry Haymitch. This party could get interesting.