A/N: Here it is! Enjoy this chapter. I will be camping for a week, so this will be my last chapter until then. Thanks so much!

"Eat your food, dear" I heard Greasy Sae murmur to me sitting at the breakfast bar as she cleaned up the kitchen. I sighed softly and reluctantly picked up a piece of the crunchy bacon sitting before me. My eyes turned towards the large window in the living room. The summer morning was crisp and clean, I heard the cheerful sound of birds chirping away. I silently wished that one day, I could be as cheerful as they are.

I gently took a bite of the bacon, too distracted to taste it. I kept replaying the scene with Peeta in my head. He smiled at me. He smiled at me after so many looks of rage and hate…he smiled. I hoped with all my heart that he was healing much more effectively than I was. He deserved it.

"Katniss…what happened? You were actually beginning to eat breakfast again, and now you've stopped." says Sae, her voice concerned.

I finally met her worried gaze. "I'm sorry Sae, I…I just," I swallowed hard. "I saw Peeta yesterday." My voice faltered on his name.

She understood. "Ah, I see…you know, I heard he was getting much better. He's beginning to heal, I think… Now, it's your turn."

I looked up at her and nodded after a moment. I know she hears me scream through my nightmares when she comes into the house to make breakfast in the early light of the day. And I am extremely thankful that she doesn't mention it. Sae sighed and made her way towards the door, gently patting my shoulder on the way.

Another day ahead of me. I slowly trudged up to my room and peeled off my clothes, stepping into the shower. As the water skimmed down my back, I thought of Peeta. Had I hurt him too much that even without the hi-jacking, he would have hated me? I wanted more than anything in this moment to be his friend again, to be wrapped up in his muscular arms, to inhale the sweet smell of his skin; cinnamon and flour.

After my shower, I slipped into my regular hunting outfit and grabbed my bow, leaving the house and leisurely making my way into town. I tried as hard as I could to focus on the beautiful warm day around me. I listened to the birds and skimmed my hand through the tall grass on the side of the road. The air was clean and light as I entered the deep woods. Once again, I felt at home and peaceful. The sweet smell of pine relaxed my senses. I climbed into a high tree and sat comfortably, waiting for an animal to come along.

I waited for about an hour before deciding to move further into the woods. When I could see the pond, I found a tree and perched once again. This time I didn't have to wait as long before a turkey came poking into my view. I smiled thinking of how Sae would love to have this turkey. I shifted my weight so I could raise my bow and aim at the turkey. Stretch, aim, exhale…release. The arrow pierced the turkey through its neck, causing it to collapse but not fully die.

I cursed silently and maneuvered my way down from the branch as quickly as I could. The turkey was twitching on the ground, gurgling. I bent down by it and quickly sliced its neck with my hunting knife, killing it finally.

As I walked through the woods looking for more game, my eye caught something that made my heart wrench. Resting delicately in the sunshine, a group of blue primroses stared back at me. I gingerly made my towards the flowers, setting the turkey down and crouching to stroke the silky petal of one flower. A few silent tears fell from my cheek before I lay on the ground, sobbing.

I miss her so much. I thought of the day our lives changed, the reaping of the 74th Hunger Games. I told her she wouldn't get called. Her name was only in the big glass bowl once…she wouldn't get called. I had never been so wrong in my life.

The sun was just past the middle of the sky and the turkey was heavy as I carried it back into town, my body was drenched in sweat, the hot day not helping. Greasy Sae looked up with wide eyes when she saw the bird hanging over my shoulder as I entered the run down building that was to serve as the Hob until a new building was built. The Hob was slowly becoming more of a restaurant than a place to trade.

"Katniss!" Sae grinned when I set the bird on her counter. "Did you get this hunk of meat just for me?"

I almost laughed, smiling slightly. "Yea, if you want it."

People were beginning to stare, sitting at their small tables, murmuring to each other about me no doubt.

"I would love it." She grabbed the bird and began to inspect it. "This will make one good stew. Thanks Katniss."

"Anytime, Sae." I said and made my way towards the door.

"Katniss!" I heard Sae call. I turned around to listen. "When I get this turkey all cooked, I will bring you a bowl of the stew. Sound good?"

The corner of my lip turned up into a small smile. I was backing out of the door, not watching behind me. "That sounds grea-" I lost my breath when I backed into something roughly and heard a crash.

The room went silent. I spun around to see a blonde head, bent down picking up a stack of wooden crates. "I'm sorry, I didn't see you…these were blocking my view." His velvet voice murmured as he gathered the crates and set them aside. Finally, he looked at me. His beautiful blue eyes only a feet away.

We stood there silently, staring at each other, both of our mouths slightly open. "Katniss," Peeta breathed. "I- I'm sorry."

Extremely aware of the fact that we were closer than we had been in almost three months, I shook my head rapidly after a moment, clearing my throat. "It- It's okay, I wasn't watching. I should…I should have been paying attention." I murmured.

Peeta swallowed hard, nodded once. " Don't worry about it….Well, I better get going." He picked up the boxes and breezed past me without another word. I exhaled deeply and swiftly walked out the door, trying to push the look of Peeta's tense posture, white knuckles and clenched jaw out of my head.

That night, I awoke screaming and thrashing. Still believing that Peeta was getting tortured in front of me…another nightmare.

I lay in bed after I had calmed down and thought of Peeta. I needed to see him, to make sure he was okay. I kept telling myself that it was because I owed him that, but deep down I knew that wasn't the only reason. I wanted to see him, I could not stay away from him.

So the next morning, I climbed out of my bed and trekked to the kitchen, bidding a good morning to Sae and taking a few bites of eggs and a slice of Peeta's banana bread.

I didn't waste anytime getting ready. I quickly took a shower and changed into a pair of khaki capris and a white v-neck t-shirt. A pair of sandals I found were slipped onto my feet and I loosely braided my hair down my back. I decided not to go hunting today, for I had a better idea.

The whole way into town, my stomach had turned and twisted. It took all my courage to slowly twist the knob on the wooden door and step into the warm air that smelled of fresh bread dough and sugar.

I stood at the door, although knowing he had noticed me. He was kneading a big lump of dough, the muscles in his arms were smooth and very distracting.

After a minute or two, he spoke. "You can come in."

I cleared my throat. "I- I didn't want to bother you." I rubbed my arm, feeling like I was in the way.

Finally he looked up, his eyes soft. "You won't."

He continued to work as I sat watching him. He deftly kneaded all sorts of dough and frosted buttery cookies. I was focused on his capable hands delicately frosting a cookie when I noticed him looking at me. He must have said something.

"Uh…what did you say?" I smiled a small apologetic smile.

My heart warmed to see him smile slightly as well and I told myself it was because that meant he was beginning to heal. "I asked you if you wanted a cookie."

"Oh." I murmured. "Um, yes please. A small one." I didn't have much of an appetite, but I couldn't refuse his offer. He reached out to me, a cookie with yellow frosting in his hand. I took it, our skin brushed and I pretended not to be effected by it. I could tell he was, his eyes glassed over a fraction when my fingers met his palm.

The glassiness was gone and he shifted those eyes back to his work.

A few hours passed as we sat in comfortable silence, him working and me watching intently. He was mixing some sort of batter when a metal bowl fell to the floor, it's contents flying across the floor and the loud clatter ringing through the bakery.

"Oh Peeta," I said soothingly after I had jumped. "I will help you…" My voice trailed off when I noticed him gripping the counter, his entire body was tense, his eyes were dark and glassed over to the point that they looked fake. "Peeta?" I whispered, cautiously stepping towards him. I rested a hand on his shoulder, hoping his flashback would pass.

He cringed at my touch. "Katniss…" he gasped.

"Yes?"

"I think you should go."

My hand left his shoulder slowly. My eyes began to sting. "Oh…" I croaked. "Okay." I quickly walked away, feeling helpless. As I shut the door behind me, I saw his grip on the counter gradually relax.

When I got home, I sank to the ground, crying into my hands.

A/N: Well? The first chapters are kind of short, but as I get better ideas they will begin to lengthen. Thanks so much for reading! Stay tuned for the next update.

xo

Hyper Maiden