You Are The Only Exception

(Chapter 5)

Peeta took me home from our little adventure in the woods. We just held hands and talked. I learned a lot about him. He never takes sugar in his tea, he double knots his shoe lace, and he sleeps with his window open. He also grew up in Distrct 4, and he loves orange. Sunset orange to be exact. He learned a lot about me too. I don't think we're dating, but I know I love him, and for some reason, I think he loves me too.

I get home and go to my room and plop on my bed, sighing. My dad knocks on my door.

"Hey sleepy head. Get packed." He says and I look up at him.

"What? Why?" I ask, curious.

"You, Madge and Prim are going to District 8 to visit your mother. Oh and you're staying at the Hawthornes for a few days." He says, sighing.

"Oh, okay." I say as he leaves. I grunt and throw a load of wash in the washer. I pull out my duffle bag from the closet and fill it with jeans and a sweater. Two hours later I'm finished packing. I take a shower and brush out my long hair. Once it's all combed out I pull on my pajamas and a sweat shirt since it's absolutely freezing. I fall onto the bed and quickly fall asleep after a wonderful day with blue-eyes.

I wake in the morning to my thirteen year old sister jumping on me to wake up.

"Katniss! Wake up! We're going to see mom today!" She sqeals and I grunt.

"Okay, okay." I sigh. She runs out of the room as I start braiding my hair.

I don't like my mom, at all. Last year she basically took almost everything we had and left us for District 8. She has a boyfriend now, and he's practically the devil himself. I hate him, and my mother. Luckily, my dad had a job at the time, but since we lost income from my mom, I had to get a job to help pay off the debt she left us. I've never forgiven her, and I don't think I will. My dad is a great guy, he loves me and Prim, he works hard, and he is the best father ever. He hardly has time for me, but he still squeezes me into his busy life.

My rich Uncle Haymitch is the most stubborn guy you can ever meet. He is rude, and thoughtless. He drinks a lot too, but his new girlfriend, Effie seems to be helping him with that. My Uncle pays for Prim's private school, since he adores her. Effie pays for my clothes and Prim's too. I don't go shopping hardly ever because I hate it. So pointless to spend lots of money on things you could use around the house. I quit my job because my Uncle gives my dad money all the time now. My Uncle couldn't forgive my mother either for leaving us. So, he doesn't talk to her much, and if it was up to me I wouldn't go visit her. Prim loves my mother, so I have to go for her. Also it would be nice to see Gale, after all, he has been my best friend, and was my first kiss when I was 7.

Once I'm ready, I walk over to Peeta's house. I knock and Mr. Mellark I believe answers it.

"Why hello Katniss. I'm Matthew Mellark, Peeta's father. Shall I get him for you?" He asks after shaking my hand.

"Yes, please." I say with a smile.

He calls for Peeta and has me step inside. Peeta comes around the corner with flour all over his face, hands and hair. I giggle to myself.

"Hey, Kat." Peeta says with his sparkling blue eyes. I smile.

"Hi Peeta. I just wanted you to know I'll be gone for the school holiday, to visit my mother in another District." I say, smiling just as he is.

"Oh, that's wonderful. You'll be missed." He says casually while I'm dying inside.

"Well, thanks. Yeah, you're like my best friend so I wanted to let you know." I say, as he chuckles.

"You're a great friend, thanks for letting me know." He says with a hint of sadness in his eyes. I lean over and poke his cheek.

"You have flour.." I start but he trys to rub it all, smearing it all over his cheek. I laugh as he blushes. "You're making it worse.." I say and gently rub it off. Peeta takes my hand, causing me to freeze. I just stare at him and he leans down and kisses my cheek.

"See you later." He says as I walk out the door. "Have a nice trip."

"Thanks, I will. Bye!" I say as I run back to my house. My Uncle appears minutes later and we drive off. I stuff my headphones in my ears as he drives us to the train station. I blast music in my ears because I'm no where near thrilled to see my mother.

Madge is already waiting for us there so she hugs me when she sees me.

"Katniss! It's great to see you! You never called me!" She whines and I laugh. We board the train and I listen to music while Prim and Madge chat about the visit. Prim was excited to see my mother, while Madge was estatic to see Gale. They've been dating for almost two years. I love them both and I'm excited for them. Madge is a year older than me while Gale is two. Gale is 19, Madge is 18, and I'm 17. I'll be turning 18 in January, while it's November now. I smile at how Prim is giggling in her seat at her phone. I hear she made a new friend from school and she can't stop talking about how amazing of a friend he is. So cute.

Once our long train ride is through, Gale and his little brother Rory are waiting at the station. Madge hops off the train and runs into Gale's arms. Rory hugs Prim and I just stand there, holding the bags that have been dropped. Gale and Madge are kissing like there's no tomorrow when Rory comes over and hugs me. After several minutes of Gale and Madge kissing, Gale turns to me. He runs over to me and picks me up, twiling me around as we hug.

"I've missed you, Catnip!" He shouts and I laugh.

"I've missed you too, Gale."

A/N: Thanks fore reading and reviewing! (: I've never had THIS many followers or reviews so I'm glad you like it! (Sorry for the mistakes if any). This chapter was a bit easier to write for some reason, except it isn't my favorite. Ok, I'm almost done with this note, hang in there... lol.

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-I most certainly do not own The Hunger Games or these amazing characters. Just this story,(which is most likely not original)-