DISCLAIMER: I OWN NONE OF THE CHARACTERS.

-two years later-

A cozy flat in Cambridge, Massachusetts had been the place I call home for the last two years. I still remember the look of shock on my mother's face when I told her I will be attending Harvard. So you didn't waste that brain of yours in high school then she remarked. If only she knew. I decided that I needed to change my life altogether, especially after being such a recluse in high school. The sex and the friendlessness really did a number on me. The only thing that didn't change is the amount of cigarettes I smoke and the boxes and lean cuisine I consume. I decided to stay away from men here in Harvard. Most of them are too peppy for me anyways, not really the rugged artists that I crave for.

Gale was very mad when I told him that I was leaving. Actually, mad could not even begin to describe the rage in him that day. Just like that? He said. I knew he was possessive and spiteful more often than not, I can see in his eyes that he wants to scream at me, maybe even hurt me, but he looked at the ground instead and quietly said Harvard huh? I nodded. He kissed my forehead goodbye, probably the most endearing gesture that I have ever received from him, and walked back to the resto's back door. I never heard from him again.

I won't lie, I cringe whenever I think about what I did in high school. Those were the years when I didn't have to pound my head with neuroscience terms, I can't believe I didn't try to establish a continuous social life. I didn't have friends. Now that I think about it, the only reason I even went out in high school was because the person I was dating at that point chose to drag me along. But I was usually alone during those parties. Like Finnick's house parties, he would leave me alone to go smoke pot or take ecstasy somewhere else. Cato did take me to his band practice, but they all had inside jokes I couldn't understand so I was also a bystander there. Gale barely took me out. He was always too busy.

Those men monopolized my life with sex and fauxmance. I can't believe I bought it. But that was fun, though it damaged my view of men, I think I had fun sleeping and frolicking with those men. The only fun I get now is hardly fun at all, binge smoking menthols with a bottle of wine and chocolate cake in my flat every Saturday night because Saturday nights are the only nights when I'm sure that nothing will be due the next day because believe it or not, Harvard professors do rest on Sundays. I've decided to focus all my attention on studying now. That medical degree I want won't work for itself. Men can wait, I think I've had my fill in high school. I've had my taste of varying artists. It's time for this fire to retire, at least for a while, as long as Mr. Silver Bullet exists then I think my nights would be pleasurable.

But I won't dismiss the fact that sometimes I do miss Gale's handcuffs. Those rounds upon rounds of fucking that left me breathless with a sore bottom. Or Cato's cock deep inside my mouth, his cum steadily dripping down my throat. UGH! Kat, hold yourself together. No matter how great the sex was, those men used you. Period. That was precisely what was on my head when I bumped into someone, causing all my notes to fly all over the ground. Stupid Kat! Stop fantasizing about past men, be content with Mr. Silver Bullet. Right.

I collected my notes with a little help from the person liable for my neurobio notes to be one with the wind. Sorry Miss, here you g- I was met with crystal blue eyes. Eyes that I've seen before, watching me from afar. Katniss. There he goes again, using my full name. Your hair color, it changed. He said. I decided to go blonde when before I moved to Harvard that summer. I figured a new state needed a new hair. I've been maintaining the strawberry blonde locks since then. Peeta. I said. I really don't know how to continue. There's this awkward feeling between us, at least on my part. Maybe because I know he knows about my past, about all the things I ran away from. Want to grab some Joe? I suggested. Why not. Maybe it's time I confront my own feelings about how stupid I was back then.

Peeta and I ended up in the nearest Starbucks. I didn't know you go to Harvard. I began, hoping to break this awkwardness between us.

I don't he said. I raised an eyebrow. I'm picking up someone, I actually go to Le Cordon Bleu. We were supposed to meet at the Square but..

Damn! I should've asked him first if he had any plans before asking him to grab coffee with me! How inconsiderate Kat. Really Kat. Really. It could have been his girlfriend he's picking up! Two years with no men and this is how I turn into. Just because I can't have a proper man doesn't mean I should ruin men for other women. Plus I still don't know why I invited Peeta here...

Katniss? Peeta said. You okay?

Yeah, uhm..Peeta if you have to go with your *ehem* friend I totally under-

Katniss it's okay, I see him every night, we're roommates you see. Ah. Roomates. Katniss?

You know you can just call me Kat. Why does he insist on using my full name?

But I like how it rolls off my tongue- and at that moment, I swear Peeta's whole face turned red. I didn't know how to reply, quite frankly, but I find him kind of cute. Maybe...I can...Just a little?

Author's Note: Yes I will continue writing! YES! YES! YES!