A/N: So have I kept you guys wiating long enough? I know, I'm terrible, I just had awful writer's block, but maybe if I get more reviews I will update faster (hint, hint)!
As soon as I see the look on Zela's face, I know something is seriously wrong, and a million possibilities begin racing through my mind. "Zela, what's wrong?" For a second she just stands there, sobbing, before she blurts out,"It's Stark." Stark is my older brother who works in the mines. I wonder what trouble he's gotten himself into today. Probably something pretty bad, by the look on Zela's face. She also has a bit of a crush on Stark, but she'd kill me if I told him that. "Cala...he was caught stealing from the bakery. He's going to be executed." I gasp as tears begin running down my face. Seeing this, Peeta runs over to see why we are crying. "My b-brother," I begin, "H-he stole from your family's bakery. He is going to be executed." Now not only was I going to lose my brother, but I am also going to lose Peeta, not that I ever had him in the first place. Surely he wouldn't want a girl whose family steals from him and his family. He looks into my eyes, seeing the pain there. He looks thoughtful for a moment, before grabbing my hand and pulling me along behind him. "Where are we going?" Zela asks, running behind us. "To the bakery, to put a stop to this madness," Peeta answers, a hard look on his face, one that doesn't suit his features, a look you wouldn't expect to see there, almost a look of hate. Hate! He must hate me!
After a few minutes we arrive at the bakery. Outside there are two peacekeepers holding Stark, along with Peeta's very angry mother and a small crowd gathered around to watch the commotion. Peeta runs over to where the peacekeepers and his mother are standing. "What do you think you're doing?" he demands, with a fierceness nobody could guess he was capable of. The peacekeepers, usually more lenient in 12, are all business today. "We were informed by your mother of a theft by this young man. The typical punishment is a whipping, but she claims that he's stolen before, which would make this a repeat offense. The punishment for a repeat offense is execution by firing squad." Now Peeta turns to his mother, clearly angered further by the Peacekeepers' response. "Why would you have him executed? Do you know how many people in the district die of starvation? What would it matter for him to take a little bread to save a life? And now instead of helping someone save a life, you've ruined the lives of several people. How could you?" Disgusted, Peeta turns away from his shocked mother, who clearly never expected such an outburst from him. He takes a second to compose himself, returning to his normal self, back to the Peeta everybody loves, the charming Peeta who's good with words. "Can't you see this is all just a big misunderstanding? I'm sure this young man didn't intentionally steal, and I'm also sure he isn't a repeat offender. Can't you let him go with a warning?" The Peacekeeper who appears to be in charge looks thoughtful for a moment, before responding, "I suppose, as long as he agrees to stay away from the bakery...". Peeta smiles and shakes the hand of each of the Peacekeepers, after they release Stark. Peeta's irritated mother stomps inside, defeated, and I rush over to Peeta while Zela goes to check on Stark.
"Peeta! You don't hate me!" I say, earning a puzzled look. He looks at me softly, as if I am as delicate as the flower I bear the name of. "I could never hate you Cala," he whispers, taking my hands in his. "In fact...I think I love you."
A/N: I know, I know, too short...but listen guys, I promise the next chapter will be longer, ESPECIALLY if I get some good reviews (hint, hint)!