Disclaimer: I still don't own any part of the Hunger Games and that's not going to change :)
CHAPTER 3: RECALL.
It's been almost two weeks since I saw Peeta by my place. Not since I finally told him how I felt. He seemed to accept my feelings but maybe it isn't something he should be dealing with now or at all for that matter. All I ever do is seem to complicate situations. My mother was only seeing my father for extra food; He was already married with a family. They live on the other side of the District so I have no contact with my father at all. After I happened he refused to see my mother. For all I care I've seen them and not even known who he was. Peeta is different though; he probably is really busy with adjusting to his new life. It's all I see on the screens.
Their victory in the 74th Hunger Games and the key moments of the games, they also tend to show the lead up, from the Tribute Parade right up to the interviews. I missed the special show where they showed scenes during the tribute training sessions. They often have a lot of photoshoots together, boy do they look like a wonderful couple, its not just the amazing outfits the capitol provides, I mean it helps but I can see he really does love Katniss Everdeen and she… she needs him to survive the aftermath of the games. Even though I know that I need Peeta too.
It all started at the Tribute Parade… I don't know what they have been talking about but I could already see her begin to trust him, heck by the way he talks who wouldn't trust him. He showed the entire nation something they had never seen before. Tributes raising their hands in unison but for some strange reason those flames burned me, it was them two together and at the time I was almost certain one of them or neither of them would be coming home. I was likely never to see Peeta again.
I thought the interviews were something to see after all it was the first time I would get the chance to hear Peeta since we first spoke. I was proud of his score of 8, I'd wondered what he had showed them but I knew he was strong. He'd help me across the path to the dam and clear paths and perhaps all those years of moving sacks of flour paid off. I didn't pay much attention to the other tributes though I feared one of them would be the one to take my Peeta's life. Moment's later Katniss appears on stage and my jaw nearly drops, her dress was breath taking, Red with jewels to simulate sparks of the flame and I knew Peeta noticed her beauty long before the Capitol had this chance to ignite a flame that burned so bright that every nation could see her. There was no competition now; I'm just ordinary, from District 12 no more. She began to spin and fire spiraled around her such as they did at the parade it was a sight to see and then she spoke of her willingness to fight and to win for her sister… she also had reason to come back home. Perhaps Peeta would choose to let her do so.
Last but not least, the person I'd been dying to hear and see again makes his way to the stage – Peeta. He was his usual funny self, making jokes with Caesar; people would be foolish not to like him for that. This was interesting…
"Peeta, tell me is there a special girl at home?"
"No" It burned.
"Handsome boy like you, Peeta… tell me" Caesar insists.
"Well there is one girl…." I had hoped but I knew who he was going to talk about but silly me… why would I hope he would ever when I knew well He loved her.
"But I don't think she recognized me until the reaping…"
"Tell you what, you go out there, and you win this thing and when you get back, she'll have to go out with you! Am I right folks?" Caesar breaks out into laughter as he believes he has matched Peeta with his dream girl but We both knew that wasn't the case.
"I don't think winning is going to be in my favor because she came here with me."
His answer struck like knives… it was cement even though I already knew but it was public knowledge now… not just a secret he kept with me, where was it going to go from there? How would Katniss react? Will she return his feelings? He would have never said anything about me as much as I would have wanted him to but I don't even know if he thought of me… he was with Katniss this whole time. While it lasts… this might be the best time of his life.
During the games I was concerned that Peeta decided to side with the careers and make it seem like he would hunt her down, but it did become apparent that he was willing to do anything to ensure he could keep an eye on her while she was still alive. If I were in the games to take her place if I had known he would have been reaped would Peeta say he loves me in order to protect me?
After Katniss dropped the Tracker Jacker nest and Peeta ran to her rescue in telling her to flee, I saw him pay for the weight of his actions and get his leg sliced deep. For days on end I could only see him suffer as he masked himself and hope not to hear a cannon and see his face in the sky. Katniss discovered Peeta soon after hearing that two tributes could return home as victors… finally some hope, that if Katniss could win the games with him… I could see Peeta again and then I could tell him how I felt. She nursed him in that cave and I could see them getting along. Peeta despite his ever-worsening condition would joke and tell her stories to bring them together. It was going to happen sooner or later, he had her. Was Katniss finally starting to fall for him? They kissed. I refused to count how many times but every time they did it stung, it burned. I still wanted him to come home, I was hoping she would retrieve the package from the feast so that some hope he could be healed. The next day and after plenty of close calls… Peeta looked healthy again, well fed, handsome, perhaps happier as they embraced and kissed at the hope that they would both come back home.
I don't know if Peeta meant it but he gave me plenty of heart attacks – as well as Katniss – nearing the finale of the games. The nightlock and the final confrontation with the tribute they called "Cato." When Katniss suggested they both eat the berries I could not breathe and I was only saved by the declaration of their victory. I couldn't however wait till they get home till the conclusion of their final interview. I stared at Katniss, beautiful, as she was, happy, holding Peeta's hand, professing her love for him and him to her. I had to know if this was real… but it sure seemed like it was.
"Ashe? ASHE?" Mother summons me back to reality from my constant thinking about the Hunger Games. "Will you quit sitting around and find us a decent meal? Collect your tesserae for the month, bout the only thing you are good for is doubling your take since Peeta no longer drops by with bread!"
"Mom, leave Peeta out of this… I'll go get it"
"Shouldn't have scared Peeta off that last time too! Selfish of you just to tell him how you feel and now you are just sitting around crying and waiting for him to notice you and come back!" She sounds more aggravated today… I've heard it all too many times and I'm starting to think it is true, what she says. "He won't come back, he has what he deserves and there's nothing you can do!"
I look at my mom, I don't have anything to say and I'm not angry as I leave, I have to work to make her happy, maybe in time she will come around, I have to think that maybe what she has been through has made her that way. It's cold now in District 12 and luckily I'm wrapped decently because we know how to knit but I'm not nearly as warm as Katniss Everdeen I imagine. I walk passed the baker on my way to the Justice Building via the Hob. I wonder, if my father is well off enough during this time but at least they have a family… a proper one, maybe some friends to go with. I'm walking wrapping my arms around myself trying to keep warm as I approach the collection center. From a distance I see a well-dressed Katniss Everdeen walk out of the Justice Building, who knows what she was doing there but she looked very well off, my eyes simply follow as she gracefully strides through the square to meet someone. She greets someone with an embrace and it seems as though that embrace is extended and met with a kiss and then it hits me. It's Peeta!
I'm hesitant to approach them and ruin the moment but they seem to be having some sort of a talk. After seconds of standing completely still and forgetting my reasons for being in the area I find myself slowly walking in their direction and she notices me. Her gaze shifts several times from me to Peeta as he unknowingly talks to her as I approach. I'm several meters away when he realized I have Katniss' attention and he turns around and sees me. I give a light wave pretending I have other business here but honestly I am not thinking of anything but a chance to have some peace with a few minutes with Peeta or well the two of them.
"You must be Ashe!" Katniss greets as Peeta returns my gesture and I'm now in their presence.
"Yeah" I chuckle to avoid them reading through my "I'm doing okay" face. "Wow I feel so underdressed next to you… it's such a nice and simple jacket and pants you are wearing but looking at that scarf of yours you are warm" I almost trail off admiring her outfit and turning to Peeta and gesturing that He too was well equipped for this cold. I could only imagine what it would be like to be so well off, I could get used to it… especially if I had Peeta with me. I let out another little laugh. "Sorry, It's just I'm not used to this, what brings you both here?" I awkwardly try to change the subject.
"Oh I just had a meeting with Effie regarding the Victory tour whilst Peeta get ingredients for dinner." Katniss answers.
"And I won't tell her what she is getting later, just like when I would surprise you, what are you doing here anyway?" Peeta lightly asks with his smile. I'm caught off guard by how relaxed they both seem to be and they seem to be getting along just fine and I'm also not sure of what I'm going to say.
"Ah well… ah" This is really awkward as I can see that they both seem interested that I'd be around. "I was out to get more candles, grain and oil" I mention quite embarrassed I might be going red "Victory Tour? Wow… sound's grand this time right? Anyways It was nice seeing you Peeta and meeting you Katniss" I gently take her hand to shake it. "I have to be home soon, you know how Mom is Peeta" I joke. Truth be told I might as well get out of there before I start talking nonsense, I'm so nervous. I stand there looking at Peeta, I don't know if I can hug him, I want to… I can feel my body ache for an embrace but I decide to just wave but He takes me closer and gives me a short embrace and it feels so warm. So good and for the split second peaceful and I look at Katniss as she observes me and I blush but it' is too cold to notice. I give a short smile and gesture that I'll be off. We say some small farewell and I wish them luck on the Victory Tour. As I walk off with them behind me I tell myself to keep walking and not look back. I can't help but feel their gaze on me and as it persisted I take a second to look back and I notice a concerned look on his face as he talks to Katniss about something in audible to me and I can't be sure but I could swear I saw pity in her eyes.
I continue to walk on and only one-thought plagues my mind, Peeta will be out of town again and televised. I will have to watch them together much like today, again. If it was possible I wish they hadn't noticed me, I feel so embarrassed and lesser than I did when I walked out. I would have been fine just seeing them from a distance… I'm burning so much that it might as well be enough to keep me warm. I turn back one more time, he has his arm around her as they leave the square and I can only stare as I desire having my companion with me once more.
"Victory Tour… how lucky…?"
Well that took longer to get out than I expected, I hope you liked this one... I really want to try getting these up faster but I'm almost up to the event's of Catching Fire and IMO the better part of what I have in mind. Feel free to leave a comment/review tell me how you think it's going!