I feel like I've been shot. Hot angry tears well in my eyes. I hear Annie, Finn, Jo and Peeta inhale sharply.

I think of a way out, any way out.

"No." I whisper.

"Katniss." Haymidxh syands up.

"Hell no!" My voice went from a whisper to a shout. "No." I start shaking my head like crazy. "You can't control who I marry. I won't let you, I'll, I'll run away or something!" I start backing up with tears pouring down my cheeks like a cert leaky faucet. "I won't, I refuse-"

"Katniss," Haymitch begins.

"No! You leave me alone!" I trip and start to fall, but Peeta puts his arms under my pits and lifts me back up. "I refuse to marry a stranger!"

Haymitch sighs. "You won't be marry a stranger."

"I don't want- I don't want..." I break into hysterics and bury my head in my hands.

My knees give in and I lay down on the floor and just cry.

I know Peeta can't stand it when I cry. He sits down next to me and grabs my waist. He crosses his legs and pulls me into his lap. I don't really think he gives a shit that everyone's watching. He runs his fingers soothingly through my hair. I bury my head in his shoulder.

"I-I-I-"

"Deep breaths." He whispers. "Calm down. Take deep breaths."

"I-I-I'm g-gonna ch-cheat!"

"No you won't." Haymitxh says. "Your not have an arranged marriage."

"What? Yes she is. It's family rules."

"I don't give a shit if it's 'family rules,' Lillian. You've been making the rules for our daughter all her damn life and I want a say. I've waited long enough. She's my daughter and she's not having an arranged marriage."

"Haymitch, you can't just decide-"

"I just did." He hisses. "Stop telling me what to do. She's my kid too."

"S-so I can m-marry how I w-w-w-w-w-"

"Katniss," Peeta whispers. "You are going to make yourself sick. Deeps breaths." I wins my arms around him and squish myself as close as I can without killing him.

"God Brainless, you need some

Ducking alcohol. I've never seen you cry like this."

"Me either." Peeta whispers.

"I c-can marry who I w-want?"

"No." Mom says.

"Yes." Haymitch looks at Lillian.

"But-"

"Fike, you want it arranged?" He snaps at Lillian. "Marry the boy. That's what is going to happen anyways, right boy?"

I can feel Peeta stop breathing and his grip on me tighten. "I hope so. It's not up to me."

"Well she's marrying you." He says.

"That's not really arranged." Mom mutters.

"Well get over it." He says. I feel tired all of the sudden.

...8...

Everyone is gone. They all left. I want so desperately to sleep but Johanna is giving me major shit because I've never had alcohol. "Well you are going to have to get over it." I snap.

"Am I the only one seeing something wrong with this?"

"I don't like alcohol!"

"Why not? You've never tried it!"

"Johanna." Peeta says. "Would you just back off? She doesn't have to try it."

"She needs to."

"Well I don't want it!"

"But-" my phone cuts us off.

"It's Josh." Peeta grumbles. He doesn't like him because he said that he's not a good person. I know it's actually because he thinks Josh is going to try and take me on or something.

I hesitate before answering. "Yeah?" I ask.

"Listen," he sighs. He sounds stressed and tired. Everyone is quiet in the room so they can hear him. "I know you are with Peeta, alright? I know you've know him longer and all that, but I'm sort of in love with you, so you should give me a chance."

I pull the phone away from my ear and stare at it. Everyone is watching me, wide eyed. Peeta looks pissed.

He reaches for my phone and I smack his hand.

"Josh..." I bite my lip. "You know it's Katniss, right?"

"I know who I'm talking to. I've got your number memorized. I'm in love with you. Please just give me a chance?"

I actually laugh. "No."

"Why not? You've never even had sex with Oeeta! You told me hems an asshole!"

"I did not! What makes you think I've never had sex with Peeta?"

My whiskey sitting on the table abandoned looks extremely tempting all of the sudden.

"Because you told me so!"

"No I didn't! Josh stop being this way. I'm not into anyone that way...except for Peeta."

"I hate him." He says.

"Who? Peeta?" I ask. I stand up and snatch the bottle of whiskey. Johanna let's out a quiet cheer when I pop the top off and take a long swing and wince as it goes down.

It feels good, and I actually look to see what flavor it is. It doesn't say.

"Yes Peeta! He's a fucking asshole! I want to marry you! Katniss, marry me?"

I take a long swing before answering, and them I finish the entire bottle. I've had one bottle of whiskey and it's already making me feel calm, like anything and everything funny. "Fuck no." I hang up. Nobody says anything. "Do we have any more of these?"