Could this be really happening? Is Peeta really trying to to…I don't even know what to call this; this thing that both of us seem to be doing and I can't even name.

I go inside the house, the basket of cheese buns in my hand, and sit at the kitchen table. It's funny, how bread seems to be a recurring thing between Peeta and me. Back then, that bread he gave me saved my life, kept me alive, and I knew we would survive. Today, this bread…this bread means there's hope, we can move on.

I feel a knot in my throat. Tears prickle my eyes, but they're not sad tears. I smile. The smile gets wider and wider and I begin to laugh. I laugh and cry at the same time. "We'll get over this, we will find our way back."

I get up from the table and wipe my tears, the smile is still on my face as I look for the kettle and start boiling water. "These special cheese buns deserve a special tea" I laugh at how lame it sounds, but I'm happy; happier than I've ever been in a long time. I can be as lame as I want.

The cheese buns taste amazing, even better than I remember. I keep the rest inside the basket and go upstairs to take a shower.

To my surprise, my great mood affects that too; I shave my legs, wash my hair and even I use that hideous Capitol machine to dry my hair, letting it fall down my back in soft waves.

The dresses inside my closet don't look that dreadful anymore, not that I prefer them over pants and shirts, but I am happy enough to tolerate them until I get around buying some clothes I actually like. It's not like I have any other option.

On the other hand, the dress options are infinite, or at least it looks that way. I move the hangers around, looking for something comfortable and plain. I keep looking until, way to the back, hidden behind what seems like miles and miles of fabric in every color imaginable, there is a dress that catches my attention.

I take it out and examine it. The garment is plain enough; sleeveless, round neckline, and a full skirt that probably hits above the knee. I turn it around and see the open back; not as plain as I thought. I smile at this, I should've have guessed; Cinna never did plain. However, none of these details, as much as I notice them, get my attention. It is the color what makes me gravitate towards it; soft orange, the color of sunset.

I've looked inside this closet many times before and never noticed this dress. Maybe I wasn't supposed to find it until today. Maybe the dress found me because, somehow, it knows it was the right time to find me. Before, I would just have seen a piece of orange fabric in a hanger. But today, reflected on that soft orange, I can see a pair of blue eyes and the arms that make me feel safe at night. I see a painter, a baker, a boy who likes to sleep with the windows open and never takes sugar with his tea. I see Peeta.

And this is just from a dress. I wonder what will happen when I finally see Peeta face to face.

It's funny how things work; the way everything falls into place once you let yourself go. Once you close your eyes and stop swimming against the current.

The leather flats I've been wearing lately complete the outfit. Somehow, I end up dressing up more than I wanted to, but at least everything feels comfortable.

I look at myself at the mirror and remember the dress I wore for my birthday dinner; the hatred I felt towards myself. I smile, no longer feeling like a joke in a dress. This is me, too; what I wear doesn't change who I am. "But you have changed." I tell myself. And it's true, I have changed, but that doesn't bother me either. I needed to change in order to move on; that much I have learned.

Someone knocks at the door. My whole body is aware of this; that someone could be Peeta. Actually, it could be anyone, but I know Peeta will be here today. I can feel it.

I take a deep breath and go downstairs.

There's another knock and I feel a little nervous. I walk faster and open the door; It's not Peeta. I feel a little bit relieved.

"Hello girl. I brought you food." Says Greasy Sae as she hands me a couple of bowls. "I'm late!"

"Late for what? Are you leaving already?" I ask.

"Yes! I have to be in town." She says this as if I was supposed to know it.

"What's the rush? What's so important?"

She sighs. "The Town Board meeting! I'm a member of the Town Board and we have a meeting in a couple of minutes. We're preparing everything for the Naming Ceremony."

I frown "the what?" I ask confused. I didn't even know there was a Town Board, but I don't mention this to her.

Sae rolls her eyes "Katniss, you really need to get out more. The Naming Ceremony! I think I told you before. District 12 is getting a new name. The people submitted names to the Town Board and we voted. We'll reveal the name in two days, it's a big deal! Afterwards we're having a big celebration with food and music." She says smiling.

"We need an excuse to try to be happy, don't you think?" She pinches my cheek and I smile.

"I bet it will be great." She smiles back and starts walking away.

"You'll be there, right? Sae asks.

I twist my mouth. "I don't think so. Parties are not my thing."

She points a finger at me "You need to get out more! And I don't mean to Peeta's house!"

My jaw drops. "Sae!" I yell annoyed as my cheeks burn with embarrassment. I close the door and put the bowls on the counter. I'm not really hungry right now, but I grab the basket of cheese buns anyway and take one. These are irresistible.

Since I'm all alone, I stuff half of it in my mouth and try to chew it, but the chunk is too big.

There's another knock on the door and I immediately assume it's Greasy Sae again. Maybe she forgot to tell me something.

I walk to the door, my mouth still wrestling with the piece of cheese bun, and open it.

I almost choke on it.

It's not greasy Sae. It's Peeta and his gorgeous smile.

My eyes water and I cough violently, the food stuck in my throat. Peeta's smile vanishes and it's replaced by concern.

"Are you ok? Do you want some water?" he asks.

I nod. He comes in and walks straight to the kitchen. The coughs keep coming and so do the tears. I notice my game bag, now placed on the table. "Greasy's trick worked!" I think.

Peeta hands me a glass of water and I drink it desperately. Water runs down my chin and I'm mortified. "Oh come on!" I scream in my head, as I wipe the water with the back of my hand.

As if choking on a piece of bread in front of him wasn't embarrassing enough.

The water does the trick. "Better?" Peeta asks.

I clear my throat "Yes, thanks" I give him a small smile and place the glass on the table.

"So…did you like them? Even though you were almost get killed by one?"

"Huh?" I respond eloquently.

Peeta smiles and points to the other half of cheese bun, still clutched in my hand. "Really?" This is NOT the kind of encounter I had in mind.

I giggle and the sound alone makes me livid "What are you giggling about?," but I control myself.

"Yes, I liked them. They are delicious, even if they are deadly. Thanks by the way." I say.

My eyes look directly as his, but his stare is too intense, so I lower my eyes and focus on his mouth instead.

Peeta smiles again, a little wider this time, and I feel my body tingle from head to toe.

"Thank you for the squirrels. That's why I came over, by the way. I figured you don't hate me anymore."

I roll my eyes. "You are so dramatic. I never hated it you Peeta." I say feeling more comfortable now. God I missed this so much, this thing between us, whatever it is.

"I'm really sorry Katniss. I…"

"I'm sorry too Peeta." I say before he has time to finish.

Silence. I can feel the air getting stuffy and fear things will get too emotional; that's not how I want to start things with Peeta.

"We don't need to talk about what happened. Let's just start fresh." I say, trying to lighten the mood.

Peeta frowns. "Are you sure? You really don't want to talk about…"

"I don't. Really." I say and smile, trying to convince Peeta.

He shrugs. "I'll do whatever you want. So truce?"

I raise my eyebrows. "Truce? We can do a lot better than that." I say, and notice Peeta's eyes getting wider.

"What did you say? He looks scared! Fix it! Fix it!"

"I…I mean we're friends Peeta. There's no need for a truce between us. I'm sorry for everything that happened and I really want to be your friend." I say hoping this fixes whatever I managed to do before.

Peeta blinks fast. "Oh…sure! Of course we are friends! Sure I mean…I was just joking. Of course we are friends." He says looking nervous.

There's silence between us again, and it seems neither of us knows what to do or what to say next. I look over to the counter and notice Greasy Sae's bowls.

"Would you like to stay for supper? Sae brought food and she always brings a lot. There's more than enough for both of us." I say surprised at my own idea.

"Ahh I can't, I really can't. I was in town earlier and got invited to participate in the preparations for the Naming Ceremony. There's a meeting today, actually, I think it already started."

"I think it did. Sae was in a hurry to get there. If you go now you'll probably catch the rest." I say, not really wanting him to go, but I don't want him to miss it either.

Peeta smiles "I'm leaving, but only because I really want to be involved with the preparations. I wish I'd known sooner. You are going, right? It's in two days."

"Um to the Naming Ceremony? Sure! I'll be there. Of course I'll go."

"I think we should go together." Peeta says.

His suggestion takes me by surprise, but I try to hide it as much as I can.

"We should, definitely."

"I guess we'll start doing more friends stuff now, huh?" He says enthusiastically.

"Yeah, that's what friends do." I say I little more eager than I intended to.

"Can I come over tomorrow? Maybe I can have breakfast with you again. I mean, if you don't mind." Peeta says sheepishly.

"I don't mind at all."

Peeta looks into my eyes. "I've missed you. A lot."

His words leave me frozen, but I need to say something. Fast.

"I've missed you too Peeta." "Whoa!"

And once again we stay there, not saying a word; staring at each other and waiting for the other to say something.

Luckily for me, Peeta remembers his meeting. "I really, really have to go, but I'll be over tomorrow."

"I can't wait." I say with I smile, because really, I can't wait.

I walk Peeta to the door. He stops, just outside the door and turns back, facing me.

"I need to say something, but I'm totally saying this as a friend." There's a hint of nervousness in Peeta's voice as he says this, but he hides it well.

I frown "Ok"

"That dress…looks amazing on you. I know it was made for you, but wow. It was made for you." He chuckles and I feel my ears getting hot.

"You look beautiful and the color! It's the"

"It's the color of sunset." I interrupt.

"Yes. It's my favorite color." He says with a smile.

"I know." I look at him, and this time, I don't flinch away. "That's what I thought when I found it in the closet."

"You thought about me when you saw that dress?" Peeta asks serious.

"Yes. I thought about you." I say surprised at my own boldness. "God I want to kiss him so bad" I think, but I restrain myself. I promised I would take this slow, and that's what I'll do. "Damn it!"

"Have fun at your meeting, or what's left of it."

Peeta covers his face with his hand. "I'll be lucky if they still want my help." He exhales. "See you tomorrow then?"

"See you tomorrow." I say, as I watch Peeta walk away.

I hoped you enjoyed this chapter, it was fun to write! I started writing Peeta's POV, but haven't have time to finish it. I may upload it as a new chapter during the weekend. Once again, a million thanks for reviewing the story. I really really appreciate the feedback. Thanks for adding the story to your favorites and for all the alerts. What should be District 12's new name? I'm having a hard time coming up with one lol.

I listened over and over to The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice while I was writing this chapter. If I can figure out how to do it, I'll post some links in my profile to some inspiration pics ;)

See you soon!