Chapter 1 - The Train

We were on our way back home. I sat in my train compartment alone for the first time in what felt like forever. The last few weeks have been a blur of medicine and people. I had a doctor, nurse, media person, or an Avox with me at all times. I can barely recall all the interviews I gave. I only remember one important thing, that I had to act as if I were madly in love with Peeta. Haymitch had snuck in a hug before I went on my first televised interview and said for my family's safety to act like a love-crazed teen and he'll explain why later when we got back to District 12. He must have told Peeta the same thing because Peeta kept up the act rather well - all of Panem is currently wondering when we'll get engaged. I also haven't been alone with Peeta to talk about this strategy and why we needed to keep going with it now that we've won the Games. Whenever I saw him there's always been someone with us - Effie, our prep teams, Avoxes, interviewers, etc.

I put on a green sweater and walked to the dining car. I saw Peeta, Haymitch, and Effie already there. Peeta grinned at me, "Katniss! Hurry up and eat, the stew's getting cold!"

I took the empty seat next to him and he pecked me on the cheek. "I've missed you."

I laughed awkwardly. "You just saw me this morning, silly."

"I know, but I didn't get a chance to talk to you since we were boarding the train. Look, it's lamb stew again. I swear they're gona feed us this for every meal now."

Effie chuckled. "They'll probably rename the dish after you two!"

I glanced at Haymitch, who was drinking his liquor as usual. "Effie, did you bring a camera? I want a photo with these two crazy kids."

"Of course! I'd love one as well!" She got up and hurried to her room, leaving the three of us alone.

"Haymitch, I never knew you were so sentimental," Peeta teased.

Of course I knew he wasn't sentimental, he just wanted to get Effie out of the room. He glanced around to make sure no one else was around and said, "Ok kids, just keep it up for the cameras at home once more and you're golden."

"What do you mean? Keep what up?" Peeta asked at the same time I burst out "But why? Why does it matter now? We won! Who cares what strategy we used?"

"Strategy? What strategy?" Peeta frowned.

Haymitch looked at Peeta and then back at me. "I'm not sure why the Capitol decided to let you both live. When the two of you were left, I expected them to make an announcement that said there could only be one victor after all. That's what they do. They want maximum drama. So why would they allow both of you to be victors?"

"Because of the love story. They knew people had fallen in love with us and wanted a happy ending." It made sense to me.

"Probably. But whatever it is, I just have a feeling that if you were to come clean and say it was all just for the cameras you'd be punished somehow. But now that we're almost home, you can just make nice once more and then stage a break up. Teenage romances never last after all."

I noticed that as Haymitch talked Peeta had gone completely still. "Peeta?"

He stared at me for a few moments with a tortured expression and left the table without saying a word.

Haymitch sighed. "It wasn't an act for him kid. He loves you, more than you deserve. He would have gladly died for you. I didn't mean to break it to him like this, I knew he loved you but I thought he knew you didn't feel the same."

"I... I don't... I gotta go."

I ran to follow Peeta to his compartment, and knocked on the door. "Peeta? Let me in. Please?"

The door opened. I saw tears in Peeta's eyes. "So it was all just pretend huh?"

"No... not all of it..."

"Which part then?"

"I don't know."

"Well why don't you figure it out and let me know." Peeta slammed the door shut.