He pulls back softly, a little furrow forming on his forehead, "Katniss-" He sits up slightly, "Katniss, what are we doing? We aren't acting for any cameras anymore."

I feel hurt bubbling in the back of my throat as I sharply am taken aback, "No, Peeta we're not. I thought we were friends."

Peeta rises to his feet, "Friends don't kiss, Katniss."

I spring to stand, forming fists with both hands beside my sides, "Excuse, me, Peeta, but you just were the first one to kiss me. I was kissing you because I wanted to let you know that it was okay you got control by kissing me. I wanted to comfort you."

Peeta furrowed his brow yet again, brushing dust off his sleeve, "Well, Katniss, as usual, I don't need your pity kisses. I'm not in love with you anymore."

This angers me to no end. I cannot believe he is still so hostile to me. I haven't exactly been cordial to him the last few days, but that's because I'm dealing with problems of my own. I am seeing now he will probably be another. And, of course, I've already agreed to allow him to sleep in my bed. Rather than responding to his snarky comment, I brush dirt off my olive green pants and stomp back up the stairs straight back to my bed. I realize hazily that I've worn the same clothes for the last four days. Since the last time I tried to go out into the woods. I flop into bed and pull the soft blankets up to my neck. Maybe staying in bed all day isn't the answer, but my blanket sure makes a nice shield from the real world.

Since the new Capitol has been trying to normalize the country, and turn it back to the North America it had been before, they have started making devices that were once known as cell phones for the general public to use. Peacekeepers and important people, along with the Capitol civilians had possessed these devices, but no normal member of the districts could have dreamt of owning one. Until now. Cell phone companies have already started manufacturing models, and I was given one to contact my family free of charge.

So, I wasn't surprised when my mother called me. The clear ringing resonated in the room, startling Buttercup and making him meow and hiss.

"It's okay, cat," I mumble as I reach for the phone on the bedside stand. I don't understand fully as to why I need a cell phone. I never go anywhere. And, it's not like I don't have a house phone. I guess it's good for emergencies, however.

I press the answer button, "Hello?"

I hear my mother's voice on the line, cheerier than usual, yet still with that tinge of pain around the edges, "Hi, Katniss. How are you faring today?"

I grumble and sigh, "How is anyone anymore?"

She lets out a quick breath, and I can tell she's biting back a comment that may sting, "Katniss, I really hope you are learning to overcome your problems. Gale is coming to visit District 12 next week. To survey what needs to be done, etc. He called me yesterday morning. He-he didn't tell me to mention it to you, but I assumed he would have wanted me to."

I growl, biting my lip, "Of course he wouldn't have wanted you to. He never even said goodbye to me or acted like he gave a shit."

"Language, young lady. I didn't call you to be cursed at."

I let out a sigh of defeat, "I'm sorry, Mom. It's just I don't wish to see him. That life is over with."

She groans, "Katniss, everything is not about you. He and a woman from 2 have struck a deal to get married. Merge their two families. Make the economy and government even stronger."

I am rather shocked by this statement, "Well, I can see he moved on from me already."

"You have Peeta, Katniss. What more of a man do you want?"

Her words really hit home. I do have Peeta. Peeta is kind and gentle and loving. The only dilemma is, he doesn't love me. And I don't see him ever taking that extra step back to me, "Mom, I don't really have Peeta. Not the way I used to. His mind is still affected and he flat out told me this morning that he doesn't love me."

My mother sounded very grieved by this, "Oh, Katniss. I am so sorry, sweetie. I had thought things would have improved by now, especially since Dr. Aurelius has been calling me to update and said that all Peeta seems to do is remember good things about you."

I cut her off, "Yes, Mom, but saying or thinking good things about someone doesn't equal love. He really hurt me today, Mom. I don't know when things will ever be the same. I wish they were, but I don't think that's even remotely possible."

"I understand, Katniss. Well, I'll talk to you later."

The phone hangs up. I can tell things are getting too serious to talk about, and I know she couldn't handle it anymore. It would have just been nice if she had told me she loved me. That would be nice to hear from anyone at this point. I drop the phone onto the floor, and pull the covers up over my head again. I was being 100% truthful in saying Peeta hurt me this morning. It was like a dagger to my heart, strangely enough. I didn't realize how much I care for Peeta until he said he no longer loves me.

I hear my door squeak open. I was unaware I'd even shut it.

"Katniss?" Peeta asks quietly as he pads over to the empty side of my bed, turning down the covers and slipping underneath them, "Katniss, I'm sorry I hurt you. The Capitol's creature was still coming out in me, I think." He snuggles up to my back, sending tingles of warmth to my tippy toes. It feels so good to have him hold me again.

I pretend to be asleep and just moan a little.

He kisses the nape of my neck and subconsciously, I think, thrusts his hips against my butt softly, rubbing himself against me. A very sharp tingle of warmth responds between my legs.

What is this game? He scolds me for kissing him, then he comes in and starts kissing my neck and thrusting against me? Maybe that was just instinct. I'm sure would have been mortified to know I was awake and felt him do it.

He wraps his arm over me, resting it on my belly. A few inches up, and he'd be touching my breast. A couple inches down, and he'd be touching my now wet warmth. My cheeks flushed. I was wet. If he felt that he may never sleep in my bed again. Would I even want him to after that level of embarrassment?

He groans a little groan of contentment, then we both drift off to sleep.