Hunger Games: Confessions and Consequences

Chapter 3 of my Hunger Games story, enjoy.

Reviews

iam97: Thanks, gald you enjoyed it, oh he will suffer, just not quite yet, have more in store for him.
Crazysass: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, here's the next chapter.
InLoveWithPeeta: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, the story will continually alternate between Peeta and Katniss' POV, in my story Catching Fire and Mockingjay never happen, at least not like in the books. As for Katniss and Peeta ending up together, wait and see :)
Ka: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
SWPeetaxKatnissAvatarTLA: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it, here's the next chapter.

Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins.

Chapter 3

PEETA POV

I sighed and tried to give Haymitch a welcoming smile, but it probably came out as more like a grimace. Haymitch however decided not to notice.

"Hey, how's the champ?" he remarked jovially.

"Fine, you wanna come in?" I replied, knowing he would accept.

He nodded and I let him, I closed the door behind him and we walked into the main room of the house. We sat down and after an awkward silence Haymitch finally spoke.

"Listen, we need to talk," He began, but I knew what he was going to say.

"It's about Katniss, isn't it?" I replied immediately.

Haymitch nodded and I noted his serious expression.

'Uh oh,' I realized something, 'He's sober, this is gonna be really bad.'

There was silence again; I shifted uncomfortably as Haymitch seemed to decide what he was going to say.

"Listen kid, I heard from her about the…um, 'conversation' you two had," He told me, I cringed, "I've gotta say, you were pretty harsh."

"She just keeps messing with my head," I retort. "She lies to me, said she loved me and then says it was an act and then tries to apologize, what the hell am I supposed to think after she betrayed me like that?"

I stopped and sighed, Haymitch's expression didn't change, he nodded slowly.

"Confusing I know, but to react so harshly, especially to the girl you love," He remarked.

"What's the point," I shook my head, "She doesn't love me, so why should I go after a fruitless pursuit."

I looked at Haymitch and noticed he looked angry.

I was surprised to see that Haymitch was angry.

"What's this, since when did you become a quitter!" He barked.

I jumped surprised.

"You're honestly giving up, just like that?" He asked.

I sighed and shook my head, "Like I said, what's the point, She doesn't love me back, she loves that Hawthorne guy."

To my surprise Haymitch burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?" I asked, shocked.

Haymitch finally managed to control himself and cleared his throat.

"Love that Hawthorne guy," He echoed before telling me something surprising.

What he told me was this, "She was just pretending to love you at first, but, by the time she was handing you those Nightlock berries to you…Her feelings were real."

I froze, unwilling to believe it until he continued.

"The reason she said she was continuing the charade was simple." He paused and then, "She was afraid and uncertain of her feelings, worried that she wouldn't be good enough for you, that's why."

I stared in shock as Haymitch then revealed.

"She told me all of this herself, that's what we were talking about earlier."

It finally dawned on me, her unusual shyness around me, the way she was unable to meet my eyes, she was unable to admit the truth because she was afraid.

"What have I done?" I questioned rhetorically, "I yelled at her and chased her away."

Haymitch smiled sympathetically.

"It'll be fine kid, she's gone hunting just now, take her mind of things." He reassured me, "When she comes back, talk to her, she desperate for you to forgive her."

"I'll do it," I stated with determination, "I should've forgiven her before."

Haymitch nodded, I knew he approved, I just had to wait for Katniss to return.

KATNISS POV

I sighed as I sat, examining the wild game I had caught, three squirrels and a turkey. I no longer actually needed to hunt thanks to my victory at the games but it was still a past time for me, but I was distracted this time. I was upset following Peeta's outburst, I knew I had betrayed and hurt him. I told Haymitch about it, he said he would talk to Peeta about it. I wasn't convinced it would work however; I didn't deserve any forgiveness after what I had done to Peeta after all.

"Hey Catnip."

I jumped and turned around. It was Gale; I had been so worked up in my misery I hadn't even heard him approach.

"Hey Gale," I greeted; he frowned, obviously noting my depression.

"Good to see your victory hasn't made you soft," He remarked, gesturing to my kills.

I nodded and Gale saw I wasn't going to talk about what was bothering me, I braced for the question, knowing it was coming.

"Katniss, what's wrong, what's got you all down?" He asked, I knew he was concerned; he called me by my real name after all.

I told him about Peeta and my argument with him, Gale rolled his eyes.

"Honestly, lover boy's making a stupid mistake if you ask me." He stated with a smirk.

I frowned at the remark, even if it was meant as a joke.

"He's not the one who's made a mistake," I replied.

Gale shook his head, "Hey, Catnip, don't go blaming yourself…"

I cut across him, "No, it is my fault, I betrayed his feelings, and I keep lying to myself!"

There was silence and I noticed Gale looked furious.

"What are you talking about?" I flinched as he yelled, what was he so angry about?

"Just what I said, I've been lying to myself and Peeta, I tried to make things right and he loses his temper," I explain, "He had every right to, he hates me now, I can't even tell him I love him."

There was no doubt now, Gale was enraged.

"What the hell Katniss, how can you still love him, especially after everything that's just happened?" He bellowed, I frowned.

"It's called guilt Gale!" I snapped, "What are you getting so angry about?"

Gale simply shook his head.

Without warning he stood up and started shouting.

"You're begging him to forgive you, he doesn't deserve you!" He ranted before shocking me, "He doesn't understand you, not like I do, not the way I do!"

I couldn't believe it, what was wrong with Gale.

"Gale, what are you talking about?" I ask.

His answer was a complete shock, "You're pursuing a guy who claimed to love you and no longer does, compared to me, I've loved you for a long time but you just can't seem to see it!"

He glared at me, I couldn't believe it, Gale loved me, but…I didn't feel that way towards him, of that I was sure.

"Gale, I'm sorry, I had no idea." I replied quietly.

"So…" He began, hopefully.

I shook my head sadly and his face fell.

"I'm so sorry Gale, but, to me, we're just friends, I don't feel like that towards you."

"So what, you're saying Mellark's stole your heart," He snapped.

I glared, angry that he was acting like this, especially the tone in which he referred to Peeta.

"Maybe he has," I snapped back.

Gale snorted and then stormed off. I sighed and decided I couldn't remain here. I picked up my kills and grabbed my bow before beginning to walk back. As I did I was lost in thought and then realized too late that I had walked into one of my own traps. I tried to dodge but felt pain. I struggled to my feet and saw my injury; there was a large gash up my right leg.

'Shit, gotta get back' I gritted my teeth and limped back home.

I only made it a few feet before I had stop, if I kept this up I would lose too much blood. I removed my scarf and quickly do some necessary first aid, using the scarf as a bandage. After a few minutes I've done the best I can do.

'That should do till I get home' I grit my teeth and get back up.

I limped back home, my mind was in overdrive, I was trying to process too much at once, Peeta's bitterness, my desire for forgiveness from him and Gale's unexpected confession and anger. I shook my head, I ahd to take things one at a time, I'd worry about my injury first and then worry about the other stuff.

End of chapter, well the classic Peeta/Katniss/Gale love triangle has formed :) Haymitch has convinced Peeta now, will Peeta and Katniss finally admit the truth to each other or will Gale or Orion screw things up for them. Hope you like the little joke about Haymitch being sober. Hope you enjoyed this chapter, read and review please.