Katniss' POV

That boy infuriates me. He has his arms around me one second and is running up the stairs the next. Did I smell bad or something? Oh why do I care what he thinks.

I didn't really sleep much at all after that. I was too busy thinking about Peeta even though I hate to admit it. I feel something for the boy I don't know how quite to describe it but when I was in his arms I felt… safe. When I tried to get myself to stop thinking about his mesmerizing blue eyes I would just think about all the ways that Cato could kill Rue in The Games. Neither of these things helped me sleep to say the least.

It's eight in the morning. I should probably head upstairs to get some breakfast. I just hope Peeta isn't awake yet. I can't face him yet but it's still irritating me on why he ran away from me.

Thank god he isn't but the fact that he isn't actually aggravates me even more. He's probably going to avoid me from now on. I don't like saying this but I kind of actually liked getting to know the boy with the bread.

I quickly finish my meal and head out to the woods to hunt with Gale. Maybe hunting will finally get my mind to stop thinking about Peeta.

When I reach the fence, Gale has yet to arrive. Odd since he usually beats me here first. I wait for an hour and just as I'm about to go in the woods by myself Gale comes walking down the path.

"I've been waiting here for an hour!"

"I'm sorry. I haven't been able to stop thinking about Jake."

I feel awful. How could I have forgotten all about him?

"I'm sorry…"

"It's fine. Are you ready to go hunting? "

"Yeah let's go."

We hunted in silence as we usually do in order to not scare the prey away but when we started heading back to the fence Gale grabs my arm and kisses me. I pull away quickly. The look on his face is pure embarrassment. He runs under the fence and is out of sight in seconds.

That kiss… it was so unexpected. It felt so weird. It might of just been how spur of the moment it was but I didn't really enjoy it. I never really thought of Gale like that. He's more like a brother to me than a boyfriend.

Peeta. Imagining kissing him makes me want more than that. This just makes me want to explode. Do I like Peeta? No I can't he's my step-brother. That would just be wrong which just makes it even better… I can't believe I'm saying this!

I can't go home afraid that I might see Peeta and just lose my self-control right there. I can't go to the Hob either in case Gale is there. I know where I must go.

The house is deserted. Like anyone would actually want to live here in this dingy house in the Seam that I used to call home. I walk to my old bedroom to lie down.

I don't know how long I was out but by the looks of it outside it seems to be getting dark. I must have been asleep for hours. I should probably start heading back to the bakery. I just hope I don't see Peeta at home.

Oh just my luck! He's sitting at the counter drawing again.

"Where is everyone?"

"They went out to dinner to celebrate. Prim got first honors. I told them I'd wait for you."

"Oh so you're back to be nice Peeta?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Why did you run away from me last night!"

"I had to um… brush my teeth..."

That's it. I've lost control. I run over to him. I think he thinks I'm going to hit him. I even thought I was going to but instead I kiss him. His face blushes immediately as does mine. It was so much better than Gale's…

I don't know how long it was but the front door opens and I can hear our family coming.

I dash downstairs to my bedroom to get away from him before he says anything but I make sure to slam the door shut. I hate him. I don't care if he's my brother; I hate him for making me fall for him like that.

Peeta's POV

It's been days since Katniss kissed me. Whenever we see each other in the same room one of us quickly gets out.

Today the games are starting. Just like the recap, the bloodbath is mandatory viewing. I hate watching this. It will start at 12 and everyone in the district will be at home with their families watching it.

I walk into the family room where everyone already is. The only room available is on the couch next to Katniss. Great.

"Will you scoot over a little?"

"Fine."

That's the most we have talked since the kiss. I feel awful. All I want to do is kiss her again but I know I can't. It's just too wrong. The countdown has already begun.

10…9…8…7…6…5…4…3…2…1… Happy Hunger Games…

It's horrible. There's blood everywhere. The fighting lasts for an hour. Sometime in between Katniss grabs my hand. I almost lose it but I remain calm acting as if I haven't noticed but on the inside I'm about to burst with happiness. Then I look back into the TV screen. I see 11 dead bodies on the ground. The screen flashes to show the remaining tributes. Marvel, Glimmer, Cato, Clove, the girl from district 4, and the boy from 3 team up to form the careers and are now searching for more tributes to kill. The two district partners from 5 form an alliance and are searching for a place to hide. The girl from seven is wandering aimlessly through the woods without anything. She will be the next to die. Then surprisingly another alliance has formed. They actually look strong enough to be considered the careers but then you realize they're from 11 and 12. It's Thresh, Rue, Jake, and Mona. They might actually have a chance this year.

Claudius Templesmith then appears on screen to talk about how great the games will be this year hoping for a bloody battle between the careers vs. 11 and 12. The TV shuts off and I look over to Katniss who is just staring down at our entwined hand.

"Sorry if I was crushing your hand…"

I can feel the redness rising to my face, "Oh no it's fine." I give her a weak smile but she returns it. We zone back into reality to see our whole family staring at us.

My dad smiles; he knows how I feel about Katniss. I've never said anything about it to him but he knows me too well, "Aw look at that! Brother and sister love!"

Katniss' face gets bright red and manages a small laugh. Everyone else is still staring at us but my dad gets their attention.

"Who's ready to dive into some baking for today?"

Prim leaps up, "I am!"

My dad picks Prim up and gives her a piggy back ride to the kitchen laughing the entire way. I think he's always wanted a little girl. Everyone else starts making their way to their station for the day. I think I have bread duty today. I walk over to the pantry to get the ingredients out just as Katniss was about to do the same.

I need to tell her how I feel. I have to say something.

"Um Katniss, I think we need to talk."

"Yeah. Maybe tonight? Alone…?"

I smile, "Sure. Meet in my room once everyone's in bed."