Chapter 6 – PPOV:

A/N: I hope I get to update earlier in the future than I did last night… I know how dedicated some of you are to this story (you know who you are *wink wink*)! Moving on to the reviews I got…:

Bluedog270: Yeah, I hate him, too… I would've just called him a butt in the previous chapter, but for Katniss to say that he turned into a total butt wouldn't quite sound right… Glad you like the story! :-) GirlonFire10203: Yes, I just discovered a Google trick to find Chuck Norris… I used it on my computer in science class today and so many people wanted to know how I did it ;) I guess that's what you get for being some sort of techno-nerd-type person *sigh…* Glad you love the story so much! It's not every day you find someone with so much enthusiasm! :) HannahHey13: Okay. Thanks for the constructive criticism. I'll try to use your tips in my upcoming writing. :-) Glad you like the story.

And Megan! Thank you for sitting next to me in English while you told me what to type for your review! :D Luv ya, girl!

I think you guys may want to know this; you may be surprised by how this chapter plays out. I had never thought of it happening, either, but then I thought, 'I've got nothing to lose!' So, thus, the chapter was born! :)

"Hey, Katniss?" I ask softly.

"Yeah?" she replies.

"Any chance you want to help me with something down at the bakery later?" She laughs softly, and it sounds like tinkling bells.

"I can't bake to save a life," she says, "or I would just poison anyone who bought it."

"It's not really baking, per say… Frosting is more fun, anyways," I say. "You want me to help you frost?" she asks, looking up at me. I shrug. "No one has lived until they have frosted a cake," I say seriously.

She laughs again. "You're pretty serious about baking, aren't you?" she says jokingly. "Yeah," I say simply, "It's more like an escape plan, in a way."

"I see what you mean," she says knowingly, "But what about your mother? Doesn't she hate me?"

"I'll take care of her," I say, like it's no big deal.

But it is a big deal.

"Are you coming in or not?" I whine, pulling at her hand as we stand at the entrance of the bakery. "I can just see you getting hurt in there. There's no one around…" she says quietly. "If I promise not to get hurt, will you come in?" I say. She nods.

"Okay, I promise I won't get hurt," I say. "Hmm, we'll see," she says.

"Hey, wait a second-" I say, walking after her into the bakery, but I freeze at the sight before me.

"Mom?" I ask, as she's staring out the window, watching the citizens of 12 pass by, walking and laughing. She turns to look at me, and a sorrowful look washes across her face.

"Peeta…" she says quietly.

Okay, have I officially lost my mind here? My mother? Speaking quietly?

"Please, come here, Peeta," she says. I look at Katniss, then cautiously step toward her. "You, too, dear," she says, pointing at Katniss. Katniss looks at me, then walks to me.

"Peeta, I'm so sorry. I know I haven't been a good mother to you for the last seventeen years. All those times I've lashed out… I don't even know what I was thinking then. You were right, Peeta, about everything. Well, almost everything… I am proud I could bring another child into the world, but I wanted a girl. You know that could be frustrating, right? I want to try to be a real mother to you. Only if you'll let me. And you, dear. Katniss, is it?" She nods. "I still remember what happened that day… When I saw you in our trash. I didn't want to yell, I really wanted to help you… But a different part of my mind told me otherwise. It told me to yell and scream and be upset. I wasn't like this before I met Peeta's father. All my neighbors said I was sweet little girl growing up to be a beautiful young woman. I see I can't live up to that anymore, certainly not now, of all times. But, I see Peeta has been happier since you two have been together. So, if you two are happy, then so am I."

Katniss and I look at each other. "You really mean that?" I ask quietly. "Yes. I want to be someone you can look up to, not someone you look down upon. I really do want to start over," she says.

Katniss and I look at each other once again.

"Then I guess we have nothing to lose," Katniss says softly. "Okay…" I say. My mother smiles.

She smiled.

What is going on here?

"Mom, Katniss and I have something to do in the kitchen," I say, taking Katniss's hand. "Go on," Mom says.

I feel her gently kiss my cheek, and I turn to face her, to kiss her. Instead, she grins and throws a handful of flour into my face. I laugh.

This means war.

I take a handful of flour and throw it at her, and it hits her neck and part of her face. She laughs, and in turn, takes a spoonful of frosting and chucks it at me. The frosting lands on my face and I throw some at her.

In a matter of minutes, the kitchen is covered in flour and frosting. Katniss and I are both laughing, and I see my mother watching quietly, a smile on her face.

I guess she really has changed.

A/N: I hope this doesn't seem too rushed… Anyways, Peeta's mom? Weird, I know! I have a question for you guys. Do you want to see a chapter in Gale's point of view? If I get enough people who want it, it'll be the next chapter!

*Mary and Meg! I'm STILL waiting! And I told you today that you DO NOT need to have a FanFic account! That's the only reason I let people post anonymous reviews on this! Just make sure you sign your first name… Luv ya guys! 33 :D*

Yes, again, that's a message to my friends… hehe… Again, review, review, review! :)

(I might update again tonight if I get at least 5 reviews by 6:45!)

-Zenia (zalamode00)