Hey Guys! Thanks for those who reviewed/ favorite/ followed this story. I'm really happy to update it makes me feel accomplished. Hopefully next chapter will be up in one or two days.

~I don't own the Hunger Games or its characters…sadly

I lay awake in the darkness of the room that I used to share with Prim. I don't know what I'm going to do with myself.

Right after the wedding I spoke with Prim about mother staying with her and Rory and she immediately accepted. Now I have to figure out where I am going to go. The only thing that comes to mind is asking the Hawthornes but I've already tossed this idea out of the window, there is no way I'd bother Gale's family with my presence.

I decide to drawn my problems if only for tonight and I jump off the bed realizing that there is no way I'm getting any sleep tonight I rush to look out the open window. The cool wind feels excruciatingly good against my hot skin. I can see the Seam and a part of the Meadow from my window, which is why my father assigned this room to Prim and I when we were born. The outside is desolate and I look around just to make sure, once I'm absolutely sure I begin to sing to myself. It is no harm if no one is listening.

I stop as I hear something like a whistle. I turn to look at my watch and as expected its 7 am, the time miners go to work. That's the whistle that calls them to work every morning.

I go to change into my hunting gear and in no time I'm out of the house. There is no fear in entering the woods anymore, no fear of finding Gale there; he's gone with the other miners.

I do my usual rounds in half an hour more than usual and I can't deny that it is because of the absence of my former best friend. I make my way to the Hob and the topic that kept me up last night surfaces once again. I could never ask Gale after everything that has happened, and really he's the only one I COULD ask. I know few people that I can call friends.

I smile as I see one of them, Greasy Sea, sitting behind her counter grinning back at me.

"Hey Girl, what do you have for me today?" she asks.

"Oh that can wait, what do you have today?" I ask hungrily, eyeing the steaming pot behind her.

"Lamb Stew, my own mouth's waterin'" she says smiling at me and handing me a bowl.

"Here" I say handing her some coins.

"So where's my Big Man" she asks looking around for Gale. I smile at her nickname for him but shake my head.

"He's not here" I say.

"What's happened with you two? You used to be like this" she says, placing both of her index fingers together.

"He's not speaking to me" I say. She raises an eyebrow.

I give her my farewell before she can say anything else and I make my way to town to sell my haul, which isn't much just three squirrels and some strawberries.

Not the same without my hunting partner.

I go to the bakery and head for the back door. I wonder if Peeta will be there, but instead I'm meet with the sight of Delly, sitting on the backdoor steps gazing at the pigs with a look of resignation on her face.

She's wearing a loose baby pink robe with buttons that trail all the way to her feet, like an oversized shirt. Her legs are hugged close to her body and her blonde hair is in a messy bun. She looks so old.

And yet as I watch her I'm only reminded of an eleven year old Seam girl watching those same pigs and a blonde boy tossing some bread.

I approach the door, there is no way of avoiding this anyway.

"Hey Delly" I call. She turns to me and tries to smile but it comes out more like a grimace.

"Hello Katniss" she says. She isn't even the ghost of the girl I meet in high school.

"Is anyone else home?" I ask.

"Yeah, Peeta's in there" she says. I nod.

"Thanks Delly" I say.

Once inside I immediately spot Peeta he's staring out the window behind the counter under him is his carrycot pilled with pink sheets and in the middle a little black head pops out.

"Hey" I call out.

He turns to look at me startled. I bite my lip to not laugh at his expression.

"Oh! You scared me, hello Katniss" he says with a grin.

"I'm sorry I just thought you'd like some squirrel, or rather your dad" I say.

"Oh no trust me the squirrel obsession is a family trait" he says extending his arms for the game.

I pull the out of the bag and hand him two squirrels. He rushes to the counter and pulls a couple of coins.

"Here you go Mrs. Huntress" he says grinning. I scowl at him which makes my smile wider.

"By the way you're wife is out there and its getting cold, you might want to take her a sweater or something" I say. This clears his smile and brings a frown.

"I think she feels lonely up there, but soon I'm going to have to bring her inn. Plus I need someone to keep an eye on her during the day. I already have a handful with the bakery and Mary" he says.

I blush realizing how rude I was. This happens sometimes, I just blur out stuff without thinking.

"I'm sorry Peeta I didn't mean to…" I'm at a loss.

"It's ok, nobody ever asks. It's a nice change" he says.

"I have to go now" I say and rush out the door.

"Bye Katniss" Delly calls and I wave back leaving her in her delusional state.

I can't believe I was so rude to Peeta, and me of all people. I decide to keep quiet from now on out when I visit the bakery, but most importantly to keep quiet when I'm around the baker's son. Because no matter how nice he is he's one of those people who associating with will result in burning yourself, and right now I'm burned enough as it is.

Once home I skin the remaining squirrel sitting outside gazing out to the meadow.

My thoughts are on Gale, I wonder what will happen with him, and sure he said he loved me but for sure he'll move on. I've seen a couple of the unmarried seam girls eyeing him.

Then what? My life is already turning into something scary and bleak. I can't sleep, hunting isn't what it used to be, and I feel so alone.

My mind wonders to Peeta and my resolve lessens, I mean would I rather be like him? Or like Delly?

Look at what marriage brought two of the happiest habitants of District 12. All life has been wiped of her features, the sparkle gone from his eyes.

A little voice in the back of my head shouts at me, how are you any different?

I feel like crying when I realize what I've done. What my mother and Prim warned me of: I've shut off everyone and now I'm all alone. And there is no way of going back.

So there we go. What will Katniss do now that she's had her epiphany? PLEASE, PLEASE, Pleeeasseee: REVIEW it helps me see what I need to work on and what you guys want for the rest of the story.