Chapter 17

First of all let me thank you guys for all the wonderful reviews and as a treat for reviewing so quickly and review more than I asked I decided to update as many times as I can and won't be asking for reviews before i update anymore. (:

Katniss P.O.V

I stayed with Peeta almost every night for the rest of that month. We started getting strange looks from people when we walked around town and we got so many that it started feeling uncomfortable.
The only reason my mother was okay with me staying over because Mr. and Mrs. Mellark are with us most of the time. Peeta's father explained to my mother that Peeta usually has a lot of nightmares and I was helping him get rid of them. That stopped my mother from getting the wrong idea, too bad I can't say the same for everyone else in Panem.
After a few days, I took all the paintings with the help of Gale and hid them away where Peeta didn't have to see them all the time. But Peeta still painted his nightmares. I know that Peeta needed to paint them in order to help him get rid of the fright they come with so I didn't stop him. Instead I let him paint then I took the painting and hid it along with the others.
People still gossiped over what we could be doing alone in a room together. I tried to keep Prim away from all the gossip since I didn't want her to hear any of it but it wasn't easy. In interviews Peeta was almost always asked about what we did. Peeta would blush and tell them the truth: I was helping him get rid of the nightmares and comforting him when he had them. Then the interviewer would joke about how I comforted him. You could see why I hate the Capitol more than ever now.
You would think Peeta was a prince from the way capitol people are constantly around him, taking pictures, demanding interviews, and being so excited to be around him.
I have to be truthful, it gets annoying. Very annoying. Girls are constantly throwing themselves at him. He's like a younger version of Finnick Odair, District 4 victor who was more of a sex symbol than anything else.
One day when Peeta was at the capitol for an interview, again, a girl confessed her feelings for him during the interview. She just yelled it out, not caring who was listening.
Peeta, being the gentlemen, said he was flattered but that he was taken and that maybe if he didn't have such a lovely girlfriend he might have a considered. Might. The girl burst into tears and had to be escorted out. I for one was not happy about it. Not that I was jealous. Peeta would never date someone from the capitol but that doesn't mean they won't date someone from the Districts.
When Peeta came back after the interview he acted like nothing happened, that doesn't mean I didn't mention anything.

"So," I said when we were washing dishes. "That girl confessed to you the other day – that has to be like the hundredth one, right?" Peeta laughed.

"Why are you bringing it up?" he asked. I shrugged, washing the dish longer than really necessary. "Jealous?" He continued. In surprise I dropped the plate making soap and water splash all over.

"What?" I asked after I cleaned up. I avoid his gaze.

"Nothing. . ." Peeta said with a smile. "By the way, I like it when you're jealous. It's cute." He added as he slipped out of the kitchen. I blushed.

"I am not jealous!" I called out. I heard Peeta laugh.
So that's just one of our little . . . complications that comes with Peeta being a Victor.
But who wouldn't be angry when their boyfriend was being stared at twenty four seven by who knows how many girls. I have a reason to be angry.
That afternoon when Peeta and I were taking our daily walk around town, trying to ignore the stares, he asked me about my birthday.

"It's tomorrow." He said.

"I know." I said. Our hands were swinging back and forth, which earned more stares. "But you're going to be in the capitol." Peeta had told me three days ago that he was needed at the capitol for a 'victors' reunion. It was a thing they did every year before the hungers games where all the victors would get together and discuss ideas about the next Hunger Games and how they should train the tributes. Usually only one Victor from each district needed to go but considering this year is the Quarter Quell all victor's needed to go.
But I never imagined that the Victor's meeting was going to be this soon. It was usually a week or so before the reaping – not months.

"Sorry." Peeta said. He let go of my hand to wrap his arm around my waist and pulled me closer. "I really am. I wish I could stay here with you and celebrate your birthday but-"

"I know, I know, you have no choice. It's fine Peeta, I understand." I said.

"But you don't like it." He said. I gave an exasperated sigh.

"I said I understood, I never said I liked it." I muttered. "There will be more birthdays, kay? No big deal. "

"I'll make it up to you." Peeta whispered. "I promise."

"I said it doesn't matter." I said. "It's just a birthday. There will be more." Peeta shook his head.

"I don't know whether to be relieved that you didn't make up such a fuss or to be upset that you don't care whether or not I'm here for your birthday." Peeta said. I sighed and leaned up to kiss him.

"It bothers me, yes, but I understand." I said. Peeta smiled. "Let's go home, I'm tired."

"Your home, or my home?" he asked with a chuckle. I thought about it for a second. I never really thought about that. It was strange to think that Peeta and I stayed in each other's bedroom all the time. Now I know why we get stared at.

"You go to your home. I go to mine." I said. Peeta frowned.

"You are angry." He said. I shook my head.

"You have to get up early tomorrow. I don't. Plus, you haven't had a nightmare in days. You don't need me to be there." I said. It was true, Peeta had been fine. He hasn't had any nightmares for a while now.

"All right." Peeta said. "I'll walk you home." I nodded. We walked back to my house quietly. Everyone was already inside now, getting ready for tomorrow. It had been happier in District 12 since Peeta won. Less people died from hunger since Peeta donates money to everyone that needs it. The streets are less gray and there's more color. Everything was perfect.

"Goodnight, love." Peeta said.

"Good night." I said. I kissed him one more time. "Love you." I whispered when we pulled away for air.

"Love you more." He said. I smiled. Peeta waited until I was inside to leave. I closed the door with a smile. As I turned on the lights I saw a small shadow sitting on the couch.

"Well, look whose home." Prim joked.

"Hey, little duck." I greeted. Prim smiled.

"Guess what's tomorrow?" she asked. I pretended to think about it.

"Is it a holiday or something?" I joked.

"Sort of." She said.

"Is it the day we go visit the coal mines?" I asked as i changed into my sleeping clothes.

"That's hardly a holiday, Katniss." Prim said.

"I give up."

"It's your birthday silly." She laughed.

"Oh, that's considered a holiday?" I said. I raked my fingers through my hair in order to get it out of the braid. My dark hair fell in waves down my back.

"Aren't you excited?" she asked as she followed me to the bedroom.

"It's just a birthday, Prim." I said. "Nothing big." Prim sighed.

"Good night, mom." I said as I got in bed. She had just come out of the bathroom. My mom smiled and gave me a hug.

"It's nice to see you home, Katniss." Mom said. She got into the other bed. Prim hesitantly went to her bed and pulled the covers to her neck. I turned the lights off.

"It is going to be something big, Katniss." Prim said as I slipped into unconsciousness. By the time the words actually sank in enough for me to understand them I wasn't sure if Prim really said that or if it was just my imagination.

Hmm, what did Prim meant by that? Only I know but you guys can probably guess. But If you do get it don't tell me. I like to think this story isn't predictable even though it is. . . (sigh)

Okay, so I'm going to be updating as much as I can without requesting Reviews. You guys can still review I just won't do the whole 'review and I'll update thing'.
School starts next week for me, so I won't have as much time to update but I might end this story before then. Even if I don't want to. I can honestly say this is one of my favorite stories I've written for Fanfic. I'm much better at writing romance stories than action.

So tell me what you guys think of this chapter. (: