It had been five days since Katniss and Gale had made love in the forest, losing their virginity to one another. She still couldn't think about it without butterflies rising in her chest. She hadn't expected or meant for it to happen but it had, and although she loved the feeling of Gale being hers, she was terrified of the repercussions of their actions. If the Capitol found out that her and Peeta's love was a sham, that she had a real lover, they would certainly punish her, punish her family, punish Gale.
She closed her eyes to try to push the thought from her head, but it remained stubbornly, making her forehead crease with worry. After they'd made love she half expected a hovercraft to come from the sky and capture them, since that hadn't happened she was forever expecting a phone call or knock on the door to inform her they had been seen, that there would be punishment. She hadn't met up with Gale since, they discussed the possibility of the Capitol having eyes in the woods and thought it was best if they left it a week before meeting again, just to check if they were safe, but the time apart was killing her.
To interrupt her dismal thoughts the telephone began to ring, this is it, she thought grimly, they know what I did. She picked up the phone, hand shaking, hoping beyond anything it wasn't what she predicted. Trying her hardest to keep her voice steady she asked into the retriever "Hello?"
"Katniss!" Peeta's cheery voice at the other end calmed her instantly and it was all she could do to not let out a sigh of relief.
"Oh Peeta it's you, how are you?" She said with a smile, happy that this was not the situation she imagined.
"Yeh I'm good thanks, I was just calling to check you're definitely on board about this party on Sunday?" He asked, she could hear the note of concern in his voice, he knew her well enough that she could often be difficult.
"What party?" She asked, wondering if she had been invited and it had simply slipped her mind due to her preoccupation with Gale.
"At the Mayors house, the Capitol are throwing it, want to get a bit of footage of us being the perfect couple still. Hasn't anyone been in touch?" She could feel the blood drain from her face, was this what she had been expecting?
"No, no one said anything to me." She replied slowly, trying to keep the panic out her voice.
"Oh well they only called yesterday, they apologised for the short notice, apparently it was President Snows orders." Katniss remained silent, biting her lip, feeling dread wash over her. Peeta lowered his voice to a more gentle tone, "look, I know you don't like showing off for the cameras but you know how important to the Capitol this is," he was trying to coax her into coming without all the sulking that normally ensued, "do you want me to come over? We could talk about it?"
"No, no!" She replied to sharply, then quickly righted herself, "Its okay, a party would be nice, its getting boring in the Victors Village," she attempted a small laugh, "besides, the Capitol always gets what it wants," she added lightly. Her heart was pounding in her chest and panic was getting the better of her but she knew she had to keep it together; it could just be a coincidence.
Peeta wasn't convinced but knew not to push it, "well I'm sure Cinna will be in touch soon to sort a dress out for you or something," he paused, then asked tentatively, "will you be coming over tonight?" Katniss closed her eyes and screwed up her face, desperate for an excuse.
"Uh, I'm not sure yet, you'll know if I turn up on your door!" She replied unconvincingly.
"Okay then my love, see you soon!" She could hear the bruise in his voice but ignored it.
"Bye darling!" She hung up the phone and slid to the floor, anxiety consuming her.