I am Katniss. I survived not one, but two hunger games. I was the face of the rebellion, and I killed President Coin. I am deeply in love with Peeta. My best friend Gale hates me. Peeta may be in love with our maid, Analex. I am a fighter. I will fight for what I love.
Still doing the calming exercises that were given to me after the quarter quell, I slow my breathing down until I am silent. After yesterday's meltdown, Analex left and I went right to bed without even talking to Peeta. Was it all just in my head, Peeta and Analex? I sigh. Yes, yes it was. The sun isn't even up yet, and I hear Peeta's ragged breaths beside me. Closing my eyes because I don't want to look myself in the mirror, I crawl out of bed and saunter into the kitchen. Feeling like crap, about how I treated Peeta yesterday, I roll out the dough for sugar cookies. I silently rumble through all the kitchen drawers looking for the mockingjay cookie-cutter that was a wedding present to Peeta and I. Rolling out the dough, cutting it, and then gracefully placing it on the wax paper, I ponder on the thought of Peeta leaving me. As much as it had seemed a reality yesterday, I knew that he loved me more than anything.
Falling asleep on the kitchen table, head in my hands, the buzzer sounds a high-pitched, melodic whistle.
One of my happiest memories of moving in together was when we set up Peeta's kitchen. So Katniss, before I officially marry you, you must promise me that I can be the cook in this house. You are the most beautiful girl I could have ever dreamt up, but you cooking? Not so beautiful. We laughed for what seemed like hours, and then he pulled me in for a lingering kiss. Setting up the oven, I kept making flames shoot out, sparks fly, and I even made the digital timer explode. Girl on fire, more like girl shouldn't be let around fire. More laughing, more kissing. When I finally gave up on the dumb oven, Peeta took over and somehow managed for the timer's buzzer to be Rue's Mockingjay call. He really is a clever one, that Peeta.
"What's all this commotion? Please tell me you haven't started fiddling with the oven again, my little flame!" In his orange boxers, and stone-colored slippers, Peeta looks as charming as he was the day we got married. I laugh, and dance over towards him, and I spin into his arms, never wanting this moment to end.
"I made some 'I'm sorry' cookies for you. They won't be nearly as superb as yours, but hey, I tried."
"I thought I told you no cooking, Katniss." I laugh at his sarcasm and lean in for a kiss. He pulls away immediately, and I'm left on my tiptoes, empty handed as Peeta rushes towards the oven. Apparently his sarcasm wasn't nearly real enough for me.
"Katniss? You used the Mockingjay cutter?"
"Yes, didn't I do an amazing job? I made them with four scoops of sugar instead of two, just like you taught me to, bread boy!" I smirk and try again for a morning kiss, but to no avail.
"What is your problem, Peeta? I'm sorry for yesterday, even though it wasn't even my fault! I made you cookies, I've tried to kiss you, what's happening here?" I spit out the words as fast as I can, because I want this to be over fast. I want to get to the part where we laugh and kiss.
"The problem is, I deliberately told you that you shouldn't play with the oven! And the Mockingjay cutter? That was a present to me! What if you broke it?" I almost laugh after he's done because he's never been nearly this bad before. After a moment of flaring silence, I can tell he really is serious.
"Stop treating me like a child, Peeta! You are my husband. I love you. Stop trying to be like my parent, and at least pretend you're on my side!"
Slamming the tray with the dozen of sugar cookies on the cooling rack, he looks back at me with eyes I've only seen when he was hijacked.
"Well I'm sorry, if I'm not a good enough actor to play your husband." I look back into his flaming eyes, and I immediately take back every sweet thought I had of him this morning. Still in my pajamas, I run to the front closet, grab Gale's untouched hunting jacket, and walk diligently past the kitchen and to the front door. Before leaving, I whisper furiously, "You're absolutely right Peeta. This role wasn't meant for you. But hey, I heard Analex is already casting, and I know you'd be perfect at that." Not even caring enough to catch his expression, I walk out the door, bow in hand, and head towards the place I know I love someone and in return I will be loved.
Gale opens the door to his little house and his face actually lights up when he sees me. I seem to be a lot more surprised than him, and we just smile at each other in the doorway.
"Looks like Catnip finally came to her senses." I blush, smile again, and then slowly move up on tiptoe. Up to his lips. Up to Cloud Nine.