A/N: Happy Birthday to my perpetually enthusiastic reviewer, dedicated fan (sorry I don't know your name). Enjoy :)

Saturday 4th June 2016 – The Capitol

Ironically, I'm the one waiting left waiting in my tiny lounge room while Gale finishes readying himself for the Benefit. I have no idea what he is doing or how I – with a full face of makeup, styled hair and jewellery – ended up ready before him. My little sister grins at me as I roll my eyes again and stare at the clock, noting that we'll be late. She is curled up on the couch in her pyjamas, texting someone who I presume to be Rory. She's actually the only reason I'm looking this presentable at all. On Wednesday, when I still hadn't bought a dress for this event, she had taken me forcibly to the biggest shopping centre in the Capitol and fitted me in at least 20 dresses before we found this black and silver number.

Tapping my foot impatiently, I'm about to shout down the hall at Gale when I hear his footsteps coming toward me. "Finally." I mutter underneath my breath.

I get up from my kitchen chair but pause slightly when I catch a look at him. While we may not have any romantic inclinations between us any longer, I am still female, and he looks incredibly good. Whatever he'd been doing in there is clearly working in his favour.

Unfortunately, he catches me staring, and a smug grin takes over his face. "Like what you see Catnip?"

I shake it off and make my way out of the apartment. "We're going to be late now because of you, Princess."

We bid Prim goodbye and I walk down the hall with Gale hot on my heels. It's days like these, that I seriously regret not living in an apartment with an elevator. While on a normal work day I am used to navigating the stairs in heels, I turn into new born baby deer when a floor length dress is added. Apparently seeing my struggle – and potentially saving me from arriving with a black eye – Gale sidles up next to me and lets me grab his arm as we descend to street level. We hail a cab, while onlookers regard our attire curiously, to the grand town hall of the Capitol.

Like I expect, it seems that no expense was spared in the planning of the Benefit. The ballroom is full of gowns and suits and snobby looking waiters circulating with champagne and tiny food. The event appears to already be in full swing and I'm slightly overwhelmed by the large crowd. I grab onto Gale's arm again as we move through the crowd so as to not get separated. A waiter passes by and Gale easily plucks two champagne flutes from the tray. Handing me one, he regards me with amusement. "So this is your life now, Catnip. Attending the elite parties of the Capitol. Drinking fancy champagne."

I throw him a playful glare. "Only when I'm forced to."

"I didn't realize you could clean up so nicely." He teases but winces slightly when my fist makes contact with his arm.

"Yet I was quicker than you. What on earth were you doing in my bedroom?"

"Hair this nice does not come easily."

I try to glare at him again though I fail when a grin takes over my face. He smiles and nudges me with his elbow.

"So what are you meant to be doing here exactly?"

"That is a good question. I need to find Leevy." I sigh and scan the crowd. I wish I had Gale's height, as even in heels I am still a little shorter than most of the crowd. Eventually, I spot her near a waiter holding champagne sunrises. I drag Gale over to her.

"Leevy!"

I greet her quickly and introduce her to Gale, silently hoping he spots the ring on her finger so he doesn't flirt with her. It seems he does as he engages in polite conversation. The three of us mull around together for a while, drinking, and engaging in silly banter, until a familiar blonde head bounds over to us.

Rye Mellark.

"Seems I can't escape you two can I?" He smirks at both me and Leevy. Then his eyes settle on Gale questioningly. "You're new."

I introduce the two quickly. Rye's as jovial as always and maybe just slightly drunk, which is pretty similar to the night we shared a few weeks back. He'd surprised me that night. I don't know what I expected. I only met him maybe twice before that, 3 years prior. Maybe I thought he'd harbour some sort of second hand prejudice towards me because of his younger brother. Instead, he offered very personal information to me in order to ask about his mother. I was shocked when he told me, thinking they had a few more years up their sleeves before she was back in their hair.

I wonder whether anything has changed since our talk. If it has, you can't tell. Rye is the picture of ease as he jokes back and forth. But I also feel like he has an expert poker face. You'd have to, growing up in the Mellark household.

I glance around briefly, searching for Peeta. I know he has to be here but I haven't seen him yet. No doubt, he'd crop up somewhere later.

The four of us manage to fly under the radar for a while, chatting easily and people watching. A small wind ensemble from Capitol University plays a few sets of classical music to entertain the guests. However, it doesn't take too long though for our group to be interrupted. Rye leaves first to accompany his father around the room. Soon Gale, my companion, breaks away from us to schmooze with some business connections. Leevy and I end up discussing some of United's projects with interested patrons but eventually she disappears somewhere too. Looking at the clock I note we've been here for nearly an hour and a half. I spot a door leading outside and start toward it, excited for a small reprieve. I ease the door open and see it leads to a small balcony. The balcony itself is dark though the city lights and skyscrapers demand my attention, creating an intricate network of lights in the night. I walk towards the end of the balcony, staring out at the cityscape. I remove my phone, flashing with a text from Darius, from my clutch.

"What are you doing out here?"

I thought I was alone on the balcony. So the disembodied voice, startlingly loud in the quiet night, causes me to jump violently. I save my phone before it plummets to the ground and raise my gaze to meet the owner of the voice I'd know anywhere. Peeta. He leans casually on his forearms against the railing, his tumbler hovering over the edge. He's removed his suit jacket and laid it neatly next to him. He looks slightly amused though I'm slightly annoyed my phone always seems to take a beating when we meet.

I explain why I'm out here and then turn the question on him. He doesn't say much. After a few short exchanges with him, I try and remove myself from the balcony. He obviously came out here to be alone, like me, and I don't think he wants to spend extended periods of time alone with me. I'm completely shocked when I've mumbled an excuse and turned to go that he says I don't have to. I turn back to him, confused. He's staring at me with an expression I can't decipher. I hover in the middle of the balcony, unsure of what he's intending. When his expression doesn't waiver, I walk back to the edge of the balcony, leaving a few feet between us.

He doesn't say anything. His eyes are now fixed in front of him. I wonder why he's out here. His family and friends are all in there. His girlfriend, too. Peeta is one of the most social people I know. Standing alone on a balcony in the middle of an event is more my style than his.

"I'm sorry about your mother." I tell him. It's the only thing I can think of to say.

He isn't expecting what I say. His eyes go wide and his head whips around to face me. "How did you – " understanding then fills his expression. "Rye."

I was actually unaware Peeta didn't know I knew about it. I thought Rye would've talked to him. I try and defend Rye a little, explaining how I ran into him at the bar with Leevy.

Peeta seems like he's grasping at straws a little when he asks me whether there's anything we can do about the parole.

"I didn't expect this to happen either," I admit, still saddened that all that effort back in college didn't equate to anything more. "It's a little strange honestly."

"Well, I got 3 years of peace at least."

I smile a little at his tone though my heart swells for him. He didn't deserve this.

His next words surprise me even more.

"I don't really know what to do." He tells me, almost in defeat. I listen silently as he opens up to me about his fears that his mother will attempt to interfere with his life. I'm shocked that he's confiding in me. This isn't like our conversation in State 4 during the storm. This isn't out of necessity or a need to fill in the time. He's choosing to tell me.

"She can't do all that much anymore, though, can she?" I try to find the most logical argument. I also want to reassure him. "I mean, if you wanted to be drastic you could always get a restraining order."

He immediately dismisses the idea like I expect. "What does Madge think about this?" I wonder whether his fears are stemming from Madge's reaction to this predicament. Maybe his fears are hers.

"I haven't told her yet."

A bomb probably could've gone off in the middle of the ballroom and I wouldn't have been as surprised as I am right now, standing in front of Peeta. What did he mean? Rye told me about this a month ago which means they found out even longer before that. Why didn't he tell her?

His name slips from my mouth in surprise. For a second I think he might get mad, however, he bows his head and sighs. "I know that's bad. It's just… god this is the lamest excuse ever. But things have been busy and…we've never really discussed my mother all that much."

I stare at him and it's all I can do to not leave my mouth hanging open. He hadn't discussed his mother with the girl he wanted to marry? Why? A myriad of questions relay through my mind. Despite the fact that the topic is intensely uncomfortable it's a vital one. It's a part of him.

It feels wrong that I now know this information before Madge.

I scrutinize Peeta, trying to comprehend what he is doing. Out here, without other peoples' gazes on us, he's let down his walls. He looks weary, possibly as if he's had this conversation with himself a thousand times. I don't know his reasoning behind his secret keeping but I assume he has to have one. I debate what to say. Finally, I just tell him the truth. "You should talk to her. You'll feel better talking about it. She deserves to know."

"I'm just not sure she'll understand. I don't want to burden her with it, either."

When did we swap places? This sounds like my own logic and insecurities.

"Honestly, I don't think most people would understand."

"You do."

I hold my breath as he looks at me with a piercing gaze. Two simple words. But they hold a lot of weight. There's so many emotions in his eyes I don't know where to start.

I do understand. Of course I do. I know everything about him. I was there through everything.

For the last few months Peeta has felt almost completely alien to me. I didn't know what he was like anymore. I didn't know what his life was like. I couldn't tell what he was thinking.

But tonight, linked with something from our past, it seems a wall has been broken. He's not so foreign anymore.

I still don't know what he's trying to achieve. It doesn't matter if I understand or not. Now there's someone else that needs to. "You say you don't want to burden her. But when I left you, it was for that very reason. I didn't want to poison you with my own problems. You, yourself, said I was wrong in doing that."

I can tell what I've said resonates with him. It has to, it's his own logic. I have to put this in the right perspective for him.

"You're right."

"I know." I smile, just slightly.

His lips turn up a little and the intense mood is lifted slightly. He runs a hand through his hair, messing with his neat curls. He lets out a sigh and then glances at the door with a frown.

"I suppose I should probably go back in soon."

I note the reluctance in his tone. "You don't like these things any more than I do, do you?" I ask curiously. I think back to college and how he told me he never wanted to study business. He'd chosen art to escape this.

"Honestly? No. But I do them for her."

Of course.

I recall Leevy saying something about presentations. No doubt, Madge would be looking for him soon. I tell him as much.

I remain where I am as he turns to leave, planning to hang out here in the quiet for just a smidge longer before returning to the busy ballroom. His voice startles me a little, coming from behind me.

"Katniss? Thank you."

I never thought I'd hear those words from Peeta Mellark ever again but they'd been said three times now, in a few short months. I feel undeserving of them. But from our small conversation, I can tell how much this issue has worn him down and maybe I've provided him with a tiny bit of clarity. I hope so. No matter my own feelings, I've remained resolute about one thing; I want to see him happy.

He turns away and I debate my next words for a quick moment. I've done my best in recent weeks to avoid him. That's what I wanted. But what I want even more is to take away the pain hiding in his eyes and unknowingly, I might have the power to do that.

"I know we're not where we were, but if you want to talk about it, or you want to know something about the court case, you can ask me."

His gaze locks with mine and my skin prickles. There's an intensity between us that I haven't felt in a long time. He looks like he is about to say something but is interrupted by the door opening. I stiffen for a moment, hoping it's not Madge. But the person who walks through the doorway has dark hair and a red dress. Leevy.

She pauses, her gaze sweeping between us. Her brow furrows slightly. I know she's wondering why on earth the two of us are out here alone. "Madge is looking for you, Peeta."

Turning back to him, I see his face immediately shut off. The emotion is wiped away. He looks away from me to Leevy and the heat in my body dies. "Thanks Leevy," he smiles at her, "I'll go find her in a second." He moves to put on his jacket but he doesn't hurry out like I expect.

It's not what Leevy expects either. She nods uncertainly, still a little confused, then turns to me. "Come find me when you're ready." I nod at her. One last look sweeps between us before she slips back inside.

I look over at Peeta who is straightening out his tie and smoothing down his jacket. "I think she thinks we were arguing."

"It wouldn't be so surprising." I admit. Truthfully, I did not expect our conversation to go anything like it did.

He moves so he's directly in front of me. "I don't want to fight with you, Katniss. You know that." He says quietly. The words stir a memory vaguely in me but I can't quite grasp it. "I'm sorry for putting all that on you. That wasn't my intention."

I shake my head. "I meant what I said, Peeta."

He smiles at me in a way that reminds me of the past. Despite everything that has happened, a sense of companionship still lingers between us. "Thanks for listening."

He slips out the door. I collect my things and follow suit, aiming to find Leevy. Turns out, I don't need to find Leevy at all. She finds me within seconds of entering the ballroom. She's been yet another person that has surprised me. An unexpected confidante. I thought Madge would've told her a thousand different bad things about me. I was worried our friendship would be fractured by the news I was the infamous ex. Instead nothing happened. I didn't know what Madge told Leevy about me but I got the impression it wasn't much. "What were you two talking about? Are you okay?"

"Just some old stuff. I'm fine."

She doesn't look convinced but at my insistence she leaves it alone, shrugging her shoulders.

"They'll be starting presentations soon. We should sit down."

Looking toward the stage, I see Mr Undersee is now set up on the stage along with Madge and other influential members of the company. I make my way to where the other employees are seated at one of the tables near the front, slipping in beside Leevy. The guests occupy the other tables behind us.

I do a quick scan of the room. Gale is chatting amiably at another table with people I don't know. A few tables to his left I spy the three blonde heads of the Mellark men waiting patiently for Mr. Undersee to begin speaking. Rye's looks to his side and catches me in my staring. He winks at me and then turns away, saying something to Peeta. I look away. Mr. Undersee taps the microphone.

"Thank you everyone for attending tonight…"

The rest of the evening is spent watching videos and listening to speeches about United's work both in Panem and internationally. I recognize photos from the India project that Leevy and I had helped cut together one night. I watch Madge give a speech, showcasing some of her own photos of United's work. She's as poised and elegant as ever as she addresses the large crowd easily. Her voice is melodic and light and she cracks a few jokes, and the crowd is like putty in her hands. Unlike Peeta, these kinds of things are her territory. She'd inherit United in the future, after all. Madge is the embodiment of charisma and her outgoing nature and friendliness instantly draws people to her. I can see why Peeta chose her, although I can't see why he would keep things from her.

The silent auctions items come next. I hadn't bothered to look at them, not planning on bidding on any items. So I'm slightly surprised when they bring forward a medium size painting of a green ocean and Peeta comes along with it.

"This next one was painted by one of the Capitol's up and coming artists, Peeta Mellark. It's titled Reflection."

Peeta smiles and nods toward the crowd as they applaud. Madge smiles affectionately at him as they announce the winning bid. But it's not them that I'm transfixed on, it's the canvas. There's something very familiar about it that I can't place. Maybe it's because Peeta painted it…yet I know this isn't his usual style so it shouldn't seem so familiar. Before I can consider it further the painting is removed from the stage and the process continues. Peeta leaves the stage and returns to his seat.

I don't realize I'm staring, still lost in thought, until his gaze flits in my direction. He smiles, just a small one, and I hate myself for the small spike of excitement that runs through my body. But there's also another feeling stirring in the pit of my stomach. Hope. Is it insane to think that we could be friends? Maybe. Probably, I decide.

"You done staring?"

I look sharply at Leevy. "What?" She frowns incredulously and she inclines her head toward the table with the Mellark's. I don't look back in that direction. I shake myself from my musings. "His painting was good, that's all."

"They always are. He's very talented."

I think of his sketchbooks that I would look through during college. They were impressive even back then. He would've gained a lot more skill in three years, too. "Yeah he is." I agree.

The night doesn't extend that much longer. I mainly sit around chatting with the other employees, waiting for Gale to finish up. Eventually he comes up behind me as I'm chatting with someone from United and slips an arm around my waist. "Ready to go?"

When we return to the apartment complex I look at the stairs with disdain. Gale sees my expression and laughs at me. I grab his arm to steady myself and remove my heels. I don't care if the stairs are dirty, my feet are killing me.

Prim's gone to bed, so we both tiptoe our way to my bedroom. Gale begins stripping off immediately, changing into pyjamas. When I'd invited him to stay I'd kind of forgotten I didn't have a third bedroom or a couch big enough for a 6"4 man. I did, however, own a queen sized bed. It wasn't weird, like some might expect. We'd come a long way in our friendship in recent years and now neither of us was under the assumption that our relationship was anything but platonic.

I slowly remove my jewellery and makeup, returning back to my normal state. Makeup and jewellery have never really my thing even though now I dabble a little more in it than I did before. I unzip the dress, breathing a sigh of relief when it falls to the ground. I put on shorts and a baggy t shirt. Now I'm in my element. I look back and find Gale already tucked into the bed. His arm is bent back behind his head and he's staring at the ceiling. He's so still as I crawl into the other side of the bed, that I jump slightly when he turns to me and speaks.

"So that wasn't too bad was it?" Gale asks with a smirk.

I sigh, hugging my pillow as I rest my face on it. "I guess not. I still would've preferred to be in sweats at home."

"You looked nice."

I laugh in surprise. "Thank you. Prim was responsible for that." He smiles gently. "Did you get enough business talk in?" I ask.

He lets out a breath. "Hopefully. Sorry to bore you for half the night."

I shake my head slightly. "I had things to do."

"Like stare at Peeta? I saw you two come back inside."

I open my mouth to disagree with him but no words come forward. I quell my immediate reaction to fight and realize that he's not judging me. He's observing. And he's right.

"He asked me a legal question."

Gale raises an eyebrow in doubt. Looking at his face I know he isn't going to let it go. I also know he's concerned for me seeing as he saw the aftermath of my relationship with Peeta. So I tell him everything about our conversation outside.

"It's weird isn't it?" I ask when I'm finished.

He looks thoughtful. "Everyone keeps secrets. You already know everything, so it makes sense that he told you."

"I guess."

"They looked very fond of each other."

I know it's just an observation; one I've made many times myself but it makes my heart sink a little.

"Yeah, they're a good match."

Gale watches me sympathetically. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, of course. Peeta and I happened a long time ago."

"Doesn't mean it's easy to watch him move on. But Rory tells me you have a guy."

I look at him incredulously. "Those two are such gossips!"

He cracks a smile. I know he agrees about our younger siblings' antics. "Is it true?"

I sigh. "I guess so."

"You guess so?"

I exhale in frustration and glare at him. "I don't know what I'm doing Gale."

Gale looks at me with an amused smile. "You know what, Catnip? None of us really do."

I snort and roll onto my back, glaring up at the ceiling. Oh, how helpful this conversation is! In my peripheral vision I see his arm move. There's a gentle tug on my hair. Reluctantly, I roll my head to the side to look at him again. He's got a fond smile on his face. "Just do what makes you happy."

I look at my best friend for a moment. "Yeah." I agree quietly. Only I'm not sure exactly, what that is.

000

Gale stays in the Capitol, commandeering my bedroom, until the next Saturday. During the week, I don't see him much during the day though I presume he is doing work his own work from the apartment. Miraculously, however, for a few nights I do manage to leave work early and spend time with him. We go out for dinner and such and even fit in a game of bowling. I've missed him, ever since I moved back out of 12. He's been my companion since childhood, both getting me into and out of mischief and caring for me. When we were small, and our two year age gap was much more pronounced, he'd watch out for me both at home and at school. We didn't hang out in grade school, being two grades apart, but if anyone ever teased me he'd be there to set them straight. When we were out in the woods, playing together, he'd give me boosts up the trees when I was too small to reach the next branch. One time when I slipped from a branch and sprained my ankle, he carried me all the way back to his house where his mother patched me up. When my father died and my mother was too distraught to put food on the table he shared the meagre amount he had for himself with me.

I smile at the memories as I drive him to the airport Saturday morning, using my car for the first time in quite a while. Well actually, I'm not using my car at all. I'm using Prim's Jag, the car Haymitch so kindly gifted her years ago. Gale is clearly appreciative of it as he keeps running his hands across the leather and fiddling with the cars performance stats that are displayed on the touch screen. I added to his excitement as well by lowering the hard top. She rarely uses this car. Because neither of us drive very often, we typically switch between my much less expensive, inconspicuous car and leave the Jag for emergencies. However today, as she is doing a shift at a hospital out of the CBD, she's taken my own car.

I look back at Gale who is staring out the window. His tall frame looks quite imposing in the low riding car. He's always been a giant, especially compared to me. Coupled with my rather serious personality as a child we'd made quite a formidable pair. "Do you remember the first time you taught me how to make snares?"

He smiles fondly at the memory. "You were never very good at them."

I gasp in shock. "Hey! I can still outshoot you on a bad day."

He smirks, holding up his hands. "I'm not arguing with that. But I'd worry about you if you were left out in the woods without a bow and arrow." I punch him in the arm the best I can while I'm driving. "You also nearly snared my foot the first time I taught you."

"Oh, god, I forgot about that." I groan. "Thank goodness I didn't. I would not have been able to carry you back."

"Yeah I was the one always carrying you." I know he's referring to the time I fell out of the tree.

"That was one time! I was only 11, I think."

He hums in agreement. "The tiny terror."

He used to call me that. While he has always been bigger than average, I've always been on the smaller side. Add to that a two year age gap when we were children; he often dwarfed me. The terror part came from our first couple of encounters. I'd found him out in the woods one day, making snares, and immediately confronted him. I'd seen his snares around the woods and was upset that someone was stealing my game. Being older, and much bigger, my threats had done nothing to him. He'd simply waved me away. I started tracking him about the woods and eventually when I realized I couldn't scare him away, I made him a new offer. I told him I would teach him how to shoot if he taught me how to make snares. He'd been very reluctant to agree to partner with a young girl, but eventually he did, and I figured he was a little lonely out there too.

"We were a good pair." I say as I turn into the airport drop off.

"We still are."

Outside of the car, I reach up on my tiptoes and hug him tightly. "I'm going to miss you."

I feel his chest reverberate as he laughs. "I'll miss you too. Come visit soon, okay?" He kisses my cheek before letting me go. I watch him walk towards the airport doors. He turns around just before he goes inside with a half-smile on his face, giving me a final wave. I laugh and wave back at him before he disappears inside.

A little sad, I jump back in the car and make my way back into the Capitol to meet Darius for coffee. He texted me yesterday and at Gale's insistence, I agreed for the catch up. I regret using the Jag the minute I parallel park it in front of Bristel's. For most of my life it's been my goal to remain inconspicuous in public, blending in to the crowds on the street. Emerging from a sleek sports car – even a slightly old one – does not achieve that anonymity. I pray no one stops me and asks questions before I can get inside. I have no clue what words like horsepower and torque mean. I don't even know what kind of engine it has. Thankfully, no one stops me but I can feel the weight of stares on me as I head inside the trendy coffee shop.

Due to dropping Gale off at the airport I've ended up slightly earlier than our planned time. I've also seemed to stumble upon the lunchtime rush and the tiny café is packed. I join the queue to order a coffee, just a simple latte, not the ridiculous orders some of our office gets.

I watch the woman using the coffee machine power through the orders. Her dark curls are tied up into a messy bun and despite the mad rush she seems to be in, a grin is on her face. As the door opens again her eyes flit up.

"Hey Peeta!"

True enough, as I look behind me, Peeta Mellark is walking into the café. Realistically, when Darius suggested Bristel's I should've seen it coming that I'd probably run into Peeta. I hadn't really made that connection though, when I'd agreed to the plans. But after our conversation on the balcony, I no longer feel the same anxiety that I used to. He catches my eye rather quickly and smiles, walking up to line up by me.

"No work today?" He asks. I frown slightly, then remember I'm usually in here getting coffee for the office. His eyes sweep over me. "Unless your office just got really casual."

I glance down at the jeans and tank top I'm wearing. I think it's the first joke he's made with me in…well three years. His face is relaxed and this almost feels like our old rapport. "Nope. They figured out they can't make us work 24/7. Today is purely social. What are you doing?"

"Getting breakfast at usual. Going to need some caffeine if I want to keep little kids interested all day."

Right. I forgot he worked at the gallery. "Are they difficult?"

"Nah, not so much." He smiles. "They're just very hyper."

"I can imagine. You'd be good with them."

He smiles broadly. "Well, I like kids. Who are you waiting on?"

Cue Darius. I see him before he even enters the café. I don't know what to do as he approaches. It doesn't matter anyway because he's with us in about two seconds, smiling broadly.

"Hey, Kat. Didn't expect to see you, Peeta."

Peeta turns toward him in surprise. He stares at him for a split second, his eyes quickly flicking back to mine, before he responds. "Likewise. How are you going, man?"

I watch with slight trepidation as the two exchange a friendly conversation. Darius then looks to me, the picture of ease. "You two know each other from college, right? You know, Kat, when you said Peeta the other night, I didn't realize you meant him. You should've said."

Still slightly horrified by the entire situation, I just kind of stare at him, wondering how on earth I should respond. Peeta ends up saving me. "Yeah we roomed together in our senior year. She was actually working on my family's court case. Did a brilliant job on it too."

His complement sends a jolt through me. I catch his eye but there's nothing but a pleasant smile on his face. "Yeah, we were roommates." I smile.

Before the conversation can get any more awkward, or Darius suggests something potentially catastrophic like a double date, the person in front of us clears away from the counter and the three of us step forward. The woman at the coffee machine suddenly produces two coffees and bags of food. "These are yours, Peeta." She says, while the girl at the cash register asks Darius and myself what we would like. As Darius orders, Peeta places some money on the counter and takes the items.

"Thanks, Bris." He turns back toward us. "I'll see you guys around." His eyes linger on mine for a moment with a smile before he walks back out of the café.

"Katniss?" I turn back to Darius. "Do you want anything else?" I shake my head no.

We decide since the café is packed we'd take the food and coffee and head to the botanical gardens, making use of the sunny weather. I pull out the keys as we exit the business and the lights of the Jag flash as I unlock the car. I don't think anything of it, still slightly uncomfortable from our encounter inside, until I realize Darius is gaping at me.

"Holy shit! This is your car?"

000

A/N: You all surprised me a little with your reactions to the last chapter! I know this is a really slow burn and quite a few of you are getting disheartened (honestly, I intended it to be a bit shorter than 1000 Miles which clearly hasn't happened). BUT there are only 3 more left, so hang in there! All I'll say is that it's not what you're expecting. There's a lot going on in the next chapter.

Thank you to everyone who left comments to the last chapter, I love reading them. Also, a quick reminder, if you would like me to answer questions you leave in reviews please sign in so I can PM you.

Have a great day!