As Peeta and I ate at our usual table, I felt a bit guilty. It was the policy of the Officials that no person under eighteen is permitted to leave quarters to hunt for the table. I really wanted to go out hunting and actually do something for everyone that had saved my life, but nooo.
"Katniss, for heaven's sake, slow down!" My mother scowled jokingly at me as I ate without care.
I looked down at my plate and saw the remains of a very big meal I had stuffed down my throat in a record time of half an hour. "Sorry. I let my stomach get the better of me…" From the corners of my eyes, I saw Peeta smirking at me.
On my other side, Gale was still pale, but laughed semi-casually along with everyone else.
"Peeta, these cheese rolls you and your father made are delicious!" Primrose complimented as she sampled a fluffy white roll.
My mouth watered. Life was just cruel; they knew Peeta'scheese rolls were my favorite. I glanced over at my mother and she gave me permission to eat just one roll. I ate two.
"May I be excused, mother? Buttercup needs a bath." Prim asked our mother. I could visibly see mother wincing as she imagined cleaning up after them.
"Of course you can." When my mother said that, Prim hopped off the bench and skipped away.
"I think I must go too, mother." I said. My mother nodded to me and I got up.
Peeta got up with me. "Errands to tend to." He explained to our table and we walked out.0 "Errands?" I asked him as the cafeteria door swung shut behind us.
"I was under the impression you agreed you would marry me." Peeta smiled, but I could see other emotions in his eyes. Worry, mostly, but also excitement mixed with confusion.
I had almost forgotten. "Yes, I had."
"Now, if you really don't want to, you don't have to. This is your choice and your choice alone. I'm sure we could figure something else out if you don't want to."
"I am absolutely positive. If I were to marry anyone at seventeen, it would be you. "
"I never dreamed I would be doing this." Peeta looked happy.
"You never thought you had a chance, but you do and I choose you, and here we are."
"Even you have to admit everyone thought you would end up with gale," Peeta said as we rounded a corner.
"That's too weird. If you want to end up with someone, don't become best friends with him first because just in case your feelings waver, things would never ever be the same between the two."
"Do you want to end up with him?" Peeta asked, although I know he knew the answer.
"No. I think we are better off as friends."
Peeta sighed in relief.
We went around another corner and ran straight into a Guard.
"What are you kids doing?" he demanding, folding his massive arms across his chest.
"We were hoping to see Judge Hinnant." Peeta said politely.
"Oh. Right this way."