Dinner went well, and if anyone seemed to notice anything out of the ordinary, they didn't say anything. Gale was happy to see me, but he got a very guilty look on his face because he noticed me being extra-sensitive about my belly. I was being very careful not to bump it on the table, and I think I actually apologized to it when I did. Maybe nobody else noticed that.
When Peeta and I left, I was almost glad. Gale seemed about ready to have a nervous breakdown.
"I wonder what I'm going to tell them if something is wrong with me." I said to Peeta on the way back to my room. "Nothing is going to make sense to them."
"It actually might help, though." Peeta considered. "If the baby actually was from the Capitol, no one would ever have to know it… you know… wasn't mine."
I nodded my head slowly in approval. "I guess it would help, but I don't want a baby from the stupid Capitol."
Peeta sensed me getting upset and dropped the subject. Smart boy. "Let's talk about it another time."
I nodded silently.
When we got to my room, Peeta held the door open for me. There was some small part of me in the back of my head that felt guilty for not letting Peeta have any time to himself. Although I had a feeling that he would deny wanting to have time to himself. Maybe I'll bring it up sometime.
"You should get some rest." Peeta said, straightening the blankets on my bed. "Who knows how early the doctors are going to come?"
I smiled and went into the bathroom to change out of the clothes I was wearing. My sore body welcomed the hot shower and fresh nightgown with open arms, and afterwards, I examined myself in the mirror. To my disappointment, it was totally obvious I was pregnant. I was hoping it was small enough not to show, but all hopes of people not noticing vanished. It's not like the world would end if they did, but the easier this whole thing is, the better.
I frowned to myself. This whole thing was so complicated. Just a few days ago, I was able to fit into a dress my size with only mild tightness (with the side-effect of splitting the seam of the dress) but now none of my clothes would fit, even if they were loose before!
Letting out a sigh, I stalked out of the bathroom, scowling.
Peeta, who was leaning against the door, smirked at me. "There's no reason to look so happy, Katniss."
"Oh, shut up."I said halfheartedly, and flopped onto my bed.
"I'm going to my room for a few minutes, but I will be coming back." He detached himself from the door, and opened it. "You can go to sleep if you want." With a smile at me he ducked through the door and I was left alone in my room.
"Sleep, indeed." I muttered to myself, crawling into the covers. I should do that without a problem, even though I won't have Peeta to snuggle up against. Thinking the word "snuggle" in my head made me snort.
I pressed my cheek against the pillow and closed my eyes, but instead of sleeping, I found myself thinking. What if Peeta was right? What if the Capitol had caused my pregnancy? That would be really awkward if it did, because what if it looked completely different from me? What would people think if I go into the hospital, and come out holding a tiny baby with pale skin, orange hair, and green eyes? Talk about weird. Although, that would have been better than if the baby was Gale's and it looked identical to him. That would be really weird and uncomfortable explaining to Mother…
My mind wandered from subject to subject, starting to slow down with my mind as I got closer to sleep. When I was 90% asleep, I heard my room door open. At least, I think it opened. Maybe I was dreaming. Anyways, the door opened and I heard Peeta come in. I knew it was him because when he saw me asleep (or so he thinks), he laughed quietly.
He walked over to the bed and bent down next to me and I felt his lips press against my temple. It was an oddly touching action, but it took all in me to pretend to be asleep and not wrap my arms around him.
I thought he would take advantage of me being "asleep" and go and go back to his own room, but instead, I felt him stretch out on the other side of the bed. His hand closed around mine, and I took the risk of squeezing it back. Maybe people do that in their sleep as some type of reflex. Whatever Peeta thought of that, I didn't find out, because I fell asleep.