Katniss

I stare at the green envelope, much like I stared at the snow-white rose that the president had given to me after the Quarter Quell. It looks as alienated to me as the plants in the arena this year, maybe even more, since in the arena I knew, at least, it would certainly kill me. I'm not sure whether or not this artifact is going to be good or bad. I can only hope, since it was from our class, that it is good.

Then I realize the bizarreness of the situation. Our class? We don't have a set class. Everyone has class with everyone. Meaning only one thing: Madge had made that up. But if "our class" hadn't given me the envelope…whose was it?

Finally I pick up my first weapon in months—a letter opener, of all things, something that could certainly be useful in the arena—and slice open the envelope. I set it on the desk, prodding inside it with the blade of the letter opener carefully. Not long after I've poked the knife inside, I feel it knock against something. It must be small, to fit inconspicuously inside the envelope. I carefully take out the object, then nearly drop it out of surprise.

It's a golden wedding ring.

I examine it closely, placing it on the table and leaning in to look at it. It's not Capitol-extravagant—I think Effie would've personally dumped any man if he'd given it to her—but by 12's standards, it's a wealth. Studded on it is a small pearl, and, upon closer examination, I find the word Always engraved inside. A hand flies to cover my mouth, but it's too late. I'm already starting to sob, just like I always do when I remember Peeta. I tear open the rest of the envelope and find a letter inside, yellow and soft, as if it has been waiting there for months. I carefully unfold it, as delicately as if it were one of Peeta's wounds I helped nurse back to health, and lay it open in front of me.

Finally, after a few minutes, I gather the courage to read it.

Katniss-

Your hair was in two braids instead of one. It was parted right down the middle, and your father had walked you to school that day because you refused to leave him behind. Every student in the classroom knew the valley song, but we were so glad you were the one chosen to sing it. All the birds—mockingjays, bluebirds, canaries—outside the window stopped singing, and only your beautiful voice rang out, clear as a bell, as you sang the song.

That's my life, you know. Everything that's good and beautiful can stop entirely, cease to exist, as long as you're there, the sound of your voice reminding me that I have something to live for. That something is good in this wretched world we happen to live in.

The Quarter Quell is the worst thing that could've happened to me. To us. I won't say that being forced into the 74th Games was a cakewalk, but I don't believe that they'll allow us to both live again. I stand by my decision in our first Games together. I'll die, as long as you live. I can already imagine your reaction to this. You would never allow it. Just like I would never allow you sacrificing yourself for me. But if you make it out of these Games without me, I'd like you to have this ring.

Originally, this wasn't the ring Effie had helped me pick out for our wedding. In fact, this isn't even from the Capitol. We had the blacksmith, Iron, make it especially for you. I hope you can appreciate the little joke with the pearl now that I'm not there to laugh about it with you.

Yes, if you are reading this, it means I'm gone. But only physically. I made a promise to you, last year that I would stay with you always, and that is what I am planning to do. I will be there in your laughter, in your sweet dreams. I'll be there to wake you up from your nightmares. I'll be there in every orange sunset, every green leaf. I'll always be there, Katniss, remember that. I'll always love you. And I hope you learn to love, too.

With you always,

Peeta

I sink down to the floor, my knees turning to Greasy Sae's wild dog soup. Tears are streaming down either side of my face, and I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to ward off reality. With the presence of the letter, I can almost feel Peeta telling me it's okay, hushing me with one of his soft kisses, begging me to stand up because he can't stand to see me like this.

This is finally when I realize his intentions. Telling me he's lingering by, watching me constantly, always in my dreams. It's not to make it more difficult for me to let go of him—it's so that, if I refuse to live on without him, that I am able to live, with him. As long as he's with me, he knows I'll have the will to continue with my life. He's given me his blessing, if anything, to finally leave my nightmares behind.

I look at the ring, still sitting on the tabletop, and I slip it onto my finger. It's really no matter that it's smaller and less exotic than a Capitol-made artifact; it's perfect with its imperfections, with its odd dents and its pearl instead of a diamond. The word inscribed in its center, Always, rubs against my skin as I close my hand, liking the feeling of it.

I drop the letter and the green envelope, not thinking twice before I'm running outside, through the grass, to the Meadow. There are no dandelions yet; spring hasn't begun. But oddly enough, it's as if I can feel the small seeds planted inside the earth, eager to burst through the soil and bloom. It's my first time in a long time being there by myself, without Gale to guide me back to safety. A small part of the old Katniss resurfaces, the girl that loved getting in trouble and taking risks, sneaking around to the places where nobody could tell her she didn't belong, because, truthfully, nobody belonged there.

I fall onto the ground, laying sprawled on my back, the soft blades of grass tickling my cheek as I stare up at the sky. My arms embrace the trunk of the large tree, the foot of which my head lays on, and I close my eyes peacefully. Inhale the scent of the grass, of nature, as the green leaves above me rustle with the breeze and the sun begins to set. The sky is just turning a soft orange when my eyes burst open, and a smile subconsciously spreads through my lips. And finally, with all these reassurances that he'll be there no matter whether or not I'm holding on, finally, I feel myself ready to let go.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Okay, I admit it, I ship GALEENISS. I just can't choose! And I might as well admit, I suck at leaving cliffhangers. So for those of you who might've guessed it was a letter from Peeta/a wedding ring/a gift from Peeta, then congrats!

PS: I almost died while writing this. It broke my heart.