Hello my lovelies! Another chapter for you here! I'm afraid it'll be the last chapter till after 17th June, as my exams start in two weeks! But once they're all over, I'll be updating very often! Thanks go to; EStrunk, iluvdinos, HopeNeverDies, PeetaMellark'sKatniss, TeamGaleSoIGetPeeta and MsRSX(nice to see a new reviewer) for reviewing! I was expecting a few more reviews especially as I killed off Peeta! Well here's Chapter 7, enjoy as it's my last offering for the next 6 or 7 weeks, sorry!

The next morning, we take the first train back to District 4. Everyone is feeling subdued and we don't talk much.

The others have just gone for lunch, so it's just me and my mother sat on the seats in our small room. I walk over to sit on the sofa next to her, wrapping my arms around her slender form.

'You saved my life,' I whisper, curling up affectionately next to my mother.

'Just doing my job,' she murmurs. 'Protecting you...'

'Your job?' I ask, confused about her choice of words.

'Katniss,' my mother says seriously, sitting up. There's something I've been meaning to tell you.' She pauses, seeming reluctant to say it.

'Go on...' I prompt.

'It's about your father.' She says.

I stiffen and my mother senses it. She continues:

'He knew the rebellion was coming, Katniss, even before you and Prim were born. Before we got married, he taught me how to use a bow and arrow, and how to throw knives. Once you were born, everything changed. Your father started working in the mines, which he knew was dangerous – so he made me promise I would look after you if anything happened to him. He was even more persistent in this after Prim was born.' She sighs. 'Every day, before he left for work, he would whisper in my ear: "Don't forget the promise." And I never did.'

'But after he died...?' I ask, confused.

'I messed up,' she confessed. 'I never really thought that anything would happen to him. I know I've not been there for you, and I've not been there to protect you, but I couldn't let Peeta kill you. I'm sorry for shooting him, I know how much you care for him.'

'It's okay, I say honestly. 'You did what you had to do, and if you hadn't, I'd be dead.'

She smiles and squeezes my hand.

'You kept your promise,' I say, comfortingly.

'And your father would be proud of you – he always hated what Capitol did to the District-people, and he would be proud of you for leading the rebellion, Katniss. He's looking down on you, smiling.

I smile at my mother, feeling reassured as to my participation in the rebellion, knowing that my father would be proud of me and finally feeling some sort of mother-daughter connection with my mother. I curl up next to her as we near District 4 and the others begin to reappear.

When we're back in District 4, I spend most of my time swimming. It helps me clear my head, and it means I can cry without anyone noticing.

I mostly cry for Peeta; for the boy with the bread. The innocent, gentle boy who Snow destroyed and the weapon that Coin didn't hesitate to use.

I cry for myself, too. I don't know what to do without Peeta, and I don't know what to do about Gale either. I care about him, but do I love him? I couldn't imagine him with anyone else, and I don't want anyone else.

I'm not making any decisions. I'm mourning Peeta and trying to decided what on earth to do with my life now; I'm only 18, yet it feels like I've lived out most of my life already.

One evening, after I come in from the sea, there's a message on the notepad, in Annie's hasty scrawl. It says:

Katniss,

Paylor rang, needs to speak urgently. Ring 07892837692.

x

At this point, I'm too tired to have a sensible conversation, so I walk further into the house, to the kitchen, to find my family...

We're living in Annie and Finnick's old house in the Victor's Village. It's got three bedrooms: me and Prim share one; mother, Annie and the baby, another and Gale the third. I think Gale has decided to stay here for now, who knows where he'll go in the future.

The next morning, I call Paylor before heading to the sea, to think about what she said.

President. I roll the word around my tongue, President.

President Everdeen. Katniss Everdeen, President of New Panem. It's just not right. That's why I'm going to tell Paylor that I can't do it...

'HEADS UP!' I hear a shout, and duck under the water.

As I resurface I see Gale opposite me, smiling at me like a little boy who's just been given a puppy.

'Hey,' he says, still grinning.

'Hi,' I say, unsure if I like my watery territory being invaded, even if it is only by Gale.

'I just spoke to Paylor,' Gale says, changing the tone of the conversation immediately.

'I can't do it Gale, I won't,' I whisper.

'Katniss, do you know why I like having you around?' Gale says, completely ignoring my comment. 'You inspire me.' He continues, not waiting for a response. 'No matter what happens, you keep going – and you always seem to know what to do: when Prim was reaped, you volunteered straight away; you survived in the arena – both times; you weren't afraid to eat the nightlock berries, even though you knew you'd die; you headed the rebellion – Katniss, you're my hero! Whenever I've doubted what I'm doing, I ask myself what you would do...'

I'm staring at him, open-mouthed, wondering where all this is coming from when he hits me with something else.

'That's why you've got to do it, the election-'

'I can't, I-'

'Yes you can. There's nothing to say that Paylor won't win, but you would be a great President. You know what it's like to be mistreated by others, more than anyone, so you would know more than anyone what the people need. You care. And that's why I love you...'

Now review pleaseeeeeee! Next chapter should be up 18th June!