A/N: Thanks to youngpatriot for reviewing the last chapter! I appreciate the support :)

Like its predecessor, this chapter has been tough to write, mainly due to trying hard to keep everything accurate to the book. Hopefully it's still fun to read, though :)

Tribute Profile

Peeta Mellark

Age: 17

District: 12

First Hunger Games: 74th, aged 16

Mentored By: Haymitch Abernathy (74th and 75th Games)

Kills in the Arena: 2

Mentoring Record: 0 Games/ 0 Victors

Training Score: 12

Preferred Weapons: Knife

Stylist: Portia Andrews

"Because... Because she came here with me."

With just one sentence, Peeta Mellark went from being a kind, well-mannered boy from District 12 to the tribute that we were all rooting for. Upon his confession of love for his district partner Katniss Everdeen, Peeta became the star of the Games; the tribute that everyone wanted to win. For the first time, the Hunger Games told a story of romance, and everyone wanted to see Peeta get the girl.

Not that it would matter, or so we thought, until the rule change that let Katniss and Peeta escape the arena together as victors. Now for the first time two tributes have won the Games, and the fairytale story of Katniss and Peeta was only just beginning.

Or so we thought.

Given half a year, the two young lovers were engaged, and life seemed to be going from height to dizzy height for the baker's boy from District 12. Only with the reading of the card for the Third Quarter Quell was everything brought crashing back down to earth.

Peeta became the third and final volunteer in this Quarter Quell after volunteering to take the place of Haymitch Abernathy for a chance to defend his would-be wife in the arena. A selfless decision, no doubt, in many ways similar to Katniss' sacrifice at last year's reaping, but one that leaves us all worried. Surely the star-crossed lovers of District 12 cannot hope for the same fate as last year? Surely they must know that one of them will die in the Games this year, if not both of them? There are no amateurs in this year's Hunger Games, after all.

And yet they both continue to fight as one, push forward towards this terrible fate together. What other way would there be for them.

Few will be able to forget their appearance just a few days ago at the opening ceremonies, once more wearing garments of fire, their gaze hardened and stoic, unwavering to the crowds. They are no longer children hoping to win over the public. They are our most beloved, showing us that they mean business; that District 12 won't be going down without a fight in this year's Games.

During the past year Peeta has lived a quiet, refined life in Victors' Village with his fellow victors Haymitch and Katniss, pursuing his blossoming talent as a painter. Few would expect someone who is so unassuming and gentle in his day to day life to become a ruthless killer in the Games, but Peeta isn't going to fool any of us this year. After his impressive performance in the 74th Hunger Games, killing the boy from District 4 and the girl from Five on the way to victory, few would doubt his potential, especially after being given a record-breaking score of twelve by the Gamemakers in the private sessions held two days ago.

It's almost as though Peeta was holding something back from us, even during last year's Games.

Still, only a day separates our most recent victor from returning to the arena in a cruel twist of fate that nobody expected. All that remains to do now is go through the usual procedure at the reapings, but for once I am sure that District 12, the final tributes to take to the stage, will get our undivided attention tonight. After the many turns and surprises that Peeta Mellark has revealed to us in his many interviews in the year since he first sat on the stage with Caesar Flickerman, we can be sure to expect fireworks tonight.

As for what he'll say? I guess we'll just have to wait and see.