Disclaimer – I do not own The Hunger Games or any of its characters. All credit goes to Suzanne Collins.
A/N: You have no idea how much your reviews mean to me :') I know I say this before each chapter but thank you, I can't thank you guys enough. I'm really glad you all liked the previous chapter.
I'm sorry I didn't update for a couple of days, this chapter took me a while to write. The current outline is that I have another five more chapters left. But fear not, I have a new story planned out and am really excited to start writing it. Hope you enjoy this chapter (even though it is a little short)
Once Prim and I reach home, she goes to the kitchen to feed Buttercup and Lady. I quickly go upstairs and change into my hunting gear. Once I'm dressed, I walk back downstairs into the kitchen and am greeted to the sight of Prim feeding Buttercup one of her cookies, and to my surprise, he actually liked it.
"Prim, I don't think cats can eat cookies," I smile cheekily at her as I grab my dad's hunting jacket hanging from the back of the door and slip it on.
Buttercup hisses at me in response. "I know, but he likes it," she says with a giggle and feeds him some more.
"Don't feed him all of it. Get yourself cleaned up; you've got flour all in your hair," I grin and plant a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'll be back soon, okay? Love you," Buttercup hisses at me again as I sling my game bag over my shoulder and leave the house.
I jog my way through the ashy streets of the districts until I approach the metal-chained linked fence. The fence is silent as I slip through the loosened edges. The woods feel refreshing today. The wildflowers and plants bloom lavishly, and the trees block the heat created by the glaring sun.
The leaves crunch underneath my boots as I quickly go to retrieve my bow and arrow from the hollow log. I sling my stealth of arrows on my back and make my way to our usual meeting place. I gather a couple of berries, nuts and herbs along the way and place them safely in my game bag.
I reach the top of the hill and Gale is already sitting in the shade by the big tree. "Finally! I was beginning to think you weren't going to come," he said.
I playfully roll my eyes and sit down next to him on the grass. I pick some blackberries off a nearby bush and nibble on them. The sweet tang explodes across my tongue, a refreshing flavor.
"Katniss, why do you have flour in your hair?" he asks curiously as tries to brush it away.
I blink, confused at the question, running a hand through my hair again and look at the white powder on my fingers. I blush slightly. "Ohhhh. Prim and I were at the bakery helping Peeta with his orders," I say, averting my gaze down to the ground, not wanting to meet his gaze.
"So, what have you caught?" I ask quickly, hoping to change the topic away from the flour that still clung to my hair, leaving a good part of it almost white.
"You were baking with him?" he asks in a tight voice. His calm demeanor has disappeared, replaced by ire and annoyance – a demeanor he doesn't wear often. I can even see the glint of fire in his eyes.
"Prim wanted to. There's nothing wrong with that!"
"Katniss," he states firmly as he runs his hands through his hair in a distressed manner. "I just don't want you to get hurt," he says, the spark of fire that was once ignited in his eyes gone.
"We're just friends, Gale!" I protest. "You of all people should know that I don't have time for a relationship."
"I know that. I'm only trying to protect you," he says, and there is a note of rising anger in his tone.
"I don't need protection!" I snapped, getting angry.
"He's from the Merchant area," he points out fiercely.
"So? Madge is from there and we're friends," I retort.
"I'm just saying that boys like that only want one thing," he says firmly through his gritted teeth.
"Boys like what, Gale? Kind, generous and sweet?" I find myself asking, where did those words come from?
"Forget it, Katniss, let's just go hunt before it gets dark," he says before he gets up and starts walking into the woods.
The next couple of days go by normally until its Thursday. I find Peeta already waiting for me by the tree, but this time he's got an extra bag with him.
"Hi, Katniss," he says in his usual voice.
"Hi," I say. "What's in the bag?" I ask curiously.
"Ohhh, this," he gestures down to the bag. "Just a little something I made for you and Prim," he hands me the bag carefully and I look inside. It's not cookies this time that rests inside, but two fresh loaves of sweet bread and a dozen cheese buns. My favourite.
My grey orbs dilate in shock. "Peeta, I can't accept this!" I yell out in frustration.
"God, Katniss, why do you always do this?" this time he yells out. I've never seen this side of him before.
"Why do I always do what? This isn't a gift, Peeta! What do you want from us?"
"God, Katniss! I want to know what your favourite colour is, what your biggest fear is. What your favourite flower is, I just, I—"
I'm taken by surprise when he cups my face in his warm, gentle hands and looks me dead in the eye before I feel his soft lips pressed against mine.