Hey all! So I'm going to follow a fellow reviewer's advice to try and improve my story. Did you know that the last chapter was the longest I've posted? I'm pretty proud of that, needless to say. Well, here is Chapter 15!

I toss and turn again the whole night. My mind is filled with pictures of Peeta's heartbroken face, and his words echo my ears. Katniss, I love you. Katniss don't leave me. Please. Silent tears tracks down my face, but I know I made the right choice.

Happiness isn't important; Prim is. She refuses to talk to me no matter what I say. Seeing the disappointment in her eyes explains everything. Honestly, it is probably better that she isn't talking to me. If she had been, I would be bawling from her words.

When morning arrives, I couldn't look more horrible than I do now. My eyes have put up that emotionless wall back up. My hair hangs in my typical braid. I am back to wearing my drab, colorless clothes. My heart is the opposite though. It is full of guilt, dread, and sadness for my choices. I keep reminding myself that is was for Prim, for the better of us.

One silly relationship shouldn't affect my little sister.

Rory knocks on our door when it's time to leave, offering help for Prim walking to school. She nods gratefully towards him, and still gives me the cold shoulder. She'll warm up, and understand I was doing it for her well being.

The walk to school is long, and everyone stares again as I arrive, without a Peeta on my side. Sara stands off to the side of the school. Her right eye is completely black and her nose is taped up tightly. She grins in an evil manner when she sees me. I scowl, sending her back into the frightened shell.

First period drags by, and Madge glances toward me looking sad. When the teacher stops talking to the class, she grasps the chance for a question.

She whispers quietly, "What happened?"

"I broke it off. Our relationship was hurting Prim." I mumble, staring at my papers.

"Who did it?" She asks, but I don't respond.

In fact, I rarely respond to anyone these days. I answer when necessary, never showing emotion. Prim won't talk to me still, and I give up on trying making her. Peeta avoids me like the plague, and Gale? Gale tries hard every time we hunt to get me to say what's wrong. I never respond to that either.

The last day of school rolls around quickly. Peeta and I have yet to talk, and now I feel obligated like I should say something. The Reaping is in three days. Even though I broke it off, I miss him a lot. Rarely do I let myself indulge in the feeling, but I will admit that I miss him. When Trig begins, I sit next to him.

"Hi." I say quietly, and he looks over.

"What do you want Katniss." He says coldly, making me jump with surprise.

"I-I wanted to apologize. For everything, in case you get pulled. For the Reaping." I look down, guilt really pushing on my shoulders. He doesn't answer, so I look up. Little did I know that I was crying silently in his silence?

"Katniss." He says softly, and his thumbs brush the tears away. Nobody notices, because of being caught up for summer plans.

"Peeta, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you, but Prim-" I say with sadness lacing my words.

"Shh. Prim can take care of herself. Take care of you for once, please?" He asks, and I bite my lip trying to not cry.

"What if she gets picked?" I whisper, and he softens even more at my comment.

"She won't. Her name is only in once. You will both be fine." I relax, and trust Peeta.

"And you?"

"I'll be fine. I promise." He smiles half heartedly, and I return it slightly.

"Peeta, can you forgive me?" He nods, and I hug him before he can respond. His arms wrap around me tightly, and I feel safe again.

"Of course." He mumbles into my neck, sending tingly feelings down my spine.

"Did you mean it? What you said the other night?" I whisper again.

"Yeah. I've always loved you. Always." We pull back, and I smile.

"I don't know if I love you, but I really do like you Peeta."

He grins so widely, I'm sure his face will crack. "That's more than enough for me." The bell rings, and I kiss him lightly.

"I'll come and trade with you tomorrow morning, okay?" He smiles and nods.

.0.0.0.

The rest of the day seems lighter, and after school I see Prim smile at me. The first reaction she's given me since I broke up with Peeta.

"I'm proud of you," she says as she walks up, "you should listen to me more often." I laugh out loud, and hug her tightly.

"I love you Prim." She mumbles in return, and I straighten up. "Let's go home. I want to take you somewhere special tomorrow." Prim's eyes widen, and she grins widely.

We walk home, and I grab a canvas bag, throwing in some towels and a spare change of clothes for each of us. I fill up two canteens too with some water. When mother gets home I tell her my plans for Prim and I. She smiles, and nods in an approving manner. "Have fun, okay?" She says, and I nod quickly.

At bedtime, I tell Prim I have to hunt in the morning, but we can leave as soon as I am done making my rounds. After agreeing, we fall asleep wrapped together.

.0.0.0.

I sneak out of our home quietly like a mouse. I hunt faster than ever today, wanting to see Peeta as soon as possible and show Prim the surprise I have for her. I move to The Hob, selling Sae a small wild dog, earning a decent amount of coins. I trade some fish for soap, and run to Madge's to sell more strawberries.

I knock quietly, and Madge answers quickly.

"Hey." She says, and grins when she sees me holding up the strawberries. Digging in her pockets, she pulls out more coins than usual. "Here, if you get anymore before the…you know… bring them here. Mom's craving them." I smile, and thank her.

I jog over to the Mellark Bakery, arriving at the back door. Peeta swings open the door before I knock, and wraps me into a hug. I laugh out loud, then quiet down thinking the witch may be working.

"Hey." He says with a smile.

I lean up to kiss him lightly. "Hey yourself. Interested in some squirrels?" I managed to bring down five, and I hold them up.

"Hell yes. We've needed the fresh meat horribly. One second." He runs off to the front, then comes back with a loaf of the hearty bread. The same bread he tossed me when we were eleven. I smile, and gratefully take it.

"Thanks." I smile, and he kisses me again. "Oh! How much for a cookie? I thought I would surprise Prim today, since I'm taking her out on a special trip."

"You brought more meat than usual, so here." He backs up, and I hear a box being opened and closed. He turns back to me, holding a small box with Mellark stamped across it. I open it to find a lovely Primrose iced.

"Peeta, I can't take this for free." I whisper, but he shakes his head.

"You paid more than enough already, okay?" Nodding in return, I tuck the bread and cookie into my hunting bag. He leans down to kiss me again, and this time with a bit more passion. I lose myself in the kiss, and grasp his neck tightly.

"PEETA ANDREW MELLARK! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU ARE DOING WITH THAT SCUM?" I quickly jump away to reveal an angry Mrs. Mellark standing just behind him with clenched fists.

"Mom, calm down!" He says, but is sounding weak.

"Calm down! I will NOT calm down when my son is making out with…FILTH!" I notice she is leaning against a door, and starts to raise her hand to hit him. Without a second thought, I pull the knife in my belt and throw it close to her arm, pinning the fabric of her shirt to the wall.

"You will NOT hit him again!" I yell, pushing in front of a stunned Peeta.

"What's going on? Oh!" Mr. Mellark stumbles into the room, and looks surprised by the scene.

"This, SCUM was trying to hurt me!" The witch screeches, and I shake my head.

"If you didn't notice, I pinned your hand, not your neck." I retort.

Peeta chooses to speak up. "She was trying to protect me Dad, she almost hit me again."

Mr. Mellark get bright red with anger, and pulls out my knife, handing it to me. He turns back to his wife, now shaking with anger.

"I've had enough of your abuse Ingrid! You will never touch my sons ever again! Or even step in this bakery anymore! Leave now!" I stand up with surprise, and turn to Peeta. His face mirrors what mine must be.

"Fine! You fools will fail without me anyways!" She screeches, and throws her apron on the ground. I hear the front door slam, and Mr. Mellark slumps with relief.

"I've wanted to do that for so long." He mumbles, and then stalks away.

"Woah." Is all I say, and Peeta just nods. "Are you okay?" I ask, turning to hug his waist.

"Yeah. Great now. She's caused me nothing but stress." He mumbles, and then hugs me. "She was my Mother, but only by birth you know?" I nod, then let go.

"I'm really sorry but I promised Prim to be quick, alright?" He kisses me lightly, and I smile.

"Katniss? Can we meet up tomorrow night? Maybe in the Meadow?" I smile and nod. "Alright. Go to Prim. I love you."

"I know. Bye Peeta." We kiss once more quickly, then I head back home. Excitement fills me, I can't wait for Prim to see the surprise.

"Prim! I'm back! Let's go!" She bounds down the stairs, and I grab the bag I packed, slipping the cookie in before she sees. I grin at her, and we walk out the door hand in hand.

Alright! I finished Chapter 15, and now you need to review(; Chapter 16 will be up before midnight hopefully.