~Sketching Out Our Love~

~Chapter 8~

Hi everyone! I am so sorry about last week's cliffhanger! I tried to post before now, but school and homework got in the way. Forgive me? Please… I promise there aren't any more cliffhangers for a while!

I'm also sorry about Katniss last chapter. I know she annoyed all of you (she annoyed me too!) But she'll get better… eventually. :)

Also, I want to thank all of you who have shared their personal stories with me. I am so humbled that you would share such personal experiences with me. You and your families are in my thoughts and prayers.

Thanks to my two wonderful betas- Choclate lover and Milanpia. They are so awesome; this story would be worthless without their hard work!

Enjoy!

(This chapter starts a little before the end of the previous chapter, where Katniss saw Peeta and Glimmer kissing.)

~Peeta POV~

I lounged on Katniss's locker, waiting for her to come so I could talk to her.

I mean, she kissed me! It's not like I did anything. When she kisses me and blows my mind like that, I don't know what she expects me to do. There was no physical way that I could've pushed her off me or denied her that kiss that she asked for.

She kissed me. I let the words savor through my mind, and remembered her lips on mine. Soft, full, and fully open to me. For a moment there, I felt like I had finally broken through her walls, but of course she screamed at me and tried to pretend the kiss didn't even occur.

I was thinking we could maybe talk a little after school, so that's why I was waiting for her now. Maybe with the help of a cheesy bun or a cookie, she might become more talkative. But it seemed like a far-fetched plan even for me, and Prim always referred to me as "the optimist."

I saw Glimmer strutting down the school hallway like she owned it, and my body immediately stiffened. In a way, she did own the school though. The principal, Snow, was her uncle. He was a petrifying old man, and I sincerely hoped I would never have to make his acquaintance.

As Glimmer got closer to where I leaned on Katniss's locker, I saw that she was already on Marvel's arm. I guess I was very expandable, easily replaced in the blink of an eye. Marvel looked totally over the moon at this new arrangement, but Glimmer was oblivious to his very existence. I gazed at Marvel's dreamy expression in repulsion, and realized I must have looked just like him when Glimmer and I started dating. The thought made me shudder in discomfiture.

Glimmer leaned over to whisper something in Marvel's ear. He nodded and grinned evilly alongside her. Their eyes flitted over to where I stood, and ducked away quickly.

Nerves gathered in the pit of my stomach. This couldn't be good.

I considered walking away, but I really wanted to talk to Katniss. And if I walked away, Glimmer would think I was afraid of her, which would make me look weak.

Glimmer came to stand right beside me, as I'd foreseen. Marvel stood off to the other side, a couple feet away. He sneered when I met his eyes.

Haha, I thought you were my friend. So much for that.

"Peeta." Glimmer purred. She leaned closer to me, so that her chest was almost touching my own. I tried not to show my uneasiness, so I focused on counting every freckle on her small nose instead. "I missed you." Her tone dropped to a whisper, so no one except us would hear.

I rolled my eyes in response. I know she didn't mean it, and I wouldn't humor her. "What about Marvel?"

"He just isn't the same." She gazed at me with her cat-shaped green eyes. "I wish we could make up."

"Sorry." I shrugged my shoulders, and stepped away from her.

"No, Peeta, don't leave!" She grabbed my arm, and yanked herself closer to me again.

I saw Katniss at the end of the hallway, and I didn't want her to take this conversation between Glimmer and me wrongly. She was already mad enough as it was.

"Bye, Glimmer." I pushed her away, but she glared at me icily, and stood her ground.

"I don't miss you." She growled, her personality shifting from flirty to furious in a moment. "I just want to make that girl feel the pain I've been feeling."

"Leave Katniss alone." I hissed through clenched teeth. "She didn't have anything to do with all this crap!"

"I saw the two of you kissing!" Glimmer's eyes blazed manically. I swear that I could see hurt in her eyes under the anger.

I gaped at Glimmer. How did she know? Was she stalking my every move?

"Surprised, right?" Glimmer smiled, and took a small step closer to me. Katniss was now twenty feet away, so I needed to get rid of Glimmer before she saw us talking.

"No. This is none of your business." I glared at her, hoping she'd just leave.

"Yes, it is." She grinned widely. "Keep being surprised, Peeta."

She pushed me up against the row of lockers so quickly that I couldn't even react in time. My body was thrown against the lockers hard just as her lips suddenly pressed on mine. I recoiled at the feeling of her lips, which felt foreign against mine. It was nothing like the kiss Katniss and I had shared earlier. There was no true feeling to this kiss. Her lips felt sticky with lipstick on mine, and I tried to push her away from me vainly.

She laughed against my mouth, and I winced as her hot breath entered my mouth. I wrapped my arms around her waist, trying to lift her off of me.

In my peripheral vision, I saw a crowd gathered around Glimmer and I. Some looked confused, while others, like Cato and Clove, looked strangely pleased. I saw Katniss trying to break through the crowd, and the sight of her confused face motivated me more than anything.

I threw Glimmer off of me so hardly that she landed unceremoniously ten feet away. Her leg was twisted beneath her, and I saw that she was hurt. She glared at me through her welled-up tears, and I could tell I had really hurt her. Old Peeta would have been so guilty he wouldn't have slept all night, but all I could feel was satisfaction.

"I'm telling my uncle." She hissed through her pain. "You are in so much fucking trouble."

Marvel rushed to where Glimmer was sitting, and helped her up. She winced, and leaned on Marvel, who led her away. Cato and Clove gave me death glares, but ended up following Glimmer and Marvel.

The crowd disappeared, some giving me glares as they walked past, and some shrugging indifferently. I didn't care about any of them, and rushed to where Katniss stood a couple feet away.

"You have lipstick on your cheek." She informed me in a flat voice. I wiped it away with my hand, and looked up at Katniss to confirm that Glimmer's lipstick was gone.

"It's gone." She affirmed.

I nodded in thanks, and followed Katniss to her locker. "She kissed you, right?" She asked hesitantly as she opened her locker. Her voice faltered on the last word, and I caught the nervousness in her tone.

Katniss cared that I another girl kissed me. We were definitely making progress.

"Yes. I didn't kiss her." I said firmly, making sure she heard the conviction in my voice.

"Look." Katniss began. "I was a bitch to you today. You didn't make me kiss you. I shouldn't be mad at you."

"It's ok, Katniss." I sighed, but deep down, I was happy that we were on speaking terms again. I subconsciously wondered how long until she yelled at me again.

But how long can you put up with her mood swings, Peeta?

Before I could say anymore, the intercom system in our school screeched to life. The thing barely worked, and I had only heard it come on a three times during my whole high school career. All I knew was that if the intercom came on, someone was in very deep trouble.

I had a bad feeling that it might be me this time.

Sure enough, a wheezy voice proclaimed "Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen to the front office."

Katniss met my eyes, and I saw pure, raw fear in her eyes. I had never seen Katniss afraid before, and I didn't like it.

I reached out and tucked a strand of wayward hair behind her ear. "It will be fine." I reassured her.

"I'm scared." She admitted. "Glimmer is evil."

"If they ask, you didn't have anything to do with this whole mess." I told her firmly. "Do you hear me?"

"It's all my fault though." She whispered quietly.

"It doesn't matter." I insisted. "Just make Glimmer look really bad for me."

"I will." Katniss replied in a sincere tone, and I saw a glint of determination replace the fear in her eyes.

I was afraid I had laid it on too thick when I saw her expression. "Katniss…" I began hesitantly.

"Yeah, Peeta?" She asked, as I led us to the front office.

"The principal is Glimmer's uncle." I explained. "So be careful what you say."

"The odds are not in our favor, are they?" She asked glumly.

"I'm afraid not." I bristled at the unfairness of this all. "Snow probably wants my blood right now."

"Who?" Katniss asked curiously, brushing her hair out of her eyes and looking up at me.

"The principal." I answered in a whisper, because we had reached the office.

"Hello, can I help you?" The receptionist asked as we made our way to her.

"I'm Peeta Mellark, and this is Katniss Everdeen." I answered calmly. "We were called to the office."

"Ahh, yes." She gave us a tight smile of recognition. "Follow me, please."

Katniss and I had no choice but to oblige. We were led to a locked door with a plaque that read CoriolanusSnow, Principal. There, the receptionist knocked on the locked door, and I heard some shuffling inside as the occupant stood to open the door.

The occupant turned out to be a man with a white beard and hair. His facial features were cruel, and his dark eyes were cold and unfriendly. He was at least seventy-five, and commanded an air of fear. I was immediately wary of him.

"Ahh, Mr. Mellark, correct?" He asked, shaking my hand firmly, and giving me a perfunctory smile. His eyes roamed over me, and I was self-conscious of his stare. He had the stare that made you think he could see right through you and into your very soul.

"Yes, sir." I replied submissively. Snow made me nervous, and I was too scared to say anything out of line.

"And the lovely Miss Everdeen." He shook Katniss's hand as well, and I saw her body stiffen as he touched her.

"Well, don't just stand there, come in." He said in a polite tone, making me feel like I was here for a friendly visit and not a potentially serious one.

Katniss and I warily took a seat on the overly luxurious red velvet seats in front of Snow's desk. They were so comfortable that I couldn't resist but sink into them and lay back. Katniss looked a little more guarded, sitting with her knees crossed and her hands twisted in her lap. She was perched on the edge of her chair and looked somewhat anxious.

Snow's office seemed to be dominantly red. Everything from the chairs to the cherry red mahogany table was a deep shade of blood red. My eyes instantly found a hand painted, framed picture of a single red rose behind Snow's desk. The artist in me snickered at the picture, because I was positive that I could draw a better one.

"Would you like some water?" Snow inquired in a calm voice, interrupting my examination of the room, as he proceeded to pour a glass for himself.

I answered for both Katniss and I. "No, thank you, sir."

"That won't do!" Snow cried in a falsely jovial tone. He turned to a cooler behind his desk, and took out two bottles of water, which he unscrewed and poured into glass cups. I watched silently as he put a small rose, stem and all, in each cup. They were blood red, and even from here, strangely strong smelling.

I took a cup politely, as did Katniss. We each took a sip at the same time, and I almost gagged on the water. I could swear that I could smell the very distinct smell of blood mingling on the roses, and from Katniss's repulsed expression, I knew she had smelled it too. I put the cup back on Snow's desk with shaky fingers.

Who wants their water to smell like blood? And where did that blood come from?

"Do you like my roses?" Snow asked, mistaking our revolted expressions. "I grow them in my own personal garden."

"Yes, they are lovely." I spoke for Katniss again when it became clear she wouldn't say anything.

Snow cleared his throat and took a sip of his own water. "Mr. Mellark, I heard a strange story today. Do you have any idea what it might be?"

"No, sir, I don't." I replied, forcing my voice to remain steady.

"My beloved niece, Glimmer, came to tell me that a boy is giving her problems." Snow began. "She explained that her longtime boyfriend, Peeta Mellark, cheated on her with another girl. Then Mr. Mellark tried to deny it, and he ensued to break up with Glimmer."

I nodded slightly, motioning for Snow to continue.

"And, I heard that this girl in question is none other than Miss Everdeen." Snow continued. In a failed attempt at humor, he joked, "I can see why you fell for her, Mr. Mellark."

"But what shameful behavior, Mr. Mellark." Snow sighed in a dramatic fashion after a couple moments. "I have heard so much great things about you and all your family. I am highly disappointed."

I didn't know what to say to this, so I just stared at the armrests on the chair mutely.

"I can think of only one rational explanation for this mess."

"Yes, Sir?" I asked calmly, shifting my eyes to my hands, and staring at them like they were the most fascinating thing on Earth.

"Correct me if I am wrong." Snow breathed out slowly. "You were so head over heels in love with this girl, Katniss, that you have no control over your less than courteous treatment of Glimmer."

I chanced half a glance over at Katniss, and saw that her features were quite composed. As I looked at her, she gave me half a nod without looking my way. I took the nod as permission to say the next words.

"Yes." I replied confidently, my heart hammering in my chest. "I am so in love with Katniss."

"Just as I thought." Snow smiled tightly in my direction. "And does Miss Everdeen return your feelings?"

Katniss hesitated for a fraction of a second before smiling in a very un-Katniss-like manner. "Yes, Mr. Snow." She giggled loudly, and I gaped at her. I had never heard Katniss giggle. It was so not her.

"What a beautiful love story." Snow took another sip of his water, which I hadn't touched since the first sip.

I reached for Katniss's hand from my chair, and held it to my lips for a brief moment. She smiled sweetly at me, and batted her long eyelashes. I tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear, and we heard a sigh coming from Snow.

"Now, how could I punish the two of you for being in love?" Snow murmured. "It just isn't right!"

I felt hope grow in my chest. "Thank you, sir." I smiled for the first time, and stroked Katniss's hand reassuringl, trying to reassure her that all would be fine.

"Mr. Mellark, the only emotion that is stronger than fear is hope." Snow began. "And I'd like to give you some hope."

Katniss and I nodded in unison, not knowing what to say to this ambiguous statement.

"But hope must be contained." Snow whispered, his voice taking on a raspy quality. "So, I think a punishment is in order, no matter how much I don't want to give it."

My heart sank to somewhere in the region of my stomach. I nodded wordlessly for Snow to continue.

"Three weeks of detention, every day after school, Mr. Mellark."

My heart sank even lower as Snow read my fate. I've never hated Glimmer more in my life. She put me in this mess.

"I will tell Miss Hayes of all we have talked of here once she is feeling better. She took a nasty fall." Snow shook his head in mock concern.

"That's too bad." I consoled, trying to inflict sympathy in my words. "I hope she recovers quickly."

"As do I, Mr. Mellark." Snow took another long sip of his rose water. "She will do much better with Marvel, don't you agree?"

"Yes, I agree." I gave him a fake smile. "Marvel and Glimmer look happy together."

"Yes, they do. Almost as happy as you and Miss Everdeen."

"I'm sure it will work wonderfully for everyone." Katniss smiled sweetly, obviously trying to get the message across that we wanted to leave.

"Mr. Mellark, one more moment." Snow seemed to sense my urgency to leave. "I'm not done quite yet."

"I'm sorry, Sir." I hated Snow even more than Glimmer now, if possible.

"Convince me." Snow sneered at Katniss and me.

"Of what?" I inquired rudely. I was fed up with Snow, and Snow seemed to notice, because his white eyebrows arched slightly.

"Think of yourselves as star-crossed lovers, together at last." Snow sneered. "Until Glimmer comes into the equation and messes things up again."

My heart sank even lower as I realized the hidden meaning behind Snow's words. Glimmer was in no way giving up on her plan to torture Katniss and I.

I think this might be the worse five minutes of my life so far.

I simply held Katniss's warm hand more tightly and tried not to let my dread show through. I waited on Snow to continue with his little speech of torture. "I have eyes everywhere, Mr. Mellark. If Glimmer is upset with you for any reason, you will hear from me. And I won't be so generous next time."

I tried to look unfazed by his words. "Of course, Sir."

"Convince me." Snow smiled, and delicately placed his rose in a small vase.

"Thank you, Sir." I whispered, feeling the impact of our visit. The only thing I had going for me was that Katniss wasn't in trouble.

"Now leave." Snow ordered. "But Miss Everdeen, if you will stay for a moment."

I didn't move from my seat, and stared determinately at Snow. "Whatever you say to her you can say in front of me." I retorted icily.

"As a matter of fact, I can't, Mr. Mellark." Snow glared at me. "Now leave."

I left, but made a big show of walking to the door as slowly as I could. Once the door was securely locked after me, I heard Snow's voice, but couldn't make out his words.

For the second time that day, I leaned on a wall and waited for Katniss.

She emerged from Snow's office a couple minutes later. I stared at her expectantly, but she shook her head slightly. "Let's get out of here first."

I didn't need to be told twice. I grabbed Katniss's hand, and practically ran to the parking lot. Our bodies were taut with fear and moved with a sense of urgency. My heart was still beating rather quickly from the visit with Snow.

Once we were safely in my car, I turned to face Katniss. "What did he say to you?"

"He told me…" Katniss hesitated, and I reassuringly patted her hand and smiled for her to continue.

Katniss began again. "He said something about agreeing not to lie to each other."

"What does he mean by that?" I asked, suspecting the worst, just because it was Snow.

"He knows I don't feel the same way as you do." She replied bluntly. I knew she wasn't trying to hurt me, but it still hurt.

"Katniss, it doesn't matter." I practically begged her as I put my hurt aside for the moment. "Snow can't make you like anyone."

Once we got to Katniss's apartment complex, I grabbed Katniss's arm and turned her to face me. "Just tell me one thing."

She nodded for me to continue, looking surprised at the sudden urgency in my voice.

"Could you love me, really love me, someday?" I asked, cutting right to the point. "Not for Snow, not for Glimmer, but for me. Would you do that for me?"

Katniss stared at me for a long moment. She opened her mouth, as if to speak, but closed it shut again.

"Katniss?" I coaxed her gently. "Answer me please."

Katniss shook her head and turned, walking away from me and to her house. She didn't turn around or glance behind her once.

My heart shattered into a million broken pieces.

I was having a typical afternoon. My typical afternoons consisted of attempting to do homework with music turned on in my locked room. Most of my homework attempts are thwarted by a drawing that I feel like I just need to finish.

This afternoon, I was working on one of Katniss. She was on a long, vast beach, her loose hair flowing behind her in the ocean breeze. As always when I drew her, I wondered if she knew how beautiful she really was.

My phone let out an annoying beep, so I reached over to grab it. When I saw an unopened message from Katniss, I got excited. I always get excited when she texts me.

When do you want to start the project? I've been reading through the syllabus, and it's actually very long and time-consuming.

I felt my heart leap in excitement. Of course, this project was enjoyable for me because I'd get to spend time alone with Katniss. So, for more than the reason of saving my English grade, I replied.

How about this weekend? Better start early.

She responded a moment later. Saturday, my house, at two?

Sounds perfect.

I was so excited that I found I didn't have the peace of mind required to draw. I put my pencils and the drawing away and climbed down the stairs, thinking I could get a snack or watch some TV.

Before I could do any of the above activities, the doorbell rang. Mother must have heard me come down, because she poked her head out of the kitchen. "Peeta, get the door, please. I'm making dinner."

"Sure, Mom." I smiled, and she retreated into the kitchen as I headed for the front door.

I opened the door to find an unwelcome guest. It was Glimmer, and a very angry looking Glimmer at that.

"Oh, hello, Peeta." She sighed dramatically. "Please can I come in, my leg is bothering me so much!"

Great. And her leg probably doesn't even hurt. What an actor. And I get in trouble.

Instead, I plastered a smile on my face, and led Glimmer to a couch. She made a big show of settling down and propping her "injured" leg up on the table.

"I took quite a fall." She smiled sweetly. "Marvel wanted me to go to the hospital, but I refused."

"I'm sure you'll be better in no time." I gritted out through clenched teeth.

"Thank you for your concern, Peeta." She batted her fake eyelashes at me. Unlike when Katniss did this same action in Snow's room earlier, I didn't find it the least bit attractive now.

"What brings you here, Glimmer?" I asked as politely as I could. "Shouldn't you be home resting?"

"Yes, but, I told Marvel to stop by your house for just a minute." She responded. "I just want to talk to you really quickly."

"Go ahead." I replied, turning myself so I was facing Glimmer.

"I talked to my Uncle." She began. "And he told me about Peeta and Katniss's love story."

"Yes." I said. I figured that if I stuck to monosyllables, this conversation would go by faster.

"I know that you lied to my Uncle."

"No, I didn't. I really do love Katniss." I stated sincerely.

"Let me make myself clearer." Glimmer took a deep breath. "I know Katniss is lying."

I had nothing to say to Glimmer. Katniss had told me herself that she didn't return my feelings.

"So, I want to make a deal with you." Glimmer snickered.

"Ok." I replied carefully, not wanting to agree to anything quite yet.

"Just help me get Cato and Clove to break up." She whispered, her eyes lighting up manically. "Remember that your fate rests in my hands. If you don't do what I want, Snow hears."

"What would you tell him?" I lowered my voice so Prim wouldn't hear from the den across the living room.

"That's a secret, Peeta." Glimmer sneered. "You don't want me to spoil the fun, do you?"

I ignored her ribbing and continued on. "Why do you want to break Cato and Clove up?"

I had a good idea where this was going, though.

"I want Cato." She replied, confirming my suspicions. "Just do something."

"And if I don't agree?"

"Then I tell my uncle." Glimmer responded with an evil smile.

Either way I looked at this, I saw no way out. So, I did the stupidest thing I probably could. "Ok, I'll help you. But say I fail?"

"Then you've made yourself an enemy."

"Fine. I'll talk to Cato tomorrow at practice." I was disgusted with myself. How could I agree to this?

"You made the right choice, Peeta." Glimmer moaned as she slowly got to her feet. "And I won't forget."

She hobbled her way out of the house, and I slammed the door behind her. I headed straight to my room and reached for my phone to text Katniss.

I need to talk to you now. Can I meet you somewhere quiet?

I was so agitated that it seemed to me that it took her ages to respond. I knew it was only a minute or two, but it felt like centuries.

Katniss: My mom is asleep. You can come, she won't care.

Ok, I'll be there in ten minutes.

Katniss: Alright.

I kicked on a pair of shoes and headed downstairs to leave. "Mom, I'll be back soon!" I called out, as I headed to where my keys lay near the TV.

"Peeta, don't be too late!" Mom called. "We're having dinner in an hour!"

"Ok, I'll be quick." I called out as I grabbed my keys and headed out.

"Can I talk to you?" I whispered as I walked into the door of Katniss's apartment. It was small but tidy, but not very homey. There was very little furniture, just a TV, couch, and a table with two chairs.

"I'm assuming that's why you came." Katniss joked sarcastically.

"Yeah, stupid question." I felt my ears heat up and go red, as always when I was embarrassed or put on the spot.

"My mom is sleeping in her room." Katniss replied as she led me to her room. "She won't wake up, don't worry."

Katniss stepped into her room, and I noticed it was just as sparsely furnished. There was a bed, a wardrobe for her clothes, and a small desk. I tried not to pity Katniss and her family life, because I knew she would hate it.

"What about your father?" I asked. "Is he at work?"

Katniss stared at me with her mouth gaping open slightly. I could tell from the hurt look in her eyes that I had crossed an invisible boundary and hurt her. "I'm sorry." I whispered as I sat down as close to her as I dared on the bed.

"It's alright, you didn't know." Katniss attempted a weak smile. "My dad died when I was twelve."

"I'm sorry." I said again, because I didn't know what else to say. The tension in the room had shot up at my question, and I sat somewhat awkwardly as I waited for Katniss to continue.

"It's ok, Peeta." Katniss crossed her legs underneath her and asked "So what do I owe the pleasure of your company to?"

I felt my heart clench in pleasure at her words, but I ignored it. "Glimmer." I responded. I didn't need to say anything else for her to understand.

Katniss's eyes lit up in comprehension. "She came to see you, right?"

"Yeah." I took a deep breath before continuing. "She wants me to help her go out with Cato."

"She's such a… bitch." Katniss responded slowly. "Ignore her."

"I can't." I countered desperately.

"Why? What's the worst she can do, Peeta?" Katniss glared at me.

"Tell Snow, and then I'll be screwed. I can't make her angry, or Snow hears about it." I whispered quietly as I averted my eyes from hers. I didn't want to see the look in her eyes.

"Look, I won't let her do this!" Katniss raised her voice, and I was surprised. I'd never heard Katniss scream. She must be really mad. "She can't control your life, or mine for that matter!"

"I can't tell her that!" I contended anxiously, as I thought of evil plans hatched by Glimmer and Snow.

The fight left Katniss's body, and she fell back on the bed again. "Forget about that bitch." Katniss sighed. "I won't let her get her way."

"Katniss, thanks, but you don't know Glimmer." I despaired. "She'll get her way."

"Forget about her!" She screeched loudly. "I promise she won't get her way. We'll get through this together."

"Together?" I breathed out quietly, not daring to believe I'd heard her right.

"Yes. Together. I'll help you." Katniss's cheeks flushed pink, obviously from embarrassment. But all I could feel was a weightless feeling of ecstasy.

Together. Together. Together. Together…

"Thanks. You have no idea how much this means to me." I murmured. I didn't deserve her, not by a long shot.

Katniss flushed even more in response, and didn't answer me. We lay on her bed, side by side, not quite touching, in companionable silence for what felt like a long time. My mind drifted to pleasant thoughts of Katniss and I, and I didn't dare break the harmony.

"Yes." Katniss murmured some time later, so quietly that I almost didn't hear her, even though I lay mere inches away from her.

"What?" I enquired, thoroughly confused. What was she talking about?

"In answer to your question earlier, when you dropped me off." Katniss tore at the loose strands on her comforter in her anxiety. "I could love you, for real."

"Then nothing else matters." I whispered, reaching for her hand. She squeezed it with her own, and I rubbed small circles on the back of her hand.

"Peeta." Katniss sighed out my name, her voice laced with content and pleasure.

"Yeah, Katniss?" I turned on my side, and played with the ends of her hair. She didn't protest or push me away, and I felt myself relax in her presence. She turned her head to face me, and I looked into her silvery eyes.

"I think I… can love you… soon." Katniss breathed out, gazing into my eyes the whole time. "I'm sorry I'm not ready yet."

"Don't apologize, Katniss. You're perfect to me."

"I don't want this to be an act." Katniss looked at me urgently, desperate to get her point across. "I want to love you on my own terms, not Snow or Glimmer's."

For the first time in months, I felt like everything in the world was going right. As long as I was with her, everything was right.

"I love you, Katniss Everdeen." I murmured through a wide grin. "Always."

So, yeah, I took a risk with this chapter. I'm really sorry if you didn't like the direction I took with this chapter, but I thought it was best.

So… next chapter is a surprise. We see a bit more of Glimmer, but she's out of the picture for a little bit. But the surprise comes in an Everlark moment that is just making me "awww" thinking about it. After all, it would be no fun if Katniss told Peeta she loved him in his POV. We have to see what's running through that crazy head of hers. :)

I know the title of this story has been confusing so far. I promise you'll understand the title starting in the next chapter.

Let me know what you thought of the chapter, and the introduction of Snow. You didn't think Snow wouldn't be in the story, did you? :)

Reviews are little pieces of love. Leave one, ok? (And thanks for forty-five plus reviews for chapter 6! That's a new record!)

See you on Friday (maybe earlier!)

Much love, Glitter 3