Chapter Seventeen

Disclaimer - I don't own Hunger Games or any of its characters.

Thanks to Peeta's a stalker, ILovetoFly, girly4567, louiseamay, Kurama's final nightmare, MaidenAlice, JoelHGLover00, canadianboy98, KPfan72491, Kiwi, PeetaLover1116, Jonathan K, FirePearl97, pumpkinking5, eekabeeka, jmjames and ShortySC22!

If I missed anyone, let me know and I apologize :(

Also, I'm sorry but I couldn't respond to all the reviews I think :( I'll promise to respond to all of them this time!

Heads up - The reaping is in this chapter! But... Well... I kind of lied :p Next chapter is the epilogue, I had a feeling if I added it onto the end here it would be too long for you guys to read and you'd get bored :/

Thanks for all the support you guys have given me by following/favoriting/reading/reviewing, seriously! :) I always get a smile on my face when I read the notices in my inbox ;-D

Anonymous review replies -

JoelHGLover00: Thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you enjoyed :D

Kiwi: Nope, its not going through the Hunger Games stuff, the next chapter will be the epilogue and that marks the end :( So no time for her Hunger Games! Thanks for reviewing!

Jonathan K: Ah, I don't really know how to respond to your review xD But you are right, I haven't been writing Gale's and Katniss's relationship very well, and if I could change something about this story right now would be their relationship. But I'm nearing the end and personally, I think its too much of a hassle for me to change something like that in the story :/ I don't have the time really, so I apologize if their relationship isn't good.

Well, I do have Gale and Katniss talking together down below! So, thanks for reviewing! It helped a lot :) I think I'll always think about this review in my other stories, I should be focusing on other relationships beside the main pairings, but KP is the main pairing so I won't give quite a lot of time to Gale. So yeah, but thanks for reviewing!

So here we go -

Peeta -

Someone knocks on my door, quite loudly, which awakens me from my sleep. Grumbling, I turn around in my bed, shoving my face into my pillow. I don't want to wake up, I still feel drained. I've felt tired and literally dead since Katniss kissed me and ran off.

I feel my face flush hotly even at the mere memory. Was I that repulsive? I purse my lips, once again wondering why she'd kissed me in the first place. Not that I minded of course, but I'd rather have her not kiss me and not run away than kiss me and run away.

Did she like me back? No. Thats why she ran away after that, idiot. Only Katniss knows her reasons for doing so.

"PEETA!"

I wince. Its Rye.

"Wake up, idiot." I hear him growl, "Or I'm coming in there." He sounds grumpy, as he usually does in the mornings, however this time he sounds super tired and annoyed.

"I'm awake!" I snap, sitting up fully in my bed.

"Peeta, get dressed." He orders from the other side of the door. "Its the Reaping."

Instantly, dread and horror fills me. No, no, no! I close my eyes to gather my wits. I clear my throat. "Sure, Rye, see you downstairs."

I hear Rye's thunderous footsteps echo from the opposite side of my door down the hallway and down the stairs. I wonder if I walk that loud. The corner of my lip twitches upwards slightly as I remember Katniss telling me off because of that. However, as soon as I think of her, I feel a pang in my heart and that I've just been stabbed in both of my eyes, which isn't exactly a pleasant thought.

I walk over to my drawer, find some clean, decent clothes and change into them swiftly. The prospect of the Reaping taking over my thoughts. Who'll be picked this time? I remember crying parents when their children would be chosen. I remember sobbing siblings. I remember feeling sorrow for them. I always brought loaves of bread to their families after the Reaping.

After I change into my clothes, I walk downstairs to find all my family seated at the table eating breakfast. My father catches my eye and he gives me a small, weak smile. I, however, can't muster a smile and just nod politely. I sit down between Rye and Myles.

Myles had turned eighteen a couple of years ago, so he was safe from the Reaping. Rye's eighteenth birthday was a couple of weeks ahead, so he still had a chance of being Reaped. I swallow roughly as I grab a piece of bread and place it on my plate. I reach for my butterknife and the pot of butter as my father speaks,

"So, big day huh?" I can tell that he's trying to keep his tone nonchalant, however I can hear the tiny waver of fear and sadness.

"Yes, it is, isn't it?" My mother says, rather conversationally. I look up at her and she looks right back at me, her expression blank. I don't see any emotion and that makes me feel slightly sick. Scowling slightly, I butter my bread and eat it in one go.

"I wonder who the poor souls are, don't you?" My mother questions my father. I look at the two of them, my father looks uncomfortable at the question and looks around for an escape.

"Um..." He mumbles, "Lets not talk about that, shall we, dear?"

My mother shrugs and eats up her breakfast happily. I look at her, wondering how she can act like this. Act like she doesn't have a care in the world.

"Aren't you two worried about us?" Rye blurts out, his voice sounding tense. Tense with anger.

My father looks up at the two of us and I see sadness and dread dance across his features. "Yes, we are, Rye. Very much." He purses his lips and I see him sneak a look at my mother. He twiddles with his fingers. "We care about both you and Peeta a lot, but sometimes... We can't find a way to express it very well." He searches for words helplessly. I can see he's apologizing for mother's way of talking to us.

"I think you care for us very well, Father." Myles offers. He glances at mother. "So do you, Mother."

The rest of breakfast is spent in silence.

Finally, at noon, we leave our bakery and home in silence. I look around and see kids and families walking alongside us, towards the Justice Building, where the Reaping will take place. I look around, searching for the familiar figures of my friends, and Katniss. The only times I've seen her since was in class and during school. I wondered if she was friends again with Gale, I have seen them talking sometimes, and they didn't look like they were arguing.

Once again, the adults and the children younger than eighteen are separated into a male side and a female side. After we go through a short process to get into the groups which includes the Peacekeepers taking a blood sample from each of us, I find myself standing beside Holden and Leo.

"Hi, Peeta." Holden murmurs, his eyes downcast and gloomy. I can't blame him, I'm sure I'm pretty much the same. Leo sighs and runs a hand through his hair, his usually happy blue eyes now a dark and heavy shade.

"Another day at the Reaping." Leo grumbles.

Holden looks around at the female side, his eyes searching. "Did you speak to Katniss, yet?" He questions, taking both Leo and my minds away from the Reaping.

I shake my head, I haven't told either of them about the kiss we shared. They just realized quite soon that the two of us weren't speaking anymore.

"Yeah, what happened between the two of you anyways?" Leo looks at me, waiting for my answer.

I shrug. "Our friendship got strained." I say. Thats at least a bit honest. Our friendship was strained.

"I see her and the Hawthorne kid around each other again." Holden adds.

I shrug. "Its none of my business, anymore, right?" I say, my voice sounding a little annoyed even to my ears. Holden senses this and shuts up. "Whats going on with you and Lydia, anyways?"

Holden blushes intensely, so that his face is almost as dark red as his hair. "Excuse me?" He asks, his voice an octave higher than usual. Leo smirks at him.

"Come on, Holden. Any of us can tell that you're totally crushing on Lydia. Well, Lydia seems to be quite dumb about it. Apparently, she can sense if any other guy is interested in her except for you." Leo sniggers.

Holden blushes. "Is it really that obvious?" He mumbles. Both Leo and I nod in unison.

"Alright, we'll let you off the hook." I tell him, sensing that he's becoming increasingly uncomfortable about this subject. I see him relax slightly until I continue, "But after the Reaping, you are asking Lydia out. I'll be there for support if you need me too."

Holden looks green. "Um..." He stammers. Leo snorts.

"Hello!" Effie Trinket's shrill and high pitched voice echoes across the town center. Effie taps the microphone experimentally and looks around at us, beaming expectantly. When we don't respond, Effie frowns comically. "Sorry, what did you say?"

"Hello." All of us repeat back to her, our eyes riveted attentively on the small woman. She's the one who'll be picking the tributes this year.

"Welcome, welcome, all of you!" Effie Trinket sends us a blinding smile and continues to talk to us, repeating what she's always said on the day of the Reaping. I tune out, having heard this speech many times. My mind is just on a continuous loop about who'll be chosen and Katniss. I haven't even got to say a goodbye to her after that, or a hello. She just avoids my gaze whenever we pass in the hallways or whenever we're in the same class or we're both in the cafeteria.

I purse my lip. Don't get me wrong, I've tried my hardest to talk to her, but its like I don't even exist, which hurts me. We'd really had something going on, a good friendship, but then I suppose I'd ruined it. With me telling her all about my feelings. Katniss couldn't deny that we were very good friends, I could tell that she valued me like I valued her.

"Alright, now, its time to choose the lucky ones." Effie winks at us slyly and I feel like I'm about to puke. She trots over to the side which has all the slips of the girl names. "Ladies first, am I wrong?" She grins with glee and I feel disgusted at this. At Effie Trinket, at the capitol, at President Snow, at the whole world maybe!

Effie Trinket clears her throat daintily and I see her hand dip into the bowl of names. She grins widely and lets her hand drift across the slips of paper. I can practically smell the fear and disgust from the sea of people here. Then, she dives her hand into the bowl and plucks a single, slip of paper. She takes it out of the bowl and flattens it so that its smooth and crisp once more.

She speaks, "Primrose Everdeen."

Silence falls among us.

"No! No!" Katniss. I hear her panicky voice in my ears and I want to puke. Prim? Primrose Everdeen? Why her? Of all girls why was she picked? She was the sweetest little girl I've ever known really.

I see Prim being led by the Peacekeepers towards the stage, tears blur my vision. I don't want to see the Games, not this year. I don't want to see Prim's, bloody, destroyed body. She wouldn't stand a chance against the vicious tributes.

"Stop! Prim! I - I volunteer!" Katniss chokes on her words and I hear Prim yelling as well.

"No, Katniss, no!" Its painful to watch, I see Gale appear from the crowd and carry Prim away from Katniss, his face contorted with pain and fear for his friend.

I see Katniss visibly compose herself and walk with the Peacekeepers towards the stage as well. The crowd of people are murmuring to each other in hushed tones. I, however, am feeling dread fill me all the way up. Prim was a horrible choice for a tribute, and Katniss, was even more worse. I felt guilty, Prim was a sweetheart, I had no reason to regret Katniss's decision to save her sister. I found it admirable.

Effie Trinket, on the other hand, was literally bouncing on her heels in excitement. "My, my! What a wonderful twist to this year's District 12 reaping! District 12 has never, ever, gotten someone to volunteer!" Effie announces, rather conversationally. Even from here, I can see her eyes shining. She turns to Katniss, who is still looking rather dumbstruck. "So, whats your name, dear?"

Katniss mumbles something quietly and Effie shoves the microphone in her hands. Katniss closes her eyes for about a second before opening them once more and speaking. "Katniss Everdeen."

Effie's eyes widen in shock and surprise. "I'm guessing that the lovely child you just volunteered for is your sister, then?"

Katniss nods numbly. Effie pats her arm rather sympathetically. "That was a very admirable act you did back there, dear."

Katniss blinks.

Effie Trinket casts Katniss one more look before trotting over to the bowl which holds the names of the boys. I swallow roughly, shutting my eyes. Effie Trinket dips her hand into the bowl dramatically and lets her fingers hover over the slips. She watches the reaction of the crowd carefully as she grabs a slip of paper.

She clears her throat and smacks her lips as she unfolds the slip of paper and flattens it. "Peeta Mellark!" Her shrill voice echoes in my ears and around the town.

I close my eyes. No. No. This can't be happening. Not now. Not when I've got a whole future ahead of me. But, then again, I didn't have much of my life planned out. What was I going to do, huh? Just work at the bakery? My life suddenly seemed extremely pointless. Maybe it was a good thing that I was going to be sent in the arena, anyways. After all, my mother didn't care for me, and the rest of my family could just live on just fine without me.

I shake my head and snap open my eyes and find two Peacekeepers beside me. I see Holden and Leo's surprised and dumbstruck expressions. They look, at the moment, completely stunned and thoughtless. I walk with the Peacekeepers towards the stage, I force my eyes to stay ahead. I force myself to look up at the stage, where Katniss and Effie Trinket are standing there. Katniss and my eyes meet and I feel the sudden urge to run up to her and hug her with all the strength I can muster. I need her to hold me, I need to hold her. Just a touch would suffice even, to know that I'm not alone right now.

Effie Trinket snatches my hand and hauls me up beside Katniss.

"The tributes from District 12, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark!" Effie Trinket announces. Instead of the claps that are usually heard at the end of the Reaping event, the citizens of District 12 do the gesture. The gesture of respect. My eyes burn as I see them all raise their hands up to us. Without thinking, I reach my hand out and grab Katniss's, then I raise both of our hands up in the air.

Katniss doesn't let go. She just squeezes my hand as well.

Later, when the Peacekeepers separate Katniss and I into different rooms, I give Katniss a longing look and I see Katniss look at me as well. She doesn't turn away, her eyes mold into mine.

When I'm alone in the room, I've not even left alone for a minute before my family barges into my room.

"Peeta!" Rye and Myles say in relief, both of them enveloping me in a hug. I can feel tears soak my shirt and before I know it, I'm crying as well.

Both my brothers release me and I see Rye wipe his eyes with his sleeve. Myles looks at me, sadness and fear in his eyes. My father claps my shoulder with his hand and I look at him. He manages a small smile at me.

"We can't stay very long, Peeta." He tells me quietly. "But, I just want you to know, we're all very proud of you. We're proud to have you as a son, Peeta." He says genuinely.

I nod numbly. "Thank you." I murmur, wrapping my father up in a hug. "For being there for me." I choke out.

"Well, if this is how you're going to be right now. You won't last very long in the arena, I'll tell you that."

I stiffen, so does my father. My brothers shoot my mother horrified looks.

"Thats enough." My father snaps at my mother, his eyes narrowing at her. My mother looks shocked as well, but thats quickly swept off her face as she looks at me.

"Fine." She looks at me. "We'll miss you, Peeta."

I blink at her. "I'll miss you too, Mother." I murmur.

"See you back at home, Peeta." Myles says, as the doorknob begins to turn. I see the Peacekeepers entering, gesturing to my family to leave.

"Goodbye!" I stammer, "I'll miss you!" I tell them over and over again as they are ushered out of the room. My brothers and father give me one last look which is full of sorrow and fear. The last thing I hear from my family there is from Rye.

"Give them hell in the arena, Peeta!"

I manage a teary, yet choked up chuckle, and once again, I'm alone in the room. I wonder if Holden or Leo or any of my other friends will visit me. Just as the thought enters my mind, the door opens once more.

Its Gale Hawthorne.

"Mellark." He nods to me.

"Hi, Gale." I greet him politely. Gale narrows his eyes at me.

"Listen, I'm not here to tell you good luck or anything. This is about Katniss, alright?"

I stand up straighter. "What about her?"

Gale takes a deep breath. "I know something happened between the two of you, I don't want to know what happened, but I know that it was important." Gale eyes me cautiously. "Make sure she stays alive, Mellark. Don't hurt her, put her needs in front of yours."

I look at him. "So, you're saying... Put her in front of me."

Gale nods. I can't help but laugh.

"You don't need to tell me that, Gale. I care about her, we were good friends once." I see him clench his jaw. "I'll make sure to take care of her, but you know how she is. She's a stubborn one." I chuckle slightly and I see Gale relax slightly.

He nods tightly at me. "Make sure to make those other tributes fight for their lives, Mellark." He says simply. Then, he walks out of the door, but right as he is about to have both feet out the door he turns back and lets a tiny smile on his lips. "I take what I said back before, Baker boy."

I raise an eyebrow. "What did you say?"

Gale looks at me. "Good luck, Peeta." With that, he slips out of the door, leaving me alone once more.

Not for very long though.

"Peeta!" My friends run into the room, their eyes wide with shock. All of them are shaking, obviously terrified at the prospect of me even being here.

"This can't be happening!" Delly cried out in frustration, throwing her hands up in the air. "You're one of the nicest people I know! You can't go out there, in the arena."

I shake my head, managing a soft smile. "Its alright." I stammer.

My friends gape at me.

"No, its not." Holden breaks the silence, looking at me straight in the eyes. He takes a breath. "Peeta, good luck out there. I know you'll win. You deserve it."

I manage a nod, not able to tell them of my promise to Gale about Katniss. "Thanks." I mumble.

"For what?" All of them chorus. I roll my eyes at them, trying to look calm.

"Being there for me. Being my friends. For everything, really." I say honestly.

"Alright, time to go." A Peacekeeper says stiffly, walking into the room and holding the door open for my friends to leave. They all look at me one last time, their faces stricken with horror and concern. They blurt out apologies and good lucks as they are ushered out of the room. I blink away my tears and manage a weak smile towards them.

"Bye." I murmur as the door shuts in front of me. I slowly sink down onto the ground and wrap my arms around myself, shutting my eyes closed.

Katniss -

Pacing in the small room I was placed in, my mind was running with thoughts. Family. Gale. Prim. Mother. District Twelve. Arena. Hunger Games. Peeta.

Peeta. Why was he chosen, out of all people? Why him? He didn't deserve to be sent in the arena. He didn't deserve to be sent to his death. His kind heart would surely be his downfall, however, I knew him well enough to know he could be strong and determined. But, in the arena, he wouldn't be able to survive.

I shut my eyes, taking deep, ragged breaths. And me? I had no idea what was in store for me. But, I did know one thing for certain, well two to be exact. One, to help Peeta out there in the arena. I owed him. I owed him a lot more than I ever thought I would. He saved my life once, it was time to return the debt. A life for a life. I'd do my best to keep him alive. I blink, opening my eyes, feeling determination and waves of confidence surge within me. As for number two, I'll need to give hell to those other people. The careers for sure. But definitely the Capitol.

The Capitol. I was sure as hell that I wouldn't be an easy target for them. I would be strong, confident, brave. I wasn't going to show I was weak or vulnerable to them, never.

"Katniss!" Gale's hushed voice drifts into my ears. Startled, I look to the source of the voice and see him entering the room, his eyes widening as he looks at me.

"Gale."

Before I know it, he's wrapped his arms around me. I breathe in his warm, familiar scent.

"Take care of them, Gale." I stammer as we pull apart. Gale's eyes narrow and he immediately understands.

"Of course, Catnip."

My lips twitch upwards at the familiar nickname.

"Katniss. Give them hell there, alright?" He asks, slowly withdrawing himself from me, trailing his hands to my shoulders.

He cranes his head down slightly to look me firmly in the eyes. I nod in response.

"Of course I will, Gale."

He grins a little at me before it fades away. "Be safe, alright? Don't... Don't... Don't, you know -"

"Die?" I finish, ignoring the horrified look in his eyes. "I'll try my best not to."

Gale purses his lips. "Katniss, I'm sorry for being an ass to you before. Really. I was an idiot."

I cut him off. "We've talked about this before, Gale. Its in the past. Just don't do it again."

Gale looks at me, his expression unreadable. "So there will be an again?"

I shrug. "If I'm lucky."

Gale sighs and hugs me tightly. I hear the door beginning to open, I see the Peacekeeper's hand slide through the gap. "Good luck, Catnip."

"Thank you."

Gale looks at me, his gaze questioning. "For what?"

"For everything."

Gale cracks a smile, simple yet warm.

"Time to go." The Peacekeeper snaps, looking a little annoyed at the two of us. I look at him, staring him down easily. He looks away. Gale shoots me a look as he slips out of the door. The Peacekeeper shuts the door, leaving me alone once more.

The door opens up. Its Mr. Mellark. I blink at him, surprised.

"Hi, Mr. Mellark." I stammer, meeting his gaze.

The nice man gives me a little smile and holds out a plastic bag to me. "Good luck, Katniss. Out there, in the arena." He adds quickly, looking a little uncomfortable himself.

"Thank you."

He nods curtly and exits out the room.

After that really short conversation, I'm left alone in the room once more with just my thoughts to keep me company.

Feeling a little numb inside, I open up the plastic bag and take out the cookie. I bite it, remembering the time when Peeta had baked cookies for Prim and I once. I wince at the memory, not that it was bad or anything, but the memory was soothing and I wished that our friendship had never fallen apart.

But, it wouldn't had worked. Not after what Peeta had told me. Even if I hadn't kissed him, our friendship would still be ruined.

"Katniss!" Its Madge. Madge Undersee. I blink in surprise.

"Madge?" I stammer, blinking in the dark gloom of the horrible room.

Madge walks over to me and holds out her arms to me, looking uncertain. I shake myself from my stupor and awkwardly hold out my arms as well.

Madge looks a little amused. "You don't hug, do you?" She questions, wrapping me in a comforting hug.

The noise I make in the back of my throat gives her the response that she needs. She releases me from her grasp and takes something off of her shirt.

"Katniss?"

I look at her, raising an eyebrow. "Yes?"

Madge gives me a soft smile, "Hold out your hand." I do so and she drops something onto it. I raise it up to my eye. Its a Mockinjay pin, beautifully crafted with pure gold. My jaw drops.

"Keep it!" Madge urges me when I begin moving my hand with the pin towards her. She looks at me firmly. "Its a token of your District, alright? The Capitol allows every tribute to have a token given to them." She stammers.

I nod. "Thank you, Madge."

She smiles at me. "No problem."

The door opens and she casts me a swift glance as she walks away. "Good luck out there."

I nod. "Thank you." I repeat as the door swings to the close.

The door slams open and its Prim and Mother. They look at me, their faces pale with shock. Well, Mother's is. Her blue eyes shine brightly with her pale face. Prim's, on the other hand, is flushed a deep, dark crimson and her cheeks are wet with tears.

"Katniss," Prim blubbers, wrapping her tiny arms around my waist, "I don't want you to go!"

I blink, feeling tears rising up in my eyes once more. "Its going to be fine, Prim. Gale will take care of you and Mother, okay? He'll make sure you have enough to eat! And, don't even go near the fence, okay? The Peacekeepers have got it in their sights, they're looking for suspects." Words flow out of my mouth without my consent, giving Prim information.

Prim nods, her tears seeping into my clothing. I hug her tight. "Katniss, don't give up, okay?"

"You know me." I murmur, trying to sound comforting. "I will definitely not give up."

Prim releases me and wipes her eyes, looking like the definition of distraught.

My mother looks at me, her mouth slightly agape and her face is pale in the darkness of the room. Sort of shining like a beacon.

"Katniss," She begins. I cut her off.

"Don't do what you did when Father died, alright?" I demand, my voice sounding cold and harsh even to my ears.

Mother blinks, startled. She nods quickly. "I kno-"

"Don't say 'I know.'" I snap. "Just don't do it, okay? Don't zone out from the rest of the world like you did when Father died. You've got Prim to take care of, her pets, the house. You need to keep her safe and happy and protected, promise?"

She nods, her eyes flashing with determination, however she's still looking down at the ground.

"Promise?" I repeat firmly.

My mother meets my gaze. "I promise, Katniss." She pauses. "Good luck out there."

"Alright, the time for visitors is over now!" The Peacekeeper enters the room, his voice sounding dark and harsh, gesturing for them to leave. My mother snatches Prim's hand and begins leading her out. Prim bursts out in tears once more.

"Katniss!" She wails, her tears trailing down her cheeks and dripping onto the ground.

The door slams shut.

With a groan, I sink down onto the cold ground of the dark, dry room and curl into a ball, wrapping my arms around my body, wanting to disappear from the world at this very second.

Peeta and I are sitting side by side, on the train. The train that will lead us to the Capitol and to our deaths. I silently reprimand myself. Don't think like that, Katniss!

Peeta is breathing steadily beside me and I wonder how he can take this so calmly. I look at him and see that his posture is not tense at all, more relaxed. His eyes are darting around the train car, curiosity shining in them brightly.

Effie Trinket coughs delicately, causing both Peeta and my eyes to fly towards her. She gives us a cherry red lipped smile. "So, how are you enjoying the train ride so far? The train is going quite fast as you can see, but the tracks and wheels are made of high quality as well as the carriages, so that you don't feel the bumps beneath you." She chatters.

Peeta flashes her a soothing smile. "You Capitol people are quite lucky, you know, to be able to ride in such luxurious fashions." He says easily, causing me to stiffen and Effie Trinket to blink.

I purse my lips, does Peeta want to get in trouble? The way he phrased it made it sound accusatory, yet the way he spoke those words made it seem quite complimentary.

"Thank you, Peeta." She breaks the silence and beams at him. "Yes, we are quite lucky. Have you ever ridden on a train?"

He shakes his head. Of course. None of the people in District 12 have probably ever rode on a train, they cost a lot and District Twelve doesn't have a lot of ways to connect with the train transport.

"What about you, Katniss?" Effie Trinket directs her question towards me, startling me out of my thoughts. "Daydreaming, weren't you, dear?" She gives me a sugary sweet smile. I look at her, feeling a little annoyed at her apparent nonchalant attitude.

"No. I was just thinking." I respond shortly. The woman looks appalled at the way I'd spoken to her, but I don't really give a damn right now. After all, she is part of the Capitol.

"So," Peeta cuts in before Effie Trinket can utter a word about my attitude, "What are we to expect when we arrive, Ms. Trinket?"

"What did you call me?"

Peeta blinks, surprised. "Uh, Ms. Trinket?" Peeta repeats, sounding confused.

The Capitol lady tuts at him, even wagging a finger. Peeta looks a little amused at her actions but doesn't say anything.

"No need for formalities, Peeta, darling. You can call me Effie. So should you, Katniss." She adds when she looks over at me.

Peeta nods, adopting a serious expression. "Of course, sorry." He sounds genuine and Effie smiles and shakes her head at him.

"So polite!" She exclaims, startling both Peeta and I. We exchange amused glances before hurriedly looking away from each other, my cheeks burning. I swear I can see Peeta's cheeks go red as well. "We need more men like you, Peeta, in the Capitol. Dogs, the lot of them!" Effie humphs, going as far as crossing her arms.

"Thank you?" Peeta stammers.

Effie smiles at him. "About your question, dear. When you arrive and we get straight to the building, you'll both be separated. Your stylists will dress you up in a costume that both of you shall wear for the Tribute Parade!" Effie winks at us slyly, but directs her gaze towards me. "But don't worry, they're quite fine, fashionable people."

Instantly, I remember watching the Parade once and seeing the Tributes from District Twelve stark naked and covered in coal dust. I grimace at the memory.

"Oh?" Peeta raises an eyebrow, "Are they new ones?" He asks, implying that the former stylists were horrible. I try my best to suppress my snicker and win.

Effie nods, rather eagerly, not catching onto Peeta's hidden meaning.

"Yes, they are indeed! I've seen some of the costume designs they've made for you two," She grins widely, "They're absolutely fabulous!"

"Wonderful." I manage to sound interested when Effie looks at me, waiting for me to say something. She nods.

"Well, I'll leave you two alone now to talk. But not for very long! I'm off to go get Haymitch, your mentor, you've seen him haven't you?"

Of course, Haymitch Abernathy is one of the two District Twelve victors, of course we've seen him. He also happens to be a drunk. I sneak a look towards Peeta and see him grimace at the familiar name.

"Yes, we have." Both Peeta and I speak up in unison. Surprised, we glance at each other at the same time, but when our eyes meet, we look away hurriedly once more.

Effie stands up and walks to the door and exits the compartment, leaving Peeta and I alone. The two of us just continue to sit, looking around, me feeling awkward, and Peeta... Well, I don't know.

"So, uh..." I stammer, clearing my throat, "How've you been?" I ask, avoiding his eyes as I look at him.

"Uh, I've been better I guess." He responds. "And you?"

I shrug. "Same as you." I murmur.

Peeta clears his throat and I force myself to look at him, and force myself not to turn red when our eyes meet. As I look up, my eyes pause momentarily at his lips and I jerk my eyes up the rest of the way to his eyes, feeling another urge to blush as red as a cherry.

Peeta's eyes are still as blue as before but they've lost a bit of their happiness. I can't blame him. He's been Reaped, after all, and sent to his death. I bite my lip at the thought, inwardly wincing at the thought of Peeta's bloody body lying on the ground of the arena. Stop that, I scold myself, remember your promise about him.

"I'm sorry." I blurt out, ignoring Peeta's startled expression. "I - I don't know what came over me, Peeta, I don't know why I did that. Why I kissed you! I wasn't thinking, I'm so sorry! I didn't want to ruin our friendship, and I have no idea why I'd ever done that, and if I could, I'd take it back." I stammer. This is the longest apology I've ever given, but I don't really care. All I care about at the moment is whether Peeta will forgive me.

Peeta shakes his head, a smile beginning to form on his lips. "Its fine, Katniss," He murmurs. "I'm the one supposed to be sorry, I shouldn't have said those things at that time. I just wanted to get them off of my chest, and I chose that time, which wasn't very smart of me to do."

I open my mouth but Peeta cuts me off.

"You must've kissed me for a reason, though." He says softly, looking at me, raising an eyebrow slowly.

I look at him. "I don't know what the reason is, honest."

"Well," He leans back in his seat, a lopsided grin taking over his face, "When you do find out. I'll be the first one to know, right?"

"Right."

Author's Note: Phew! The penultimate (is that the right word) chapter has arrived! Next chapter... Is really the ending ;-D

I think that in the epilogue, I will explain what went on between Gale and Katniss and why their friendship was restored again! Or maybe not, I'm not very sure :/ Sorry about that, part of the reason why they are friends again is because Katniss sort of realized she was an ass to him and apologized and Gale just wanted to be friends with her again, more will be explained next time, I ... How did you like this chapter? I hope I made the characters in character, and not too OOC. This is one of my worse chapters I think, so sorry about that.