Sorry it took so long. Here's the next chapter.
I lay on the ground. My back is in agonizing pain, like it's been burned to the bone. I feel warm blood, despite the cold winter air. Soon Katniss and Gale come over with a long board that looks very similar to a counter shop from the hob. They are careful as they lift me onto the board, but still a moan of pain escapes my lips. I hear Haymitch's voice, "We need to get him to your mother, Katniss. She's the best healer in District 12." I close my eyes, hoping that unconsciousness will take me. But the freezing water that has been poured on me prevents the mercy of sleep.
Soon we are at Katniss's house. "New head." says Haymitch. Apparently no other explanation is needed. I am gently, yet still painfully transferred onto a table. Hopefully I will not be moved again anytime soon. Katniss's mother begins washing my back with herbal water. It stings the broken flesh and muscle of my back and again I can't help but moan at the agonizing pain. "So what exactly is the story, here? How did Peeta of all people manage to earn himself a trip to the post?" asks Haymitch . Gale takes the liberty of answering that question. "I was the one who earned the whipping. I was caught with a wild turkey, and was arrested and taken to the square. It was a new head, so I was in big trouble for having the turkey. I was tied to the pole already, and they had bared my back. I was about to get the first lash when Peeta pushed through and offered to take the whipping for me, even though Thread, the new head, told him that he would get an additional ten for taking my place. He still took it, though. And very bravely at that. Only cried out once."
Katniss sits on a stool and takes my hand in hers. "He was very brave to make that sacrifice." she whispers to everyone, though I know those words are meant for me. She keeps her eyes locked on mine. Could that possibly be love in her eyes? A sharp pain in my back makes me remember. No, she loves Gale…that's why I took the whipping. She just cares about me as a friend. And inside, the breaking of my heart hurts more than any whipping ever could…
Soon, everyone goes home or up to bed. Only Katniss and Gale are left. It's been ordered that someone has to watch over me constantly. "Go on to bed, Katniss. I'll take care of him." says Gale. After a few moments of what I know is hesitation, she goes to her room, leaving me and Gale alone. And that's when the inevitable question is asked. "Why? Why did you do it?"
I knew he would ask this. And so would I if the situation was reversed. I have to decide. Do I tell him the truth, or do I lie? Reluctantly, I decide to be honest. "Because Katniss loves you." I say. He just stares at me for a minute… "But what does that have to do with you taking my whipping? And how would you know how she feels about me anyways?" Now I have to go into detail? I don't even want to think about this, let alone talk about it, especially with Gale. But I answer. "Gale, when she saw you tied to that post, she started crying. And I heard her whisper that she loves you. I know I wasn't supposed to hear it, but I did. And I thought it through. What if it was Katniss tied to that pole, about to get beaten? I would give anything for someone to make the sacrifice of taking the beating for her. I knew it would hurt her less if she saw me whipped instead of you." His eyes are wide. "You love Katniss?" I roll my eyes. "I took a whipping to save her heartbreak, Gale. That should be a good enough answer." "I'm sorry, Peeta." he says. "This must really be horrible. But what you did…it was very brave. And even though you only did it for Katniss, I am still very grateful."
I can't talk anymore. It's too much. Finally the pain in my back subsides enough that I can go to sleep. And then I enter unconsciousness, where my back is unmarked, where Katniss doesn't love Gale…where everything is perfect.