HI :D Yes, finally, an update. I've been really busy and, surprisingly, I actually got writer's block. ._. *shame* of course, I managed to build a bridge and get over it, but still, sorry for keeping you guys waiting! Enjoy!

Chapter 41

Peeta and I are at the Hob, shopping for last minute gifts for the Odairs, when we run into Cinna the next day. Peeta slides easily into conversation with my stylist as I slip away, taking the opportunity to look for Peeta's Christmas present.
I walk around through the crowds, glancing around at the vendor stalls with mild interest. What really gets my attention is the Hob itself, however. Its been weeks since Peeta and I had come here last but so much has been done to the Hob, its almost unrecognizable. The roof has been completed, reinforced with large metal beams instead of the old rotting wooden ones we originally had. Apparently, it had been incredibly helpful just as the snow began to fall and helped insulate the warmth as people flooded in from the cold.

The Hob is nice now. Homely. Its comfort almost makes me forget how it was nothing but a pile of debris only months ago. A small smile plays at my lips when I think of the bakery and how its doing the same- rising from the ashes, renewed.

I continue to push my way through the sea of people, trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible. I didn't want people to stop me. To ask how I'm doing. To tell me how it is their dream to meet the Mockingjay.

That girl doesn't exist anymore.

Its a miracle I haven't been stopped by the time I reach the end of the first row of stalls. I immediately spot Greasy Sae, stirring a large kettle of stew with her trademark wooden spoon. She looks up, her face lighting up when she spots me. I wave and walk over to greet her.

"Hi, Sae."
"You're looking a whole lot better," she says, her eyes crinkling at the edges as she smiles.
I can't help guilt that comes up at those words. The last time she saw me was when I was at my worst. Before she trusted Peeta and Haymitch to take care of me. I must have put her through Hell and back, trying to keep a person who didn't want to live anymore alive.

Gratitude surges up then. "Thank you," I blurt out. "For everything."

She only smiles more. "It wasn't a problem at all," she soothes. She probably knows the emotional wreck I'm becoming just by remembering how bad off I was. "I was glad to be the one to do it. You went through so much for all of us, dear. I don't think any amount of care would be enough to repay you."

"You don't owe me," I protest. "I should be the one with debts to pay to every single person here who lost-"

She simply shakes her head stopping me. "I don't like where your thoughts are going, child," she says simply, scooping out some stew in a bowl. "Blaming yourself isn't going to change how thankful me and every person in the nation is for everything you've done."
I look away uncomfortably. But before I can dwell on my own thoughts, a warm bowl of stew is placed in front of me. "Here, taste this," Sae orders gently, her eyes twinkling. As I take the spoon she hands me, she clears her throat. "So how have you two been?"

I almost sputter over the warm liquid. "W-what?"

"You and the baker's son," she says, shooting me an amused glance. "You've been a lot better lately. I can only think that its because of him. I can't imagine you being so alive because of that old drunk of a neighbor you have."

I almost laugh then at her description of Haymitch, but I'm too busy trying to figure out how to reply.

Sae seems to realize that I'm struggling to put my feelings into words and gives me a teasing look. "Ah, so is that how it is?"

I'm mortified. "No! We're just... we... we haven't gotten that far," I say finally. Its the truth. And I trust Sae. Even though she's the number one gossip monger of the entire District, I know she would never say anything that would wind up hurting me. We've known each other far too long. Traded so many squirrels and wild dogs that I can't even count how many she has bought from me.

Sae smiles then, the mischief disappearing from her eyes. "That's good, Katniss," she says truthfully. "You take good care of the boy, you hear? He's a good soul."

"I will," I promise without hesitation. The determination to prove myself, to show that I am indeed going to stay by Peeta's side, returns with a burning irritation. It seems like almost every person in the District thinks I'm just going to abandon Peeta.

Sae's eyes glint. Is she proud? "I never doubted you," she says, taking my now-empty bowl from my hands. "How was it?"

"Do I want to know what you put in there?" I say.

She laughs. "Probably not. If you caught it, you'd know." She leans over the counter then. "I need some more meat, and the only one I can count on getting it at a fair price from is you. Think you could go hunting once a week at least?"

"Of course," I agree immediately. The first step to proving to everybody that I was actually with Peeta would be that we were both healed enough to resemble some kind of normalcy.

I see Peeta making his way through the crowd, reminding me that I haven't found his present yet, so I bid goodbye to Sae and promise to bring her the Christmas gifts tomorrow before we depart for 4 and slip away.

It quickly becomes apparent that I can't seem to find anything that Peeta would want for Christmas. It is even more difficult trying to remain unrecognized by anyone around me, but I continue my search for another few minutes before coming up to a stall tucked in the corner of the Hob.

It is apparent that this is a Capitol merchant, unusual for District 12. However, things are changing. Perhaps District 12 is no longer thought of as the most pathetic in the nation, especially since me and Peeta reside here.

The woman at the stall reminds me of Cinna, however. She is dressed in a dark evergreen dress, one that is simple yet elegant. Her skin is the shade of a muted copper, unmarred by the brilliant colors that Capitol citizens usually wear. The only make-up she wears, like Cinna, is a rusty red eyeliner that seems to highlight her amber eyes.

She acknowledges my presence with a simple nod, which both surprises me and pleases me. At least one person here can treat me like a regular person instead of a celebrity. "Looking for something in particular?" Her voice is soft, but firm.

"Just browsing-" I begin when my eye catches on a golden locket. Its simple, very small. Its nothing special as a matter of fact. But it gives me an idea. "Do you do custom orders?"

Her lip tilts up. "Depends what you want to have done."

I pick up the locket, only to find the chain attached to the table. "People here are still not as wealthy as people in the other Districts," she explains. "Half of the time, people only come over here to try and snatch the merchandise."

"I'm not going to do that." I turn the locket over in my fingers, contemplating. "Can I place an order?"

She picks up a notepad and rips off a piece of paper. "Here. Write down whatever you want."

"Anything?"

"Just stay practical," she says flatly. "I've had people come here ordering some pretty strange creations."

I quickly write down the details that I want for Peeta's locket, handing the paper over to her when she puts down the piece of jewelry she is working on.

"That's it?" She looks curious.

I nod, puzzled.

"Alright, it'll be done this evening." She slips the paper into a box before returning to her work.

"So soon?"

"I work fast," she says. "I'll see you at 8."

I find myself growing to like this woman. She's firm. Strong. Headstrong almost. But sensible and level-headed. "What's your name?"

This makes her lips tilt back up. "I'll tell you when you come back."

I nod before I see Peeta again. He seems to be searching for me, turning his head this way and that while trying to peer over everyone's heads.

I duck under, into the crowd, before maneuvering through behind Peeta. I grab his hand, causing him to turn around in surprise before he realized it is me. A grin breaks out across his face and he says, "Ready to go?" He holds up the parcels in his arms, wrapped in colorful paper for the Odairs. I nod, pulling him after me out of the Hob.

Peeta's hand is still locked with mine as we walk home, but surprisingly, it doesn't feel wrong being there. "Did you get everything you need for 4?" he asks.

I smile, thinking of Peeta's Christmas gift.

"Almost."