The Epilogue - Katniss and Peeta

Finding Her.

*Willow's POV*

It's been a month since he ended it with me.

It's been a month since we last talked.

And it's completely my fault.

I sit by the door, staring out into the sunrise. I haven't slept in a while, due to both my mother's passing and my horrible decision to hide Lucian from Flynn.

I'm so stupid.

Tonight's the last night for my stupidity, though.

I'm telling Lucian I don't want to be friends with him anymore. He's a great friend, but he's caused me to lose Flynn—the only thing I truly care about.

My heart shattered when he said that I'd never choose him, because that's not true at all. I would choose him over myself any day. He's the one that got me through the Gale incident, and all of my mother's problems.

He's the best part of me—

Was.

He was the best part of me.

I notice my dad walking towards me out of the corner of my eye, and I quickly wipe the tears that are falling down my face.

"Are you okay, sunshine?" He asks quietly, and I nod my head with a fake smile.

I'm surprised he's standing, let alone being able to form a sentence.

"I'm okay." I reassure him, but he gives me a look.

He sits down beside me, and I look down at my hands. I blink back my tears, wishing I had Flynn to cry to.

"You can talk to me." He starts, and I nod my head, knowing I can. "I know I'm not her, but I'll still listen to anything you want to say."

My smile falters at the mention of her, and I look away—trying to think of something besides my mom.

"Flynn—" I hesitate, not wanting to ruin his day even more. "We just had a fight."

I need to stop lying—but this one's warranted. My dad deals with enough—just by having to wake up in his bed without her, he doesn't need to hear my problems.

"Everyone fights, Willow." He says, and I nod my head. "You should talk it out, though. It's not worth it to argue for an extended period because you don't want to apologize or spend the time working it out."

I look at him, and I notice he's looking at his hands. I see him clutching something, and I assume it's my mother's pearl.

I look down at my own hand, looking at the ring that reminds me of all of the ups and downs I had with my mother. Staring at the gold ring makes me wish I would've treated her better.

I miss her so much.

"You don't know how long you'll have him in your life, sunshine." He starts, and I continue looking at the ring. "There's so many things I would've done differently, had I known this would happen to her."

"It's not your fault, Dad." I remind him, but he shrugs and looks away.

"I don't want this to happen to you." He sighs before standing, and I remain where I am. "Don't take it for granted."

I nod my head in acknowledgment before flashing him a fake smile. He stares at me for a few moments, probably seeing my mother in my face and actions, and then simply walks away.

I don't question his actions.
His are less questionable than mine.

Speaking of which, I'm getting rid of the decision that destroyed what I had with Flynn.