Never Yours (Peeta Mellark X Reader)

Chapter 3--Tense, Intense

"You have three minutes," you heard a voice bark at you.

You spun around, grateful to have heard it. Standing around in the small, quiet room, with nothing to do but drum your fingers nervously on the wooden windowsill, you couldn't help but for a moment feel that you were trapped. As if you were already a part of the deadly Hunger Games that would unfold in only a few weeks' time.

The Peacekeeper opened the door just a bit wider to reveal your mother, tears streaming down your cheeks as she ran in and pulled you in for a hug, which you accepted. 

"Why did you do it?" your mother asked you, letting go to face you, crouching down to meet your eye like she did when you were younger.

You only smiled as you helped your mother wipe her tears. "Mom. I can't let her go in. She's too young. If there's someone with a greater chance of getting out of the arena alive--if it's not Katniss, it had to be me."

"Katniss has a better shot at this!" your mom scolded you. 

"Yet it was I who reacted first," you retorted.

For a moment, you both stood silently, glaring at each other. Then your mom cleared her throat.

"Well...what can you do?" she asked you finally.

You shrugged. "I can run. I'm trained somewhat with knives and different blades," you finally said. "I'll manage, I promise."

Your mom nodded. "Just try to learn more things before you get in the arena," she told you finally. "Learn how to survive in the outdoors, make sure no one else gets to you. You're a smart, tough girl, (Y/N). Don't give up on yourself."

You laughed as you gave her one final hug. "I promise, mom. I'll do it." Then you pulled away. "I love you, mom."

Your mom smiled as she tucked your hair behind your ear in response.

"Time's up," the Peacekeeper barked. 

"Stay safe!" your mom finally called out. "I love you!"

"I love you too!" you cried out. Then your mom was taken out of the room.

With the door shut once again, you couldn't help but feel even lonelier. The slight comfort you felt with your mom by your side disappeared, a heavier weight dropped into your stomach. Hesitantly, you went over to the door again and opened it a slight bit to see Peacekeepers talking with someone, and you closed the door again.

Just as you did, in came the baker. Of course, he would visit you. He probably just finished seeing his son, and knowing you were his best friend, he would want to see you too.

"(Y/N)," he said hoarsely. By the sound of it, he must have been crying when he was forced to say farewell to his son.

"Mr. Mellark," you said softly, stroking a hand over the baker's broad shoulder. "You okay?"

"I...I don't know how to cope with this," he finally said. "Two of you, best friends, out there to kill...what if it all came down to the both of you left trying to kill the other?"

You gave this some thought. Has this ever happened? "Mr. Mellark...I..."

"I just want to let you know," he interrupted. "You and Peeta, I'd say you make a fine couple."

To this, you blushed. "You...you knew?"

The baker chuckled. "Oh no, I didn't know of your crush on Peeta," he admitted. "But every time you came in with him, holding his hand...I knew."

You nodded, unsure of what to say as a tear slid down your cheek in gratitude.

"Of course, this can only be between you and me, okay?" the baker said with a cheeky wink, which made you laugh.