It's Always Been You

Chapter One; The One

I clench my bow in one hand, flask in the other as I lean back on the large rock, far out in the woods of District 12. The air is thin. The wind is blowing, making my hair fly as I watch my own breath fade into the cool air.

I don't know where my best company is. My hunting partner, Gale. He's been my best friend for four years, someone that I've always felt closest to, other than my sister, Prim. But after the games, something has changed. He yearns for something more, something that I am unable to give anyone. I take a sip from my flask, deciding that I can't stay here all day. The sun persists in rising, so I make myself stand. I must return to my home soon for my dress fitting. I have to follow the rules. It's part of the game.

I spot a turkey from about ten feet away. I spin around, pulling my bow back and letting it fly, piercing straight through the turkey's heart.

I stare down at the animal. The images of Marvel stumbling as blood pours from his chest creep into my brain. I take a deep breath, cleaning the memory from my brain and contemplating wether or not I will take the turkey home. The whole district is crawling with Capitol citizens, dying to see me at any given time. Besides, Peeta and I won't be able to eat it for weeks.

"Thought you'd be gone by now!" I hear a voice from behind me. Gale.

"No." I breathe, turning around. He looks me up and down, sighing. "I have a dress fitting at 12:00. I don't leave for my interviews until tomorrow. And then–"

"And then the wedding is next month." He interrupts, rolling his eyes. "I have it marked on my calendar. Actually, you're exactly one month away from marrying the love of your life."

"Stop, Gale. Don't do that to me." I look away from him, staring at the ground. He shouldn't act like that right now. He knows that I can't help any of this. If I could, I would go back and fix all of my mistakes. The first one being the berries.

"I'm sorry," he whispers, approaching me slowly and wrapping his arms around me. "I know this isn't your fault."

"By what do you mean it isn't my fault?" I whisper defensively.

"I know that you didn't ask for any of this." He brings his lips to mine. It startles me. I pull away after a moment.

"I can't do this." I look at the ground, wiping my mouth with my sleeve. "I'm sorry, Gale." I whisper, gathering my things. "You know what they'll do to us."

He shakes his head, biting his lip.

"You can take that turkey over there." I say, flustered. "I can't take it around here. Everyone in the district has their eyes on me."

"I'll see you next week." Gale whispers, offering me a smile.

"Next week." I nod, turning away, and taking a long, uncomfortable walk back through the woods and towards Victors Village.

+++

When I walk into our home, I am instantly lured to the kitchen. The smell of fresh cinnamon buns and cookies fill the whole house, making my mouth water.

"What are you baking for?" I ask as I walk into the kitchen, hanging my hunting jacket up in the closet. I sit across from Peeta at the counter. He is meticulously mixing several ingredients in a bowl. I'll never understand how he manages to bake so perfectly. The only thing I am good at is skinning a squirrel and occasionally making stew.

"Effie asked me to bake some hors d'oeuvres for your wedding dress fitting." He murmurs, continuing to knead the dough. "It's at 12:00, right?"

"Yeah..." I whisper, sighing to myself. "The whole district is filled with people from the Capitol. On my way home, I was stopped five times."