Ashlin Everdeen (Peeta Mellark love story)

Training

"Okay, the key is....don't show off, save it for the evaluation." Haymitch said, I nodded and then he asked about strengths and weaknesses.

"Peeta's incredibly strong, and can throw knives." I volunteered. My boyfriend gave me a look,but I shook it off.

"Ashley is incredibly good with a bow, she's the one who taught me with the knives." Peeta said, I then too  shot him a look.

"Alright....just remember to not show off..." Haymitch said, we were now walking, both of us dressed in black suits that had grey, red, and the number of our district on the sleeves.

We walked into the training room, it was large and many of the Capitol people, and the head Game Maker, Senca Crane, were there, watching. I began talking to Rue from district 11, and we became allies quickly. She and I agreed to help each other and Peeta, no matter what. I finally felt a little better about the situation. The Capitol is wrong, all this is so wrong! Taking people's children away and basically killing them, all but one. And what about the Careers, the children already trained to win and kill? How would  Peeta, Rue and I get passed them?

"Be quick on your feet and let the others try and take them out." Rue said simply as I watched her take Cato's knife, and then climb to the ceiling, he started a fight with an other person and peacekeepers separated them. I, along with the other tribute from 11, smiled up at Rue. I then decided to check on Peeta, he had camouflaged his hand to blend with the trees.

"That's cool, all the decorating must help." I said smiling and giving him a hug.

"Yeah it does." He laughed a little and we shared a quick kiss. I loved spending this time with him, but I knew it had to end.

Me and Rue decided to talk a little more and Cato, Clove, and a blonde from 4 watched as Peeta climbed a net, but he fell. Darn him! I walked over and helped him up, then whispered.

"Throw that metal thing over there." He shook his head,

"Haymitch said not to show off." He said as he looked back into my eyes.

" I know what Haymitch said, but those guys over there are looking at you like your a meal. Now throw it." I demanded, Peeta did as told.

Cato nodded and they all moved on to doing something else.

Me and Peeta avoided contact and I didn't know why he wasn't talking to me, that's when he stopped me outside the doors of the pint house and said,

"I love you Ashley." I was a little shocked cause that was out of the blue.

"I love you too Peeta but why th-" he cut me off with a kiss. I enjoyed it and stood on my toes to make it last.

"Because, your gonna hate me in a little while." I didn't understand, but I didn't doubt him.

"Peeta...what are you thinking?" I suddenly asked. He wouldn't give me an answer, he only hugged me tightly to him. I hugged him back not wanting it to end, but when Effie found us in the hall, she rushed us inside and we started eating dinner.

Halfway through dinner Peeta gave me a look that told me, 'sorry.' I shook my head not wanting to be mad at him for what ever he was about to do.

"I um...wanna start training alone." His words left me hurt and I could only gape. Effie, Haymitch, and Cinna all did the same.

"Very well then...." Effie finally said, I felt tears starting to well up in my eyes.

"I lost my appetite..." I breathed, almost a whisper and then stood up leaving to my room. I hadn't even finished the deer meat and cherry's that I decided was my favorite dish. I didn't care right now...was my boyfriend plotting against me? What if he was, and then again, what if he was trying to protect me and himself if one of us dies? He had been right though, I was angry with him, and did want to literally kill him at the moment. I wouldn't of course, because I'm in love with him.....I just was a little upset. I cried finally releasing all the hurt for Peeta's decision.

"Ashley....everything's fine..he's just preparing you, it may even save your life!" It was Haymitch, he was right though. "Goodnight...be up for training tomorrow!" He said, I nodded, but I knew he couldn't see it.

I lay there, thinking about things, that was the reason Peeta was showing me so much affection, and kissing me like he wouldn't see me ever again. I cried even more...just for that simple fact.

The rest of training went fairly fast and me and Rue decided to go with the plan of sticking to the trees. We made our alliance stronger by getting an other boy, from 8, he and Rue were about the same age. By the end of training, Haymitch explained to me we would have interviews with Ceaser Flickerman.....I dread that, because I'll have Peeta near me, and I don't wanna mess up Cinna's hard work by crying......