I froze. Not Peeta, not my Peep. How could this be? I wanted to scream, I wanted to run to him. Please someone volunteer. But no, his family only just about tolerated him, they wouldn't volunteer to go to their deaths.I watched, my chest tight, as he stumbled up to the stage, tears rolling down my face. I tried to choke them back silently, but they still fell. He stood on the stage with Katniss, trying not to shake, trying not to cry. He caught my eye in the crowd and his lip started to wobble. Effie congratulated them both and asked us for a round of applause, but none came. Instead, we all kissed our fingers and raised three in the air, as a way of respect. They they were ushered, by the peacekeepers, into the Justice Hall and the crowd was broken up and sent on their way. We were allowed to say goodbye, so I followed Mrs Everdeen and Primrose as they went to say their goodbyes to Katniss.
*****
The doors opened and out came Mr Mellark, holding a small paper bag. The smell of freshly baked cookies followed him as he walked past me and into the second set of doors. He was quickly followed by his two eldest sons, neither of whom seemed to be upset. In contrast, I was sat there with a red puffy face, from crying so much. Gale was sat with me, waiting to see Katniss, presumably. I wanted to say something to him, but I didn't know what. Mrs Mellark was the last to come out. She had a face like a smacked arse, as usual, and was muttering under her breath.
"Stupid boy, going to get himself killed," I heard her say. "At least the girl won't make this district look stupid, we may finally have a chance with her." That was all I heard, as she had stomped off after that. I tried to hold the tears back as the Peacekeeper guarding Peeta's door let me through. The first thing I saw was my Peep, red faced like me from crying. Neither of us said a word, he just stood up and I ran into his arms, the pair of us sobbing. After what seemed like an age, we pulled apart, dried our eyes and noses on our sleeves and sat down together on the plush sofa. There were so many things I wanted to tell him, So many things I could have said, but I only wanted to tell him one thing. I love you. But I stopped myself, because I didn't think he would believe me. He may think it was just because he was leaving.
"Look after yourself," he said. I nodded.
"You too," I said, making him smile a little. I curled up next to him and rested my head on his shoulder as we made small talk. As our time was nearing it's end, I sat up to look at him. I stared into those beautiful blue eyes of his, our faces just inches apart. I could feel his breath on my face, it was musty and sweet, like fresh bread. I gently pressed my lips to his and for a split second, he pulled away, looking at me, unsure of what to do next. But I guess he made his mind up, as he lent down and kissed me. His lips were soft, smooth, and warm, his hands gentle on my back, but pressing me into him at the same time. As he kissed me, sparks flew through my body, butterflies in my tummy. I didn't want him to go, I kissed him more urgently now, my fingers running through his wispy blonde hair. The Peacekeeper came in and told us our time was up. That Peeta needed to leave now with Katniss, Haymitch and Effie. We pulled apart and rested our heads together, tears rolling down our faces. I ran my fingers along his lips, tracing the outline of them. The Peacekeeper in the doorway coughed, so Peeta stood up, gently kissed me on the forehead and walked towards the door.
"I....... I lo........," he sighed. "I'll miss you," he said, finally, bowing his head and walking out of the door, a tear rolling down his cheek. As soon as the door clicked shut, I collapsed onto the floor, letting the tears flow freely, howling into a pillow. There was almost a 100% chance I would never see him again and my heart was tearing into a million pieces. There was a knock on the door, and it opened. I sat up, tried to wipe my eyes.
"Hey Sorrel, we have to leave now, come on, I'll walk with you," said Gale. As we walked side by side from the Justice Building, a few people were in the square. They avoided our gaze, they knew - or at least could guess - what had happened. Another reason could have been because kids from the Seam didn't really mix with kids from the Merchant, but we didn't care. Gale was friends with Jasper, and neither of us seemed to care, if I was perfectly honest.
"You love her, don't you?" I asked, turning to him. Gale seemed a little taken aback at my bluntness, but he nodded, sadly. We sat down under a tree together, opposite the butchers.
"And you with Peeta?" he said. It was my turn to nod. "Jasper tells me," he smiled. "Oh no, we don't gossip, it's more that he wishes Peeta felt for you the same way you so obviously for him. He says it hurts him to see his little sister like that. He's a good big brother really," Gale chuckled.
"And so are you," I smiled. Gale's smile faded.
"I know, but I just wish things were different. I just wish........" He faltered. "Never mind," he said, getting up. "I better get back. I've promised Katniss I'll look after Prim and their mum. I can't let her down." I watched as he walked off, presumably to the woods again. I reluctantly stood up and walked slowly back home. My eyes moved automatically over to the bakery, and inside was Mrs Mellark, setting up the new window display as if nothing had happened. As if her youngest son had never just been taken to his certain death. She saw me watching her and glared. Boy, that woman was evil. I quickly made my escape, into the house, where I ran up the stairs, into my bedroom. I stayed there the rest of the day, crying into my pillow, kicking my wall, hurting my toe, crying some more and then finally falling into a fitful sleep where I dreamt I was in the arena with Peep, frozen in time, watching as one of the Careers sliced his throat open with a knife. Jasper ran in as I woke up screaming, and we sat on my bed, my big brother holding me, as I sobbed my heart out again.
