The Last Mockingjay

Chapter 12

Effie decided that a trip to another district with anonymous tips from a multitude of her friends would be enough to kick start our way back to famedom. Peeta and I agreed that District 4 is the best place to visit because there's always been something about the sea that calms me, and, plus, it will be a great experience for Ash and Prim. We plan the trip for about a week, and thanks to Effie, we have it scheduled down to the second. Although I wish we had more freedom to do what we want, when we want, having everything planned to the exact is the only way that Effie would even agree to be a part of anything. And I mean anything. Wherever she is, she has to be in control.

I think that the quicker we can get this trip over with, the better, but Effie insists on waiting two more weeks in order to make sure everything will go off without a hitch. The waiting is driving me crazy.

All I can do is go through every day, wishing that time would speed up. I feel that Peeta feels the same way. He's been baking like crazy, filling the bakery shelves with exciting new pastries no one ever imagined possible. He's also spent a large fraction of his time painting in his new studio above the bakery. I on the other hand, can't seem to find anything to do besides play with kids and go hunting, which leaves half of the day spent wandering around the house aimlessly.

Today I'm boldy attempting my hand at baking without Peeta to guide me. I'm trying to make a cake with some chocolate mix that was shoved in the back of the pantry, but so far, I'm failing miserably. The batter is close to being rock solid, so I add some water which refuses to mix. I give up with a frustrated squeal and throw the mixer into the sink.

"I see you've butchered a cake before you even put it in the oven. Well done," a sweet and familiar voice muses behind me. "You've achieved what I thought was impossible."

"Of course you'd think it was impossible. I bet you've never messed up baking something in your life," I say, throwing my hands in the air and rotating myself to face Peeta.

"Well I did burn some bread one time-"

"You did that on purpose. It doesn't count!" I yell playfully.

"Who says I did it on purpose?" He challenges.

"Who says you didn't?"

Peeta just shrugs with a light smile."I need to talk to you about something," he says, suddenly serious.

I stiffen at his words, thinking back to the kiss with Gale. There's no way he could know. We were in the middle of the woods. Still, I have my doubts as I nod slowly.

He guides me into the study and we sit on the same side of the desk, facing away from the window. I give him a concerned look, not sure what to expect.

"I think it's time for Gale to leave," he half-whispers abruptly.

"What?" I know I originally said that as soon as Gale was healed, he had to leave, but I finally have come to some level of forgiving him. It's feels good to have a friend again. I'll admit, it's a bit awkward, especially after he kissed me, and it will never be how it used to. But it still is a little piece of me that I've been able to hang onto. Now, I feel that if Gale leaves the house, he'll leave for good and never come back. I don't want to lose my only friend all over again.

"It's been nice having him here," Peeta lies unconvincingly, "but I think it would be best that he got back on his feet. Also, I don't think it would be good for him to be here since we will be watched practically twenty-four-seven after our trip to District 4."

I know Peeta has a point, but I'm still wary about giving Gale the boot. I hope he doesn't take it the wrong way. Sadly it has to be done because, as usual, Peeta is right.