Always

Chapter 3

Katniss P.O.V.

"Gale?" I say as I whisk around quickly. It's like the breath has been knocked out of me. "What are you doing here?" I ask a little too defensively.

"I had to come back for memories sake," Gale says coming towards me to give me a hug. I back away. "What's wrong with you? I just want a hug. Is that too much to ask?"

"No," I say as I reluctantly accept his embrace. When he lets go, I step back a few paces again.

"Are you mad at me?" he asks.

"You should've told me you were moving to District 2," I say before I realize how much damage this could do. Mine and Gale's friendship is hanging on for dear life, and I might have just killed it.

"Now you know how it feels to keep secrets from people," Gale says in a hurt voice.

"Fine," I snap. "You want me to tell you everything?"

"Yes. I would like that," Gale snaps back.

"Peeta and I are getting married. For real this time. Not because we're pushed into it, but because we actually love each other!" As the words slip out of my mouth, Gale backs away from me. "What? Not what you wanted to hear?" I'm almost screaming now but I don't know exactly why. I guess because I'm trying to get a point across.

"You couldn't have told me in a better way?" Gale asks as he picks a handful of berries off a nearby bush. For some reason this makes me snap.

"You wanted to know the truth didn't you?" I yell. Right at the time I'm wondering if Peeta can hear me, he comes running through the woods.

"Katniss!" he yells. He's waiting for a reply, and about the time I get ready to yell his name, he notices us. Ignoring Gale, Peeta comes running towards me. "Are you okay?" he asks out of breath.

"Yeah," I reply eyeing Gale. "Everything's just fine."

"We'd better go," Peeta says as he takes my game bag and flings it over his shoulder. "Got to get back in time for lunch." he says as he gives a warning look to Gale.

"I've got to go wait for the train anyways," Gale says as he storms off.

"Are you okay?" Peeta asks me when he's sure that Gale's out of earshot.

"Yeah," I reply, watching the direction that Gale left in. Peeta puts his hands on my shoulders.

"Are you sure?" He asks as he looks worriedly into my eyes.

"I'm sure," I reply smiling. "Now why don't we go eat?" I ask as I take Peeta's hand in mine.

When we make it back to the Victor's Village, Peeta starts walking towards Haymitch's house.

"What are you doing?" I ask as I stop walking and pull Peeta back by his arm.

"I thought we were going to go get married after we went hunting," Peeta laughs.

"We were," I say. "Change of plans."

"Huh oh," Peeta says as he backs away from me with his hands up. "Are you dumping me?" he laughs.

"Ha ha," I say as I kiss him. "Don't even joke about that. I love you too much to do that," I say smiling. "What I meant was we need to get dressed first," I say as I start walking towards my house.

"Okay," Peeta says as he starts walking towards his house. "Katniss wait!" Peeta says and I turn around. He points to my game bag that he's carrying. "What do you want me to do with this?"

"Keep it," I say. "Bring it with you and we'll have a feast at Haymitch's."

"Okay," Peeta replies smiling. We both turn back around and start walking towards our houses.