Song of the chapter: "I'm not the only one." By Sam Smith.

I lazily lay there, staring out of the window as the moonlight illuminates the room. The thin blankets are draped over my body as I lay back to back with Gale. He's never been a cuddler. The curtains of the open window dance as he wind comes through. 

Peeta always sleeps with his window open, I think he said it was something about escaping if there was ever a need to.

He never drinks tea with sugar in it. He always double knots his shoelaces. He loves to paint, and he's very good at it. He's a baker, a talented one at that. I've seen the beautiful creations that used to come from that bakery; and still do. Ever since they rebuilt it two years ago, he's been in charge there. Working only the days he wants to. He never has to worry about money again for his family; being a disable soldier of war will guarantee him money for life. I didn't realize I was crying until I feel the tears collection on my pillow.

I stand with a huff and close the window. I pull on underwear and a bra before finding Gale's shirt and tugging it over my head.

I make my way downstairs, the clock reads two thirty-seven in the morning. I stand with both hands leaning on the sink, looking into the village. The symmetrical pole lights and the lights above the doors are the only thing lifting up the town. There's still a light on in Peeta's house. I think back to what she said earlier. We have something special planned for tonight, so you two better turn up your television.

I shiver thinking about Peeta being with someone else. Tears start to fall down my cheeks faster as I collapse on the floor. My hands find my face as I cover it trying to muffle the sound of my tears.

I used to cry almost every week, before our games. My mother used to make me a specific type of tea. It's natural plants I would gather from the woods. She would boil water with mint, lemon, and pine needles I'd find by the pond. Then she'd bring it into our shared room and we'd all drink it together and talk quietly. It used to really calm me.

I stand dig through our spices, and gasp when I find them. I place a pot on the stove and begin to boil the water.  I cut the herbs and place them in the pot too. The clock reads three twenty when I'm done. I strain the tea and add two sugar cubes to my mug before taking a drink. I close my eyes as all the memories start to flood back.

Buying Prim's goat lady, My father taking me into the woods, my mother telling me we would have to quit school in order to provide for the family. Good things and bad things, all rushing back into my brain.

I look up at Peeta's house. The light is out now, but the door is cracked open. A spec of movement catches my attention, I crane my neck to find a man. He's wearing a long trench coat and a top hat, he stands in front of the Mellark's door.

Melody appears wearing the same basic attire, she grabs his hand and the run off towards the woods together. Who is that? Is she cheating on Peeta?

I don't sleep for the rest of the night, I can't for Peeta's sake. I stay up sitting on a chair in front of the kitchen window.  I fall asleep right after I watch Melody return; she kisses the man then rushes back inside just as the sun is coming up.

"Katniss?" I'm gently shaken awake, I rub the sleepiness from my face and find a shirtless Gale staring down at me. "Are you okay? Why are you down here?" He asks me.

"I came down for tea last night, and feel asleep here I guess." I lie to him. "Sorry, I should have stayed in bed." I say.

"No, No. It's okay. I get it, you needed time to think. I understand." He nods. "Why don't you go back upstairs to sleep and I'll make some breakfast and wake you when it's done."

"Alright." He presses a kiss to my forehead and leads me upstairs. I clean up the clothes laying around the room and then the wrapper from last nights events. Then I collect an outfit and take a screaming hot shower trying to wash off the filth from last night.

I sigh and lean my forehead against the wall of the shower. My mind is so jumbled and confused right now I don't even know what to think. I told Gale I loved him yesterday, and then I had sex with him. When I kissed him I didn't feel the electricity, and sparks, and hunger I felt with Peeta. Gale's lips are rough and his hands tough, he's always in the lead. Unlike with Peeta, where when we are together it's both of us as one. Not the man leading and leaving and putting the woman second.

I finish my shower, brush my hair, and then crawl into bed. I lay there for endless minuets, unable to sleep. The events of early this morning play back in my head. Why would someone want to cheat on someone as amazing as Peeta? He's the most sweet and innocent person I've ever met. He'd do anything for anyone, and he's chosen her over me. A year ago he would have chosen me over anyone. Why would she go and try to blow that amazing this she has with him? I should tell Peeta, right? Or should I tell Gale? Or Haymitch? I should tell Haymitch, he always knows what to do.

"Hey look at me .... Katniss! Look here." I jump when I find a pair of seam gray eyes looking into mine. "Hey, you just zoned out for a while. You looked like you where thinking, what's going on in there?" He asks softly tapping my temple.

"Nothing, just a lot of stuff going on." I whisper back to him.

"Well breakfast is done darlin." He says kissing my forehead and helping me up. I walk downstairs, in front of Gale and he motions for me to sit down at the table. He sets a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me, along with a cup of coffee. I smile, kiss his cheek, and stand to dump it down the sink.  I make some hot chocolate and then sit down again. "Sorry, I thought you liked coffee."

"It's fine." I smile.  "Just too bitter." I shrug and kiss him. There's a knock on the door and he sighs making me giggle.

"Come in." He calls, as we both look towards the door. It opens and shuts revealing Peeta, and Willow on his hip.

"Oh, Hi." I say startled.

"Are we interrupting anything?" He asks me, bumping Willow higher into his hip.

"No, just breakfast. Are you hungry?" Gale asks Peeta politely.

"Sure." Gale stands and walks to the back counter, Peeta kneels next to my feet with Willow standing in front of him. "Willow, this is your mommy."

"No, my mommy is miss Melody." She shakes her head. Her voice is quiet, full of in sureness and wonder. She's never known a real family, or a steady home.

"No sweetie, this is your real mommy." He says looking at me. I smile down at them and touch her cheek just slightly.

"It's okay to be confused sweetie." I whisper and she nods. "Look, I've got you something." That seems to catch her attention.

"What is it?" Her toddler voice asks.

I reach in my bag and find it. A tiny stuffed duck, the bright orange bill and fluffy yellow feathers. I stop for a second and look at it, I remember I bought her a stuffed animal but didn't remember it being a little duck. I didn't think it would be this hard. Before the tears can fall, I turn around and cover my face. "Katniss?" Peeta says softly.

"Y-Yeah, just hold on for a second." I beg. I feel his hand on my shoulder and face him with tears in my eyes. He pulls my head to his chest and leaves it there like he's done so many times before.

"Your okay." He coos. "I'm here, nothing's gonna happen while I'm here." He says. I look to Gale who's watching us with tears in his eyes.  I look away and continue to let Peeta comfort me. I don't want Gale to, he's the one that killed my innocent sister.

"Eat." Gale huffs basically throwing a plate of food on the table.

"Is that for me?" Willow points to the small duck in my hand.

"Y-Yes baby doll." I nod. She reaches for it but I pull it back with a smile. "Gotta give me mooches first."

She smiles a toothy grin. "Ok." She places a big slobbery kiss on my cheek and pulls away.  "Toy?" She persists.

"Here." I laugh. She giggles and toddles away with it into the loving room. "Peeta thank you for bringing her over." I say, as I look up at him from the floor he wipes a tear away quickly.  I decide not to address it and give Gale's shoulder a squeeze before sitting down next to him. That's when I remember this morning. "Oh Peeta, I really need to talk to you about something."

Gale scoffs and stands. "Why don't I just leave so you two can fuck in peace?" He growls.

I'm taken aback at his anger. "What? No Gale, I wanted to talk to him about why I was sleeping in the kitchen." I say. "I promise there's nothing between us." I nod. "Just friends. That's how it's for to stay." For now.

"Whatever." He mutters pushing past me and makes to the door quickly. "I'm going to the woods." He mumbles before he's gone.

"Peeta." I say slowly. "I need to tell you something, you may think I'm delusional but I promise I wouldn't be telling you this if I didn't see it with my own eyes."

"Go on..." He says standing in front of me.

"I saw-"

"Daddy! Come play! I found stuff!" Willow calls through the house. We exchange a look and then race into the room she's in. When I get there I gasp and rush to her.

"Stop! Stop what are you doing?!" I screech.

She looks at me with eyes as big as saucers as she quivers her lip. I look away and begin folding Prim's clothing neatly. She tugs on my shirt. "Your mean." She says.

I look at Peeta, i was already about to cry over Prim's clothes. But this seemed to send me over the edge.  "You guys should leave." I whisper.

"Katniss-" Peeta starts but shakes his head. 

"Please." I plead.

"Fine, but I'll be back in ten minuets. You still have to tell me what you were trying to tell me."  I shake my head and he leaves.

That's when I break. Knowing my daughter thinks I'm an evil witch. Gale thinks i'm still in love with Peeta. But I am still in love with Peeta. He doesn't love me. I'm faking my love for someone who actually loves me. My sister is dead.

He comes back within minuets. Upon finding me curled in a ball crying he lifts me to the couch as he strokes my hair. "You did nothing wrong to her. Okay? She's just a little girl, she won't understand for a long time." 

I nod and sit up. "What did you have to tell me?" He asks.

I take a deep breath. "Real early this morning, like two or three; I was downstairs and a man came up to your door. He was wearing a trench coat and hat. I couldn't see his face, but Melody knew him. Because she ran off with him into the woods, and when they came back; she kissed him. I just wanted you to know..."

He looks at me. His eyes turning dark then blue again. "W-Wait, what are you saying?"

He holds onto my hands. "I'm saying she's cheating on you."

He takes a shaky breath. "I knew." He whimpers.

"What? You knew?" I ask.

"I had an idea." He sniffles. "I overheard a bunch of phone calls. You don't just call your friends baby and babe, especially men." He tries to hold it together but can't; so I pull him towards me an let him sob into my chest.

"It'll be okay Peeta, it's not hard to break off an engagement." He retracts instantly.

"I'm not going to leave her." He says.

"Why?" I ask.

I didn't expect him to just leave Melody for me. I didn't want him to. I need time to explain to Gale. But I sure didn't expect him to stay with that evil wicked witch. "She'll go crazy again, like when you first got here. She might try and kill you again. I can't afford to loose you."

He looks up at me and I see those perfect blue eyes. The ones that used to love me.

"You love me, real or not real?" He asks for the second time in our lives.

"Real Peeta, so real."