Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Hunger Games books; any characters and lines go to the rightful owners. A LOT OF LINES FROM THIS ARE FROM THE BOOK; IF THEY SEEM FAMILIAR, THAT'S WHY!

I flopped on my bed, exhausted. My day of hunting was completely fruitless, and I felt like I wasted half my day. Gale, my boyfriend and one of my best friends, told me it was okay and that next time he could make and set the snares, giving the impression that it was my fault we were given nothing that day. Which, of course, set me off. So we were in a fight, something that had been fairly common as of late.

My cell phone buzzed with a text. I reached for it off my dresser. It was Gale.

From: Hawthorne115

To: Catnip*12

Hey, Kat. Are u upset with me? I didn't mean to make you think that u were at fault; traps r just my specialty, u know that. Hunting is urs.

I had to wonder if he was kidding. How did he manage to make an 'apology' sound condescending? Though I hated conflict between Gale and I, that didn't mean that I was going to back down.

From: Catnip*12

To: Hawthorne115

Yes, u did, Gale. And just because I'm not great with snares dsn't mean that it was my fault that the animal got thru it. Sorry I tried; you *are* the expert, right?

I received no reply. I dropped my phone and flipped over, putting my head down on my crossed arms. My phone rang after a couple of seconds and I rolled over to grab it. Upon checking the ID, I saw it was Gale. Of course.

"Hello?" I said.

"Catnip, I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry, okay?"

I rolled my eyes. "No, you're not, Gale. You just don't want a problem."

He breathed out; I could practically see him trying to remain collected. His calm demeanor is what really pissed me off with stuff like this. "Katniss, I know you rolled your eyes. Can we please act like the adults we are and have a conversation without that?" He knew me like the back of his hand. And being 18 in college didn't make me feel any more like an adult. When I was 11, my mom had depression, rooted from my father's sudden death. Having a kid sister to take care of, I had to grow up pretty fast. I'd been an adult for a while.

"Hey, no problem. I'm sorry I didn't make sufficient snares, Gale, that meet up with your standards," I said. "Mine work 98% of the time and today was a time when they didn't."

"Come on, Katniss. I'm not perfect either, okay? I know that, you know that. I never said that I was. It's just so confusing when you put words in my mouth," Gale told me, sounding just as tired as I felt. "I feel a little defeated."

"What're you saying?" I asked, sitting up. "You want a break or something?" A large part of me was a little relieved, thinking that maybe that would keep us from fighting so much. It had been such a strain on our friendship.

"Yeah," Gale aid after a pause. "I do love you, Catnip. You're one of my best friends. I don't want that to end."

"Maybe this will help with that," I said. "For now, let's just try to relax. No more fighting." With that settled, we said our goodbyes.

Prim walked in then and sat on my bed. I was home for the weekend; I tried to come back as often as I could on Saturday and Sunday.

"Hi, little duck," I greeted her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders.

She leaned into mine and asked quietly, "Katniss? Did you and Gale break up?"

I frowned. I knew she'd been worried about us, and herself. She had a crush on Gale's brother, Rory, for a while, as they were the same age in middle school together. She probably believed that my and Gale's issues would cause me to 'forbid' communication between them or something.

"Not totally. Don't worry, Prim. You and Rory are fine. I know how much you like him," I teased, squeezing her gently. She giggled softly and smiled. I smiled back and took my arm away, then stood in front of her. "Come on, little duck. Let's go to the bakery and get some bread for dinner." Prim nodded and allowed me to pull her up from the bed. We said goodbye to our mother and headed out. The good thing about living in a small town was that we could walk just about anywhere, and we did. Mellark's Bakery was always chock full of delicious smelling–and tasting–treats. It was the only one Prim and I would ever go to.

Prim lead the way inside and the little bell chimed, announcing our arrival. A friend of mine, Peeta Mellark, smiled at us when he turned behind the counter.

"Hey, Katniss. Hi, Prim," he greeted us.

"Hey, Peeta. How's business today?" I asked him.

"Oh, fine. What about you? How was hunting?" he inquired in reply. I didn't want to tell him with Prim here, so I sent her off to find some cookies she liked. When I did so, Peeta gave me a curious look.

I looked to him. "It didn't go too good. I got angry when Gale pretty much told me that I suck at snares when the squirrel broke free. He tried to convince me otherwise but I know him just as well as he knows me. He doesn't think I'm good. We're taking a break."

Peeta was flattening a piece of dough for a pizza when he said, "Traps are his thing, Katniss." I stared at him. Had he not heard anything I'd just said? "Don't take this the wrong way," he added quickly, "but he knows a lot more about them than you do, just like you do about hunting. You both have your talents which is what makes you two so good together. You fill in each other's blanks."

I stared out the window, frustrated. "Whoever said that opposites attract must never have been in a relationship like that. We're constantly fighting since we're both so stubborn. We're always butting heads. It's so frustrating." I cradled my cheek against my palm. "Sometimes I wonder if it's worth it, you know?"

"Well, sometimes, Katniss, the hardest relationships to maintain are the most worthwhile, or rewarding. Get what I mean?"

I nodded, attempting a smile. "Yeah. Thanks, but I don't think I'm wrong. I don't want to apologize and give up what I think is right so we can get back together. And yeah, I know that relationships are compromise, but it doesn't seem fair to me."

Prim came back grinning at that moment, holding a few boxes of treats. "All set, little duck?" I asked her. She nodded her head and I turned to Peeta. "Okay, well, let's check out." Before he could turn away I remembered what I mainly came to Mellark's for. "Wait, Peeta, are there any more cheese buns?"

He looked regretful as he said, while checking out the cookies, "Sorry, Kat. I had to sell them. My mom made me sell the ones I had saved for you. But I'll make more for you, okay?" Can anything go my way today? I had to remind myself that seeing Peeta and making Prim happy were both very good things.

"Yeah, it's fine. Thanks a lot, Peeta."

He must have understood the double meaning behind my words because he smiled softly at me and said sincerely, "Any time."

As Prim and I walked down the street, in my left hand I held Prim's and in my right I held the bag. We reached our driveway and saw a good friend of mine, the mayor's daughter, Madge Undersee, waiting on the porch.

"Hey, Katniss!" Madge called to me.

"Hey, Madge," I said.

She approached us nervously, fiddling with her dress. "Katniss, can I talk to you?" Her eyes flitted to Prim momentarily. "Alone?"

Slightly confused, I nodded unsurely. "Yes. Prim, can you please go inside? I'll be right in." Prim squeezed my hand softly and took the bag before going in.

I looked at Madge, my expression blank. "Is something up?" I asked.

"Well, I just feel so guilty." Uh-oh. Not a good start. I sat down on the porch, she doing the same.

"Madge, what happened?" I had a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach.

"Katniss, I love you, and you're my best friend. I'm so sorry–"

Panicked then, I told her, trying to keep my voice level, "Just tell me what happened, Madge."

She breathed.