"C'mon, Katniss!" Madge whined, "When was the last time you took some time off? You need a break, and this is only for four days."

Katniss scowled. She knew her friend was right; she couldn't even remember the last time she'd taken a time out

Was it for Prim's graduation, she wondered.

The more she thought about it, the more sense it made. She had wanted to visit District 4 for some time. And what better way to do it than with friends, and without having to pay for a hotel?

Besides, it wasn't really about the money anymore. Prim was all grown up, and Katniss had a steady income. She could afford a short trip.

Still, the idea of being constantly surrounded by happy couples made her want to barf.

Her last serious relationship had ended six months before, and though she had never seen herself marrying Darius, she was still smarting from the fact that he had so effortlessly moved on from their relationship. She simply wasn't ready for a long weekend of lovey dovey morons making googly eyes at each other.

She was about to say so when Madge spoke again.

"Annie says the house is gorgeous! It's in the old Victor's Village, right by the sea. You can't say no to that!"

Still hesitant, Katniss took a sip of her tea and asked, "so, who's gonna be there?"

"Well, Finnick and Annie, of course. Gale, me, and Peeta," Madge answered, counting off the names with her fingers.

Curious, Katniss asked, "Peeta?"

"Yeah. My cousin. You've met him, remember?"

Katniss remembered.

She had met Peeta when she was 11. Her father had just died, and her mother was still suffering from the deep depression which had kept her trapped inside her own mind.

One rainy afternoon, Katniss had gone into Mellark's Bakery with Madge. She had expected to find her friend's stern aunt behind the counter. Instead, she had found a pair of perfect ocean blue eyes.

Peeta was 23 at the time. He had just landed his first full-time job working for a publishing company where he created the artwork for their book covers. In an attempt to appease his mother's disappointment over his chosen profession, he still helped out at the family bakery whenever he was in town.

Peeta had welcomed them with a warm smile. He had placed a couple of stools for his cousin and her friend in front of the service counter and had spent the afternoon feeding the girls an assortment of baked goods.

The warm cheese buns he had baked that day quickly became Katniss's favorite pastry. Even now, 17 years later, the mere thought of them made her lick her lips. They were the one thing she craved after a long, stressful day.

They had seen each other a handful of times over the years. She had run into him at the bakery once or twice, but, mostly, they had seen each other at Madge's birthday parties.

She was always glad to find him. His blue eyes and easy smile hypnotized her. And she couldn't remember a time when he hadn't been thoughtful and considerate, constantly keeping her company, and making her smile while Madge abandoned her to deal with her endless duties as hostess.

Yes, as strange as it seemed, quiet, taciturn Katniss enjoyed spending time with her best friend's older cousin.

The last time they'd seen each other, Katniss was fresh out of high school. Peeta was already 30 and about to start his own business as a web designer.

"It's all digital now," he'd said with a wink.

They had talked about her and her plans for the future. His eyes had shone excitedly when she told him about her full ride scholarship to Panem U.

She had felt so proud and accomplished until two simple words had upended her joy.

The bitter taste of bile had filled her mouth as soon as he'd told her that he was engaged.

"She was my first client," he explained, "her family is from District 2, so we're moving there next year."

She had closed off her emotions and pretended to be happy for him, but she had left the party shortly after without even saying goodbye.

Heartbroken, she had spent the next few weeks berating herself for the childish schoolgirl crush she was clearly a victim of.

Six months later, she'd met Marvel.

He was short and arrogant, and everything Peeta wasn't. She had slept with him on their third date, convinced that it was pointless to wait around for the perfect person to arrive when it was much better to settle with reality. After all, real love was debilitating, it had broken her mother's spirit and brought her nothing but pain.

Life was complicated enough as it was, and Katniss decided she didn't need the aggravation.

"You forgot to count his wife," Katniss said, pointing at Madge's hand.

"Whose wife?"

"Your cousin's. Isn't he married to that girl from District 2?"

"Clove?" Madge asked wrinkling her nose.

Katniss shrugged.

"No! They've been over for ages! They'd been together for about five years when she ran into her high school sweetheart, some dude named… Cato, I think. A couple of months later she was asking Peeta for a divorce."

Katniss's eyes widened in shock. "Peeta must have been devastated!"

"He was sad," Madge said, playing with the empty cup in her hand, "But the last time I saw him he admitted that he had never been truly in love with her. Anyway, he's single now."

Madge took one last bite of the dessert they were sharing, dropped her spoon on the empty plate and narrowed her eyes. "So, you haven't given me an answer yet. Are you coming, or not?"

Katniss rolled her eyes, "Fine!" she relented, "I'll go."

XXXXX

AN: I like reviews and comments as much as Buttercup likes bacon. You always make my day when you share them with me. Thanks!

You can also find me on tumblr. I'm javistg over there, come and say hi!

The Hunger Games Trilogy is property of Suzanne Collins. No money was made off of the creation of this fanwork.