"She has no idea the effect she can have."
―Peeta Mellark about Katniss
Peeta Mellark has been in love with Katniss Everdeen since he was five, he confessed his feelings for her at the reaping. They play out a romance in order to gain sponsers to manage to become victors. Even though Peeta's feelings were true, he is crushed to find out Katniss's feelings were not. They do remain friends but must keep up the fake romance in th 75th Hunger Games to be able to keep the sponsers. During the 75th Hunger Games Peeta is caputred and brainwashed to think
Katniss is a evil muttation. Peeta manages to fall in love with Katniss all over again towards the end of the war. Soonafter she falls in love with him in return.