A/N: I love the idea where their love is real in the first book. So I thought I would give it a try. Hope you enjoy :)
I did steal some lines from the book, they belong to Suzanne Collins.
Chapter One
'Well there is this one girl. I've had a crush on her since I can remember.'
'Because… because… she came here with me.'
Peeta's words keep racing through my head, my brain trying to make sense of what I heard.
My first reaction is avoidance. I put as much distance between Peeta and I as possible as I race into an elevator.
The talk ceases around me and I can feel eyes burning holes into the back of my head. Their prying eyes trying to make sense of the shocking confession.
I keep my head down, my eyes trained on the floor of the elevator as it starts to rise.
When the doors finally open on my floor I fly out, my pulse racing.
Only moments after the elevator doors shut behind me, they open again this time allowing Peeta entrance to the penthouse.
When my eyes fall on him every rational thought flies from my head and rage and humiliation burn in my chest. The next thing I know my palms are slamming into his firm chest and he goes flying back into the glass vase.
Shards of glass fly across the floor, Peeta's face shows shock and pain. I look down to the glossy floor and see red smeared across the tiles.
Peeta clutches his bleeding hand, sending a glare my way.
"What was that for?" Peeta asks, his voice showing his shock.
"You had no right! No right to go saying those things about me!" My voice is loud and full of rage.
Haymitch, Effie, Cinna and Portia step out of the elevator and the room is tense. Effie is the one to break the silence.
"What's going on?" She asks in hysterics, her captiol accent thick. "Did you fall?"
"After she shoved me," Peeta spits as he is helped up.
"Katniss, where are your manners?" Effie scolds me shaking her head.
"This was your idea, wasn't it? Humiliating me!" I turn to Haymitch accusingly.
"It was my idea." Peeta defends.
"You made me look weak!" I yell, tears burning my vision.
"You fool! He made you look desirable!" Haymitch yells, his eyes piercing into mine.
"And let's face it, you could use all the help you can get in that department!" I take a small step back stung at his words. I use all my strength not to show any weakness.
I catch a look in Peeta's eyes I can't quite determine. It almost looks like anger.
But anger at what? At Haymitch's harsh words?
Surely not.
"This is what everyone is talking about. The star crossed lovers from district 12!" Haymitch continues.
"But we're not star crossed lovers!" I yell in frustration.
I see another emotion flash through Peeta's pretty blue eyes that I can't put my finger on.
Longing?
"It doesn't matter! It's all about the show darling. And they've just been served the biggest story ever! You should be thanking Peeta." Haymitch walks over to alcohol and pours himself a hearty serve.
"You should have told me. I looked stupid out there." I feel some of the anger melt away.
"No, your reaction was perfect." Portia tells me with a soft smile.
I try to smile back but I'm sure it comes across as a grimace.
"She's just worried about her boyfriend." Peeta's voice is full of hurt and his eyes show his pain.
I'm momentarily shocked by this display.
If it was all just an act to help get us sponsors then why is he so convincing?
"I don't have a boyfriend." I tell him honestly and with conviction.
"Whatever. Besides it's not like you said you love me. I said I love you. So what does it really matter?" Peeta looks heartbroken as these words fall from his mouth and I'm trying to search his eyes for answer.
My mind is whirling with possibilities.
I don't know how long we stand there staring into each other's eyes but when we finally look away I realise we're alone.
"I'm sorry." I finally break the ice.
Peeta makes a non-committal noise in the back of his throat and l follow his eyes down to his blood soaked hand.
I feel a stabbing in my chest knowing he's hurt. Worse, knowing I'm the one to inflict the pain of him.
"Here, let me help." I whisper as I step forward and reach for his hand.
He flinches at my touch and takes a step back.
"Don't bother." He turns on his heals and retreats to his bedroom.
I stand by the elevators playing through the last ten minutes in my mind trying to make some sense of it all.
He told everyone he loved me to give us an edge in the arena. Something I should be thanking him for, not hurting him.
I continue to stare in the direction he just retreated from remembering all the emotions that flashed through his brilliant blue orbs.
"Katniss?" Cinna's soft voice startles me, and brings me firmly back to reality.
"Are you alright?" I nod softly in response.
"I think so. But shouldn't you be asking Peeta that? I was so horrible to him." I cast my eyes downward ashamed of myself.
"He'll forgive you."
"What makes you so sure?" I scoff.
He doesn't answer but his knowing eyes are twinkling at me under the lights.
"Tomorrow we go into the arena and fight to our death. I'm not saying he's going to turn on me but only one survives. Why bother forgiving me now." I feel tears blurring my vision as realization hits me.
I want his forgiveness before one of us dies.
"Because what he said wasn't an act." Cinna's voice is soft and coaxing.
I blink at him confused letting the words soak into my brain.
"Wait- that would mean…" I trail off unsure of myself.
"That he does indeed love you." Cinna finishes for me.
"He can't. He barely knows me."
"Maybe so. But he loves what he already knows of you. I do believe in love at first site."
Flashes of a young Peeta throwing me the bread. Throwing me a lifeline.
"If only you would open up and give him a chance to really know you. If you could open your heart to it, then your love could blossom." Cinna caresses my cheek gently as a tear falls from my eyes.
"No… I can't. He can't… we can't." I finally whisper.
"Yes you can. Make the most of the time you have left Katniss. You'll regret it if you don't."
He gives me a kiss on the cheek and walks away telling me to get some rest.
Is what he said true? Does Peeta really love me?
Could I love him in return?
I finally start to make my way to my room when my feet come to a stop outside Peeta's room.
I hesitate before gently pushing the door open, I see the room is empty but hear the water running in the bathroom.
I walk toward the door and push it open seeing Peeta rinsing his hand under the running water. The clear water turning red as it flows down the drain.
Peeta is hissing in pain and I close my eyes when I feel my heart constrict at the site before me.
When I open my eyes I'm staring into Peeta's once more tonight.
There's something in his eyes that immediately make me feel comfortable and at ease.
I could spend my whole life looking into his eyes.
I walk forward slowly and reach for this hand, this time he doesn't pull it away.
I reach for a cloth and gently dab it down before opening the cupboards and finding some disinfectant.
I spill some onto the cloth before lightly pressing it onto the cuts, Peeta winces in pain and I mumble another apology.
Peeta's strong hands feel safe in mine, and I relish at the feeling of our skin touching.
I look up to find Peeta staring at me with something akin to awe in his eyes.
I reach my free hand up and sweep some hair from his forehead before running it through his soft locks.
He briefly closes his eyes in pleasure. When he reopens his eyes I gasp at the intensity of his look.
I feel gravity pulling our heads together until our lips are almost touching, his breath blowing across my face. I shudder softly before our lips close the distance.
His lips are soft against mine and I close my eyes savoring the moment. I've never felt such pleasure, such… love?
Kissing Peeta is the most glorious feeling in the world.
When he pulls away I let out an involuntary whimper and he pulls me closer and into another kiss.
I feel my knees wobble and Peeta moves his strong arms around me and pulls me closer.
I feel the heat of his body pressing against mine and I let out a sigh.
Peeta takes the opportunity to run his tongue against my lips. I hesitate briefly before allowing him entrance.
Our tongues met and I groan into the kiss.
We finally pull away breathing heavily as I stare into his eyes.
I've never been that open with anyone before, that trusting.
But with Peeta it felt so right.
I pull out of his arms slightly, feeling the coldness hit me straight away.
Hurt flashes across his face but I reach for his hand with a small smile.
I continue to clean his hand before putting a small bandage over it. I rub my fingers gently over the bandage before lifting his hand to my lips and placing a delicate kiss there.
He swallows thickly unsure of what to say.
"We should get some rest, big day tomorrow." I give his hand a small squeeze before walking away.
A/N: Leave a review and let me know your thoughts :)
Thank you for reading.