When i woke up, the other side of the bed is cold. My fingers stretch out, seeking Peeta's warmth but finding only the soft canvas cover of the mattress. I prop myself up on one elbow. There's enough light in the bedroom to see.
The only person in the room is me. Where has he gone? A loud noise draws my attention and i am immediately on my feet. The knife that he keeps hidden underneath the mattress in my hands in a instant. Quietly i sneak out of the room and down the hall i was just about to peer around the corner when i hear glass shatter.
Without thinking i shoot forward to see Peeta doubled over holding a chair, a vase that my mother bought us on the floor shattered in to little pieces. The vase being the least of my concerns. Immediately my eyes sweep the room as i approach Peeta. Nothing out of the ordinary. I hear nothing aside from our breathing, the frantic beating of my heart, and the sounds of the fire crackling.
"Peeta. It's ok I'm here." I whispered soothingly. "Katniss?" He asked unsure his fingers lacing themselves with mine. "Yes it's me. Katniss." Gently i loosened his hold on the chair and help him sit down, kneeling before him. Slowly he began to return and he frowned slightly.
"Whats wrong?" I asked, worried. "I think i burned breakfast." He said reluctantly letting go of my hand and going to check. "I'm sorry Katniss, i thought i would surprise you this morning so i went hunting... wasn't easy either..."
I couldn't help the smile that appeared on my lips. "It's the thought that counts and who knows maybe we can still save breakfast." I got to my feet and checked. Though Peeta can bake his cooking ability sorely lacked, as i looked over the rabbit and Katniss root stew he had actually managed to burn a bit... i don't even know how that was possible, i decided that there wasn't much i could do but for Peeta's sake i would try.
"Maybe some water will help?" I offer and he seems to think that's a good idea because he fills a pitcher and pours it in as i stir, well actually I'm trying to break apart the clumps but he doesn't have to know that. "How did you catch the rabbit?" I ask out of curiosity before i settle for serving the meal.
"I hope you don't mind but i borrowed your bow and arrows..." He said but when i motioned for him to continue. "Since i can't tread quietly i walked out a bit searching for a good spot to wait where i would be concealed. I had to try several times to hit one." It couldn't have been easy on him with his leg either. Judging by how early it is he must have went out in the middle of the night...
I set the bowls on the table while he placed a fresh loaf of cheese bread, before getting the spoons and a knife.
This was sort of our little routine and had been for a couple of years. Since the games things had slowly begun to return to normal- well as normal as it could get i suppose... some of us still mourned, others we're okay during the day but at night their nightmares we're there to torture them, Peeta and I weren't the only ones who struggled with nightmares.
The people of District 12 we're better. Making medicines, farming their own food, not having to look over their shoulders. They could be themselves. No one had to hide anything anymore... There would have been a time where i would have said i owed District 13 for this. Now... after what they did... sending Prim... my little sister Primrose, to the field, to her death, i could never owe them.
The phone began to ring and i hesitated a moment before crossing the room to answer it. "Hello?" I said.
"I'm coming over for breakfast." Is all i heard from Haymitch before the line went dead. "Haymitch is coming over..." I told Peeta as i put the phone down and went to retrieve another bowl. Peeta chuckled but put another spoon on the table and cut some slices of bread.
A few moments after i had placed the bowl on the table, the door opened with a loud bang as it hit the wall and Haymitch entered only to slam the door shut behind him. "Thank you." I said motioning to the dent in the wall.
"Your welcome sweetheart."