As I woke from my restless sleep, I found myself staring up at the sky. I had been sleep walking again. I made myself stand up, as I had done multiple times before this night, and walked back into my house.
I slammed the door shut and instantly smelt the warming smell of Peeta's baking. Despite my desperate need to go crawl into my bed and hide in my soft sheets all day again, the smell of his baking had drawn me to the kitchen. I crept into the kitchen and saw him stood over the oven. He was wearing his dressing gown and he still had bed hair. I rarely get to spend time like this with him, time away from the cameras, so I took advantage of this and walked up behind him.
"What are you baking?" I asked inquisitively.
Peeta jumped and spun around to face me, a look of shock spread across his face for a second, but it soon turned into his usual grin.
"Bloody hell Katniss, you scared me half to death!" He exclaimed.
"I'm sorry," I almost whispered, "It just smelled so good. I didn't mean to creep up on you. So, answer my question?"
Peeta laughed, "You are always no nosy… You will find out later. I wouldn't have started baking if I knew you were around. It was meant to be a surprise."
"Okay, okay. I will leave you to it." I replied. Whilst smiling at him, I turned to leave.
"Katniss, wait!" Peeta called out to me so I turned around and was met by his lips against mine. Sadly the kiss ended too soon and he backed away, smiled, and put his focus back onto his baking.
I savoured a last few seconds being in Peeta's presence, and then went upstairs to have a shower and get changed into some fresh clothes. On the way to the bathroom, I bumped into my mother. She had been crying.
"Oh Katniss, were you sleep walking again? We really need to go to the doctors about that, it's not healthy-"
"Mum shut up a second, have you been crying? What's wrong?" I asked in worry. I knew my mother had been a bit distant recently, but she almost never cried.
My mother paused for a moment, looking at me in shock before eventually saying, "It's the anniversary of Prims death today, Katniss."
I felt like I had just been shot in the chest by a thousand bullets as everything crumbled around me, Prim died 5 years ago today. How could I forget?
"Katniss?" My mum said through her tears yet I ignored her.
I walked quickly into the bathroom, shut the door and locked it. I then quickly got undressed and got into the warm shower. I decided that this would be my only moment of weakness today and collapsed into a collection of whimpering and tears as I thought of my dead sister. My dead sister who had been killed for trying to help the innocent. My dead sister who was so young and so smart and should be starting a degree to become a doctor right now but no. Instead she is rotting in a grave. All of this misery caused by President Snow and the Capitol. It's all gone now. President Snow, the Capitol, Cinna, President Coin, Finnick, and Prim. All gone.
Life in Panem is a lot better now a democracy has been put in place, led by Plutarch Heavensbee of course after his triumphant rebellion. All the districts have representatives that travel to the New Capitol to help run the country. All war has been stopped and all Old Capitol extremists have been evacuated to other, unknown countries and told to never return under the penalty of death. District 12 has been rebuilt and many District 13 citizens have moved to the area as their home is being used as a government military base from now on however many choose to stay and help out.
My mother, Peeta and I live in the outskirts of the Capitol for now as it is easier for travel. However, we still own our old houses back in District 12 which we visit frequently. Peeta and I our still the stars of the country. After all the shit that has happened to us and what we have done together, the public have become even more obsessed with us. Even though we have asked to be excluded from the majority of political debates and meetings, we are still at the top of the guest list to all big events.
All three of us had been sent to our District 12 home for a 2 week holiday as we are not needed in the Capitol until my birthday party which Effie is throwing for me; although I do not want a party, Effie refused to listen to my complaints.
When I came down from my shower, I was not welcomed by a warm embrace from Peeta nor was I welcomed by the smell of his delicious baking. Instead, my mother stands in front of me dressed in black.
"Where's Peeta?" I asked.
"He went out," My mum replies coldly, "He's against the idea of me taking you to Prim's grave. Come if you want to, I am leaving now."
With that said, she turns and leaves. She can be an awful bitch sometimes. Now I was alone in the house, I decided to call Annie and ask if her and son she had with Finnick before he died, Finn, wanted to come over. They arrived shortly after as they were vacationing with us in District 12. Annie and I had become very close as we lived on the same street back in the Capitol and I absolutely adore Finn. So much like his father even from such a young age. He is 4 now and bouncing around the house full of seemingly endless amounts of energy.
The main subject of conversation between Annie and I is normally Finnick as she loves talking about him and I can never get bored listening to stories about them. Worryingly, Annie was almost silent today and left expectantly saying she promised Finn that she would take him to the pool today. She offered for me to come with them but I could see she was only being polite and said I had some errands to do before we go home in a few days.
Shortly after she left, Peeta arrived. He looked tired. I have to admit that I probably didn't look any better but he looked so physically and mentally drained.
"Where did you go?" I asked but he ignored my question.
"So you decided not to go with your mother?" Peeta said with a smirk. I just stared at him so he continued, "I've got a surprise for you, come see."
He grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet and then led me into the dining room. In the centre of the grand table, was a rectangular shaped object, covered by a sheet of paper. It was stood up at an angle, held by a few of my favourite books. Placed neatly next to the covered up object, was a plate of my favourite cheese bread.
"Oh, and I forgot one thing." Peeta said softly. He pulled out a few primrose flowers from his jacket pocket and placed them gently on top of the bread.
"Peeta? What is this?" I asked.
"It's your surprise," He answered with a warm smile, "Go on, take a look."
He seemed too overconfident with this surprise but I suppose that's just in Peeta's nature. I walked over and uncovered the object. It was a painting. From so close I couldn't see what it was but I could tell Peeta must have taken ages on it from the strokes over strokes and shadings and colours all mixing. There were blues, yellows, gold's, and more. So many beautiful colours. I grabbed a cheese bread to have before they get cold and took a few steps back to get a better look at the painting. Prim. He had painted Prim. He had painted her with her young braids and little blue dress from the reaping; he had painted her smiling a sweet smile. It was so beautiful and so magical that I started to cry.
Peeta panicked, "Oh, Katniss, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you upset I-"
"No, no, Peeta," I whispered, "It's perfect."
Then he kissed me. Not the way he has for the past few years – soft and gentle, almost like I was going to fall apart if he put too much pressure on me – this kiss was passionate and strong. He grabbed my waist and I rested my hands on his smooth, muscular arms and felt the electricity between us. I wanted to touch him more. He moved his hands up my back and I could feel he rough, gentle fingers caressing me. I wanted him to touch me more.
Surprising myself, I pulled away. This was wrong, I couldn't be thinking about myself on a day like this. I shouldn't be fulfilling my wants, I should be remembering Prim.
"Did I do something wrong?" Peeta muttered, refusing to make eye contact with me. He was angry.
"No." I whispered.
"Come on Katniss! It's been 5 years and you still won't show any fucking love towards me – I am always the one to kiss you, you never kiss me, and when I do you do this! I have been nothing but respectful and patient with you and I could carry on doing that forever if you could just tell me how you are feeling," Peeta pleaded, "I don't even know if you want me…"
Tears were dripping down his face. I said nothing. After what seemed like an hour had passed, Peeta turned to leave. He slammed the door shut and I collapsed.