okeeyy so I haven't been getting many reviews, but in order for the next chapter to be posted I will need at least 5. Again, I apologize for any typos you may find. I'm still getting used to the format and website. I am currently continuing my story on how I imagined Peeta and katniss falling in love again, and if I get that far, I may continue the story on their marriage, discussion for kids, etc. just tell me when I get that far! Sorry for the confusion, but thank you so much for your support! Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games
Ever since Peeta allowed me to stay the night at his house, we have been talking more often. I feel maybe, just maybe he could be turning back to his old self. I know he will not ever be the same agin, but there's been progress. I was hoping for when spring comes around, Peeta could help me plant some primroses in my front yard. I guess you could say I'm some sort of expert on plants, but not planting them. As if on cue, Peeta walks out his front door. I decide to walk over to where he is standing, careful not to slip on any ice along the way. Spring is near, although it is still chilly outside. Peeta sees me before I reach him, and meets me halfway.
"What are you up to?" I ask.
"I was just about to head into town. Maybe pick up some paints and a canvas. It's nice out and I would like to attempt at drawing the view."
What view? There's nothing but brown grass here near the Victor's Village. I want to question him, but decide not too, although it is indeed a beautiful day outside.
"Sounds nice." I force myself to say. There's a long pause.
"Well I'm in no hurry, do you want to come with me?" He finally asks.
I really have nothing else to do so I nod my head in agreement. I'm very glad Peeta wants to paint again. Or at least try to. I ask him how every thing is going, have small talk w"ith him.
"So, you said you wanted to paint the view? From your house?" I ask.
"Yeah I think it'd be nice. Don't you? I can see it now: sunny skies, fairly cloudy, green grass." He is in awe.
I am most definately not in awe. The grass isn't even green. It sounds like a little child's painting. I don't mention this to Peeta, but I do suggest something to him.
"My dad and I, there was this place in the woods we liked to call a 'meadow' we would go their all the time." I think about when I recited "The Hanging Tree" there by the lake. "There's also a lake there. Very beautiful." I say
Peeta thinks about this for a moment. I continue, "I thought maybe you'd be more interested in painting that than, you know, this." I wave my hands around behind me and gesture to the place we call home. Very un-extrordinary. He thinks about this for a moment.
"Katniss that truly sounds great, but I don't know how to get there, and you know how I am in the woods."
We both laugh. Peeta doesn't do that great in the woods. I can't imagine how he would try to find his way around. I decide it's time to show him the great fantasies about the woods.
"How about I show you around? I could take you there. And I wouldn't mind waiting on the painting. I could take a nap, it's very peaceful there. But it's totally up to you, I understand if you would rather be alone." I wait until he answers.
"No, actually I wouldn't mind. That sounds nice. Maybe I could arrange a picnic for the day too, I wouldn't want you to get impatient. What do you say?"
"It's a date." As soon as the words come out of my mouth I already start to regret them. I start to panic at my choice of words, but Peeta doesn't seem to care. He probably wouldn't even think of it as a date. Would he? I get lost in thought, and that is when we reach the store that apparently sells artsy stuff. I don't know what to call it, so I'll just stick with 'artsy.'
Peeta opens the door for me and I graciously accept. We walk into the store and the smell of clay, wet paint, tap water, etc. fills my nose. Peeta doesn't seem to notice, either that or he doesn't mind or care. He smiles at me and starts to wander near the paint section. I follow him. He picks up many shades of different colors for nature. He also grabs a rather large canvas and works his way up to the register. Once we are out of the store, he lets me lead.
We soon make our way to the fence and I climb under. Peeta tries to, he probably thinks he will cut himself on the jagged edges. I start to jog a away from the fence, as an instinct of course, totally forgetting Peeta was with me. I then hear Peeta finally make it thought the hole under the fence. He must be relived. "That was quite a workout!" He hollers behind me. That's when I realize I have been running away from him. I didn't get far though, he can still see me and I can see him. We catch up to one another, and continue to walk toward the meadow. When we finally make it, he attempts to sit down and enjoy the view, but ends up slipping on some mud. I only manage to laugh.
"Ow Katniss, that hurt."
"Now you know how I felt." I laugh even more. He picks up a glob of mud in his hands, and before I can fully realize what he is about to do, I feel mud being thrown at my face. It's his turn to laugh.
"Oh no you did not." I say trying to sound agitated.
"But oh I did." I can hear the playful tone in his voice and decide to jump on him, forgetting he is sitting in mud. I roll him over onto his back and pin his wrists to the ground. But, of course, he is stronger than I am and he manages to roll me onto my back and pin me down.
"I think you're out of options." He smirks at me. I can't think of any way out of his move. I stick my tongue out at him like a child, and before I can surrender, he loosens his grip. I take this chance to flip him back over, with more force this time, and make sure he stays pinned to the ground. Peeta chuckles,
"Alright, alright, you win."
"That's what I like to hear." I say happily, even though I think he let me win. We both look at each other and laugh. We are both covered in mud. I tell him we should rinse off in the lake and he agrees. Thank god I am wearing a tank top underneath my shirt. I take my shirt off and jump into the lake with it, leaving my jeans on. Peeta does the same, although he is not wearing another shirt underneath. Our clothes will be saturated, but will hopefully dry while Peeta works on his painting. He knows the basics of swimming, I taught him most of it in the Quell. So he does not need any assistance. We try to clean off our clothing as best as we can. It is rather chilly when my wet skin and clothes come in contact with the wind. I hop out and find a spot to sit. Peeta joins me and starts to get ready to work. I shiver.
"Katniss are you cold?" You're basically shivering."
"Just a little. Are you?"
"Not really. Come here." He gestures and signals for me to come closer to him. I do, and find myself slowly drifting off to sleep on his lap. I would much rather prefer to be in his arms, but I don't want to interfere with his painting. Before I drift off, he mentions how maybe he could prepare something for lunch at his place. I agree, and tell him to wake me when he is finished.
I wake, aware of being carried. My arms are around Peeta's neck and he is carrying me like he always does. My head was nuzzled on his shoulder blade. He must have dozed off too, while his painting was drying. It looks beautiful. I can see the gate from here.
"Peeta Mellark!" I exclaim. He must not have known I just woke up, he jumped a little.
"Umm hmm Katniss?" He asks.
"You said you would wake me." I yawn
"Yes I did."
"But you didn't."
"No I did not." He sets me down and let's me climb under the fence. He hands me the painting and paints, careful not to ruin anything. Once he is on the other side, he picks me up again. I decide that I am not going to win whatever game he is playing with me, so I sigh and let him carry me. Stubborn. I try my hardest not to fall back to sleep, which should be easy because Peeta is never light on his feet. But I soon give in. I sleep until we arrive at the Victor's Village. I hear a loud crash as Peeta enters his house. He sets down his paints and paintings, but not me. He walks toward the couch and gently lets me down, covering me with a blanket. I can hear him talking to another man. I recognize the raspy voice and dread opening my eyes to see who it is.
Haymitch is as drunk as ever. He must have walked into the wrong house. Again. Victor's houses have the same key for each.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it sweetheart?"
What do you think? Must have at least 5 reviews In Order to update! Thanks :)
