Thank you for taking the time to read this story! I hope you guys enjoy. I love hearing from you so please feel free to send me reviews. They make me smile a lot! Thank you to my wonderful editor for always being so patient and kind with me. Love you! You can find me on tumblr as allhailthehutch
xoxox Kelly
It's late by the time I finally leave the hospital. Andrew, the young boy that Finnick called me to assess, was a challenge. He didn't want to speak for a long time, but eventually he opened up. I tried to learn more about Andrew and what his home life was like without pushing him too far.
He told me that the closet was his favorite "hiding place" and he would spend hours in there with his cars. I probed further by asking why he felt he needed to hide, but he kept talking about the different makes and models of toy cars, veering far away from any disturbing memories. It was obvious that Andrew has a lot to tell me, but I'll have time to continue questioning later.
He was severely malnourished and the bruises - they were everywhere.
I can see why Officer Mellark was so upset.
There wasn't much left for me to do because Andrew fought to keep his eyelids open while his elbow propped up his exhausted little body. I read those as clear signs to finish our session and head home.
As I walk to my car, I see him. He leans against the side of his patrol car, arms crossed in front of his chest. He's staring right at me.
"Can I help you with something, officer?" I don't mean for my tone to sound rude, but I'm still a little angry at him for yelling at me.
Peeta shakes his head. "I wanted to say I'm sorry for yelling earlier. You didn't deserve that."
"Did Finnick tell you to apologize?"
His jaw clenches, and I can see that I'm getting to him. "Why does it matter? I'm sorry, okay!"
"It matters because someone had to tell you then you obviously don't really mean it." I tell him with a knowing smirk.
Peeta runs his hands through his curls. I have already picked up on this behavior he routinely does when he'sfrustrated. "Are you questioning my apology?"
"Maybe." I keep my face expressionless, not wanting to show him that I find his frustration somewhat endearing.
He let's out a loud huff. "Look, you don't have to believe me, but I'm sorry. Sometimes I just let myself get too emotionally involved."
"I understand that." I pat his shoulder which causes him to flinch just a bit. If I wasn't looking, I probably wouldn't have ever noticed it. He has a problem with physical contact. "Andrew is a really sweet little boy. He's lucky that you found him."
"I wouldn't call that luck." He sneers back. Again, I notice his tone and how he's relating to Andrew's situation.
I sigh loudly. He's so damn negative. "I'm sorry that's not good enough for you."
"He deserves better," Peeta tells me with a frown. "You know he's a nice kid..."
Peeta looks over at me and I take in a deep breath as his blue eyes lock me in once again. They show a deep pain I could never begin to understand.
He's troubled. I can see that clear as day. Peeta works hard to hide his pain, and I don't believe it's my place to bring it up. I'm desperate to know more about him.
"He's going to be okay," I reassure Peeta with an empathetic smile. "It may not be an easy road, but he's got a chance for a good life."
Peeta looks down at the ground for a moment, appearing deep in thought. "You like what you do?"
"I love what I do."
He seems confused by my answer. How can someone love a job that opens them up to a world full of unspeakable cruelty?
"You're alright, Dr. Everdeen." The way he says my name makes my heart beat faster. I feel myself being drawn to him every time we share words. We've only just met but I want to get to know him. I want to spend more time with him and discover what secrets lie within those troubled eyes of his.
"You too, Officer Mellark."
It's been a few weeks since I last saw Peeta, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about him.
How was he doing?
Will I ever see him again?
I groan loudly as I slam my head a little bit too hard on my desk. "Ow! Shit!"
My head throbs and I'm sure a decent sized bruise is starting to form.
The ache in my chest feels much worse than the pain in my head. I was told earlier this morning that Andrew was finally being placed in foster care. Apparently, none of his family was suitable enough to take care of him.
I hope Peeta never finds out because he will blame me for the rest of his life. There was nothing I could do, but that won't matter to Peeta.
He wanted Andrew to have a chance. Maybe he still does, but I've seen what foster care can do to some children. He's either going to sink or swim.
"Dr. Everdeen?" My secretary Delly peeks her head in from outside my office. "You have a visitor. It's a police officer."
I nod my head. It's probably just Finnick wanting to take me out for Happy Hour.
When I look up, I'm staring into those crystal blue eyes that have been haunting me for weeks.
"Peeta! What are you doing here?" I ask him. Peeta is the last person I expected to walk through my door today.
He shrugs his shoulders. "I - uh just wanted to see how you are doing."
I smile. Peeta came here just to see me? The stupid butterflies in my stomach act up again.
"Well, I'm really glad to see you again."
Peeta is the best looking man I have ever seen in my life. I'm constantly amazed at how perfect he truly is. Blonde hair and blue eyes with a killer body - he is dangerous.
"Those are some nice pictures." Peeta looks over at the wall to my left. There are dozens of pieces of miss matched art work taped up.
"Oh! Some of the kids like to draw me pictures and I love to show them off!" I tell him enthusiastically.
It's one of the reasons why I continue to do this job. Seeing children finally find happiness is the best gift in the entire world.
"I know this is a little sudden, but can I take you out to dinner?" Peeta's cheeks turn pink as he asks me the question.
Was he really asking me out on a date?
Peeta looks up at me through his long eyelashes. How could I ever say anything but-
"Yes! I would love too."
Peeta's face instantly relaxes. "I want to make it up to you. I was kind of a dick when we first met."
I laugh loudly. Peeta was more than a dick when we first met. He was awful. "You have been forgiven, but food always makes things better."
Peeta gives me a smile. A real genuine smile. I'm not surprised that it's beautiful. "I agree with you on that - food does make everything better. I came by in person because I realized today that I didn't get your phone number."
I grab a piece of paper and quickly jot it down. "Now, this doesn't mean that you can prank call me at all hours of the night."
Peeta chuckles while stuffing the paper in his pocket. "I wouldn't dream of it. I'll see you soon?"
"I'm looking forward to it."
I'm looking forward to seeing you again.
I smile when I see another text from Peeta. He's been sending me sweet messages since he visited me the other day.
It's been ages since I've been out with anyone. My work has kept me extremely busy, but truthfully, no one has really caught my eye.
Peeta is different.
I can tell that he's special. We don't know each other that well, but I'm looking forward to getting to know him.
Usually, I'm terrible at meeting new people. I like to stick with my familiar group of friends, but Peeta just wiggled his way into my heart.
It's so unlike me to fall for someone so quickly.
I can't wait to see you.
Only a few more days till I see Peeta again.
"Didn't you have a date tonight?"
I scowl as Gale walks in the kitchen. This has been the worst fucking day ever.
Peeta stood me up.
I'm not sure what happened or if I did something wrong, but here I am - sitting in my kitchen finishing off the rest of my red wine.
"I was supposed to have a date, but he never showed up or called." I take a long sip of my drink. "He seemed so decent."
Gale rubs my back in an effort to comfort me, but it's not working. "Well, I'm about to watch a movie if you want to join me."
"I'm going to have to pass..."
All I really want is to be alone. I shouldn't let some man that I barely know hurt me like this.
Clearly, I'm not good enough for Peeta Mellark.