I phoned Effie, lost for words. It was the first time he'd actually yelled at me. Peeta had stormed off in fury and gone for a walk. I didn't have anyone to speak to. The only person I would have spoken to about this was Prim. Haymitch was no good when it came to this department.
Effie answered on the second ring, "Effie Trinkett speaking." I was crying-sobbing- and Effie sighed, "Dear Katniss, what's got you so upset?" I inhaled breathlessly and whispered, "We were watching the news. Haymitch and I were laughing it off and Peeta…he walked out in a rage. He shouted at me." Effie was silent on the phone and she let me cry. Eventually, she said, "Oh dear. What were you saying to make him so upset?" I suddenly realized that maybe Effie was not the best person to speak to about this. She might take offence to my stance on it. I bit my lip and whispered, "I told him I'm done trying to help Panem. I told him I don't want to be involved anymore. He said he would get on a train tomorrow and leave so he could help. But the way he looked at me…" my voice hitched and Effie sounded upset, "Katniss, listen to me. You two love each other more than anyone I have ever known. I've watched it grow from nothing to everything first hand. And there's one little piece of advice I can give you-you and Peeta will fight. It's the most natural part of relationships when you truly love someone. You will say things that are meant to intentionally hurt each other. You won't ever mean them though and you will feel guilty for saying these things. I speak from experience my girl. You just need some time to clear your heads and then you will make up and it will be as if it never happened."
I listened with rapture, not used to getting this kind of advice from anyone. My mother never offered this to me, but Prim did with her limited experience and words. Even so, it helped me make better decisions, and the fact that Effie was so knowledgeable in this department helped a lot. I sighed, "Thanks Effie. I really appreciate everything you've done for us. I suppose it also doesn't help that I…uh…was drinking." Effie suddenly stern, "Now Katniss, listen to me closely! Do not become like Haymitch. Do not drink yourself silly and waste your life. Yes, the last four years have been painful and tough. But you can't give up now! Not when you have a shot of happiness and a chance at a future which before you didn't know you had!" She was so passionate and it warmed my heart-truly it did. And then she added, as an afterthought, "I'm not going to ever send any more alcohol to you. I'm not going to give you the temptation." I smiled a genuine smile for the first time in weeks, "Thank you Effie, for caring so much." Effie laughed, "It's nothing my dear. It's truly nothing. You and Peeta have changed my life more than you know. I'm a completely different person to who I was in the beginning. I've feared losing the both of you too many times. The fact that you both survived everything you've been through…is a marvelous miracle. It's something I will be forever grateful for. You're like family to me. Just promise me one thing?" I bit my lip nervously and whispered, "Depends what it is…" Effie was quiet for a second before saying, "Don't ever leave Peeta. I'm afraid it would crush him more than he could bear." I nodded frantically, "I never would, Effie. I would never dream of it. But if he chose to leave me, I wouldn't stop him."
Effie sighed, "I know. You think he's too good for you? Well Katniss, I think you're equally as good for each other. You made me believe in true love again, and that's something no amount of money can buy." I was speechless. Effie hadn't believed in true love before us? I whispered, "That's a story I want to hear about one day, Effie." She laughed her tinkling laugh and replied, "One day, my dear, one day you will hear it."
There was a noise in the background and she sighed, "I better go, darling. I'm having Johanna and uh…Gale over for dinner. I'll speak to you soon. Send my love to everyone." I nodded, "I will! Effie one last thing. Please will you make me this promise?" She said instantly, "Anything dear." I smiled, "Look a after Peeta for me if he decides to leave please, or has already left?" I could hear she was smiling, "Of course, darling. Much love!" I was about to reply when she hung up the phone.
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I felt a bit better after speaking to Effie, but I knew I wouldn't feel better until I could speak to Peeta. I waited up late for him. It was nine when he had stormed out and I knew I wouldn't be able to sleep at all without him. Then I realized-what if he did leave me and go to the capitol? I would have to go with him. I wouldn't cope here, all on my own. I watched TV and watched the time tick by on the clock above- 10pm, 11pm, 12am…He still wasn't back. I was beginning to panic.
I moved my hands, clutching my hair, freaking out. I was sitting on the couch and I ended up rocking back and forth. I couldn't wait much longer. I made up my mind that if he was going to not come back, then I was going to go and search for him. Just as I thought it, the door creaked open and I jumped. I turned around in a panic, my heart pounding and I saw him walk in, closing the door slowly behind him.
He froze when he saw me-hands gripped around my knees and rocking silently on the couch. Peeta whispered, "Katniss…" I got up and rushed to him, throwing my arms around him violently. I squeezed him tightly to me and felt like I could finally breathe again. I began tearing up, "Peeta…I'm sorry, I'm sorry for being such a jerk! But you have to understand…I can't do more for them. I can't! Please don't make me." He was holding me tightly and he sighed, "Katniss, I'm not making you do anything. But I feel like I have to go." My eyes snapped open and I pulled away from his embrace, "Then I'm coming with you!" I said firmly.
Peeta shook his head, "No, you need to stay here and look after Haymitch." I growled angrily, "He's a grown man, Peeta! He can take care of himself! I've already decided I'm coming with you. It…would be too difficult to sit here and be without you." I couldn't believe I sounded so desperate. I was never desperate. I had always been self-reliant, even before the Hunger Games. I never felt like I truly needed someone. Peeta sighed, "Katniss… I'm worried it might be too much for you." I rolled my eyes, "If I've survived everything we've been through, Peeta, I'm pretty sure we're unstoppable." He laughed, "Like a power couple?" I nodded firmly, "Yes, exactly. That's what we were throughout the games. That's what we can still be. And I know I can't survive so many nights without you."
He smiled then and kissed my cheek gently, "You know…that might be the most romantic thing you've ever said to me." I blushed and couldn't look into his eyes, "Well…don't get too used to it. I'm coming with you, ok?" He nodded and pulled me close again, "Alright…just as long as you promise to stay out of trouble." I rolled my eyes, but his head was leant against mine so he couldn't see it, "You know I can't promise you that, Peeta." He sighed against my neck, "Just try, Katniss, just try."
A/N: Again thank you so much everyone for such positive feedback! It's really giving me so much motivation to write this story and to write it well! I have no idea how long it will be, but I really appreciate all of the kind words and support!