I decided to keep the last chapter instead of change it as I came up with an idea for this next chapter, however I did change the ending ever so slightly. I got rid of the line 'we can't be friends anymore' because I feel that line was going a bit too far. So anyway here is chapter 7...

There is no sign of Peeta the next day. Or the day after that. Or for the rest of the week. I can't help but feel that the flashback that overcame him that night is the reason for his noticeable absence, he seemed abashed by the fact that he could have seriously harmed me, or worse, but I know that deep down he would have come back to me before the situation ever got to that point.

Two weeks quickly pass and still no sign of Peeta coming to visit me shows.

I wake up screaming, bury my head in my pillow and wrap my arms around myself. I search desperately for the same comfort that I once had, the comfort that Peeta provided, the comfort that I can't deny I want, need. Is this how it's going to be? Every night being petrified of what the night holds, every morning awaking screaming desperately trying to ground myself back to reality, every day wishing, hoping Peeta will show up.

He's doing this to protect you Katniss, he's scared of hurting you. But he has hurt me. He's hurt me emotionally. How can he do this? Tell me he wants to be friends and then not show for who knows how long? Yes, he could have killed me but he didn't and that's what matters. I need his light in my life, just when I thought I'd lost my way his presence gave me strength to carry on living. I can't help but feel he needs me too, he's fragile, I'm fragile, but together we can pick up the pieces and try fill in the cracks in our life. We both need a friend to rely on, and we can be that to each other, I don't care about the possibility of just maybe he may return to his hijacked self and hurt me, besides, how can we live with all the maybes?

I can't face this anymore. I need him in my life, maybe just as friend, maybe as more. But I guess we won't know unless he learns to trust himself around me. I turn to look at the clock 6:37am too early to go to Peetas house? Probably. But he's an early riser he won't mind, besides, the sooner the better.

I change out of my pyjamas and into the first thing I find and then I'm out the door and on my way to Peeta's house. I approach closer to his house where the surrounding air smells so tangibly of freshly baked bread, I end up quickening my pace. Before I know it I'm standing outside his front door where I can hear him working in the kitchen. I take in a deep breath and gently knock on the door careful not to worry him as to why someone is knocking at his door at this early hour. He opens the door quickly and as I expected a look of worry is pasted on his face.

''Katniss?'' he says with confusion as well as worry overtaking his voice ''What's wrong?''

''Nothing'' I speak as I stare into those sparkling blue eyes that can always bring some kind of hope to me. He stares down at his feet almost guiltily.

''Look Katniss I'm sorry'' he says and I know he means it.

''Well if you let me inside and give me a cup of that yummy hot chocolate you make I might just forgive you'' I wink at him and give him a cheeky grin. With all the upset we've faced we need to joke around every so often besides, we deserve to. He returns the grin with a little less enthusiasm than I hoped but it'll do, he moves to the side so I can get past him.

I sit down in his living room and take in the aroma of bread and cookies whilst Peeta makes me a cup of hot chocolate. When he returns from the kitchen and sits by me, I can't help but acknowledge a sense of tensity that looms in the air. Peeta takes a deep breath as if to speak, but he remains silent. A few more minutes pass when the silence is becoming too loud to listen to so I speak up.

''Look Peeta, I don't want us to not be friends because of your-'' I can't find the right word to say ''-condition. You hurt me when you didn't come to see me. I thought we promised to be friends''

''We did. I mean we are! It's just that night when I had a flashback really scared me. I lost all trust in myself to be around you.'' He stammers on his words ''I could've killed you!''

''But Peeta you didn't! You came back to me before you did! I know that you would never hurt me and I think deep down you know that too!'' My voice is pleading now.

''No Katniss I don't! What if next time I don't come back in time! What if-'' I cut him off

''Forget about what if Peeta'' I say softly ''I care about you too much''

He is staring at me intently now.

''I care about you too Katniss and that's why I'm staying away from you, to protect you'' Typical Peeta. Always caring for me, protecting me to the extent where he won't bring himself to be near me.

''Please Peeta. I need you'' My voice is barley a whisper now. I take his hand and stare deep into his eyes ''you're the only friend I have, please don't leave me again. I've only just got you back'' a tear slips down my cheek and Peetas own eyes are glassy with a coat of tears threatening to spill. He looks up at me and smiles

''Okay'' he says ''But just promise me one thing, if I ever put you in any danger, run. Don't try and get me back, just run somewhere you can be safe, promise?'' he almost begs me

''I promise'' I assure him. I pull him for a hug. The more we fall, the harder we must climb and we fell hard, but with the help of each other, maybe the path of recovery may not be a long one.

''Would you like to stay and eat breakfast with me?'' Peeta asks me

''I'd love to'' I reply ''Cheese buns sounds good to me'' I hint.

''Coming right up!'' Peeta laughs.

So The Hunger Games DVD was FINALLY released in the UK yesterday and I got my copy! I was planning on updating yesterday but I was too busy watching it (sorry). I hope you liked that chapter, sorry it was quite 'normal' but I have got some drama planned out for this story in later chapters. I'm not sure when I'll next be able to update as the summer holidays are now over and I go back to school tomorrow:( Most of my updates will be at the weekend because I'll have so much work from school to do. If I get another 7 reviews for this chapter I'll upload the next chapter by Friday.

P.S I'm looking for someone to Beta this story, anyone interested?