Once I was told that through the darkness I will find a brighter day. That even though you're lost you will always find something better at the end. I never believed or understand those words from my father.
I feel like I'm swaying in the ocean, rocking back and forth.
Something touches my hair, lips maybe. Panting. Why do I hear panting?
The heavy darkness fades and my eyes open. I note the scent of flour and cheese before looking up. This chin I would know from anywhere.
"Peeta?" My voice comes out in a whisper.
He shushes me,"Shh, we're almost home." Why is he breathing so hard?
I speak clearer this time," H-how did you find me?"
"After you didn't come home for 5 hours, I started worrying. Assuming you didn't go into town, I ran along the fence by the Seam. You were passed out face down in the grass." He explains.
"Oh, well thanks for finding me," a moment of awkward silence passes "I think I can walk now."
"No, we're almost there, you just rest." He argues.
I don't detest, only because my neck still throbs and I'm slightly dizzy.
He walks up the step, kicks the door open and sets me on the couch. It wasn't until now I saw he was carrying my hunting supplies; while he sets down my bow, sheath, and pack. The groosling is still slung to my belt, never having disintegrated. I detract them before settling on the couch and place them on the table.
A familiar smell fills my nostrils, a scent that brings back so many memories of joyous times.
Peeta grabs a tray in the kitchen and sets it on the table.
"Cheesebuns!" I yell a little too loudly.
"I'm glad you're hungry." He laughs.
Peeta turns on his heel and I take a long, savory bite of a bun. I've missed these.
"Where are you going?" I ask.
"Making a call." He puts his finger to his lips and hits a speed dial number. I mouth to him, Who are you calling?As I do this the receiver picks up.
"Yes, hello Ms. Everdeen. It's Peeta, how are you?" He wonders politely.
Why on earth is he calling my mother and how does he know her number? My mom says something on the other end.
"I am well; I was actually calling you about Katniss." He sounds like one of my angry schoolteachers, calling my parents to report my bad behavior. I can hear her panicked voice on the phone.
Peeta calms her," She's safe now, but she got stung by a tracker jacker. I found her at the edge of the woods this afternoon. Are there any precautions I should take, anything I can do?" Lower talking from the phone. I turn around and eat more of my cheese bun.
"Yes, she's awake and eating." I can feel his eyes boring into my back. It comes out of my mouth in a mumble, "Yea, wouldn't want to lose another daughter. You know, after you left her."
A minute passes before he speaks again, "Okay, thank you. We will get on that." The phone is placed back on the mount. He sits next to me and tries to pull the hair off my neck to examine the sting.
"How was your visit with Cinna?" I jerk my head back to look at him.
"Don't change the subject. Why were you calling my mother and what did she say?"
He looks stunned as his hands fall in his lap, "She's the first doctor I could think of. She knows you. I didn't think you would have a problem with it, I'm sorry."
His eyes are pleading as he says this gently. I realize how irrational my anger was; he's only trying to help. This boy has constantly tried reviving the lost soul left behind in this body and I have been nothing but a brat. I shift my body again, allowing him to check the sting.
"I'm sorry." I whisper. His fingers pause on my neck before starting again.
"For what?" He sounds tired, I wonder if he's had an episode today.
"Everything. I know you're trying."
"Don't apologize." His hands are gone and I turn to look at his sluggish smile. "So, I have an idea. Something we could do together." I take another bite of my bun nervously. "Your mom suggested we work on the plant book-I'm not so sure what that is." He admits.
"I do."
I try the woods again the week after that, successfully returning home. Peeta and I work on the plant book together every afternoon when I come home from hunting. It becomes a routine among us, without even realizing it. He sketches, I write in the information. My mind falters many times with my heart, wanting him to crawl into bed with me to ward off the nightmares. I know I can't ask him of this. He returns home every night, leaving an indescribable empty feeling in my chest.
The only thing I cling onto is hope. These couple months together have taught me that things might be able to get better with time.
All in all, hope is stronger than fear.
Reviews are appreciated, thank you! I have been planning the kiss for some time now so be sure to stay tuned for that chapter. I promise it will be worth the wait
