A/N: I realized that I really didn't like the previous chapter and I am pretty sure you all agreed to that. But no worries! I think this chapter will make up for the last chapter and sorry about the late update. But. HAYMITCH IS IN IT :D It was a lot of fun writing his part of the chapter. I love the relationship between Katniss and Haymitch. This chapter also has a bit more Peeta/Katniss so I hope you enjoy that too. I hope the last chapter didn't discourage you to stop reading this story. I promise that I will do better! Well, anyways. R & R. I take these reviews very personally and I am really happy when someone gives me ideas and good advice. Well...anyways, here is Chapter 9! :D
Chapter 9
I am alone. It has only been 2 hours since Gale left with Clodine and Peeta walked out of the room with disappointment and anger. I look at the clock; it is already 3 o'clock in the morning. I want to go to my room, but that would be selfish. Peeta needs time to think and we need to think before we talk to each other. I want to go hunting; to clear my mind but it would only make me think of Gale. Gale…why is so mad at me? I remember clearly 20 years ago that he liked it when I was on his side; he detested me when I wasn't. Now he is mad at me because I am not agreeing with Peeta? I know Peeta is my husband and I should support him but I have an opinion too! Just because I am married to someone, it doesn't mean I am their slave or I have to agree with everything they say, even if it is wrong. I don't even know where to start! I can't even think properly. I realize that I am not good with solving problems on my own, but who do I have? Not Peeta, not my kids, Gale…HAYMITCH! I need his annoying humor. I am sure he is awake and drunk at his house. He lives 2 houses away, I'll go right now! I walk and get my hunting jacket and leave the house. I don't even think of knocking, he doesn't care anyways.
"What's wrong now sweetheart?" Haymitch says. I jump from fright, I wasn't expecting him to hear me…maybe he isn't that drunk.
"How did you know I had a problem?" I reply with a nasty tone. Our relationship only works through rude comebacks and sarcasm.
"Please, since when have you come to me for company if you have lover boy, and now Gale? I am also guessing they are both mad at you. We both know that I'm your last option for comforting and advice." He says with a laugh. It's true. Haymitch is awesome but when it comes to decision making and advice, he doesn't know the proper way to make someone feel better, but he the only person I have left.
"Yeah…Peeta asked me to back him up, and I didn't…" I mumble. Haymitch starts laughing his head off. He is now on the flour laughing! I can feel the anger rising through my body. Why can't he take anything seriously?
"WHAT'S SO FUNNY?" I growl. I throw a dirty couch pillow at his face.
"Calm down sweetheart, your problem is so pointless! Why didn't you just run after him! You know Peeta, he forgives people easily. You made a mistake coming here." He says while trying to get up to have another gulp of his drink. His words sink in. Why didn't I? I thought by not running after him was the right and non-selfish thing to do, but now that Haymitch says it out loud…I feel bad. Peeta would have wanted us to talk it out. I'm so stupid. I need to make this right! I don't even say thanks to Haymitch. I walk out of his house and run to our house. I run up the stairs and knock on my room; ignoring the fact that children are sleeping. I wait for about a minute. No answer. I knock again. No answer. What if Peeta is fed up? What if he finally realized that I am not worth it?
"Peeta?" I whisper. I hear some shuffling in the room. He can hear me. This hurts me more. He was awake the whole time.
"Please…open the door; I need to talk to you." I mumble. I can hear footsteps coming towards the door. I look down at the doorknob and I can see the lock unlocking. I wait for about 20 seconds until I open the door to come in. The bed sheets are all thrown to the floor; he's upset. I see him lying down sideways on the bed to avoid looking at my face. I don't know what to do. Should I go sit down right in front of his face? Or just talk from here? I decide to sit on the corner of the bed, like the way Gale did when he wanted to talk to me. Peeta doesn't turn to look at me or even move at all. I guess I have to start the conversation.
"Peeta…I'm sorry. You have backed me up for all these years and not once have you asked me to do so in return. Now, after 21 years of knowing each other, you ask me and I disappointed you." I stop to see if he reacted to what I said…he does nothing. I decide to continue because if I don't tell him how I feel now, I never will. "I will be completely honest though…the reason I didn't back you up on what you said was because I didn't agree with you. At that moment, I thought you were overreacting but now I understand. Lilac is not just my daughter, but she is yours. I can understand now that you don't want to see her grow up and do things that no fathers would want to know about. But, even if I didn't agree with you, I should have stood by your side and supported you. I am so sorry. I love you so much and don't ever forget it." I finalize. Every word came out of my mouth without thinking. I meant it all. I can see Peeta trying to decide what he should do next; if he should forgive me or not. But before I made him choose his mind I said:
"You know, Gale is very upset with me too. I still don't know why but he left his 2 kids here and he left with his wife."
Peeta slowly comes and looks into my eyes. His eyes were red and puffy from crying but his bright blue eyes still had that sparkle in his eyes; the sparkle that shows love and forgiveness. He didn't need to say anything. I put myself in his arms and just stayed there for a while, giving him time to think if he is doing the right thing. He doesn't pull away; his arms went tighter around me to reassure me that he will always be there for me.
"Katniss, I may have been a bit disappointed in you for what you did but I will never stop loving you. I can never be mad at you for more than a while. You are my life and without you…I don't know where I would be." He says softly. I pull away from our hug and I look directly in his eyes so he can clearly hear and believe in what I say.
"You will never be without me because I will never leave you." I say. Tears go down both of our cheeks and we both go in for a soft kiss. The kiss doesn't go any further, it just stays soft and slow. After a while of making up Peeta looks at his watch.
"You know it's about 5 o'clock right?" He says while chuckling. I laugh. Wow. What a night. I am probably going to crash at like 6 this evening.
"Hmm…whatever, I'm just really happy we made up." I say as I go in for another kiss. I can hear Peeta mumble "Me too." I suddenly remember that Gale is furious at me. But for now, I am just going to enjoy this moment with my husband.