Well, I see you are back for more of The Difference! Good! I am so happy! Any who, this is chapter 21 and I hope you all enjoy it! Now you may read but I love chocolate bunnies, don't you? O.k., just read

Peeta's POV

Chapter 21:

Katniss had closed her eyes and was smiling. Why was she smiling I don't know but she seemed happy. Katniss looked so beautiful when she smiled, it brought out her true beauty. Don't get me wrong, I think she is beautiful all the time. She is beautiful even when she glares at people. She then opened her eyes and looked at me. Tears came to her eyes and I raised my eyebrows.

"I-I had an image where you said 'Katniss, I love you,' and I thought it was real but i-it's not!" she sobbed. I opened my arms and took her in to them. She clutched on to my shirt and buried her face in to it. I rubbed little circles in to her back and then changed to squares and the back to circles. I wish I could speak because I would love to comfort Katniss right now. I am comforting her but Katniss needs reassurance and I need to speak to do that. Instead, I hold he close, telling her I am here. I wish I could tell her I was here using words but no, Snow took my voice away doing who knows what. I sighed as Katniss kept sobbing. Snow has done so many things to Katniss and I, it is not even funny.

She pulls away and looks in to my eyes. "Peeta…I am sorry," she whispered. I gave her a questioning look and raised my eyebrows. "I ruined your shirt." I smiled at this.

I shook my head, hoping Katniss caught that I did not care. Katniss drew her hand up and put it on my cheek. I felt my heart start to race at her touch. She ran her fingers around my face, going over every detail. Her fingers stopped at my lips.

I smiled as Katniss started to blush. Instead of waiting I pulled her in to a kiss. She was surprised at first but reluctantly gave in. I smiled as her fingers trailed across my chest.

She pulled away and smiled at me. "What should we do?" she asked me. I thought about this.

What should we do? We could go for a stroll, or we could find James. Maybe we could do both. I grabbed her hands and pulled her up in to a standing position. I led her out the door. "Peeta, where are we going?" she asked. I found it amusing she still asked me questions when I can't respond. Since I couldn't answer her, I just kept walking. I heard her let out a puff of air.

I knocked on James' door and in seconds the door flew open. There was James, looking like he just got out of bed. "Pe-Peeta? Katniss?" James asked, sounding as if he were dreaming.

"Yeah it is us. What are you exactly doing?" Katniss asked him. James chuckled and ran his fingers through his hair.

"I was sleeping…maybe. I really don't know…" James said. Wow, he doesn't know if he was sleeping or not. James, that is amazing. Sometimes, I just don't understand this man.

"You know…coffee has caffeine in it, that is why it keeps you up," James stated out of the blue. I looked at him in shock. Katniss was shaking her head as James plastered a huge smile on to his face.

"I did not know that," Katniss said sarcastically. James smiled, again. Even though he was still smiling, he smiled once again.

"You didn't? Well, you learn something new every day," James said. Katniss rolled her eyes as James chuckled.

"I like to bounce around like a monkey," James blurted out. He then walked over to his bed and stood on it. Then he started jumping and yelling monkey sounds. Moments later, he has a duster in his hands. Of course James would go all monkey with a duster. It is just typical James. I reach out and grab the doorknob. I close it silently and look over at Katniss.

"Where do you want to go now?" she asked me. I see a twinkle in her eyes, I love it. I shrug and she pulls me along. Next thing I know we are in the square, watching people walk by. I then feel someone tap me on the shoulder. I turn around to see a girl and a little boy.

"This is my brother Matthew and I am Ivy. He ran in to you the other day, he wanted to say hi," Ivy said. She leans down to Matthew and whispered something in his ear. I leaned down to Matthew's height.

"Hi!" Matthew got out. He looked in to my eyes, hoping for a response. Katniss then leans down next to me. I see we all are just leaning down to Matthew's height.

"You aren't saying anything," Matthew stated. I smiled at him as Katniss took in a breath.

"Matthew…you know about the war right?" Katniss asked him. I turned my attention to Katniss as Matthew nodded. "Well, Peeta had gotten captured again. We have traitors who took him, my sister and two of my friends. While he was there they took away his voice."

Matthew's eyes got wide. Ivy put her arm around her brother. "You…can't talk?" Matthew asked me. I shook my head. With that he threw his arms around me in a hug.

I hugged him back. Ivy was smiling. Matthew pulled away and asked me, "Will you ever get your voice back?"

I shrugged. "After the war, where are you going to move to?" Matthew asked. I put up a one and two, indicating twelve.

"Ivy, can we go to twelve too?" Matthew asked his older sister. Ivy sighed and thought about it.

"Matthew…you know we can't do that," Ivy told him. Matthew looked as if his whole world crumbled at that.

"Please Ivy? Please?" Matthew begged. Ivy sighed.

"Fine," Ivy said. Matthew giggled and hugged me then Katniss.

"Bye Katniss and Peeta," Matthew said. He and his sister then left. I could tell Matthew was happy.

"You just made his day," Katniss said as we stood up. I smiled as I heard screams. Katniss and I whipped around to see a group of girls.

"IT IS PEETA MELLARK!" they all screeched. You have got to be kidding me. Katniss knew that they would go nuts so she started running, pulling me along. She pulled me in to an alley and we watched the girls run by.

"What is it with girls?" Katniss grumbled. I would have laughed but she seemed so serious. I pulled her in to a hug. She seemed startled at first put willingly put her arms around me.

"I love you," Katniss whispered. I smiled, at least she could say it.

Now, all I have to do is say it but I know I can't. That makes me sad. Instead of even attempting to say I love you, I pulled her in to a kiss.

I love you too Katniss.

I hoped you liked it! Well, the next to weeks I have stuff coming up. On Tuesday this week I have to Reading OAA then on Thursday I have the Math OAA. On Monday the following week, I have to stay after school (not for long) for this induction practice for NJHS. Then on Wednesday next week I have the actual induction. On Thursday (I think) I am leaving to go to DC for school. I will be gone until, Sunday morning. I will remind you! Any who, review for me!

~Lovely Kacey Faith