Hey guys! Ok, you know what is driving me CRAZY? NOBODY is UPDATING! Lol im one to talk. But you wanna know an amazing story? Sever by DandelionSunset. I really hope I spelled that right, but knowing me, I probably didn't. So DandelionSunset, if you are reading this, please update! If you haven't read her story, you should because its amazing. Anyway, the much anticipated chapter 24 is here! Enjoy!
Katniss POV
Oh my God.
He's here.
Peeta POV
I look at Katniss. I wish I knew what was fucking going on. Why is Katniss afraid of this person? I'll kick their ass. Johanna grins when her eyes land on the person. "Gale!" she shrieks and runs to give him a hug. I look at Katniss and she is trembling. This can't be good.
Katniss POV
"Gale!" Johanna yells joyfully and runs into his arms. No. This can't be happening. Tears begin running down my face, and my hands tremble.
"Peeta." I squeak out but I'm not sure why. He seems to be the only one that notices my state. Except for Gale, who shoots a ghostly smile towards me.
"Oh no, what is it love?" Peeta says and wraps his arms around me, pure concern and a bit of fear etched onto his beautiful face.
"G-get me out of here." I tremble. He immediately grabs my hand, and yanks me out the door. It is already late to my surprise, the stars shining in the sky. Nobody is in sight except for Peeta and I. He takes me to the side of the building and I run to the corner, trying to put my hands to my face, but they shake too much. Out of everything, I scream through my sobs. Peeta has an upset look in his eyes and he pulls me to his chest and whispers soothing things into my ear.
"P-Peeta..." my voice trembles, I can barely get out those words.
" Katniss, what is it, what is it? Please, please tell me!" he begs. Sadness swims in his blue eyes.
"Its, its, its, its-" I begin to hyperventilate. No. This can't be true. This is a horrible nightmare that I am about to wake up from.
"Its HIM!" I scream, and collapse to the ground, sobbing the whole time. Horror and grief is seen in Peeta's expression, then raging fury.
"No." I whisper, and put my hand on his face. "Nobody can know."
"Katniss! This can't be a secret! We need to turn in this son of a bitch or I'll pound his rotten face into the-"
"Peeta! You don't get it! It has to be. We can't turn him in or he will hurt Prim, he'll-"
"He can't hurt her from prison, Katniss." Peeta whispers, stroking my face.
"He will. He will get out. He is clever Peeta, he finds loopholes out of everything. Plus if the police know that I lied, I will never get Prim back again!" I cry, my voice squeaking at the end, and I break down once more.
"Ok, ok." Peeta says in a soothing voice and takes me into his arms again. There I sob for a few more minutes.
"Peeta, I can't lose her." I whisper, a little more together now.
"I get it. I do. I'll keep the secret for now Katniss, but we have to do something soon. Alright?" he says softly, stroking my hair.
"Wh-what if he gets me, Peeta? Or Prim? She's coming home in a week!" I cry. Peeta lets out a bitter laugh.
"That rotten fuck won't lay a paw on you or your sister. And if he does, I swear I will fucking rip his face off and pound him into his grave." he growls. I attempt to calm him by planting a soft kiss on his jaw. He immediately softens 100% and blushes. I laugh at that, but it immediately falters and I sigh sadly.
"Hey, its gonna be ok. I promise." he kisses my head and helps me up.
"I'm surprised you still want me after seeing that." I let out a sad laugh, and cast my gaze to the ground. He tilts my chin up and stares into my eyes. Love and sadness are etched into those eyes. Those pretty sapphire eyes.
"I always will."
"Why?"
" Because-because..." his eyes drift to the ground, unsure of himself.
"Because?" I ask softly.
"I love you."
I go rigid.
"Wh-what?" I choke out in disbelief.
"I love you." he says more confidently and looks into my eyes. I can't believe it. This beautiful boy has come to admire an ugly broken girl. The girl who is shattered. the girl who has been beaten and abused. The girl who is a disgusting human being who was expecting loneliness for the rest of her pathetic life. My eyes widen and I stare at the ground.
"You don't have to say it back, I know this isn't exactly the right time." He chuckles, and takes a step forward. He takes hold of my braid and plays with it. "But I do. I have for a while now. And I can't hide it anymore. I love you, Katniss Everdeen, and I'm afraid I'm a goner for you." He says, a smile grazing his perfect lips. He leans down to kiss me, and after a few seconds, I return it. I return it to let him know I deeply care for him. I'm not sure if I love him, I'm afraid to love him. But he needs to know, that he is cared for.
I wrap my arms around his neck and deepen the kiss, pouring out all of my emotions into it. I think I'm falling in love with him. But... I can't. Everyone I love has been taken away from me. I should be locked up in despair for the rest of my life but...
No.
I don't deserve sadness.
I did nothing wrong.
I'm not ugly.
I'm not disgusting.
I may be broken, but maybe that's why he loves me. I may deserve happiness, but I defiantly don't deserve this beautiful, kind hearted boy.
But I'm sick of living in the dark. He loves me? I'm going for it.
Where's the old Katniss Everdeen, the one who existed before her parents died?
The old, brave Katniss, who wasn't afraid of anything?
The Katniss who never cries?
The Katniss that hunted, and her fire was too big to contain?
I thought she was gone.
But she's right here.
And she's not going anywhere.
It will be hard not to now that I have a huge, terrible person walking into my life again, but I think it can be good again. I know it can. I finally have people who care for me, and someone I have come to love. He said he's never leaving. And I believe him.
We eventually have to come up for air, and we rest our foreheads together.
"Peeta, I think I am falling in love with you too-I just can't say...I-love you back yet." I say softly, and a huge lopsided grin grows on his face.
"I could live a thousand lifetimes and not deserve you." I whisper.
"I hope I would be in all of them." he whispers back.
"Me too." I breathe. Our foreheads pressed together, we are about to go in for another kiss when-
"So that's what you guys were doing!" Finnick yells in a seductive tone. He walks towards us, with Johanna and that monster following close behind. I'm not afraid. He's not going to hurt me. The old Katniss is back, and raging with more fire than ever before.
I give Gale an icy glare.
Peeta POV
Finnick, Johanna and that stupid asshole approach, and my senses are filled with rage. I quickly swallow it done and bite my lip in worry for Katniss, glancing her way. What I see shocks me. Her expression is as hard as a rock, a raging scowl on her face. I grin. That's my girl. She is so strong. Even though she can handle herself, I wrap a protective arm around her shoulder. She crosses her arms, that scowl still on her face. She is small but holds so much fire.
"Hey guys, I see you were occupied. I would like you to meet Gale, the sexy guy at work I was talking about. He just moved in town, and were together!" Johnanna says happily. The Gale guy glances at Katniss, gives her a mean stare, than looks at me.
"Hey, I'm Gale." he says.
I stare at him. "Peeta." I say in a monotone voice.
My arm still around Katniss, I pull her closer and give him the meanest glare I can muster up. I'm really not good at this. He looks confused and then switches looks between Katniss and I, then seems to pick up the pieces.
"Last name?" he says, eyes narrowed. What an odd fucking question. I choose not to respond but instead give him a smile that I hope gets on his nerves. Katniss always told me that my first impression charm was quite irritating. I hold back my grin at the thought.
Finnick gives me an odd stare, I can almost hear him saying "What the fuck?" but he remains silent. I give him a look that says "Don't mind it" and he shrugs and begins to talk to Annie. I am so thankful that Katniss is alright. I would jump in front of a truck for her. I would do anything for her.
Katniss POV
Johanna begins to blabber on about that stupid asshole, and really, its unlike herself. He makes her happy. The thought makes me sick, and I shudder. If she only knew. To my relief she told us that Gale wouldn't really be sticking around us much, having two "jobs." Yeah sure. The lazy fuck probably just sits around all day doing nothing and plotting ways to beat me senseless. The thought makes me scared, but I swallow it back. No. I must be brave. For Prim, for Peeta, for myself. He won't hurt me. Not with Peeta around.
I know it has only been over a month, but I feel like I know these people so well. Especially Peeta. The thought of love never really occurred in the back of my mind, but I knew if it did happen, it would take a long time. I'm a stubborn little shit. But Peeta found me at my darkest times, and I guess my walls were easier to break down. Peeta, Finnick, Johanna, Annie, and of course Prim are in, but I'm putting the walls back up. I'm putting my tough exterior back on.
Really, you would think that the thought of Gale being a few feet away from me would scare me to death. But I have changed so much, these past couple months, these past few minutes. But changing, its really a simple subject. It doesn't matter how long it takes for change to take place, it just matters if its for the better or worse. I don't think I have changed. I have simply unburied a part in side of me that went to sleep a couple of years ago. It feels good to be myself again, even though times right now are hard. But I have Peeta.
Gale stares back at me, as much hatred and fire filled as the glare I am giving him right now as Johanna blabbers on. Peeta notices Gale narrowing his eyes at me, and he steps about half way in front of me protectively. I love it when he gets all possessive. But he's not really getting possessive, I guess he is just saving my ass from getting raped.
Again.
I furrow my brow at the thought. It makes me feel helpless. I may be short, and smallish, but I am definitely not weak. Peeta may have the arm muscle, but I've got the fire and stubborn attitude. And I'm not really a weakling, I have got the lines of a six pack and know how to put up a fight. I would be no match for Gale, but it's something. Something I can cling onto.
Again the thought of me being helpless comes to mind and bothers me, so I defiantly step in front of Peeta, never breaking eye contact with Gale. Peeta looks surprised at first, then stands by me to show that he is never leaving.
That he cares.
That he loves me.
And inside I'm a little scared to death, but from the three words Peeta told me, I know in my heart that it will be okay.
You little boobs! You guessed that it was Gale! I thought I was so smart thinking of Gale walking in but you clever little fangirls guessed absolutely correctly. I hope this chapter was alright, but Peeta saying I love you! I hope that shocked you a little, since your amazing clever minds ruined the big surprise :P lol stay tuned for next update!