Chapter 7: Let's Stay Together
Peeta POV:
After I tell Katniss about my family, she becomes eerily quiet. I can't help but think that I've shared too much, and things have become uncomfortable for her. She seems to have lost herself in thought. When we reach our houses, I wish that the road had been longer so that I could hold her hand in mine for a few more minutes.
I turn to say goodbye, but Katniss interrupts. "Peeta, do you want to have dinner with my family tonight?" she asks. Her voice is firm and confident. She sounds very different from before. Dazed, I agree and walk back to my house.
Once inside, I try to process everything that has happened since this morning. Everything is strange and confusing. I look around the room, and although everything looks the same as it has, I feel that I've stepped into another world. I look at the time on my wristwatch and see that I have a few hours until dinner time. I should make something. But I'm not sure what Katniss will like. Prim, I should make something for Prim. That will make Katniss happy.
Pleased with the idea, I decide to make a small batch of frosted cookies. I work quickly and get the cookies in the oven and begin to prepare a few different colored icings. By the time the cookies are baked, cooled, and frosted it's almost time for me to go. Prim should like the pretty floral designs on the cookies. I take a quick shower to ensure there is no leftover flour on me and change into a comfortable pair of jeans and a simple grey shirt.
I cover the tray of cookies, and cautiously make my way to Katniss's house. I balance the tray in one hand and knock on the door three times. Prim answers.
"Hi, Peeta!" she greets sweetly.
"Hi, Prim, how are you?"
"Great," she replies.
I follow her into the dinning room, where Katniss is setting the table. She looks up when I enter and gives me a soft smile. "What's that?" she asks gesturing to the tray.
"I brought cookies," I say, "for Prim."
Katniss takes the tray from my hand. "I'll put this in the kitchen, we can share them after dinner," she states.
I nod awkwardly. The whole situation is absurd. Before I can think of what to do with myself, Prim pulls me into a seat right next to hers. Katniss and her mother come in after a few moments with a roast rabbit. Prim continuously chats throughout the meal. She starts asking me about everything, from my favorite type of bread and what I'll be doing on Sunday. Katniss and Mrs. Everdeen don't really talk much but they follow the conversation and add something at random intervals.
The meal lasts about an hour and after we've finished, I help Katniss clean and put the dishes away. Then, Katniss tells me to go sit in the living room while she brings the cookies. Mrs. Everdeen and Prim are sitting on the floor when I enter, working on Prim's homework. I sit next to them. The rug is soft underneath me and I lean back against the couch. The room is cozy. I watch as Prim laughs and jokes while her mother tries to get her focused on her schoolwork. Prim seems to light up the whole house, I now understand why Katniss cares for her so deeply.
Katniss walks in sometime later with the cookies. She puts them down on the table in the center of the room and sits next to me. I see Prim bounce over and intently look at the cookies. "Peeta, these are so pretty," she exclaims. I thank her for the compliment and tell her I hope she enjoys them. I look to Katniss, who has a beautiful smile on her face. Her grey eyes are sparkling in the warm lights of the room as she watches Prim. Without hesitation I reach over and cover her hand with mine.
She turns and I am stunned at how beautiful she looks. I have loved this girl for as long as I can remember, yet I am still often stunned by her aura. I don't remember much of what happens after, just the warmth of Katniss's hand in mine.
Katniss POV:
As sleep leaves and consciousness finds me, I realize that I feel stiff. The hardness of the floor is surprising since I've gotten used to my very comfortable bed. The scent of cinnamon surrounds me. I groggily open my eyes. The room is dark, and as my eyes adjust, I notice a dark silhouette next to me. Peeta. I'm a little dazed and confused. It seems like it's the middle of the night. The last thing I remember was that we were all watching the nightly broadcast and Peeta was holding my hand. We must have fallen asleep on the floor. I shake my head and Peeta stirs awake.
"Katniss! Wh-"
"Shh, I think we fell asleep."
I see Peeta nod. Slowly we both get up. I'm glad that the room is dark, I'm sure my cheeks are red. How embarrassing. Peeta is still a little groggy as he says, "I should go." I nod, but I don't really want him to go. As he tries to make his way to the door, I am unable to restrain myself and grab onto his hand. My grip is tight on his wrist.
"You could stay," I hear myself whisper.
Peeta turns to me questioningly, and before I have time to question myself, I pull him into an embrace. The feel of his strong body on mine makes goosbumps rise on my skin. His sweet scent covers me and disables any possibility of rational thought. All I can think is that I don't want him to go. I want him to stay.
"Stay with me," I mumble into his ear.
I feel his strong arms tighten around my waist. "Always," He replies.