I get up early with a nervous feeling in my stomach. I get dressed to go out to the woods deciding that the least I could do is get Peeta some game. At least that's what I tell myself, knowing that it's more of an excuse to go to his house.
I leave Greasy Sae a note letting her know where I am going. I step out the door to see the first streaks of daylight coming out. I also notice Peeta's kitchen lit up and can faintly smell the bread that he is baking. Always keeping baker's hours.
Once I get to the woods, I feel myself relax a bit, letting the nervous jitters escape me enough to actually try to catch something. I retrieve my bow and arrows from their hiding spot and set out to hunt.
Hours pass and a good haul in my bag. As I walk back towards Victor's Village, I think about how I'm going to give some game to Haymitch, Peeta, and the rest to Greasy Sae. She would have better use for it in the up and coming district and I already know that she'll keep some of it at my house.
When I reach the fence, the nervous jitters return and with a vengeance. Every step they get more aggressive. Next thing I know I'm standing on Peeta's porch. Sometime passes before I get the courage to knock on his door. Funny how I survived two Hunger Games and a revolution, yet the thought of knocking on someone's door to give them some game terrifies me.
I hear noise on the other side until the door opens and Peeta stands before me. A look of shock quickly passing through his features that is replaced with his kind smile. "Katniss, it's so nice of you to stop by," he says. I catch the hint of wonderment in his voice. My mouth suddenly goes dry. Words escaping my brain. I was no good with them anyway, that was always Peeta's strong suit.
"Hi, Peeta," I offer lamely. His name that I have not said in a long time rolling off my tongue. "What brings you here?" He asks with hope in his voice. Honestly, that's something I've been questioning as well. My hands go up to the strap of my game bag clutching on to it as if to keep me tethered to this moment. "Um, I went out to the woods and got some game, I thought you would like some." I say.
Peeta's smile widens as he looks down to wipe his hands with a rag that I've just now noticed. It takes me back to a time where I would trade with his father and he would wipe his hands to free them of flour. My heart tightens at the thought.
"That sounds great. Would you like to come in?" He says and opens the door wider to seal in the invitation. I nod and walk past him into his inviting home. It screams life with the smell of bread. A couple of Peeta's shoes at the doorway. No signs of dust on the furniture. I marvel at the fact that Peeta has made this house his home in the short time he has been back since there was no time to do that before the Quell. Where as my house is completely lifeless except for the time that Greasy Sae is in the house. I look down at my boots in shame at my incapability of even just dusting the house.
Peeta walks past me motioning for me to follow him into the kitchen. He clears a space for me to set my game bag down, but before I can open it he pulls out a bar stool and insists that I take a seat. I sit down and watch Peeta move around the kitchen. "Sorry about the mess, I was in the middle of cleaning," he says.
Peeta places a glass of water in front of me and a small thank you leaves my lips. He offers me a small smile and starts putting some things away. "How was your hunt?" He asks trying to start up a conversation. "It was good, got a good haul today." I say, taking a sip of water. "That's good. Have you been to town yet? It looks like they have a steady thing going." He says. "No, I don't think I'm quite ready for that yet," I reply honestly. Not wanting to think of the ghosts that will surely haunt me there even if the entire district was destroyed. Peeta nods in understanding.
He moves around the kitchen some more and places a plate in front of me with a piece of bread. "I was going to bring you a batch of those later today, but you beat me to it," he says with a warm smile. Confused by what he meant by batch I take a better look at the bread and realize it's a cheese bun.
I stare at the cheese bun and feel tears prick my eyes. "Oh, I'm sorry Katniss. Was that not right?" Peeta asks with a bit of panic at the thought of upsetting me. I shake my head willing the tears to go away. He must think I'm crazy. "You remembered," I whispered while looking up at him. He seemed to relax a bit. "Those memories aren't shiny," he replies. I compose myself and take a bite, savoring the flavor. I hum in appreciation and devour the rest of it.
Peeta gives a small laugh and places the basket full of cheese buns next to me. I offer him a smile and he smiles right back, warming my heart.
Maybe we could be good again.