I am astounded with the response I got to the last chapter. I have 42 followers and this is just the eighth chapter. Thank you guys so much and on to chapter 8 of the story…

Chapter 8 (Peeta's POV)

I quickly hung up the phone and searched for items that I could possibly need.

A blanket, flashlight, water and some snacks. I eyed a bag of cheese buns on the kitchen table and quickly took it. Grabbing the car keys, I headed out the door and towards the car. As I drove I tried to think of places where she could be.

My first thought was the meadow but why would she be somewhere that reminded her of me. There was also the dock but I highly doubted that as well, the next place could be the beach but that was a far walk from Effie's house but it was still worth a try.

I drove as fast as I could to the beach but the moment I parked there I knew she couldn't be there. There was no sign that anyone had been there in the last half hour. No beer bottles left astray, not even any footprints. My heart sank because that meant I wasn't any closer to finding out where she could be.

I closed my eyes, trying to get myself together then started driving to the meadow. I knew it was a long shot but if there was any chance that she could be there…

A few tears leaked out of my eyes and I wiped them almost immediately. What I thought would be an awesome day turned out to be the worst day of my life. I had finally gotten a hold of someone that could help me get Eddie here but the way things were going I probably wouldn't need to bring Eddie because Katniss and I wouldn't be on speaking terms.

I parked in front of the meadow searching for any sign of Katniss. The place was big and there was an area with tall grass where someone could hide and no one would find them unless they went in there. Katniss and I had been in there a couple times playing a challenging game of hide and seek.

"Katniss!" I yelled with laughter in my voice.

"This isn't Marco Polo. You're not supposed to yell my name." She sounded like she was right behind me but when I looked around she was nowhere to be found.

"How did you do that?"

I was met with silence but saw a few leaves shuffling and instantly knew where she was.

Being quiet wasn't my strong suit but I tried my best to sneak up from behind. I tiptoed my way until I could see her back then tackled her to the ground. She gave a squeal of delight. "Peeta!"

I laughed and gave her a not so chaste kiss. "That was fun."

"When did you get so good at sneaking up on me?"

"When I knew that that would be the only way I could find you."

She stared at me for a little bit then got up. "Okay enough mushy gushy stuff. Let's go and enjoy the rest of our day."

She helped me up and gave me a short kiss. "Okay, no more mushy gushy stuff."

I held out my hand and looked intently at her. And at that moment I realised something.

I was falling in love with Katniss Everdeen.

I was falling in love with her and I just might have ruined any chance of our relationship going anywhere.

I didn't see Katniss anywhere and, starting to get desperate, I went back into the car and drove to the dock.

When I got there I almost cried in relief. I could see Haymitch's liquor bottles strewn around. I looked over the railing then did a double take. Was it just my imagination or did I see something brown in the water?

I looked closer and saw long brown hair moving in the water. It couldn't be Katniss. She couldn't be in there.

I franticly took of my shirt and dropped my phone then jumped in the water. I looked around, trying to see if I could find her anywhere. Then I saw it; a pale motionless hand. I quickly swam to it and pulled her over my shoulder. We surfaced and I took a deep breath. I dragged her to the grass and laid her down. I ran to get my phone and called 911.

"911 what is your emergency?" Said the calm voice of the operator.

"My girlfriend was drinking and I just found her in the lake." I told her, my voice thick with tears.

"Is she breathing?" I leaned over her chest and was thankful to hear the faint beating of her heart.

"Yes but only weakly."

"Tell me where you are and we can come help your girlfriend."

I told her everything and sat next to Katniss, crying and whispering reassuring words.

A few minutes later I heard the ambulance siren. I looked at Katniss; her hand was getting colder and she was getting paler.

A man and woman came up to us and checked Katniss's pulse then nodded at each other before lifting her up unto a stretcher. The man came up to me and gave me a reassuring smile.

"Don't worry," he said, "Your girlfriend will be fine. You got her right in time. Why don't you put your shirt on and ride the ambulance with her."

I nodded and grabbed my shirt then entered the ambulance with the man. I took a seat next to Katniss. She had an oxygen mask over her mouth and nose. I took her right hand and kissed it. "Everything is going to be okay." I kept whispering in her ear.

When we got to the hospital they quickly took her to the emergency room. I was reluctant to leave her side but they wouldn't let me be in the room with her and I had to talk to the receptionist and call Effie and Haymitch.

In what seemed like seconds after I made the call, Effie and Haymitch burst through the door and hounded me with questions.

"What happened?"

"Is she okay?"

"Did she drink all my alcohol?"

Effie hit Haymitch when he made the comment then looked at me to start talking.

"I don't know much. I drove around looking for her then I found Haymitch's alcohol on the dock then when I looked over the railing I saw her hair splayed out everywhere so I jumped over and got her as quick as possible."

We sat at the waiting room for what felt like days but were probably only an hour before we saw the doctor walking towards us. "She's okay," Effie let out a sigh of relief, "but she has a broken wrist and a mild concussion. I'm going to keep her overnight just to make sure she's stable but when she's released she's on a mild bed rest. She shouldn't be doing anything strenuous for a few days. You can go ahead and see her but she might be a little bit drowsy."

He led the way to her room and I gave a nervous smile when I saw her on her bed but my smile dropped when I saw the look on her face. If looks could kill I would be a thousand feet underground right now.

Effie rushed past me with Haymitch moving in a much slower pace. He seemed like he wanted to be anywhere but here but then I saw a worriedness flash in his eye as he walked by me.

"Hey guys." Katniss said weakly.

"Hi honey, how are you feeling?" Effie asked.

"Like I almost drowned." She told her smiling.

To say I was surprised that she was cracking jokes when she almost died was an understatement but that didn't stop me from smiling with her.

"Do you think you could tell me what happened? Was there a reason you jumped off the dock?"

She looked at us with wide eyes. All the tiredness completely gone. "Did he tell you I tried to drown myself? Because that's a load of crap! I wouldn't try to kill myself because of anyone let alone him!"

I felt hurt. I didn't do anything to her and she wouldn't even give me a chance to explain that it wasn't what she thought she saw. "I didn't tell anyone that you tried to kill yourself but if you didn't jump how else did you end up floating in the water?"

"I fell, you ass! I was leaning against the railing and the next thing I knew I was falling into the water."

Effie and Haymitch looked back and forth at both of us and then Haymitch finally said. "I'm feeling kind of hungry, do you want to see if we can get something from the vending machine?"

Effie nodded and they both hastily got up, trying to leave the awkward situation. Just before we left Effie looked back with soft eyes and said, "Ask a nurse to get us if you need anything."

When she left I moved closer to Katniss. She was about to say something but I jumped in before she could. "I'm sorry. I understand if you never want to speak to me again but I just want you to give me the chance to explain." She didn't say anything so I continued. "I was so excited to see you that I got there early. While I was waiting Glimmer came and started telling me that I could do way better and then she kissed me."

I looked into her eyes as I said the next part so she could really understand. "I'm falling in love with you Katniss. I could've lost you today and never told you. I don't care if you don't believe me and never talked to me again but I just needed to tell you."

I got up to leave but didn't feel sad or angry. I had said everything I was feeling and if she didn't believe me then that was her loss.

"I like you." She said unexpectedly, "I think I'm falling in love you and it scares me shitless. The only person I had ever loved was my dad and he's dead. And it hurt. It hurt to see you with her. The one person who was making me love again was gone. Just like my dad."

I turned around pierced her with my eyes. "I'll never leave you. Not unless you want me to go."

"But that's not true. Maybe it'd be best if we broke up. I'll have to go back home eventually."

"So what?"

She looked at me with questioning eyes.

I sat down on the edge of her bed and held her good hand. "So what? Who cares if you'll be going back home. We'll figure something out when the time comes but for now, let's enjoy the time we have."

I gave her hand a kiss and she smiled. "Okay." She paused then said, "You know if my mom finds out I was drinking and broke my wrist in the process she would freak and make me stay longer."

"How did you break your wrist?"

"I hit it on the support pole on my way down." Silence overtook us but then she spoke again, "I never thanked you for saving my life. I really appreciate it."

I kissed her forehead and noticed her stifle a yawn. "Go to sleep. I'll be here when you wake up."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Yes Sarah I know." I heard Effie say into the phone. "I am looking after her. Considering what she's done under your watch I don't think you have the right to say that…hello?"

She put her phone back and looked at Haymitch. "Can you believe her, saying I'm irresponsible. As if she's any better. If she was responsible Katniss wouldn't be here in the first place."

"She's just overreacting like always." He said half bored.

Effie huffed and leaned into Haymitch's shoulder. "I know but she just infuriates me sometimes."

I sat down across from them sending a text to mom that Katniss was okay and I would probably stay overnight. "Did you guys make up?" Haymitch asked.

I nodded. "She was feeling tired so she's sleeping now."

"You should probably head home." Effie said, "Haymitch can drive you and bring your car over tomorrow."

"No." I said firmly. "I made a promise and I plan to keep it."

Chapter 8 guys!

Two things. First of all I'm really sorry if the whole looking for Katniss thing confuses you. I live in BC and we have two things. Lakes and forest. In this story there's a lake and a beach (if that's possible) and the dock is at the lake. Cause I felt like I'd mess it up if I put the dock at the beach.

And second I'm not sure if I mentioned Katniss's mom's name in a previous chapter so if I used two different names tell me.

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