Sorry for the lateness guys.

Chapter 14 (Katniss POV)

As I walked to my door, I tried my hardest not to break out in tears, but that proved to be difficult when all I could think of was the pained and betrayed look that Peeta had worn.

I opened the door only to see my packed bag sitting on the floor next to my mother's feet. I rushed to Effie and gave her a bone-crushing hug. "Thank you, Effie. I'll miss you."

"It's Aunt Effie," she said, squeezing me just as tightly.

I let out a teary chuckle. Only Effie would slip in something like that while we were having such an emotional moment. I let go of her and walked over to Haymitch. For once, he wasn't a void of emotion.

"Be safe," was all he said. That was all he needed to say.

My mother stood, signalling that our time was up. I gave both of them a small attempt at a smile, and as I turned I saw Effie lean on Haymitch's shoulder, trying to hold back tears.

As we headed to the door, Eddie followed behind me. I managed one last small wave before mom firmly shut the door behind us. She walked at a fast pace, but it was slow enough for it not to seem like she was running.

I stayed back, glaring at her. Maybe if I glared hard enough, I could bore a hole through her skull.

The taxi ride was tense and silent until I decided to speak up, "Why did you come so early? You weren't supposed to be here for another week." I had begun to stroke Eddie's fur. Having him on my lap made it tight in the car but I didn't mind; I needed his comfort right now.

"Why shouldn't I have come early? So you could keep sleeping with that blonde boy you came in with?"

My eyes stung as she talked about Peeta. I looked away so wouldn't notice that I was on the verge of tears. Mom was avoiding the question, trying to distract me from it by using my emotions, and I had to admit that it was working.

I wanted to tell her that I didn't want her to come early because I had finally gotten a taste of what living without her was like, and it was amazing. It was amazing not to have her criticizing my every action and always telling me I wasn't good enough. I had lived for the first time since my dad died, and it was exhilarating. I could finally talk about what I wanted to do. What I wanted to be. Who I wanted to be. But most of all, I had Peeta.

The car was silent again, and I had no problem with that. I continued to stare out the window while simultaneously stroking Eddie's fur, letting my thoughts overcome me.

I stared out of the airplane window. The sun was setting and the sky was filled with different shades of orange. Soft but vibrant. Just the way Peeta liked it.

I felt a few tears slip down my cheek and angrily swiped at them. I refused to cry while my mother was sitting so close to me.

At this moment, I felt more alone than I did at the beginning of summer, or even when my dad died. Mom didn't care, and my only comfort was in the cargo area with all the other dogs and bags.

I had no one.

(Peeta's POV)

It took all my self-control not to lose it and break something. I was filled with different emotions, but really it was all because of one reason.

Katniss broke up with me.

I was hurt, I was angry, and I was betrayed. I had half a mind to turn back and beg on my knees for her to take me back. But I knew Katniss, and I knew that if she wanted something, she wanted it, and that there was no changing her mind.

The house showed up in my sightline, but before I knew what I was doing, I drove right past it. I knew then where I needed to go.

I pulled up at the white picket fence that separated the meadow from the rest of the world. As I walked deeper into the meadow, I began to think that it wasn't such a good idea.

Memories of Katniss were everywhere. I couldn't handle it anymore; I dropped down to my knees and let out a gut-wrenching cry. I wasn't embarrassed that I was getting so worked up over a girl, because she wasn't just any girl; she was Katniss Everdeen.

She was the love of my life, and the moment I could have I would've asked her to marry me.

It took about ten minutes for me to get all my anger out and trudge back to my car. Dad's car was still not in the driveway which meant him, my mom, and Prim weren't back yet.

I walked into the house, glad that I would get some peace and quiet before everyone came home, when I heard a voice from the kitchen call out, "Peeta, you sly dog. Never knew you had it in you."

Oh God. I had completely forgotten about Rye.

The kitchen was a mess. Purple icing was everywhere, the dishes were piled up in the sink, and there was a batch of burnt cupcakes sitting next to the oven. It reminded me of when Katniss had tried to bake something for me.

I had come home from the bakery early to surprise Katniss with cheese buns. I knew she loved them and hadn't had them in a while, so I thought we could have a cheesy feast.

When I opened the door, my nose was assaulted by the smell of something burning. I figured it was either dad or Rye, trying to figure out a new recipe but failing badly at it. As I headed up the stairs, I heard the strong voice of my dad saying, "Don't worry, we can always make a new batch. We have plenty of time before Peeta comes back."

Curious as to whom he was talking to, I moved towards the kitchen. The first thing that caught my eye was the pan of blackened cupcakes. Katniss was about to say something to dad when she noticed me standing there.

She froze instantly, but I could see the blush creeping in. Dad just stood there, amused. When he realised that no one was going to say anything anytime soon, he said, "Katniss here was attempting to surprise you with cupcakes. Obviously, that didn't work out."

I glanced at Katniss with admiration filling my eyes. Katniss was a horrible baker, and she knew it, but the fact that she was trying to bake for me despite that was beyond incredible.

Katniss stood there, still somewhat nervous; the moment I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her close, she relaxed and let me shower her with gratitude.

"I love you, you know." I said after about a minute of hugging. Dad had left the room to give us some privacy, "Burnt cupcakes and all."

She gave an airy laugh. "I love you too."

I suddenly let go of her and clapped loudly. "Alright, let me show you how you properly bake a cupcake."

"Take it away."

"Peeta? Earth to Peeta?"

I tried to focus back on what he was saying and found him looking expectantly at me. "What?"

"I asked how your night with Katniss went. Judging by how you guys looked this morning, my guess is it was quite eventful."

"Shut up. I don't want to talk about Katniss, with you or with anyone."

If Rye didn't think something was wrong, he did now. Ever since I met Katniss I don't think I'd ever passed up on a chance to talk about her.

Rye furrowed his eyebrows and looked at me worriedly. "What happened? Did you and Katniss get into a fight?"

I wanted to glare at Rye, but no matter how much I did, I was thankful for how much he cared. Although, I still didn't want to tell him what went on. "I said I don't want to talk about Katniss."

I left the kitchen and stomped up the stairs like a five year old having a tantrum.

Everything was still fresh. The look in her eyes as she said the words that would break my heart. I couldn't stand to take back the necklace. Just the thought of looking at it every day and being reminded of her was too much.

I still love you. I regretted not saying it back when she told me those words in utter desperation to save whatever image I still had of her. The fact of the matter was that my image of her would never change. She would still always be the mysterious, witty, and sarcastic Katniss Everdeen that I fell in love with.

That I still love.

I lied on my bed, huddled under my blanket. My tears came back with a vengeance. Sometime as I was sobbing my eyes out, I heard the voices of Mom, Dad, and Prim. I heard the worry in their voices as they talked to Rye. No doubt they were talking about me, considering that they were probably hearing very animalistic noises from my room.

Finally, when I was reduced to just whimpering, someone knocked on my door. My mother's soft voice travelled through the door. "Honey, are you okay?"

I attempted to tell her yes but it just came out as a grunt. I made a second attempt and managed to say, "Yes, go away."

She ignored my request and opened the door. I peeked out from under my blanket and saw her with her hands on her hips, scowling at me. "You scared Prim. She started crying when she heard you, and it took us half an hour to get her to stop."

I completely emerged from under my blanket and glared at my mother. "Well, if you came here to make me feel guilty you can leave because you've succeeded."

"Don't take that tone with me, young man."

Mom hardly ever snapped at any of us, so when she did you knew it wasn't going to be pretty. The best thing to do from here was to apologise and take whatever yelling I would get.

"I'm sorry, Mom. I'm just-" I could feel the tears coming and I knew that, once again, I wouldn't be able to stop it. "I'm not okay, Mom."

She sat down next to me and pulled me into a hug, patting my back while I cried on her shoulder. "I love her. I-I was going to do so many romantic things like fly to her and surprise her at her doorstep until we were old enough to leave and go to New York."

Mom rubbed my back, muttering a soft 'I know' and 'it's going to be okay'. Truth was, it wasn't going to be okay. Imagining not having Katniss in my life made my heat deflate, and actually not having her in my life was ten times worse.

"Everything will work out eventually."

I highly doubted that.

(Katniss POV)

I was surprised to see Madge and Gale waiting for me. Well, they were actually wrapped up in each other's arms, kissing like there was no tomorrow.

I wasn't that surprised. I knew it was only a matter of time before those two got together, but I also felt a pang of jealousy.

As soon as my mother cleared her throat, they jumped apart. Madge pulled me into a big hug and squealed in my ear. Gale did the same, minus the squealing.

They seemed to realise I wasn't reciprocating their overwhelming joy, but chose not to say anything, considering that my mother was standing right there. Instead, Gale knelt down to scratch Eddie behind his ear.

The car ride was tense and silent. Madge kept sending me worried glances, and even though Gale was driving, I could tell he was itching to look back to see if I was about to break. I was suffocating in the car, and I needed to get out.

After about twenty more minutes of sitting in the car, I had had enough.

"Stop." It came out as a whisper, but it still got Gale's attention.

"What?"

"I said stop the car."

"Katniss-"

"No, I want to get out. Stop the car!"

"Katniss!" My mother yelled, "Calm down. You're not getting out of this car, so sit down and shut up."

"No you shut up. I hate you. I wish I was dead too, so I could be with dad and not such a sick excuse for a human." I was glad I was sitting by the door, because it would have been more than awkward to sit in the car for five more minutes after saying that.

Before anyone knew what I was doing, I was out the door and rolling on the ground. Fortunately Gale still kept on driving despite Madge's and my mom's inevitable protests. Unfortunately, Gale still kept on driving despite Madge's and my mom's inevitable protests.

My broken wrist had been rolled on and I was in immense pain. I had jumped out of moving cars a few times in the past year; other than the first time, I had managed without any serious injuries.

I looked at my surroundings, and realized that I was only about five minutes away from the house. Not a lot of cars ever came through here, so I didn't really have to worry about being run over.

I got up and, clutching my wrist, I headed home. I hated it but, I knew I was going to have to ask mom to check it out for me.

As expected, mom was standing behind the door with her arms crossed. "You have no right to talk to me like that. I am your mother, and I should be treated with respect."

I don't know it was the overwhelming pain from my wrist or the fact that I had been bottling up all my tears since I broke up with Peeta, but I burst into tears right in front of my mom.

She looked surprised by my sudden outburst. She seemed to be having an inner debate on what to do. Before she could make the decision to comfort me, I said, "I hate you. I wish you weren't my mother. I wish you died instead of dad." I ran up the stairs and collapsed on my bed in a sobbing mess. I then realised that Madge and Gale were sitting there, shell shocked.

Madge seemed to snap out of it first and hurried to stroke my hair, whispering comforting words.

"I broke up with him." I cried some more before I moaned, "It hurts so much."

"I know, Sweetie. I know it hurts."

"I broke it."

Gale moved cautiously to me. "What did you break, Katniss?"

Madge seemed to notice me clutching to my wrist. "Did you hurt yourself when you jumped out of the car?"

I nodded.

Madge looked at Gale. "Go get her mom to look at her wrist." She turned back to me. "Katniss, you've got to stop crying so that we can talk."

I managed to get myself together enough to have a proper conversation.

"Why did you break up with Peeta?"

"I knew a long distance relationship wasn't going to work, and I thought it would be better to just end it now."

Madge was about to ask something else, but Mom walked in with Gale following behind her.

She didn't say anything as she worked on my wrist, and I didn't say anything either. She finished and got up. As she turned I could've sworn I saw a glisten of tears in her eyes.

I shoved my hands into my pockets and felt an odd lump in one of them. I pulled it out and realised it was none other than my dandelion necklace.

All over again, I started crying.

(Peeta's POV)

It had been five days, six hours, and three minutes since I had seen Katniss or been in contact with her.

I was stuck in depressed mode and wouldn't leave my room other than to eat and pee.

I heard a sharp knock on the door and looked up from the picture of us.

Rye barged in without even waiting for me to answer. "You've got to stop this."

I glared at him. He didn't know what I was going through. It wasn't like I wanted to keep thinking about her every second of the day. I voiced my thoughts to him, but it only seemed to get him angrier.

"Look at yourself Peeta. If you miss her so much, fly over to Montana and tell her how much you love her." His eyes softened, "Don't give up without a fight."

(Katniss POV)

It had been five days, six hours and three minutes since I had last seen Peeta. Mom and I weren't on speaking terms, and I spent all of my time in the meadow, looking at the sky and trying to figure out the quickest and most painless way to kill myself.

After finding the necklace in the pockets of Peeta's sweatpants, I put it on and never took it off. I didn't even take off his clothes for the first three days. I knew it was weird, but I missed him to death.

Madge and Gale came by to visit sometimes, but most of my company was spent with my dog.

I heard the heavy footsteps of Gale. It reminded me that I hadn't been hunting in forever.

"Hi Gale."

"Katniss, your dad wouldn't want to see you like this. He's just a guy. You'll find other people out there."

I turned to him, scowling. "I'm never going to find another guy like Peeta, and it wasn't just him. It was great not being with Mom. I was having fun, and I wasn't getting into trouble. I lived for the first time since Dad died, and Mom took me away just like that."

"If you loved it so much, why don't you fly back there?" I was already starting to protest but Gale hushed me, "I'm serious. Go back. Go back to him. He makes you happy, and I would rather see you being happy than not."

"I'm not going to leave you or Madge. I love you guys."

"We love you too, and that's why I'm telling you to do this. Fly over there and get him back. Don't give up without a fight."

Sorry again for the lateness. I hope it was good. I saw that I was literaly ten follows away from a hundred and I started jumping like a mad person and I checked like every day to see if I would reach a hunderd. I'M TWO AWAY!

Review, favourite, and follow and thanks again to my beta IceCreamGurl6455.

I'll try and update sooner next time.