OH. MY. GOODNESS.
65 Reviews? What? I CAN'T!
OK RESPONSES:
****IMPORTANT****
I want y'all to know the reason I do responses! Y'all take the time to respond publicly to me and you take the time to read what I write. I want to take the time to show my appreciation to you and show my readers that all of you deserve to be recognized for the words you write to me. I feel like y'all are my friends and I'm so happy! So that is why I do public responses.
OK RESPONSES!
Suze18 - Yes yes yes! SHE IS FINALLY OPENING UP! Slowly! She said she missed him and it was such an intimate moment that I nearly wrote an additional part to it in Peeta's P.O.V. :) She is allowing herself to love him, and she suspects something but she still doesn't think that he loves her. BUT THIS IS THE CHAPTER. THE CHAPTER. The one we have all been waiting for. His homecoming is extremely eventful! ENJOY DEAR! XOXO
Thgfangirl - LSKDJFLSKDJFL YAYYYYYY! PEETA IS COMING HOME! This chapter is super important! I am so so excited of you to read this! AWWWWWW you remember? THANK YOU SO MUCH! Yes, it does ... unfortunately it became an infection and I'm stuck in bed! MEH! BUT THANK YOU SO SO MUCH FOR REMEMBERING THAT WAS SO SWEET OF YOU! ENJOY THIS CHAPTER MY DEAR! XOXO
volleyball1020 - YEAHHH BUDDY! FRONT ROW BABY! We are friends ;) Bump, set, spike it boo! ACE IN YOUR FACE! Ok I'm done now! Basilia really becomes a beacon of hope for Katniss and having children in the future. So that is far in the future but it will play out! I love how she acted with her too! LOVE IT! DON'T DROWN BECAUSE IN THIS CHAPTER YOU MIGHT! ENJOY AND READ AWAY LOVELY! XOXO
MiaBelles - YAY! I am so glad you liked how she is with Basilia. A lot of y'all really loved her interaction with her and I think its because of Prim. Katniss' motherly instincts kicked in. YAY! PEETA IS COMING BACK! This is THE CHAPTER we y'all have been so patient for :D YOU WILL LOVE IT! THANK YOU SO SO MUCH LOVE AND I HOPE YOU ENJOY THIS CHAPTER! XOXO
missilovepeetamellark - DON'T GET IN TROUBLE IN CLASS! STAY IN SCHOOL! Awwww thank you love! I am so glad you are loving this, however, I think you will be so in love with this chapter! It is perfect and I had a blast writing it! THIS IS THE CHAPTER THAT WILL CAUSE YOUR FEELS TO EXPLODE! We see a lot of EVERLARK development in this chapter, and I just fangirled writing it so hopefully you do the same! THANK YOU ALWAYS FOR YOUR REVIEW LOVE! XOXO
- WHY HELLO AND WELCOME TO THE PARTY! AWWWWW thank you so so much! YES! Remember, the next installment title is hidden here in the text! Its in all caps (TWICE) so keep a sharp eye out! I love writing out Sae and Katniss because I feel Sae has so much to teach her. Plus, she if fulfilling the motherly roll Katniss suffers losing. AND WHO DOESN'T LOVE EVERLARK!? There is a lot of angsty everlark in this chapter until the very end! OH GOSH YOU WILL LOVE IT! THANK YOU SO SO MUCH FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND REVIEW! ENJOY DEAR! XOXO
love mangas - Yes! She almost said I LOVE YOU to Peeta! But she wasn't thinking when she said it. She was rather distracted solo yeah, I love you almost came out! LOL DON'T WORRY... it will come, but slowly! PEETA IS BACK IN THIS CHAPTER AND YOU ALL WILL LOVE IT! I hope! AHHHHH VERY GOOD GUESS! But no, it is not :( though I think its the same album. HAVE NO FEAR, you will figure out the name in this chapter and I cannot wait for y'all to find out! THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEW LOVE! XOXO
Bellakpotter3 - YAYAYAYYA PEETA IS COMING HOME! IM SO EXCITED! This chapter really has a lot to do with everlark and what we have all been waiting for. This chapter contains THE TITLE TO THE NEXT INSTALLMENT and A HUGE EVERLARK MOMENT! Just continue to read dear! AWWWW THANK YOU! My throat is better but unfortunately it has spread and its an infection, but I am getting much better thank you! I CAN'T BELIEVE YALL REMEMBERED! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Look at y'all checkin up on me! SO FLIPPIN SWEET! Yeah the heartbreak is gonna be on the DL for the next few chapters. SO HAPPY CHAPTERS AHEAD! WHAT? Oh girl you need to check him out! HE IS AMAZING :D You know why I respond. I LOVE YALL :D THANK YOU SO MUCH DEAR! XOXO
LizzEverlark3thg - HAHAHAHAHA AWWWW THANK YOU! I know you won't, I trust you. Maybe you will see some of the changes I have made and have the joy of reading it all over again! I LOVE YOU! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH! YOU PLAY VOLLEYBALL? AHHH GIRL WE FOUND OUR SETTER! YEAHHH BUDDY! The front cannot do our job without you! SET IT GIRL! THAT MAKES ME SO HAPPY! AHHHH You think that was adorable? OH JUST YOU WAIT FOR THIS ONE AND THE NEXT! Thank you thank you thank you thank you! A lot you like the moments with Basilia and I PROMISE there will be more of those! Yes, Katniss' motherly instincts are popping up :) YAYAYAY! IM THE ONLY ONE? Oh my gosh I'm crying! I am honored! COMPLETELY HONORED! THANK YOU SO MUCH! ENJOY THIS CHAPTER LOVE! XOXO
Goddess of Idiots - HAHAHA I LOVE YOUR NAME! ITS AWESOME! I CANNOT WAIT FOR YOU TO READ THIS! I am so so excited! Thank you so much for all of your support and love! This is a big everlark chapter just as the next one will be as well. Y'all deserve some everlark! SO ITS HERE! I AM SO HAPPY FOR YALL TO READ THIS! ENJOY THE UPDATE DEAR! XOXO
WOW! I cannot believe the love y'all are sending me!
YOU KNOW THE DRILL!
(I don't own THG)
STAY BEAUTIFUL
- CE
We have been moving whatever wasn't damaged in the fire from his home to mine the past few days. Thom, Darrion, Andor and I. Sae has helped organize it and Basilia cannot stop singing about his arrival back home. Haymitch seems a tad bit cranky that his ribs are not the way they should be and in order for him to take the pain pills Geneva gave him, he has to slow up on the alcohol. Lets just say that the past few days, he hasn't been very happy. Not that he ever is. However, he even cracked a smile when I told him that we would be having a large family dinner for Peeta's return.
"Put that in corner of Peeta's bedroom, then his paint sets down the hall in the study." I direct. Andor is hauling a box of Peeta's clothing through the hallway.
"My, my, my Peeta sure does have his hands full." He winks. I smirk and playfully bat his arm as I feel the heat rush to my cheeks. Darn this blushing problem.
"Andor, leave the girl alone. If you don't her cheeks are going to be red for the next week. We wouldn't want to embarrass her in front of Peeta now would we?" Darrion adds following behind his brother with another box. My eyes grow wide at his hidden accusation.
I blush even further and slide my bangs out of my eyes, "You guys. You shouldn't say such things." I say trying to hide my smile.
"Whatever you say, sweetheart." Haymitch says from behind me.
I roll my eyes, "Just bring the rest of his stuff in please."
My bow is loaded, and I am prepared to make a perfect kill for tonight's dinner. The past three days have been blissful and I have allowed myself to feel happy for once. It has been a year and a half since the war ended and Prim would scold me for the progress I have made. With Peeta worming his way into my heart, the doubt and fear are slow seeping their way out. My ears pick up the sound of snapping twigs and the clicking gobbles of turkeys nearby. I hastily slide over the forest floor to their location and make a flawless. Perfect! Greasy Sae will make a wonderful soup for Peeta's homecoming tonight. I shoot two squirrels, and gather some eggs from a nest high above. I collect some herbs, roots and greens to add flavor to the soup tonight and place the array of ingredients in my hunting bag and make the trek home. As I make my way back to the fence, a feeling that has not stirred inside me for months begins to bubble its way to the surface. I feel the sense of accomplishment. That I have finally done something productive and accomplished a simple task that I had placed before myself. I want that feeling to never escape the deepest chambers of my heart. I smile knowing that everything will rebuild itself in time, and that I will heal in time. That everyone I love, here with me now, or in the past has been a part of who I am today, and I will press on in honor of them. I crawl under the fence on my belly, not being afraid of being caught anymore, push myself off the ground and walk to the Victors Village in anticipation. It's around three in the afternoon and I'm in dire need of a bath and maybe even light makeup for when Peeta walks through that door. Wait, since when do I care about makeup? Boy, I'm in for it. I practically run to my house where Sae and Basilia are already preparing for dinner tonight. Andor, Darrion, Thom, Geneva, Haymitch, Sae, Basilia, Dr. Aurelius Peeta and myself will all be gathered here tonight to celebrate life in itself. Plus, Sae says I need to make friends, even though I would prefer just a simple dinner alone with us four. She begs to differ.
I slip off my hunting boots outside the door, careful not to tack mud in, and walk inside. Basilia, Sae, Geneva and I cleaned the house all day yesterday while Haymitch, Andor and Darrion hauled over the rest of Peeta's belongings and complete yard work. Well, Haymitch oversaw the entire ordeal due to his bruised ribs and "other injuries", even though Geneva has cleared him for some activities. Typical Haymitch. As soon as I step foot in the house, I can already smell the basics of dinner.
"Sae, I have some turkey for you!" I smile pulling the plush animal from the bag. Basilia squeals in playful fear and runs off laughing and giggling.
"Oh girl, yes. This will do just fine. Now run along and clean your filthy self up. Peeta will have no desire to embrace such a nasty smelling girl." She half scolds. I roll my eyes and smile. He is coming home! As I make my way to the stairs the phone rings. Who would be calling here? Is Peeta early?
"I'll get it Sae!" I yell to her and grab the upstairs phone off the receiver. "Hello?"
"Yes, hello. This is Zipporin Narin from the Business License Office in the Capital. May I speak to Mr. Mellark?" what did he just say?
Confusion clouds my brain. Why would a license office call here? And why do they want to speak to Peeta? "I'm sorry, um you wanted to speak to Peeta?" I ask nearly floored by his question.
"Uh, yes Peeta Mellark. He left here without writing down the name for the bakery. He must have been so caught up in the current conversation about a beautiful young miss that was waiting for him at home that he forgot to write it on the legal papers here. May I speak with him?" he laughs as if remembering something funny from their conversation. For a moment, I'm flattered that he would refer to me as a beautiful young miss, as if only to protect me. However, it doesn't draw me away enough to forget the current conversation.
"Peeta isn't home yet. Wait, what do you mean legal papers?"
"Legal papers. For opening his bakery business in District 12 of course!" he laughs. My chest tightens, my lungs stop working and I begin to feel dizzy. He lied to me. He never spoke a word about this. I slam the phone back on the receiver and march upstairs to freshen up.
I want to look my best when I rip Peeta Mellark's head off.
Peeta's P.O.V
"I cannot wait to see her! She will be so surprised." I beam. It is refreshing to be home and I can smell the pines as I watch the trees cast shadows through the windows of the train. Dark clouds loom in the distance but that only means I can spend the evening holding Katniss in my arms. I have to tell her tonight. It has been far too long and beating around the bush is fruitless. I have to tell her that I love her. Even if her response will be silence, at least she will know that I am unconditionally, flawlessly, unequivocally and passionately in love with her. The last five days have been taxing due to the fire and the business I have been trying to launch. The bakery will be the ultimate drive for a foundation to be laid and rebuild our home to better than it was before. As a district we have to start somewhere. Through ashes, the burns, the pain and the suffering, new life is about to bloom.
"Peeta, Katniss is not fully stable yet. Sae calls me almost every other day with news of Katniss' nightmares. You have to be certain to be gentle with her." Dr. Aurelius says beside me. We are sitting at the lunch table in the food car on the train. We should be pulling into the station in about fifteen minutes. I can hardly wait to see her. Oh I have missed her. Her olive skin, her grey eyes, her chocolate brown hair, her smile that makes me weak at the knees, and the blush she hides from me whenever I look at her that way. I have only given her that look about a dozen times, and I only give it to her when…
"Peeta, are you feeling alright?" Dr. Aurelius asks me, probably seeing the spacious look splattered on my face.
"Oh, yes. Its just so nice to be home." I sigh. I clutch the brightly colored flowers in my hand that I chose for her. I have to tell her sooner or later. Greasy Sae says that if I don't tell Katniss what I really want to tell her, then that someday, will have come and gone before I would know it. Today is my someday. I am going to tell Katniss that I ….
Again, my thoughts are interrupted by the slowing of the train and the announcement of the arrival at the District 12 train station. There are about 20 people other than myself and Dr. Aurelius on this train, all coming to make a new life here in District 12, and all ready to build from the ground up. I grab my suitcase and Dr. Aurelius and I step off the train and onto the platform. Sae said no one would come to the station because they all had a surprise waiting at home for me. I hope no one went through too much trouble for making me feel welcomed back home. All I want is her in my arms. I squeeze the scented gift in my hand and we make our way to the Victors Village. Dr. Aurelius will be staying in one of the homes in the Village for a few days, just to keep an eye on her and I. We walk in silence, but comfortable enough for the both if us. I hear rumbles of thunder off in the distance and my heart warms because that means the summer storms are finally here. Perfect for holding her back in my arms with nothing to drag us away. We are only a few yards away when the front door swings open and a little brown curly headed child in a yellow dress comes bolting from front porch stairs.
"Peeta!" Basilia screams. She pushes open the gate and runs as fast as her small legs can carry her.
I hand the flowers to a smiling Dr. Aurelius. "Hi Basilia!" I bend down and open my arms. She jumps in them and I spin the giggling child around in circles. "Mhmm! How are you?" I ask setting her down. I place my hands on the small girl's waist and look into her face. I bend down to her level to show her she has my undivided attention.
"Good! I missed you, Peeta! Katniss said that you had a surprise for me!" she claims sheepishly, with a small blush to add color to her face. I let out a genuine laugh. Katniss had told me three days ago telling me I needed to find a surprise for Basilia because she had been in tears about my departure to the Capital a few days prior. I had found the perfect thing.
"Of course I did Basilia. But I brought back something for everyone! We are going to wait till a bit later…"
"After the surprise dinner?" she squeals in excitement. I raise my eyebrows. This is news to me. "Oops." She says looking down. "You're not supposed to know about that."
I laugh and look up to see multiple smiling faces observing the small child and I.
"Welcome home Peeta!" Sae beams and everyone comes from inside the house to greet me. After I hug everyone, and greet them with hellos, I look to the doorway to greet the one person I have thought about every moment I have been away. There she stands in a dress covered in white lace that hangs from two bands off of her shoulders and a brown belt around her lower ribcage. Her hair in curls and ringlets and her bangs pinned back from her face. She stands straight as a pin with her hands folded in front of her and she avoids my gaze. That's odd, I expected her to be in my arms first. Everyone turns to follow my gaze, awaiting her reaction. However, she doesn't react, making this seem out of character for her.
"Hello Katniss." I smile, waiting for her to come to me. Finally, she raises her eyes to meet mine, and what I see is not what I expect. Her eyes are full of anger, and hurt. The hurt her eyes is the type that I haven't seen since the Rebellion. She spins on her heels and marches inside.
"Well, seems sweetheart didn't sleep well last night. I am hungry, lets go inside and eat." Haymitch says, trying to cover for Katniss' behavior. I would have at least thought should would have been delighted to see me, and now she acts as if I am repulsive and revolting. Why would this happen? What has someone done to her? Is she hurt? Is she upset with something that I have done?
We all walk into the house and my nostrils are filled with a delightful smell that would make anyone's taste buds begin to imagine what it is that exudes this stomach-churning smell. The table is expanded to fit all the guests and myself for dinner. Everyone is dressed nicely and that atmosphere could make you forget your worries in an instant, but the girl that constantly consumes my thoughts stands in the kitchen glaring at me with eyes that could cut like Clove's knives.
"Katniss, while I finish up with the greens, why don't you show Peeta his room." Greasy Sae commands.
"Yeah sweetheart, be a good little host and show your guest where he will be staying." Haymitch smirks leaning the kitchen counter with a glass of wine in his hand. I try to suppress a smile knowing that for whatever reason Katniss is angry with me for, she has to set it aside to show me to my room. All Victors Village homes are the same, so I would have no trouble finding it on my own. She scoffs and rolls her eyes and murmurs something like 'pointless' and 'stupid', but I ignore it and follow her. Dr. Aurelius is conversing with Geneva and still holding the flowers I have for Katniss in his hands. I take them off his hands and whisper a thank you, he just nod and continues his conversation. Katniss leads me down the hall to a room downstairs. It's almost as large as the master bedroom. I haul my suitcase into the room throw it on the bed, and I stand there in awkward silence with her.
"Katniss, um why… these are for you." I try to ask why she is angry with me, but I assume its best to leave that subject alone for the moment. She acknowledges them and snatches them from my hands and stomps out of the room. Hurt registers in my heart, and then annoyance and anger fill me as well. After everything, she chooses to treat me like this? I follow her and let her go to the kitchen while I step outside onto the backyard deck; fresh air sounds like the only solution to this. I shut the door and spin around to find that I am not alone. Haymitch is leaning against the wood railing smiling mischievously at me.
"Girl problems?" he questions raising his eyebrows and taking a swig of wine. I chuckle and shake my head.
"Women." I say.
"Complicated?"
"Beyond."
"Mhmm."
We stand in a moment of silence observing the large spring thunderstorms rolling in. Thoughts of the fire and anger consume my mind when a feeling of unaccomplished deed comes to me. I wouldn't be here if it were not for Haymitch.
"Haymitch, I believe a deep expression of gratitude is in order." I turn to him extending my hand. "Thank you, for coming in after me in the fire. I am deeply grateful. Thank you." I say. He shakes my hand firmly, and gives me a reassuring pat on the back.
"Peeta my boy, there are many reasons I came in after you. However, one reason in particular is that I do not want to listen to the melodramatic victor wallow in sorrow for the rest of her life about your death. Plus, I like you boy, and she would kill my geese if I upset her again. With you around, she is a bit more tamed. But in all, you are welcome." He smiles. A genuine smile actually. Its moments like this that I am grateful for Haymitch. Underneath all the filth and deceitfulness, he has a good heart.
"Peeta, Haymitch, come in for dinner before Andor begins to eat the silverware." Sae pokes her head outside, demanding us to join them at the table. It has been a long day and I am hungry. We all sit at the table and begin to eat. Talk of rebuilding the district seems to be topic of the evening. Excitement fills the hearts of each one here, and the plans that are being made for the new life we are going to make ahead of us. The new Justice Building has prints and construction will begin in late summer. More and more people are arriving every day, ready to start a new chapter in their life, and the joy around the table brings a smile to my face. Darrion speaks up interrupting my thoughts.
"So Peeta, a Capital business man called the apothecary yesterday. He was asking for you about a bakery name. So when were you going to tell us about that, mhmm?" Darrion asks stuffing a roll of bread in his mouth.
"Well, actually, I have been planning this since winter. I was planning to tell all of you when I arrived home this evening. It was going to be a surprise for all of you. The fire was a complete accident, but I took advantage of my time in the Capitol." I say.
"Darrion, you were not the only one who received a phone call. I did as well, and it is such a coincidence because the gentleman on the phone was looking for the same thing." Katniss says. My eyes dart to her. This is the first time she has spoken aloud since I have been home. I hear the anger bubbling in her voice, threatening to bring on a fight.
"Peeta! That is wonderful news! When do you plan to start construction?" Geneva asks me.
"As soon as possible actually. But I need to have the right amount of people and proper tools."
"A few calls the Capitol should fix that. We should start next month." Sae chimes in.
"Of course. I have few friends who will be joining us here from District 4, and they have the extra muscle you need." Andor says.
"You know boy, it would be the start of the rebuild of the district." Haymitch says pointing to me with his wine glass in hand.
"You have me convinced. I suppose all that is left to do is call the Capitol and ask for the tools and supplies that I need." I say smiling.
"It's going to take more than a few calls." Katniss mumbles sipping her water.
"You know Katniss, I think I would be good for you. To partake in something." Dr. Aurelius offers up.
"I am. I hunt."
"Come please Katniss! It would be fun." Basilia chirps. "Peeta! You can convince Katniss to help right?" she whines.
"I am not sure about that. How about it Katniss? Would you be up for it, or are you just to sit there and never talk to me. Again?"
"Again? You act like everything is my fault!"
"That's because it is." I say with a raise if my eyebrows. Oops. Silence. Dead silence and anger. She glares at me with such dagger eyes that I have no choice but to look away in shame. I have just said something that in her eyes is unforgivable. She pushes back her chair that makes a scraping sound against the floor that would make anyone cringe, and bolts outside in the pouring rain, I immediately follow after her slamming the front door behind me.
"Katniss, Katniss wait… please… I" I yell after her. She spins around glares
"Don't you think I know that? That this entire world and what it is now is my fault? That a horrendous number of people are dead because of me Peeta. Don't you think I know that? Prim is dead because of me! You almost died because of me. For Once In My Life, I want to be free of this!" she screams. The rain has soaked her curls that no hang straight on her face and glued to her rib cage. She stands about 10 feet in front of me shaking with anger.
"No Katniss. NONE of that was your fault. Where would we be if you never pulled those berries from your pocket? You gave this country something they needed. Freedom. That fire was an accident…."
"You lied to me! You were NEVER ready to come home! You were to busy in the Capital making plans to open a bakery that I NEVER KNEW ABOUT! Did it ever occur to you that I wanted you home? You stayed extra time to sign papers but didn't come home to someone who needed you? No, you didn't because you were too busy spending time in the one place we all hate!" she yells.
"I was not! I was more than ready to come home. I was going to tell you…"
"When?"
"When I came home! I had it all planned out…"
"Yeah well how did it work out?" she says.
"Horribly." I say looking at her. I give her the look that only I can give her.
"WHY are you looking at me like that? Why do you do that Peeta Mellark?"
"Like what Katniss Everdeen?"
"That look that only you give me. Why do you do that? So maybe I'll forgive you? Huh? Is this the game you want to play?" she yells at me throwing her arms out in question.
"No Katniss. This isn't a game! I don't play like that. All right? For Once In My Life, just look at me and understand what I see. I see someone who is fearless, and will stop at nothing when something needs to be made right." I rush to her and slide the wet hair out of her face. She rips away from me like I have touched her with fire.
Katniss P.O.V
"What have I done right?" I scream.
"Everything. Look how far you have come. What you have done for others, what you have done for me." He says gripping my shoulders.
"The only thing I have done for you was manage not get you killed, and at the same time almost made you come very close to being killed many times. I couldn't kill you if I tried." I yell pushing his hands off my shaking shoulders.
"What a stupid thing to believe. Look I am here now right?" he swings his arms out to his sides as if presenting himself.
"Yes, but you stand if front of me as a liar!" I yell, pointing and accusing finger at him and competing over a crack of thunder.
"Maybe there something to this picture you don't know yet Katniss."
Peeta's P.O.V
We are standing in the middle of the Victors Village, it's now or never. I will not lose her again, so I give her the look.
"Don't you dare look at me like that. You have no right! You have no idea what that phone call felt like! You betrayed me. I have a right to know what you are hiding, I want to know now. What are you hiding and why?" She says staring me down.
Fear overcomes me and I am at a loss of words, and stand in the rain in silence.
"I thought so. You won't tell me anything anymore." she spits, more thunder cracking around us. She spins on her heels in the mud and walks towards the Meadow.
"Fine! You want to know Katniss?" I shout. She spins around again.
"YES!" she shouts, and I give her the look. "Say it without that look."
"I can't." I say simply.
"Why?"
I take a deep breath and release it. "Because I am in with love you Katniss Everdeen."
SLDFHSLKDHFKJSHDKFJHSKDJHFKS
SO WHAT IS THE NAME OF THE NEXT INSTALLMENT?
YAYAY
aslkdjfalskdj
What do y'all think?
THIS AND THE NEXT CHAPTER ARE SUPER EVERLARK!
Leave me a little note pretty please? I want to know what you think? I LOVE YALL SO MUCH!
- CE