Chapter 16

How did you guess this chapter? (sw777) I'm a little angry that I couldn't keep this chapter a secret but oh well it's not going to be exactly like that but I did add that scene you asked for about Gale finding out that Katniss is . . never mind. I don't want to ruin it for people.

Katniss P.O.V

I froze when the first piece of cake started flying. I admit seeing Gale covered in cake was funny. But then Gale had to go and throw the cake at Peeta.
In just a matter of seconds I was watching cake being thrown around.
I took a deep breath, trying not to blow my top. I just asked for a nice calm dinner and I get this? Why am I surrounded by children! At least Prim acted her age – or so I thought. When I looked in her direction to see the surprise in her face I was met with an exited look. Her small hand grabbed a piece of the chocolate cake that landed near her and threw it in Gale's direction. She grabbed another piece just as I was hit with a piece.
I scowled but you couldn't see it since my face was covered in brown mushy sweet stuff!
The room around me got colder. Everyone froze.
Who threw that? Who? I took a deep breath trying to stay calm.

"Put. The. Cake. Down." I said calmly. I saw Prim toss something behind her back as she took a step back. I wonder how she was still spotless through all that?
I abruptly turned around and started walking out the room but stopped.

"This room better be spotless by the time I get back." I said. Out of the corner of my eyes I saw prim smirk at the guys. If she thinks she's going to get out that easily she better think twice. "I know you threw the cake too, Prim, Better get started." I left and walked straight to the bathroom. Just as I reached the stairs I heard Peeta and Gale insult each other.

"Clean!" I yelled. The insults quieted down but soon picked right back up.
I scowled when I saw my image in the mirror. Yet another reason to avoid mirrors. I cleaned up quickly. The frosting got in my eyes and made them sting. Boy are they gonna get it.

I gave them an hour before I went back to the dining room. Peeta, Prim, and Gale stood in the corner looking down, ashamed. They should be, after all they acted like children.
As I stood in front of the three of them I noticed Gale had a bruise on his face. . .again. Peeta was cradling his arm. I looked at prim for an explanation. She tilted her head to the left. My eyes wandered over and I saw a broom was broken in two. I sighed.

"Gale, it's time you go home. It's getting late." I said. Gale looked surprised. No doubt he expected me to yell at them. I didn't feel like arguing tonight I was too exhausted from the past hours . . . excitement.

"Okay. . ." Gale said. He eyed me carefully. "I'll see you tomorrow." Gale started walking out the back door probably in a hurry to get out before I changed my mind and started beating him silly.

"Wait." I said. Gale froze. "Take Prim with you. I need to talk to Peeta alone." This time Peeta froze.

"But –" Prim started. She wanted to stay too.

"No buts peeta and I need to talk." I said. "Alone. Tell mom I'm staying over tonight, kay?" Prim nodded slowly. She gave Peeta a look that said 'you are dead it was nice knowing you'.

"What?" Gale exclaimed. "You are staying here? Alone? With him? No!" I rubbed my head as if that could get rid of the headache.

"Just go, Gale." I said.

"No." Gale said.

"Please?" I said.

"No."

"Gale."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"Yes." He said. I smiled. I wouldn't fall for that one.

"So you agree. Leave." I said. He cursed under his breath.

"Sorry, I lied." He said. "I'm staying." I glared.

"Go!"

"No Go." He said.

"Yes."

"No."

"Out!"

"In!"

"Pigheaded." I muttered.

"So are you." Gale said.

"At least I don't throw food like a pig!" I countered. He glared.

"I'm still staying." Gale said. I glared. Prim sighed. She went over to the corner, grabbed the biggest piece of the broom, and walked toward Gale. She aimed the stick at gale.

"Come on, Gale, let's go." Prim said. She twirled the broom stick. "Play time's over." Gale looked at the broom stick then at Prim and smirked.

"Do you really think a little girl like you can hurt –" Prim twirled the broom stick again. Gale sucked in a deep breath. I heard Peeta gasp. That has got to hurt. A lot. Especially since she used the broke side that was not smooth. His hand went to his – well- his-um- his south pole. "Ooh." Gale groaned. His face was that of pure pain. I felt sorry for him. He fell to the floor on his knees still clutching his sensitive place.

"Come one, though boy, time to go home." Prim grabbed Gale's ear and literally dragged him out of the room by his ear. Tough girl. "Have fun." She called as she left. "And sorry about the cake." Peeta and I stared after her with our mouth's wide open.

"Remind me never to mess with Prim." Peeta said. I turned around and crossed my arms. Peeta gave me a sheepish smile. "I love you." He said. He extended his arms wanting me to walk into them and kiss him. I walked in his direction but at the last minute, I turned around and walked out the door instead.

"Make popcorn." I said as I walked away. "I'll be right back." I went upstairs to change into my pajamas taking extra-long just to make sure Peeta was freaking out right now. Thirty minutes later we were sitting on the couch, watching movies and eating popcorn. I sat on the far end of the couch and refused to let Peeta join me.

"What's wrong?" he kept asking. I never answered. But at last after the twenty eight time he asked me' what's wrong' I gave in and kissed him.

"Nothing." I said. Peeta raised his eyebrows quizzically. "What? Can't I spend some time alone with my boyfriend?" Peeta smiled.

"You're not mad then?" he asked.

"Oh no, I'm mad." I said. His face fell. "But I'll get you back later. I'm tired. I don't want to argue." The wonderful smile returned. He kissed me again.

"Fine by me." He said. I smiled. I leaned on him and put my legs up. His family was visiting relatives so we had the house all to ourselves. Just me and Peeta. Alone. Together. Whatever shall we do?

"Why do you think Gale came today?" he asked as his arm tightened around me.

"To see a friend." I said. Peeta sighed.

"Do you really think he wants to be 'just you friend' after everything?" he asked. "After he saw you wearing that dress that made you look . . . hot?" he smiled at his own joke. I rolled my eyes.

"Gale prefers blondes." I said. "Just like I do." I said. I reached up to touch his hair and kiss him. Peeta smiled but I could tell he wasn't convinced.

"He went out with you and you're not blonde." Peeta said. I shrugged and leaned back.

"He wanted to see what it would be like to go out with a brunette. Didn't work out." I tossed popcorn into my mouth. "Let's not talk about him tonight. Just you and me."

"I like that." Peeta said. He bent down to kiss me. "Love you." Peeta said. I smiled.

"The feeling is mutual." I said but somehow that did not sound right. I needed to tell Peeta how much I cared about him and just saying the feeling is mutual didn't seem enough. I realized that I have never told peeta straight out that I loved him too. I feel guilty now. But the reason i never told him that was because I just couldn't. I was afraid of history repeating itself again. It wouldn't happen with Peeta though, I knew that now. I needed to tell him straight out that I loved him too.
I did just that once he pulled away for air.

"I love you." I said. Peeta smiled but didn't kiss me.

"That's the first time you've ever said that." he said. I blushed.

"Sorry-"

"No, better late than never." Peeta said. "I love you so much Katniss." I looked away blushing. Peeta laughed. I leaned against peeta. I couldn't describe how great today had been – minus the cake part- and this evening just made it better. I felt so safe with Peeta. So happy. Everything was going just right. Our family was better than ever and everyone was so much happier. I was glad Gale and I could be friends again – maybe not best friends but we could be friends again. I knew things would never be the same between me and Gale and I didn't care. I was happy with Peeta. I wish I meet him sooner.
For a while we lay on the couch watching movies but sometime around midnight I started to daze off.
Peeta noticed.

"Time to sleep, little kitty," he said. I tried to scowl but it was a complete failure since I was so tired. Peeta took me in his arms and took me up to the guest bedroom. He set me on the bed and was about to leave when I grabbed his hand. "Stay," I said.

"Katniss. . ." he said. "I can't." I shook my head with the little energy I had.

"This is your punishment for the cake. You will do as I say." My eyes were starting to close. "Stay." Peeta sighed but a few seconds later I felt him get into the bed with me. "Good." I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him closer then I laid my head on his chest.

"Love you." I said as I dozed off into sleep.

That night I woke up to Peeta's screams. I opened my eyes, looking around the room for danger. I didn't find anything unusual.

"Peeta?" I asked. "What's wrong?" He didn't answer.

"Get away!" he yelled. I pulled my hands back. What was wrong? Did I do something wrong?

"Peeta?" I asked.

"Stop!" he yelled. "Leave me alone!" I gasped. I climbed off the bed. Did he really want me to leave? He sat up abruptly. "Katniss?"

"I'll leave. Sorry." I started walking out the room when Peeta caught my hand.

"No, no, I'm sorry." He said. "This is why I didn't want to stay here. I have nightmares Katniss."

"Nightmares?" I asked. Peeta nodded. A tear ran down his cheek. I wiped it away. Peeta never cried, at least I had never seen him cry. Not once. I hugged his waist.

"It's . . . okay." I said. "I'm here." This is what I had always said to Katniss when she was scared from a nightmare. He was still shaking. I rubbed his arm trying to calm him down.

"That's why I didn't want you to see the paintings." Peeta whispered. He probably didn't mean for me to hear him.

"Paintings?" I asked. Peeta sighed. He took my hand and led me downstairs to his art room. The sheet was still over the paintings like last time but Peeta quickly removed it. I gasped.
People. Dying people were everywhere. The arena. Weapons. Everything that had to do with Peeta's hunger games was here. I couldn't believe it. The paintings were so detailed, He couldn't have done this just from memory. What's worse is that Peeta dreamt about this every night. Why hadn't he told me?

"What do you think?" he asked.

"Truthfully?" I asked. He nodded. "I hate them." That sounded a little rude but it was the first thing that came out.

"Me too." he said. I hugged Peeta closer.

"You never have to go back again." I said. "It's over." He hid his face in my shoulder. "What can I do to help you get rid of these nightmares?" I asked.

"Katniss-"

"No, Peeta. I want to help you." I said. This was not me, I know, I did not act like this but being around Peeta changed that. "I'll stay with you if you want." Peeta sighed.

"Katniss-"

"No arguing." I said. "I don't want you to have those nightmares anymore. i'll do whatever it takes to make you stop having nightmares."

The end. For now. Anyway tell me what you guys think. This chapter was sooo long so I think I deserve a reward. It was the longest chapter I ever wrote so I think I need 10 reviews before I update. That's not a lot, right? You guys have reviews twice that so it shouldn't be a prob. Tell me what you think.

I know that Katniss is really O.O.C but remember being with Peeta and not going into the games changed her. Got it? Good.

Remember: 10 reviews!