So, so sorry. All I'm gonna say is that school is more important that my story, (unfortunately). So anyway, here's a longish chapter with lots of Peeta/Katniss to make up for it, hopefully…
Oh yeah, I wanna know what your favorite chapter and least favorite too, is so far. It helps me write, knowing what you guys want to read!
KATNISS POV
Peeta and I go upstairs, and we go into my room. I think back to how my mom used to be uncomfortable of the idea of me and Peeta in a bed, and at least she won't be here to complain. Not that she would've cared, her being depressed and all.
Peeta sits onto my bed and takes off his shoes. As he does this, he says, "Um, Katniss? Can I ask you something?"
I'm confused, but answer him. "Sure."
He moves his shoes aside, and looks up at me. "Please don't be offended by this, but…why did you invite James over? You usually don't trust people so quickly."
What he said angers me at first, because I know he's right. I open my mouth in shock, and then close it. I'm not even sure why I was so laid back with James. Peeta is looking at me expectantly, waiting for an answer.
Still standing up, I say, "I'm not really sure. Maybe…maybe he reminds me of someone."
"Is it Finnick?"
"Yes, but I mean, he reminds me of a friend. James is just nice, and I feel like there isn't any drama with him. I don't have to worry about letting him down, or always worry about his mental state or something." Oops. I didn't mean to say all that.
I can tell by Peeta's face that he knows I'm talking about him. He doesn't seem mad, though. Just a little sad, maybe. He gives me a sad smile, and says, "I'm sorry. I was just…curious." The way he said that, a little shaky, makes me wonder if it's true or not.
I realize with a sad feeling that if he still loved me, he could have been jealous. Maybe he was jealous, but probably not the way I want him to be. I decide to test this. With a smile, I sit next to Peeta on the bed. I nudge him with my elbow. "You were jealous, weren't you?"
Peeta's eyes widen slightly, but then he remains calm. I can still see the blush on his cheeks though. I continue. "But those feelings are long gone, huh?" I try to keep my tone light, but I heard my voice crack. I wince, hoping he didn't notice.
Peeta looks at me seriously, nothing playful shown on his face at all. "Katniss," he says softly. I feel heat rise up my cheeks as he takes my hand. He kisses my cheek, and looks at me. "Don't say that," he says.
I nod, then abruptly stand up. "I'm going to go take a shower." I need time to think this over. I leave Peeta sitting on the bed and enter the bathroom, adjacent to my room.
As I wash up, I think back to what Peeta said. Don't say that, he said. What does that mean? Does he still have feelings for me? Maybe he was jealous. He did blush, right? Yes, he did.
When I step out of the shower, I realize I forgot to get a change of clothes. All I have is my underclothes. I put those on, then decide I'm going to have to get my clothes. Why am I so nervous? Peeta has seen me in underclothes before, back in the Quarter Quell. But then again, I wasn't in only a bra and underwear. Let alone, my fancy Capital underwear that is my only clean pair left.
I go up to the door. "Peeta? Are you in there?" I listen for a noise, but here nothing. He probably left to use the other bathroom or something. I decide to peek out, and I poke my head out of the door.
No one's in the room. So, in my lingerie, I quickly walk over to my dresser on the other side of the room. I'm searching the drawer for my night shorts and t-shirt when I hear a gasp. I spin around seeing Peeta. His face is as red as a beet, and I'm pretty sure mine looks the same.
We're both frozen in shock, and Peeta is the first to say something. "I-I-went-to-use-the other-bathroom." Usually so good with words, it surprises me how Peeta is stuttering.
"It-it's okay," I say. "Just turn around, please." He turns, sneaking a quick peek at my body as he does, I might add, and I turn back around to look for my clothes. I find a light orange shirt, and white shorts, and quickly slip them on. I turn back around. "Okay, coast is clear."
Peeta turns back around, and says "Sorry, I didn't know." His face is still red.
"Peeta, it's my fault. I forgot to take my clothes." I smile nervously, hoping to lighten the awkward mood.
"Well," Peeta says, looking anywhere but me, scratching the back of his neck, "If you don't mind me saying, it was a nice view." He said it softly, but I still heard him.
I shove Peeta, laughing, saying, "Yeah, right. I'm not…" I pause.
He looks at me."You're not what?"
I sigh, "I'm not…desirable." I whisper. If Peeta really thought I looked good in my lingerie for real, I would feel slightly flattered. I know, I know, I have problems.
PEETA POV
Not desirable? Katniss thinks she's not desirable? Are you kidding me? She's the most beautiful, sexiest (yes, I said it), brilliant, strongest, determined, smart, intuitive, talented, resourceful, desirable person I know. She always will be. Like I said, nothing will ever, ever change that. In fact, I'm still fighting for her. I probably always will be, unless she comes around.
I laugh. Katniss looks offended. "Katniss, you are desirable. And I'm not just saying that. You need to have more confidence. You're beautiful, brilliant, smart, and even sexy."
She looks at me, shocked I said what I just did. She probably doesn't believe me, but I go on anyway. "Remember when told all of Panem I was in love with you? And I said that lots of guys liked you, too? Well, it was true. Despite what you may think, lots of guys at school had admired you for your bravery, not to mention your looks. But, of course, you weren't really that easy to approach." I smile at Katniss' scowl. "I'm pretty sure James will fall for you soon, unless he's already done so." I added that last part grudgingly.
Katniss looks slightly disbelieving, but I can see some joy in her face. She probably hasn't been told this often. Katniss crosses her arms and says, "You really think that about me?"
"I really do. Call me crazy, but I do." I shrug, and get into the bed, yawning. She climbs in next to me, not touching me. I take her in my arms anyway, and take off the lamp. I hear Katniss sigh contentedly, and snuggle closer to me. My arms tighten around her thin body. Holding her reminds me of what I saw earlier, Katniss in her underwear.
I flush, remembering how she looked. I didn't even know Katniss had curves like that.
Oh, great. Stupid seventeen-year-old boy hormones. I sigh, reminding myself that Katniss wouldn't approve of my negative thoughts. Control yourself, I think to myself. Katniss is too pure, anyway. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's actually kind of attractive.
Katniss falls asleep first, and I follow suit soon after.
Not too long after, I feel Katniss shaking in my arms. I wake up immediately. Katniss is sweating and she turns onto her back. She's trembling, mumbling, "No, not him. Take me instead. Please, not Peeta."
I freeze, hearing my name. Is she dreaming about me? It doesn't sound too good, though. I shake Katniss.
"Wake up, Katniss! It's just a bad dream. A nightmare. Wake up!" She bolts up, head butting me, then falls back onto the pillow, both of us rubbing our heads.
"Are you okay?" I ask. She nods, looking at me. She looks relieved for some reason. Probably from waking up from that nightmare. "It was just a nightmare."
Katniss just keeps staring at me, so I lie back down next to her, and hold her again. She's still unstable. She turns around to look at me, with my arms around her waist. "Do you want to talk about it?" I ask.
She shakes her head, and before I know what's happening, her hand strokes my face. Instinctively, I pull her closer. Before I realize what's happening, both of us are leaning in.
Our lips touch, sending a bolt of electricity straight through me. All I feel is Katniss, kissing my lips, burying her hands in my hair. I pull her as close I can get her, both of us pressed against each other. The way Katniss is kissing me is something I have only experienced maybe twice before. It's so full of love and passion, her letting out all her stress and me doing the same. I stroke Katniss' hair, her beautiful, silky, dark brown hair.
My fingers move down her back and I feel the strap of her bra. Katniss seems too into the kiss to notice. I move my hand down, knowing this is not the time for that. Katniss would probably punch me if I tried anything. It takes every ounce of my strength to not roll on top of her.
Soon, our kiss deepens. Both mouths open, slow and passionate. I feel like I'm about to burst.
I can't take it anymore, I need to tell her. Or maybe I should ask. She seems like she's enjoying our kiss as much as I am, so it must mean something. No friends share such a heavy, passionate kiss like this. Even messed up ones, like us.
I break our kiss, breathing hard. Katniss is trying to catch her breath too. Our arms are still wrapped around each other, tight. I rest my forehead against Katniss' and look in her gray eyes.
"You love me, real or not real?"
Without hesitation, Katniss replies, "Real." I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding until now.
"Really?" I can't help but ask. I need to make sure.
"I always have, Peeta."
"Really?" That seems like all I can say right now.
"Yes, I realize that now. I think I've always had feelings for you, but I was just too weak to admit it." She smiles ruefully. "If I had known, I could've saved everyone a lot of trouble."
"True, but the world wouldn't be what it is today…" I trail off because Katniss is stroking my face again. I feel my cheeks heat up and Katniss laughs.
Wanting to kiss her so badly, I say, "Now, where were we?"
Katniss giggles. She giggles. Wow. "I think we were right about here." She presses her lips to mine once again, and we become lost in each other's embrace.
Yay! They love each other. Don't worry this is not the last chapter. James is still to be deal with, and not to mention, I don't want to end where Suzanne Collins ended, cuz it's unoriginal. So tell me what you think! Pretty pretty pweese!
Tell me which chapter you liked the best, and or worst so far, too.