~Sketching Out Our Love~
~Chapter 8~
Hi everyone!
I've been thinking about my update schedule, and I realize that a week is too long to wait for a new chapter. I feel so bad, but I can't update every three days either. So, I've come up with a solution that I think everyone will agree on (I hope, at least.)
So, my solution is this: If you leave a review, I will PM you a preview of the next chapter to tide you over until I update. The preview will be about 300-500 words, depending on where I decide to cut it, and you'll get it the day you review. Sounds good, everyone? :)
I like this idea because it allows me to respond to all your reviews and thank you one by one, or answer any questions. It really means a lot to me that you review.
As always, a huge thank you to my wonderful beta, choclate love! She is simply amazing, making the story practically error-free and sorting through my mess. :)
Ok, that's all for now! If I remember something else, I'll put it at the end. :)
Enjoy!
*Katniss POV*
I had come to the conclusion that I hate New York, or more particularly, New York weather.
It was freezing compared to California, and I found myself yearning for long sunny days spent at the beach. All week, the weather had been in the fifties, and I was miserable. Not only was it cold, but it was also cloudy, and occasionally rainy.
When I awoke to the sixth straight day of clouds and artic cold winds, I moaned in misery. I knew that to most people it wasn't cold right now, but I was wearing two jackets and jeans. My classmates still walked around in short sleeves or a light jacket, but I couldn't fathom how they did it. Just yesterday, Clove had shown up to school in a tank top and jeans.
For all I knew, I could be in Antarctica right now.
The fact that it was Wednesday only added to my miserable mood. Wednesday meant visits with Cinna after school, and that meant that I would have to talk. Wednesday also meant halfway through the week, and the way that the beginning of the week had been going, I didn't have much hope for the rest of the week.
I made my way to the kitchen to find Mother already awake, which was surprising. Usually, she was still in bed when I went to school. I didn't know what to make of this, so I went about my normal morning schedule as if she wasn't even there.
I silently prepared a bowl of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal while Mother sipped coffee from a steaming pink mug. I considered eating while standing, but I ended up pulling the chair opposite Mother and sitting mutely. I ate my meal in hurried silence, and didn't glance Mother's way.
Just as I was standing up, Mother looked up and smiled very slightly. It couldn't even be called smiling, more like a ghost of a smile.
"Katniss, sit down." I jumped a little at her voice out of surprise. It had been so long since I'd heard Mother talk that her voice sounded foreign to me now.
She motioned for me to take a seat as I continued to stare at her in confusion. I did sit down after a second, but looked at her warily. I pursued my lips together tightly, and waited for her to say something. After an awkward silence, it became obvious that I wouldn't speak first, so Mother took the incentive.
"I know I haven't been there for you very much." Mother began hesitantly, fiddling with her pink coffee mug.
Now that's the understatement of the year.
"Really? I didn't notice." I replied caustically, making no effort to hide my sarcasm.
"But I am your mother. I'm going try to make up for the past." She continued. "I can't change the past, but I'm going to try to learn from it."
"Do you think it's that easy?" I hissed as anger bubbled inside me. "Do you think an apology will fix all your wrongs?"
"No, but I want us to start over." Mother said gently. "That's why we came here to New York in the first place."
"You left me to starve." I furiously whispered. "I would've starved if Gale and his family didn't check in on me and make sure I had food to eat!"
"Forgive me." She begged. "I wasn't right after your father's death! There was nothing I could do."
"Excuses." I croaked. "I didn't give up when Gale died."
I omitted the parts about wishing Gale was still alive, the homesickness, and the confusion with Peeta. When you thought about it, I was as messed up as Mother. But of course my pride wouldn't let me utter those thoughts out loud and admit it.
"Everyone deals with loss differently."
I glared at her silently, willing the tears to not spill. I wouldn't let her see how hurt I am. When Father died, and my mother wasted away in front of my very eyes, I had almost lost all hope. Almost, but not completely. Gale had literally saved my life in every sense of the word.
"You're like your father. You were always so strong." Mother mused. "He'd be proud of you."
That last statement did it. Mother didn't know what Father would think because he was dead. I didn't want to hear her try to figure out my father's nonexistent thoughts.
I whipped on my heel and stormed out of the house, ignoring the sound of her tears as she wept. I was tempted to release my own tears, but I held them in. I was stronger than Mother.
Not two minutes after I began walking to school, it began to lightly drizzle rain. It started out slow, but by the time I had reached school, it was flat-out raining and I was soaked to the bone. My teeth chattered as I wrung the end of my braid out, and wiped the water off my face.
I could now add two other reasons to the long list of why today would be a horrible day.
I've been sitting with Annie at lunch since the day Peeta had introduced us. When Peeta had broken up with Glimmer, he also began sitting by us. It was mostly a quiet affair, just the way I liked it. Annie didn't pry, nor did she nag me to gossip with her. Peeta, of course, was Peeta, so it was a little louder than I wanted.
Still, it was a thankful change from Glimmer and her drama. Glimmer was firmly avoiding Peeta and me, but we did get the occasional glare or smirk from her. Peeta was still serving detentions after school, and he wouldn't be done until next week. I felt bad every single time he went to serve the detention time after school. Mostly because I felt like all of this was my fault. If I hadn't shown up, then Peeta would still be happy with Glimmer.
No, Katniss. Peeta wasn't happy with Glimmer. He said he's hated her for ages.
The thought that Peeta didn't like Glimmer as much as he had let on made me strangely happy. I had tried to figure out why this was so, and came up with the idea that maybe I liked Peeta more than I let on.
But I wouldn't let myself think like that. I had no room for love in my life.
Falling for a boy was a completely new experience for me. I was so scared of what would end up happening that I was trying to stall the inevitable in any way possible. But even I knew that I couldn't avoid my feelings for Peeta forever.
"Katniss, did you hear me?" Peeta waved a hand in front of my face, and I blushed as I realized he had been talking to me.
"Where were you?" He teased lightly. His hair was more unruly than usual today, and that was saying something, because Peeta's hair was always messy. The urge to reach out and try to tame the locks was almost irresistible.
I shook my head to clear my thoughts. . "Just thinking." I replied. It wasn't a lie, I had been thinking, just not about what he assumed.
"About?" Peeta pressed on, his voice thicker than usual because of the hamburger he had stuffed in his mouth. I couldn't help but roll my eyes.
"Nothing." I snapped, annoyed by his persistence.
Peeta held up two cookies wrapped in clear plastic, waving it in front of my face. I understood his point in an instant.
"Are you bribing me?" I arched an eyebrow at him in disbelief.
"Yep. Now, tell me." He demanded imperiously. He raised his blonde eyebrows expectantly, and sat with his hands folded on the table, giving me his full attention.
I couldn't help but giggle at him. He looked so amusing when he was being focused.
"What, you think this is funny?" Peeta glared at me, but I could see a smile tugging at his lips.
"I have faster reflexes." I stretched for the cookies, but Peeta slipped them out of my way easily.
"I didn't spend four years on the football team for nothing, Sweetheart."
I bristled at the affectionate term, and it was Peeta's turn to laugh at me. I felt my annoyance with him dissolve into thin air. As hard as I tried to stay mad at Peeta, it was impossible. Not with the way he brought me cookies.
I used the fact that Peeta was distracted to my advantage. Without him even realizing it, I had slipped the cookies towards me. I quickly unwrapped the plastic and bit into the first one. Chocolate chip, yum.
I had eaten half of the first cookie before Peeta even realized the cookies were gone. He looked up at me in mock anger, and I felt myself laughing.
Only Peeta could make me laugh when I was feeling this shitty. The thought was completely appalling.
"Try to get them!" I challenged Peeta as I stuffed the last part of the cookie in my mouth and leaped off the bench. Annie stared at me in amusement as I ran out of the cafeteria with Peeta on my heels.
Peeta caught up with me and trapped me up against a row of lockers. "Got you." He whispered proudly as he took a bite of the second cookie that I still held in my hand.
"What are you going to do with me now that you've got me?" I asked as I held the cookie out of his reach.
"Keep you." His eyes sparkled with happiness, and I couldn't help but stare. My tongue felt all twisted up in knots. The proximity of his eyes had caught me completely off-guard.
"You have the most beautiful eyes." I murmured softly, a blush heating across my cheeks.
"They're boring." Peeta smiled and shrugged. "I'd rather have grey eyes like yours."
"No, mine are boring." I responded. "I can't believe you don't like your eyes."
"I don't like my appearance very much." He shrugged indifferently. "Blonde hair, blue eyes, it's just so typical."
"I don't think so." I whispered. "I think you are extremely handsome."
Did I just say that? I can't believe I just said that.
Peeta's eyes were absolutely glowing now. They put the most valuable of sapphires to shame. "I think you're hallucinating. You must be thinking of someone else."
"Definitely not." I took a bit of the second cookie and moaned in pleasure. "What flavor is this?" I asked curiously.
"Snickerdoodles." Peeta replied with a grin, his cheeks reddening. "Do you like them?"
"I've always loved your cookies and breads." I rolled my eyes at his lack of confidence.
"So, do you think we should start selling them at the bakery?" He smiled. "You're the first to try this recipe."
"Of course! I'd buy a dozen from you every day!" I exclaimed, licking the crumbs off my fingers to make my point.
Peeta laughed, and my heart lifted at the sound. I loved the sound of his laugh. Come to think of it, I couldn't come up with one thing I didn't like about Peeta.
Maybe I don't like the fact that he was so hard to hate.
"Let's get out of here." Peeta smiled, and I stared at him, not understanding. It took me a second to realize what he meant, and I was shocked. Peeta didn't seem like the type of person who would ditch.
"Like, ditching?" I asked incredulously.
"Yes." Peeta rolled his eyes at my shock. "Do you really want to stay here for three more hours?"
"Well, when you put it that way…" I grinned. "Let's go!"
"Let's sign out first though." Peeta whispered. "I still have detentions, and I don't want more."
"Smart." I drawled sarcastically, as we walked to the office.
"Thanks." Peeta grinned widely, and I felt my stomach do a somersault.
He has no idea the effect he has on me.
"Hi, what can I do for you?" The receptionist questioned. She had a kind heart shaped face, and I found myself liking her right away. I realized she was the same lady who was in here when Snow called us to his office, but I hadn't been paying much attention to her then because I'd been so nervous.
"Katniss isn't feeling very well today." Peeta explained. "I need to take her home, because I don't want her walking home in this rain."
"Of course, dear." The woman's facial features softened and I caught her staring at me. I pretended to put on a wince and clutch at my stomach. "Just sign here."
Peeta took the pen from her and signed quickly, and handed it to me. I neatly wrote my name in the blank, and gave the pen back.
"Look." Peeta pulled his jacket on as we walked outside. It was still raining, but not as hard as earlier. "That's how you do it."
"Fine, Mr. Know-It-All." I tried to keep my face stern, but I failed and cracked a smile. "Where are we going?"
"A date." He ran a hand through his tousled blonde locks in an unsuccessful attempt to smooth them out. He looked so nonchalant that I was tempted to slap him.
I choked on all the insults I was planning to throw his way. "What?" I croaked out in between coughs as I glared at him. "Who do you think you are?"
"Just get in." Peeta rolled his eyes. "You can complain afterwards."
"No, I won't." I crossed my arms over my chest and planted my feet solidly on the ground.
Peeta glanced at me with amusement and crossed the few feet between us. Before I knew what was happening, Peeta had slung me over one shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
"Damn you, Peeta Mellark!" I screeched from my upside-down vantage point. "Put me down this instant!"
Peeta only chuckled and walked faster. He carried me like I weighed fifty pounds and not a hundred plus. I pounded his chest and tried to wriggle out of his arms, but all that accomplished was to make me realize how muscular Peeta really was. I doubted I could wrap both my hands around his biceps.
Peeta dumped me in the passenger seat, and turned to the driver's side. I tried to open the door and make my escape, but he had locked it from the outside, and I was stuck.
"Take me back to school." I demanded curtly once he was in the car.
"Not happening." Peeta reversed out of the parking spot, and I caught a look of pride in his face.
"I'd rather be at school than be on a date with you!" I yelled angrily. I didn't mean a single word of that, and Peeta seemed to know. I officially hated him.
Peeta only laughed harder, and his ringing laughter suddenly made me furious. "What are you laughing at? This isn't funny!"
"You're going on a date with me, Sweetheart." Peeta slowed down and stopped for a red light. "After we're done you can tell me you didn't like it."
I glared at him. Peeta knew that after the date, there wouldn't be any fight left in me. I would want another date afterwards, just like how I wanted another kiss. But I was just too stubborn to admit that I did like him.
"You're too stubborn." Peeta sighed as he turned into the freeway and sped up to match the speed limit.
Could this idiot seriously read my mind?
Peeta grinned at the flabbergasted look on my face. "Did I just read your mind? Is that why you're mad?"
Yes, he can seriously read my mind.
"No. I'm mad because you had the nerve to take me on a surprise date." It wasn't a lie, because I really mad at him for that. It was more like a partial lie.
"Liar." Peeta chuckled. "Now, what type of food do you like?"
"Cookies." I replied before I could stop myself. When I realized I had backed down and talked to Peeta, I inwardly slapped myself.
"One for Peeta, zero for Katniss." Peeta muttered proudly. I crossed my hands over my chest and huffed angrily.
"Shut up." I glared at me with as much venom as I could muster up.
"If looks could kill." Peeta sighed, and shook his head slowly. I caught a trace of a small smile on his lips.
Did he ever stop smiling?
"You have absolutely no idea." I muttered under my breath.
"Scary." Peeta shivered in mock fear, and I rolled my eyes.
He is officially an idiot, and I decide to tell him. "Peeta?" I question.
"Yeah?" He makes a left turn to wherever the hell we are going. I have absolutely no idea where we are, so I am completely trusting Peeta right now.
Wait, I trust him? Now things seem so much more complicated than they had been just a second ago. I think I might be having a minor panic-attack.
"Katniss?" Peeta inquired as the silence stretched on I didn't respond. I jumped out of my trance, and Peeta stared at me strangely. "Cat got your tongue?"
I gasped at his choice of words. This was a phrase that Gale and I had always joked around with, and of all the things he could've said, he chose that.
It was as if Gale had been in the car speaking the words, not Peeta. I felt like I had been transported to a different time and place, and a feeling of déjà vu overtook me. My heart got that broken, empty feeling that I now associated with remembrances of Gale, and I couldn't stop the flow of memories. The tears pooled in my eyes when I remember how Gale's deep voice would rasp at the end of the question, and the last time he had uttered this phrase was burned in the back of my mind forever.
"Katniss." Gale paused to get a lungful of air.
"Gale, quiet." I had whispered, leaning over and stroking his cheek. I rested a finger to his lips, and I felt him kiss it softly. The effort it had taken him to speak and been scaring me, and I wanted him to save his breath for more important things, like staying alive.
"No." He whispered determinately. "The doctors said… I'm… dying."
He had to pause and hold the oxygen mask to his nose three separate times during this short five letter speech. I yearned to tell Gale that he wouldn't die, but Gale wasn't a fool. I knew he wouldn't believe me. I didn't even believe myself.
Instead, I held onto his thin bandaged hand like it was a lifeline. In a way, it was.
"Cat got your tongue?" He had rasped several minutes later when the silence had dragged on.
Even in that dark time, I couldn't help but laugh. Gale could always make me laugh, no matter what the situation.
I remembered whispering "I love you" to him right before the nurse came in to give him his nightly dose of medicine.
Right before his painkillers kicked in and carried him off to sleep, away from me forever, he had whispered, "I love you, Katniss."
That was the last time he was ever conscious.
"Katniss? Are you ok?" Peeta took one of his hands off the wheel to stroke my fingers. The concern in his eyes was evident, and I felt the tears flow down my face, unchecked. I made no attempt to stop my tears or try and hide them from Peeta.
"Katniss?" Peeta stared at me in shock, obviously worried at my sudden breakdown. "What's wrong?"
I felt him pull over and put the car in park. I vaguely sensed that he was pushing his seat backwards, and then I felt myself being settled in his lap. I didn't protest, or try to struggle my way out of his arms. They felt safe and reassuring and I wanted to feel safe right now.
He didn't ask any questions while I cried myself out. Peeta stroked my hair gently, and whispered soft comforting nothings in my ear. Even though I felt so terribly selfish for crying over another man in Peeta's arms, I did it. I could deal with the guilt later.
"I'm sorry." I whispered once the tears had slowed down a little. I looked down and noticed I'd ruined his shirt with my tears, and the blame flared up again. "I ruined your shirt."
"I don't care about the shirt." Peeta readjusted me so that I was forced to look up at him. "Will you tell me something, though?"
"Anything." I replied, putting as much honesty as I could in the word. He deserved the truth from me after all the time I'd spent hiding from him.
"Why are you crying?"
I took a deep breath. I wasn't ready to have this conversation, so I simply said, "Can you take me home please?"
"Why? Did I do something wrong?" Peeta questioned, his brow wrinkled in confusion. I couldn't help but reach out and smooth his creased forehead. He caught my hand and squeezed it tightly with my own.
"I don't feel well. You told the receptionist I feel sick, and I do feel sick." The tears started flowing again, but because I was afraid he'd get angry, not because of Gale.
"Why are you avoiding me?" Peeta looked at me steadily. He didn't look angry, but more like he wanted to understand my fluctuating emotions.
"I'm not avoiding you!" I buried my face in his shirt, so he wouldn't see my distraught expression.
"Yes, you are." Peeta responded calmly. I didn't understand why he wasn't throwing me out of the car, though. I was being mean, cold, unreachable Katniss and he didn't deserve it.
"I just need to go home. I promise we'll talk later." I felt overwhelmed as images of Gale started to cloud my mind, but I fought to remain composed.
"Fine, I'll take you." Peeta glared at me, his face red with anger. It occurred to me that this was the first time I'd seen Peeta angry at me, and I didn't like it. I wanted to take all my hateful words back, but I didn't know how to.
He pushed me out of his lap, and into the passenger seat. I immediately felt the loss of his warmth. The selfish part of me wanted him back, but I knew that it wouldn't be right of me to ask that.
"About time. You shouldn't argue with me." I replied bluntly instead. I forced my face to be as expressionless as possible, because I didn't want Peeta to know I was hurting on the inside.
"You didn't have to come, you know." Peeta told me coldly. His blue eyes stared down at me hardly, and I missed his friendly smiles. There was nowhere else I'd rather be than in Peeta's arms, and I'd just destroyed any hope for us.
"Fine." I sighed. "I'll make sure not to bother you again."
"You do that." Peeta parked at the apartment. "Just leave now."
I didn't need to be told twice. I gathered my backpack, and pushed myself out of his car and onto the street. "Bye." I whispered, realizing the meaning behind the word. Bye.
"Katniss." Peeta took a deep breath before continuing. "Just go. I'm so confused about everything."
I felt my heart sink at his words. "Now that you see how fucked up I am, you're going to chicken out and leave me, right? I knew this would happen!"
"What the hell are you talking about?" Peeta stared at me in shock. "Katniss, you push me away, not the other way around!"
Before I could stop myself, I craned my neck through the car window and pressed my lips to his. I wanted to show him how much I needed him in my life, but I was no good with words. So I did the only other thing I could think of. He seemed to have gotten the message, so I guess I did something right.
When we broke apart, it took me a moment to catch my breath. Peeta muttered. "Now you've kissed me twice, and I haven't even kissed you yet."
"I need you in my life. You make me feel whole again." I blurted out, trying to make him understand. "I trust you, a lot. I want to return your feelings."
"I'm not leaving you." He smiled softly. "I need you too. In a way, I'm just as messed-up as you are."
"We make a great pair, don't we?" I asked shakily, a smile finding its way to my lips.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." Peeta smiled, and I found myself grinning back. "Go rest now. I'll see you later."
I blushed when I realized that Peeta was giving me another chance. He'd given me so many chances and I'd botched all of them up. "Sorry." I muttered as I extricated myself from his car and fixed my tangled braid as best as I could.
"Katniss, I love you." Peeta rolled his amazing eyes at me.
"I like you a lot." I whispered slowly as I felt my cheeks heat up. I walked away quickly, before I could change my mind and run back in the car.
I think I love him, I thought shakily. It was a terrifying thought, but I was strangely excited to love Peeta.
The moment I stepped in the apartment after Peeta had dropped me off, I realized I had an appointment with Cinna in thirty minutes. I didn't feel like going, but I managed to talk myself into it. Five minutes later, I had a hoodie on and I was walking out of the front door.
I arrived at Cinna's office ten minutes late. The receptionist was by now used to my scowls and lack of manners by now, so she just pursued her lips in a tight line and led me to Cinna's office.
"Hello, Katniss." Cinna greeted me in his usual calm manner, and I felt some of my stress from the day roll off me. "How are you today?"
I shook my head silently, and Cinna nodded. "Don't feel like talking today, Katniss?"
"No. I definitely do not feel like talking today." I replied in a steely voice.
"Why?" Cinna hastily scribbled a few notes down on his clipboard and looked up at me.
I thought of how much or how little I should tell Cinna. I didn't feel like talking, but maybe talking would relieve me. "I'm confused, Cinna."
"About?" He probed me gently.
"Peeta, and Gale." I sighed. Whenever I tried to think of Peeta and Gale simultaneously, I always ended up having a min brain aneurysm.
"What's wrong with Peeta and Gale?" Cinna asked calmly. I think he sensed that I might have a meltdown very soon, so he tried to ask me step by step.
"I miss Gale, but not like I used to at the beginning." I replied honestly. "But now, I feel like being with Peeta is still too much."
"You need time." Cinna responded patiently. "Peeta sounds like a very nice young man, and he'll wait until you are ready."
"But I want to like him, Cinna." I whispered in shame. "I'm so selfish, right?"
"No, Katniss, you aren't selfish." Cinna smiled reassuringly, and I felt my heart lift. "Have you tried telling Peeta how you feel?"
"He doesn't even know about Gale." I mumbled. "I didn't tell him, because talking about Gale is hard."
"You have to tell him." Cinna said flatly. "If you want him to trust you, you have to trust him too."
"I don't trust easily." I explained. "What if I tell Peeta about Gale, and he runs away because he sees how fucked up I am?"
I normally wouldn't cuss around an adult, but Cinna was different. Sure enough, he didn't even blink at my word choice. "If he's worth it, he won't leave."
"Are you sure?" I asked in a low whisper, not daring to believe Cinna.
"Yes, I am." Cinna replied simply. "Now, has Peeta ever told you that he loves you?"
"Yes." I replied, a faint smile making its way to my lips. "But I've never said it back- out loud, at least."
"What is your definition of love?" Cinna asked lightly, as if he was asking me about the weather.
I thought for a couple moments before answering. "When you can't imagine life without the other person."
"Why do you say that?" Cinna enquired thoughtfully, staring at me like I'd grown three heads.
"Because I can't imagine myself without Peeta." I stated. "My life is unimaginable without him."
"And Gale? Do you love him?" Cinna pushed. His eyes were hard with an emotion I couldn't quite pinpoint.
"I can imagine my life without him." I answered quietly. "I can live without him."
The words were true, but they ate at my heart. I didn't want to face the truth. Peeta already meant more to me than Gale. Losing Peeta was unconceivable.
The rest of the meeting went by quickly, and I couldn't remember much of it. But when I left, the words that stuck with me were if he's worth it, he won't leave.
I took the long way home, just so I could have some time to think and figure out what my feelings for Peeta really were. By the end of the walk, I hadn't come to any conclusion on what my feelings for him were, but I did have a plan circulating around my head.
I needed to see Gale again. I needed to visit him and have some time to think on my own.
My plan was nearly foiled when I got to the door of our apartment and saw a brown box on the ground. I picked it up cautiously and carried it to the kitchen table, where I sat and opened it.
There were a dozen cookies of every flavor and color lying neatly in the box. A note in Peeta's handwriting on top of the cookies read:
I'm sorry about today. I shouldn't have yelled at you. Please don't be mad at me. I thought you were ok by the end of our "date."
P.S. - I think I owe you some cookies. I didn't take you anywhere, after all.
Love,
Peeta.
I began to doubt whether this plan of mine was really good idea or not. It had seemed like a good idea on the way, but not anymore. When I saw how deeply Peeta cared about me, I just wanted to forget about Gale and return his feelings.
I opened the family laptop against my will and helped myself to a cookie as it loaded. Damn Peeta for being so kind. He apologized when he did absolutely nothing wrong. I should be the one apologizing. But proud, strong me didn't want to apologize, and I'd never hated myself more.
I went through the steps of booking a flight. With each click of my mouse or word I typed, I felt like I was destroying everything I held dear to me, especially Peeta. What would he think?
Thirty minutes later, I had a flight booked for two days from now, on Friday. I felt like a traitor to Peeta, because this wouldn't do our rocky relationship any good. But I needed to go see Gale before I tried to figure anything out with Peeta, that much was obvious to me. It would be good to clear my head for a while. I could only pray that Peeta would never find out.
I slipped the flight confirmation I'd printed and an old leaflet with the address of the cemetery Gale was buried at in one of my notebooks, and stuffed it in my backpack, and away from Mother's prying eyes. I'd just tell her I was sleeping over at Annie's house and tip Annie off beforehand.
I stuffed the rest of the cookies in the fridge. If Mother asked, I'd tell her I bought them from the bakery. I didn't want to eat any of them, not while my feelings were so chaotic and senseless. And those cookies reminded me of Peeta too much, and I didn't want anything that could remind me of him right now.
I let his call go to voicemail that night, and I didn't answer his text that said: Good night. Talk to me please?
So, yeah, I lied in the last chapter. I said there would be an Everlark moment in here. Well, there isn't as you can see. You'll get fluff soon, I promise.
A huge thank you to reader Hungergamesfan015. She was the inspiration for a key event in this chapter (and the next two chapters too.)
OK… so, for some reason, I didn't get very many reviews for the previous chapter! That made me really sad, because I thought it was an ok chapter! Can we do better this time?
Remember- Review=Preview.
I will definitely not see you with a new chapter this Friday. I'm super busy this weekend, so that's why I added this chapter a bit early. I don't think I can update until next Friday, August 31st. It will go by fast, I promise. And it will be a really good chapter, because I will tell you that Peeta does find out. :)
Bye for now!
Lots of love, Rita 3