New chapter is heeere! This chapter is part filler and part actual story. enjoy
'Cato found out I met you last night. He said we are moving in 3 weeks,' she writes. I grab her into a hug and rest my chin on the top of her head.
"Katniss, come with me," I take her hand a lead her out of the school. She tugs on my arms, 'Where. Are. You. Taking. Me?' She signs slowly for me.
"To the hospital and police, Cato is going to jail. My father is looking into it," I tell her. She signs fast, very fast and obviously angry at me.
"Slow down," I ask her.
'I don't. Need. Your help!' She sums it up.
"Yes you do! You can't hide away forever and just deal with the pain. At least let me take you to a doctor. And then if you want to ignore me and every other person who wants to help you for the rest of your life, you can!" I say, my voice rising as I talk. She glares at me and actually moves her mouth like she wants to say things.
'Leave me alone. Forever.' She storms off. I want to yell for her to come back and just give in but I can't seem to find the courage or words talk.
It's been a while since I've talked to Katniss and she won't even look at me in school. And this doesn't work out to well because we are project partners in science as of yesterday. So she will have to be near me. I wait by her lockers in anticipation. She rolls her eyes at me when she comes up. She waves her hand in the other direction, wanting me to leave.
"No. You need to talk to me, partner," I say. She hands me a note, 'I'm coming to your house after school. Your father asked for me in the terms of official business.' Hope.
"Then can we start the genealogy project?" I ask. She shrugs her shoulders in a maybe way and leaves.
(Katniss' POV)
I take a deep breath and walk to the front door of the justice building. I still have my book bag on, hoping to work with Peeta. I hand the official my letter from the office of mayor Mellark, 'Katniss Everdeen. Asked to be seen by Mayor Mellark'. They exchange looks, "What you can't talk?" I shake my head. They let me in but not before searching my bag.
"What's this?" They say holding my anxiety pill bottle out in front of me, the only things that keep me sane.
'Anxiety Pills,' I write. The nod and hand me my bag. I follow his directions to the mayor office and I knock.
"Come in," he calls. I enter and find a Peeta's father sitting with a man standing next to me.
"Sit Katniss, this is an interpreter so you can sign and not have to write all the time," he explains. I smile. His father's office isn't like the rest of the home. It's colder and more official.
"Alright so you live with Mr. Cato Hadley right? Tell me how you got associated with Cato?" He asks.
'Yes. I was sent away with him when I was 8, from district 4. My parents said that I would be better away from the jokes and laughing that the others in 4 made about me not being able to talk. But I knew it was to pay off debt of theirs,' I sign in my normal speed that would be fast for others. I listen to the interpreter translate my words.
"Alright, so you are in the knowledge of you staying Mr. Hadley that your family is being slowly dug out if debt. So I had some I my lawyers look into a contract and well he should explain it better," he smiles. Peeta appears out of nowhere. "Katniss, you can be moved into foster care, Cato will be tried for abuse and your family will stay out of prison. Your family's debt was paid off 2 years ago," He says.
"What?" The interpreter says for me.
"You will be safe from Cato and so will you mother and father," he explains again.
"Sir, how did you find out about my situation?" I 'say'.
"Peeta told me." Without thinking I jump up and wrap my arms Peeta. I open my mouth wanting to yell thank you but I can't. I'm mute. Then I hear a squeak that sounds like a 'thank you'. I back away and smile. Peeta's face is full of light, "Katniss. Did you hear yourself? You just said thank you to me!" I touch my hands to my throbbing throat. 'Really?' I sign. He nods. I can't talk; I was told my voice box was never developed. I smile, 'Are you sure?'
"Yes. It was weak but you talked. You have a nice voice," he says blushing. I blush as well.
"Katniss, Cato is being detained as we speak and you will have to testify at the trial in about a month," Mr. Mayor says interrupting my happiness. I nod slowly.
"Dad could me and Katniss go work on our project?" Peeta begs. His father nods and we race up. Back in his room I sit on his bed and clap my hands and he looks over.
"Just because is squeaked something doesn't mean I can talk. I've been able to make tiny noises but my throat kills afterwards," I show him. I pat the place next me and he sits. I scoot closer to him. I feel his fingers on top of mine, this is my chance. I lean in a kiss him. My hand cups the back of his neck. He catches on and his hands sit just above my hips. Our mouths move at the same rhythm and for once I feel connected to him somehow. When we move apart for air he speaks, "For someone who can't talk you are pretty good with your mouth."
'I L-O-V-E you, Peeta,' I sign. He stares at me. Oh no. What have I done?! He copies my motions but replaces my name with his. The night passes and I don't have to rush home to avoid a beating. Paper fights, smiling and yes kissing occur many times. I've never really kissed a guy before but with Peeta's lips on mine, I feel safe. I am invited to stay until the next morning with the price of going to the hospital tomorrow as well. I agree. Attendants bring me my belongings from the old house to me in the room in using. It's grand. But I strangely miss Cato, his grip around my waist as we slept in the only bed together. When I was still a child the grip was comforting to me but as I grew and wanted my freedom and understood why he was my guardian the grip was less comforting and more of a threat. He would always tell me that he could snap my bones in on move and that showed me. Cato wasn't as horrible as everyone thinks. He became fluent in sign-language and could follow my pace and even sign back. He was my friend for countless years when he kept me home when I was young. I might have set him out to be a villain but he always wasn't. A knock at the door interrupts my thought. Peeta enters, "Hi Katniss. My father found a home for you. We are taking you in a week. You'll stay here until then." I smile.
'I think it's time you learned some more sign-language,' I write.
"Alright," he says blushing. He learns fast.
"Katniss, would you ever be open to going out with me?" He asks later. I nod, 'I would love to go out with you,' I sign slowly. He smiles and kisses my cheek as he gets up. "See you tomorrow at 11." He shuts the door behind him. I settle into bed and fall asleep.
Next chapter begins the smut! very basic but soething to look forward too! Thank you all for the reviews, follows and favorites! luv ya guys!