I am about to introduce Peeta to my room once I realize that it is a mess in there, as it has been my temporary home for the past few months. I settle on leading him to the guest room, instead of keeping me company in my own bed. He frowns at the sight of sleeping alone, but not enough for him to want me to change my mind. He turns around and smiles at me. I smile back, not sure of what else to do. Things are still awkward between us, instead of being forced together, it's as if we do want to be together.
I turn down the soft linen sheets and watch Peeta hop into bed. I smirk and turn off the lights. "Night Peeta."
"Good night Katniss." he replies. I close the door behind me and begin toward my own bedroom. I turn down my sheets, turn off the lights, and tell myself that tomorrow will be a new day.
I am awoken by my own screaming and shaking. The night terror was about losing Peeta, and there was nothing in my power that would save him. I am still screaming when there are foot steps carrying down the hall. Not delicate footsteps, but the footsteps that Peeta took in the first games. Loud and clumsy.
He comes in with a frightened look on his face. "It was just a dream, I'm sorry." I say.
"It's okay, I get them too." He must have had one tonight because the bags under his eyes that are red and puffy suggest he has. He must cry soundlessly. I wish I had been there to comfort him. He locks eye-contact with me to check that I am okay. He then starts out the room. I blurt out, "Peeta, will you stay with me." He nods after these words and climbs under the covers. He swoops me under his arm and holds me close. Just like in the first games.
He brings his hands under my neck and he softly kisses me. The last time his hands were on my neck, he was choking me. When he was choking me, all I could think about was, 'Where is the boy who sat on the beach, put his hands around my neck, and kissed me?'
He keeps a firm grip around me for the rest of the night. When the sun rises from the window behind me, he is gone. I begin to panic, "Peeta?!"
