Afraid // Sequel to Always

Chapter 6

"I'm gonna be a big brother!" Blu shouted, jumping into my arms. I lifted him up and smiled.

"You excited?" I asked, even though anyone could tell from the smile on his face he was over the moon.

"Yeah! I hope he's just like me!" Blu answered, giving me a tight hug. Annie let out a laugh.

"I don't know about that." She said, exchanging a smile with Finnick.

"We could like go and dwink soft drink and eat wollies." Blu exclaimed, staring into the sky with those magical blue eyes.

"Blue, babies can't drink soft drink or eat lollies. And you can't much either." Annie shook her head, smiling.

"Yeah, and besides, you'd have to invite me first!" Finnick spoke, grinning. Blu giggled and Annie glared at Finnick.

"Don't listen to silly daddy." Annie walked over to Finnick and put an arm around his back.

"More like awesome." Finnick replied before giving Annie a small kiss.

Blu turned to me and stuck out his tongue as if to say 'that's gross'. I nodded in agreement before laughing.

"Alright, let's get home Blu." Annie said, clapping her hands together.

Blu wrapped his arms around me once more and I held him tight, wanting him to stay. He could always cheer me up, but as soon as he left I felt so lonely again. I kissed his forehead.

"Love you, Blu boy." I said, lowering him to the floor.

"Wuv you too Incle Peeta!" He yelled, giving my leg a hug then walking over to Annie.

"See you Peeta," she smiled, I gave her a wave, "I'll see you at home Finnick?"

Finnick nodded and Annie took hold of Blu's hand.

"Finnick, you can go home now, I don't mind." I shrugged.

"No, it's boring over there. let's watch some televison or something." Finnick replied, trying to walk to the lounge room, but I put a hand on his shoulder, stopping him.

"Go home, Finnick." I said seriously, not harsh and not sadly, just stern and powerful.

It seemed to surprise him, as he didn't make any sudden movements.

"Okay." He nodded. I was pleasantly surprised it worked. He gave me a small, thoughful smile, almost as if he could see my recovery happening right before his eyes, then he gives me a quick hug and jogs outside.

I waited around for a bit, unsure of what to do. It seemed empy, too empty. Maybe it was seeing Blu that put a lot of comfort into this home, now it was all gone.

I finally picked up the phone and dialed Delly's number, unsure of what I was going to ask. The phone kept ringing until she finally picked up.

"Hello?" She said in that sing-song voice.

"Hey Delly, it's Peeta." I said.

"Peeta! How are you?" She asked.

"I'm okay, and you?"

"I'm really good thanks. What is it you need?" Delly asked. She always talked really quickly, explaining everything so fast it would confuse me. Maybe I just couldn't keep up with her, like Katniss couldn't keep up with anyone. The world was sprinting around her and she chose to stay in slow-motion.

"Actually, Delly, I was wondering if you want to hang out." I said, feeling brave.

"Why, that sounds great Peeta, when?"

"Now?" I questioned, unsure how meeting-ups even worked anymore. I hadn't got out for so long, this felt alien.

"Um...okay, sure, I suppose that will work." Delly hesitated, sounding slightly surprised.

"I'll be over in ten minutes." She said. I hung up quickly, feeling nervous. What do I do? What can I do? I look at my own reflection that scares me some days. The blonde curls are tangled and my face is dark, the bags under my eyes and the frown stuck to my face. I try my best to neaten up, but only succeed in more exhaustion. I fall back onto the couch and close my eyes for a moment, even though I'm slightly afraid of the dark these days.

The doorbell rings quickly and soon I am at the door, opening it and seeing Delly there, fresh and bright.

"Peeta!" She exclaimed, giving me a hug. I didn't know whether to accept it or not, they were unfamiliar arms. Although I knew I could be stronger, the feeling of some stranger touching me makes me uncomfortable, perhaps I'm more fragile. Delly is no stranger, though.

"Hello." I said, gesturing for her to come inside. Even though the way we parted last was a bit rocky, Delly acts like it never happened. We talk for a while, about things we hadn't even thought about for years. After about an hour of talking, I open up her about Katniss. She listens attentively and doesn't interrupt, that's what gives me the strength to keep talking. When I am done, she shakes her head in amazement.

"Peeta, you're so strong and brave to have come this far. Looking at you now, I notice you're recovering. Katniss would have been so proud, in fact, I know she is right now. Don't even think of beating yourself up for her death, because in the end you are two people in love, and people in love never blame each other for anything. Especially when it's not even their fault." Delly assured me. She always knew the right thing to say. For the next couple hours we told stories about what we were doing. I hadn't even heard from Delly ever since we were kids, and she had a lot of news to tell me about her life.

"My husband, Kurt, got a job in District 11, so now he is gone quite a bit. Luckily, he didn't get the job in 2, that would have been too far for us. And our daughter, Rose, turned two a week ago. I can't believe it." She talked on. I listened and laughed and frowned along with her, and the whole time I didn't feel lonely, I felt comfortable and open with how I was really feeling. It was a whole new sense of life, it felt...normal.

By the end of the day, she had to get home. She made me some soup for dinner before heading off. I gave her a hug.

"Thank you so much Delly." I said into her shoulder.

"Anytime Peeta, just know Katniss is with you, always." Delly nodded.

I smiled and she walked out, getting into her car and driving away. I looked around the room and thought about what Delly said. Katniss is with me, always. And for the first time, I believe that. Katniss is here with me.

Always.

***

Thank you so much for reading! I'm sorry I took so long to update.

There will most likely be mistakes in this, considering I copied it from my phone.

This is kind of a filter chapter, to give you a bit of an idea. I hope you liked it.

Updating ASAP xx