Finding the Missing Piece: Book 3

Chapter Thirty-Six

Katniss POV- (2pm)

"Katniss, you don't look too well. Why don't you sit down?" Peeta looks up from his baking, a line of sweat on his brow.

I shake my head, though the pain is unbearable, "I'm okay." I say, standing up a little taller.

Peeta frowns and walks over to me, putting his steady hand in the nook of my back, "Katniss, are you sure it's just that?"

I nod and close my eye as a sharp pain jolts down my lower back and I hunch over in pain.

The pain is terrible.

"Katniss, please? Sweetheart, you need to go home. I don't want to hear it. Let me take you home." Peeta urges.

I shrug, "Fine. You're sure it won't cause any problems between you two?"

He looks over at the empty tables of the bakery, "No, I think we are fine. I hope we are."

I nod and he pats my back once as if to say 'Hang in there' and takes his flour covered apron off. He gives me a pitied look, "I'll go tell her but I will probably have to come back up here after." He sighs.

I nod my head, just ready to be in the comfort of our home.

I follow Peeta out into the front where his mother helps a customer.

The lady leaves with her goods and Peeta's mom turns to us, "What are you doing?" She shoots.

Peeta takes a deep breath, "Well, Katniss doesn't feel so good today so I was gonna see if you would let me take her home?"

Her eyebrows raise, "You mean to tell me that she's been sick and you've had her up here all day?" She says sharply.

I shrug and Peeta gives me a look.

I step up, "I'm not really sick in that way. I think I have a kidney infection, I am not sure." I lie, part of it is true though.

I think I may have a kidney infection on top of my period which would explain the excruciating pain but I haven't told Peeta my theory.

He'd worry too much and make me see a doctor and I'm not about to see a doctor until my period is over.

Peeta's mother rises from her seat, "Go home but that boy better be back up in no less than twenty minutes." She speaks sternly.

I hold back a look of hatred and look to Peeta who nods his head, I know that he is nervous.

"Well, get out of here." She says, shooing us away.

"Thank you, Mrs. Mellark." I say in a sugar sweet voice, hoping to butter her up just a little bit before Peeta has to deal with her the rest of the day.

We get into the car and Peeta turns to me, "Ugh, I can't stand her."

I don't say anything back though. I just sit back and hold my breath as pain wracks through my abdomen. We get home and Peeta makes me take some more medicine. Then lays next to me in bed since he still has about ten minutes until his mother wants him back. We lay face to face in the bed and he holds my hand tightly, "Maybe you need to go to the doctor? You've never had pain this bad from that, have you?"

"No, I'll be fine. I think I just need to drink more water. I wasn't lying when I said I thought I had a kidney infection."

Peeta's eyebrows raise, "So, you think that's what's causing this?" He asks me softly.

"That on top of my girl problems." I laugh a little.

Peeta gives me a half smile, but it's barely noticeable.