Katniss POV- (September 19th, Peeta's 21st birthday. 6am)
I drag my tired ass out of bed and go down stairs to start this day that I know Peeta in fact, dreads.
I warm up the oven and start making Peeta his birthday cake, trying to perfect it.
I sit at the island and wait for over an hour, falling asleep several times until the oven dings.
I walk over and take it out of the oven and I let it cool off and then frost it the best I can.
It's nowhere near as good as it would've been if Peeta would've done it or his father.
This is the first year I've actually had to make him a cake. I had his brothers or dad do it since we've been together.
He's had four birthdays since junior year and I've had three.
I go into the living room, putting his gifts into bags and prettying them up and I even make him a card.
At around noon, I decide to wake him up, getting tired of waiting for him.
I go up stairs and see him still asleep.
He looks so tired and done with life and it breaks my heart.
Peeta is taking this way harder than I could've ever imagined and I want to tell him to suck it up but I can't.
That would be absolutely cruel and he never told me to suck it up when Prim died, so why should I tell him to suck it up when four of his family members died?
I go over and lay down next to him again, just watching him for a while.
Sadly, in some twisted way, he seems happier when he is asleep.
When did it all change?
When did I stop being Peeta's happiness?
When did I stop being the only thing he needs?
I take a deep breath and lean over, hating to have to wake him from the first peaceful sleep he has had in forever.
"Peeta, the day is half over." I say, putting my hand on his arm softly.
He hesitantly opens his blue eyes, giving me a look.
I can't help but to smile, somewhat madly when I see him awake.
"Happy birthday, Peeta." I say, kind of ridiculously cheerfully.
I just wish he would be happy for today, at least.
"Thanks." He says plainly, expressionless.
I sigh, trying to be patient.
"I made you a cake. Do you want to open your presents?" I ask him, sounding like I'm talking to a five year old kid.
"No, not right now." He says, swallowing hard, his eyes watering.
"Well, what do you want to do?" I ask him softly.
He shrugs his shoulders.
"I didn't plan anything because I wanted you to decide. We can do whatever you want to." I say.
"I need to go somewhere but you can't go." He tells me, sitting up.
I hold back a scoff, "What do you mean?"
"I need to be alone today but you can't come with me." He says, a little rudely.
I sit up too, watching him quickly dress.
"Peeta, I just wanted to spend the day with you." I tell him truthfully, almost in tears.
"You can. Later."
I swallow hard, "I understand if you need to be alone but can you at least tell me where you are going. Just in case?"
"No, Katniss. I'll be fine. I just want to be by myself but I'll come back later and we can have all the cake and presents that you want."
I take a deep breath, "Okay." I say.
He comes over and kisses the top of my head.
"I need to go. I'll be back later." Peeta says plainly.
I sit there, dumbfounded.
Peeta turns around, "Don't worry about me." He says, walking out of our bedroom.
I get up and follow after him, furious.
I understand that he needs to be alone for a little while but he could at least tell me where he is going so that I am not worried sick.
"What the hell, Peeta?" I ask him, feeling tears burn in my eyes.
He doesn't say anything.
He turns around and gives me a frown before he leaves.
Of course, I think the worst.
That he's up and left me.
Before I know it, it's 3pm and I haven't heard a word from him and I'm growing very worried.
He's been gone for three hours now.
I try to call him but he sends me straight to voicemail.
At 3:30, I get another phone call and take another trip to downtown District Twelve.
At 5pm when I arrive home, Peeta is still not back and I still haven't heard a word from him, despite trying to reach him all afternoon.
YOU ARE READING
Finding the Missing Piece: Book 4
FanfictionKatniss and Peeta Mellark are currently living a rough life, but in all reality it's not all that bad and will get better with time. In this story Katniss learns that marriage isn't all it's cracked up to be and love can overcome it all as long as t...