Catching Fire: The New Story

Proposing was a Mistake

Katniss's POV

I have been long awake when Effie starts banging on my door, chirping for me to wake up and get up for we had a big, big, big day ahead of us. I ignore her, of course, rubbing my hand around the bed, feeling for him. Nothing. Peeta has already left, no trace left behind, only but his scent and the little warmth on the bed. I curl up on his spot, tracing designs onto the sheets, tangling my fingers in the cotton. I get up. I quickly shower and dress in comfortable clothes as nothing big would be happening after breakfast. We will be driving to President Snow's mansion where Peeta and I will be prepped.

This will be our final stop before heading home. We will be doing an interview with Caesar Flickerman. I am glad it is finally over. Seeing these families of the children I killed has been enough for me, all though I didn't know their names before I got to their district. Never mind that, but I killed them all, didn't I? I mean, I did win the Games; I won, they lost. Can't I still be called a murderer if I am alive and breathing? There are only two people to blame now, Peeta and myself, for the deaths of those children. There is only need to point at one, does Peeta really deserve that?

I hear a soft knock from my door, too soft to be Effie. I open it to see Peeta. "You okay?" he asks, just like he did those many nights ago and every one after. He has bags under his eyes from nightmares he won't allow me to help with, I must look the same as he does. I nod. Last night, it wasn't me with horrible, gut–wrenching nightmares. I am still frightened, shaking with fear at seeing Peeta so vulnerable.

I asked Peeta to stay with me before he left once I was falling asleep again. I was so comfortable in his arms, all I wanted to do was sleep, and I knew it wouldn't be filled with nightmares. When he got up to leave, I couldn't let him leave, but he stayed. I wanted him, to say the truth I needed him, there with me. I feel safer with Peeta, his arms around me, beating heart in my ear. It is all so soothing. I am getting more comfortable with Peeta beside me most of the time, being married didn't seem as scary as it was before. A life with Peeta didn't seem so bad. He appreciated my needs, too. Somehow, it got out what we were doing. I mean, nothing bad, but nothing too good. I guess spending the nights together in each other's arms excites everyone more than it should. It seemed more important than anything else what we were doing at night, even though we just slept. Peeta was worried what I would think, but I thought it was a good idea if it got to Snow.

We were both asleep in Peeta's bed, since I couldn't get comfortable enough in my bed any longer, last night. I was shaken awake by Peeta. He was still asleep, which surprised me, but he was mumbling, almost screaming, and his hands searched the sheets for me. It took me hours to wake him up from a deep sleep I never thought he would wake from. I calmed him down enough for him to wake up, and he began to cry. I held him in my chest, like he does to me. He told me everything about his dream when I asked him. I had saved him, I left him alone in the arena and he came home by himself, without me. He was miserable without me around, he needed me every second of the day and night.

I felt guilty for him having to ever thing that way. But I promised I would stay, forever. Just like he promises me that. He fell asleep right after, and I left him in my arms. He followed right behind me an hour later when my own nightmares returned.

"Are you okay?" I ask. Hesitating, he nods. I pull him into my room and keep my hands against the side of his face. I made him look at me, he has to bend down to reach my face. "You are fine, now, Peeta. I am fine. I am right here, with you," I whisper. "I will never leave you, understand?" I kiss his lips and stand on my toes. He grabs my waist and pulls me into a longer, more romantic kiss that makes me want more. I don't expect it, and I don't notice when someone enters the room.

They clear their throat.

"You two love birds ready?" Haymitch asks, with a smug smile. We let go, and I feel myself blush with Peeta. We nod, Haymitch leaves. "FIVE MINUTES!"

We both laugh, awkwardly at first, but we glance at each other and we turn away practically in tears. Haymitch's face was priceless. He might have showed bravado, but it was false. He was completely embarrassed at interrupting our small make out session.

Effie drags us out the train door with a big smile on her face, I knew then Haymitch had blabbered to Effie about what he walked into. We chuckle. We are closer than before, closer than we ever thought we would become with my hardhead. Snow should know about this, and soon.

"You think Effie will have the word spread of what happened back in your room?" Peeta asks low in my ear. I shiver, and nod. He smiles and holds me close for the camera. I keep my hands in his. It is snowing in the Capitol, as it is snowing everywhere but Four. We wear fluffy coats and itchy scarves for us to stay warm, Cinna no longer gives me earmuffs as I told him why I hated them so much. We are layered for the cold, but not enough to be without the others warmth. We enter the mansion an hour after pictures and kisses and hugs and short interviews. It is warm inside, taking off the coats still made us shiver and the climb in temperature.

"Okay," Effie says with a clap of her hands as we continue to undress. "You two have to be ready by four and the interviews start at four-thirty. That gives you..." I lose myself in thought over Effie's high pitched voice.

"Katniss?" Peeta says, shaking my arm. I blink a few times to see everyone staring at me. I didn't even notice we had ridden the elevator up to our floor. It is dressed the same as before when Peeta and I stayed before our Games.

"What?" I ask, worried and embarrassed.

"Do you or do you not have any ideas for tonight's interviews?" Haymitch asks, a bit annoyed that I am off topic and lost in my mind.

"Hopefully! It must be something spectacular!" Effie adds enthusiastically.

"Oh, actually I do. I was thinking Peeta could propose," I say as if it was a normal, everyday topic.

I turn to Peeta, his face inscrutable to my eyes. But learn his faulty bravado beat me, holding a perky smile.

"Uh, yes, sure. Perfect," he says, a bit lost. "Um, excuse me." Peeta then walks out upstairs.

"What was that?" I ask, turning back to by team after watching him walk off. I sigh, maybe he didn't want marriage like I used to. He does want this, doesn't he? He has said he loves me many times, he has told me the story of loving me since we were five. Why would be suddenly be acting up now? Cinna strides toward me and puts his hands on my shoulder.

"I don't think he really likes that idea," he says with a sigh.

"But he said he was okay with it!" I say. I stare at Cinna confused, I thought Peeta would be ecstatic about the idea. "I thought this is was Peeta wanted..."

"It is, sweetheart. But he probably has this whole, grand way of doing it for the future when you two are alone, not in front of a thousand cameras, and you actually love him. He imagined it his way. Not forced, especially for the Capitol. He wants to believe it is real, just to have you." Haymitch makes me see everything. I let Cinna's hands fall, leaving everyone behind in the hall. I run off in search for Peeta. I go up the stairs of our old Training Center floor towards his room. He had just run off without telling us where he was going.

I scream for him at the top of my lungs, his name. I look in every room for him, every closet and dark corner. The floor is larger than I ever imagined it. I have the slightest idea where he could be hiding since I have probably been down every hall on the floor. I need to tell him the truth, whatever the truth is, but I can't if he's in hiding and won't come out. I check every room there is to find, I even go up to the roof for a good five minutes. I am about to give up, go to my room and sob, when I turn back to look behind me to see if was there, but he isn't. I turn a corner, heading toward my room, and trip into someone's arms.

•

Okay I have had enough of revising haha

ugh, shoot me.

~Jez xo