How Will This Work Out? (a HG fanfic)

Chapter 8

My eyes were widened so largely that I was afraid they would pop out of my skull. Stuttering, I hugged Gale tighter, unsure of what to do. "Let's get you upstairs."

I bounded inside, getting Mom and Prim's attention. They helped me move the crippled Gale inside onto the kitchen table, where Gale laid down painfully.

Prim, who was following Mom's career as a nurse, did Gale's stiches. My little Primrose was finally growing up, I thought. Grinning a small grin, I watched as she mended to Gale.

Weirdly, I asked, "Will he be okay?"

"He'll be fine, Katniss." Mom cooed, rubbing my tense back. "Don't worry too much, dear. Where's Peeta?" 

"Gone. I have no clue where he is or how long he's been gone." I whispered, tears forming in my eyes.

"Go and find him, Katniss. You're strong enough to fight this. Now, go out there and find him." Mom said encouragingly.

"Thanks, Mom. I will go find Peeta."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Outside in the crisp atmosphere, I bundled myself in one of Peeta's leather jackets. Suddenly, I saw a shadowed figure run across the sidewalk; more like a sprint across.

"Peeta? Is that you?" I called out, my voice seeming to echo the night.

The figure stopped about 15 ft. from me. The person's hood was over his face, making it difficult for me to recognize the figure's face. Lifting its hood off, it was him, Peeta Mellark.

I rushed over to my boyfriend. "PEETA!!!!!!!!" I threw myself into his warm, toasty arms and sighed in relief and happiness. "Thank God I found you, Peeta."

Peeta separated me from his body, holding me at arm length. "I have something for you." he said emotionlessly, looking directly into my eyes. He reached into his hoodie pocket and pulled out a box. Handing it to me, he whispered, "For you." 

Curiously, I took the black box from him. I opened it slowly. Gasping, I almost fainted. It was an emerald ring, which was my birthstone (May 8th is my birthday).

Peeta carefully took the box from me, kneeling in front of me. "Katniss Everdeen, will you marry me?"

I  was shocked, surprised, and an entire chaos of emotions all at once. "Peeta, I......I dunno what to say. This is all too quick for me......I'll have to think on this one, Peeta. Sorry.....I appreciate your offer, but I need to think about my answer." I replied to him, looking at his eager eyes.

"Oh.....okay, sweetie. Take your time with it. I won't rush you. Now, let's get home." Peeta smiled, his adorable dimples poking at his cheeks. He wrapped his arm around me, and we went on our way back home.