I Need You, I Do

Chapter 2

Why are Peeta's lights on, I think. I think about just going inside my house but my curiosity gets the best of me. I walk back down my steps and start towards Peeta's house. I look at the windows to see if I can possibly get a glimpse inside, but I can't see. I walk up to the front door and see that the door isn't completely shut. I push it open and hesitate before I step inside. I hear the clinging of pots coming form the kitchen. Is Haymitch in here? No, why would he be in Peeta's house? As I walk in further, I capture a glimpse of a guy with ashy blonde hair with his back to me in the kitchen. That's when I realize exactly who it is.

"Peeta?" I whisper keeping my eyes on him. He jumps at the sound of my voice and a pot hits the floor with a loud clinging sound. He relaxes when he sees me. I don't know if I should be happy or terrified of his presence. The last time I was in a room alone with him he had to be strapped down. But, I think he is able to sort things out a little better now than before. I slowly walk towards him.

" Katniss," he says a small smile forms on his lips. But then it suddenly drops as he sees my hesitation towards him. " I..uh... just got back," he tells me. I nod unaware of what my next move will be but suddenly I drop my bow and start towards him. I wrap my arms around him and embrace him tightly in a hug. His scent of cinnamon and lavender fill my nose. When we separate, Peeta looks at me with his soft blue eyes "Are you okay?" he asks me. I frown not wanting him to know how bad i've actually been. I don't know how to reply. " Katniss, I'm so sorry about your sister," he says. That's when I lose it. The feeling of Peeta being back and the memory of my sister are too overwhelming for me. Tears fill in my eyes and fall uncontrollably. He pulls me into a hug without much thought. " I didn't mean to upset you. I'm sorry," he apologizes. I shake my head.

" You didn't," I reply. " Thank you for coming back," I say in between sobs. " I didn't know if I'd have anyone ever again."

" Well, when I was gone, I was so worried about you. When I found out about-" he pauses and frowns. I'm guessing he is talking about Prim. " Never mind," he says. I furrow my eyebrows.

" No, tell me," I say. He takes a breath.

" I was just worried about you. I didn't know how you'd take everything. I didn't want you to be alone for those few months but I couldn't come back to Twelve. Dr. Aurelius suggested I don't go home for a while," he tells me. I cross my arms over my chest as another tear fall down my cheek. I instantly wipe it away hoping he didn't see it but I know he did. He gives me a half smile. " Maybe we could have dinner tonight together. Just you and me," he suggest. I know he is trying to change the subject. I hesitate before I nod with a smile.

" Yeah," I agree and he smiles. " I was just out hunting. I was able to catch a rabbit. Maybe I could make something with that, if you'd like." I don't know why I insisted on cooking for Peeta. It's just an opportunity to embarrass myself in front of him. He chuckles a little, I guess after seeing that I was second guessing preparing dinner.

" Would you like some help with that?" he asks with a smile. " I really wouldn't mind. Maybe we could do it at your house?"

" Yeah," I smile staring at him for a moment in silence. I take a breath. " Um. I'll see you tonight," I say picking up my bow.

" I'll walk you home," Peeta exclaims grabbing his jacket.

" Peeta, my house is only like twenty feet away," I point out.

" Well, I still want to make sure you get back safe," he says putting his arms in his jacket. I smile. It feels so great to have Peeta back with me. I no longer have to wonder about him and how he's doing because he is right here with me. The fact that someone that really cares about me is around is refreshing. It's the little things Peeta does like this that makes love him so much. I take a deep breath realizing that I just admitted to myself that I love Peeta. I've never thought it because I pushed the thought from my head all of the time.