Simply Everlark (After Mockingjay)

Chapter 3

Sitting on the bed with my elbows propped up on my knees and my head resting in my hands in all that I can manage to do.

I was informed last night that Peeta is coming home today. At first, I was shocked, so baffled that I couldn't move or even breath for that matter. I knew that this day would come eventually, but hearing that his arrival time is so soon, my actions were not surprising. When I had left district thirteen, Peeta was doing okay. He was still having some experiences of mental problems from the treatment, but it was only occasionally. He stayed back in hope to regain some of his memory and stop the episodes which I hope will be cured when he comes home in less that two hours.

I'm nervous, scarred almost to see what Peeta has become. So many questions are swarming my head that need to be answered in order to function properly. Has his overall appearance changed? Will he freak when he first sees me, possibly hurting me in the process? Has he found someone new to start a life with?

My hands grip the roots of my hair in frustration for my questions not being answered. After a while, I finally come to a conclusion that I need to get my mind off of the worry in order to accomplish anything today. Starting with getting ready to go to the train station sounds like a good idea.

I start off by washing, letting the cold water run down my body before letting the coolness fall through the strands of my hair. A home made soap bar I had traded at the Hob for is used to cleanse the rest of my body, leaving a trail of petite bubbles behind as I guide the bar over my rough skin. I finish up and decide to let my hair down, leaving my wavy locks to air dry and fall past my shoulders. The attire that I had chosen to wear afterword was quite simple; a green top that sways as I walk and blue jeans that tuck into my ripped hunting boots that is never leave the house without. A simple cloth drenched in water to clean up my face once more is all that is needed before I examine my now finished look.

A frantic knock coming from downstairs knocks me back into reality. I quickly lace up mu rugged boots so the leather travels up my leg and exit my room. My heals click down the winded, creaky staircase that wines out in pain as I take more and more steps. As I further my distance, more of the lower section of the home comes into view, leaving me startled to see Haymitch had already left himself in.

Sitting smug by my hardwood table with a mug of what I think may be liquor is my mentor with a questionable grin covering his features. "Well, look at you." he slurs, "Getting all dolled up for lover boy, huh?"

My face suddenly becomes hot overcome with embarrassment. I did have an intention to look better than I usually do for Peeta, but I had not thought that Haymitch would have noticed, especially when he is partially drunk.

I ignore his sly comment while seeing past the grin covering up his face and moving onto a new topic. "When is the train coming?"

He takes a moment to answer which makes me grow impatient. Casually, he glances at the clock that is mounted on my kitchen wall and sighs. "In five."

Panic overcomes my senses with the little time we have to reach the train station for Peeta's arrival. I don't know what the result on our relationship would be if I was late to meeting Peeta after not seeing him for so long. It could be destroyed just because of my stupidity from looking at myself in the mirror for an extended period of time.

"Haymitch," I breath while pinching the bridge of my nose, "Lets go and make it fast so we can make it to the train station before Peeta gets there."

I walk over to the table where he is hanging his head low and stirring his drink with his dirty finger. With a rather annoyed force, I rip the drink out of his grasp and steadily walk towards the door with my heals clicking in the process.

"Hey!" he states rather loud while rising from the chair and walking in my direction, "That's my drink!"

"You can have another drink when we get back from picking up Peeta." I state being too close to seeing the the boy with the bread that I am doing anything to get Haymitch out of the house and onto the porch where I stand.

He mumbles something I cannot understand under his breath before processing forward to where I stand. "You owe me, Sweetheart."

The air as we start speed walking is cold on my raw flesh. The sudden wind gusts leaving trails of small bumps up my arms make it difficult to not cross my arms over my chest in hope for warmth. I had thought of bringing a jacket along my journey while standing on my porch waiting for Haymitch. Not wanting to be any later than we already were though, I ignored the cold that was making my body temperature drop drastically by the second.

Haymitch and I have been traveling for a while now, with the station almost into view. As we continue to move closer, my emotions are being pushed over the edge. Haymitch's side comments as we travel are quickly being filtered out of my mind by the more powerful worry and excitement feelings consuming me.

"Haymitch," I say while slowing down my pace and rethinking the whole outcome of seeing Peeta, "What if he doesn't want me there?"

He turns around, still keeping the same pace going and eyeing me up. "If Peeta wouldn't want you there, he wouldn't of called last night saying how he wanted to see you first when stepping off of that train."

That caught me off guard. Knowing Peeta just thinking about me while he had been in the Capitol's possession makes all of the worry ease. My stomach flutters at the thought and I quicken up my pace now more determined than ever to get to the train station before the train outruns us both.

Once arriving at the tracks I am relieved a that his train has not yet come. Hundreds of people have came to attend the event of the boy coming home to his lover. All these people just want a show, not to see the person they haven't seen in over a year return home. As Haymitch and I approach the platform we are bombarded with crowds of people surrounding us. Civilians, Capitol interviewers, people who have been following out love story from the start are breathing on our necks as we attempt to make it over to the train platform, soon to be arriving.

"Mind your own damn business!" Haymitch shouts over to the reporters asking questions as he takes my hand and yanks it forward.

We make it to the platform, thankfully away from all of the people as the train comes into view. My heart starts to beat faster than it was, seeing that we are now so close to being reconnected. I grip onto Haymitch's hand even harder while clenching my teeth and he chuckles at my excitement. All of the other worries in the world are far out of view having my main focus on the train that is slowing down, coming to a stop with the automatic doors in front of me.

The train lets out a breath before it opens it's doors letting new comers off of the steel machine first. As I await patiently as what seems like thousands of people are shuffling off of the train, my hopes start to get lower. What if this is the wrong train?

I let out a breath in defeat looking over to Haymitch, he keeps his eyes locked on the train carefully as the last few passengers stumble off with bags of luggage. I unlock my gaze and stare down at my feet trying to hold back the tears of disappointment.

Haymitch squeezes my hand tightly which causes me to look back at him. His eyes remain locked on the train and a smile fills his features. I turn my head slightly, looking at the metal beast once again and notice what made him crack a grin.

There fumbling with his large suit case, attempting to get it out of the train's narrow door frame, blond hair whipping around in the process he stands.

Peeta stands.