Finding the Missing Piece: Book 2

Chapter Seventeen

Peeta POV-

"Have a nice weekend, Mr. Mellark!" My culinary instructor calls as I walk out of the room.

"You too." I smile happily, now on my way to see Katniss.

Katniss told me that Bristol was coming back today.

She was super excited and I am really glad her and Bristol have become great friends and I know that she's made a lifelong friend if nothing else came from this experience for her.

I walk down the corridor to the elevator and find their room.

I knock on the door and a few seconds later, Katniss answers.

"Hey." I smile, attempting to hug her but she walks away.

She turns and gives me a nervous smile and Bristol waves from behind.

I smile and wave back.

"Are you good?" I ask her, laughing breathily.

"Peeta, I need to talk to you about something." She says.

"Okay." I say holding my hand out for her to take.

She takes my hand and leads me across the hall to a lounge room.

We sit on the couch and I look at her, kind of worried.

What's going on?

"Peeta, please don't be mad at me. I swear, I didn't do it but please just promise you won't be mad." She says defensively and holds out her pinky.

I sigh and wrap my pinky around hers, afraid of what's about to come out of her mouth but also trusting her.

I give her pinky a little squeeze, "I promise." I tell her truthfully.

"Okay, so you know Delly obviously..." Katniss begins.

I wrinkle my nose at the name and nod.

I can't stand Delly.

She is honestly the only person I have ever really disliked.

"Well, Delly and this boy name Dylan who I have no idea who he is, went to Snow and told him I was cheating on my school work." She explains and my heart drops.

All I feel is sympathy for Katniss and disgust towards Delly and this other kid.

I know Katniss and I know she would never even think of doing anything of the sort.

"And? What else did he say?" I ask her.

She takes a deep breath, "Snow said that if there was another report about me that he would expel me." Katniss breathes.

I feel so bad for her.

The only reason it's happening is because of me.

"Katniss, you know Delly is just doing it because she likes me. This Dylan guy, I don't know." I say truthfully.

Delly is probably just trying to get Katniss kicked out so that Katniss and I will fight and breakup or something.

I am not exactly sure what her thinking is, but I know it can't be good.

Katniss shakes her head and grabs my hand in hers.

"It's not your fault." She says softly.

I look up into her gray eyes, "She wouldn't do this if it wasn't for me." I tell her.

"Don't worry about it. She's doing it because she is jealous that I have you and she doesn't. I promise you that." Katniss assures me.

I smile at her, "She is also jealous because you are beautiful, smart and funny and she can't compare." I say, pushing a lock of hair out of her eyes.

Katniss blushes red for a few seconds and squeezes my hand.

"So what are we gonna do?" She asks me hopelessly.

I think for a moment, "We are not gonna let her win but if she does, then we will take it as a sign and leave."

I remember promising Katniss if we didn't adjust in the next few months that we could leave and she promised me this too.

I know that I told her recently I was enjoying myself more which was true but I can get my degree anywhere.

"I thought it was getting better until today." She says honestly.

I mean sure, the school is great and we are both learning a lot but it's not worth it if she gets kicked out over something stupid.

She doesn't deserve that.

"I'm so sorry this is happening but you decide what you want us to do if it comes down to it." I tell her truthfully.

Katniss stares off into the distance for a few minutes and I stare at her, my heart breaking for her.

"Next time, if there is a next time, which I am sure there will be, I just need to tell Snow I am done." Katniss says, finally breaking the silence.

Before I can speak she does, "I want you to stay, we can do like you said and get a place in town. I'll get a job and you get your degree."

"I could get my degree anywhere, Katniss."

"I know you like it here though."

I sigh, "Katniss, if this place kicks you out for something you didn't do and for something they have no evidence of, I want no part of it." I say truthfully.

"I don't care what we do but I want you to be happy, Peeta. Don't give up your dream for me."

"You are my dream, Katniss. Yeah, I wanna open a bakery but you getting the respect you deserve is what matters more to me."

"I just really want to spend every minute of the rest of my life with you." Katniss pouts.

"If that's what you want." I say softly.

Yes, I have always wanted to go to college and it doesn't mean I can't get my degree somewhere else but this place isn't all it cracked up to be.

I'm angry and Snow is being completely unfair to Katniss.

Plus, if I stay here, Delly isn't going to stop and who's to say she wouldn't do the same to me or that the Dylan guy wouldn't turn around and accuse me of something.

She turns and kisses my cheek softly, "That's what I want." Katniss whispers in my ear.

I smile and turn my head and kiss her temple, "Hey, don't let it bother you." I say, nudging her gently.

She looks up and grins, "I'm trying not to."

I smile, "What are you thinking about?" I ask because her smile grows as the seconds tick by.

She looks up, "You know what I'm thinking." She says, blushing.

I nod because I do know what she is thinking now.

Katniss is thinking about us.