Finding the Missing Piece: Book 2

Chapter Eighteen

Peeta POV- (Two weeks later)

"Well, they did it again." I hear someone come into my dorm room and slam the door shut.

I take my face from the pillow, "Huh?" I ask sleepily and open my heavy eyes.

I blink a few times until Katniss comes into focus.

"They did it again, Peeta." She says sitting on my bed with tears streaming down her face.

I roll from my stomach to my back and place my hand in the small of her back and pat it gently, pulling her closer to me.

My heart sinks into the pit of my stomach.

I can't believe Delly would report Katniss again.

She's been so smug towards me too but I haven't let her know how badly this is hurting us.

We still haven't figured out who this Dylan guy is but I've been looking into it.

I frown, "What did Snow say this time?" I ask, placing my arm under my head as if it were a pillow.

"He said that he got another report and would be investigating but it was my last chance. He would give me the benefit of the doubt but if it happened one more time, he had no choice. Then I walked out and came here." Katniss cries.

"I'm so sorry, Katniss." I frown.

"I wanted to do an imitation of him but I don't sound think I could sound as evil and clogged up as he does. At least not while I'm crying." Katniss crosses her arms.

I chuckle, wiping a tear from her eye, "Are you sure?" I tease her.

This makes her smile but she groans frustratedly and presses her face into my shirt.

"I love you." I say, rubbing her back.

"I love you too." She mumbles.

I sit up and she does too, her hair all messy and her face puffy from crying.

I wish there was something that I could do to stop this but there's nothing I can do that wouldn't make it worse.

"What are you thinking?" I ask her quietly.

"I don't know."

"Do you want to leave?" I ask after a minute of an awkward silence.

Katniss nods her head slightly, "Yes, I'm sorry, Peeta." She says, tearing up again.

I feel bad that Katniss isn't happy here and I haven't enjoyed it as much as I hoped either.

We each gave this an honest try but the cards keep being stacked against us when it comes to college.

Maybe we aren't meant to be here after all?

Katniss is too strong of a woman to go down so easily and I know she won't give up until she's had enough. And I know Katniss can take a lot but I don't know if I should make her take it when I can give her what she wants right now.

Katniss grabs my hand and laces our fingers together, then rubs her thumb across mine.

I always do this to her, especially when she's feeling down.

I remember a while back she told me how special this simple gesture always made her feel.

My whole heart warmed up the second she did this.

"If you feel all warm and fuzzy and special inside when I do that then I finally understand." I tell her softly.

Katniss stares into my eyes, begging for help.

She's terrified and I know she doesn't want to make me leave if I'm happy but her happiness means more to me than sticking around here.

"We are gonna figure this out, I promise." I tell her softly.

Honestly, I don't understand why we are wasting our time here.

"Katniss?" I say softly.

Realizing exactly what it is I need to do for her.