Finding the Missing Piece: Book 2

Chapter Two

Peeta POV-

I take a deep breath, "I sort of got into it with your mother this morning..." I finally admit to Katniss.

"What?" She asks laughing.

"I lost my cool with her...I'm sure she hates me now too." I mumble guiltily.

I feel so awful for the things I said but they needed to be said and she wasn't exactly being polite either.

"What happened?" Katniss asks me.

I thought she would be upset for this but she doesn't seem fazed by it at all.

"When I couldn't find you this morning, I called to see if you happened to be with her. She totally was unfazed that you were gone and I mean, you could've been kidnapped or dead or whatever but she didn't care. She kept telling me how you were an adult and could care for yourself. How it wasn't my job to watch over you and just a bunch of nasty stuff. And maybe I probably overreacted but I couldn't stop my words." I explain.

"Peeta, it's okay. And I was perfectly fine. I am done with my mom for now and with anyone who isn't you." She starts.

"I just was worried and I had to tell her the truth about how she's made you feel and what I thought. I know it probably wasn't the right thing to do but I had to."

"Don't worry about it. I know she must've been bad for you to have said anything at all. Again, like I said, I'm not going to worry about her. You are the only person I'm concerned with from now on."

I look at her.

"You are my top priority, Peeta. Only you and after what my mom pulled last night and apparently this morning, I don't care what you said to her. She has been turning back into that horrible person since Prim died and I'll be damned if I sit around letting her. Especially towards you." Katniss says, beyond aggravated but I know it's not at me.

Then I continue to explain the details of her mother and I's conversation. I tell her the things I should've said and things I shouldn't have said to her mom. She adds things I should've said but didn't.

Katniss has just been really unhappy with her mom lately. I thought it was getting better but obviously not.

I know I'm not very happy either.

I mean, I really like Mrs. Everdeen and we usually get along great and agree on everything when it comes to Katniss but today just really pissed me off.

And the things she said or contradicted the things she's said in this past, hurts me a lot.

Mrs. Everdeen, after losing her youngest daughter and husband to tragic events, acts as if her only living daughter left doesn't matter.

I know that Katniss is a strong, independent woman and I know she can take care of herself but I want to be there for her because that's what she deserves.

Mrs. Everdeen should've at least cared a little bit and not have been blaming me or telling me not to worry.

"I don't care what you said to her, Peeta. I know it was out of protection of me and I appreciate you taking her words to offense. I am her daughter, when you told her I was nowhere to be found she should've been worried." Katniss says a little bit frustrated.

I nod my head and maneuver my hands into hers. She gives me a sad smile and lifts her head up and kisses my lips. A warm tingle lingers on the spot where her lips touch mine.

"Let's go to bed, Peeta." She whispers, tiredly.

I nod my head and she crawls into my arms.

It is the last night we get to sleep next to each other for a while.

Her head lays on my arm and her face towards mine and my right arm is slinked around her waist. Just as her gray eyes begin to close, right before she drifts to sleep, I say, "Goodnight."

Her eyes can't take it anymore and close.

I smile to myself and close my eyes as well.

And let's just say six o'clock comes mighty early.