*PEETAS POV*

I start walking back to class after using the wash room, when suddenly some one sprints right into me, sending me flying to the floor. I'm about to say sorry and stand up, when I notice that person was Katniss. Her eyes are tightly closed, and I can see the panic on her face and the tears rushing down her cheek. She doesn't stop for a second, just starts sprinting as fast as she can outside. What's going on? I quickly jump up and start running after her.

"Katniss!" I call feeling very worried. She's out the door in a flash, and I run after her.

I burst through the door just in time to see her shoving snow in her face and gasping for air.

I run over to her just as she faints.

"Katniss!" I scream and scoop her up into my arms.

"MEDIC! HELP" I yell and carry her inside.

When nobody comes, I dial 911. Not soon enough, the ambulance comes. They keep telling me it will be fine, and that its no big deal, but I'm still super worried. What happened when I was gone?

We arrive and they whisk her off. The doctor tells me I should just wait outside till she asks for visitors, but I want, no, need, to be there when she wakes up. With a sigh, he lets me.

I run into the room and to her bedside. I take her hand in mine.

"we believe the reason she fainted was due to anxiety, panic, and fear. Something to do with her past perhaps". The doctor tells me.

What happened in Katniss's past?

Just then, her eyelids start to flutter open.

I grip onto her hand as her eyes shoot open. Her pupils are huge, but when her eyes meet mine, they start to shrink as she calms down.

I dont ask any questions, I just brush the hair off her forehead. "hey baby, how you feeling?" I ask.

"I-I'm ok" she answers slowly.

"its ok babe" I say and pull her into my arms. She buries her face in my chest and I feel her sobs.

"shhh its ok" I whisper.

After a bit, she stops shaking and looks yp at me. I stare into her perfect grey eyes. She puts her hands on each side of my face, and kisses me. I smile and pull her close.

I climb into the hospital bed with her, and she cuddles under my arm.

"Katniss, what happened?" I ask slowly. I dont want her to feel like she has to tell me, because she doesn't, but I really want to know.

There's a long pause, and I think she wont answer, when with a sigh she responds,

"I was 11. Thats when my dad died. 5 years later, I met a boy. His name was Jack. We dated" she starts.

I link out fingers, lifting it up to my lips and kissing each of her cold knuckles, waiting for her to continue.

I feel Peetas warm lips on my hand, and calm down a little. The memories haunt me, but I still go on.

"I thought That I loved him. One night, he came home drunk. I didn't make anything of it at first, till he hit me". I can feel Peeta tightening up with anger.

"He said he was sorry, and I forgave him. Then it happened again. And again. One day, I couldn't take it anymore. I punched him square in the nose. I didn't take any of his shit, and I wanted to break up with him, but... he threatened Prims life". I manage to choke out sobbing.

"I had no choice. Prim was my world. I had nobody left. My mother couldn't care less if I was beaten".

"One day, he told me I was the wost girlfriend ever, and he said I was ugly and a bitch. I didn't care, but thats the day.....t-the day.....". The flams take over my body. the ear piercing screams. I start sobbing uncontrollably and Peeta wraps me tighter in his arms.

"you dont have to continue..." he whispers. But there is something in me that needs to get it out. That feels that maybe, if I get it out of me, I can live with it living in my past.

"no, I need to continue" I whisper back.

"he took me to this old cabin that we use to go to as kids. He tied me to a chair, locked the doors, and..... a-and... set the house up in flames" I whisper, squeezing my eyes shut, trying to block it all out.

"all I can remember is the smoke filling my lungs, and the flames licking at my skin. I managed to get to the door, but it was too late. I fainted, and its a mystery how I survived it. It was the most painful thing I have ever experienced. Every night I have nightmares. At the time, Dellys dad was the firefighter that helped get me out of the house. Thats why she knows about it. Shes the only other person. I had to go to counseling, and did a lot of therapy. But I still have anxiety. She calls me 'girl on fire'. thats why I ran out of the room. I started picturing the flames". I somehow manage to choke out.

"Katniss... Everything is ok now" Peeta says and turns my chin so I'm looking at him.

A tear slowly trickles down my cheek as he wipes it away. I rest my forehead on his, and he kisses away my tears as they fall.

"Peeta..." I whisper.

"I love you". His eyes light up as they meet mine. "I love you to Katniss. From the moment I first lay eyes on you" he says before our lips meet.

"Stay with me" I whisper.

"Always".