I can't hold on: Katniss x Peeta

Chapter one

Chapter one

" You must be with her, " Explains doctor Van, his hands together and resting on the wooden table which is

covered with papers in neat stacks and sculptures of human parts, including a heart, lungs and a brain. Each

place is a different colour, representing something.

" At least, as much as you possibly can, Peeta. " After he says that, I turn to search Peeta's expression, only to find concern. He must be hiding

the others away for my benefit, also meaning he's trying to act calm.

" I will, " Peeta says, turning to glance at me. He smiles a small, hopeful smile and places a hand on mine. It's in these moments

I feel safe and secure, like nothing can reach me, throwing away both of our worries and concerns as easily as throwing a wrapper

on the ground. That's when it hits you, it's still out there somewhere, anywhere, it can never truly leave this world you are happily trapped in.

" But, Van, what's wrong with her? " Peeta asks, Van looks away for a second, clearly thinking about something before talking,

like a well mannered adult should do.

We both stare at him, waiting intensely for his reply. Peeta's grip on my hand hardens, but I don't mind, it just means he cares for me. Van sighs and adjusts the small brain replica so it's perfectly facing forward.

He coughs to clear his throat, then looks at me. I can see by the look on his face, he's regretting what he's about to say, but confidence

is planted there too, because Van knows I'm the patient and I will have listen to what he says.

" Katniss, " I nod, gesturing him to finish his sentence. " I need you to please leave the room. " After he said that, I glance at Peeta with surprised, widened eyes.

Even he looks slightly taken aback at Van's order.

I hide my scowl and clear my throat as well, pulling back a strand of lose hair behind my ear.

" Van, " I say, raising an eyebrow. He meets my gaze steadily then I continue speaking. " Why? " I'm guessing that's all I can say, or better yet should say in this

situation.

" I need to tell Peeta something, " Van is now looking at Peeta, and he is doing the same. I still think I should be able to stay, but I'm not going to argue about

this any further, it's for the best.

" About your condition. " He finishes, then Peeta looks over to me, I return it with a what should I do look. He just nods, so I awkwardly get up out of my chair, causing it

to shuffle back making an annoying high pitched screeching sound.

I quickly walk out of the room, feeling a bit sad, or annoyed, that not even I can know what's actually wrong with me, when I need to know the most. I feel Peeta's eyes on

me, but I don't show him mine, not now.

part two

Peeta straightens his back, pulling a leg up to rest on the other, creating a V shape.

Van gets up and walks over to a small table with more stacks of paper. He quickly licks the tip of his tan finger and runs it down the side of the stack,

only stopping when he comes to a yellow folder with various coloured sticky notes hanging out of the top.

He nods to himself, then walks back over to his seat and sits down, sighing as he places the folder on the table.

" Here, " Van says, pushing it too Peeta with his hand. It slides across the table and Peeta turns it around and observes it carefully, as if it's delicate and made

of glass.

" Your appointment isn't long enough to show you everything this folder holds, " Van explains to Peeta, who is now reading the top of the sticky notes.

He picks it up and starts to open it slowly.

" No, " Van says quietly, glancing at the window to check if Katniss is looking. She isn't, so he leans closer to Peeta, placing a hand on the folder, pulling it back down to the table.

" At home, don't let her see. " He whispers, loud enough just so Peeta can hear. He nods, and Van backs up to his original position, resting an arm on the side

of the chair.

" Van, why can't Ka- She see? " Peeta asks, remembering that they can't get Katniss's attention, for some reason Peeta hopes he'll know.

" It will effect her, it will trigger the condition she is in, " Peeta is clearly starting to get annoyed, he purses his mouth then stares at Van.

" What? What condition? " He asks, Van only smiles and points to the folder weakly. Peeta looks down at, too. Van glances at the door,

remembering it must be time for his next patient.

" The folder, " Van says, looking back to the door. " The folder will tell you everything. " Peeta sighs and picks up the folder, running his finger along the seal, awaiting

the time he gets to read it, not for him, but for Katniss's protection.

As if on cue, the door opens and a woman with blonde, tied back hair and glasses enters the room, only staying in the doorway, holding a brown briefcase in her hand.

Van smiles at her and she returns it with a wave of her hand.

" Your next patient, doctor Van. " She tells him then turns to leave, smiling at Katniss when she walks down the hallway. Van stands up and leaves the room, Peeta follows behind him, then Van stops in the doorway.

" If she gets worse, " He glances over at Katniss, who is sitting impatiently on the green cushion that stretches all the way out to the other end of the long

waiting room chair.

" Call me. " Van gives Peeta and Katniss a smile and nod, then leaves the same way the woman did, his white doctors robe swaying behind him. Peeta watches him walk down the hall, as if he doesn't trust him, but he does, of course. Van is a doctor, after all.

Katniss rolls her eyes and stands up, then walks over to Peeta.

" So, " She says, a hint of betrayal in her voice. Hearing her voice, Peeta looks down at her immediately. He places a kiss on her forehead, and she looks away then looks back.

" What's wrong with me? " Peeta looks at her with sympathy now, he places an arm around her waist and leads her to the door. It's kind of dark now

and that gives off a nice lighting, like it just rained but it didn't.

" Nothing, " He says, pulling her closer. She looks up at him and he looks down at her. " You're perfect. " She looks down, the hope of her knowing what's

really wrong with her fades away instantly, but she can't help but smile at his words.

They both step out of the door, and into the car park, closing it quietly behind them. Doctor Van suddenly comes out of a side door, and watches them walk

away until they're out of his sight.

To be continued..