I don't owned all off the Hunger Games characters belongs to Suzanne Collins
Based on the relationships between the two main lead, Chen Yu Niang - Yang Lu Chan, from steampunk wuxia movie Taichi Zero and Taichi Hero and a little bit time travelling pieces from Back To The Future.
A Loaf To Remember.
The Beginning.
Rhytmic knocking sounds echoes throughout mirror-polished floors as two man walked down the hallway. At the front is a young man at the mid of twenties wearing a pair of stylish glasses that framed his face flawlessly, he let his lab coat unbutton and waved alongside his large stride. At his back, an old man, about early seventies, following him with the same pace. It seemed that his walking stick is not more than just an accessory since he still got his stocky built from his younger ages, his back still straight up and he didn't loose any single breath as he follow the young man ahead of him.
They stopped in front of a mirror wall and then the young man speaking his name " Pascall Lateer. ". A moment later some biometric recognition screen popped up from the right side of the wall where the young man facing it and keeping it steady when the wall start to shot some sort of red light around his head. Approval notification appeared at the screen and the wall start to slide. " This way sir. ", he smiled at his guest and let the old man in first. " Now don't you call me that sonny, your grand - dad and me aren't that far away. ", the old man stepped in and jawdropped as he see the enormous round room flooded by lot of peoples wearing the same white coat as the young man, playing with the hologram in front of them.
" But you also our number one fan sir, without your financial support. None of this would happen. So I guess you deserved a lot of respect here. " the young scientist chuckles.
" The power of dream young man, it's the power of dream. All you need is to dream and put a lot of love onto your dream. Did you find her ? ", the old man turned his sight onto the young man.
" Yes we did sir, for about three days ago. I'm sorry for the delay because we need to locked on the coordinates and run some test just to make sure everything at it's place. " The young man stepped forward to a table, touched the glossy surface and pulling out a hologram. " There she is. "
The old man moved forward with shaky steps as he see the image of a young woman standing under the gazebo at some kind of dock and staring at the sea in front of her. " She's - she's beautifull. ", the old man muttered as he reached his finger to the hologram. " Yes she is sir. You do have a good eye on woman, I admit. ", the young man touched the table and the projected image disappeared.
" I'm sorry fot that but the time is come and I'm thinking it much better is you see her in flesh. ". The young scientist moved from the table and guide his guest down to the center of the room where the metal platform with a some kind of single seated fighter jet cockpit is placed on top of it.
The young man moving along the metal detector around his guest body and smiling wide as he heard nothing from it. He guide his old guest to stepped the platform, " Thank you boy, thank you. Without you and your grandfather, this won't be happen. " the old man vigorously shaking the young scientist hand. The young scientist says that it was nothing as they helped each other. After his guest jumped in, he fasten his guest seatbelt once the old man is seated comfortably inside the cockpit. He reminded the old man about his earlier brief before the young man closed the cockpit.
The young scientist stepped back to his command post and starts to give some instructions. " Okay everyone, this is it. Raise the power slowly to fifty. ", a man at his right side responded him and the platform started to humming a mechanical voice. " Alright, set the date and the coordinates. ", a woman voice at his left responded him and some numbers projected in the empty air. " Fired up the flux capacitor. ", another voice shouted at him and the metal platform around the cockpit lifted up and transformed into three layers of metal ring and started to circling around the cockpit. " Power to seventy five. ", the metal ring started to moving around rapidly and the humming voice begin to turned like a screamer jet sounds and slowly engulfed the cockpit in a ball of light. " Alright ! Hit it !. ", with the last instruction. The light sphere growing larger and consumed the cockpit entirely, making a circular strong wind and some electric sparks jumping around before it disappeared and the smoking metal ring slowly return to formed the metal platform again.
The young scientist quickly running into his left and looked at the hologram screen, it showed some light sphere is growing and popped up the cockpit from the metal platform. It opened and an old man standing up and looked around him with a merrily laughter. He sighing upon the image and a moment later the rounded room flooded by thunderous clapping.
The young scientist smiling wide before he mutters, " Hope you find what you're looking for Mr. Mellark. ".
" Okay everyone, let's back to work and keep your eyes to our guest, I want him back in peace not pieces. "
First Moments.
The First Slice.
" No way ! ... there's no way I'm gonna take that ", says the average-stocky built blonde guy. " You crossing the line too far this time buddy ".
" Too far ? Yeah, right. I forgot, you're the one who never gonna get everyone got even with you huh ? ". The tall dark-haired man replied to him with stonecold tone.
" Got even ? This is not a competition we talkin' here. Look, a friend in need is a friend indeed, that's what my father always told to me and that's exactly what I'm doin back then. You're my friend here Thorney and you need help back then, at least that's what my mind told me. "
" Bingo ! you've said by yourself baker boy. A friend in need is a friend indeed, and that's exactly what I'm doin' right now. " the dark-haired guy snapped his finger and waving a set of keys in front of the blonde guy face.
" But this is too much Gale, the free room, the job, and now ... your Ducati baby ?. "
" Compare to this house, that lounge, and my new Shelby ? This is nothing you baker boy. Plus, you gonna have your own apartment by the next month and I don't ride my baby anymore and ... I don't want anyone else to ride my baby ", Gale said it with his arms stretched.
" Who ? Me ? I didn't do anything for you. "
" Yes you do a lot smartass, Now ! Are we goin' to do this all day ? Or else ? ", Gale crossing his arms, pulled a flat line at his lips and I know that's is sign for me that he is start to losing his temper. So I gave up, take the keys from his hand and following him in.
Hello everyone, my name is Peeta, Peeta Mellark to be exact. I'm twenty five by now and came from small miner town called Seam, this is my first books and papers free - day. Yep, after tiring years of batling with Adam Smith, John Maynard Keynes, Irving Fisher and many others, I'm finally passed that horrible place out, got my degree. And now, I'm a fully grown - up man who about to get whatever I wanted to. Yes, sir
Owh, I almost forgot. the handsome tall, dark-haired, grey eyes guys you've met is my best friend, Gale Hawthorne. Don't be fooled by his clean, lean and mean exterior, Gale is actually a good guy ya' know. As you can see, he let me stay for free at his house, helping me find a job at The Arena as a junior baker and giving me his dream bike in exchange for my help establishing his lounge for about a year ago.
I can tell you by myself that back then, when we're just two bous at Seam, Gale is a very warm and loving person. It just too bad that he never recover from the day he found his love of lifetime, Cressida, got pregnant by some other small time punk. My only hope right now that one day he will find the miss perfect and not changing his orientations or I'm going to get a big trouble dealing with his jujitsu blackbelt. Brrrrr ...
Inside, Gale give me a short tour around his house before he showed the guest room where I gonna slept for the whole month. He helping me carry some of my luggage from the dorm and I said to him to leave it at the bed. " Here you go, It's not much but I guess it'll do. ", he smiled a bit and showing me the closet and the small bathroom.
" Wow " I just muttered and see around the room. It's quite spacious since it afford a bathroom and king - size luxury bed, the wall is covered with artistic white - wallpaper. Across the bed, a sets of home theatre sits comfortably under seventy inch curved led tv. ouwww, how I hate it so much when he said that this is not much.
Actually it's a little bit uneasy for me to lived at someone else place like this. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an anti-social. I don't mind sharing an apartment but taking something luxury like this and that for free is just not me. But ... what choices do I have right now ? I could told you myself that I'm very lucky that I'm finally able to get rid those damn D's and passed my business school after six exhausting years.
Sometimes, uhmm .. no, in many times I do envy Gale for having a mom like Hazelle that understands him and letting him to get whatever he wants. Me ? Forget it, eventhough my dad always supported me but it always ended up with my mom get whatever she wants and that's how I got stuck at that damn business colleges for years. But ... it's over now and by two weeks, I'm going back with the flours, sugars, eggs, butters that I always loved. I just wonder what my mom will use to hit me if she know that I'm working at the bakery again instead of some nice office, wearing a hanging rope that they called tie. Well, let's save that for another day, I have important things to think right now.
With Gale helping me, my clothes and other things sits comfortably at they proper places within minutes. I looked at my phone and opened up the calendar, two days from now my lovely Catherine Gloss is having her birthday and my pockets is short of shalls. Great Peeta, now what you gonna do ? Where the heck you gonna get a hundred shals with just one and half day ?
" Here. ", a hand holding five sheets of blue-green paper stretched to me. " What is this ? ", I knitted my eyebrow and looking at my best friend. " It's a toilet paper to clean - up your ass. Of course it's shals, what the fuck are you thinking at ? ". Gale voice is raising and he scowl at me.
" But Gale ... ",
" Awhh, just shut up will ya ' ? Who says I just give it you for free ? I'm paying you in advance for the next two weeks, starting from next monday ".
" Two weeks ? ", I tilted my chin sideways and shrug. " But what for ? "
" Luke will be out for three days to taking care of his in-laws at the hospital and since I couldn't find a temporary replacement, I think you are the perfect person to deal with the cashier. Plus, I'm gonna need a drinking companion after hours. " he smiled slightly and pushed the shals onto my chest, " Just get something nice for Gloss. ". Since it's impossible to argue with him, I just take the money and landed a soft punch at his left shoulder.
With some shals Gale gave to me, I'm finally able to buy some present, a bucket of roses, a bottle of cheap wine. It's not much but that will do for now, I slipped some of rubber protector in my wallet just in case if something going out of control. Ouwww, I do hope that tonight there's gonna be small accident between me and Gloss.
I can't hold my lips not to smile when I see a handsome blonde guy in the mirror wearing a black turtle neck shirt and Gale's dark grey suit. I reached the cologne at the table and splashed a bit onto my palms before I rubbed it behind my ears and my neck. I looked again at the mirror just to make sure everything is fine and sitting in the living room, waiting the cab that gonna ride me to Gloss apartment.
My taxi stopped at seventy sixth avenue right at the theree stories building where my love has been stayed for these four years. I pacing up my steps as I climbed the stairs and managed at her doorstep within minutes. At first, it was my intention to give her surprise tonight but it tuned out it was who surprised as I see slight of rays slipping through the narrow gape at her door. I shift my sight at the floor and I found her pink sweater hold the door from closing. I get shocked even more when I opened the door and following the trails along the floor. Washed - off woman jeans, sport bra, smelly men boxer with some yellow spot, men's shirt. The trails leading me to the bathroom where I heard the familiar " oh yes, oh no " and " harder ... deeper " words that I used to watch from some triple x sites.
I didn't dare to looked at what happened inside the bathroom because I'm afraid it will be more that I can handle. So I just take a deep sighing and make my slow - defeated retreat from there, leaving everything I hold at my hand at her doorstep.
I don't know how I got ended up outside Gale's lounge and freezing for quite some time. My head starts to turned into a very spacious room like there's nothing inside my skull, all that I can thinking right now is Gale. Now I do know why he never picking up a date for these five years and I'm feeling so bad for making it a joke. With ome deep breath, I turned my feet and walked away.
" Hey you, lover boy. ", I turned my head and Gale is already standing at the front door, holding one of the glass door with his left arm and looking at me. He just tilted his head as sign for me to come in. I just shrug and following him in with defeated steps.
" So, uhmm - aa .. ", Gale put a bottle of Jack Daniel, a glass and a bucket of ice at the table before he continues. " Now is a good time or maybe later ? ".
I didn't spit out a single word. The next thing I know is my arms stretched to grabbed the bottle, skip the glass and pouring whatever inside the bottle to my throat. I stopped when I feel something starts to burned my chest and climbed up to my cheeks. " Maybe later. ", Gale answering himself and leaving the room.
I feel much better after I take the next two big gulping of Mr. Jack that Gale handed to me, my head is emptied, my spirits is drained and my souls wandering off my body elsewhere as I barely remember anything tonight, everything seemed to happened in fast forward mode. The next thing I can know is I'm leaving Gale's lounge, stopped by at some supermarket and found myself sitting at the dock with dozen of beer can at my right side and my lips pinched a crackling cigar. It's not very late tonight so there's still some young couple walking around shoulder to shoulder, some others are just too busy to making out at the bench. In some strange ways, I felt like the whole world is laughing at me by now.
Thanks to the cold wind breeze at the dock, I'm finally able to collect half of my conciussness back at their place as I take a sip from my beer and sucked my cigar deeply. My phone suddenly beeping and I pulling it out, I just stared blankly at the screen as it showed Gloss name and phone number on it. I hesitantly slide my finger and placed the earpiece next to my ears, " Hello ? Peeta ? Are you there ? ... Hello ? ... ", I didn't respond and the voice across keep echoes at the earpiece. " Peeta honey ? Please answered me baby, don't do this to me. I could explained to you ... Peeta ? ... Honey ? Are you there ? ".
I slowly placing my hands at my lap and turned it off, I just looked at the clear night sky above. No stars or moon up there, as if the heaven feels sorry too for what happenning to me. Dear God, how could this happened to me ?
I'm about to popped up another Heineken when I heard some noises at my left. It turned out to be a girl is staggering and harrassing some people around. I know it's not right to see other people having misery but I'm glad to know that I'm not the only troubled person in the dock tonight.
But somehow I couldn't keep my eyes away from her as she keeps wander aimlessly and smacking some people head. I shaked my head and tried to finish my last green can when I catched her image trying to climbed the fence from the corner of my eyes.
" Hey ! You ! Lady ! Get off from there ! " I shouted as loud as I could but it seemed the breezing wind carries my voices away as she keeps climbing and stretched her arms wide. I have no other choices than throwing away my half - emptied beer can and rushed to that drunk girl.
" Oh no you don't ", I muttered as I managed to grabbed her coat and pulling her which make her fall back onto my chest. " What the heck are you thinking ? Are you crazy ? ", I scolded her and shake her shoulders but she just looking at me with blurry eyes before she calling me " Baby. " and passing out. " Awh great, this is absolutely great. ", I looking around and trying to get some help from the people around but it ended up with they just staring at me for a moment before they quickly moving away.
" Thank you ! ", I shouted at the last couple that run away as I waving and asking if they could help me out. I dragged her to the nearest bench and laid her down, I tried everything that crossed my mind to waking her up but it only make her snooring even more, ejects a very strong mixture aroma of alcohol and fish that make me sick and want to throw up.
Some of the patrolling peacekeepers aren't not very helpfull as they saying that get involved with personal problems is not part of their paycheck. I intended to leave her alone but I called it off when I see some skinhead punks is wandering around with bottles at their hands.
So I get back to the bench, picked her up and carrying her on my back for about fifteen minutes before I finally able to stopped a taxi and jumping in immediately. Since I don't have any other options, I told the driver to drive me back home and hoping that Gale would came up with something.
But it turned out that the odds is not in my favor tonight, Gale leaving a message that he invited to a private party and won't come back untill tomorrow, so I have to carried her in my back and fight my way to my bedroom.
I'm so relieved when I finally managed to throw her at bed and sit at the floor to catch my breath. I slowly try to stand up and turned on the light and able to see the girl clearly, she's quite tall and athletic, her dark hair is a little bit messy but it's braided and sling perfectly at her right shoulder, her smooth olive skin is glowing like a porcelain vase, she's quite pretty and my type of dream girl actually. I just wonder how much she drank back then so she's got knocked out like these, but first thing first. I need to know who she is and where she lived so I can drop her by tomorrow morning.
I reached at her tote bag and start digging. I know it's not a gentleman act to messing up with a lady property like this, but like I told you before, I need to find her ID so I could find her address
. " Okay there, let see who are you. ", I slide the zipper and put my hand in it. " What the ? ", I stunned as I watched a handcuffs coming out from it. I put it at the bedside and continue my searching but I shocked as I pulling it out one by one. Stun gun, pepper spray, brass knuckle, a peacekeeper standard knife, an airsoft gun replica of Beretta. I just hope that I'm not making a mistake by taking a drunk mobster daughter or something as I continued my search
I sighed with relief when I starts to find girl things like mascara, lipstick and gotcha ! I finally find her phone and her wallet. I checked the wallet first but I just found some hundred shals, two packs of rubber ( well, she's cautious enough ), some fitness club membership card, an atm, credit card, another credit card, twenty shals love motel coupon ( ? ), e - money card, another coupon, a coupon, a coupon and another coupon again. " Yeah great, you're about to start a rebellion and doesn't take any ID. This is abso - fucking - lutely great. ", I muttered as I grabbed her phone and the screen asking me to insert some combinations, and that's it. I give up and quickly put everything back at her bag.
" Please baby, don't leave me. ", I shifted my sight as I heard she's talkin and find her curling up, wrapped the bolster tightly with her arms and salt waters flowing down from her eyes. It looks like she's having some bad dreams about someone is leaving her. Maybe it's because I just got dumped by my girlfriend so I began to symphatize with her, I stretched my fingers and brushed her hair gently like my dad used to do to calmed me whenever I got nightmare back then when I was six.
It appears to work when I see she her shoulders relaxed a bit and she loosen her grip on the bolster. I covered her with blanket before I combed her hair once again and laid myself down at the floor.
I gasped and quickly try to stand up as I feel something is splashing at my face but I fall back immediately as something pushing me down and pressing hard at my stomach, my neck and my left arm.
" Try to moved an inch and I carved a very big smile on your pretty face, asshole. ", a girl voice shouted and I feel something sharp and cold at my left cheek. A steely - grey eyes is looking at me when I finally able to cleared my blurry vision.
" What did you do last night ? How do I get here ? Answered me goddam'it ", she scolded me again and I gasped as I tried to respond but her arms pressing my throat so hard and I barely breathing.
I signaling her with my free arm and coughed hardly when she finally release her grip. Gosh, I do now regret about my decision about taking this brutal girl into my place.
" You .. ", I dragged myself to the bed and pointing my finger to her, " You still have your clothes on didn't you ? ".
I could see her standing in confussion and checking her clothes from the corner of my eyes before she moved towards me and helping me get into the bed. " Sorry. " she muttered.
She's still hunt me down about how she's ended up at my room this morning, so I tell her about how I saved her at the dock last night and how she mistakenly calling me as her baby. She scowl, " And you expecting me to believed such story ? ".
To face such a barbaric girl like her you have to showed who's in charge so I refused to answered her further. It's not my business if she's gonna believe it or not.
" Owh well, since it can't helped. Why don't you moved your ass and making me some coffee ? ". She muttered.
" Huh ? ".
" What's that huh for ? I'm your guest don't I ? ". She grabbed my collar and pulling me in. " Are you want to die ? Huh ? ".
" Ow .. okay - okay ... one morning coffee coming through. ", I replied and signaling her to let me go. " make it black with one sugar cube. " she continues with bossy tone. I rushed my way to the kitchen since I can't stand her much longer but my feet halted as she scream " Wait !, get your ass back in here. "
Ouwh my dear God, please have a mercy upon me and released me fokm this she devil. I promised You, I will donate more, praying more, and do whatever You want if you just banished this banshee out of my sight. Pleaseeeeee ...
" Towel. " she mumbles and I quickly grabbed new and clean towel from the closet, " Tootbrush. ", I open the drawer and handed her a new toothbrush. " Tooth paste ? ", she knitted her eyebrows and I said the toothpaste is already the bathroom. " Okay then, now get me some coffee. ", she said it with lazy tone and enter the bathroom while I make my way to the kitchen.
" This is good. ", she vacously licking her finger after she's done with the breakfast I made for her," You're not bad either. ". I saw her nude face, she's definetely one kind of girl that look much better without any fancy make up and she's look so beautifull this morning. " And you're looking good too this morning. ", I smile. " Are you making fun of me ? ", she scowl. Wrong move Peeta, " No, I just - ".
" Just what ?! ", she slammed her fist at the table. " No, I mean - ", I swallowed a lump before continues, " You look much better when you're sober. ". She put down her cup and start to hissing like a viper, " So ... you're trying to mocking me then ? ".
TING ! TONG !
Just about time Gale, I quickly jumped from my chair and run to the front door. " Gezz Gale, God thank you for coming at the right time - ", I'm freezed as I saw a blonde figure at the doorstep. " Honey ! ", it's Gloss and she reached her arms to me but I stopped her midway and pushed her arms back.
" You still mad at me don't you ? ", Gloss biting her lips as I refused to see her. " Aw come on Peeta baby, it wasn't like you're thinking. There's nothing between us, you're the one I loved Peeta ? ", she plead.
" Yeah, right. You must be loved me so much so you screw with the other guy just to keep me still virgin untill the day we got married. ", I throw my hands and leaned at the door.
" But Peeta, you don't understand - ", I raised my index finger to stopped her and says, " And which part did you think that I don't understand Gloss ? ", I flatten my tone , " I think it's time for you to go home now. ", I gazed at her. " It's over. You only love to making fun at me. ", I shake my head and continued my words, " Forget it Gloss, just consider nothing ever happen between us. "
" But Peeta baby - ", I'm about to tell Gloss to leave when a soft voice came from my back
" What is this ? Who is she honey ? ", that rude girl suddenly appears at my back and wrapped her arms around my waist, hugging me from behind and surprisingly placed her lips on my left cheek, which make Gloss temper starts to lit up. " And who the fuck are you ? You bitch ! Get your filthy hands off him ! ".
" Who ? Me ? ", the girl using a mocking tone as she speak to Gloss. " I'm a girl and his friend, I guess that makes me his girlfriend. "
" You bitch ! ", Gloss about to step forward but she stopped as she see what I see from the corner of my eyes.
" You want him ? ", the girl released her left arm from me and the second later, she's waving the stun gun I saw from last night. " So why don't you come and get him. "
" Peeta ! ". Gloss slammed her right feet and yelled at me. I just pulled a straight line at my lips and told Gloss to leave or I call the peacekeepers in. " You'll regret this Peeta. You sons-of-a-bitch. ", Gloss slammed her feet once again and turned away.
" So long sucker ! ", the girl behind me waving and laugh. I turned around to thank her for helping me ...
KAPOOWWW !
But It's her fist landed at my left cheek instead, " That's exactly what you should do to that bitch next time you met her. Remember that. ", she blowed her fist before continues " Are you gonna ride me home or what ? ", owh well, since I don't have much options and I want to end this things ASAP, I just get back in the house, grabbed two hanging helmets o the wall, put on my old trusty sweater and ride her back to her place.
" Victor's Village ? ", I raised my visor and turned my eyes to a girl who sit at my back. " Yeah, why ? ", she replied with cold-bitter tone. I just shake my head and throttle up slowly.
Victor Village is a special housing estate built by the Capitol as compliment for gold medalist athlete, if she's livin' here that's mean that this brutal girl is an athlete and she have won a two olympic gold medal for sure. I just wonder what kind of sports she concentrated for. Weight - lifting ? Karate ? Tae Kwon Do ?, Owh, well it's not my business. I just have to dropped her off and that's it, it's over and I get my life back. At least, that what I think of.
I stopped at the front of two stories victorian style house after she patted my back, It looks the same with the other houses I passing by. The only differences is, it's covered in leaf - green paint and has two big oak tree at the front yard. " Thank you. ", she handed me the helmet. " Your phone. ", she strecthed her palm and asking my celly when I'm about to take off, " Huh ? ", I opened up my visor and looking at her with a mix confussion. " Just give me your phone goddamit' ", and there. She pulling out my collar with her right arm and start to search my body.
" Okay - okay ... ", I raised my hands and passing my phone to her. She striked it with devilish smile on her face, grabbed her own Iphone and start to typing something back and forth between mine and hers for a moment. " Here .", she throwing back my phone and make me almost fall as I try to catch it.
" Make sure you're free this saturday night and pick me up at six. ", she turned away innocently and walked elegantly to her house. " But I didn't say yes. ", I protest.
" And I didn't asked you. ", she straighten her middle finger from her fist and continued. " Just pick me up this saturday night at six or It's gonna be me you found at your doorstep. And trust me, it's much better if you just pick me up here. ", she pulling out the door and turned back. " I'll text you. See ya Pete. ". She's putting up her demonic smile again, waving at me and disappeared behind the door a moment later.
" It's Peeta ! ", I shouted before I looked at my phone and freezed as I find what she's doing with my phone earlier. She's putting in her phone, her BBM and Her WhatsApp contact and wrote " My Girl " as her refferences. I'm pulling in a deep sighing before I leaved the housing area.
Today is saturday, my G - shock show thirty five past seventeen, and yep ! Just like all of you thought. It's me standing at that brute girl door, ringing her doorbell for the second time by now.
The door slowly open and revealed her tall figure. Her dark hair is loosen - up and messy, her PJ's is wrinkled every here and then. " Owh, you're early. Come on in. ", I stunned as I see her floor is filled with paper balls, empty bottle, some spoiled food leftovers and traces of dried puke. Gosh, how the hell she survived in this rat hole.
" Try make yourself comfortable. ", she's yawning as she put the light on and the scenery is get even worst. The living room is likely a garbage dump with lot of thrashes at every corner. I just sighing as I see her back disappeared at one of the room.
I'm pulling out my sweater, hanging it at the and look for the kitchen, it's not much better than the living room with the sink is full of dirty dishes and cookware. I'm relieved when I opened one of the closet and found a set of cleaning tools sits nicely. I put on the rubber gloves, straps an apron and start my cleaning up mission from the kitchen sink and removed the expiring foods and drinks from the fridge before I moved to the living room and swoosh all the dirt into the thrash bag. A big smile craved on my lips as I see the room is a little bit tidy, I opened the windows to let the humid air exchange with some fresh oxygen from outside.
" Sorry for the me - ", she stopped midsentences as she see me and my new uniform. Her eyes drone around the room before it stopped at mine. " I just can't stop myself, sorry ... ", she looked at me for a moment before disappeared back at her room. I just shrug make my way back to the kitchen to return things.
She asking me to pulled out my sweater and handed me a new Alpinestars biker jacket with the same color and pattern as she wear. She tilted her chin and waving a stun gun at her right hand as I looking at her with confussion.
I get her silent message and wear it immediately, I'm surprised as the jacket is perfectly fitted on my body as I zipped it up. " You're ... good. ", she smile when she standing in front of me before she grabbed my collar and dragging me out from the house.
Despite her cruel and aggressive personality, she's turned out to be nice girl ya' know. She's taking me at the famous Delly Bistro for a romantic dinner.
" Don't get me wrong. ", she said as she sink herself at the tall chair. " I just want to thank to you for taking care of me couple days ago. ". The waitress come at our table and placing the menu. " You make the order, bills on me. ", she said nonchalantly and playing with her phone.
I'm swallowing a lump when I see the price at the menu is written in two digits. In fact, most of them is having three numbers, " Royale Club Sandwich and - ", I stopped when she's pulling the menu and slapped my face with it. " Where the hell do you think we're at ? Colonel's place ? Ronald Mcdonald ? ",
Calm down Peeta, used your Yin to defeat her Yang. Gentleness to overcome brute force. Whoosaahh ...
" Two sets of Capitol's Lamb Stew please. ", she said to the waitress with nice - spoiled girl voice. " Yeah right, and you told me to make the order. ", I muttered. " What's that whining for ? You want to die ? ". I jumped back and quickly shuts my mouth tight.
I'm looking at Gale's knitted eyebrows and send silent messages to him when I following that rude girl inside Gale's lounge, which happens to be her favourite saturday night place. Yep, like you can guessed. It's her idea to have a drink or two to spent the rest of the night.
I'm heading straight at the bar, where Gale is busied himself with the liquor. Right after I finished my gentleman act by pulling out the chaor for her. " Gloss is calling me up yesterday. ", He said it nonchalantly.
" I know, I'm sorry. I'll explained it to you later. Right now, I need a tequila and mister Daniels, please ?. ", Gale lips forming a straight line when he passing on my order before he smiled widely and says, " Congratulations matey, drinks on me. ".
" Huh ? ", I stunned as I see the changes of his expressions. " I'm talking about Gloss. You know ? You should do that a long way ago. ", he winked and tilted his head. " I guess you should back to your girl. ". I turned my head at Gale's eyes direction.
I could see that it seemed she's arguing with some guests who sits next to our table. That she demon, I don't care if she's pretty or not. She's always embarassing me when she's with me. " Alright, alright. Let's not waste any good drink tonight. Okay ?", I quickly jumped in between her and the guy from the next table and pushing her back to our own.
" Hey, what's wrong ? ", she didn't answered me instead, she's drying her tequila in one big gulp. She grabbed the short glass and I poured the whiskey which she quickly removed it onto her throat. She slammed the glass and starts to crying, " Am I that hateful ? ".
I feel a little bit uneasy when it comes to see a girl sobbing like this, so I take my handkerchief and passing it to her, " Please don't cry, you're much nicer of you stop crying like that. ", I muttered. She's wiping her tears with my hanky and give it back to me butI told her to keep it for now.
She's asking for another two shots of Jack Daniel's and says, " To be honest, you and me are just the same. ", she's pushing her glass and I poured another shot. " My fiance left me standing alone at the altar about a month ago. ", she takes the big gulp and sobbing for a while before her head slammed the table. I stunned for a moment before I finally tried to shaked her shoulders and she didn't responded.
Yeah, great Peeta. Who told you to give her that damn old tennesse. This is just great ...
My lungs is burned and pain is stinging my back as I have to carried her for five damn blocks and climb for three floors as I fight my way to the cheap motel that Gale told me since he doesn't give me permission to take the girl back at his house. I just throw her to bed as soon as I managed to deal with the doorkey and laid myself down at the floor.
" Why ... ", I prop myself on my left arm and see her crying in her sleep, " Why ... ". I guessed she had the same nightmare as few days ago so I combed her smooth hair untill she calmed down and snooring. Seeing her sinking too deep like this, I just wonder what I can do to ease her pain and her sorrow. I make sure everything is locked when I'm leaving the room to buy some things.
I'm shocked as I found the bed is empty when I get back and there's no sign of her whereabouts. The windows still locked, so I move to the bathroom and find her fall asleep on the floor near the closet. It looks like she's been vomiting and passing out.
I carefully wiped her lips with wet baby tissue that I bought and carried her to the bed. I smashed an aspirin untill it turn into smooth powder and mixed it up with a glass of water, I prop her head with my left arm and try to drink it up on her slowly and covered her with the blanket.
The mixture seemed to work as I watch her sleep like a baby few minutes later. I brushed my fingers at her dark hair and looking at her pretty figure, her tall neck, her fluffy boobs. I almost can tell you that she's my type of girl if only she sets aside those barbaric things.
My watch shows thirty two past double zero as I take a pillow and laid down at the floor. I just met her for three days ago and already sleep together for two times and the girl I dating for two years barely doesn't allow me to moved any further than her living room.
Well, what can I say ? Life is filled funny things ya' know ...
" Alright everyone, gathered up. ", I stand next to Mr. Heavensbee as he introduced me. " Mr. Mellark, I want to introduce you to your team. ", I followed him as he swirl around the kotchen island. " Miss Alma Coin here is the one who responsible for everything that came out from the kitchen. ", I nod to the iron jawed, mid thirty lady. " This is Cato and Clove, they will handle cakes and breads. ", I looked at the blonde handsome guy and the brunette next to him and shake their hands as they greeted me.
" This is Marvell and Glimmer, who supervise the pastry department. ". I nod and smile at the red hair guy and the blonde woman as Mr. Heavensbee hug them from the behind. " and this is your partner, Rue. ", The brown skin girl approaching me and stretched her right arm. " Welcome aboard. ", she smile as I shake her hand.
" Rue will take the finishing for pastry while you supervise for the breads and the cakes. ". My eyebrows twitched as I heard the supervise part. " Supervise ? But you've said that I will start as a junior staff. ".
Mr. Heavensbee rubbed his palms as he says, " Owh, pardon me for not telling you earlier Mr. Mellark. ". He smiled before he continues. " I'm looking again at your portfolio and your test result yesterday, and Miss Coin and Miss Rue right here have the same opinion with me that It would be a waste just to having you mixing flours and handling trays. We could find someone else to do that. "
" But my degree is from business school and I -, ", Mr. Heavensbee raised his right index finger to stop me and says, " And ... you got your years in your family bakery, didn't the wise men always says that experience is the best teacher ? ". I couldn't say any more words and repeatedly thanking him, Rue and Miss Coin.
My first day is extremely fun as Rue introduced me to a new way to decorate cakes and breads with dough - like icing called fondant. It much faster and easier than the traditional buttercream, although I like buttercream better but who cares about that. The important thing is by the end of the day, I already finished two birthday cakes and a wedding tart and Coin is praising me as the cup cakes I decorated is already sold out by afternoon.
Coin the rest of the crew inviting me for a drink after hours but I politely rejected by saying that I need to packed my things since I'm gonna moved to my new flat near by and promised them that I'll go along with them next time.
I popped up my second soda can and looked at the dock across. It's been two weeks since I saw her back disappeared behind the door after I ride her home that day. Her phone is dead, her house lights never on. I just wonder if that rude girl is okay by now.
I'm about to throw my empty can when I suddenly see a blonde woman carrying a huge travel bag and dragging her suitcase to the edge of the dock. I don't know if it just me or this dock is surely having weird ways to attract troubled person but I do know something is not right with her as I watch her eyes entrails the concrete and no one is crazy enough to carriying their luggage and wait for a boat at a dock full of jetskies instead ferries. Unless she's a newcomer in this city, she's definetely got a big trouble.
" Hey yo, missy ! Excuse me ... ", I'm gasping as I reached her place. " The ferry is won't be coming here. You should go to the harbor at northeast section. ". The girl then turn around and looking at me, she tilted her head and she looks to be a little bit confused before she asking me, " Peeta ? Peeta Mellark ? Is that you ? ".
My back straighten up as that stranger blondie know how to spelled my name correctly, I looked at her clear - blue eyes, her blue onesie and suddenly I jolt back in time. It was my first day at junior high and some senior is trying to bullied me before a girl dresses in soft blue onesie is coming and stop them. She took me to the school infirmary and carefully treated me and that's how we started to dating for three years before my mom sending me to the City for better education.
As far as I remember she's telling me that her name is, " Madge ? The mayor daughter Madge Undersee ? ", I knit my eyebrows.
" What are you doing here ? "
To be continued ...
Like it or hate it let me know. Regards.