Then

My second year of college starts today. Annie and I ditched our dorm after first semester and got a studio apartment because the bitches we shared the place with kept trying to take our shit. Annie bitched them out, and we stopped conversing with them. Everything that belonged to Annie and I got put into our room and locked, including food.

Annie and I have been living in our apartment for two years now. We've kept in contact with our high school…well, high school sweetheart, Peeta and Finnick, and our bed friend, Johanna Mason.

"Let's make milkshakes." Annie says.

"Okay." I say. Annie still won't get a fucking phone, which I think is funny. She's actually going to get one tomorrow, and she'll get everyone's numbers from my phone. Mama and Daddy moved to Maine with Prim about a month after Annie and I left home and Annie's parents moved with mine. They share the house because the house is huge.

We haven't even had a chance to see Peeta and Finnick and Johanna. I miss then like mad.

Oh, and some good news is I wrote a song for Juilliard that explained how is was to leave home, and it actually earned me a record deal. I released an album, and I did a concert with Hunter Hayes so I do get noticed a lot, and I do have quite a bit of money.

I did that concert with Hunter Hayes, too.

"Okay, what do you want in it?" Annie asks.

"It's a milkshake."

"People put weird shit in milkshakes!" she laughs and I smile.

"Okay um… chocolate, chocolate syrup, reeses, cherries and twix."

Annie snickers and we start adding the , not paying attention, grabs my phone right after she puts the milk in and starts to blend it, and drops it in there, thinking it's a twix.

It makes the most sickening sound, and we both start screaming and I rip the blender out of the outlet and it stops, but it's sparking. I get the tongs, swatting Annie's hand.

"Don't sick your fucking hand in there, dumbass! It's electric which means you'll get electrocuted!"

"And metal tongs are any better?"

I sigh in irritation and get the plastic ones instead. I get out my phone and set it on the counter.

"You broke your phone?" Annie asks. I nod, and she shrugs. "You can get a new one when I get one tomorrow."

"Ann." I whisper. "Peeta and Finnick and Johanna's numbers were on that phone!"

"So? They can sync your contacts-"

"No, it didn't work when I broke it at prom, remember? I had to ask Peeta for his number, and for Finnick's and Johanna's!"

"So you don't have their numbers anymore?" she asks. My eyes are welling with tears. "I'm sure it's written down somewhere. Let's go look."

Now

We searched that apartment for hours. We even drove up to Maine and checked there, and we made sure nobody had their numbers.

"Well Peeta will text you." She has said

"My number isn't the same." I muttered. "It's going to change because we're on a different phone plan, which means different numbers."

I haven't spoken to any of them. I couldn't. It's already over. College I mean. Annie and I still live together. I recorded that song that got my the record deal. I have another song now, The Lonely.

We've een out of college for two years.

We went back to Philly to make sure there was no trace of Peeta there, or Finn.

We fucking went right into Stanford University in California and they refused to give us their numbers. I offered them money, too and they said if we don't leave they'll call security.

I didn't get a new phone until I graduated because I was so pissed. Annie didn't either.

Now we're sitting on the couch and the mail comes. Annie disappears, and comes back. There's been a depression through this house since that day.

It's a letter in the mail. One is addressed to me and one is addressed to Annie. They're in the exact same envelope and they're not for Juilliard.

Its from Northridge High School.

"Katniss is a six year high school reunion."

"When?" I demand.

"Uh, you're twenty forth birthday."

It's May eighthth. My birthday is tomorrow.

"What if Peeta and Finn go? And Jo? I bet one of them has the other two numbers." I say.

"We're going." Annie says.

I definitely look different from high school. That high school acne is gone. I grew still, so I'm a few inches taller, my skinniness is more bone now, and you can tell the difference even if I was wearing a hoodie. My hair is long still, and still is the same color, but it was trimmed so it looks healthier. My face matured too, and my boobs are definitely bigger.

That's the same with Annie.

"We're going. We need to stay together. We can go in normal clothes. I'm not dressing up. Get shorts and a t-shirt, take a shower. We're going. We'll get a hotel."

I don't argue. I pack a bag, and I take a shower.

I still wear the promise ring, and I never take it off.

I wonder if Peeta still have the other half.

I know he has the other half of my actual beating heart still.

I just get a pair of white lace short shorts and a blue jean three quarter button up shirt that I tuck in but still make it loose.

If we drive right through, we can get there in time. It's at ten tomorrow morning and our mail comes late, at five, so we get ready and eat, and then at eight, we get in the car and start driving.

Annie and bouncing with anticipation, and I let her drive an she speeds, and as he bounces, her foot presses and lifts off the gas so the car is jerking and I can't stop laughing, one because I'm excited and two because it hilarious. I call Mama on a pay phone and tell her what's going on.

Oh, she and Daddy had another baby who is now two. Her name is Lillian Jane. She was named after Mama. Mama can't have any more kids now because she hit menopause.

We get there pretty fast, so we get a hotel. I have to take a sleeping pill to knock myself out.

….a….

Annie showered again, and now I am. The ring is glistening, and I stare at it.

Hopefully I'll find the other half today.

Most people know me now and I get recognized a lot. I bet everyone at the school is going to know me.

It's nine thirty, so I get dressed and dry my hair and let it be down, and I put on deodorant and brush my teeth and I chew gum the whole car ride there.

It's at the school. There is so many cars here.

Many people I recognize are outside, because it hasn't started yet.

I see Glimmer. She looks different. Less like a whore and more like an actually nice person. She has a little boy with her, and she's in a t-shirt and jeans.

I don't see Finnick though, or Peeta.

"Is that Jo?" Annie asks, grabbing my arm. We're sitting on the hood of my car.

"Where?"

"There!" she points, but I don't see her.

"Where Annie, I can't-"

"There!" she turns my head, and it looks a lot like her. She's in a camo pants and a jet black t-shirt and combat boots.

"She's dressed like Jo would…" I hesitate and stand up, grabbing my keys. I brush my hair out of my face and make sure that my car didn't get dirt on my ass.

"Let's go." I say.

As we get closer I realize it's not Johanna, it's Jaden Smith. She was always a quiet observer, and she dressed similar to Johanna. I sigh and go back to the hood of my car.

"Dammit." Annie mutters. "We should just go-"

"No. I'm not leaving." I say. "The crowd is too fucking thick to go looking through. I say we go in, stick together, and start looking." They open the doors and let everyone in.

"Fine." she mutters. The principle is holding the door open. "Let's go."

We walk in together, and I lock the car.

People notice us right away. They ask how we are, and comment on how much we've changed, comment on our music, and how we've been. I don't even remember some of the people.

Music is playing. It's weird being back in here.

Annie grabs my arm. "We should check by our old table." She says. So we do, and there's no luck.

I'm slowly starting to give up hope.

"They're not here Ann, let's just get the hell out of here and have Ben and Jer-"

"BRAINLESS! CRAZY!"

It's the loudest female voice in the entire world.

It's an umstakeable voice. It's Johanna Mason's voice.

Annie and I both spin around, and sure enough, there stands Johanna. Her hair got long. Her boots are spiked, her jeans are black, and her tank top is red.

She comes running, and she knocks us right into the table. "Fuck, your tits got huge guys!"

We're both laughing, and then she turns serious, sitting down on the table with Annie and I on either side of her.

"They're here." She says.

"Who?" I ask dumbly, just so I can have completely conformation.

"Peeta and Finnick."

I'm silent, and so is Annie.

"They both stayed faithful. Peeta won't take that damn ring off, and that chain you gave Finnick broke, so he bought a locket, balled it up and put it in there. Anyone that touches it to look at it gets yelled at." Johanna snatches my right hand. "You still wear it. Good."

"Of course I still wear it." I say.

"Well-"

"ANNIE!"

It's the loudest shout in all of the fucking history.

Her head snaps up.

It's clear to everyone that obviously they haven't seen each other in a very long time.

Both Annie and I are looking over there. Standing next to Annie is Peeta.

He got buffer, and taller. His hair got a bit darker, but it's still wavy.

I can't even move, and neither can Annie, and people are staring with smiles.

Finnick is breathing heavily and they're both smiling like fucking dumbasses.

"Let's go." Peeta says quietly to Finnick.

"I'm going first." Finn says.

"No, I am." Peeta says. They start fucking around with each other.

"God, they're still dumbasses." I mutter. Johanna starts cackling. I stand up and yank Annie to her feet.

"Let's go." I say.

"No, I'm going first." She says.

"Whoever gets there first." I say.

"Fine." She says. We both run to them. I get to Peeta first, and I nearly knock him over. He steadies me, and I throw my arms around his neck. He picks me up and twirls me. His grip is still the same. It's strong and loving and I never want to forget how it feels again.

Finnick and Annie are just making out, and nobody bothers to tell them to stop.

Peet and I don't really make out in front of other people.

Finally, Finnick puts Annie down.

"Kitty." He says. He pulls me into his arms and squeeze so tight that I push him off.

We're supposed to be going to visit our family after this trip.

"Finn." I mutter. Shoving him off. "God, you're going to kill me."

He snickers. "I fucking should! You guys texted us once and that day and then never answered again. God, the last thing you said to Peeta was that you loved him and then you guys fucking vanished off the face of the earth."

Johanna joins our group and everyone continues their chatter.

"He thought you killed yourself."

"Yeah, explain yourself." Johanna says.

"Well, you remember when we were going to prom and I broke my phone?" I ask. They nod. "Mama had to get me a new one and I had to ask you guys for your numbers?"

The three of them nod. "Well…funny story. Annie and I were making milkshakes and uh…I put my phone in the blender on ccident and it…it's fucking destroyed. I tried getting your contacts back. We even drive up to Maine to search our parents house. We can back here. God, we tried everything. Nothing worked."

"So put your phone in a fucking blender?" Johanna asks. "God, you're still a dumbass."

Peeta slings his arm around my shoulder and pulls me against him.

We're laughing, and when it dies down Finn says, "Lets get the fuck out of here, let's go somewhere with a pool, and we can play Marco Polo. AFTER you bitches go get your phones put back up."

"Um…okay…how about a road trip?" I ask.

"To where?"

"Uh…my parents mansion in Maine."

"Oh Katniss, we're not even packed for that." Annie says.

"Well then we'll just go home. It's on the way to Maine anyways."

"Fine." She says. "Let's go."

"One slight problem." Peeta says.

"Which is?" I ask.

"Well, you see…remember when I didn't talk to you for that whole day in our first year?" I nod. "I was in the hospital because I totaled my car. I didn't tell you because I knew you'd panic but uh…we don't have a car. We've been living off of taxi's."

"So? My car seats five and it's in the parking lot."

"We don't have clothes, either."

"Well I stole your clothes anyways. They're at our house so it's fine."

"Alright. Let's go then."

We go outside, and I lead them to the car. It's a different car now, a silver SUV.

Peeta takes the front and Annie, Johanna, and Finnick take the back.

"We can get our phone in New York." I say.

"Uh-" Finn starts.

"It'll be fine. It's not like we're going to be separated."

I put the car in reverse and slam on the gas, quickly spinning the car so I don't hit anyone's cars. I put the car in drive and speed off. They're laughing.

"You're still a reckless driver."

I shift into second to turn, and then shift into third and go flying onto the road.

"Wait." I say. "Mama and Daddy still own the house. I want to go there." I make an illegal turn and go speeding into the street of my old neighborhood. The key on my keychain still works on the door.

I want to see if they took my instruments. I go up to my music room, and they're all still here.

I hesitate, and then I start putting my guitars into cases, and I make them help me bring all of them to the car.

I shut the door and lock it, and then we speed our way to New York.

….a….

We get there around noon. Annie and I lead them upstairs.

We show them around the apartment and I take Peeta to my room and slam the door and lock it. I dig around the boxes for all the clothes I stole from him.

I find the one I'm looking for in my closet that says, "The shit I stole from Peeta that still doesn't know about"

I hand it to him, and I get out my suitcase and just dump my drawers. I let him use one of my suitcases.

"Wait." He says. I stop what I'm doing to look at him. "Why do you have that?"

He points to a blade I have hidden in my underwear drawer. "Katniss."

"I didn't use it." I say. "I promise."

I sighs, and I hand it to him.

"Keep it. I don't need it."

"But why do you have it?" he asks.

"Peeta-"

"No Katniss." He shakes his head.

He won't give up until I tell him.

"Just in case, okay?" I whisper. "But I swear, I never once used it."

He opens up my window and throws it right out the window, and then he turns around to face after shutting the window.

"Come here." He whispers. I walk into his arms, and he kisses me, and I deepen it.

We start making out, and when I find my hands beginning to wander, I stop us. "We can't." I whisper. He kisses me three more times, and then releases me. I finish packing, and I make sure he doesn't have a boner. He puts his clothes in a bag I give him and we go into the living room. They're ready to go.

"Wait." I say. "We need snacks."

"Yes. Thank god we don't have to lock the fucking cabinets."

"Why would you have to do that?"

We go on to explain why we had to lock the cabinets and doors. Johanna has a lot of opinions on that, but I just full a bag with snacks.

I open the first drawer. "My phone." I say, and I point. They start laughing, and we bring the stuff to the car.

We go to Verizon. Finnick and Peeta are picky. They let us get our phones, but Finnick buys Annie an otter box and Peeta gets me a lifeproof case, no matter how much I tell him to knock it off.

Right when my phone is ready, my Samsung galaxy s4, Peeta programs his number, and Finnick's and Johanna's and his Mom and Dad's. I add Mama and Daddy and Prim and Nana and basically everyone I can think of, and then I call Mama.

"Hello?" she asks.

"This is my number now, listen-"

"You finally got a phone honey?" she asks.

"Yes, listen-"

"That's great."

"I'm bringing other people with me today. I'm not telling you who, but were on our way."

She doesn't care, so I just hang up and we head to Maine.

"I'm warning you guys now," I say. "I have a new sibling."

"Are you serious?" Johanna asks. I nod. "She's two. Her name is Lillian Jane. She's named after my Mama. She's adorable and she is respectful and shit. Annie's parents live with my parents and well…my family is even richer and they have a mansion, and when I say mansion, I'm not kidding."

"Are they richer because of you?" Johanna asks.

"No, I'm rich on my own, they're richer because my great grandparents died and they got everything. Nana was an only child so she got all the money and shit. she didn't want it, so it was given to Mama and Daddy so…" I trail off. "They were billionaires."

"Damn." Finn says.

I nod.

….a….

The house is huge and Lily is outside with Mama and Daddy and Prim and Annie's parents and brother, because I told them we were almost here.

She's running around the yard. I pull up and shut the car off.

"Sissy!" Lily comes running, and she trips. Before she can hurt herself, I catch her.

"Hey Lily." I kiss her cheek.

"Oh my goodness!" Mama says, rushing to give Peeta, and Finnick, and Johnna a hug and a kiss on the head. She frets over me.

"You were driving way to fast when you pulled in Katniss, you need to be more careful. I understand you're impatient but you're going to get hurt."

"Okay Mama." I kiss her cheek, and Daddy's, and Prim's, who is now fifteen.

"Come inside. I made dinner."

Finnick, Johanna, and Peeta are staring at the house in shock. I pull Peeta in, and Johanna follows numbly behind.

I give them the tour and then sit down for dinner.

"So Katniss." Mama says. "Are you still a virgin?"

She asks me that every damn time she sees me. I sigh.

"Yes."

She looks at Peeta for a second. "Are you lying?"

I laugh. "No. I'm still a virgin. I swear."

"And you guys are um…you're together?"

We nod.

"And the reason you were separated has been discussed?"

"Yes." I say.

"And everything is okay?"

I see her look at my wrist. She thinks I didn't notice but I did.

"I haven't cut myself since I was in the hospital, Mama." I say, sitting back. "I'm not the same person now. You know that."

I help her start clearing off the table.

"I know honey but…it's my job as your mother to worry. I know you have that blade in your room."

Annie looks at me in shock. "You told me you got rid of it!"

"It's gone." I say. "As of today."

"So you kept it just in case?" Daddy asks. "You waited till you saw them again and now you get rid of it?"

"I didn't get rid of it." I say. "Peeta did."

"You did?" Daddy asks.

He nods. "She doesn't need it and I don't want it near her."

"Good for you." He says.

Mama sits down, and Peeta gets up to help me. I go into the kitchen, and he follows me. we don't say anything, until finally, I whisper, "Are you mad at me?"

He shakes his head. "Nope. I know how your brain works. I'm not mad, you just…you worry me."

"Well I'm okay, Peeta. I swear."

…a…

We all go into the pool. Lily doesn't, she plays in her sandbox. We play Marco Polo. Peeta's it, and I'm purposely not saying it so I can find out if he's trying to get me or not.

"Marco." He says.

"Polo!" everyone replies.

"Katniss." He's smirking, and I smile, and I giggle, which makes everyone look at me in surprise. "Marco!" he says.

"Polo!" I yell. I'm five feet from him, as he moves closer, I slip under water and swim along the bottom the pool to the deep end.

"Marco." He says when I get up.

"Polo." I say, yelling. "Am I loud enough now?" I tease, and he laughs.

"Marco." He says, ignoring my question.
"Polo." Everyone says.

I slip out of the pool and keep a foot in, so technically it's not fish out of water because a part of me is still in the pool.

He moves all the way to the deep end and he's a foot in front of me.

"Marco!" he says.

"polo!" I say, close to him, and then I dive right over his head into the water.

"What the fuck, Katniss!" he's laughing, and so is everyone else.

"I forgot how cute you guys are." Annie says. She looks so happy, and I bet I do, too.

He starts putting out both arms.

"Marco." He says.

"Polo." Everyone says.

He's starting to just go for whoever is close to him.

He's been it for fifteen minutes.

I'm snickering because he's trying so hard.

"Marco." He says,

"Polo." Everyone says.

"I'm getting bored of this game." He says.

"Because you can't get me." I smile.

"No…because I…I..." he tries to think of a reason, but he can't because I'm right.

He forgets it and goes back to the deep end. I perch above him.

"Marco." He says. I say polo, only this time, and turns around to see eacty what I'm doing.

"Is that technically fair?"

"It is because her foots in the water." Johanna says.

"I peed Mama!" Lily yells.

"Alright, I'm getting out. It's bath time for her anyways.

"Me too." Daddy agrees, and Annie's parents follow. Johanna mutters about how she's fucking bored and tired, so she disappears too, leaving Finnick, Annie, me, and Peeta alone.

I sit down on one of the pool chairs. Finn and Annie go inside after a while, probably going to find a room away from everyone else that they can have sex in. Peeta picks me up and sits down in my spot, and the sits me between his legs, resting his head on my shoulder.

"I love you." He whispers.

"I love you, too." I mumble. "Peeta…" I sigh.

"Hmm?" he plants a soft kiss on my neck.

"What happens when…when we um…you have to go back to California?"