"Peeta!" My dad's voice jolts me from what was a peaceful sleep. I groan and look over at the alarm clock beside my bed. 5:45 AM. Ugh…
"Get up you lazy boy!" He throws my door open, the light from the hallway fills my room. I groan loudly as it blinds me. "We're going to be late if you don't hurry up and get ready!"
"Yes Dad." I huff. He closes the door as I literally roll out of my bed until I'm sprawled out on the floor. My blankets pool around me but I still can't find the motivation to get up.
I know that if I'm not dressed, packed and waiting by the door in ten minutes my dad will be upset.
I haul myself off the floor, stooping down to grab my blankets off the floor and toss them in a heap on the bed. I trudge to the bathroom with a fresh pair of clothes in hand. I wash my face, brush my teeth and apply deodorant. Throwing all my toiletries into my bag once I've finished with them. I pull on my clothes before leaving the bathroom. I throw my toiletries bag into my suitcase and zip it shut.
My suitcase clunks down the stairs behind me. Dad is already waiting by the door. Markus is slumped against the wall with his suitcase next to him. Rye is still stomping around upstairs.
"Bryan Mellark get down here we have to leave now!" Dad yells up the stairs. A minute later he tromps down the stairs with his suitcase in hand. He grumbles the whole way down; Rye is not a morning person.
Dad grabs his suitcase and heads out to the car. He stands at the trunk helping each of us load in our bags.
He smiles and claps me on the back, "Let's go to Mexico!" He says in a singsong voice. I return his smiles. This is the happiest I've seen him since mom left.
She left two years ago. Dad was the only one who was upset. Markus, Rye and I were tired of the abuse; we didn't feel the least bit upset when she left. Good riddance. We've never told him the extent of her abuse. He loved her, despite the fact that she left, broke his heart and abused their children. He tried to defend us, to get her to stop. But it only stopped while he was home. When she finally got sick and tired of us she left.
Ever since then Dad has been pretty down. He threw himself into the bakery, which in turn has been doing really well. A few months ago my Uncle Haymitch came to visit. He's really rich because of the large chain of bars and restaurants he owns, a bit of a drunk but a really great man. He saw how sad Dad was and offered to pay for the four of us to stay for a month at his home in Mexico after I graduated. He said he'd join us after a week. He claims it was so Dad could research Mexican pastries, like churros. Haymitch said that it's not a vacation, at least not for Dad—who insisted on paying him back. Uncle Haymitch said Dad could pay him back by making new and exciting pastries when the trip was over. So Dad hired his friend Chaff to run the bakery while we are gone.
Now here we are, on our way to Mexico. To be honest…I'm happy for Dad, this trip will be good for him. But I really wish I didn't have to go. I'd rather stay home and hang out with my friends. Finnick, Annie, Delly, Thresh, and I are going to college in the fall. It's our last summer together and I don't really want to miss a whole month of it. But Dad insisted we go as a family. Rather as much of a family as we are. I felt guilty about asking to stay home but I just really didn't want to go to Mexico for a month. It's hot and humid, I'd rather the comfort and cool of Calgary. Also I don't even know how to swim…what am I going to do with my time?
We picked up Chaff along the way so that he could drive the car back home instead of parking it at the airport. He drops us off and we head into the airport to board our flight.
At 10:30 we are all boarded and the plane is pulling out onto the runway. Before us took off two F-18 jets which was pretty cool actually. The flight attendants give their usual spiel before the plane takes off.
I've always loved flying. It is so amazing watching the earth disappear beneath you. Plus the view from that high up makes for amazing paintings. I settle in for a nap and allow sleep to take me.
I wake an hour later; Rye is snoring softly beside me. I turn and look out the window, lost in thought. I see nothing but clouds and blue sky. It's beautiful in a peaceful way. The calming effect of the serene landscape fills me.
I think of my last year at school. It was so plain, nothing exciting happened. I didn't date, I took my best friend Delly to prom instead of a date, I spent most of my time holed up in the art room. I decided to go to school for business after graduation. But overall nothing exceptional happened.
I had the feeling that something awesome would happen this summer. Maybe I'd finally meet a girl that wasn't shallow or vapid like pretty much every girl I went to high school with. But that certainly wouldn't happen in Mexico. Not that I would want it to…find the girl of my dreams only to have to leave a month later…sounds like some sort of cruel joke, or movie plot. Not that I even know enough Spanish to really communicate with them. I know how to ask for the bathroom and say "Hi. How are you?" Not exactly relationship building material.
Rye's head lolls off the headrest and he wakes with a snort and a comical head jerk. I bit back a laugh. He rubs his eyes and stretches.
"How much longer Peet?" He asks.
I glance down at my watch, 1:08 PM.
"Still two more hours." I say. He sighs and digs through his carry on for his iPod, plugging the headphones into his ears and closing his eyes again. I envy my brother. He can fall asleep on command. I have a much more difficult time. I'm pretty sure I have partial insomnia because some nights I can't get to sleep until very early into the morning.
I grab my headphones from my bag and plug them into the arm rest to watch some TV. My only options appear to be Phineas and Ferb or some movie I've never heard of. I unplug my headphones, plugging them into my own iPod in stead.
Come home by OneRepublic comes on after pressing shuffle. Ironic. Real funny. Whoever controls this crazy world certainly is having a good laugh at my expense. I groan internally and switch the song.
Our flight lands on schedule and we go through customs smoothly. Once our bags are claimed we catch a taxi and give them the address to Haymitch's place.
Driving here is definitely a bit different than back home…it's faster. The city flies by in a colorful blur. The blue of the ocean on my right is incredible. Despite the air conditioning in the car I can feel the heat of the sun. I'm going to need a lot of sunscreen or I will burn in the first few days. Maybe I can get a tan instead of a burn. Not likely but I can hope.
The driver pulls up in front of a tall white apartment building on the beach. We buzz in at the gate and drag our bags inside. The air conditioning is much cooler in here and it hits us like a solid wall of cold air when we walk through the doors. My skin is quickly covered in goose bumps. My body convulses in a small shiver but the cool air is a welcome change. It reminds me of home, just a bit. It feels like early spring. When the snow hasn't completely melted but the warm airs of summer, or of a Chinook, are beginning to blow through the air.
Dad walks up to the front desk and gives the receptionist the information Haymitch sent with us. She retrieves the keys and hands them over to my Dad. An expression of shock and awe quickly flashes across his face before he thanks the receptionist.
He turns to us with a bright smile and gestures for my brothers and I to follow him. He summons the elevator and we all climb in. Dad pushes the button for the top floor and the elevator quickly rises.
The doors open to a small hallway with only two doors. Dad unlocks the door on the right and enters the apartment. Markus follows with Rye right behind him. I enter last and close the door behind me. I turn to look at my uncle's apartment but instead am met with a beautiful penthouse suite. My Dad and brothers are gaping at the grandeur, I'm sure I am too.
"Wow. Haymitch that old dog!" Dad exclaims. "He never mentioned that this place is…" He doesn't finish the sentence. Not that he needs to. We all understand. This place is incredible. When Haymitch said he had an apartment in Mexico none of us pictured this.
We quickly explore. Dad gets the master bedroom. Rye and Markus claims the rooms with the king size beds. I'm left with the room with two double beds. Not that I mind because it has a balcony with an incredible view. Perfect for painting. I drop my bag on one bed and cross over to the balcony door. Pulling it open I am met with a wave of heat. I step out onto the balcony and observe.
The rolling waves beneath my balcony will make for incredible paintings. The sound is soothing, it'll perfect for at night. I like to sleep with my windows open and the crashing waves will be a nice ambiance that will hopefully lull me to sleep.
I look around some more, there is a private pool below surrounded by beach chairs. There are plenty of vendors along the beach which I intend to check out. I should also search for an art store. See if I can get my hands on an easel, canvases and paints.
I wander back into the main room. Dad is exploring the kitchen, opening every drawer and cupboard.
"Wow!" he exclaims with his head deep in a cupboard. He pulls back, bring a very large wine glass with him. "It's as big as my head Peeta!" He chuckles, holding the glass beside his head to show me the comparison. It nearly is. I bet that you can fit three full bottles of wine in there.
"That seems a bit extreme." I comment. Dad nods and laughs.
Markus and Rye emerge from their rooms wearing nothing but swim trunks with towels strung over their shoulders.
"We're going to the beach. You guys coming?" Rye asks enthusiastically. He can't wait to be out in the heat.
"I'm good." I say quickly. Water still scares the hell out of me. When I was younger and learning to swim I went to deep and almost drowned. I haven't tried swimming since then and I don't intend to.
Dad opts to join them, leaving me alone in the apartment. I change into long swim shorts and grab a light cotton button down. I leave it unbuttoned; I have a nice body thanks to years of wrestling. I grab about one hundred dollars worth of pesos from my wallet and tuck them in my pocket. I pull out my iPod and plug in my headphones. I grab a set of keys and turn on some soft acoustic music I make my way from the building.
I wander through the streets looking for the small art supply store the receptionist found for me. I think I might be lost. It's very possible. I attempt to ask for directions but communication is difficult.
Amazingly I find the store. It's small but carries exactly what I'm looking for. I find a collapsible easel, good quality paints and a few varying sizes of canvases. I approach the register. I dark skinned man with tightly curled coarse black hair smiles brightly at me.
"Hey man. Did ya find everything alright?" His voice is thick with a Jamaican accent.
I smile and nod, "Yeah I did thanks." I place all my items on the counter and he begins to scan them.
"You're from Jamaica?" I initiate the conversation. He chuckles and nods his head.
"Sure am. I moved here to go to art school and just never left. My name is Cinna by the way."
"Peeta." He reaches out to shake my hand.
"That's an odd name man."
"It's a nickname. My real name is Peter but my brother's couldn't say it properly for the longest time. The r always turned into an a. It just stuck. Plus my dad owns a bakery and thought it was hilarious." Cinna chortles with me.
"What are ya doing out here in Mexico? Vacation?" He asks, still ringing through and bagging my supplies.
"Sort of. My uncle sent my Dad, brothers and I here to live for a month. My mom left two years ago and my Dad has been pretty down since then. However my Dad wouldn't accept a vacation so my uncle said he had to learn to make churros while we were here, as well as some other traditional pastries." I try to hide the unhappiness in my tone.
"Let me guess," he leans on the counter, "ya don't really want to be 'ere?"
I laugh, "That obvious huh?"
He smirks, "A bit man. So why not?"
Something about this guy is so friendly and trustworthy. I really enjoy talking to him.
"It's to hot, I can't swim, and I was hoping to spend my last few months with my friends before we all go off to college."
Cinna laughs a bit. "I can't help you with the last two, but you'll get used to the heat. I promise."
I pay him and he hands over my bags.
"It was nice to meet ya Peeta. Come back and visit alright? Maybe show me a painting or two?" I nod enthusiastically before exiting the shop.
I manage to find my way back to the apartment and drop my things off in my room. A quick peak over the balcony and I can see Dad, Rye and Markus in the water. I wander down onto the beach. Dad waves from the water and I reciprocate the action.
I stand in the cool ocean water and allow my senses to be filled with the water lapping at my feet and the sand squishing beneath my toes.
"Watch out!" A woman's voice pierces through my calm shortly before a warm body crashes into my own. This person is much smaller than I. I can tell because the impact of their body is pretty much nothing as we topple over and they land on top of me.
"I'm so sorry!" A different female voice comes from my attacker. I open my eyes but the sun is bright and halos around the figure above me. My eyes manage to focus again and I see the most beautiful face.
Olive toned skin, dark chocolate brown hair, and silver grey eyes. Her features are perfectly symmetrical I notice. Her hair is pulled away from her face in a braid but loose, wispy pieces frame her oval face. Her grey eyes study me with the same intensity that mine study her. She shifts slightly on top of me and I feel just the bare skin of our upper bodies and her small bikini top. I notice the moment she realizes the same thing because she jumps off me quickly, a blush taints her cheeks only adding to her beauty.
"Sorry." She mutters again before reaching down to take my hand. I doubt that she could pull me up but her slight size proves to be deceiving. She pulls me up with minimal difficulty, but forgets to release my hand. Not that I'm complaining. Her eyes still have me mesmerized.
She recovers from this trance we are in quicker than I do.
"Hi." Her voice is breathy, she clears her throat and continues, "Sorry again. I should have been watching where I was running. Are you alright?" Concern mingles with the slightly husky tone of her voice.
I shake myself out of the spell of her eyes and say, "Yeah I'm fine. Are you?"
She nods, "I'm Katniss." She shakes our still joined hands and then releases mine.
"Peeta." She laughs quickly but the smile lingers after.
"I thought my name was strange."
"It's actually Peter." I explain for the second time today.
She nods in understanding.
"Nice to meet you Peter." She puts dramatic emphasis on the r and laughs as she bends over to pick up the Frisbee she must have been chasing when she bowled me over.
I wish I could say that I was a gentleman and didn't stare at her ass. I wish I could say that. But I did. I have one word to describe it, damn. The tiny shorts definitely didn't help either.
I pull myself together in time for her to stand up. She turns back to me, her eyes lingering on the planes of my chest beneath my wide-open button down.
"Maybe we'll see each other again." She sends me a flirtatious wink. Although I'm not entirely sure I didn't make that up.
"I hope so." I mutter under my breath.
The next day I went back down to the beach. As much as I don't want to admit it, I'm searching for Katniss. Last night I couldn't sleep…again. However this time it was due to visions of beautiful gray eyes, a long chocolate braid and a body some girls might kill for.
I wandered the beach for hours. My search proved useless. She was nowhere to be found. Instead I turned back to the apartment, walking slowly along the beach.
Rye and Markus are in the pool when I arrive. Rye has a beer in one hand and is leaning against the pool wall. Markus is floating on an air mattress; he appears to be fast asleep.
"Hey Peeta." Rye calls over, "We're going out partying tonight. You in?"
"I dunno man…" I start but he quickly interrupts me.
"No way Peeta. I am not taking no for an answer. The girls who invited us were so damn hot and I'm thinking I might get a bit lucky tonight." He waggles his eyebrows suggestively.
"Fine. I'll come. But I'm not drinking. I wouldn't want to end up like you." Rye just laughs loudly, nearly waking Markus from his nap.
"You say that like it's a bad thing!"
"It is." I grumble.
"Oh come on Peety." I hate it when he calls me that. "You're just jealous because I'm awesome, and when I'm drunk I'm a thousand times funnier. And that I get all the pu…"
"Stop!" I nearly shout, the last thing I want to hear about right now is Rye and his many—and I mean many—drunken conquests. "For the love of all that is good please stop!"
He chuckles and takes a long swig from his beer.
"You're disgusting." I mutter and make my way upstairs.
A few hours later dinner is eaten and the dishes are cleaned up. Dad has retreated to his room, no doubt to check his e-mail and check in on the bakery.
Rye and Markus dart into their rooms and proceed to change into more party appropriate clothes. I change as well; I throw on a clean black t-shirt and pair of plaid swim trunks. I don't even know why I own swim trunks…I can't even swim. It sort of seems redundant.
Rye takes a good hour to get ready. Markus and I are left waiting for forty-five minutes. When he finally emerges from his room we grab a set of keys and head down stairs.
Rye stops us a taxi and gives him the name of the bar. Once again the driving here makes me nervous, it is definitely far to fast for my taste.
Rye is nearly bouncing with excitement as the cab approaches the bar. A few people linger outside, smoking and drinking. But music is loudly pumping from inside and Rye is itching to be a part of it.
It hurts my ears. That's about all that I can say because I can't make out the tune or the lyrics to whatever song the band is currently playing. Apparently it is a battle of the bands sort of night. This band…well the chances of them winning isn't looking good.
Rye grabs a few beers, places one in front of me, one in front of Markus, and two in front of himself. He holds one up and toasts, "Here's to one hell of a night—hopefully." With that he chugs back the first beer. Then grabs the second one and moves into the crowd of writhing bodies.
There are more than a few locals mixed in with the throngs of tourists. All of them drink and cheer and dance.
Rye stumbles back about an hour later, his breath reeks of alcohol and he's slightly unsteady on his feet. My guess is shots. He's toting a short, dark haired, tanned skinned, thin and angry looking woman behind him. She looks like just his type. Obviously seductive with her red lipstick and smoky eye make up, as well as a red halter-top, which is basically backless and clearly she is not wearing a bra, as well as a very short jean skirt. The only thing odd is the black combat boots she's paired with the outfit.
"Yo Peeta!" He slurs. He's very drunk, he only says yo when he is...I think alcohol makes him think he's not as white as he really is. "This is Johanna. The one who invited us here. Johanna this is my little brother. He seriously needs to lighten up." Johanna turns her heavy lidded stare on me and I instantly squirm with discomfort.
"I could help with that." She purrs and steps close to me, pressing her body against mine.
"I'm alright." I say and manage to slip further away from her.
"Yeah, besides you're mine tonight." Rye growls in her ear and pulls her flush against his body. I roll my eyes at his antics. However she seems to like them because she grinds against him before pulling him back into the crowd.
Markus appears at my side a little while later. He's still sober and has a bleach blonde haired tourist on his arm. They talk quietly to each other, occasionally stopping for a passionate kiss.
My brother's are pigs. That's about all I can reason right now.
Johanna and Rye appear once more and seat themselves around the table I've been occupying since we arrived.
"My best friend's band is up next." Johanna screams over the music. I nod and turn back to the stage as the current band finishes their set and walks off the stage. The lights dim as the new band takes the stage.
A heavy bass and drums begins and soon the song has become a full blown dance beat of Die Young. On any other day I'd hate this song completely, however today the voice that sings it captures my undivided attention.
I hear your heart beat to the beat of the drums
Oh, what a shame that you came here with someone
So while you're here in my arms
Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young
The spot light shines on Katniss. Her olive toned legs seem to go for miles because of the gladiator high heels she wears. Dark jean short shorts and a ripped t-shirt over her stripped bikini top flatter her incredibly. But today she has her hair down in wild waves. Her make up is smoky but unlike Johanna's it makes her silver eyes gleam in the lights instead of seem like it is an attempt at seductive.
Young hearts, out our minds
Running 'til we outta time
Wild child's lookin' good
Living hard just like we should
Don't care who's watching when we tearing it up (You Know)
That magic that we got nobody can touch (For sure)
Looking for some trouble tonight (yeah)
Take my hand, I'll show you the wild, side
Like it's the last night of our lives (uh huh)
We'll keep dancing 'til we die
I hear your heart beat to the beat of the drums
Oh, what a shame that you came here with someone
So while you're here in my arms,
Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young
Every one in the room takes note of her singing. I swear it's better than the original. I may be biased but I couldn't care less. She is incredible.
Young hunks, taking shots
Stripping down to dirty socks
Music up, gettin' hot
Kiss me, give me all you've got
It's pretty obvious that you've got a crush (you know)
That magic in your pants, it's making me blush (for sure)
Looking for some trouble tonight (yeah)
Take my hand, I'll show you the wild, side
Like it's the last night of our lives (uh huh)
We'll keep dancing 'til we die
The entire crowd has erupted with cheers; it's already clear who the winners will be tonight.
I hear your heart beat to the beat of the drums
Oh, what a shame that you came here with someone
So while you're here in my arms,
Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young
I hear your heart beat to the beat of the drums
Oh, what a shame that you came here with someone
So while you're here in my arms
Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young
We're gonna die young
We're gonna die young
Let's make the most of the night like we're gonna die young
She lets the final note hang and the sound is quickly drowned out by the screams of the crowd. The next song starts up and every song following leaves the audience with the same reaction.
"I'll be right back." Johanna announces before disappearing into the crowd.
"Dude, she is something. I tell ya she is the best kisser. She does this thing with her tongue…"
"Rye!" I groan and drop my head to the table.
"Seriously bro…I'm going to have fun with her." Mentally I face palm myself.
Johanna returns quickly, dragging Katniss behind her. Immediately my mouth is dry and I feel body reacting to her. She's even more stunning close up. The makeup brings out a blue edge to her eyes and I find myself desperately trying not to get caught in a stupor.
"Guys, this is Katniss. Katniss this is Rye, Peeta, Markus, and some blonde chick attached to Markus' face." Katniss chuckles, with Rye and Johanna but Markus and his girl don't even acknowledge us.
"We've met, actually." Katniss gestures between her and myself.
"Great!" Johanna yells. "That makes this easier. I figured since grumpy ass Peeta over there couldn't stop mentally undressing Katniss on stage I should bring her over. See if she could loosen his shorts a bit." Rye bursts into laughter before grabbing Johanna and pulling her off her stool. He slaps her ass and then disappears once more into the dancing crowd.
"Sorry about Johanna." Katniss speaks, her lips right near my ear so that she doesn't have to yell. "She comes on pretty strong. I think she means well…usually. Either than or she's just drunk."
I nod, unable to speak because my already bone dry throat seems to have become a dessert because of the feel of her lips as they accidentally brushed the shell of my ear and as her breath fanned across my skin.
"Do you want to dance?" She asks, quirking one eyebrow upwards. I nod, not really trusting my voice to sound like anything but a teenage boy who has just hit puberty.
"Great." She smiles and tugs on my hand. I stumble after her, clearing my throat in hopes of a normal voice the next time I speak.
It's hot and sweaty inside the multitude of bodies. I stand awkwardly before her, suddenly unsure of exactly how to move my limbs despite the fact that I've danced plenty of times before.
She laughs, a small smirk on her face, and takes my hands and places them on her hips. She places her own arms around my neck and pulls me flush against her body. She moves us to the beat of the music, eventually my body remembers that it can move on its own and we move together. She grinds lightly against me to the rhythm of the music. With a devilish smirk she twists. Her back is now flush with my front, one hand is still on her hip but the other has splayed slightly across her stomach. She attempts to grind against me but I shift my hips, hoping to avoid any unwanted excitement.
"Do you want to go outside?" She asks suddenly, "It's kind of stuffy in here. I could use some fresh air."
"Sure." I respond, and thankfully my voice does not crack like I feared it might.
She takes my hand again. I can't help but notice the hum of electricity that flows between our skin.
Outside she leads me to the empty side ally. We lean casually against the wall, which vibrates slightly from the music playing inside.
"Sorry about all that." She mutters. "I'm not usually that forward. I don't really know where that came from. Sorry if I made you uncomfortable." She turns slightly to me and offers and apologetic smile.
"It's fine. It was fun." I return, "I think they secretly pump something into the air to get everyone to act like that. That and the drinks of course."
She laughs loudly at my statement. "I agree. They're all crazy!" She proclaims.
We make idle chitchat for a long time. But it is never uncomfortable or dull. I feel as though I could listen to her speak forever.
She turns to me suddenly, chewing on her bottom lip in the most endearing way. "Peeta? Would you maybe want to go out sometime?"