RENDEZVOUS.
The bell rings, and the students enter to their respective classes where they will spend forty minutes of their lives doing nothing but dreading the long boring talk that their teachers will explain about. All about things like how education is important and shit, but in the end it's just some stupid excuse for them to find fault in their students. They always have things to talk about, and they just love to rehash the student's mistakes; expecting them to do something about it with the teachers standing there running their mouth like a lunatic or some parent that doesn't know when to shut up.
Peeta never enjoys the teacher's long lecture, but being the average student that he is with nothing but a 3.4 GPA, and a talent in making pastries that will instantly make him likeable despite his questioning sexuality, he soldiers himself as his ears literally are on the verge of bleeding out of its eardrums. He taps his pencil on his book repeatedly, with its beat and rhythm unchanging with hopes that the act will be far more entertaining that the pressing lecture that his teacher, Miss Trinket is going on about. He loves English, don't get him wrong. It's just the long tirade that he hates, or as many people in the modern world would call, the people teaching you is the person that everyone hates.
He slouches in his seat further, and when Miss Trinket finally has her fill, she opens the book and teachers them of the fine, exquisite literature of Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. Peeta mentally scoffs. Yeah, right. Says no one ever. He opens the book, and turns the pages economically as she drones on. He never likes the idea of Jane Austen's books. It's like a beacon for remakes. As if Pride and Prejudice wasn't enough for a book, zombies come in, elevating the hype of the period setting. What's to say that this book will be remade into something more preposterous, only this time they add some deadly plague or ghouls with vampires? Pure nonsense, is what Peeta would describe it. If he were to meet such authors who have ideas of putting their own variation of the story, he'll probably read that rather than the original in spite of his hypocrisy.
He sits next to his best friend, Gale and Katniss, who too, looked like they have already seen the brightness of their future. Not. He hears the dramatic expressions Miss Trinket pulls out and Gale couldn't help but smirk deridingly at her antics. Sure, being best friend is one thing, but when you have a best friend who's literally bored out his wits to the point he just wants to smile or smirk in both hysteria and mockery? Priceless.
The class finally ends with the bell ringing, and without sparing another second of his time does Peeta pack his belongings and walk out of the class, not bothering to wait for his two friends who would rather take their time to carry their slowly decaying bodies to pack their bag due to the boredom of their class. He walks through the wave of students, not caring whether his idea of shoving is considered rude or just unintentional. He finally reaches his locker, and unlocks the metal door, before opening his bag and dumping the sad excuse of a literature book into the interior of his locker. He can hear the locker next to him being opened, and he closes it once he finishes dumping and removing whatever items he needs and doesn't from the locker. He locks the locker, and turns his head to the left only to receive a harsh shove. Peeta's body collides with the locker and the snickers from the guy who has pushed him only irks him by a fraction.
"Queer," says the voice he knows all to well. He looks at him, with his shirt hugging him and displaying the ripped aspect of his body like it's no one's business and walks with his friends, who were all laughing alongside him over what he has done. Peeta's used to it, besides he has more pressing things to do than spend his year in school being sour and angst about it.
"Hadley at it again?" says a voice next to him. Peeta turns to the voice and sees it's Gale. He gives an amused look, clearly not surprised that he will receive a fraction of what a normal bully would usually invest his time in when he sees his prey. Peeta rubs his sore shoulder soothingly, and he nods at Gale's question. "He's gonna get it one day, you know that, right?"
Peeta does know. He clearly knows that all too well, and he isn't going to deny that at all. He has never placed bad or ill judgment nor wishes towards his enemies, but the temptation to do that is so strong he wonders how he'll handle the upcoming situation if he were to snap. He shakes his head silently at Gale, who's now busy unlocking the combination of his locker code. He opens the locker and put his book inside before shutting it once more.
"Come on, let's just get out of here," says Gale, "Katniss' meeting us at The Hob and we better not keep her waiting," says Gale factually. Peeta nods before the two walk away, with a smidgeon of relief and content running through their cerebral when they finally leave the school building.
…
The Hob is the campus' lounge area for the students and teachers. Many flock there due to the food they serve. The chef, Greasy Sae, as she likes to call herself, has been dubbed as the mother or second mother they never have. She cooks a wide range of delicacies, but for any freshman that is attending the curriculums and curricular of the school, they have to know about The Hob. Only a fool will be oblivious to such existence of a lounge area.
The Hob is quite commodious, allowing almost a building of students to lounge there. It has three floors, so space is never an issue when it comes to serving the customers. Most go there to try the baked potatoes or stew that Greasy Sae cooks while others go there for studying purposes. In an overall view, it's a place to relax and hang out, and in the end even the studious ones will come out laidback once they enter the confines of The Hob both alone or with the company of friends. The place has a vintage atmosphere, something that students these days have liked. The tables are made of varnished wood, and the chairs are build in plastic, allowing some modernity to fit in. There are booths built in the area, allowing the students' relationship to bolster. Teachers too, cannot deny the place. Just ask Mr. Abernathy. He always makes it his custom to come here and have a drink when school sessions are all done. The Hob opens daily, never closing.
The door bell rings when Gale and Peeta enter The Hob. It doesn't take long to find Katniss, who is casually waving her hand to signal her presence. Gale waves back with the same passion, while Peeta gives a soft smile at her. They walk to her table, and join her. A small basket of fries in on the table, as well as a small saucepan of squirted mustard and ketchup on it. A glass of half drank milkshake is on the table too. Before Peeta could even get a taste of the perfection in the form of a fry, Katniss drops in the question he almost begins to hate hearing.
"Hadley at it again?" asks Katniss with an amused smirk. Peeta hates it when his friends can see right through him. It makes him feel stupid for not able to enamor himself from the deep scrutiny of his friends. Out of the two of his friends, it's almost neck at neck. They both can read him as well as he could read his friends. Katniss would usually just catch him right in the act, while for Gale, it only takes a hug to let Peeta reveal his innermost feelings.
Peeta rolls his eyes, wondering why a thing called life needs to have this compulsion to bite him in the butt every few times. "Yes, Katniss. He was," Katniss and Gale snicker at the reply, and the waiter, Annie - who is a friend of Katniss - comes in with a warm smile on her face. Peeta and Gale smile at her in greeting before relaxing into their seats with Clove.
"Hey Peeta, Gale," greets Annie happily, "What can I get you?"
"The usual," replies Gale.
"Same," adds in Peeta. Annie nods at the two of them before leaving the three friends. Gale, without shame as usual, leans to grab a fry out of Katniss' plate. Katniss, who's not impressed by it, swats the approaching hand unapologetically, and Gale reflexively makes a face at her. Katniss grins at him before blowing a raspberry at him. Peeta shakes his head in amusement, not shocked that every time a meeting or a hangout between the three happens, the two never fail to make Peeta feel like some useable third wheel, and the two aren't even in a relationship; so to speak.
Despite their little tiff, Peeta loves his friend, although he has never really expressed that openly, he knows that he cares for his friends really well and deeply. Sometimes, looking at Gale and Katniss interacting makes him wonder why aren't they a couple. All their refutes towards the clishmaclavers only justifies how deep their relationship.
With their tiff settled, the door bell rings audibly, and Katniss, Gale, and Peeta cannot help but turn to the arrival of new customers. They can feel the wave of regret washing in as they watch the arrival of Cato Hadley, along with his friends, Clove, Marvel and Glimmer. The walk in with their heads high, as if they own the entire place. They didn't notice them, much to the trio's relief as they all walk off in the other direction, taking their seats.
"At least they didn't see us," comments Katniss. It comes as no surprise that Katniss and Gale don't like their gang, particularly Cato seeing that he's the leader of his gang. It should also come as no surprise that he's in a band called The Careers. Their band is quite good, Peeta can admit that, with Cato giving vocals that can melt women's heart and probably make them ovulate involuntarily. Marvel plays the guitar, while Clove drums – to what many boys would describe as an arousing factor – and Glimmer playing the keys. They put up gigs monthly, mostly for the sake of the party and whatnot.
Although Peeta admits that the band is really good and they should deserve a record contract, he cannot help but call them overrated. With the school singing their praises and always making sure they ever freshman or sophomore gets at least a word with them, it almost makes Peeta an oddity. He has only been to one of their gigs, and that was the last so far. He'd most likely coop up in his room rather than participate in all the rave that everybody has been giving towards them. However, another factor that really makes them popular is Cato Hadley. His body of an Adonis only makes girls create fantasies on how he will end up being in their marriages. If only the world knows the truth about Cato, thinks Peeta.
They watch Annie walking towards them, with the menu ready in her hands and the notepad just waiting to be scribbled with their orders. Peeta knows that the only person out of all The Careers who isn't as mean as Cato is Clove.
"So, are you gonna join us tonight, Peet?" asks Katniss, removing him out of his thoughts.
"Join what?" asks Peeta confusedly.
"You didn't tell him?" Katniss asks Gale, her head now turning towards the brunette with a frown. Gale looks sheepish with his eyes now turning apologetic. Katniss rolls her eyes at Gale, "You're hopeless sometimes,"
"But you love me," retorts Gale automatically. Peeta snorts at the reply before Gale turns to Peeta, "The Careers are having a gig tonight and…,"
"No," silences Peeta without caring for Gale to finishing his sentence.
Gale sighs in dejection, "Told you he'll say no," he says to Katniss.
"Oh, come on, Peeta," whines Katniss, "You haven't even heard the best part. We're bringing someone up for you to meet up with,"
Peeta stares at her incredulously. "What?"
"Come on, Peeta. We know you're like the only openly gay man in school, and since we're so tired of seeing you being all by your lonesome, we decided to patch you up with a friend of mine," she explains, hoping that the explanation is enough to convince him.
Peeta pauses upon Katniss' words. He contemplates on going, knowing that it'll be the only way for him to shut the two up from their importunate insistence. They'll probably harangue him to the extent that he'll finally relent and go with a reluctant and sour look on his face. If he doesn't go, he'll reap the benefits of going to some pointless gig. The campus here nowadays has called the gigs as their new party and the parties their new sleepovers. Peeta groans at his predicament and decides that he'll give the two the answer that they so lightly deserve, "Fine,"
"Told you. Wait, what?" asks Gale, his head doing a double take. He looks at Peeta as if he has lost his mind, and Peeta might agree with that sentiment, if only he's able to see his head without the usage of a mirror.
"I said fine. I'll go," he replies.
"Great! Now the gig starts at 8 in the evening," says Katniss exuberantly.
"You're lucky it's a Friday today," mumbles Peeta grumpily.
"Dear, their gigs are always on a Friday, so there isn't really much luck in this except maybe your surprising response," retorts Katniss. Peeta merely hums in reluctant agreement and as they went on with their conversation, their voices turn progressively silent as they see Cato heading towards their table with a menacing smirk. "Oh god, here we go," whispers Katniss as he stops by his table alone.
"Well, well, well," sings Cato in a teasing tone, "If it isn't the faggot and the other pariahs,"
Gale scoffs, "Surprised to know that your head's not completely filled with sawdust that you have to use the word pariah for us. I won't be surprised if you knew the meaning for it," he retorts. Cato narrows his eyes at him, but he relaxes when his smirk returns, not really affected by Gale's jab.
"Well," brushes Cato with a calm tone, "Nice to know that only a pariah will date someone like her," he points to Katniss, "and a faggot like that," he says without flinching, pointing his finger to Peeta squarely.
Gale's fist clenches in anger. Peeta knows what that means. Usually, Gale's able to handle any jab people makes about others, be it a jocular one or just plain out truthful. But for derogatory, that is a low that he cannot stand to listen, let alone hear. He hates it when people make fun of the gay community, staunchly rooting that sexuality isn't a choice made from decision making. The only decision making that is inside the whole gamut of sexuality is the choice to reveal to others about the sexuality, and for that, Gale sticks to it loyally. He's about to land a blow onto Cato's jaw when Peeta grabs his arm tentatively. Gale looks at the grasped hand and then at Peeta, whose eyes tell him to not do anything irrational. Gale reluctantly lowers his tensed limb and scowls deeply at Cato.
Katniss too, doesn't seem appreciative of Cato's presence. She's annoyed, both towards Cato's arrogance and Peeta' patience. Cato simply laughs at the three, and relaxes himself before saying, "He's a keeper, Hawthorne. Might wanna get rid of him. You're starting to turn soft," before leaving the three to the bathroom. Gale's hand tenses once more at the jab and only stares silently in anger as he could nothing at all to defend his friend.
"I swear I'm going to kill him," says Gale murderously.
Peeta releases his grip on his arm and folds his arms, a little annoyed not by Cato's insults, but the reaction towards it. "Leave him be, Gale. He's always like this and we always handled it well. What makes this so different from the others?"
"He's gone too far, Peeta," replies Katniss, "You know how we want to keep you safe,"
"And I am," assures Peeta, "It's just words. It's not like he could punch me or anything,"
"After 4 years here? I'm surprised he done some beating on you," says Gale with a scoff. Peeta shakes his head at Gale, clearly not amused at the fact that Cato hasn't done anything drastic or low towards anyone. "You still coming for the gig, right?" Peeta nods. "We understand if you don't want to over… you know,"
Peeta scowls at Gale, "I'm not made of glass, Gale. I'm still going for this. Now can we just change the subject, please?" Gale and Katniss nods at him sympathetically and guiltily. Sure, Peeta has always been the peacemaker between the two of them or anybody for that matter, and he's so far never liked the idea of shedding blood or using violence as the answer. If anything, he'd be just as violent as the next person if he were to commit such act. Gale is strong, no doubt, but to defend him on his own account is something he's not willing to bargain for over his friendship. But if there's one thing that Peeta can't stand is the excessive protection that Gale is always offering. Peeta may not be well versed in martial arts, but he's not incapable of throwing a punch at people if the need arises.
But Peeta won't lie that he sometimes wishes that the bullying would stop. It's crud annoying.
…
The trio return to campus, with Katniss splitting from the group and promising that they will meet at the party, with different clothes and definitely different expressions. Gale and Peeta share a dorm together, with Peeta being the neater one out of the two. He's not OCD or anything, but anytime Gale gets too far with his habitual dirty antics, Peeta cleans them, emphasizing how the mess distracts him even the smallest of activities. He won't mind if your bag is placed haphazardly, but if there's rotten food or leftover pizza boxes on the table, Peeta will not hesitate to clean it away, even if Gale has reasons behind the whole act.
Gale goes off to shower first, and Peeta relaxes at the bed, with his shoes off and socks in the wastebasket. He curls his toe in relaxation, a little happy that his feet have some time off from the constricting nature of his shoes. He grabs his phone from the nightstand, and scrolls down the notification. His thumbs hover over one message and thumbs it, opening the message app where he then reads the short text.
Meet me backstage if you're going to the gig tonight. Don't tell Hawthorne or Everdeen what you're up to.