Chapter 2: Lunch and New Girls

Disclaimer: Don't own the Hunger Games.

Johanna:

The group sat at their lunch table, enjoying whatever they had packed. They were all laughing at Gale, who was telling them about how little Posy had drawn a pink unicorn on his wall. In permanent marker. Johanna liked Gale; really liked Gale. What's not to like? He's tall, handsome, smart, and athletic. Not that she'd ever tell him, the guy was blindly in love with Katniss. Katniss, however, didn't show any signs of liking Gale. In fact, at the moment Katniss was looking over at the Career's table. Glimmer was all over Peeta and Katniss was upset.

"Kat. What's up?" Jo asked.

"Nothing. I just don't get it. Why would someone as nice as Peeta join the Careers?"

Clove sighed and explained. "He's in because he's dating Glimmer." She paused to glance at the Careers. Jo saw the mix of anger,hurt, and betrayal in her eyes. Clove had a history with the Careers and they all knew not to talk about it. "It's weird. I always thought Peeta had a thing for you, Kat. You guys were really friendly last year."

"Ugh! We were lab partners last year, it made sense to talk. " Katniss didn't appreciate the implication of her having a crush on Peeta Mellark. Jo chuckled and glanced at Gale. His expression was dark at the mention of Peeta.

"Hey, Gale, when do you guys start football practice?" Johanna asked, eager to change the subject.

"Friday. Coach Brutus has some news for us."

"Aren't you excited? He's going to announce who the new quarterback is." Clove reminded him.

Gale sighs. "Yeah, but I'll bet anything that its Cato. His dad's probably buying him the position."

"Nah! He's not nearly as good as you!" Jo said.

"Agreed." Clove adds.

Katniss snickers. "There you have it! Clove the football expert says you're the greatest football player ever!" Clove knew less than nothing about football.

"Funny, Everdeen." Clove says. The group laughs at their grumpy friend.

"Doesn't Finn have this lunch block?" Gale asked.

"I forgot to tell you guys," Clove began, "he sent me a text. Annie Cresta is in his history class, right before this, and he has made it his mission to talk to her. No Finnick today."

"She's speaking to him? Glimmer is going to kill her. Socially, I mean." Johanna said.

"I think it's great. Finn's never really been serious about a girl. Its about time!" Katniss said. It's also time Gale realizes you don't love him!

"She seems nice. She's Glimmer's cousin. I bet that's why Glimmer's so nice to her." Gale said.

"How do you know? She just got here." Jo felt a tiny hint of jealousy. How did he know so much about this new girl?

"Finch." The group accepted the answer. Their red-haired friend was well informed. Sadly, the journalist-in-training was stuck in AP Calculus and had the last lunch block, along with Thresh.

"Do you think Glimmer is forcing Peeta to date her? Maybe she's black mailing him!" Katniss couldn't let it go. Johanna wasn't blind, Kat thought very highly of Peeta. She had a crush on him and wouldn't admit it.

Clove laughed so hard, she nearly choked on the sandwich she was chewing. "Katniss! You are incredible!" She composes herself. "Go ask him. I'm sure he'd tell you anything."

Katniss blushed. "Excuse me for worrying about the well being of others! Bullying is wrong!" Watching Katniss deny her crush was amusing to everyone but Gale.

"He can take care of himself, don't you think?" Gale said coldly.

"I'm not saying that,Gale. I mean, no one should have to put up with Glimmer." Uncomfortable silence followed Katniss's defense.

Jo exchanged a look with Clove. They both knew something had to be done about Gale and Katniss. And it had to happen soon.

Finnick:

He read the text Clove had sent in him in response to his own.

'Idiot. Don't scare her away with your ugly face.'

In Clove that meant: Go for it. She had a way with words, that girl. The bell rang and Finnick approached Annie's desk. The brunette was packing up her things, getting ready for lunch.

"Hey. I'm Finnick. You're new right?"

She nodded slightly and spoke in a quiet voice. "Yeah. I'm Annie. Annie Cresta. Nice to meet you."

"Very nice to meet you, Annie Cresta." Finn said smoothly. Charm mode activated! "So, maybe I could show you around?"

Annie looked surprised by the offer. "Uh, I, uh." She takes a breath. "Glimmer's already shown me where tha classrooms are. Thanks, though." What! Any girl would love to be her right mow! Was Finnick Odair losing his touch. Nope.

Finnick felt annoyance toward Glimmer, who had obviously made it clear that Annie was not to talk to him or his friends. Guess I'll have to change her mind about us.

"Glimmer doesn't know all the shortcuts!" He shot her his most charming smile. It had no effect on Annie.

"I think she does. I'm fine." She said with a tone of finality. She begins to walk past Finnick, but he stopped her.

"Annie, Glimmer can be intimidating but you don't have to listen to her. Do what you want." He looks straight into her eyes, watching them fill with doubt and then, determination.

"She's my cousin and she's been nothing but kind to me." Annie said, entirely sincere. "However, you could be right about the shortcuts. I'd like to know my way around." She smiles sweetly and takes the arm Finnick offered. He can't help but feel that Annie is something special. Definitely worth facing the wrath of the Careers.

Yay! Finnick and Annie. I love them so much, so yeah they're part of the story. I spent some time thinking about this fic and now I have an idea of where I want this to go. Hopefully, I'll be updating this one at the same time I update Inferno. Thanks for reading and please review!