For those wondering yup the cover is pretty cheesy like gooping crap cheesy but I thought it would be hilarious so I made it. Thank you so much for reading, faving, and reviewing the last chapter. It really means a whole lot. Also sorry about my french. It's been almost 3 years since my last french class and it's probably bad.
CHAPTER 2: City Sunset
...
"Peeta, Peeta Mellark at your service." I smiled back at him cordially of course. He was allowing my family to stay with him and he seemed pretty nice for what all Gale had been spewing on about. One look at Peeta and you would never have guessed that he was with the mob. I shook my head and took his hand. It was warm and little bits of flour brushed off his fingers onto my skin. I gave him a firm shake. He'd probably laugh like his brother at my un-femininity, but instead he gave me this genuinely sweet smile with this small dab of shyness that made my heart flutter. I pursed my lips at this newfound feeling and pushed it far back into the depths of hell.
Something behind me cleared their throat and crunched on what sounded like a horse chewing on a rock right next to my ear, topped off with a cool breeze of peppermint. Well damn everyone was getting the better of me today. I spun around into a handful of peppermints that stood there inches from my face. My brows knitted in confusion until I looked up into a pair of bright green eyes that were holding them. When I didn't move, he took one from his hand and plopped it into his mouth with a small 'cat ate the canary' smirk.
"Want a peppermint?." The man asked with a slight French accent oozing over his American. I couldn't pinpoint it, but he looked oddly familiar. I stared at him. His strong jaw, sharp nose, seriously there had to be something in the water making all these city boys pretty, but I couldn't place him. My head cocked to the side and I tapped my pointer finger against my chin as I kept searching for answers.
"No, thank ya kindly..." My words trailed off into a mutter, It was right on the tip of my tongue and it was starting to frustrate me.
He seemed a bit saddened as if I was supposed to know who he was outright, though I felt a little bad because I actually felt like I should have. He pocketed his peppermints and sighed with shrug. That's when it hit me like a pile of bricks. I knew his name. Hell, everyone that went to the movies when they could afford It, knew his name. He was an upcoming star with Snow Productions and he had become so popular overnight that he had even started taking roles from right under that Valentino's nose. I kept to my usual cool exterior with a small pleasant smile. I never would have realized that Finnick Odair was French, but I guess I should have after all his last name was Odair.
"Finnick Odair." I stated, my cool smile masking my surprise. His eyes sparkled and he smiled widely till it looked like his face would split from my recognition. He took my other hand into his and gave it a small kiss. I, for one did not like it. Everyone and their momma knew of Finnick Odair's little exploits with the ladies and I did not want to be in that saddle.
"Pleasure to meet you Katniss." His voice oozed in a seductive purr. Finnick placed his hand over mine and stared into my eyes, giving me this specific look that ignited a small heat within me. Hell it would have made any girl swoon, instead for me, I could feel the bile rise through my throat.
Apparently Peeta didn't enjoy the attention I was getting either as he pulled Finnick's hand off mine with a quick glare telling him to stop it. Finnick, however, just gave Peeta a small smile and a look before his eyes blatantly trailed down and stared at my other hand. I followed his gaze, it was only then that I had realized that my hand had still been in Peeta's since our handshake. I could feel the blush rise in my cheeks as I snatched my hand out of his. I looked over at him and Peeta's face pretty much matched mine, but he was trying his hardest not to look me in the eye. It was kind of cute to say the least... I can't actually believe I placed the word cute to something that didn't pertain to Prim. Peeta cleared his throat, pulling himself together as he glared at Finnick.
"I think that's quite enough of that don't you Finnick?" Peeta stated more rhetorically than he questioned with pursed lips. Finnick chuckled with a small shake of his head, his short bronze hair glittered in the sunlight. I for one, never knew hair could glitter outside of the movies. Peeta just rolled his eyes and mouthed a sorry to me with an apologetic smile. I couldn't help but notice his ears were still pink in embarrassment from the hand holding. There was that word again cute. I pursed my lips and bit the inside of my cheek. There really was something wrong with me today.
"Non. I could just eat her up. Secrets and all." He cooed to Peeta with a sharp toothed smile, flashing his pearly whites before he returned his attention to me. I did not want to be another hen in this rooster's eye. Peeta gave Finnick's arm a quick whack to show he was not amused about the comment, but Finnick just wiggled his brows. I sighed, I was getting exhausted by this man's antics and games. I glared at him strait with conviction.
"Sorry to disappoint Mr. Odair, but I'm an open book." I gave him a small shrug. "Everyone seems to know my secrets better than I do." Finnick 'tsked as he waved his pointer finger at me.
"Non, non, non mon chaton, call me Finnick. I hate how that sounds Mr. Odair. Seems stuffy right?" I gave him one quick nod of my head. I hated being formal but I didn't really know if Finnick or Peeta were all about it. Finnick leaned in grabbed my braid and rubbed his thumb against my hair... apparently not. This boy was just asking to get one in the kisser. Damn cake eater.
"Why not? I do hate all them formalities." I replied giving him a smirk with my head held high. I smacked his hand away from my hair lightly, my eyes narrowing as I glared daggers at him.
"How about that? Oui parfait! La fille en feu..." Finnick moved in inches to my face way more than I was comfortable with but the only way to keep my ground was pretending that I didn't care. So I did just that. He licked his bottom lip and grazed his fangs on it. He was looking at me like a wolf eyeing a piece of meat. If I had any actual interest in Finnick I probably would have swooned at his advances, but the fact is that I don't. In fact it just made my skin crawl like there were bugs skittering all over it. "Je l'aime." He broke his gaze and laughed heartily as he smacked Peeta on the back. "Mon ami, cette fille est parfait! Ne laisse pas partir."
I couldn't understand what he was saying but I could tell it was about me, and whatever Finnick said got Peeta red in the face again as he smiled at me shyly. I pursed my lips at them both and bit my cheek. I wasn't very fond of being talked about when I didn't know the language. I could feel my hands clench into little shaking balls while the urge to deck them grew. Decking them would probably be a bad start to this living arrangement though. Instead I turned right around and made my damn way up the stairs. I could still hear Finnick laughing heartily over the city's loud chatter.
"Ta bouche Finnick." Peeta groaned. "Hey, Katniss! Wait up!" I stood in front of the door as he stomped his way towards me. I don't know how I didn't hear him walk up next to me and surprise me earlier. The boy was like a damn bull in a china cabinet. "Hey Finnick you know the way to the study right?"
"Yeah, yeah. I'll meet you there." I could hear the smile on his face as he made his way past us and opened the door. Finnick stopped for a second and glanced back with a small smirk on his face. He seemed very amused with himself and it was bothering me. With a small nod of his head he walked in with a skip in his step as he whistled a little tune. I really wanted to rip that man's mouth off and shove it up his ass.
"What is it you need Mr. Mellark?" I asked, my voice was cold as ice while I stood in front of the threshold with my arms still crossed. I turned my head and gave him a forced smile. I felt a little bad about my tone when I watched Peeta's shoulders slump at my hostility and he pocketed his hands.
"Please, just call me Peeta. Oi-I just figured you would... I don't know... maybe... want to know where you're going... I mean... give you a tour of the place... yeah..." he stammered out while he scratched the back of his head. I eyed him skeptically and when he looked back at me with a shy smile that made me feel a little bad that I was harsh with him. I closed my eyes and gave a small sigh with a slight nod of my head.
"Fine." I replied, I was still wary of him but he seemed nice enough. Peeta perked up like little a puppy at my agreement and gave me a wide smile as he rolled back and forth on the balls of his feet. There was a small patch of silence as he stared at me, the damn smile still plastered on his face for about a damn minute. I gave a small huff and walked through the doorway.
"Ah crap, sorry." He mumbled as he stomped in after me.
The place was huge on the inside. The white stairwell with a dark railing sat to the right of the door we had just walked through. I looked up the ceiling was damn high and my eyes caught a glimpse of a little sparkle. A large chandelier hung in the foyer right above our heads. I gulped as the first thing that crossed my mind was questioning on what would happen if that thing fell right on top of me. There was a small table flushed against the side of the stairwell that held a intricately painted vase full of freshly cut white roses. I head someone scuttling about above our heads and made their way to the stairs.
"KATNISS!" I looked up to see Prim waving me down from the top of the stairs with both arms, a huge smile plastered on her cute little face. "Oh my gosh! You have to see the beds! It's just the cat's pajamas!" She squealed.
"Prim!" I hissed. She was being loud and I didn't want to wear out our welcome. Peeta however laughed heartily behind me.
"No, no It's ok Katniss, I'm sure this house needs all the excitement. We could use a lively soul." He chuckled. I looked back at him appreciatively, Prim seemed to be enjoying herself and none of the Mellarks seemed to mind her rare outbursts. I could die for Prim's happiness and she seemed really happy here. Worry flittered through my mind again as I had to force myself from bitting my nails. It was a bad habit that I've had forever but whenever I got worried I just couldn't help it. Momma and Prim used to smack my hands whenever they caught me so I've had to mentally remind myself not to. At least in front of other people that is.
Prim ran down the stairs to me with a face splitting smile. She looked over at Peeta and gave him a little curtsey. I poked her in the forehead with a smile of my own. He tried not to laugh but he was doing a horrible job at it. It was funny watching the faces he made trying to stop himself from laughing.
"Stop it Katniss." She pouted as she swatted my hand away. She turned back to Peeta with a smile. "I'm Prim, Primrose Everdeen. Thank you for letting us stay with you." Peeta shook his head as he crouched down and smiled at her.
"Peeta Mellark. Trust me Prim, we are happy to have you here." It was probably the first time, aside from our pastor that is, that I've seen someone crouch down and talk to Prim eye to eye.
A white double door to the right of us opened and there Gale stood giving the three of us a once over with a questioning quirk in his brow. I looked past him into what I was guessing was the study and there sat Finnick in a plush leather chair sipping on a cup of tea while Mr. Mellark sat on the corner of his desk with a cigar resting between his teeth. Gale straitened up puffed out his chest like a damn bird and made his way to me.
"Hey Catnip, I see you've met Peeta." I could see from the corner of my eye Peeta's face looked a bit sullen at my nickname. He shook his head and stood up strait with a smile. Looking at them now Peeta was a little shorter than Gale, though he had more muscle.
"You should have seen him bumbling like an idiot." Finnick commented, loudly, with a large smirk as he sipped his tea. Gale gave Finnick this look that if looks could kill would have ripped him to pieces and burned the remains. Peeta, however, blushed about as red as a beet as he looked down at his feet as his ears tipped red on the edges. He took in a deep breath and looked back at Prim with a wide smile that reached up to his eyes.
"I know supper will be in a while, but I'm sure if you go ask Sae in the kitchen she'll give you some of the cookies dad made this afternoon." Prim glanced over at everyone and her eyes stopped back at me asking if it was ok. I really wasn't sure if that was ok or not but Peeta had suggested it. Mr. Mellark put out his cigar and made his way to us a twinkle in his eye. He crouched down and patted Prim on the head with a smile.
"Yes, why don't you and meh go to the kitchen together lass and oi'll show you how to make them cookies. They are a lot better fresh." Mr. Mellark winked at Prim and her eyes just sparkled in delight.
"Go on little duck. Make one for me would ya?" Prim nodded as Mr. Mellark straitened up and held out his hand to her.
"Oh don't worry lass, we are going to make so many we'll be swimmin' in it." I was starting to question how in the world these two men were in the mob. They seemed really nice. Genuinely so in fact that I exhaled a breath I didn't even know I was holding. Prim took his hand in hers and followed Mr. Mellark through the white door across the foyer where I could hear the clinking of pots and pans. A waft of food escaped the room and made it's way to my nose. It smelled delicious and it made my mouth water.
"Catnip, you're drooling." Gale snickered. I quickly reached up to wipe my mouth in embarrassment but there was nothing there. The boys chuckled at my reaction.
"Damn it Gale!" I snapped at him as I punched his arm, hard. Peeta and Finnick just laughed even harder. Gale winced and tried rubbing it in to ease the pain but all the while gave me a big dumb smile as I just glowered at him back. I knew I couldn't really put a dent in the boy with just my fists, but it felt damn good.
"I think you're adorable." Finnick stated as he gave me a small wink. I rolled my eyes as he took another sip of his tea and set the cup back on the plate without even a clink. Gale rolled his eyes as well and pulled out his pocket watch. He quickly straitened up and sighed before he looked at Finnick with a glare.
"Back off Odair." Finnick placed his tea onto the table and raised his hand defensively but you could tell that he liked pushing Gale's buttons. Gale grumbled something incomprehensible as he grabbed my arm, pulling me out through the double doors and back out the front door. The sky was getting darker and the sun had started to set on the city scape. The soft oranges, pinks and purples in the sky made me miss home already. Gale quickly stopped bringing my focus back from the sky onto him. He turned to me and I could clearly see the muscles in his jaw twitch. He was not amused.
"I have to go do a few errands but I'll be back later. Oh, I'm off sunday if you want to go hunting." I nodded my head at him as he sighed, the muscles in his face softened, relaxing at my agreement. He looked back at the house as his brows furrowed deeply. "I really don't like this Catnip."
"Well Gale, unlike leavin' us behind, They took us in." I regretted my words as they spilled like wildfire out of my mouth. He looked back at me hurt written on his face from my words. I knew I was wrong. He didn't have a choice in the matter because it was the best option for his family. Anger filled his eyes as he scowled back at me.
"Are you ever going to let that go Katniss?" I winced at his words. I didn't know how to answer him. It wasn't as if I didn't trust Gale or couldn't forgive him, or maybe it was just that. I trusted him with my life completely, but I couldn't forgive him for abandoning me like that, us like that. He dropped his hold on my arm wrapped his fingers around my chin, lifting up so my eyes met his. "Don't you think I wanted to bring the three of you with me?" His voice sounded un-Gale like. It was soft and full of emotions that I couldn't properly place but it made my heart swell. He dropped his hold on my chin and sighed. "Look, I'll talk to you later ok." I was at a loss of words as I watched him climb back into his car and drive off. I was brought back into reality as I heard Peeta's heavy steps and someone cleared their throat inches behind me... again. I turned around to see Finnick again. I had begun to notice a small pattern forming. Aside from the noises Finnick had wanted me to hear like the crunching of the peppermint everything Finnick Odair did was an extremely quiet individual. In fact I wouldn't be surprised if he was the type that had really hunted before. I shuddered at the thought. I for one did not want to be on this mans bad side.
"Haven't people told you city folk it's rude to eavesdrop on other people's conversations?"
"Aside from the fact that we didn't really hear much. It would have been a little hard to avoid if we did lass, especially since you're talking out in the middle of the front yard." Peeta stood stated with a small shrug. He was leaning against the doorway The boy was getting cheeky.
"It's called privacy."
"It's called, you are standing in the front yard lass and your boyfriend has made it perfectly clear for the past two weeks that he wasn't happy about you living with us." I rolled my eyes at Peeta who's jaw was clenched in annoyance. It had seemed when he was irritated or embarrassed his accent would get thicker. Asides that, he was right. Gale was being about as subtle as a pink elephant about the fact my being here was upsetting him. My face turned beet red, I had just realized Peeta's implication to Gale being my boyfriend.
"H-he's not my boyfriend! H-he's just my best friend." I blurted out quickly almost tripping over my words. Peeta's face relaxed like a weight was lifted off his shoulders. I couldn't for the life of me figure out why I needed to clear up his mistake about me and Gale's relationship. I blushed a little deeper as Peeta stared at me with his bright blue eyes. Finnick chuckled as he watched our little exchange. I had actually forgotten that he was even there. I think he got the hint when he continued chuckling his way to his car.
"It was great meeting you mon chaton, I'll see you all for dinner." He flicked his wrist giving us a small wave without even looking back and got into his car.
"He's coming to dinner?" I turned to ask Peeta. He just gave me a subtle nod with a small chuckle.
"He's coming back with his nana for dinner. Don't worry he's just taking a piss with you since you seemed so... pure." My face contorted to a look of horror. I did not want to take a piss with Finnick Odair. I guess Peeta realized I didn't understand what he had meant as he quickly tried to fix my confusion. "Sorry... I meant he's joking with you. N-not that he was actually going to... I mean I wouldn't let that happen. You're just so.. oi-I think you're perfect just the way you are." He muttered the last part with a cough, his hands fidgeting around themselves as his face tinted pink. He quickly changed the subject as he looked up above my head to the skies. "God, I love that color." I looked up to see what he was looking at.
"What color?" I asked as I stared up at the sunset with him.
"That orange." I nodded a bit. It seemed like it fit him. "What's your favorite color?"
"Oh, now you've just crossed the line Mr. Mellark." I looked back at him with a smirk as he chuckled. A smile filled with warmth spread over his face. I looked back at the sunset and a small chill ran through me from the breeze yup, just the breeze I tell myself. "Green, like the trees in the forest."
"I can see that." There was a small pause as we just stared off at the setting sun. " I'm sure you want to take a shower and I can still give you the tour if you want."
"Are you telling me oh so subtly that I smell like a damn hog?"
"Maybe." He hummed. We both laughed.
I made my way up the stairs and to the left looking for the the third door on the right like Peeta told me. This place was a lot bigger than our little home in the seam. I opened the door to my room with a gasp. It was more than I ever though was possible. There was a small leather couch, a dresser, a massive bed that could hold four of me comfortably, and a huge mirror it was way to rich for my blood all this stuff. Our house could fit in here. I looked around and noticed a painting on the wall above the bed. My eyes were drawn to it. The yellow grass, green trees, and the blue skies reminded me of home. Actually, looking a bit closer it looked exactly like the view from our front porch. It was painted so beautifully that it made my heart soar as I stared at it. I looked away because I knew if I stared at it too long, tears would fall. I looked around the room again searching for my bags when I spotted them.
My bags were laid out on the bed and I noticed a few new items that had been placed with my stuff. Three dresses, stockings, two new hats, four silk slips ,a couple corsets, and a few corselettes, two bloomers, a fur coat, two knickerbockers, and a pair of trousers with a blouse top. Ok, by a few I meant a lot. I didn't know how I was ever going to pay them back for all this stuff. I eyed the trousers and knickerbockers with a smile. I tore off my dress and corselet, tossing it to the side with great satisfaction. I sighed, no, reveled like a hog rolling in mud, at the comfort of my silk step in slip I had on left. The dresses were nice, I guess, but comfort was always more my style. Although, going to dinner with trousers today was probably the worst thing I could do. In fact, staring at all this new stuff I had no idea what we were supposed to wear. I quickly threw open the door to see Peeta his hand raised to knock. His eyes looked down at me and snapped back up to the ceiling, a blush flamed his cheeks all the way up to his ears.
"U-um... Oi-i was goin' ta, um, say. Um that, ah crap." I raised my brow at him as he stuttered, his accent was getting thicker as he stared up with great concentration. The way he was looking at it was as if the ceiling held the meaning of life. I looked up at the ceiling with him to see what needed his full concentration. "Um do you mind? You're really distracting." I looked back down to him, he didn't even look at me just pointed at me. I looked down to where he was pointing and my I could feel my face heat up and my eyes widen. In my hurry and confusion I had forgotten that I had just opened the door in my underthings. I stepped back and slammed the door closed in his face. "Sorry, um dinner's casual so wear whatever you want... is what I was trying to say." He called out from behind the door. I couldn't reply, I just wanted to crawl into a corner and die. "The shower is right across from you and if ,um, you need me i'm two doors away to your right and Prim is the next door on your left... this is a bit awkward." He muttered through the door there was a small pause in the air before I could hear him walk down the hall away from my room and close a door.
I grabbed my things without another thought and ran out the door into the shower. My face still beet red as warm water down my spine. I quickly lathered and rinsed my hair with their fancy honey shampoo and dressed in one of the causal dresses they had bought me. A little black and silver number that went to my kneecaps. I nodded in whatever satisfaction I could get, grabbed my underthings and tossed them back in my room.
I had wanted to avoid Peeta after our little incident but I knew that I couldn't do that, not while we lived under the same roof. I took in a deep breath and trudged my way over towards his room and opened the door. My eyes widened as I just realized what I did. There stood Peeta in the middle of buttoning up his shirt... in his underwear briefs. Peeta looked at me his eyes wide and his mouth a little slack jawed. I felt my face blush as I turned around and walked out of of the doorway until I heard him laugh.
"Hey, Katniss, we really need to stop meeting like this." He chuckled
"J-just put on some damn trousers!" I stuttered with a wave of my hand. I could hear the fabric twist and crease with a quick zip and two snaps.
"I'm decent now. Sorry." His sorry had no actual feelings since couldn't help himself from chuckling about the whole mess. Then again It was my fault both times. I sucked in a deep breath and exhaled as I turned around. He was dressed in black trousers that were covered in a faint white pinstripe that was held up by suspenders. His deep blue shirt was buttoned up and all he had left was to tie his silver flowery tie and button his matching black pinstriped vest. He looked extremely handsome as his blue shirt matched his light blue eyes. My heart fluttered and I quickly stomped it down. Peeta looked over at me with a small smile that tugged on the edges of his mouth as he started tying his tie.
"Yea, it wasn't your fault since I was the one that opened the door, twice. I'd say we're pretty much even now though." Peeta nodded and his ears flushed a little. I didn't want to stick in this moment for long so I continued on. "So, you said you were goin' to show me around right?" Peeta's eyes lit up as he looked into mine.
"I can show you a few places before dinner and your mother should be coming back from the hospital around then." He finished buttoning up his vest and smiled at me. "Normally Sae or I makes dinner but it seems my father is having a copacetic time teaching Prim all his recipes... Um unless you want to do that too? I'm not exactly sure what you want to do." I shook my head fiercely.
"Unless i'm there to clean a kill, I wouldn't really let me in there unless ya'll wanna die from poisonin' or what not." Momma had tried to teach me a while ago but she said I took after Papa in the aspects of cooking in which there was just knowing how to make chili. Peeta laughed at my honesty. I wasn't perfectly sure or not if he was laughing at me but his eyes were twinkling with excitement.
"I can always show you if you want. All it takes is practice." That damn smile again would be the death of me and my heart. I was kinda surprised that it didn't flutter off to the point I would have to shoot it down. I nodded my head lightly. He walked over to me and grabbed my hand. "Come on it's an hour till dinner. Let me show you around." I followed his pace as he took me down the hall and showed me a couple room. He had pointed out the library which like the study was full of books, Momma's room, and down the stairs was the salon but everywhere I went there were these paintings that pulled me to them. Many of them were of landscapes and children playing in memories that felt like It were my own. I stopped in front of one the back of a girl standing in a field of yellow grass as she stared off in the sunset. Something flickered in my mind, a memory of long ago that I'd forgotten.
"Papa taught me a song. Do you want to hear it?"I asked Gale and this blond boy that came to visit us. His family had come to visit us from somewhere far from us. Gale and he both had a few scrapes on their faces and the blond boy was missing a tooth.
"I'd love you hear you sing." The little blond boy gave me a wide smile, his nose had a little smear of blood.
"Shut up bread boy." Gale groaned as he wiped the blood off of his busted lip.
"You guy's! Stop it Gale, Peeta! I said no more fighting! You promised!"
"Hey Katniss, you ok?" Peeta looked at me his face full of worry. I looked at him with a small nod.
"I remember this day. You and Gale kept fighting and I made you two promise to stop." A smile tugged on his lips.
"So you remember meeting me now?" I nodded again as I stared back at the painting.
"Yes bread boy, did you do this?" He gave a quick nod. "It's amazing..." He blushed at my words and gave me a shy smile.
"It's you..." He muttered under his breath but I heard it as clear as day. "Come on it's almost dinner time." He pulled me away from the painting his ears red with embarrassment. His hands were warm and for once I let myself enjoy the feelings it gave me.
...
AN:
next chapter may take a week or two sorry trying to pump this out as best as possible but I'm doing work. Also I know sorry it's taking 3 chapters to get to dinner. Dinner is next along with a few other goodies.