Here is the next chapter for you all. ENJOY!
Disclaimer: As always, I do not own the Hunger Games or any of the characters.
Destined
Chapter 2
4 Years Later
Katniss
The tardy bell is ringing just as I walk through the entrance to the classroom. I am breathing heavily from running all the way from my house in the Seam to the school. Every eye is turned towards me and the teacher, Mr. Abernathy gives me a knowing look.
"Cutting it close, aren't we, Miss Everdeen?" he scolds.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Abernathy. I had some problems at home and it made me late leaving," This, at least, is the truth.
The teacher nods his head in understanding. "I see. Let's not make it a habit."
"Yes sir." And with that I take my seat in front of Madge who can't help herself. She has to have details on everything. We have been friends for so long that I know how she operates.
"What happened?" she questions as soon as I sit down.
"I needed to help Prim get ready today. She has a special presentation in one of her classes and wanted to look nice," I explain. "I worked on her braids but kept messing up according to my sister. It took me forever." I breathe out to calm myself and focus on the lesson that is already starting.
Our history teacher is already speaking, and although I missed the first part, I catch on quickly that we are beginning our big project for the semester.
"You are to pick an important event in Panem history and study it. Find out what led to that event and the implications that it has made on our society today. You will have the next six weeks to complete this project, at which time you will present your findings to the class. For this assignment, you will work as partners with one of your classmates."
I smile and look back Madge, already thinking about the fun we could have together on this. But, my excitement is quickly dimmed.
"I have already taken the privilege of selecting the partners for this project." I hear a chorus of groans and silently echo them, knowing that there is no way he would choose to allow me to work with my best friend. As long as it's not Cato Watson, the biggest jerk in school, I'll be fine. I listen as Mr. Abernathy begins to call out names. Eventually, he does get to mine.
"The late Miss Everdeen," he says with a smirk. "You will be working with Mr. Mellark over there." Without thinking, I make a little gasp. I quickly try to close my mouth so that no one could see my reaction, but I am sure Madge heard it. I make my head turn to the right and meet the eyes of the person I have tried to put out of my mind for four years. The crystal blue eyes stare right back at me, and while I'm not sure what emotion I expected to see coming from their owner, I am surprised by what I do find. Peeta is smiling, wide, looking like he has won the million dollar lottery by being put together with me. It softens the steely resolve I have built up around me concerning him a little. Darn him.
Ever since the night of the slumber party, I have tried to forget the prediction made that night. In retribution for what the girls did, the next week at school I told a couple of boys Delly and Madge were interested in about their feelings. Of course my friends were furious at me, and we didn't talk for a while, but all was forgiven and forgotten in a few months. I also made a point of not looking at or paying any attention to Peeta Mellark. This was harder than it seemed, because no matter how hard I willed myself, I couldn't completely get the idea that I was supposed to marry him out of my head. I found that I would try to sneak a look every now and then at him if we shared a class. I also made a point of taking Prim by the bakery a couple of times to get her a cookie, but really just to see him. Funny, though, how he always seemed to sneak something extra for me in the bag.
Over time, the memory of that night and the Ouija board got pushed to the back of my mind. I hadn't really thought about it in a couple of years…until now. Looking at Peeta, it all comes rushing back. Now, I am going to be stuck working with him and spending time together doing this project. I can't let myself think about that. I am not going to give in to some stupid game that my friends made me play years ago. It means nothing. I'm a big girl now. I can handle this. All I've got to do is just spend only the time I have to get the job done and that's it. No problem.
Mr. Abernathy has passed out papers detailing the requirements for the assignment, and as I am looking it over the bell rings. I don't waste time, because I don't want to be caught and have to talk to Peeta. I can send him a text or some other message later. I get up and walk as fast as I can out of the classroom door. I am practically flying down the hallway and not paying attention. So much so, that I miss the boy coming in the opposite direction, whose shoulder slaps against mine and I go falling backwards.
"UGH!" I call out as I land. My backpack cushioned my fall a little, but it still stings. I am trying to get my head together and see if the other person was hurt when I hear a soft male voice behind me.
"Can I help you?" it asks. I turn and see Peeta Mellark already has helped the freshman boy up, and is now picking up the books and papers that had fallen out of my pack. Had I even zipped it up? He picks everything up then holds them out to me.
"Thank you," I say quietly as I place them safely back in. I finally look at him directly. "Looks like I owe you once again for helping me."
"You don't owe me anything." he says kindly but firm at the same time. I guess to let me know he is serious.
"Really?" I reply astonished. "After all the things you have done for me, there is nothing you want in return?"
"I didn't say that." Peeta says smiling. "I said you don't owe me."
I continue to be surprised by this boy. I am nervous as I ask the next obvious question. "So, what do you want then?"
He is silent for a moment and I can tell that he is thinking. "Well," he finally answers, "there is one thing that I want."
"What's that?" I ask curiously.
"To spend time with you if you will let me," he says cautiously. I take in a breath. He wants to spend time with me? It makes no sense to me why this would be what he would want as payment for his kindness. Somehow, though, deep inside, I know my answer will be the beginning of something that will change my life. I watch him there, waiting for dear life for my response.
With the warmth I feel with him so near; I decide to take a chance. I give a small smile back at him. "Okay," I tell him. "I'll allow it."
The smile that Peeta already has grows twice its size. "Great," he says. "How about we start by letting me walk you to your next class?"
"Okay," I reply with a nod. "It's the least I can do." Peeta helps me up, and after I place all my things back into my pack, we head down the hall together.
Peeta
After all this time, I think this might just finally be my lucky day. I have missed so many chances before, and now with what has happened today, life seems to be screaming at me that this is it. She has been put right there in front of you. Don't mess this one up, Mellark.
I thought that it would have been after the slumber party that it would have all come together. I was so confident at the end of that day and I just knew that I was going to go to school the next day, walk right up to Katniss and start a conversation. Fantasy is never like the reality, though. When I arrived to class, I saw her making every effort not to look at me. She looked angry and upset about what had happened, and this was confirmed by Delly and Madge later when they told me that Katniss had been after some revenge for what she thinks they did. At this point, if I had gone up to her, it would have only ended in disaster.
So once more, I bided my time. Eventually, Katniss began to glance my way again every so often, but never to the degree that would make me think she would accept any offer to get to know her. I was comfortable with my friends and in my situation, until today when our history teacher did the best thing ever for me. He paired Katniss and me for our next big assignment.
I was ecstatic when I heard my named called out with hers. I immediately planned to approach her when the bell rang to make plans to meet…for the project, of course. It was another entry into her life. But, stubborn as she is, Katniss rushed out of the room before I could even reach her. She didn't even take time to close up her backpack before racing into the hallway.
I followed as quickly as I could to try and catch her, and managed to get close enough to watch her slam into a guy coming from the opposite direction and stumble backwards.
As soon as it happened, I rush over and begin picking up all of her things that had fallen out. She hears me ask if I can help her, and Katniss looks at me like she has been struck by lightning. She makes some comment about me owing her for all of the help. That's ridiculous. Katniss has never owed me anything. I have always helped her because I wanted to.
I tell her so, but she seems to not believe that I would not want some kind of payment from her in return for everything I have done. And with that, I smile, because Katniss has just given me the way to proceed. There is something I want from her, but she can't know yet just how much I do want.
I manage to get her to let me walk her to class. I am shocked she accepted, but it's a good place to start. We begin walking down the hallway together, and it's silent for the first few moments. I need to start some conversation, and decide to begin with an easy question.
"What's your next class?" I ask her
"Chemistry," Katniss replies with a small frown. I'm guessing it's not her favorite subject. "How about you?"
"Art," I answer.
"Really?" she says with true surprise. "I would never have guessed that."
"Yeah, I love it. I'm pretty good at drawing and painting. Not so much with sculpture." I pause for a moment. "I'd love to show you some of my work one day. If you're interested."
Katniss considers my offer for a minute. "Sure," she replies. "You can bring them over sometime while we are working on this assignment."
"Sounds good to me," I tell her. I'm so excited that I can barely contain myself. "Can I text you tonight once I know my schedule at the bakery? We can work out when we can get together then to begin."
"That's fine." Katniss states and stops in front of a classroom pointing. "This is my next class here." She gets out a piece of paper and a pen and writes something down. "Here's my number. Just send me a message to let me know when you are free."
"Okay." I take the paper from her offered hand. "I'll let you know as soon as I can." I don't want to let go of the soft fingers that are now barely touching mine, but I eventually do.
"Talk to you later?" she says quietly.
"Later." I state, and watch as Katniss turns to go into the class. I fold the precious piece of paper and stick it into a folder in my own backpack, then begin to head in the direction towards my art class. I'm glad that it is next as opposed to Geometry. Doing art calms me and will allow me to think about everything that just occurred.
We are told to begin working on creating some pottery and as I get my apron on and sit at the wheel, my mind goes into daydream state while my hands work at the clay. I am so excited about the possibilities that I can't focus on my work at all.
It's the same throughout all of my classes the rest of the day, but I don't care. I'm practically skipping all the way back to the bakery, surely looking like the lovesick fool that I am. I walk through the door and don't escape the eyes of my brother Rye.
"What's with you?" he jokes. "I've never seen you look this happy. Did the girl of your dreams come waltzing into your life today?"
I can't help but smirk back. "Maybe she did." I head to the back room to place my school things down and put my apron over my clothes. I make sure to check the schedule on the bulletin board and see that while I am on until closing tonight, I do have tomorrow off. Time to text Katniss.
-Hi there. I just looked at my work hours and I am off tomorrow. Will that work for you?
I send it then head back into the store area. I am rearranging some of the cupcakes displays when I hear my phone buzz.
-Tomorrow is fine. Can we make it at 3:00, though? I need to go hunting first.
I type in my response quickly.
-That's good for me. I'll see you then.
I have just sent it when I feel some eyes looking over my shoulders. Rye is staring down at the text on my phone.
"So it's Everdeen, huh?" He has a satisfied grin on his face at knowing he has found out my secret. "She's a hard nut to crack little brother. Are you up for the challenge?"
"I might just be," I tell him in my own confident tone. He leaves me at that, but only turns to face my mother who has just entered the room. Looking at her face, this is not a good day.
"What challenge?" she questions. "Rye, please do enlighten me on what you and your brother are so happily discussing."
Like all of us, Rye looks down at the floor before responding. "We were just talking about the challenge of Peeta's next history project."
"Oh really?" she replies, her eyes now focused on me. "And what project would that be?"
"I am working with a partner to study an important event in Panem history." I state matter-of-factly.
"Really?" she says. "And who would your lucky partner be?"
I know that I will not be able to hide anything. "Katniss Everdeen," I try to say it without emotion as quickly as I can.
"Katniss Everdeen," my mother repeats with a little venom in the tone. "Working with that Seam girl is what has you all giddy? You could do so much better Peeta. That girl is not good for anything, and I'm sure she has been to the slag heap with hundreds of other boys."
"She's not like that," I argue. "Don't talk about Katniss that way."
"Why not? It's the truth. Think long and hard about it, son. Get to work, both of you!" And with that she turns on her heel and walks out again. I let out the breath that I didn't know I was holding.
Rye places his hand on my shoulder "Don't listen to her, okay? She has no clue what she is talking about. If Everdeen is what you want, then I say go for it."
I nod, appreciative of the support. He is right; I can't let the negativity of my mother bring down my excitement. "I know," I reply. "Thanks." We go back to the job ahead then and don't say anything more about the matter for the rest of the evening. By the time I am getting ready for bed; I have calmed down and once more looking forward to the prospect of the next afternoon.
I have trouble sleeping with all my thoughts of Katniss, and rise early to help with the first loaves. I only have to help my father first thing today, and then I am free to enjoy my Saturday until I can go over to the Everdeen house. My father sees how distracted I am but doesn't ask me about it. He lets me go, though, a little earlier than usual on these days and by 9:00 I am out and taking a walk around the town. I stop to talk to a few classmates that I see and sit on a bench at the park where I sketch in my notebook. Anything to keep me occupied.
I stop by the library to pick up a few books on Panem history for us to look at, and then head back home where I wash up a little and change clothes. It seems to take forever, but finally it is about half an hour until three when I walk out the door and head in the direction of the Seam. The sunshine feels as bright as my mood and each step I draw closer makes me even more excited.
I finally reach the doorstep of Katniss' house, a house that although old, looks like it has been taken care of. When I knock, I hear the shuffling of feet and muffled voices. Eventually, the door is opened and I see Primrose standing in front of me with a brightly colored dress, neat braids, and a large smile.
"Hi Peeta!" she greets me warmly. "Katniss is coming soon. Come on in!" The young girl opens the door wider and I walk in.
It isn't long before I see Katniss walking down a hallway from the room she emerged from. I can't help but know I am beaming at her beauty. "Hi." she says. "Sorry, but I got back a little later than planned and just finished cleaning up."
"Ready to get to work?" I ask.
"You guys have fun. I'm going over to Rory's." Prim tells us as she walks out.
"Make sure you come back for dinner!" Katniss yells back at her as Prim waves and shuts the door behind her. I give a little laugh at the sisterly interaction. Reminds me of me and my brothers in a way.
Katniss then turns back to me. "I'm ready. So, what do you think our topic should be?'
I take off my backpack and put it down on the table. "I picked up some books today at the library. Why don't we look at them and see if we can agree on an idea together?"
"Sounds good." We both take a couple of books and sit down to look through them. Each of us poses a couple of ideas, but nothing hits until I come across a page and become inspired.
"Hey, look at this!" I push the book towards Katniss so that she can see. "What if we discussed the Hunger Games and how it led to the Rebellion of the Districts?"
She looks down at the book and reads for a few minutes, and then looks back up to me. "I like it. I know we've studied it a little in class, but I would love to find out more about it."
"Me too," I agree.
"So," Katniss huffs. "I guess since that's decided, let's hear it. Can you read it out loud?"
"Okay," I tell her and I pick up the history book and begin reading about one of the bleaker parts of our country's past.
About a little over a hundred years ago, there was a terrible war that ravaged our country. Districts were fighting and arguing against each other, until the Capitol ended things once and forever with the use of a bomb which destroyed most of the land and population. From there, the emerging new leader, President Coriolanus Show and the Capitol decided to keep control over the districts by creating a contest called the Hunger Games. A boy and girl from each district were selected to be placed in an arena and would fight to the death until there was one left who would be the victor. It was gruesome and horrible, as well as the starvation the districts were left in. There wasn't much hope in the country.
Until the 74th annual Games when a girl and boy from District 4 named Annie Cresta and Finnick Odair were selected from the reaping bowl. What the people didn't know that day was that these two seventeen year olds were in love. This fact only became known when Finnick announced his love for Annie in his interview before the Games started. Of course, the people were totally infatuated with them and the story of the star-crossed lovers of District 4. Once they were in the arena, the citizens were glued to their T.V.'s as the two fought together to save each other. When it finally came down to just the two of them, the rules were repeated that there could be only one victor. The loved each other so much, and neither could kill the other. So Annie brought out some nightlock berries that she had procured and together they threated to commit suicide.
Somehow, their act worked and they were both declared to be victors, and through their act of defiance, the districts rose. People throughout the country came together and the districts each began to rebel against the tyranny of Snow. The rebellions led to full out war which was eventually won and led to the peaceful government we have now had for the last quarter century.
"Wow," I say as I put down the book afterwards. "I guess love can really change the world."
Katniss gives a scowl in my direction. "You don't really believe in star-crossed lovers and fate and all that, do you?"
"Sure," I say honestly. "Don't you? A love that is so deep that you can't live without the other? A love destined to be?"
She furrows her brows together deep in thought. "I guess my parents might have been like that." She doesn't sound convinced, though. "But I don't think there is some force guiding people together like that." She looks like she has some specific memory in mind. I can easily guess what it is.
"Maybe you should have more faith in love," I tell her.
Katniss looks at me questioningly, but simply answers, "Maybe." She is quiet from there, and we read a little more on our own in silence, taking notes in notebooks. Eventually, it starts to get late.
"I better go and get home before dinner," I tell her while beginning to pack up.
"Yeah," she replies. "Prim will be home soon."
"I at least think we have a good start," I say. "I'm off again on Monday night. Want to compare notes then?"
"Sure." Katniss states while getting up off the floor. "We can begin to make a list of reasons for the rebellion and the consequences of it."
"Good." I say while finally look in her eyes as I step into the doorway of the house. "See you later, Katniss."
"See you later, Peeta." she answers and I turn to walk away. It was a good night, I think, but if I am going to be the one to get Katniss to believe in love, I definitely have my work cut out for me.
Like I told Rye, I think I might be up for the challenge.
There it is! I hope you are all still enjoying the story. Next chapter will be more of what their classmates think of Katniss and Peeta and them growing a little closer together as they work on the project. Please, please, please keep reviewing and letting me hear your thoughts!