Clove decided to eat lunch with Madge and I today.
Delly seeing that Clove sat next to us came and took a seat next to Madge. It wasn't as awkward as I thought it would be. Seeing that Cato wants Clove to hangout with his friends like Peeta wants me to hangout with his really gives us a reason to try to talk more. If we ever end up getting ignored by their group we can just talk to each other instead of staying silent.
"So how long have you and Peeta been together?" Clove asks.
I nearly choke on my food and Delly's eyes are almost popping out their sockets. Anyone who knows Delly can tell how much she likes him, they've never talked except for the time I introduced them when he sneaked into our lunch period. Delly couldn't keep his eyes off of him.
"We're only friends, Clove."
"Oh, I'm so sorry! It's just the way he was holding you yesterday, it's just, you know. Seemed like you were dating..." her voice trails off.
You would think I would be use to people asking me this. When I first met Madge she had the same assumption about Peeta and me. But over time she realized we were just best friends. It's the way we act, I don't blame people when they ask. Peeta and I have known each other since we were toddlers. We would always spend most of our time side by side. His older brothers would always exclude me from games because I was a girl and Peeta because he was 'too little' so we would play by ourselves. Over time we were always so comfortable with each other. Whenever we had naps Peeta and I would cuddle with each other. It was common to see Peeta and I holding hands or our arms tangled with each other. We often gave each other kisses on the forehead or he'd give me kisses on the cheek growing up.
I guess old habits die hard.
"It's okay, Clove. We've been best friends for years. I've known him since we were in diapers. Don't feel bad," I smile, brushing off the awkward silence.
We all went back to eating our food.
/
"MOM? DAD?" Peeta yells once entering his house.
"Yes, Peeta?" Mr. Mellark answers coming from the door that leads into the kitchen.
"Oh, Katniss is over. She's staying for dinner, is that okay?"
Mr. Mellark makes his way toward and pulls me into a big bear hug. "Oh, why would you ever ask that? Katniss is allowed to stay here whenever she wants, especially eat dinner!"
"Thank you, Aiden" I answer, holding him strongly.
The Mellarks always give me comfort.
Growing up whenever my parents were working they'd bring me here. My mom and Mr. Mellark were best friends when they were younger. When my mother started dating my father, Mr. Mellark and my dad instantly became friends as well. So whenever my mom needed someone to take care of me she'd bring me to their house. Mrs. Mellark and Mr. Mellark always split up the time on who would stay home with the kids and who would stay in the Bakery they own. Mr. Mellark would usually be the one with us though, he'd always get up early in the morning to knead the dough and the bake bread and then leave Mrs. Mellark in charge in the afternoon or his employees. There were days when they would both watch all four of us.
Mrs. Mellark use to be mean towards me at first. Well not exactly mean but you could tell she wasn't very fond of me. She'd answer me in a such a monotone voice you would think she was bored. It wasn't until she was pregnant with Prim that I found out that she was hurt that Peeta wasn't a girl. Also, that it didn't help that I was so friendly with Peeta because she knew that if Peeta was a girl I'd be best friends with her little girl instead of the boy she had.
One day when I was roaming the house looking for Peeta, I found her reading one of Peeta's book to her tummy while rocking back in forth in a rocking chair. I was surprised only being four I didn't know what she was doing, so I took a seat next to her and asked her what was going on. She told me she was reading to the baby in her stomach.
"Can the baby hear you?" I asked her surprised.
"Of course they can, the baby's listening to us right now." she answered, tickling my stomach.
A giggle escaped my four year old lips.
"Do you always read to the baby?" I asked.
"Sometimes. I also read to Peeta, Rye, and Tom when they're were in my stomach." She answered, looking down at her stomach.
"Is she going to be another boy?" I was hoping she'd say no and she shakes her head. "What are you going to name her?" I asked.
"Primrose." She beamed.
"Like the flower?"
"The very one!"
The next thing I knew I was rubbing Mrs. Mellark stomach and speaking to her tummy. "Hi, Primrose. You don't know me yet but I'm excited to meet you. I'm Katniss, I'm not your sister or anything but I might as well be," Mrs. Mellark laughed. "You have a beautiful mommy and daddy, and three older brothers who will love you so so much! You'll be a really lucky girl."
My words brought tears into Mrs. Mellark's eyes and I felt bad instantly but then she assured me that she was crying of happiness and I kissed her on the cheek. Then I ran off to find Peeta to tell him what his little sister's name was going to be.
Peeta was asking me what movie I wanted to watch when I heard my name being yelled.
"KATNISS!" Prim shouted as soon as she saw me and ran into my arms.
"Hey, Prim," I greet her, holding her into my arms and smiling down at her.
"I haven't seen you in a week! Where have you been?"
"Sorry, I've just been doing school work and hanging out with Peeta, you're right The Avengers was fantastic!" I beam while I brush her hair through my finger tips.
"I knew you'd love it!" She smiles. "Do you want to go to the town square with me? I need to buy something."
I look over at Peeta and ask him if it was alright. He nods and I follow Prim out of the living room. Before we can make our way out of the house Rye had his arms hugging me in a tight embrace from behind.
"Katniss Everdeen! Do you have no manners? You can't just be in our house without saying hi to the most handsome Mellark!" He says, laughing. "Where have you been? Has my brother been hogging you all to himself?"
I turn towards him and hug him back. "School assignments and I wouldn't say hogging." I shrug, smiling at him.
"Where are you guys headed? Hmmmm?" Rye asks Prim.
"We're going into town, Rye. Do you need anything?" Prim asks.
"No," He answers. "Dragging poor Katniss here to do errands with you?"
"I'm not dragging her! She said she'd come." Prim yelps.
I just laugh.
"Well see you later, girls! I'm going to see what Peeta's up to," he continues to laughs, walking towards the living room.
Prim and I make our way through the front door and start walking towards the town square, it's actually not that far from where the Mellarks live probably a ten minute walk.
When Prim was younger she asked me if I could be her older sister. I laughed at the idea because we could never even come close to being sister with her blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair complection but I accepted. I've always seen Prim as a little sister. I've also seen Rye and Tom as older brothers, they'd always call me little sis along with Prim but never Peeta. I could never see him as brother, just a friend, my best friend.
"How does it feel to almost be thirteen, Prim?" I ask once we enter the town square.
"I'm nervous."
"Why?"
"Rue was telling me how her older sister Seeder got once she turned into a teenager and would always blame it on something called PMS or hormones, I don't want that to happen to me. Rue says her sister goes crazy sometimes. I don't want to be crazy.." Prim stares off.
I just laugh and she turns to stare at me. "Prim that won't happen. I mean you're body starts to change and your voice but you won't turn crazy. Do I look like the same girl I was five years ago?" I say twirling in front of her.
"No! You're much prettier." She says with a big smile across her face.
"I don't think that's what is," I chuckle, poking my tongue out at her. "but I have grown."
She laughs. "Peeta thinks you're pretty," a blush starts to creep onto my face. "So does Rye and Tom."
"They do not Prim!"
"Do too, Kat!" She smiles. "Rye was asking Peeta why you don't have a boyfriend. Peeta just shrugged and Tom continued on saying how pretty you are and you could if you wanted to."
"Well your brother Peeta could have a girlfriend if he really wanted to too. Girls always comment about how 'hot' your brother is."
"EWWW! Never call Peeta hot!" Prim screams.
I just laugh. "I know what you mean it felt weird coming out of my mouth too. It is what the girls say, though. Peeta could have any girl be his girlfriend if he wanted to. I'm surprised he doesn't have one."
"Well I asked him why he didn't. He said that there's this one girl he's had a crush on for forever. I asked who and he said it's one of his friends."
Friend? It's probably Johanna, the way he hugged her yesterday seemed more than friendly.
"That's why he never asked her on a date or anything," she continues.
"I met some of his friends on Sunday, if it's any of those girls then I'm pretty sure they'd say yes to him in a heart beat. They all seemed to love Peeta." I say. "Anyone would be lucky to have Peeta."
"It could be one of them but maybe not the person you're thinking of." She giggles.
Does Prim know something I dont?
I just let her comment go and follow her into a shop that's filled with school supplies. When she buys everything we head towards her parents Bakery.
"Wait here! I just need to run inside very quick!" Prim informs me as she dashes through the bakery's front door.
Prim comes out about thirty seconds later with a small box.
"What's that?" I ask.
"Cookies! I promised Rory I would bring him so when he comes over later." She smiles.
"Who is this Rory fellow, hmmm?"
"He's my partner for our science project, that's why I need to buy all these supplies." She says holding out the bag in her other hand.
"Are you sure it isn't more than that?" I ask, obviously teasing her.
"I'm sure, Kat! Plus, he's Gale's little brother. Peeta would have Rory in a headlock if he ever tries anything with me." She states pulling out the key to her front door.
Peeta was always the most overprotective with Prim. It could be the fact that Mrs. Mellark would makes Peeta do everything for Prim. You could tell Prim was Mrs. Mellark's favorite and Peeta her least favorite. That would always give me relief on being the only child. Growing up I would want siblings but whenever I noticed favoritism in the Mellark home I'd rather not have siblings. I would have hated to compete for attention or know that your parents like your brother or sister more than you.
I barely make through the front door when I have arms around my waist twirling me in a circle. It takes me a second to realize the hands belong to Tom.
"Put her down, Tom!" screams Prim.
He does as he's told and hugs me, "Peeta and Rye told me you were in town with Prim and that you're staying for dinner. Long time no see, Kat!"
I hug him back and smile, "I know right, I'll be over here more often. You know since, ummm yeah. I've just spending more time alone."
"Don't worry, Kat. It's understandable. I'm on my way up to wake up Rye from his nap. Peeta's in the kitchen with mom helping her make dinner. You should go in there and say hi." He walks me towards the kitchen.
When I walk into the kitchen the aroma of lamb stew and cheese buns hit my noise making my mouth water. Peeta smiles as he's taking out the fresh cheese buns and sets them on the island. Mrs. Mellark see me and gives me big smile.
"Kat! Peeta told me you're saying from dinner so we decided to make your favorites." She says, swirling the lamb stew in the pot in front of her.
"Awww, you didn't have to but thank you so much Olivia." I smile.
"It isn't a problem. We haven't had you over for dinner in months, it's the least we could do," she grins. "and thank you for going into town with Prim."
"YES! THANK YOU!" Tom screams. "Prim never shuts up, if it wasn't you it would have been me who would have had to walk her and I would have come home with hair missing from my head."
"Tom, don't say that about your sister!"
"It wasn't a problem," I smile toward Mrs. Mellark. "and it gave me time to catch up with Prim. I can't believe she's almost thirteen."
"Yes, our little girl is almost a teen. Where have the years gone?" Mr. Mellark states, coming through the kitchen. "I see we're making all of Katniss's favorites."
"Well if you excuse me I'm going to go wake up Rye from his nap. Katniss would you like to come with?" Tom asks.
"I don't see why not."
We creep up the stairs and walk silently toward the room that belongs to Rye. He's knocked out, you can tell by his snoring that he's sound asleep. It might be harder to wake him up then I thought. Tom looks at me with amusement and the next thing I know I see Tom swinging Rye's door open and jumps right on top of him. Rye screams like a little girl and Tom slides off of him laughing his head off, I join Tom's laughter. Rye never gets scared at anything, you'll never see him scream over something that happens in a horror movie or when you try to scare him yourself. He just looks at us and barges out of his room heavy steps down the stairs.
After a couple minutes of laughing our heads off Peeta comes in to tell us it's time to eat but finds us still laughing on the floor. We tell him and he laughs a little too. But then picks me up cradling me in his arms and walks us down the stairs, my head resting on his chest as my ears find comfort in the beat of his steady heart. At the end of the stairs he puts me down and holds my hand to lead me through the kitchen with Tom a step behind us.
/
Dinner was delicious and it was nice to finally be back in the household were I would spend a lot of time when my parents were working. No one asked me about how my mother was doing or brought up my dad which was comforting, because I knew deep down inside they wanted to ask. It's nice to know that I'll have the Mellarks to lean on. Most of dinner was spent talking about simple things like how we're all doing in school. The Mellark children teasing one another and memories of when we were all little.
As the doorbells rings Prim excuses herself dropping for and spoon and runs to the front door.
"It's probably Rory." Peeta whispers.
And he was right. Prim brings a boy who resembles a lot like Peeta's friend into the kitchen. The boy looks a lot like Gale except he's obviously shorter being Prim's age, and he's skinnier but he has the same features. If you saw them walking down the streets you could tell they were related.
"Mom, Rory's here! We're working on a school project." Prim sings.
"Hi, Rory. Nice to see you again." Mrs. Mellark smiles.
Prim pulls Rory over to the family room and they start working on their project while eating the cookies Prim brought home.
"Well, your mother and I are going to go to Bakery and set things up for tomorrow." Mr. Mellark states looking at the clock. It's 6 in the afternoon meaning we ate dinner pretty early.
"Peeta, make sure to clean the kitchen. I want it spotless when I get back," Mrs. Mellark says while she looks for her car keys.
Rye throws the keys to me and heads towards the basement, while Tom just sat at the table listening to Mrs. Mellark giving Peeta more orders.
I give the keys to Mrs. Mellarks and she gives me a kiss on the forehead before she leaves, "See you soon, Katniss."
"Kat, let's go upstairs while Peeta here cleans up." Tom winks.
"How about we help him?" I ask curiously.
Tom groans and stands up from the kitchen heading for the stairs. "I'll be upstairs, I hate cleaning."
"You don't have to help me clean." Peeta says.
"I know but I'd like to. The cheese buns were amazing and this is my way of thanking you." I say, while I collect all the dishes and place them into the sink.
"If you say so." Peeta grins.
I clean the dishes and dry them while Peeta sweeps the floor and mops. We both take the garbage out together and clean the table.
When were done Tom pops his head into the kitchen and asks if it's safe to come in. Peeta and I just look at each other and laugh.
"The kitchen's clean if that's what you want to know." I say.
"OH GOOD!" Tom smiles, then grabs a plate and fills them with store bought cookies, not the ones they make at their bakery and heads to the living room.
"I just washed that plate, Tom!" I yell after him.
"Then you'll have no problem washing it again!" He pokes his tongue out at me.
/
"Everyone missed you a lot in this house."
Peeta and I made our way to his room. We were planning on starting our homework but I was too lazy so I just flung myself on to his bed and lied on it while he sat in his desk chair playing with a baseball.
"I missed everyone too. It's just I couldn't ... I couldn't be around a functional family for too long before I would either run away or start crying."
Peeta gets up from his chair and lays next to me, he caresses my cheek and stares straight into my eyes. "I know, we'll always be here for you though."
I hold the hand he's caressing my cheek with and I smile into it, "I know," Is all i can say. Because I do know that. I know that the Mellarks will be there for me until my last breath. It's scary to think that I could someday near in the future die but it's the way life works.
We lay like this for a while, just staring into each others eyes until he pulls me closer to him and we cuddle like we would when were toddlers, I place my head on his left shoulder and my hand on his chest while he places his right arm on my lower back.
"Clove asked me how long we were dating today. I choked on my food." I tell Peeta.
He looks down at me and laughs, "I wonder what she would think if she saw us like this."
"She'd probably think I was lying to her," I say while I push myself closer into him.
Being like this with Peeta makes me feel safe and warm. It makes me want to stay like this forever. I have no idea why I would think that way. Peeta and I are only friends but whenever I'm with Peeta I don't think about how lifeless my life feels sometimes. How I have this hole in my heart that was placed when my dad died. No one understand my friendship with Peeta and I sometimes feel like we don't even understand it ourselves, but everything just feels right when we're together.
He just laughs, "I don't think so. You're possibly THE worst liar I have ever met."
"I'm sorry not everyone has the talent to lie through their teeth." I poke his stomach.
He just laughs and pulls away from me searching for something. I miss the warmth of his body right away but I just sit up from his bed. When he finds his phone he turns to me. "It's nearly seven, I should get you home. I don't want to be the reason you're home late."
NO. I want to stay here.
"I could get home at 2 in the morning and my mom wouldn't notice," I pout. "But since you're such a gentlemen I guess I'll let you take me home."
"Oh, come on." Peeta pulls me off his bed and throws my orange backpack over his shoulder.
We walk down the stairs with his arm around my shoulder. When Tom sees me he jumps up from the couch and drags me into a long tight embrace. I hug him back with the same strength.
"Come back soon, Kat." Tom whispers into my hair.
"Of course."
I live about five minutes away from the Mellarks' household so the car ride was consumed of my humming to the radio and Peeta drumming to the beat of the song.
When Peeta pulls up to the driveway he turns to me curiously.
"Who's here?" he asks, pointing to the car I hadn't noticed was parked right next to us.
"AHHHHH!" I yell while jumping out of his car.
Peeta gets out of the car as fast as I did and looks at me waiting for an answer.
"I forgot to tell you. My uncle's moving to district 12! I thought he'd be here tomorrow but I guess he's early or on time, I never know. Effie's usually the one in charge of everything when she's around."
"Oh, thank goodness!" He hits his car. "I thought there was a serial killer in there waiting for you with the yell you gave." He laughs.
"Wanna come inside?" I ask, hoping he'd say yes.
"Sure." He replies. I make my way towards him and grab his hand pulling him into my house.
As I open the door I hear laughter filling the house. It's genuine laughter. It's laughter I haven't heard for months, laughter that would consume the halls of our house for years.
I freeze.
The laughter is coming from my mom. My mom. Peeta notices my state and gives my hand a light squeeze helping me through the front door of my house leading me to where the laughter's coming from.
"Katniss?" My mom's voice calls out.
"Yeah?" I answer coolly as we head towards the kitchen.
"You're uncle's here!" I can hear the happiness in her voice. Maybe the move with Uncle Haymitch will benefit my mom.
Once we're inside the kitchen there he is. My uncle, Haymitch. He's of good height, with his longish blonde hair reaching above his neck, and his blue eyes. You can tell that when he was my age he was a looker. Next to him is Effie, I loved it when Effie was in the districts. She let herself be natural. She had long blonde hair, that almost appeared white, big hazel eyes, and pale complection. She's also dressed more casual, instead of those outrageous outfits they wear in the Capitol.
"Well are you just going to stand there or are you going to give your uncle a hug, sweetheart?"
Next thing I know I am in a tight hug with him. It takes all my strength not to cry into his shoulder like I've wanted to so many times. But he was so far away and now he's here and I could if I wanted to but I don't want to mess up this happy reunion with my mother looking like herself again and sounding like herself again, into one filled with tears. So I just let myself push away that lump forming in my throat. When I know I'm okay and I won't cry I look up and smile at him, he pats my head then I turn to Effie and hug her as tightly.
"Oh Katniss!" She says. "I've missed you so much!" When she pulls aways she examines me and begin to speak again, "So you are using the clothes I've sent you! See Haymitch I told you she'd wear them!"
He just grins and turns to Peeta. "Well look at you, blondie! What has your mother been feeding you?"
Peeta just laughs and starches the back of his head, "I guess the right food."
Effie makes her way to Peeta and pulls him into a hug. Peeta loves Effie. Actually, Peeta just loves people in general. He's always been able to make friends in a beat of heart, something I've always admired because it's a talent I lack.
"You're getting so handsome!" She squeals. Peeta just smiles and his cheeks start to turn pink.
Haymitch snorts, "Effie, don't embarrass the poor boy!"
"Well, I guess I'll get going. I have to make sure Prim and her friend aren't burning the house down as we speak." Peeta says. "I'll see you tomorrow Katniss. Nice seeing you again Effie and Haymitch, you too Mrs. Everdeen."
"Nice to see you too, boy. I guess I'll be seeing you almost every day with Katniss moving in with Effie and I, now that we're going to be part of this district again." Haymitch smirks, wrapping his arm around my shoulder.
I elbow him and walk Peeta to the front door.
"You've always been his favorite." I tell him as we reach the front door.
"Nah, I'm pretty sure Prim has always been everyone's favorite." He says. "It's hard not to like her."
"Oh he likes her. But he loves you." I state opening the door.
"If you so, Ms. Everdeen." He teases.
I decide to walk him to his car. "It's true, Mr. Mellark. Want me to go ask him?"
He wraps his arms around my waist and tugs me into him. "No, I believe you." he whispers into my ear and kisses my cheek. "I'll see you tomorrow, Katniss."
"I'll see you tomorrow, Peeta."
With that I watch him as he gets into his car and drives away. I stay outside in the same position for a while until I hear my uncle's laughter.
I snap my head to glare at him.
"And you said he wasn't your boyfriend." He states, with a clear smirk on his face.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games.
I know in the book it says Haymitch appears a lot like those from the seam but I loved how he was portrayed in the movie and since he's going to be Mrs. Everdeen's brother - he needs to be blonde, with blue eyes, and fair skin.
