Chapter 3
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the idea for this story and the plot. All characters and The Hunger Games are credited to Suzanne Collins.
Katniss
I couldn't sleep at all that night. Dinner had been horrible, and my mind was reeling with thoughts of how bad this vacation could get.
I sat down at the table in between Peeta and his older brother Rye. Across from me was Mrs. Mellark, in between the eldest Mellark son and Mr. Mel- Avin. There was tension in the air, and you could almost cut it with a knife.
"This dinner looks delicious, Mrs. Mellark," I tried to sound polite and make small talk to ease the awkward silence. She looked up and gave me a tight and somewhat sarcastic smile. We ate in silence for a few minutes before Peeta decided to speak up.
"So, how has the business at the bakery been going?"
Mrs. Mellark simply shrugged, but her husband shared his opinion. "Oh, it's going great! Customers really love your cheese buns, Peeta." I smiled at this. Peeta made these little golden brown rolls stuffed with cheese that are to die for. I could live off of them. His father thought that they were pretty good, as well, and added them to the bakery's menu. So far they have been a hit.
Peeta and his father continued to chat away, his brothers joining in at times. But I had nothing to contribute, and apparently neither did their mother because she hasn't spoken a word. All she does is continue to glare at me from across the table. It was starting to make me feel uncomfortable.
"So, Peeta. How is everything going between you and Katniss?" Mrs. Mellark finally said. Peeta glanced at her wondering where this was coming from.
"Pretty good, actually," he looked at me and smiled. "She's the perfect girlfriend. I couldn't ask for anyone better." Peeta grabbed my hand and gave me a quick kiss considering we were in front of his entire family. It still made me blush.
His father smiled at us both, but his mother just scowled. "Mmhhmm. Peeta, Delly Cartwright stopped by just before we left for the beach house. She was wondering where you were."
Peeta looked at his mother confused. "Okay... Umm, I just saw her two weeks ago, though. Her friend goes to my school." Mrs. Mellark simply shrugged.
"I just thought you'd like to know." Peeta nodded skeptically and continued eating his dinner. She wasn't done, though.
"I always thought you and Delly would end up together. You threw that all away when you dragged this thing home, though," Mrs. Mellark said, waving her hand in my dierction. I looked up at her, trying to hide my expression. Did she really just refer to me as a thing?
Peeta's jaw dropped. "Mom! How cou-"
"Oh don't start with me, Peeta! I don't know why you are still with this trash. She isn't any good to you! She's just a desperate little whore who wants nothing from you but money and sex. Do you see the way she is dressed?" She gestured to my clothes. "Obviously a slut."
My mouth dropped open at her words. What have I ever done to her? Nothing! How could she say something like that to me? I felt like I was about to throw up and I'm sure I was sweating due to the fact that everyone in the room was staring at me. "I think I'm finished eating," I mumbled, pushing my chair out and heading up the stairs to my temporary bedroom.
It was one o'clock in the morning when I crept downstairs to the living room where Peeta was sleeping on the couch. I knew I wasn't supposed to be down here, but I didn't care. I tapped his shoulder, not exactly knowing how to wake him up. "Peeta," I whispered. I sighed and shook his shoulder. "Peeta!" I whispered louder. My boyfriend finally rolled over and opened his eyes.
"Katniss? What are you doing down here? Are you alright?" I could hear the urgency creeping into his voice, even though he was only half awake. I nodded half-heartedly. "I'm fine. I just couldn't sleep."
I climbed over him so my back was facing the cushions. Peeta opened his arms and I snuggled into his chest, hoping that his warmth and love would take away everything bad in my life. "Is this about what my mother said earlier?" Peeta asked after minutes of comfortable silence. I shrugged in his arms.
"Maybe. Did you say anything to her?" He nodded before leaning his cheek against my hair. "I told her to shut the fuck up because nobody will talk to my girlfriend like that. Nobody will put her down, and nobody has the right to say what she said to you! It was uncalled for! I... I don't even know how I'm related to her."
Peeta wrapped his arms around me tighter, in a protective, reassuring grip. "I'm so sorry, Kat. I promise, I'll make sure she knows never to say anything like that to you again. You don't deserve it. And everything she said was false. There is absolutely nothing wrong with you, and you're perfect just the way you are. I hope you know that. I love you, babe." I smiled against his bare chest and cuddled into him.
"I love you, too, Peeta. Thank you for what you said. It means a lot. You really are the best boyfriend I could ever ask for."
With that, I drifted off into a peaceful sleep, wrapped in Peeta's strong, safe arms, knowing that tomorrow would be better.
AN: Thank you for reading! I'm trying to find the balance between updating because I'm currently writing like 5 stories right now and I'm trying to update them all evenly. So far it's not working out. So please bear with me for a bit while I figure this out. Either way, thank you a tons and please review, favorite, follow, whatever floats your boat. Remember to follow me on tumblr at: thekingof-okay for sneak-peeks, updates, etc. :)
P.S.- forgive me for the short chapter, finals are coming up and school is awful hectic.