AN: Thanks to all of you lovely, supportive readers :)
Chapter 2: Reverie
Katniss looked up at the old building and felt a sort of fondness towards it right away. It had a charming, old sort of look that reminded her of some of the buildings in District Twelve. The faded gold sign read "Rainy Sunsets". But even if it wasn't so pleasing to the eye, it was apparently the only good place to get dinner in Malina.
As soon as the door swung open, their nostrils filled with the sweet dinner aroma, Theodo sighed in content. "Smells amazing."
"Seems like we haven't had a real meal in ages," Cassian groaned.
Ides nodded in agreement. "It would be good to have something other than rations for dinner."
"Remember, we can't stay long," Katniss warned. "And try not to talk to many people."
"Right," the kids agreed.
They stepped in and could then hear the singing. A woman's beautiful alto voice was filling the room. Her words echoed in the hall.
"Our love is a dream, but in my reverie."
The song itself was new to Katniss, but yet it felt familiar. Much like music she'd once sung herself, but that was long ago.
"Katniss!" A man was suddenly before her, calling her name. But it wasn't just any man. "Katniss, I knew I'd see you again!"
"Peeta!" She couldn't believe it. Without further thought, she slapped him in the face, as hard as she could. "I told you never to speak to me again!" She strutted off to the other side of the bar. Peeta! In Malina! She settled into one of the furthest booths. The kids looked both bewildered and amused.
"What was that about?" Cassian asked with a smirk.
"Don't worry about it." Katniss sighed.
"Never schooled in the whirlpool of romance could be so cruel as you are to me."
Katniss wanted to forget it had happened, but soon Peeta came rushing over.
"Well what can I get you to drink?" He asked enthusiastically, completely unfazed. "A Katniss Sunset?" He looked at her, raising an eyebrow.
"I don't drink those anymore," she snubbed.
"Of course you don't, no one else makes them." Peeta continued to smile. "Who would you lovely people be?" He looked at the kids.
"They're my students," Katniss growled. "Stay away from them."
"You're a teacher?" Peeta was surprised. "That's wonderful! Would you three like to sit in the student section?"
"The what?" Ides asked.
"Student section, of the restaurant," Peeta explained. "To keep you away from the bar, and close enough to see our lovely performer."
"Uh." The students looked at each other in confusion.
"Let me show you." Peeta gestured for them to follow him. They looked at Katniss for permission. She just sighed sure he'd just made up this "student section". They got up to go with Peeta. "Don't go anywhere," he called back to Katniss as they left.
He was back before too long, holding a long glass filled with clear liquid. "A Katniss Sunset," he said, proudly set the drink before her.
"I told you, I gave them up."
"Come on Katniss, try it again." He flicked the glass, and colored swirl began to appear in the liquid. Reds, yellows and pink crept from the bottom to the top, melding until the entire drink settled into sunset orange. Katniss had forgotten how miraculous it looked, but she refused to smile.
Peeta knew her well enough to tell when she was smiling on the inside. He helped himself to a seat across from her and nudged the drink closer to her. With a reluctant sigh, Katniss took a sip. She tried to hide the deep pleasure she felt as all the flavors serenaded her mouth. Swirls of sweet and twists of sour with just enough bitter that it wasn't overwhelming. With it came a flow of memories she'd be suppressing for years.
"My dreams are as worthless as tin to me. Without you, life will never begin to be."
"I never thought you'd become a teacher."
"I never thought you'd be working at a bar."
"It's a restaurant."
"With gambling tables."
Peeta smirked. "I actually own the place."
"So love me as I love you in my reverie."
"Really?" Katniss was surprised.
"Honestly, Rain does most of the work."
"Rain?"
"Yeah, my cousin." He pointed to the girl still drinking at the bar, shooting them bewildered glances.
Katniss couldn't help but smile. "What happened to your plan for a bakery?"
"Oh, I have one of those too," Peeta smiled back. He hadn't seen her smiling like that in a lifetime. "It's down the road. I work there in the morning."
"Wow, you must be really busy."
Peeta shrugged. "Not too busy to think of you."
"Make my dream a reality, let's dispense with formality. Come to me in my reverie."
The song ended on a wistful note, and the crowd clapped.
Katniss noticed she was smiling and leaning towards Peeta. With the realization, she sat up straight and frowned. "I can't do this."
"Do what?"
"Sit here talking to you like we're old friends."
"But-"
"No!" Katniss cut him off. "Peeta I trusted you, and you betrayed me."
Peeta leaned as close to her as he could, eyes fierce with intensity. "You must know I was only trying to protect you."
"I was nearly thrown in prison!" Katniss scoffed.
"Katniss," Peeta reached for her hand, but she yanked it away and jumped away from the table.
"I can't stay. Thank you for the drink, and please tell my students I've gone." She walked away.
"I can't let you go," Peeta said miserably. "Not again."
Without turning back, Katniss was soon gone.
...~Seven Years Earlier~...
"I'm in the mood for love, simply because you're near me. Funny, but when you're near me, I'm in the mood for love." Katniss sang. She gazed over the audiences head's, trying as always to ignore that they were there. "Heaven is in your eyes, bright as the stars we're under. Oh, is it any wonder? I'm in the mood for love." Instead she focused on the piano, aware of every key being pressed. "Why stop to think of whether this little dream might fade? Let's put our hearts together. Now we are one, I'm not afraid." At the far end of the bar she saw Etoile speaking with the lieutenant, and felt relief. The rest of the lyrics came out with more vigor. "Why stop to think of whether this little dream might fade?Let's put our hearts together. Now we are one, I'm not afraid." An actual smile came to her lips as the song began its finish. "If there's a cloud above, if it should rain, we'll let it. But, for tonight, forget it. I'm in the mood. Hope you're in the mood, for love."
The crowd began to clap, and Katniss nodded in appreciation. "Thank you. Thank you for joining us here at Corinne's tonight. We hope to see you tomorrow and goodnight." With relief, Katniss walked off the platform) and walked to the bar accompanied by patron's appreciation.
The crowd began thinning, so she managed to find an empty booth. But before long a man joined her.
"You have a beautiful voice.," he complimented.
Katniss looked up from her drink to see an unfamiliar man with kind blue eyes and blonde hair.
"Thank you...?"
"Oh, Peeta," he pointed to himself, and then extended his hand for her to shake. "I'm Peeta Mellark."
"Nice to meet you Peeta. I'm Katniss." She shook his hand. It was firm and strong. "I've never seen you here before."
"It's my first time," he grinned. She liked the way he smiled. It was sweet and inviting.
"First time in District Twelve too?"
"Oh no, I grew up here. I've just been gone for a couple years."
"Oh really? I grew up here too. But in the Seam, you must have been a town kid."
"How can you tell?" He never seemed to stop smiling.
"Blonde, can afford to leave for a few years. Where'd you go?"
"District Five; there was a culinary academy there."
"So you're a chef?"
"More like a baker."
"And you chose to come back to Twelve?" She was skeptical.
"It's my home," Peeta shrugged. "Besides, my family already has a bakery here; it's a good place to start."
"Then why'd you go to a culinary school?"
"I wanted to expand my skills. This way we can have a bigger, better bakery."
"Wow, you really are a town kid."
Peeta chucked. "Enough about me. How'd a girl from the Seam end up working at a town bar?"
"I needed the money," Katniss shrugged. "My dad is gone; my mom's in Four. Needed to support myself, and singing is really the only thing I'm good at."
"I doubt that."
"How would you know?" Katniss laughed.
"I just do." The clock began chiming that it was midnight. "Oh, I really have to go." Peeta got up. "But I'm happy to meet you."
"Me too," Katniss smiled.
"I look forward to hearing you sing again."
"You'll come back?"
"Of course," He winked and then was gone.
Katniss sat there a moment, just thinking of what had happened. Peeta was the friendliest face she'd seen it what felt like years.
"Who was that?" Sae asked, coming to sit by her.
"Just some guy," Katniss tried to shrug nonchalantly.
"He's cute," Sae winked.
Katniss made a face. "Sae..."
"Come on, you're a young pretty girl. You should be out with boys more!"
Katniss cleared her throat uncomfortably. "How'd it go with the lieutenant?"
Sae smiled knowingly, but answered anyways. "You were right; the summer program is a cover."
Katniss nodded. "So, what do we do?"
"We tell Kimball and wait for instructions."
"Ugh," Katniss groaned. "I'm tired of singing show tunes every night. I want to be doing something!"
"I know, I know," Sae sighed. "But if we act too fast all we'll accomplish is getting ourselves thrown in prison."
"Well then, I guess I'll be here again tomorrow."
"Try singing happy tunes," Sae suggested with a wink.
"Yeah," Katniss rolled her eyes. "Sure."
AN: Thank you for reading, and all reviews will be replied to!