Chapter Three
"I think we should throw a party." Johanna says as she is picking at her nails.
"What for?" Annie asks slightly annoyed. She doesn't like when Johanna throws parties much because their apartment isn't very big and Johanna likes to have blow out parties.
"Homecoming." Johanna says with a smile. Despite Johanna not going to the game she is always up for an excuse to party.
"Homecoming was way better in high school." Annie says.
"Why was your football team really good?" Johanna asks.
"No." Annie says. For her senior year her football team had a perfect season; they lost every game. "It's because of the homecoming dance. You got all dressed up and got to dance with your friends. Plus, there were those stupid homecoming king and queen with their court that would get presented during the game."
"You really liked that cheesy crap?" Johanna says. She didn't like going to the school dances because she thought it was more of a requirement. She only went to the prom because her friends begged her to come with them and her ex-boyfriend's mother really wanted prom pictures.
"Yes, I really liked that crap." Annie says with a smile.
Johanna rolls her eyes.
"So, party?" Johanna asks.
Annie sighs.
"Not a lot of people, okay." Annie says.
"Totally." Johanna says. Annie and Johanna have a difference on what they think a lot of people are. Considering their apartment size Annie would consider seven to eight people a lot. Johanna would consider fifteen to twenty be a lot. Their apartment would be full and Annie would probably go on one of her night walks to get some fresh air. She always feels sticky when lots of people come to their house. It might be the humanity, or the fact that she doesn't know anyone there.
"Tigers suck Trojans rule!" A guy yells and takes a big gulp of his beer. He has face paint leftover from the game running off his face. The blue and white colors are mixing together to make some strange blue gray color.
"Yeah our football team is the best." Annie mumbles to herself.
"Hey Annie." Annie hears and turns around to see Max although a lot of people from his chemistry class call him Marvel because the Professor always called him marvelous. Some of the students thought the Professor was into him but it was never proven.
"Max, I'm surprised you're here." Annie says because he isn't close with Johanna and because he never seemed like the party type.
"Thank you for not calling me Marvel I fear that will be my nickname until I graduate." He says with a smile.
"It will probably be a nickname within the since classes." Annie says with a smile.
"God I hope so, so did you go to the game?" He asks. He has been waiting for a chance to speak with Annie since their chemistry la because he sort of has a thing for her.
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"Football isn't really for me and Johanna wanted to have people over while the game was playing. See that girl-" Annie says and points to a blonde haired girl wearing a shirt that glimmers in the light. "She's been here since half time."
"Really." Marvel says because it is almost ten and the game started in the late afternoon.
"Yeah." Annie says and take a sip from her beer nervously. She isn't twenty-one yet but doesn't really care because Johanna is and she can't see the cops coming to their apartment because most of the tenants here are college kids.
"It's a good party." He says ".
"Thanks but that's more of Johanna's doing." Annie says and points towards Johanna who is laughing in the comer probably about something the guy she is talking with said. Johanna is a flirt at the parties, she says it makes the night more fun.
"I'm still having fun though." He says with a smile and Annie nods. "So, what classes are you taking this year, I heard you had Professor Coin for your Introduction to Shakespeare class." He says. Annie is slightly confused because she doesn't remember telling him that she was taking that class.
"How did you know I was taking that class?" She asks.
"I saw the group member posting paper outside the classroom door. I'm taking Introduction to Medieval History next door, and the Professor posted our papers right next to each other. I didn't realize I was looking at the wrong one." Marvel says telling the truth.
"Oh I've heard that class is cool especially when they start talking about the torture methods." Annie says. She has always been fascinated on how people where punished through history and how gruesome they used to be.
"That's a very odd thing to be excited about." He says.
"Well… yeah, but I'm odd." Annie says and takes another sip from her beer. Annie doesn't like beer much, but it will do for now.
"So you've got Coin as a Professor then?" Marvel asks again.
"Yeah she seems-"
"She's the devil Annie." Marvel says before she can finish.
"I thought she seemed okay." Annie says.
"She's very particular and when you give a group presentation you better have everything memorized because she takes a lot of points off if you don't." Marvel says.
"Speaking from experience?" Annie asks slightly nervous.
"Yes, I ended up passing but not with the grade I hoped." Marvel says. Annie knows he got all A's during chemistry class.
"What did you get?" Annie asks curious.
"A, C but that is only because she grades the group as a whole and not the individual people within the group." He says.
"Well I think I have a good group." Annie says.
"Trojans rule!" Annie hears that guy shout again and he is lifting up the lamp as if it is a trophy.
"Hey idiot you need to leave." Johanna says walking up to him all angry. This is when Johanna flirting with all those guys comes in handy because they will defend her honor to try and get her. However, Johanna doesn't need anyone to defend her.
"Calm down chick." He sets the lamp down. "I was only having fun." He says annoyed.
"Go to a bar so somewhere then." Johanna snaps.
The guy growls pushes people out of the way and his possy of six leave with him.
"Your roommate can really handle her own." Marvel says.
"Yeah well she is a special one, but also makes sure to have a guy to back her up if need be." Annie says and looks back at the corner where Johanna was standing before and the guy is still there, but he is looking at his cell phone.
Annie and Marvel look at each other for an awkward moment.
"I could always help you with Professor Coin's class Annie." Marvel says and rubs the back of his neck.
"Didn't you take a different class that she taught?" Annie says slightly confused unaware that Marvel is only asking her this so he can spend more time with her. They spent a decent amount of time together when they took the chemistry lab, but now they barely see each other. Marvel isn't the best at being forward so he never built up enough courage to ask her out.
"Right, but I know how she grades so I could go over your projects." Marvel says.
"Yeah, maybe." Annie says slightly confused. "I'm gonna go outside for a minute." Annie says. She is getting that claustrophobic feeling when there are too many people in her house.
"I'll go with you." Marvel says and Annie nods.
They walk down the steps. Annie and Johanna live on the fourth floor, but the walk up isn't that bad.
"So is your place likes this Max?" Annie asks him.
"Our apartments are about the same space, but I live by myself." Marvel says.
"That's nice Johanna isn't always the cleanest person, but before I signed a least I made sure there was a dishwasher included." Annie says.
"Yeah." Marvel says.
Annie opens the door and they are hit with the fresh air.
"That's better." Annie says and tucks a piece of her light brown hair behind her hair. She breathes in and out deeply even though their are smokers nearby it is better than what is inside the apartment.
"I hope Johanna kicks more people out soon." Annie says. It is almost midnight, Annie isn't tired or anything but people have been at her house since the afternoon. Annie doesn't mind company much… but eventually you wear out your welcome. Annie doesn't know all these people and Johanna doesn't know everyone she invited very well.
"I'm sure she will and if not you could… you could-" Marvel is about to say you could come back with me, but the implications that, that has might make Annie mad.
"I could do what?" Annie asks curious to what he will say next.
"Stay with a friend." He says trying to cover himself.
"Maybe." Annie says and looks up to the stars.
I wonder how everyone else is celebrating tonight's win. Annie thinks to herself.
"That's my boy." The football coach says and pats Finnick on the back.
The Trojans won their game but just barely. If Finnick hadn't scored the final touch down the team would've lost which would bring moral way down. The college's football team is very competitive, they are part of the big ten alliance. It is one of the reasons why Finnick chose this school out of the other offers he received.
"Is it time for those condom jokes now or what Odair!" Thresh says. He has dark skin and is big and tall. He is a very good defensive player.
Finnick sighs.
Every time the football team wins -the quarterback- always makes really bad condom jokes in the locker room. Whoever made their mascot the Trojans would have never predicted this.
Finnick rolls his eyes.
"He makes the same ones every year, he could at least try coming up with something new." Finnick says because the quarterback has been the same person throughout Finnick's whole career here.
"That's what makes it a tradition though." Thresh says and Finnick rolls his eyes. "So are you gonna celebrate with the team tonight?" Thresh asks.
Finnick doesn't like going out much during football season, but since it is homecoming he just might.
"I'll have to think it over." Finnick says.
"Come on man you're the man tonight you have to go out." Thresh says.
"Like I said I'll think about it." Finnick says.
"Oh I see you got a little honey to see." Thresh says.
Finnick smiles.
"Maybe." He says but he doesn't really have anything set up. He just wants to get Thresh off his back.
When Finnick leaves the locker room it is almost empty.
He throws his duffle bag behind his back and starts to walk home. Thresh told him the bar they would be going to so he could catch up, but Finnick already made up his mind that he would be going home.
"Finnick!" He hears and turns around to see one of the cheerleaders waving at him. She practically runs after him. "You were so great out there tonight." She says with a smile.
Finnick has seen her before during their practice, but he can't remember her name.
"Thanks uh-"
"Cashmere." She says and wiggles back and forth making her blonde ponytail move back and forth.
I wonder if she is cold in that thing. Finnick thinks to himself.
It isn't that cold tonight but a short skirt and those weird tops make him a little cold. He also can't understand why her shoes, or all the cheerleaders shoes, are always so white.
"You doing anything tonight?" She asks him.
"Not really." Finnick says.
"Me either." Cashmere says hoping she can spend some alone time with him. "I could buy you a celebratory beer." She says with a smile.
Will she be going out in her cheer uniform? Finnick thinks to himself. She would look a little ridiculous then again, she might not because it is homecoming weekend.
"Uh-"
"I'll take that as a yes." Cashmere says and grabs his hand and starts to drag him.
"I really just wanted to go home." Finnick says hoping this will get rid of her.
"Are you inviting me back to your house?" Cashmere asks excited. "I'd love to see where you live." Cashmere says.
"Are you a stalker or something?" Finnick says. He is half teasing half serious.
"Of course not, let's just get you home." She says.
No matter how much Finnick tries to get her to leave it is no use so she just follows him back to his apartment.
When Finnick opens the door he sees his roommate Peeta in the kitchen wearing flannel pajama pants and a t-shirt.
"Who's the skirt?" Peeta asks as Finnick goes to the kitchen.
"Some crazy cheerleader." Finnick says.
"If she's crazy then why did you bring her to our house?" Peeta asks.
"Because she probably would've just followed me home." Finnick says.
Peeta looks back at the living room and sees Cashmere looking around.
"You know most guys wouldn't be so flustered if a cheerleader followed them home." Peeta says with a smile.
"If you want her you can go out with her." Finnick says.
"Nah a lot of those cheerleaders are high maintenance." Peeta says.
"You date one cheerleader a few years ago so you now assume they are all like that?" Finnick says.
"Hey it was one girl and her friends were all the same." Peeta says.
Finnick rolls his eyes.
"You know you could just be an adult and ask her to leave." Peeta says.
"I can't do that." Finnick says.
"Why not?" Peeta asks.
Finnick pauses.
"Because it would be rude." Finnick says.
Peeta sighs.
"You're too nice." Peeta says.
"Finnick your place is so cool." Cashmere says and walks into the kitchen.
"I want to see the rest of it." Cashmere says. Her hair is no longer in a ponytail. Cashmere just really wants to get Finnick into bed. She isn't a slut but she has had her eye on Finnick for a while and since he was the person who made the winning touchdown it made him so much more attractive.
"Cashmere, the house is super messy right now." Finnick says.
"I don't mind the mess." Cashmere says.
"I kind of do I'm a near freak." Finnick says.
"Come on Finnick." Cashmere pouts.
"He really is a weirdo cleaner, that's why he doesn't like when girls randomly show up." Peeta says.
"Oh… oh I see." Cashmere says slightly confused.
He probably just wants me to leave, but there is a small chance he could be telling the truth. Cashmere thinks to herself.
"I can come back later then." She says anyway. She picks up the marker for their whiteboard and writes down her number. "That's so you can call me." Cashmere says.
"I'll be sure to do that." Finnick says.
"Okay." Cashmere says and kisses him on the cheek. "Bye Finnick." She says and leaves.
"Tsk tsk lying about calling a girl, I thought you were better than that Finnick." Peeta says.
"Shut up." Finnick says.
"I'm surprised the girl took the bait." Peeta says.
"She wasn't that thick, a piss poor excuse like that, she'd have to be very stupid to believe It." Finnick says.
"Whatever you say." Peeta says. "I know you're not going to go out and party, but could you at least have a victory beer with me I actually watched that crap for once." Peeta says.
"Okay." Finnick says it isn't exactly a party but it is doable.
"Hey Cashmere!" Johanna says slightly surprised. She assumed Cashmere would want to go out with her cheerleader friends or try and hook up with a player after the game. She really just invited Cashmere to be polite.
"Hey." Cashmere says slightly annoyed.
"Someone is in a foul mood, you need a drink, we're about to do some shots." Johanna says and takes Cashmere's hand to drag her to the kitchen.
"Alright." Cashmere says and bumps into multiple people on the way.
"Hi Annie." Cashmere says as they walk past her.
Annie nods as a greeting.
"Here's the lime and the salt." Johanna says and starts to pour tequila into the shot glasses.
They do a few shots.
"So why don't you look more spirited?" Johanna asks because Cashmere is just wearing jeans and a plain black t-shirt.
"I didn't feel like it." Cashmere says still angry about Finnick denying her after the game.
"But you're a cheerleader isn't it like your job?" Johanna asks.
"I got turned down by a football player so I'm boycotting for the rest of the night." Cashmere says.
"Are you serious." Johanna says almost laughing at how over dramatic she is being. "I can't believe Cato turned you down." Johanna says.
"It wasn't Cato it was Finnick, the guy who scored the winning touchdown." Cashmere says.
Annie heard this so she tries to move closer to the conversation. Annie has developed an almost crush on Finnick although she hasn't really realized it yet.
"Finnick?" Johanna says intrigued.
"Yeah I caught him after the game and tried to take him out but he refused saying he just wanted to go home."
"Wasn't that clue number one to back off." Johanna says thinking Cashmere is being stupider than she ever thought was possible.
"Well maybe, but then I offered to follow him back home and he didn't protest so when we got back to his apartment he spent five minutes in the kitchen alone with his roommate and then said he didn't like having girls over when his room was so messy." Cashmere says.
"Please tell me you didn't believe that excuse." Johanna says.
"Not really I figured he wanted me to leave so I left, but before I did I left my number."
"Let me guess he told you he was going to call." Johanna says knowing full well he isn't going to call her. She also knowns that Cashmere will make her ask Finnick about it during a group meet up.
"Yes and I think there is a fifty percent chance that he might."
"I doubt it." Johanna says.
"But-"
"Cashmere you went to his house willingly in a cheer uniform so if he wanted you he would've taken you no problem or at least go to a bar with you." Johanna says.
"But he's so cute and nice." Cashmere says.
Johanna sighs.
"You'll get over it there are a lot more football players than Finnick Odair. "Johanna says.
"Did it last too long Annie?" Johanna asks. Johanna kicked everyone out at one thirty, but Annie wanted to clean up a little before going to bed.
"No, it's fine. I just don't like when they stay past two." Annie says and throws away an empty beer bottle.
"Just leave it Annie I can get it." Johanna says. Although that means she will probably clean it up tomorrow.
"No, I got it."
"Isn't the party thrower supposed to clean up the mess?" Johanna says.
Annie sighs.
"Who was that guy you were talking to for quite awhile." Johanna says changing the subject.
"Max, I thought you invited him." Annie says.
"I probably did or he could've been someone's friend. So who is he?" Johanna asks
"He was a guy in my chemistry lab. "Annie says.
"I see, so you guys kept in touch then?" Johanna asks curiously.
"Not really, but he is easy to talk to." Annie says as Johanna passes her more empty beer bottles.
"Did he ask you out?" Johanna asks. She is always curious about Annie's romantic life because she isn't a person who goes on many dates. She isn't a nun, but dating isn't Annie's biggest concern.
"No, although I think he was trying to ask me if the party didn't end soon that I could go to his house." Annie says.
"Woah really." Johanna says excited. "Would you have said yes?" Johana asks with glee in her eyes. She knows Annie has never had a one night stand and Johanna also knows that, that will probably never happen because Annie is a boyfriend kind of girl.
"I don't go to a guys house last minute or after ten." Annie says.
"Well, at least you knew it was a booty call." Johanna says.
"I don't know if it was because he changed the sentence at the end saying I could just stay with a friend." Annie says.
"Don't be naive even if he wasn't trying to get into your pants tonight he clearly wants to." Johanna says with a smile.
"That isn't the worst thing in the world." Annie says.
"Really?!" Johanan says.
"Yes, at least I know someone out there finds me attractive." Annie says.
"Jesus don't' go into a pity party, this is why you can't drink a lot, you're a depressing drunk." Johanna says.
"I'm not drunk." Annie says.
"Right whatever." Johanna says.
"I'm going to bed." Annie says annoyed.
"Fine whatever." Johanna says.
Annie turns back.
"Please clean this up before you go to sleep." Johanna says.
"Yes ma'am." Johanna says and salutes her. Annie then leaves.
"Ugh." Johanna says and opens a new trash can.
I know I like the parties, but I hate the clean up. If only people could be more respectful. Johanna thinks to herself, but that will only happen if Johanna only invited people who she actually knew.
"Can you get the fire started?" Katniss asks. It isn't very chilly, but Katniss knows it will be soon.
"Yeah I got it." Gale says and pulls out his lighter. They brought one of those fire starter packs so it shouldn't be hard for them to start a fire. The campsite they chose has a fire pit and a table to set their supplies. Katniss is hoping that they can make marshmallows together because she loves doing that while camping.
It takes a few tries before he gets the flames going.
"I wonder what's going on back home." Katniss says while looking up at the stars. She likes going camping when it is a clear night because then you can see the stars and Katniss knows that everyone who is looking up at the sky is also looking at the same thing.
"Probably just the homecoming game." Gale says.
"Do you think our team won?" Katniss asks not really caring.
"Probably. I don't really care for sports." Gale says.
"Same." Katniss say.
They sit in silence just watching the fire and stars.
"We should go hiking tomorrow, I saw a few good spots." Gale says.
"And there are also the recommended trails." Katniss says.
"But, we don't like to follow the rules." Gales says and Katniss smiles.
"I like being an individual rather than following the script." Katniss says. Which is true, when someone tries to control Katniss it never works in their favor because Katniss isn't someone who can be told what to do. She does better at things when people let her be, which can get her into trouble sometimes but she doesn't really mind.
"Yes you do." Gale says and looks at her with a smile.
She looks so pretty in the firelight Gale thinks to himself. He would never say this to Katniss because she wouldn't believe it. Katniss doesn't view herself as the prettiest girl around and is shocked when people do admit their feelings to her. Katniss isn't the easiest person to love, Gale does and doesn't mind her stubbornness or the sneer she usually wears on her face.
"We should take the outdoors club here sometime, at least for the hiking." Katniss says. That is how Katniss and Gale reconnected so Katniss likes to share the little field trips that Katniss and Gale do together.
"Sure, but I think it would be hard for all of us to camp together." Gale says, but secretly he doesn't want the others to share a campsite like they are right now because he wants this to be a special place that just the two of them can have.
"Probably and the President of the club isn't very organized." Katniss says and sits up. "I think it's marshmallow time." She says with a smile.
"The fire hasn't died down enough Katniss." Gale says with a smile on his face.
"It's a good thing I like my marshmallows burned then." She says and opens the bag of marshmallows
"You're impossible, you know that, right?." Gale says.
"Yes, but I'm alright with that." Katniss says and pushes a marshmallow onto the spear. She sticks it in the fire and it burns.
"At least don't burn yourself." Gale says.
"I won't, don't worry." Katniss says.
"Good because I wouldn't want you to get injured." Gale says.
"So protective." Katniss says sarcastically, but Gale genuinely meant it, he won't let anyone hurt Katniss Everdeen because he cares for her so deeply.
A/N: This college is a fictional one so the football team is not part of the big ten alliance in real life. I just wanted to clear that up.