Before I posted chapter 3, I only had about 35 views. Suddenly, there's over 180, that's amazing! Thank you, readers! Reviews are always welcome. I do realize that this chapter isn't very interesting either, but it's still kind of relevant. The next one is better, I promise. Enjoy!
By the way, just stating the obvious: I do not own The Hunger Games etc.
Chapter 4: "A helper"
The test is too damn difficult. I just sit there, staring at my empty sheet of paper. I look up to find Annie. She seems quite hopeless too. I look at the other students. Some are writing enthusiastically. I envy them. I really tried to prepare well for this test, but as far as I can tell, preparation doesn't get you anywhere. It's about being a genius. My head is full of swear words. My answer sheet is still empty.
I sigh. A few people look up to glare at me. I didn't realize I was so loud and I blush. A pair of blue eyes sends me a reassuring, encouraging look. Peeta Mellark. I smile at him and look back at my answer sheet. Question number one. I dig through my memories. Come on, Katniss, you've been through this yesterday… Suddenly, I know the answer. I write it down and move on to the next question.
The boy in front of me is writing hysterically. It unnerves me. I sit back and look around, trying to stay calm. At least I've got one answer now. I just hope it's correct. Peeta's bright blue eyes catch mine again. He smiles at me. I smile back faintly. 'Okay?' he says soundlessly. I hesitate, then nod. He winks and turns back to his work. I feel a stupid smile creeping up on my face. I shake my head and look at the test again. Question number two. Try to think clearly. The answer suddenly pops up in my head. Great, this might not be so bad!
The test goes by in a rush of blue eyes, sudden answers and random smiles. When the bell rings, I have quite a good feeling about it. I might have passed it. The students hand in their answer sheets, pack their stuff and leave the classroom. As soon as I'm in the corridor waiting for Annie, I let out a deep breath. I feel so relieved.
Suddenly, I feel a large and warm hand on my shoulder. Gale? I look up. It's Peeta. He smiles at me. 'So?' he says. 'Better than expected, I think I did fine,' I grin. As he starts to walk away, I grab his arm and whisper: 'Thanks, Peeta.' He immediately knows what I mean, smiles even wider and says: 'My pleasure.' Then, he turns and walks away. My cheeks turn red. As soon as I realize that, I feel like a twelve-year-old. He only spoke three words to me. Besides, I'm with Gale. Stupid, stupid, stupid. 'Katniss?' Annie is right behind me. She sounds sad. 'That was awful,' she says. I decide not to disagree with her. She'll probably become more upset if I tell her I did quite well. Besides, I don't want to explain about Peeta, either. Why would I? Nothing happened. 'Yeah, it was,' I tell her.
Finnick sits down next to Annie by our lunch table. 'Hey, beautiful,' he smiles. He kisses the top of her head. 'How was your test?' 'It was awful,' Annie says. She starts talking about the difficulty of some of the questions while my mind drifts away. 'Right, Katniss?' 'I'm sorry, what?' 'Didn't you think the questions were really vague?' Annie asks me. 'Oh, well, yeah. The entire test was horrible. I had no clue whatsoever,' I respond. Someone chuckles right next to me. Peeta is just passing our table. He glances at me and winks again. My cheeks turn crimson again. I look at the others. They didn't notice. Annie is talking to Finnick again.
'Hello there, hot stuff,' Gale jokes as he sits down next to me. He grabs my shoulders, pulls me in and kisses my lips shortly, but passionately. 'Gale, we have company,' I hiss. I catch Annie looking at me and remember last night's conversation about Gale being physical. I nod at her. She gives me an understanding look and keeps her mouth shut. I make a mental note to thank her for that.
'Always a gentleman, right, Hawthorne?' Finnick says, rolling his eyes. Gale smirks arrogantly and puts his arm around my shoulder. I'm a little annoyed, but I still enjoy his presence and let my head rest on his shoulder. I sniff, trying to detect the scent of his beloved aftershave. I love how he smells. No aftershave. I smell something different. 'You smell like flowers,' I tell him. 'I've been outside,' is his simple answer. 'You smell nice,' I whisper. He pulls me a little closer.
'So, only three more days until we go to the beach,' Annie states. 'Who will we take with us?' 'Well, there's the four of us, and then there's Johanna and Clove. And Cato,' Finnick answers. 'What about Madge? We should ask her, too,' Annie says. 'Sure. So that's it?' Gale asks. 'Yep. I can't wait!' Annie is so excited. I smile. I'm looking forward to it, too: spending a day with my boyfriend and my best friends on the beach. I can't think of a better place to go to spend a hot and sunny Saturday. We use the rest of our lunch break to make plans for the rest of the weekend.
I enter the classroom as the bell rings. I'm kind of late, because Gale wouldn't let me go before "one last kiss". I think back of our closet meeting and immediately check my clothes and my hair. Fortunately, I look fine. The teacher doesn't really care. I take the only free seat. It's next to Peeta. 'Horrible test, right? Absolutely horrible,' he mocks me. 'Hey! I was just trying to keep Annie happy,' I laugh silently. 'I'm kidding, I get it. Nicest thing to do,' he whispers. I look at his face, but he's paying attention to the teacher now. For some reason, this boy I've never spoken to except for today fascinates me. I force the thought out of my head. I'm with Gale. Peeta's not interested in me anyway. He's just being nice. Get over yourself, Katniss.
Minutes before the end of the class, I get a text from Gale.
Skip your next class. Meet me at the park.
That's all it says. I frown and decide to do as he says. I know that I should go to my next class – it's kind of important and Annie will probably wonder where I am if I don't go – but my curiosity wins. Also, I really want to see Gale. I want to feel his arms around me and I want to feel the passion running through his body when he kisses me. I long for him.
I hear a ticking noise next to me and look up. Peeta is sitting next to me. He is tapping his pen on the table. For some reason, it feels weird to think about Gale while Peeta is right here with me. I really don't know why, but it feels… conflicting. Bad. I pull his pen out of his hands, causing him to look at me in surprise. 'For the love of God, stop that,' I whisper. He chuckles. The teacher looks at us angrily, but doesn't say anything. I look down at my table and shove the pen back to his desk. He smiles, shakes his head and looks back at the teacher. At least he does leave the pen alone.
