It's kinda weird. Peeta and I had our bond back so fast. But there's something different about our bond, obviously more grown up, but this time, there's something else that makes us act different. I just don't know what it is. It's actually the forth of July, and Peeta invited all of us over to his house for a barbecue. But right now it's only me and Peeta, because, Johanna, Finn and Annie went to the store, clearly trying to get us alone. Jo decided to stay with Finn and Annie. I haven't spoken to my Mother. Peeta has spoken to his. He hung up after she said that he was overreacting. I go to put a plate in the microwave but Peeta makes a weird sound, like he's crying out, and then he rips the plate from my hands. "Are you trying to set my house on fire?" He says. I roll my eyes. "Fine, I'll put less time." I say. "Katniss this plate has metal on it." He says. "So?" I say. "It will catch fire in the microwave." He says. "Oh." I say as he sets the plate down. "Well then it'll cook faster." We both start laughing. I punch him playfully on the shoulder and he pretends to be hurt. "I'll get another plate." I say. I look around. He sniggers and then opens a cabinet and grabs another plate, dumps everything on the plate, puts it in the microwave and presses start. He goes back out back. I follow him. "Remind me never to let you cook for me." He says. "Hey!" I say. He laughs. "Katniss you just told me putting a metal plate in the microwave will make it cook faster." He says. "I was playing!" I burst. "So!" He says. "I hate you." I snarl. "No you don't. You love me." He says, grinning at me over his shoulder. For some reason, my stomach flips. I roll my eyes. "No I don't." I say. He says. "Yes you do. You love me!" He says. "It's okay. I love you too." He jokes. I laugh. The microwave beeps and I walk back inside, pulling out the food and setting it on the counter.
My phone starts ringing and I press hello without looking at the caller I.D. "Hello?" I ask, walking back outside. "Katniss" mom. I clench my jaw. "Before you freak out, I'm calling to apologize." She says. "So am I." It's Mrs. Mellark. "We all are." Dad adds. "For everything. For the last years. For taking you guys away from each other." Peeta's watching me closely. "Is Peeta there?" Mrs. Mellark asks. "Yes..." "Can you put the phone on speaker?" Mr. Mellark asks. I look at Peeta and then put the phone on speaker. They tell him everything just told me. "It's fine." I say. "Yeah." Peeta adds. Mom sighs and I hear them whispering. "Okay, we're just gonna cut right to the chase." Dad says. Peeta and I exchange a look. "We know you guys have had sex." Mr. Mellark says. "We have not!" I burst. "Katniss you don't have to lie about it. Your both perfectly capable of having sex and maintaining a relationship. Your both twenty." Mom says calmly. "We have not had sex!" Peeta bursts. "Peeta dear, we know your lying." Mrs. Mellark says. My stomach is doing backflips. "We haven't had sex! I haven't even had my first kiss yet!" I say. I'm not embarrassed. Every one of my friends already know. It doesn't bug me that Peeta knows now too. "Katniss, you don't have to lie." Mom says. "I'm not lying!" I say loudly, extremely pissed off. Peeta puts his hand on my arm to calm me. "Even if we did, we wouldn't tell you anyways." Peeta says. "That wouldn't be anybody's business." "Exactly." I say. "Why won't you just be honest. We know its true." Dad says. "We're all ecstatic actually. It's obvious you two have feelings for each other." Mrs. Mellark says. I hang up and go to throw my phone across the yard but Peeta takes it from my hand a second before it leaves my fingers. "Don't break your phone because our parents are assholes." He says softly. I sigh. "Thank you," I whisper. He hands my phone back to me. I put it in my pocket. He turns back to the grill, flipping burgers and then moving it onto the plate I set out. He turns off the grill Suddenly, he whips around to face me. He stares intensely at me. I stare back at him, my stomach flipping like crazy. He stares at me for a long time. The next thing I know, he grabs my gently and then takes my face in his hands and locks our lips. I'm shocked at first but then my entire body starts to burn and tingle. I put one hand on his shoulder and the other on his chest. His hands trail down my body, stopping at my hips, pulling me against him. Our movements get more frantic. I kiss his harder, moving the hand on his shoulder to his hair, fisting it in my hand. I hear three gasps and we pull away. Shit. I guessed we missed the sound of the door. Jo, Annie and Finn are standing in the grass, shocked. I'm blushing like crazy. It's so awkward right now. I have no clue what to say. "Uh..." I trail off. I couldn't be happier when my phone starts blaring. I dig it out. "Hello?" I ask, slightly breathless. "That was very disrespectful." Mom scolds. "Wait! Why are you breathless!" Mrs. Mellark asks hopefully. Shitttttt! "I just went for a jog." I lie. "Bullshit, we were just on the phone with you five minutes ago." Dad says. "You and Peeta were making out." Mr. Mellark says. "I um..." I give Peeta a sorry look. He just shrugs. "Fine." I growl. "Yes! It's happening Jacob! They're getting married!" My Dad exclaims. "What!" I scoff. "Just because we kissed, doesn't mean we're dating!" I burst. "I know dear. But you will date. And then you'll get engaged and we'll have a wedding and the you guys will go on a honeymoon and get pregnant and then I'll have grand babies!" Mom says excitedly. "Mom!" I burst. "Okay honey, just be smart. No cheating." Dad says. The line goes dead. I go to throw my phone again but Peeta takes it. "I'm holding onto this." He says, putting my phone in his pocket. Everything falls back into an awkward silence. My phone starts blaring in Peeta's pocket. "Can I have my phone?" I ask. He pauses and shakes his head.
"Nope, your not calmed down." He says. I stare at him and then lunge at him, knocking him into the grass with me directly on top of him. "What are you doing!" He bursts.
I stick my hand in his pocket and dig my phone out, pressing hello. "You and Peeta made out!" Rye says. I'm sitting on Peeta's stomach. He stares at me. "How do you know that?" I ask. "Dude! My bro made out with the sexiest chick on earth!" Graham shouts in the background. "Rye stop being so disgusting!" I burst. Peeta's eyebrows furrow and then he takes the phone from me. "Why does Katniss look like she's gonna throw up?" His expression goes angry and he hangs up. "Can you get off me?" He asks with a smirk. "Give me my phone then." I say. "Nope." He says. "Then I'm not getting up." I say. He suddenly rolls, flipping me so I'm underneath him. He pockets his phone and then starts to get up. I reach up and wrap my legs around his waist. "Phone." I say. He laughs. "You think this'll stop me?" He asks. I nod. He snickers and pulls my arms so I'm sitting up. He then proceeds to wrap his arms around me and then stands up, taking me with him so my legs around his neck. I glare at him and hop down. "I hate you." I say. He laughs. "No you don't." But he's right, I don't hate him. I don't dislike him, I don't even know if I like him. It might be more than like him. All I know is I want to kiss him again. Desperately. We decide to eat out here. Dinner is quick and silent. Finn, Annie and Jo are quiet, not knowing what to say. We finish eating and I take plates and head into the kitchen. Peeta follows me. Jo, Finn and Annie stay outside. We silently clean up.
He sighs. He remains silent. I don't say anything as I scrub pots and pans. "Here," he says, gently taking the pan from me. He washes and I dry. There's a loud knock on the door. I dry my hands on the towel. "I'll get it." I mumble. I head to the door and pull it open. Oh god. Everyone. Peeta's entire family, and mine. Peeta comes up behind me. I look back at him and he looks at me. "Oh aren't you two just adorable!" Rye says, walking in.
Everyone else comes in. "Yes, you can come in." Peeta grumbles as I shut the door. "Katniss your so much taller!" Peeta's aunt, Jessica says. "Uh yeah I grew a lot in fifteen years." I say. My eyes lock on a little girl with bouncy blond curls, crying. "Mama I can't find my Barbie!" She sobs. She's probably three. I see a spot of color on the ground out of the corner of my eye. I look over my shoulder at it. There's a Barbie there. I walk over and pick it up, kneeling down in front of her. "Is this your Barbie?" I ask softly. She nods excitedly. I smile and hand it to her. She wipes her tears with her chubby hands. "What's your name?" I ask. "I'm Audrey. I'm this much!" She says with a toothy grin, holding up ten fingers. I smile. Jessica smiles and places her hand on Audrey's head. "She's three." She says with a smile. "How much are you?" Audrey asks. I smile. "I don't fit on my fingers." I say. She frowns. "Why not!" She asks. "Because I'm old." She looks me up and down. "No your not! Your really pretty and really tall!" Ha. No I'm not. I'm only 5"6'
But I am to her. I smile. "Thank you." I say. She grins. I stand back up. Everyone is smirking at me and Peeta. I blush and look down. "But seriously, we know you guys had sex." Justice, Cinna and Portia's kid says. "We didn't. You guys just wish we did." I say angrily. "What's sex?" Audrey asks. I snicker. "That's your fault." I say to Justice. "Um not to be rude, but what exactly are you doing here?" Peeta asks. I laugh and then bite my lip and look down. "We came to visit!" Mom says. "Who's here?" Finn calls. His eyes widen. Annie and Jo come in behind them. "Did you see them making out?" Mom asks. "Yeah. It was intense." Jo says. Peeta starts to scratch the back of his neck. "How long we're you there, exactly?" He asks. "From when he turned to grill off." Shit. That means they saw Peeta run his hands down my body. I blush deeply. "You guys should have seen it! Peeta ran his hands down Katniss's-" Peeta and I both start coughing obnoxiously. We did that when we were younger and Rye and Graham decided to be snitches. "Down her what?" Justice asks. Finn looks at me and snickers. "Body." Jo finishes. "It was hot." Ann adds. "Oh my god! Our babies are getting married!" Mrs. Mellark exclaims. "Mom!" Peeta groans. "Oh this is wonderful!" Prim says. "I'm leaving." I walk out the door. Peeta follows me.
We get to the corner and he grabs my hand gently. "Katniss..." He breathes. I whip around. "What?" I snap. He sighs. "Don't go," he whispers. "Why? All they want to do is embarrass us! I'm leaving!"
I burst. He sighs. "Let me at least drive you home." He whispers. I don't have my car. He picked me up. "Fine." I whisper. Okay go get in the car. I'll go tell everyone." He whispers. "No. I need my bag." I say. "I'll get it." He says gently. I sigh and nod and then walk over to his car and get in. It's nearly five minutes before he comes out. I'm pissed off at the family. He slams the door to the car and then slams his hands into the steering wheel. I don't ask, knowing it's gonna upset him further. He starts to drive. I stare out the window, drawing swirls on my leg with my finger. "What about tonight. The forth?" He asks. I shrug. "I'll be alone. No big deal." He sighs and pulls into the parking lot. "I can't let you be alone on a holiday." He says when we get to my door. I silently unlock it. "Then send someone if it bugs you that much." I say. God my family is pissing me off so much right now. He hesitates, staring at me. I can practically read his mind. I step aside and let him in, shutting the door behind him and locking it. It's a habit, locking the door, I mean. He likes my apartment for some reason. He says its so 'artsy' I awkwardly stare at each other. The silence is awkward because I'm almost positive that he's thinking what I'm thinking. And what I'm thinking is how great it feels to kiss him and how soft his lips are against mine. And how hard of a time I'm having controlling myself around him. And it's been four or five days. Our eyes have been locked this whole time. Suddenly both of us move forward and lock our lips. Our movements are frantic and gentle. I tangle my fingers in his hair. The second I find my fingers tugging desperately on his shirt, I know I can't stop.
