Both Cato and Peeta sat down in a theater room. It was dark and the room was semi-full. Peeta felt awkward and all he wanted to do was go, even if he had a small crush on Cato...which he didn't...right? Peeta began picking at his finger, and just looked down, the screen was not yet on, not even for the previews. Cato on the other hand looked straight ahead at the screen as if their was something interesting. He looked calm, how Peeta wished he could look and be as calm as Cato.
Then Peeta began thinking. This was not a date. Not a real one anyway. A date was supposed to be a meeting with two people who wanted to see each other, and get to know each other more. This was not a date. This was business. This was sort of like...a punishment. A punishment for Cato losing that bet with Clove. And Peeta was the punishment.
Peeta frowned and then stood up. That seemed to get Cato out of his annoying trance and caused him to look at Peeta. "I'm leaving" Peeta said almost dead. "The movie hasn't even started yet" Cato said. Peeta looked down at the cold black marbled floor. Without sudden warning or any care in his body he left Cato with those words and outside into the streets of District 2.
Peeta walked and found a small white bench and sat on it. He figured he would wait there for about an hour and just tell Clove lies about the date. That, and he also needed to just be alone with himself. He wanted to cry but no tears would come out, no matter how much Peeta willed them to. Was he useless? No he was not. Yet that was the problem. He was useful. But only for everyone else. Everyone just used him, for their own benefit. For their own entertainment. A big joke. Just like this 'date'.
Peeta closed his eyes and thought about his father. He thought about the capitol. He thought about the Hunger Games. How stupid. How can you keep peace in a society by sacrificing 23 children every year?! How, does this make peace? Peeta was surprised no rebellion has gone through, well, besides District 13. Yet if you really thought about it. If all Districts rebelled against The Capitol, we would win. Since we are the ones that supply the Capitol. The Capitol is nothing without us.
All these thoughts swarmed around Peetas head, and it was just getting him all worked up with negative emotions.
The air began to get cold and Peeta decide to leave, even if the hour didn't pass. He got up and walked back to the streets. He stopped at the entrance to Cloves' home and took a deep breath. He opened the door slowly and entered. "Clove? Is that you?" said an unfamiliar voice. The voice came from the living room.
Peeta walked to find a woman in her 40's with an almost empty bottle of tequila in her right hand and dressed in dirty pajamas. "Who the h-hell are you!?" said the woman with a drunken slur. "I'm Peeta" said Peeta confused. "Well Peeta, nice to meet ya, now what the hell are you doing in my house!" said the woman.
"Peeta!" said Clove coming down the stairs. "Go upstairs in my room" she said. Peeta just nodded and did exactly what he was told.
After about ten minutes of waiting in Cloves girly room, she appeared with a stern look on her face. "Sorry about that, my mom is a bit crazy when she's drunk...which is all the time." "Oh, I was wondering when I'd see your mom." Peeta replied.
"Yeah...anyway what are you doing here!? Aren't you supposed to be with Cato on your marvelous date I set up for you?"
"I left. It was so awkward and I just couldn't deal with the fact that I'm a punishment for a bet. He didn't want to go out with me. He had to." Peeta frowned and his lip started to quiver. "Oh god no! No no no. Do not start crying! Fine fine, OK I get it, you want it to be mutual. Alright alright. Sheesh. Just do NOT cry!" Clove said crossing her arms.
Clove gave Peeta a tissue, which he used to blow his nose and then smiled. "Sorry" Peeta said with a small giggle. "Right" she replied.
"Did my Dad come back yet?" "Yeah, like about 20 minutes ago. He went to sleep. He looked pretty tired." "Oh OK, good...I worry a lot about him." Peeta said.
"You two are real close huh? That's sweet...it makes me nauseous" Clove said with her tongue out. "Anyway, I have yet another plan!" Clove declared. Peeta sighed, thinking the girl was nuts...IS nuts. "What? You really didn't think I thought about this. I knew you would come back..well actually I didn't, but I considered it and the great Clove came up with a Plan B!" She said with a triumphant look. "No need to thank me of course, its what I do"
"I don't know Clove. I'm not sure if I really want to see him again...and I'm pretty sure he doesn't want to see me either. Clove, he's not even gay! Why are we even trying in the first place?"
"Because! You like him and I've got a really strong feeling he like you too! I just know it. When I told him that he wouldn't be going out with a girl but with a boy, he didn't complain or say any insults. Actually..his body language seemed to stiffen out of nerves or something. So you see Peeha, there might be a chance! And if there is a chance, you go for it with everything you've got." Clove gave a big power nod.
"...Alright...alright fine. We'll try one more time but that's it! If nothing happens then we stop and continue on with our lousy lives" Peeta said in defeat. "First of all, my life isn't lousy, yours is, secondly, you have to be fully committed, meaning no running off like you did today. And finally, when you two finally hook up, you have to bow down to my feet and acknowledge me as your superior. Even though its clear that I already am...OK?!" Clove raised her eyebrow.
"Yeah, OK...Now lets hear your plan."
Clove grinned widely with a creepy chill that made Peeta uncomfortable.
THE NEXT DAY
The plan was simple, or at least it sounded simple...OK it was not that simple. Peeta would ask his father if he could stay for the entire month here in District 2 so that he could go to school with Clove as an exchange student and be closer to Cato. Sure it sounded easy, but talk is cheap. Rule no. 1 Peeta has learned in his life, Don't ever write a check with your mouth you can't cash with your ass.
And here he was, in front of the door of the room his father was staying in...most likely getting ready for the last day of bread delivery. Peeta slowly turned the knob of the door, which by the way was not a regular door knob but in the shape of a creepy skull, and entered the room to confirm his prediction of his father getting ready. "Dad?" his father looked up and smiled that same old warm smile. "Morning kid, I was just putting in the last loaf of the day. Ready to go back home?" "Actually Dad, that's what I want to talk to you about. Do you think maybe I could stay here for the entire month until you come back? It's really super important that I do. Please?" Peeta threw his famous pleading look. Peetas father became serious though "Well. I don't know Peeta. We really need you back home, you're our best froster and plus your mother would be pretty ticked off. Why do you wanna stay anyway?"
"Its to help out my friend Clove with a...social project for her school..and I'll make it up to you guys, I promise. It's just this once. Please?" His fathers face looked frustrated but then he finally sighed. "alright Peeta, but you're going to have to deal with your mother, and I'm not backing you up. Am I clear?" Peeta smiled "Yeah yeah sure. I'll deal with her and I'll do twice the work and everything, you name it." Peeta hugged his father tightly "Thanks Dad!" he said, and left to go tell Clove.
He soon found her in her scary living room sitting down eating a cookie. She spoke "well What did the old man say? You staying?" "Yeah I am" Peeta said with a grin. "Well whoopee doodly doo, here, help yourself to a half eaten cookie. Now the plan will start in motion." Peeta took the half-eaten cookie and devoured it. "Yes" he said.
"So now what's next?" he asked. "well now we go start your first day of school in District 2." she replied.
On the next day, Clove already had Peetas uniform. District 2 uniform was all red and it looked plain...then again it was a school uniform. It had a giant number 2 on the back similar to the training uniform Peeta had seen the kids wear at the training field. "So, I already called the school and arranged everything, I told them you're a temporary exchange student from District 12 visiting because you're going through the crisis of losing your whole family to a fire accident and that you just needed to get away from all that. Got it"
"Seems a little harsh and dark, don't you think?" Peeta said. "Whatever, the point is that's your story so stick to it. Now go change. School starts in an hour." Clove pushed Peeta in the bathroom and left.
Peeta changed into his uniform and looked at himself in the mirror. "Well well well, look who looks good in red." Peeta said to himself and laughed. He left the bathroom and found Clove in her uniform with her hair tied in a single ponytail. "Lets go hoe, we don't wanna be late." Clove left through the front door and Peeta followed.
On the walk Clove explained the rules of the school. Rule no.1, If ever challenged by another student, you must accept it. Rule no.2 Never show any fear or weakness to anyone. Rule no.3, Don't ever talk back rudely to a superior, they will kick your ass; And finally rule no.4 Someone messes with you, either defend yourself or don't say anything at all. Of course all these rules aren't actually school rules, but they helped Clove survive so that was good enough.
They arrived at the field and just next to that was the school. "So, here we are, stay close to me, be quiet and let me do all the chit chat" Peeta nodded and they both entered the school. There were many students there in the hallways. All of them were in tiny groups and no one seemed to be a loner...unless you were Clove, which was a little sad Peeta thought. Yet this time Clove would not be alone, for she had Peeta with her and her new found group of friends or acquaintances as she would refer them as. Ares, Lin...maybe not Lin, Peeta, and maybe, just maybe, Cato. "So right now it's first quarter, meaning the first Class of the day. There are 3 quarters in total, Mental strength is the first one, then its recess, then weapons training, then lunch, and finally we finish it off with Traps and Camouflage"
"Seems like a lot of work" Peeta groaned. "Yeah well, that's why we win almost every time in the Hunger Games, so calm your ball-sack." A bell rang and that seemed to make everyone scurry around and scared Peeta a bit. "Well time for first Quarter, lets go" Peeta followed Clove into the classroom, where most people were sitting down, among the seated students though, was Cato. Cato glanced at Peeta looking a bit confused but then just stared straight ahead. Typical. Clove and Peeta sat in the front of the room next to each other. A dark skinned woman came in with a powerful aura and reading glasses. She scanned the room and focused her attention right on Peeta.
"Ahh" she said. "You must be the temp. exchange student, Peecha? Am I correct?" Peeta sighed at the annoyance that Clove gave the teacher the wrong name but just nodded and said "Yeah, but its Peeta. Peeta Mellark. Nice to meet you" he smiled. "Yes well Peeta, I am Ms. Truce, would you mind standing up and giving a proper introduction to the rest of the class?" she said. Peeta looked at Clove who mouthed 'go' at Peeta. "Yeah, sure" Peeta stood up in front of the District 2 class who were all watching him with a deadly glare, as if the next words he would say must be said very carefully.
Peetas heart pounded in his chest. "Well...My name's Peeta Mellark..umm..I'm 17 years old...umm..I like to...bake. And yeah" Peeta bit his lip waiting for a response. Some of the classmates snickered others just had these weird facial expressions, Clove was holding in a laugh, yet Cato looked at Peeta and swore he saw a tiny grin. "So...can I sit down now?" Peeta asked the teacher. "Any questions for Mr. Mellark?" she said.
One hand raised up. It was a familiar face. In fact it was one of the three girls that had picked on Clove that day at the field. "Yeah I have a question. Whats that thing on your shirt" she pointed at the District 12 pin Peeta had on. "Oh it's my District 12 pin, I'm required to put this on if I'm visiting another District"
"Eww so you're one of those District 12 rats!" she shouted, and everyone burst out in laughter. Everyone except Clove and...Cato? Weird. "Shut it May" Ms. Truce said with a powerful tone. Peeta was angry, but he just clenched his fists and sat down. Rule no.4 Someone messes with you, either defend yourself or don't say anything at all. Peeta chose not to say anything at all..this time.
Clove leaned in and whispered to Peeta "Don't worry, we'll get her back, but right now focus on the teacher." Peeta nodded and gave his full undivided attention to Ms. Truce.
"Now, who can tell me how to gain someones trust?" the teacher asked. A few hands raised up, and she pointed at a guy with brown shaggy hair. "Yes, Ares, tell us"
Ares cleared his throat and stood up. "Well I think you have to be friends with them, and eventually you'll gain their trust. Once you do, you can turn your back on that person and strike." Ares' words sent a chill down Peeta's spine. How could anyone do that? Furthermore, why are dirty tricks like that being taught at a school? Back in District 12, they taught about coal, history, and a bit of agriculture. This was just sick.
"Exactly, you may have a seat" Ares sat back down with a triumphant grin. "Show off" said a boy with dark black hair, next to him. "You're just jealous Lin. Jealous of my brains, and my mighty good looks" Ares grinned. Lin rolled his eyes and focused on the teacher.
Ares and Lin, Peeta thought. The two people Clove met...who are also befriended with Cato. Gotta make a mental note of that.
After about 40 minutes, a bell sounded which according to Clove, signified the end of the first quarter. Everyone stood up and rampaged through the door. Peeta waited with Clove until it all cleared out. Weird enough however, so did Cato...and he was approaching them. Clove grinned, "Well well well, look who it is Peeya, our dear Cato." Cato glared at her.
"Can I talk to Peeta alone?" he said coldly. Peeta was shocked at that response, it also made him blush a little that he had remembered his name. Correctly even. "Well sure, I mean what else can a girl like me do. I'll just leave you two alone" Peeta sighed and Clove left. The room was empty. Even the teacher had left...actually she was the first one out of here.
"Hey" Cato said with a serious tone. "H-hey" Peeta replied. Why was he so nervous? Peeta clenched his fists, trying to will the butterflies in his stomach to go away, but they wouldn't. "So...what's up" Peeta finally said, sick of the silence.
"Oh right...so you know how we had that little...date thing or whatever." Cato looked down. Peeta licked his lips. "Yeah?"
"Well...why'd you leave?" Cato asked. This response caught Peeta off guard. He was expecting an angry remark of some kind but no, he had actually asked him why he left. "Well..i thought that's what you wanted. I mean, it wasn't a real date, it was punishment. I..was the punishment. Right?" This time Peeta looked down, sadly. "Yeah... I guess. But still. The bet was that I take you out on a date. So, you leaving...technically didn't count"
"What the hell? Peeta thought. Did that mean he wanted to go out with him again or something...to finish the bet?! The nerve! "Well, I guess I'm letting you off the hook then." Peeta gritted his teeth in anger and started to walk off but was grabbed instantly by Cato's hand on his forearm. "Listen, I really don't care if I hurt your feelings or not, the point is I'm a man of my word and that means I have to finish what I started. Now we're going to that damn movie whether you like it or not so I can get this over with and be done with it!" Cato's expression was pure power. It was angry, yet there was a small hint of guilt in his fiery blue eyes.
Peeta however was not able to see the small hint of guilt, for his anger began to brew inside of him as well. "Let me go! I'll never go out with you! I don't care about your pathetic pride issues, you're supposed to go out with a person you actually like. And I DO NOT LIKE YOU!" Peeta shoved his hand right off and stormed out of the room. He went outside of the school into the field and found Clove there spinning a knife in her hand and then halted.
"So hot stuff how'd it go? Did you kiss him? Cmon spit it out I'm not the patient type of girl." She grinned with eagerness. Peeta looked up at Clove with fury in his eyes. "I Hate Cato Henderson" was all he said and the bell sounded signifying the end of recess and the beginning of Second Quarter. Weapons Training. "Oh shit. Tell me what happened" Clove said.
Peeta told her the whole story. "Well I can't say I'm surprised. I mean, technically it didn't count because you ran off" "Yeah! But I already told you why I ran off!" Peeta shouted.
"Hey hey hey, cool it baker boy! Don't go shouting at me just because you're mad at Cato. All I'm saying is it didn't count. That's all. Now take a chill pill and let's go meet up with the rest of the group" Clove placed her hands on her hips and gave Peeta a 'look'. Peeta took in a deep breath and exhaled. He should've just gone back to District 12 with his Dad, he thought. "Where's Second Quarter at anyway?"
"Out here of course, why do you think all the weapons are out here in the training field? Duh!" Clove rolled her eyes and pointed at the incoming group of students, among them was Cato with a casual expression. Acting as if nothing happened, the prick! Peeta mentally shouted. The desire to hurt Cato was high in Peeta.
"Hey Clove!" said an incoming Ares with a giant grin plastered on his face. "Well, hello hello hello." said Clove. "To whom do I owe the pleasure? Oh wait, the pleasure is all yours. For you are standing in the presence of the Great Clove." Clove said with that cocky grin of hers. "Yea-a-a-a oka-a-a-ay...anyway I just wanted to see who your new friend is, I mean you're always by yourself, and now you have this guy glued on to you like gum." "Well Ares, if you were paying any attention earlier in class, his name is Peeoa, he's a temporary exchange student. I'm just showing him the ropes. He's gay so don't get the wrong idea about me and him!"
"what's Gay?" Ares asked. "Oh it's this term the people of the Capitol use to refer people who like-like other people of the same gender." Clove said. "Oh, that's...weird" Ares said.
And SCENE! Well that's it for this chapter, I gotta say, not my best, but it will get better I promise! Like seriously it will. You know how in Harry potter everything is all cheery and happy in the beginning then after like the 4th movie its all gloomy and sad...yeah, keep that in mind lol jk...well maybe...Only I know where this story is headed hahaha. OK well, I'll update as soon as I can. Please leave a review, I'd love to hear your beautiful sexy thoughts. :)