Chapter 3:
Summer Party


"I am so, so sorry!" Katniss apologized. Peeta bit his lip to keep from crying out as he clutched his arm. "Does it hurt?" She cursed herself. Of course it hurt, she thought, I just burned his arm!

"No, no, I'm fine." But Peeta's voice gave him away.
In terror, Katniss tried to remember what Prim had said about told her about treating burns.
Water. Cold water. She turned on the faucet and told Peeta to put his arm under the water. She saw him sigh when the cool water touched his burn. That's good. But Peeta couldn't stay there all day. She ran up the stairs to her room and searched for her suitcase. She was sure Prim had packed some medicine. . . sunscreen, water bottle, moisturizers, sunburn cream, burn cream – aha! She took the burn cream downstairs to Peeta. Never mind why Prim thought to pack burn cream in the first place.

"I have some burn. . . What is that?" While Katniss had been searching for the burn cream Peeta had managed to find some leaves, chewed them up, and applied them to his burn. The green leaves on his fiery red arm made the whole thing look a little grotesque.

"I remember two years ago your father accidentally burned his hand. Prim told me to get some of these leaves to reduce the pain." Peeta said. Of course. Katniss remembered that day. She had freaked out because the burn looked gruesome and left the house, leaving Prim and her mother to do the healing.

"So you don't want this?" Katniss asked. She lifted the little bottle to show Peeta.

"No, no, I'll take that." Peeta said quickly. Katniss smiled. She timidly cleaned the leaves off of Peeta's arm and replaced it with the white cream. He sighed in relief the second the cream covered his arm. With a smile, Katniss decided to treat Prim to some ice cream when they got back.

"There." Katniss said with a smile.

"Much better." Peeta smiled. Katniss returned that smile. She became aware of just how close they were standing. In fact, they were so close that she could feel his breath on her face. He smelled of cookies and bread and of something else that she couldn't really place. Something wonderful that was all Peeta. Suddenly Katniss frowned as thoughts of Gale and Madge entered her thoughts.

"I'm sorry." Katniss said as she took a step away from Peeta. "I really suck at cooking." He watched as she bent down to retrieve the fallen pot that had cooled down in the past few minutes.

"Eh," Peeta shrugged. "You'll just have to marry someone who can cook." Katniss turned away from the mess they had created and looked at Peeta. A smile playing on her lips.

"Like you?" Katniss whispered. He stared at her just waiting for her to laugh - to say she was joking. But she said nothing. So Peeta decided to play along.

"Katniss Mellark does have a nice ring to it." Peeta said playfully. "And I won't have to have squirrel-children if I'm your husband."

"No," Katniss smiled. "Unless you decided to run away with yourself. But that would be weird."
Peeta chuckled quietly as he stared at Katniss' silver eyes. He always found himself hypnotized whenever he looked at them.

He remembered the time when he first realized he really, truly loved Katniss. It was the day of Katniss' fifteenth birthday. He had brought her a cake and, to show how grateful she was, she hugged him tightly. He remembered staring into her bright grey eyes and realizing that they weren't grey but silver. A bright silver. Then Prim had asked Katniss to sing a song at the party.

It was like Katniss' voice pulled back the feelings he had for her as a child and tripled them. He found himself falling in love with every little thing about Katniss from that day on. He loved how her nose would scrunch of when she was upset, he loved how her eyes would lighten up around Prim, he loved how she always smelled of the woods, he loved how warm she was, he loved how she always took care of the people she loved, he loved how strong she was, and how brave. He loved her. He loved every aspect of her. Every quirk and flaw and imperfection. He just loved her.

"I would never leave you, Kat." Peeta whispered. A shiver ran down her spine. He took a step toward her. She felt his hand on her waist pulling her even closer. Another hand caressed her face.
Peeta doesn't like Madge
, Katniss thought. And if he does then why is he. . .

"Katniss, can I ask you something?" Peeta asked. Katniss nodded too content to speak. She loved having him touch her. "D-do you . . ." he sighed. How was he supposed to ask her? Do you love me or do you love Gale doesn't sound right at all. How do people do this? He tried to remember how he asked Claudia, his last girlfriend, but she was the one who asked him out. All he had to do in that relationship was say yes and go along with everything she wanted.

"Do I what?" she asked.

"Do you. . . well, Gale and I. . . um. . .I –"

"I know that Madge likes Gale and I know that he likes me." Katniss said. "I've suspected it for a while actually, I've just never really seen."

"No, not that – wait, you knew?" he asked. Katniss nodded.

"I'm not stupid." Katniss scowled. She was upset but she didn't want to move away from Peeta. She was comfortable around him.

"I never said you were." Peeta said. He didn't move either. "Do you? Like Gale, I mean."

"No." Katniss whispered slowly. Peeta felt relief flood through him. Now he just had to get the next two words out. It shouldn't be too hard. . . He swallowed.

"And me?" His voice came out as a squeak. He felt Katniss stiffen. She opened her mouth but nothing but a gust of air came out. She closed her mouth. Honestly, what was she supposed to say? The truth, her mind screamed at her. The truth. All right. Her grey eyes softened and Peeta felt her grip on him tighten.

"Peeta I-"

"We're home!" Gale called from the front door. Katniss and Peeta both jumped apart. Their faces turning a bright red. Katniss released a breath she hadn't known she had been holding.
Peeta on the other hand was holding back the urge to scream. So close! So freaking close! Just a few more seconds and he would have known how Katniss felt about him. After all these years he would have finally known! Just five more seconds! He thought about locking Gale in the basement until the week was over. That would stop him from getting in the way of these types of things from now on. First the Ferris wheel and now this?!

"In here." Katniss called. Madge emerged first, a big smile on her face. Gale came in a few seconds holding various heavy looking bags.

"Kat, I got a new cover up – what happened to my kitchen?" Madge gasped. Katniss looked around the room noticing the cluster of dishes in the sink, the red floor caused by Katniss dropping the tomato sauce, the mess of spaghetti on the stove, and the spilled water containing a few strands of overly-cooked spaghetti. That's how Peeta had been burned. Katniss had accidentally bumped into him as he stood over the spaghetti causing the pan to fall and splash steaming hot water onto Peeta.

"It's fine." Katniss said. "I'll clean it up later. What's with all of the bags?" Madge tore her eyes from the disaster to Gale and the bags.

"They were having a sale so we decided to buy a few things." Madge explained. "Five of those bags are your by the way, Kat." Katniss opened her mouth to order Madge to return all of the things but Madge stopped her. "Relax, Kat. I got them for practically nothing. The shop keepers here put just about everything on Sale when the seniors visit! Isn't it great?" Katniss sighed.

"I am not wearing anything pink or puffy." She scowled.

"Don't worry, Kat, I got things you will probably love." Madge smiled. "Now come on, time to get ready."

"For?" Peeta asked. Madge sighed.

"The party of course." Madge said. "We're celebrating our freedom!"

"What freedom? It's not like we're moving out of the house or anything." Gale murmured. He set the bags down on a relatively clean part of the kitchen before going to the fridge to get some water.

"She means high school, Gale." Katniss said. "And the party isn't for three more hours. I don't need to start getting ready."

"Don't you want to look pretty?" Madge asked.

"No."

Madge frowned. "Every girl wants to look pretty," She said. "Take those bags up to my room. Katniss and I are going to take a shower." Madge took her friends arm and led her up the stairs.

"Wait, together? No!"

"There are two bathrooms, Kat."


"I can't believe you're making me do this." Katniss said as her friend placed a dress over her head. It was too tight for her taste.

"There!" Madge said. "You look perfect." Katniss turned to look at herself in the mirror. Her hair wasn't in its usual waves but instead fell down her back in soft curls. Madge had outlines her features making her eyes seem even bigger and brighter than usual and her lips were a deep red color. The dark green dress hugged her upper body but flared out at the waist. She looked beautiful.

Katniss turned around, frowning. She looked nothing like herself. Madge was wearing a light pink short dress that complemented her . . . . everything. She had opted for a natural make-up look.
Looking at her now, Katniss couldn't understand how Gale could stop himself from falling for her. She was the definition of gorgeous.

"I rather wear jeans." Katniss sighed. "And my sweater." Madge rolled her eyes and ignored her friend. She turned to the mirror to apply bright pink lipstick to her already pink lips.

"Don't you want to impress some boys?" Madge joked.

"No." Katniss answered. "Why should I?" Madge sighed.

"Do you know what Peeta's favorite color is, Kat?" Madge asked.

"Orange." She answered immediately. "Like the sunset."

"Do you know Gale's?" Madge asked. Katniss was silent. She didn't. Gale didn't really talk about simple things such as favorite colors.

"Do you?"

"Blue, Kat." Madge answered. They were silent for a minute, staring at each other. What if Peeta really does like Madge? Katniss thought. What if he likes her, what will happen then?

"I'm sorry." Katniss whispered. Madge shook her head.

"You don't control his feelings." Madge smiled sadly.

"Madge. . ." Katniss started. "Do you – I mean, Peeta he's – um –"

"Do you like Peeta, Kat?" Madge asked softly. Katniss face turned a bright scarlet. "I thought so." Madge whispered. She stared at her image in the mirror. "I can't say I understand. So many boys seem to fall for you, Kat. I don't understand why. They seem to look right through me. Like I'm nothing. I don't understand. What do you have that I don't?" Katniss didn't like where this was going. She knew Madge didn't mean what she said but it still bothered her to think that her best friend could feel so awful about herself. Because, truth it, Madge was everything Katniss wasn't.

"Madge –"

"I'm sorry. Forget it." She said. "We should get going." She quickly grabbed her purse and left.

Katniss didn't understand either.


This is not Katniss crowd. And it isn't Gale's either. But Peeta and Madge looked comfortable standing in the middle of the crowd of High School graduates. Peeta smiled and laughed along with the other boys and Madge smiled warmly at everyone that approached while sipping her bear. But Gale and Katniss stood awkwardly off to the side trying to look as friendly as possible. Everyone seemed fine with ignoring them and it's not like they had anything interesting to say. Plus they didn't drink unlike Peeta and Madge who were on their second beer. Where was Johanna anyway? Wasn't she supposed to prevent the underage drinking?

"Madge, put the vodka down!" Katniss hissed.

"Stop being such a party pooper." Madge whined. She reached for another beer but Katniss slapped her hand away.

"Stop trying to get drunk." Katniss scowled. "Alcohol won't cure sadness; it'll on give you a killer head ache later."

"So?" Madge scowled. "At least it'll take my mind off of that idiot!"

"Madge –"

"No!" she yelled. People around them stopped to look at her. "Boys are such idiots! I hate them! I think I'm going to go gay. Maybe once I'm dating a girl that jerk will notice what he lost!" She gulped down the can of beer and reached for another. Katniss sighed. She didn't know what to do. She had never had to deal with this Madge before.

Katniss' eyes fell on the red cups full of beer. She hesitated before reaching for one and gulping the whole thing down. It burned going down her throat. She reached for another.

"What's wrong, Catnip?" Gale asked after Katniss third cup. "Feeling uncomfortable here?" Katniss nodded.

"Yes." She answered. "Think they'll notice if we leave?"

"Not at all." Gale smiled. "They'll be pretty occupied with these people, do you want to go outside for a bit?" Katniss bit her lip hesitantly. She didn't want to leave her Madge, who seemed to be drinking non-stop but parties weren't her thing. Besides Peeta was still relatively sober, he would take care of Madge. And she didn't like how guys would stare at her in a way that made her uncomfortable, some even winked at her as they passed ignoring the girlfriend at their arms. She didn't like how they practically undressed her with their eyes and she didn't like how tight this dress was.

"Sure." Katniss reached for another cup before following Gale. Before she left she shot one last look at Peeta and Madge. What if they get together while we're gone? She thought. What if Madge changes her mind and falls for Peeta? What if he falls for her too? What if he already fell for her but is looking for the right time to confess? But that wouldn't happen. Madge wouldn't. Peeta wouldn't.

"Katniss?" Gale said. "Are you okay?"

"Fine," she followed him outside to the lake. She rubbed her arms up and down, shivering as the wind picked up. There was still a chilly air at night in District Twelve even though it was summer.

"Good." Gale said. Katniss couldn't help but think that Gale didn't know her like Peeta did. "You look great by the way, Catnip." Katniss blushed and took a step away. He moved with her.

"Thank you," She said. She looked up at the stars in order to avoid eye contact with Gale. She didn't like this. Gale was her best friend. That's it. And he shouldn't be telling Katniss that she looked great, he should be telling Madge. At least that's what Katniss thought. She didn't know what she would do if Madge had heard his comment.

"The night sky here is beautiful." Gale said. "You don't see that many stars where we live."

"Because of the lights." Katniss muttered. She remembered her father had taken her and Prim out camping when they were little. He had told them that the reason there were so many stars out in the forest was because there weren't any bright city lights to take away from their beauty. After that Prim had refused to turn on any light at night for a month saying she didn't want to hide the stars shine.

"That's right." Gale said. They were silent for a minute longer. "I love the color of the sky, you know."

"Yeah, Madge told me blue was your favorite color." Katniss said. He didn't even hear her.

"I used to dream about flying in the big blue sky, like a bird. I love the idea of being free. Of getting to do whatever you want of getting to go wherever you want. No rules, just me and the open sky." He whispered. Katniss looked at him. She took another drink of the beer. "If I could get myself up in the sky, I would never come down."

"That's beautiful." She whispered. "I wish I could have a dream as wonderful as yours." She crushed the cup in her hands and threw it at the lake. It landed with a splash.

"I'm not sure that would be fair – after all you're already so beautiful. Inside and out." He whispered. Katniss blushed. She rubbed her hands up and down her arms to get rid of the goose bumps that had risen on her arms. "Are you cold?"

"A little, but I'm fine." Before Katniss could argue, Gale had taken his jacket off and draped it over Katniss shoulders. His jacket smelled of pine and something else, something sweater. Cinnamon maybe? "Thank you." She said again. Gale nodded. But his eyes kept moving back to Katniss. She really did look beautiful in that dress. He made a mental note to thank Madge when they got back home; she made Katniss look more beautiful than ever before – something he didn't think was possible.

"Kat?" Gale whispered. His hand gently touched her arm. A shiver ran up her spine and she didn't know why.

"Yes?" Katniss asked. She bit her lip, trying to avoid his eyes. Gale didn't answer, instead he moved toward her. His eyes closed; hers widened.

Madge! The name burst into her head but she was frozen in place, captivated by his handsome face. She started to wonder what it would be like to run her hands through his silky dark hair, to feel his lips on hers, to hold him to her and – No! Madge. Madge. She couldn't hurt Madge. And she didn't like Gale. Not like that. But she just wanted to know. She just wanted to know what it would be like to kiss him. To feel his lips moving against hers. Madge! She cursed herself. It's just the beer talking, she told herself. Go back before you do something stupid! But it was too late.

Her lips connected with his.

Katniss was horrified. She had kissed Gale. Her best friend. Someone she considered to be like a brother. A boy her best friend, Madge, liked and might possibly love. She felt her hands move to his chest, at first they stayed there and he pulled her closer to him. Her resolve faltered as she felt the way his body felt against hers. Madge! She stiffened and used all her strength to push him away. He stumbled backwards, an expression of shock on his face. Katniss felt her face burn with shame and embarrassment.

"I – I –" She stuttered. She looked at his heartbroken face and words failed her. "Gale – I – I –" what would someone say at a time like this? There was nothing she could say. So she ran. She ran back inside where she would tell Madge what happened and beg for forgiveness.

She stopped when she saw Peeta and Madge. They were dancing a slow song looking happier than ever. Peeta twirled Madge making her giggle. She fell back into his arms muttering about how she was going to fall if he didn't hold her. Katniss saw Peeta's grip tighten on Madge's waist. But that wasn't what broke her heart. What did it was seeing Madge stand on her tip toes and press his lips to his cheek. Peeta smiled. He bent down and pressed his lips to Madge's. Katniss' heart shattered.

When -! She gasped. When did they . . .? Behind her she heard Gale running after her. He stopped next to her and, seeing her horrified expression, looked in the direction she was. His eyes landed on Peeta and Madge's heated make-out section.

"Katniss. . ." Gale trailed off. Madge giggled as she saw Katniss. She waved her over while holding on to Peeta. Katniss clenched her teeth to try and hold back the horrible words that were dying to come out.

"Where were you?" Madge asked. "Peeta and I were looking for you everywhere!" Sure you were, Katniss thought. She looked at Peeta and noticed that his blue eyes were red.

"Hey, Catnip." Peeta hiccupped. He didn't let go of Madge's waist. Katniss eyes fell on his hand wrapped around her. She scowled.

"Gale and I kissed." She said. She reached for his hand as Madge froze. "We're together now." Katniss reached up to kiss Gale softly. He kissed back but she could tell he was surprised at the turn of the events. Madge's eyes sparkled with tears but she nodded.

"That's great!" Madge forced out. "Right, Peeta?" Peeta had reached for another cup of vodka the moment he saw Katniss reach for Gale's hand. He gulped it down and nodded.

"Yes," he said. "I'm happy for you two." Madge wrapped her arms around Peeta and kissed him again. Both the girls tried to hold back tears


Madge walked to her bedroom calmly. Peeta stumbled behind her looking confused. She tried to keep him from making too much noise and waking up Gale and Katniss who had left the party early.

"Where am I?" Peeta mumbled. He picked up a candle from a table and played with it. "What's this? It smells good." He's drunk. Madge was feeling a little tipsy herself but Peeta was flat out drunk. She knew he wouldn't remember tonight's events by morning. He wouldn't remember when she kissed him and he wouldn't remember when Katniss and Gale kissed. Madge sighed. She knew giving him alcohol was a bad idea.

"Go to sleep, Peeta." Madge said. She led Peeta – and the candle he refused to let go of – to his bedroom. She turned on the light and left him alone to get dressed.
Every time she closed her eyes the image of Gale and Katniss, kissing, appeared. She felt like it was permanently burned into her brain.

Madge had noticed that Gale and Katniss were gone five minutes after they left the room. She had felt bad about saying those things to Katniss, it wasn't fair for Madge to have done that. It wasn't Katniss fault. So Madge had walked outside just in time to see Gale and Katniss kiss. She thought about breaking them up and demanding for Katniss to tell her why she had done what she had. Katniss knew how Madge felt about Gale and still she had gone and kissed him. But she couldn't. If Katniss liked Gale then she would let them be. She would because she cared about both their happiness. They were her best friends and she loved them so much.
Madge had walked back inside and drowned herself in alcohol. She had told Peeta about what she had seen outside and he, too, began drinking almost immediately. At the moment Madge had thought it would only be fair for Peeta to know. Now she hoped she had kept it to herself Because by the time Katniss and Gale returned Peeta was completley drunk and Madge was close.

She fell on her bed as sobs erupted through her body.

How had everything turned out so twisted?


So I had been writing this one for a few days. I'm not sure how you guys will react, i'm sure the ending came as a bit of a shock to some of you. :)

By the way, i am looking for a Beta Reader and if anyone is interested then please PM me. :) Hope you enjoyed this chapter!