20 comfortable minutes later I bounded down the stairs into the living room, smiling to myself when I saw Clove engaged in and easily heated conversation with Prim on the couch.

"There's no way a maxed out Succubus can beat a maxed out Zirnitra card when the Zirnitra definitely has over two thousand more attack and defense points than the Succubus!" Clove defended her argument with a smile.

Prim replied with just as much enthusiasm. "I didn't say that!" She rolled her eyes and grinned. "I just said a maxed out Succubus is better!"

This was my time to intervene. "What are you two nerds yammering on about now?" I grinned, kissing Prim's head and walking around to plop on the couch beside Clove.

Prim crossed her arms over her chest. "We're arguing about a game. She says something's better when it's not."

"Is too!" Clove laughed before turning to look at me. "Walk me home?"

"Sure." I shrugged, standing to my feet and pulling her up with me. "I"ll be back for dinner later." I told Prim, opening the door and allowing Clove to step through. "Don't wait up."

I could feel our hands brush together as we walked down the driveway, and I resisted the urge to do anything about it. If she wanted to hold hands, I imagine she could do something about it herself.

"So how's your dad?" I asked, turning my head to look at her as we made our way down the street.

For a moment, she tensed up. "He's...okay, I guess." She took a deep breath. "Ever since mom died he hasn't really been the same. He drinks a lot and sometimes doesn't come home for weeks at a time."

I bite my bottom lip for a moment, searching desperately for the right words to say. What was I supposed to say? Oh I'm sorry your dad ignores you and drinks a lot? Didn't sound like something that needed to be put in a Hallmark card.

Finally, I just settled on "Oh."

Idiot! I thought to myself, mentally kicking and demeaning the one word my own stupid self decided to release. She probably wants comfort and you fucked it all up!

She smiled weakly at me and cuddled closer, sliding her arm around my waist and laying her head on my shoulder as we walked. "You're so beautiful Kat. Has anyone ever told you just how beautiful you really are?"

I blushed hard and refused to answer, sure that she was lying. There was no way I could ever be classified as beautiful in anyone's eyes. I was of average height and weight for a 16 year old, with above average grey eyes and olive skin. I was lean and slightly muscled, due to running track and competing in archery competitions across the state. Truly, I couldn't see how anyone, much less Clove, could find me anything other than average.

It took me a few steps before I realized that Clove had stopped walking beside me and was a few paces behind.

"What?" I smiled, holding my hand out for her.

She only crossed her arms. "I'm not moving until you admit that you are, in fact, beautiful." She began to tap her foot impatiently.

I matched her stance and raised an eyebrow, biting my bottom lip slightly. "And if I don't?"

She raised an eyebrow, challenging me. "Then I'm not moving from this spot. And you can't make me."

"Oh really?" I smirked, taking a step towards her and placing my hands on her hips. "I'm sure I could think of some way." I murmured, brushing my lips against her jaw and moving down her neck, pressing my left knee slightly against her center.

I heard her quietly moan and solidly pressed my lips completely against the base of her neck, biting and licking gently at her exposed collarbone. She tangled her fingers in my hair and held me tightly to her, pressing harder against my body and grinding slowly against my hardening rod.

"Katniss..." She murmured in a breathy whisper. "I-I want you so bad...b-but..."

"But what baby?" I questioned, pulling away to let her regain her head.

Sighing, Clove bit her lips and kept her arms around my neck. "I still think we should wait, just a bit. Okay? Please?"

I nodded my head. "Anything you want. You know I'd give up the whole world for you."

I wrapped her in my arms and began swaying slightly in a silent dance, smiling at the way Clove held me to her so tightly. In that moment, I knew that I had fallen and fallen fast for the girl that I thought hated me less than twelve hours prior. I was in love, and I couldn't wait to see where we would go from here.