KATNISS
It has been several months since Joanna's birthday. I haven't talked to Peeta yet, nor did he try anything more on me.
I actually feel relieved.
I don't do well during confrontations and I don't want to assume about him having feelings for me. He might not actually like me and I'd only embarrass myself. It's also not because I like him back as more than a friend. I know that he is too important for me to lose over some hormonal glitch, that being the reason why I must be feeling this way or maybe his case too.
Damn these teenage hormones! But the most I am afraid of is that he does like me and I don't know what to do after that.
I'm afraid I might hurt him.
It was the start of track season. By now, I have already accumulated medals from different events. But the 100 meter dash was still my favorite event.
I lined up with the rest of the runners, eyes fierce with determination, fixed on the finish line up ahead.
At the sound of the gun, we're all off and it's a blur of colors as I fly by. I was getting close but next thing I knew, I twisted my left ankle and felt immense pain as I landed on the field.
I know accidents happen but it sucked that I had to lose.
I was last to leave the locker room, having spent my time crying in the shower. My eyes must look puffy and red.
I was stepping on my left foot gently after bandaging it, not really placing any weight on it. If I walked slowly enough, it's bearable and would make me reach home before midnight. I was thinking of calling my parents to pick me up when I saw Peeta waiting for me outside.
One look at me and he knows I'm sad, devastated even. He opens his arms and I walk into them. I'm reminded of the day I got sick and he took care of me. He's doing it again for me.
His arms were wrapped loosely around me, stroking my hair. He kept on telling me that I was still amazing and there was always a next time. I pressed my face on his chest near his shoulder, relishing this comfort. By doing so, his face slipped between the junction of my shoulder and neck. This close I could feel his every breath fanning my neck. It tickled so I moved and felt his lips graze my neck.
It was fleeting but it was enough to unhinge me. A tingling sensation spread from my neck down to my fingers and toes. Peeta didn't seem to mind what just happened.
But I did.
Damn these teenage hormones!
PEETA
It was painful to see Katniss lose. I knew she must be feeling devastated so I waited for her.
When she stepped out from her locker room looking defeated, I opened my arms to hug her and she went in.
I let my arms wrap around her loosely afraid to reveal myself too much. I stroked her hair and reassured her that she was still amazing and there was always a next time.
She pressed her face to my chest near my shoulder but by doing so, my face slipped between the junction of her shoulder and neck. She smelled like baby soap and strawberries. I felt awkward and thrilled at the same time. My breathing hitched and I feel my heart pound crazily. I have to remind myself to keep my mind out of the gutter. Think of dog poop, men's locker room, toe nails.
Still, I would not be the first to break from this position.
Then she moved and I slipped further, my lips grazing her neck. Shit! I fixed our position quickly so I was holding her to my chest.
I thought to myself, really soon.