Not much to say except for thank you for all the support; I will never stop thanking you guys so get use to it. Both my stories are coming down to the wire; their both almost done. Not too many chapters after this one, same for my other story.
But other then that, let's go!
Disclaimer: I own nothing; simply working with the idea.
"So…we are officially lost on a giant campus…Awesome!" Johanna exclaims.
"Peeta said he'd be around here somewhere…" Katniss tells her as she looks around the unfamiliar territory.
"There are some very pretty women on campus though." Cato's wondering eyes earn him a slap to the back of the head from Johanna. "I was just observing!"
"There's one in particular who's caught my eye…" Before Katniss can even turn around to acknowledge the compliment, Peeta has his arms around her waist and his head buried in the crook of her neck.
"Peeta!" Katniss can't avoid laughing as he sucks on her neck.
"You haven't seen me yet…I could be anybody…" Peeta jokes with her. Johanna clears her throat to get their attention. "Oh hey there!"
"Hi! Are you two going to stop flirting long enough to get this show on the road?" Johanna asks.
"Ditto!" A man they were all unfamiliar with throws an arm around Peeta and jostles him playfully.
"Oh! This is my friend and roommate, Finnick Odair." Peeta introduces.
"Why so formal? I'm Finn." He gives a dramatic bow. "And I will be your guide on this magical journey." He tells them with a big smile.
"You can guide me anywhere, hot stuff!" Johanna says as she loops her arm through Finn's.
"Ahem." Cato clears his throat but Johanna's too entranced with the bronzed haired Adonis. "I said, ahem!" Cato yells.
"Relax, Cato. He has a girlfriend." Peeta tries his best to calm Cato down. Cato wraps an arm around Johanna's waist and pulls her possessively into his side. Peeta simply shakes his head before turning to Katniss. "So," he grabs her hand and starts walking them towards one of the campus buildings. "I missed you."
"I missed you too." Katniss whispers to him before pulling him down for a kiss. "What are we doing first?" She asks curiously.
"Food court!" Finn yells as he drags both Cato and Johanna past them.
"I guess that's the first stop." Peeta kisses her cheek before he pulls her along.
"This place is actually pretty bare." Katniss observes. The food court was something out of a prison movie. Large stainless steel tables, grey walls, not the most welcoming environment. "I hope this isn't your selling point, Peeta."
He chuckles before he kisses her sweetly. "Don't knock it until you try it. Come on." He pulls her towards one of the lines. The lunch lady smiles at them as they make their way in. "Hey Mrs. S.!" Peeta greets.
"Peeta, honey…how are you?"
"Good. I bring you some new test subjects." He smiles at them all.
"What did you get us into?" Johanna whispers to Katniss.
"Great!" The woman tells them. "I assume the special is in order…" She looks to Peeta who nods in response. "Coming right up!"
After a few minutes, a tray is produced with five giant sandwiches on it. Peeta carries the tray as he leads them all to one of the tables.
"Alright people…These are some of the best sandwiches you will ever taste!" Finn informs them. "Dig in!" Cato, Katniss, and Johanna all exchange awkward and unsure glances at one another. They're skeptical but when they look over at Finn and Peeta, they're both happily stuffing their faces.
Katniss is the first to reach for her sandwich. She takes a tentative bite but once she does, her taste buds are on overload. The flavors and combination of meats in the sandwich were so incredibly delicious that Katniss can't stop herself from eating it like a pig.
"This is amazing!" Katniss says with stuffed cheeks.
"Right!" Peeta reciprocates. "What did I tell you?"
"The only thing I have to warn you about is that these will definitely mess with your weight. Eat in moderation." Finn says.
"Are you saying I'm fat?" Johanna stares him down.
"No-"
"You saying my girlfriend is fat?" Cato pushes. He tries to keep a straight face but he bursts out laughing shortly after. "She is fat, but I like a little cushin' for the pushin'." He winks at Johanna but she slaps him. His eyes go wide in surprise before Johanna pulls him down for a kiss.
"Don't call me fat." She warns him before letting him go.
"I fucking love you." Cato growls before pulling Johanna back into him. Their sandwiches are forgotten over their make out session.
"Your friend's a tough one, huh?" Peeta leans over to Katniss and whispers. Katniss only nods before she continues eating.
They had just finished sitting through a very interesting seminar. It was as entertaining as it was informative. They had managed to secure themselves some free t-shirts during a team activity they had, so they were all hyped. The university had a lot to offer both in academics and in the student activities department. Not that Katniss had looked into many colleges but Montclair put up a lot to rival.
"Okay people…our next stop is the lounge; also known as study hall." The room they enter has scattered booths and tables to sit at but what throws them off is all the recreational equipment.
"How exactly does anyone study with a pool table in the room?" Johanna picks up one of the balls and rolls it down the table.
"Easy!" Peeta perks up and points at one of the booths. "First, we go over there and spread out our books. Then, we come over here and play some pool. When we're about ready to break one of the cues over our knees, we go over here and play some air hockey." He walks them over to another table and shows them. "Once, we're ready to chuck the disks at each other's heads, we go over to one of the vending machines and pick out some brain food. And finally," Peeta pulls them back over to the starting booth. "We sit down and actually get some studying done." He smiles real big, like he'd just explained some genius plan to them.
"Come on guys, let's scoot in." Finn suggests. Peeta throws an arm around Katniss and she happily cuddles into him. They all share laughs over school stories. Peeta turns to her and kisses her softly on the lips. She smiles up at him before she wraps her arms around him and deepens their kiss.
They're interrupted by a bunch of interest groups that are passing around pamphlets to everyone in the rec center. They thank them politely before they try and get back to their make out session. Unfortunately, they continue to be disrupted by several other college folk who want to sway the incoming class to their many causes.
"They don't want to hear about your stupid Shakespeare club, Marvel!" Another girl comes and argues.
"Yea…because they want to hear about how much fun shooting arrows is!"
"Archery? You guys have an archery club?" Both of them turn to look at Katniss.
"Ah! See? I got someone's attention." The woman turns to Katniss. "Why yes, we do! My name is Delly and I'm part of a championship winning archers club!"
"Championship winning?"
"Don't let that intimidate you! Everyone is welcome and there are tournaments for all skill levels. We have tons of fun, but we like to win!"
"How do you join?"
"You're going to be a freshmen, right?"
"Possibly…"
"Well, anything to get some new blood in the group!" Delly writes her number on a piece of paper for her. "Hope to see you in the fall, umm…"
"Katniss."
"Right, Katniss! Hey, this is a great school! There's plenty to do to keep you entertained other than just Peeta there!" She throws him a wink which cause him clear his throat uncomfortably.
"Yea…thanks there Delly." Peeta tells her. She dismisses herself, leaving the group to themselves again.
"I'm going to get something to drink…" Katniss says.
"I'll get it!" Peeta tries but Katniss kisses him back down into his seat. "Or not…" She laughs before she looks over at the rest of them.
"Anybody want anything?" They all decline and Katniss heads towards the vending machine. She's staring at the soda machine, trying to decide between diet and regular. "Eh, you only live once…" She puts her money in and waits but nothing happens. "Oh, seriously?"
"Let me." A young man bangs the machine and out pops the can.
"Thank you." Katniss says.
"You must be new, right?" She nods. "I'm pretty sure I would have noticed you before…" He was a very good looking guy and Katniss can't fight off her blush. "So uh…you go here?"
"Um, not yet, but potentially…"
"Anything I can do to sway you?" He says with a wink and again, she's too flattered to say anything.
"I'm still undecided but-" She tries.
"Hey, no pressure! But if anything, maybe you and I can go out sometime?" Katniss is astounded by the question. She looks over at Peeta who glares daggers at them. "Unless, you have a boyfriend…?" The young man looks between her and Peeta. Katniss can only think that he's not technically her boyfriend. They were dating, but weren't anything substantial; that her feelings were far too advanced and one sided.
But then Peeta had said that he wanted something more. Katniss is stuck in her thoughts. Her eyes look to the ceiling in thought and before she knows it, she's thinking out loud. "He's not technically my boyfriend but-"
"Great!" He grabs her hand and writes his number on it. "I know it's cheesy but, maybe call me sometime?" She nods dumbly, unsure of what just happened, before he walks away. Katniss takes a moment to cool herself down before walking back over to her group. Peeta stands, letting her scoot back in.
"What was that?" Johanna asks Katniss.
"What? Nothing. He was just helping me out with the soda…" Katniss tries.
"Is that all? Looked like he was trying to help you with other stuff, if you know what I mean…" Johanna keeps pushing. Katniss rolls her eyes before she chugs her drink. "And what's that?!" Johanna shrieks as she points at the number on her hand.
"It's nothing he just gave me his number."
"Oh? And how did that conversation go?" Katniss looks between her friend and Peeta who doesn't seem amused by the conversation.
"He asked if I have a boyfriend and I said no. So…he gave me his number." Katniss says nonchalantly.
"You said no?!" Peeta has to control the anger in his voice. He huffs before he scoots out of the seat and walks away. Katniss chases after him.
"Peeta!"
"What, Katniss?!" He turns, almost violently into her. "You think that shit back there was funny?! Are you trying to hurt me?!"
"Peeta, I didn't lie to him. Technically, I don't have a boyfriend…." Peeta stares at her.
"Is that what this is about? Katniss, I told you what I want. I want to be your everything but I can't officially when we have to hide us!" Katniss throws her arms around him and kisses him. Was she trying to ruin the best thing in her life?
"I'm sorry. I wanted to make you jealous, I guess…" He kisses her again.
"Why though? It's not like I'm some guy who you're secretly crushing on and I've shown no interest in you. I want you! Us!" She kisses him again before she walks over to the water fountain a tries to rub it away.
"I know. It's just...I get confused with what we are sometimes. But you don't deserve for me to do that to you. I'm sorry."
"It's alright. Just don't do that to me again."
"I won't." Katniss leans into him as he walks them back to the table.
"So, is that your way of asking me to be your boyfriend?"
"I want you to be so badly, but you're right. How can we be together when we can't actually be together?" Peeta sighs.
"Okay, how about this…For Gale and your mom, you are single. But if some fucker asks you out, you tell him to go to hell!" Katniss eyes him curiously. "I'm sorry. I'm still kind of pissed about before." She stops them from walking.
"I'll make it up to you." He smiles at her before he walks them back.
"Hey, let's take them to the fair now. We're holding a fair in your newbie honor!" Finn says.
"Ooh fair! I want to go!" Cato perks up. Johanna leans over and kisses his cheek.
"You're just a little boy at heart." Johanna says.
"I kind of don't want to take you." Peeta leans over to Katniss and whispers. "Or we can go a little later…" She turns to look at him and he raises his eyebrows suggestively.
"You guys go ahead." Katniss says. "Peeta, will you show me to the bathroom?" She throws him a look and he has to stifle his smile.
"Yea, alright. Finn, go ahead. We'll catch up in a few."
"Right!" Finn, Johanna, and Cato all say at the same time.
"Really! I just have to pee, but I don't know where the bathroom is!" Katniss tries as she pulls Peeta away.
"And that's why you're dragging him instead of the other way around…" Johanna waves them off.
They're basically ripping each others clothes off in the hallway to his dorm. Clothes fly the moment the door closes behind them.
"Finn is going to kill me." He whispers to her before he captures her lips in a passionate kiss.
"We'll clean up before we leave." Katniss whispers back. Her and Peeta collapse onto the bed with a giggle.
"Hey!" Peeta says. Katniss looks up at him with a smile. "You want to try something from your reading?" She quickly scrambles into a sitting position next to him.
"Yes!" She says excitedly. She's so adorable right now that Peeta can't help but bring a hand up to caress her face lovingly.
"What?" He asks as he places a soft kiss on her lips. She's so taken by the affectionate caress and kiss that she's already forgotten whatever they were talking about. Katniss leans into him, giving him a series of small kisses on his lips. She didn't want to do anything but have him take his time. Katniss kisses him onto his back before she stops.
"Make love to me." He nods before he turns her over so she's on her back. Peeta quickly puts on a condom and lays on top of her. As his sparkling blue eyes stare into her grey ones, Katniss can only think, I love you. She doesn't get a chance to question herself as Peeta lowers his lips to her neck.
"Katniss, you are so beautiful." His voice is husky against her skin. Katniss wraps her arms around his neck as Peeta thrusts into her slowly. He continues his unhurried pace; his lips meet hers in several deep, passionate kisses. Her body arches off the bed as Peeta hits the right spot in her. His hand caresses her cheek as he draws her face up to kiss her slowly.
"Peeta…right there…"
"Where?" He teases as he kisses down the side of her face and to her neck. He thrusts into her like before and Katniss lets out a hearty moan. "Right there?"
"Hmm." She moans.
Surprisingly, Peeta's able to keep with the slow, tantalizing pace he's set from the door. It wasn't hard when all he wanted to do was be with her as long as possible; savoring all of her for as close to forever he would get tonight.
"Katniss." He moans. She wraps her arms around his neck and tries to drown out her moans in his mouth. "Katniss…I…." A deep groan finds it's way to his mouth instead.
"I'm so close, Peeta." She lets out a particularly loud moan which only serves to bring them both to their end. They both moan out loudly as their release washes over them. "Oh my god, Peeta…" Peeta kisses her passionately. His eyes are hooded as he looks at her. Katniss was just going to say it and if he didn't feel the same, so be it. "Peeta, I lo-"
"Aha!" The door to his dorm swings open. "I knew I was going to catch you, sooner or later!" Both Katniss and Peeta turn their heads to look at the intruder. "Peeta?!"
"Hey there Annie." Peeta turns to look at Katniss with an apologetic look.
"I'm so sorry, Peeta! I heard noises…I thought you were Finn." She tries to hide her face in shame.
"Annie, I told you, he wouldn't do that. He loves you."
"Really?"
"Umm…I hate to interrupt but…" Katniss taps Peeta's chest to get his attention.
"I'm so sorry! I'll just go!" Annie says as she closes the door, leaving them alone again.
"I'm sorry." Peeta kisses her before he rolls off. He pulls her into his embrace and kisses the top of her head. "That was Annie. Finn's girlfriend."
"Yea, I got that." Katniss lets out a sigh. Annie had ruined the moment. Now, she'd have to find some other time to profess her feelings for him. Peeta lets out a big yawn. "I guess the fair is out?"
"No. You mind if we take a power nap?" He wraps his arms around her tighter.
"Okay."
"I'll set the alarm. Forty-five minutes. Tops." He extends his hand out and sets the alarm.
"Well…It's about time you two joined us." Finn jokes.
"Sorry. We got a little carried away." Katniss tells them. Peeta and Katniss share a laugh as he wraps his arms around her waist and kisses her neck.
"You look so good right now…" Peeta whispers to her.
"Are you kidding? I look a mess right now…" They had managed to pick up a bunch of Montclair swag on their way to meeting up with the rest of the group. She was decked out in Montclair sweatpants and a hoodie. Peeta was holding more of her free stuff in her bag that he had casually slung over his shoulder.
Fireworks go off in the sky, signifying the end of the event. Peeta holds Katniss in his arms as they look up at the display.
"Katniss?"
"Yea?"
"Don't come here just for me, okay?" Katniss turns her head up to look at him with a confused look on her face. "This school has a lot to offer you. If you decide to go here, go because of what they can do for you. Not because I go here. I mean...I'd love for you to come here so I could see you all the time but...I'm not what's important. So...yea..." He really was the icing on the cake. The school had a lot to offer in her search for what to do with the rest of her life. And he was very important to her; no way she could do this without him. Katniss turns in Peeta's arms and kisses him deeply.
"Let's just hope I can get it in." He smiles big at her. He kisses her once more before turning her back around to watch the fireworks. Katniss keeps her gaze trained on him though. For once since she started her senior year and didn't know what she was going to do after high school, Katniss felt that she belonged somewhere. She was happy and she'd do anything to keep it this way.