Title: Behind The Scenes
Rating: M for suggestive language and later sexual content
Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games or Romeo and Juliet (obviously!) No copyright infringement intended.
Chapter 8: Taking A Chance
A/N: It was brought to my attention that my grammar isn't the best. I apologize for that. I don't really have the time to wait for a beta to look over my chapters, so I do the best that I can. Anyway, I hope you all still enjoy the story.
Peeta's POV:
The next two weeks go by quickly. Katniss and I get to kiss a few more times during rehearsal, and I still feel the electric spark between us each time. There is something different about Katniss lately. She has been more reserved around me than before. Not that she was ever especially open to me, but now she is even more closed off. I feel like I might have done something to offend her, but whenever I bring it up, she claims that I have done nothing wrong.
Before I know it, it is time for the homecoming dance. The dance is held each year in a local banquet hall. It is a nice place, without being overly fancy or anything.
As I get ready for the dance, I can't help but to think about what Katniss will look like tonight. I'm guessing that she didn't buy that red dress in the picture that Johanna sent me; it just isn't her.
I button up my dark blue dress shirt and straighten my black slacks before regarding myself in the mirror. I don't look half bad, and I can only hope that my small sliver of confidence will help me to ask Katniss to dance with me tonight.
The dance officially starts at seven, but the hall is already filled with people when I arrive at a quarter till. As a member of the homecoming court, I have to report to the back office for final instructions for our announcements tonight. I really don't understand why they have to announce us at the dance and at the game, but I guess tradition is tradition.
As Portia divides us up into our pairs, I suddenly notice that Katniss has yet to arrive. Everyone else is already there, including Glimmer, whose dress leaves little to the imagination.
I just barely repress the urge to roll my eyes at her as she adjusts her cleavage and wraps her arm around mine. "Hey Peeta, you look so hot in that shirt." Her left hand fiddles with the buttons on my shirt.
I gently remove her hand from my chest. "Thanks," is the only reply that I give her. She pouts when she realizes that I don't plan on complimenting her as well.
"Hey, I'm so sorry; I got here as soon as I could!"
I turn around and see my Katniss standing in the doorway. Her hair is curled loosely at the ends and it flows over her shoulders in gentle waves. She is wearing a purple dress that fits her nicely without being too showy. My gaze lingers at how the dress shows off her long legs and the hint of cleavage at her chest. In a word, she is breathtaking.
I literally cannot take my eyes off of her as Portia directs her to link arms with Cato so we can begin the announcements.
Jealousy rages throughout my body just because Cato gets to touch her and escort her and I don't.
Katniss' gaze meets mine for a second and she flashes me a small smile. I eagerly return it, still wishing I was the one she was holding on to.
Portia ushers us out into the main room and we are met with various cheers and rounds of applause.
Clove and Marvel are announced first. I barely listen to what the announcer is saying about them because I honestly do not care. Instead, I can only stare at Katniss and silently pray that I can hold her in my arms tonight.
Glimmer notices my gaze and her arm tightens around mine. "I don't know what your obsession with her is, but I can tell you that I know that she is most definitely a virgin and not gonna put out tonight. I, on the other hand, would love to go off somewhere with you and make you one very lucky guy."
Thankfully she was whispering when she said those things to me just now. I look at her in shock. "Not interested."
She raises one perfectly arched brow at me. "We will see about that…"
I roll my eyes at her and gaze back at Katniss as she is being announced.
"Katniss Everdeen is the daughter of Ella and the late Charles Everdeen. She is involved in archery and has been a part of our school musicals for the past three years. She is currently rehearsing the role of Juliet in our winter play of Romeo and Juliet. Katniss plans to attend college for environmental science."
Everyone applauds for Katniss, but no one claps as enthusiastically as I do. I see her blush a little bit after the applause dies down and Cato is announced.
A few minutes later, I step forward with Glimmer. She is announced as head cheerleader and being a part of the play as well.
"And now for her escort, Peeta Mellark, Peeta is the son of Sandra and Nicholas Mellark. He is involved in varsity baseball as second baseman and has been awarded the role of Romeo in the winter play. Peeta plans to go to college for business."
My gaze flickers to Katniss yet again and I can see her smiling brightly at me as she applauds. I beam back at her.
When the announcements finally cease, we are forced to slow dance with our pairs. I cringe as I loosely place my hands on Glimmer's waist. She wraps her arms around my neck and practically presses her breasts against my chest. I almost feel like I am going to vomit with her being so close to me.
Katniss and Cato are both dancing a respectable distance away from each other so I breathe a sigh of relief. All I need is for Cato to put the moves on my girl.
As the song finally ends, Glimmer leans up and whispers into my ear. "Come see me later if you change your mind about getting lucky tonight."
I wrench away from her, eager to get as far away from her as possible.
The dance actually begins now, when the DJ begins to play some popular pop songs. Finnick finds me and slaps me on the back. "Hey man! I saw Glimmer all over you on the dance floor. Is there something I should know about?"
I scowl at my friend even though I know he is just kidding. "She asked if I wanted to get 'lucky' tonight with her."
Finnick bursts out laughing. "Wow, you are probably one of the only guys here who would turn down that offer!"
"She is a walking STD. Besides, you know I only have eyes Katniss."
He nods. "I know. Speaking of Katniss, she looks good tonight. Go talk to her!"
I swallow the lump forming in my throat and make my way over to Katniss.
Katniss' POV:
In the past two weeks, I have been trying to figure out my feelings for Peeta. I have yet to tell anyone about my new found discovery that I actually like him. In fact, I'm not sure if I will ever tell anyone about it.
The dance has been interesting thus far. First of all, I was almost late because Johanna and Madge insisted on curling my hair. Then, I was greeted with the sight of Peeta looking absolutely amazing in his dress shirt and pants. He just looks so damn sexy that when I first saw him, I felt the flush of desire course through my veins.
When I saw Glimmer all over him during the slow dance, I felt like punching her or spilling punch all down the front of her hot pink dress.
Relief floods through me when the announcements are over and I get to go back to Johanna and Madge.
"Peeta cannot take his eyes off of you tonight!" Johanna is practically jumping up and down in excitement. I don't know why she has this obsession with Peeta and me, but lately, I kind of like the idea.
I shake my head; sure that he wasn't giving me any special attention. "He was probably staring at Glimmer's boobs the entire time.
"No, she's right," says Madge. "He barely looked at Glimmer and well…he is looking at you right now."
I whip around to see that she is correct. Peeta is staring straight at me while he walks in my direction.
Johanna nudges Madge. "Come on, let's go get some punch."
The two of them walk off a moment before Peeta reaches me. "Hey Katniss. You look, umm…really beautiful."
He faces flushes pink and I feel myself blush as well. "Thanks, you look really good too."
He smiles and his eyes brighten. "Thank you."
We stand together in awkward silence for a few minutes, but when a slow song begins, Peeta clears his throat and steps closer to me and holds out his hand. "May I have this dance?"
I laugh lightly and nod. "Sure."
He leads me onto the dance floor and that's when I start to get nervous. I really don't know the proper distance for slow dancing with a guy friend who you kind of, sort of, okay definitely, have feelings for.
I place my hands on his shoulders, too nervous to wrap them completely around his neck. Ever the gentleman, Peeta places his hands at my waist, neither too high nor too low.
As we begin to sway to the music, I start to relax a bit. I can feel the warmth radiating off of Peeta's body and it comforts me. I look up into his eyes and his lips form an easy smile.
"Glimmer offered herself up to me tonight."
I pull back a bit in shock. "What?"
He chuckles and pulls me back closer to him. "She told me that if I wanted to get 'lucky' tonight to come find her later."
Why does he feel the need to tell me this? I don't want to know about this. Maybe he realizes that I have feelings for him and is trying to let me down easy. But wait, if that is the case, then he is failing badly. "Oh, why are you telling me this?"
He frowns at me. "I don't know, just trying to make conversation. Wait! You don't think I will actually take her up on her offer do you?"
"Well…most guys would."
He pulls me closer still and he wraps his arms around my waist until our bodies are almost flush against each other. My heart starts to thump loudly in my chest at his close proximity. "I'm not most guys. I don't want Glimmer."
Part of me wants to ask who he does want, but I don't, because what if it isn't me? Instead, I smile at him. "That's good. She's such a bitch."
Peeta laughs. "She does seem to have it out for you."
"Don't worry; I sleep with one eye open at night," I joke with him.
The song ends and I reluctantly leave Peeta's arms. He follows me back to where Johanna and Madge are sitting and we join them.
Johanna raises her cup of punch in Peeta's direction. "Lookin' sharp Mellark!"
He grins and sits down. "Thanks, you look nice too."
She waves off his compliment. "Yeah, yeah, anyway, do you like Katniss' hair? Madge and I did it for her."
Peeta glances at me and then back at Johanna. "It's beautiful."
The four of us sit and chat for the majority of the dance. Eventually Johanna convinces me and Peeta to dance to some of the fast songs with her, and we end up having a pretty good time watching her crazy dance moves.
About a half an hour before the dance ends, Peeta and I slow dance together again. This time, I wrap my arms around his neck and he pulls me close as we sway to the music. His warm body comforts me and makes me feel safe and I begin to realize how deep my feelings for him are starting to grow.
After Gale and I had broken up, I swore that I wouldn't let guys run my life. I promised that I would put my family, friends, and school work before a romantic relationship. I had done so well with that too…until Peeta that is.
The song is coming to an end when Peeta whispers in my ear. "Do you wanna get out of here? Go someplace else?"
I gasp. He wants to go somewhere alone with me? Despite all of my reservations about relationships and my fears of having actual feelings for him, I decide to take a chance. "Yes, let's go."
A/N: So…what did you think of this chapter? Katniss and Peeta are going to get some alone time! Thoughts for next time: Where will Peeta take Katniss? What will happen between them? Will either of them admit their feelings for each other?
