Chapter Nine

Friends?

"I want to know what happened between you and Thresh," Clove demands Johanna. Clove, Johanna, Madge, and I went to the bathroom after the movie, leaving Delly, Thresh, and Peeta with each other. "I saw you two touching each other in the theatre."

"For one, that sounds way more inappropriate than it actually was," Johanna starts to wash her hands in the sink. "Besides, did you not see Katniss literally cuddling Peeta?" She tries to change the subject.

"Yes, but we asked about you and Thresh. We'll deal with Katniss later." Madge chimes in, taking a paper towel from the dispenser.

Johanna sighs, pushing herself onto the sink's counter. "I basically admitted to him that I liked him as well. That's it. We're not together or anything."

All three of us tilt our heads, looking at Johanna in awe. "Are you kidding me?" Madge flings her arms in the air.

"You like each other and you're not even dating?" I add on.

"I could throw a knife at your head." Clove rolls her eyes.

Johanna just shrugs. "We're happy."

"Well, let's get back outside." Madge says pushing the bathroom door open. One by one, we all leave the bathroom. We find the rest of our group near the snacks.

"What to do now?" Johanna asks. "I for one still have energy."

Clove yawns, stretching her arms in the air. "I clearly don't."

"I'm going home to finish homework," I tell them, grabbing my car keys out of my purse. "Riveting, I get it, but I know my mom will bug me about it…"

"Can I ride back with you?" Peeta asks me, putting his jacket on. I nod, not realizing the implications. For one, most of the girls think we have a thing going on, which is quite possible. Second, I still don't want to confess and tell him the real reason I left him alone last night. I don't want to relive it again.

Alright, well let's go," He wraps his arm around my shoulder. He turns back to the group. "See you later guys."

We walk to my car in a comfortable silence. Any conversation we may have clearly is reserved for private. When we get to my car, I shrug his arm off me and unlock my door. I settle into my seat, put the belt on, and start up the car. Peeta is fiddling with his phone as I drive away.

Silence still. At this point, it's making me antsy. I don't want to break the silence, but I will if it eases me nerves.

As I'm about to improvise a conversation starter, Peeta grunts. His phone is now in his pocket and he's staring straight ahead. "Why do you avoid me?"

"Huh?" I wasn't expecting that question. I don't know what I was even expecting.

He shakes his head. "I ask, you avoid, we leave it alone, you show me affection. Do you see the problem?"

Since we're stopped at a red light, I turn my head towards him. "Is this why you got in the car with me? To argue?" A car beeps behind me, reminding me to drive forward.

"No. I just want answers."

I sigh, not knowing what to say. I just focus on the road ahead of me, avoiding the bumps that could ruin my tires.

"Kat-"

"Not everything is your business, Peeta," I snap at him. I take a breath, realizing that my eyes are starting to water. I refuse to cry in front of him. "I get it. You want to understand the situation. I would want to, too. Not everyone is ready to reveal their deepest, darkest secrets to others. Leave it alone."

Silence again. It's better for me right now. I can't tell him about Gale. I refuse to right now. All for him to just think I'm some slut, if he hasn't already assumed that.

"You know what? You're right. I'm just pushing," He sounds genuine. He always is.

I don't respond to him. I just pull the car into the driveway and turn it off. I lean back into my seat to rest myself.

"Let's just forget about it right now. Are you coming inside or not?" I pick up my keys and my phone. When he nods, I open the car door. My front door is already unlocked, so I just breeze past it. Mom and Prim are home this time because Prim is practically glued to the tv.

"Hey Prim. Is Mom cooking?" I ask her as I pass by.

She keeps staring at the show she's watching. "Leftovers." Is all she mumbles to me. I roll my eyes. I motion for Peeta to follow me as I head for the stairs. My room door is open, but as soon as Peeta enters, I shut it with my foot. I grab my book bag and grab my calculus textbook.

"I was serious about doing homework," I notify him. I bring my book to my desk and set it down there. "This class is killing me and I don't need my grades slipping."

I open the textbook and sit down on my chair. I have pencil and paper to complete my work, but I'm lacking severe motivation.

Peeta, sitting on my bed, stares at me. Probably because I'm repeatedly hitting my pencil on my desk. "You need help?"

"Maybe." I bite my lip, trying to focus on the math problem. I hear him walk behind me. Peeta is so loud, even when he's trying not to be. I've noticed it everytime he climbs into my room, especially when he thinks I'm sleeping, he'll try to tip toe so he doesn't wake me up. He fails each time.

I feel his chest against my back. He rests his chin on my shoulder, observing the work I did so far. I can feel my heart pounding. He can just easily make me nervous. I don't know how to act around him sometimes. He starts talking about the problem, offering me different solutions. I'm trying to keep up with him, but I eventually grow frustrated.

"I'm over this," I close the book and throw my pencil across the room. I stand up, grab Peeta's hand, and drag him to my bed. I rather lay down and relax with him, rather than work math problems. I stretch as soon as I lay on the bed. Peeta doesn't immediately lay down until I throw my legs on him, forcing him down. "Relax."

"Your feet are holding me hostage." He says, gently grabbing my leg. I start to pull my leg from him, but he takes control and starts to tickle me. My giggles escape my mouth as he launches his attack. We end up wrestling on my bed. I'm a bit stronger than I think since I'm able to pin him down.

I smile, happy with my accomplishment. I lean down to whisper in his ear, but he just flips us over, causing me to yelp. "Alright you win this time," I gasp for air.

"Do I get a prize?" He teases me.

"I think not."

We stop and stare at each other, realizing the position we're in. I don't know what to do since he's on top of me. I'm not panicking like I would usually do. Instead it's actually comforting to stare into his eyes.

He lets go of my arms and slides off me. He lays next to me, but grabs my waist to pull me closer to him. We face each other, my hand touching his chest.

"I knew Gale...he's not a good person," I mumble to him. "I will explain to you soon. I promise."

He doesn't say anything. He just uses his hand to move the hair away from my face. He leans in and presses his lips against my forehead. "Take your time Katniss." He rubs my back.

I move my head against his chest. I don't know what we're doing right now, but I know we both are enjoying this moment.


I've been a bit busy, and very tired. I was writing yesterday but I fell asleep in the process. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this chapter. I'm trying to slowly set up Peeta and Katniss's inevitable relationship so be patient with me. See you guys later!