Chapter Nine – Truth or Dare (PPOV)
After Katniss hangs up, I invite the guys over for the night.
After about 20 minutes, they arrive with pillows and sleeping bags. We have dinner and set up the mattresses in the lounge. "Anything interesting happen after school?" Gale asks me. I feel my cheeks get hot. "I asked Katniss to the dance," Enormous grins appear on their faces. "And?" "And then we kissed." Finnick's jaw dropped to the floor and Gales high fives me.
"I've liked Annie for God knows how long. You've been at this school for what? Two weeks, and you've already kissed Everdeen. You are something special Mellark. Really." Finnick says, bewildered. "I told you, I'm superman" He hits me with a pillow.
"Guys, it's Friday!" "No shit Gale," I say sarcastically. He ignores my comment. "Two days free. How about we take the girls out for a picnic?" Finnick and I nod in agreement. "I mean, Peeta got his kiss, and I don't know about you Fin, but I want mine." I laugh, being quite proud that I got my kiss first.
The phone rings and I pick it up, hoping that it's Katniss again. "Hello?" I get a giggle in reply. I roll my eyes and mouth 'Glimmer' to the guys. "You sound so sexy on the phone." "What do you want Glimmer?" "Just wanted to check that we're going to the dance together?" I walk back over to the guys, still not answering, and put her on speaker. "You know, the hottest guy in school, going with the hottest girl. It makes sense." Gale stifles a laugh. "Oh, I'm already going with the hottest girl. The most beautiful girl, too." She giggles. "So it's settled, we're going together." She tries to confirm. "Oh, no, I meant Katniss. I'm going with Katniss." Now Finnick is having trouble staying quiet as she scoffs. "Fine, it's your loss." She cuts the phone and we release the laughs we were holding in.
The next morning, we get up early and call the girls. "Go to Kat's and we'll meet you there in two hours." Finnick quickly hangs up, so they can't object. We make the picnic and get in the car, after getting dressed. Once at Katniss' house, I glance at Finnick and Gale and I can clearly see, I'm not the only one that's nervous.
We knock on the door and put on our cheesiest smiles. All three of them answer the door, all standing with their arms crossed. Shit they look angry. "And why did you get us up this early?" "Because we're going to the Park for a picnic." Gale answers. Madge puts her hands on her hips and asks why. "Because it's a nice day, we're nice guys, and it's better than sitting at home watching Panem's Next Top Model." He laughs and she shakes her head but can't keep her smile suppressed for much longer.
The lake isn't far from Katniss' house so we don't have to drive. Everyone is walking ahead of me laughing and talking. Katniss notices I'm behind and slows to walk with me. "Listen, I'm sorry about yesterday," She mutters. This girl confuses me. "Why?" I ask. "Because I've only known you for two weeks and I'm already throwing myself at you." I laugh and she glares at me. I lower my voice "Have you ever thought that I don't mind?" she chuckles "I actually kinda enjoyed it." She snorts. "You kinda enjoyed it?" She asks. "Kinda enjoyed what Peeta?" Finnick yells from up front. I glare at him and both him and Gale laugh.
We finally reach the Park. I set up the food on a blanket and everyone digs in. They groan in delight. "Did your Dad make these Peeta?" Katniss asks with a mouthful of cheese bun. I shake my head "Actually I did." Everyone compliments me as they finish up.
"Oh my god, a dandelion!" Katniss runs over to where it is. I quickly get out my sketch pad and draw her. She's so beautiful. Annie asks what I'm doing and I turn my pad so everyone can see. They all gasp and 'wow'.
Before long, Katniss rejoins us and everyone is either smirking or giggling. She glances at me questioningly, but I just shrug, even though I know what it's about. Finnick and Annie are flirting and look really cute, so I decide to draw them next. Katniss spends the whole time watching me, in awe. Our eyes meet and we both blush.
Thankfully, Gale suggests we play Truth or Dare. We sit in a circle, where Gale places a bottle in the middle. He spins it and it lands on Annie. She chooses truth. He grins mischievously at me. What is he up to?
"What made you start crushing on Fin?" She sighs. "When I first moved here from 4, I tried out for the swim team. He tried out too. We both got chosen for Captain and he just… smiled at me." Finnick looks at her, confused. "Wait, but that was seven years ago." She looks down at the floor. "I know" she replies. She looks embaressed but Finnick couldn't look prouder. I feel proud for him, knowing that was when he started liking her too. I can't believe it took them seven years… He leans over and kisses her on the cheek. I didn't know someone's face could go so red.
After a few goes, Gale had been dared to jump out of a bush and scare some kids, and Finnick and I were dared to try to get two old ladies phone numbers. The girls had all chosen truth until Katniss finally chose dare. Everyone huddled together and smirked at me when she did.
"Katniss, we dare you to kiss Peeta." Gale announces with a smug grin. "And not just a peck, we mean full on lip lock." Madge adds. "For thirty seconds!" Annie blurts. I smile as Katniss leans in. Our mouths touch. At first the kiss is gentle but then it becomes more passionate. I put my arm around her waist to pull her closer, and she wraps her arms around my neck, deepening the kiss.
By now, I'm pretty sure thirty seconds had passed. I hear Finnick yelling our names but I wave my hand in dismissal. "God get a room!" I hear Gale shout, finally causing us to break the kiss. When she pulls away, she smiles at me and bites her lip, only making me want to kiss her again.
I'm falling for a girl I only met two weeks ago, but do you know what the best part is? I think she's falling for me too.
