A/N: Sorry it's been awhile folks I've had finals and am moving house. The wi-fi was more complicated to put in than it should've and well school is a little more important than fanfiction. Here's the next chapter enjoy!
Since it's been a bit I'll do a short recap. Madge asked Gale to go to the Trojan fest which he accepted even though he is still trying to gain Katniss' affections. Finnick and Annie are now an official couple and haven't had any drama. Peeta's brother died which is why he has been acting kind of icky, but he broke up with Delly for good and won't keep stringing Delly and Katniss along. I haven't mentioned Johanna much, but she is still living with Annie and dating Red and of course being snarkastic. Okay here's chapter ten.
Chapter 10
Katniss
Katniss hears her phone ding and groans. There's a good chance it's from Gale. Katniss and Gale still hang out, and it isn't all that weird until he wants to talk about how much he likes her. Katniss was annoyed by the messages at first, but it isn't as bad as she thought it was, it helps her self-esteem. When someone tells you they like even if you don't feel the same way it still makes you feel nice.
She picks up her phone and sees it is from Peeta instead.
Katniss sighs.
Peeta: I want to talk to you.
Katniss: What about?
Katniss is confused she's friends with Peeta and might have a slight crush, but isn't going to act on it because he has a girlfriend. Katniss has met her too and thinks she is nice and sweet, but Katniss can also tell Delly doesn't like her. There is a certain aura when Katniss and Peeta hang out with each other, a possible sexual tension, but neither of them act on it. Although goodbye hugs and certain hand brushes last longer than they should, but she isn't cheating so she can't understand why she feels guilty.
Peeta: You.
Katniss: What about me?
Peeta: I think I should see less of you.
Katniss: Less of me?
Katniss is confused because they are just friends.
Peeta: Yeah.
Katniss: Let's do this in person coffee kiosk.
Peeta: Okay.
Katniss heads to the coffee kiosk, the only reason she suggested this place is because she is on campus.
She orders mint tea and Peeta soon shows ordering black coffee.
"So, what did you want to tell me?" She asks.
"I think I should stop spending time with you for awhile." He says not bothering to beat around the bush.
"Is Delly asking you to do this?" Katniss asks.
"No, I broke it off with Delly." Peeta says.
"I see." Katniss says.
"I really like you Katniss and I think you like me too." Peeta says.
"I do." Katniss says.
"But I think I should not date anyone for awhile, something happened to me and I wouldn't be the kind of boyfriend you deserve." Peeta said.
"Who said anything about you being my boyfriend?" Katniss asks.
"I know you like me Katniss." Peeta says and she sighs.
"Why do boys keep telling me this." Katniss says although it's true this time, but she wouldn't go around and start calling him her boyfriend.
She wants a proper hug and kiss maybe, but isn't ready to give him boyfriend status. Besides, she doesn't really know if he deserves it because for a while it seemed like he was dragging Delly along. He spent more time with Katniss and Katniss would question him on the subject and he would always say Delly's fine with it. Katniss probably would've broken up with Peeta if she was in Delly's shoes. When your boyfriend is spending more time with another girl than he has clearly lost interest in you. Katniss knows he broke it off a few times, but he never made it stick.
Katniss wonders if Peeta became her boyfriend if he would eventually fall for another girl and lose interest. She wouldn't let him drag her along, she would dump him before he made her cry.
"Maybe, but that doesn't mean you're going to become my boyfriend right away." Katniss says.
"Well, that's why I'm here, I think we should cool off a bit. I've got your number so I can text you when we can hang out again." Peeta says.
"Or I could text you, you don't get to decide everything Peeta." Katniss says. She likes a lot of things about Peeta, but she did see how he treated Delly and sometimes she didn't like it. He wasn't an abusive boyfriend or a cheater, but she always thought Peeta shouldn't go right back to Delly when he had other interests. Yeah, Katniss could've stopped hanging out with Peeta, but she liked being his friend. She liked having someone who would listen to her and she liked his kind smile and blue eyes.
"Yeah, I guess." Peeta says and leans in and kisses her cheek. "I'll see you around Katniss." He says and walks away.
"Yeah, bye." Katniss says confused. "Why are boys so complicated?" Katniss whispers to herself.
Katniss turns around to leave but ends up running into someone, spilling her drink.
"Hi Katniss." Finnick says and shakes his hoodie trying to get the drink off. He's lucky the tea cooled off a bit or it might have stung because his hoodie isn't that thick.
"Oh Finnick." Katniss says surprised.
"Here's your drink Finnick." The girl behind the counter says with a smile. Finnick comes around the same time every day so the girls always have his drink ready.
He tells her he needs a vanilla latte as well. He's getting Annie coffee too because they planned on having breakfast together.
"Thanks." Finnick says and pays. She notices a flirtatious smile form on his face.
Katniss sighs is he another guy like Peeta.
"Two drinks?" Katniss asks.
"Yeah, one is for Annie." Finnick says.
Katniss nods
"Sorry for spilling my drink on you." Katniss says.
"At least it smells minty." Finnick says with a smile. "I could buy you another." Finnick says because he did run into her.
"That's alright." Katniss says. "So how are you and Annie again?" Katniss asks.
"We're good, she's my girlfriend." Finnick says with a smile. It felt weird for him hearing those words leave his lips, but now he enjoys saying it.
Katniss scoffs.
"What?" He asks and takes a sip from his drink.
"You were just flirting with the barista." Katniss says.
"Last I checked smiling wasn't flirting." Finnick says confused.
"Right, maybe Peeta thought that about Delly too."
"Well something bad happened to Peeta that made him act like a total asshole, not that it excuses his actions, but it made him a worse person."
"What exactly happened to him?" Katniss asks curious
"Finnick!" He hears Annie say. Finnick's glad Annie interrupted because he wouldn't tell Katniss about the death of Peeta's brother, that's Peeta's business.
Finnick smiles and kisses her cheek.
"Hi, I got you your drink." Finnick says and hands it to Annie.
"Thank you." Annie says and takes a sip. "Hi Katniss." Annie says with a smile.
"Hey Annie." Katniss says a little shy. She isn't great friends with Annie, in fact the longest she's spent with Annie was at her birthday party.
"How's it going?" Annie asks and takes another sip from her latte.
"I'm good." Katniss says.
"That's good." Annie smiles and turns towards Finnick "We better go Finnick before the line gets too long." Annie says and takes his hand.
They're going Einstein's Bros Bagels in the student center and the line can get long. It's one of the busiest places on campus.
"Yeah, bye Katniss." Finnick says.
"Why do you smell like peppermint?" Katniss hears Annie ask as they walk off.
She sees Finnick smile at her and kisses the top of her head.
Hopefully Finnick doesn't treat her like dirt. Katniss didn't like the way Finnick looked at the barista, but she doesn't know him well enough to judge.
Wednesday
Annie
"Hey." Finnick says and sits next to Annie in their Greek Mythology class.
"Hey." Annie says with a friendly smile.
Finnick pulls up the desk and takes out his laptop to write notes.
"Do you want to go to the Trojan fest this weekend, it should be fun."
"Sorry, I can't it's an away game this time." Finnick says.
"How often do you have those?" Annie asks because last week was also an away game.
"After this one there won't be one for awhile so we can go to all kind of school events." Finnick says slightly mocking her.
"I don't go to all the school events but this one is a free concert." Annie says.
"Well, I'm sure you'll be able to go with someone else." Finnick says.
"Yes, Cressida already asked me." Annie says.
"Have I met her?" Finnick asks now more curious about Annie's friends since he is her boyfriend.
"She was at my birthday party she's the one who did a very provocative dance with her boyfriend." Annie says.
"Oh yeah." Finnick says remembering the dance. He thinks he only said hello to her, he didn't talk to most her friends... well the girls anyway. He was fine talking with Thom, Peeta, and Castor who is Cressida's boyfriend but he doesn't know this.
"She finds you very attractive by the way." Annie adds.
"Yes well all the girls fall at my feet." Finnick says sarcastically.
Annie smiles.
"However, you're the only girl who matters." Finnick says and kisses her cheek quickly.
"That's-"
"Attention class I'm starting so please be quiet." The professor says. He's in a mood so anyone who looks at him the wrong way will get participation points off. "Now you there, would you care to share with the class where we last left off." He says and points to a person in the front rows. In big lecture classes you should always sit somewhere near the middle but not the exact middle. People think that if you sit all the way in the back of the room the professor won't notice you but that is a mistake. Sitting in the very back is the same as sitting in the very front because the teacher can see you clearly.
"We were talking about Zeus and his wife." The student says.
"Which wife?" The professor says annoyed.
They were talking about his first wife and how they came up with a plan to defeat his Father, Cronus.
The professor ends up asking someone else who gives what Annie would say is the correct answer.
"Oh right so Cronus was the Father of Zeus, but Cronus thought he was dead because he ate his children…" He continues. He already talked about this and Annie already knows the history of Cronus and the Titans. Annie would talk to Finnick if she wasn't so worried of getting caught by the professor.
"That was exhausting." Finnick says after the lecture is finally over.
"Stop being so dramatic Finnick it was fine. Plus, this is what I said you should write your paper on."
"Yeah, but I hate when the Professor is moody and I didn't get to whisper things to you." Finnick says.
"Well, we can have lunch together and you can talk my ear off." Annie says because neither of them have classes for a few hours. Finnick would normally go back to his apartment because he is done for the day and he hates the crappy dining food, but he'll stay and eat with Annie.
"Okay." Finnick says and takes her hand as they leave the auditorium.
"Annie, hey!" Annie hears as they walk into the dining hall. Annie can't place the voice, it sounds familiar, but she doesn't know it well enough.
When she turns she sees Cashmere walking in. She's wearing expensive designer clothes and has perfectly styled blonde hair. Annie can't understand how she has no frizz in her hair because it is a very humid day for October.
"Hi Cashmere." Annie says and shifts her backpack.
"Hi Finnick." Cashmere says with a very flirty smile then looks back at Annie. "Listen, when you see Johanna later can you ask her to cover my shifts for the weekend. I totally forgot there was an away game." Cashmere says to Annie.
"Johanna is actually busy this weekend." Annie lies. Johanna hates covering for people, especially Cashmere because Johanna knows she won't return the favor.
"Our manager, Effie, is really bad at scheduling. She scheduled both Cato and myself and it's like so inconvenient." Cashmere says quickly.
"Well sorry, but Johanna can't cover for you and Finnick and I need to be going." Annie says.
Cashmere turns her attention to Finnick.
"Speaking of, Finnick do you know anything fun to do in the town we're going to?" Cashmere asks.
"No, it's one of those places with not much. I hear there are lots of cows though." Finnick says.
"So, it will be a fun hotel weekend." Cashmere says with a smile.
"Yeah, we can talk about this later, but I can't have too much fun because my girlfriend might not like it." Finnick says. Annie wouldn't care if Finnick got shitfaced, but he didn't like how Cashmere kept on flirting with him in front of Annie.
"Girlfriend." Cashmere says but they are already walking away.
"Won't the coaches care if you throw a big hotel party." Annie says.
"They haven't before, unless some damage is done." Finnick says and they get in line.
They didn't go to the student center because it isn't as close they went to a dining hall which is basically cafeteria food. It isn't that bad unless you order the chili, never order the chili.
Annie nods.
Chicken fingers are the featured food of the day and everyone loves those things. While Finnick is looking at the other options today that is what Annie will be getting.
They sit and eat lunch together happy to be around each other.
"So, do we have a group meeting coming up?" Finnick asks her as they leave the dining all.
"No, Johanna didn't want to have one until after the Trojan fest, remember." Annie says.
"Right." Finnick says not really remembering, but if Annie doesn't seem worried then he won't worry either. He knows Annie takes school very seriously and wouldn't blow it off even if it's what Johanna wanted.
"Don't worry I've got it under control and sonnets are easy." Annie says.
The bells on campus ding signaling a new hour.
"I gotta go to class." Annie says and kisses him. "I'll see you later." She says and lets go of his hand.
"See you later Ann." Finnick says and Annie smiles.
Saturday
"Why the hell are you watching football?" Johanna asks Annie.
"Because my boyfriend is on the team." Annie says with a smile.
"Finnick was on the team before and you didn't care." Johanna says.
"Yeah well it's different." Annie smiles. "And if it makes you feel better after the game I'm meeting up with Cressida so we can go to the Trojan fest." Annie says.
"Should be doable since this is an afternoon game." Johanna says.
"Yeah and because the concert doesn't start till six." Annie say.
"Probably closer to eight." Johanna says.
"Johanna-"
"I meant for the main event not the opening acts." Johanna says.
"Probably." Annie says.
"Do you like the band?" Johanna asks.
Annie shrugs.
"It's a free concert so it doesn't really matter." Annie says.
"Why does everyone say that?" Johanna asks.
Annie shrugs.
"Speaking about Finnick being your boyfriend-"
"Yes?" Annie asks with a smile.
"Is it any different?" Johanna asks
Annie shrugs.
"Not really, we would hang out and go on dates before. He was basically my boyfriend before, he just didn't want the title."
"Why did he change his mind so quickly?" Johanna asks curiously. The last time Johanna talked with him, he seemed against the idea of being her boyfriend.
Annie shrugs.
"I don't know, but all that matters is he changed his mind." Annie says with a smile.
"Yes, well you are together now and are one annoying cute couple." Johanna says.
"We aren't annoying." Annie says.
"Right the I love you forever things haven't happened yet. In fact Finnick hasn't even been to the house since you started dating." Johanna says.
"He was here yesterday." Annie says. Finnick came over and they worked on a Greek Mythology project together.
"That was for school, I meant he hasn't spent the night since you started dating. You must do all the fun activities at his house."
"Johanna." Annie says and can feel her face get hot.
Johanna smirks.
"Just mind your business." Annie says.
"Why isn't he getting up?" Annie asks worried. Finnick got tackled to the ground hard a few moments ago and is still lying on his back.
Annie's getting annoyed because they keep showing a replay of when he got tackled.
"He probably just pulled a muscle or something. Someone will look at him and he'll be put in next quarter probably." Johanna says. She hasn't been paying much attention to the game, but she is sitting in the living room with her.
Annie nods.
They help him off the field and Annie is noticing that he is limping. After awhile the sports announcer says Finnick Odair is out of the game due to an injury and is being taken to a hospital.
"Hospital." Annie says worried.
"Calm down Annie they probably just don't want to get sued." Johanna says.
Annie pulls out her cellphone and calls Finnick anyway.
"It's Finnick, you know the drill." Annie hears his voicemail state. Annie doesn't leave a message she knows he'll get back to her soon enough.
"Don't go freaking out." Johanna says and takes Annie's phone from her hand. "He'll be fine, just call him once the game has ended." Johanna says.
"Yeah okay." Annie says.
"The worst thing he probably has is a broken bone or something and that's not life threatening." Johanna says.
"But-" Annie starts.
"Just relax, it's not anything life threatening." Johanna says.
"Fine." Annie says and watches the rest of the game. The team loses and the sports announcers make comments if Odair was still in they might have won the game.
When the game is over Annie calls Finnick again, but he still doesn't pick up.
Saturday
Finnick
Crunch Finnick hears as he gets tackled to the ground.
The whistle blows and the player will probably get a foul.
Finnick stands up or tries but then lays back on the AstroTurf. Finnick can tell something in his leg is messed up. It feels like his knee isn't connected with the rest of his leg.
"You alright Odair?" He hears one of his teammates ask.
He can hear the cheers of the crowds, the refs blowing their whistles, but the only real thing he can focus on is the pulsing pain coming from his knee. They get him off the field and taken to the medic on the sidelines.
Finnick winces when the medic touches his leg.
"Walk in a straight line for me." The medic says and Finnick does. He can only limp and his leg feel somewhat wobbly like it's been disconnected.
"It's not broken." Finnick says. He's never broken his leg but he has broken his arm before. It doesn't hurt the same way and he can walk.
"it appears so, but you are going to the ER."
"What, no." Finnick says but moves causing him to swear under his breath.
"Something is wrong with your leg I just can't tell what." The medic says.
Finnick sighs.
"I don't have to go in an ambulance do I?" Finnick asks.
"Yes, but because this isn't life threatening they can take you back to your town since, it is only thirty minutes away."
"Okay." Finnick says. He doesn't like hospitals because that is where sick people are and because it is very costly.
The E.R doctor looks at his leg and touches it in certain spots each one making Finnick wince. The area around his knee is still pulsing and he can tell the swelling is getting worse.
"Well your leg doesn't look broken." The doctor says. "Your knee though...you need x-rays."
"Okay." Finnick says.
"We're gonna get you set up." The doctor says not commenting. "Just sit tight."
"Like I have another option." Finnick says.
A nurse comes over and asks for a medical history and then gives him some pain pills to make
the pain in his leg lessen.
Finnick sighs deeply he just wants to go home. He remembers being in the hospital after his father drown. Finnick had to get looked at afterwards and he couldn't stop crying. Finnick won't be crying this time but he always gets a bad vibe in hospitals.
After an hour a nurse comes over to take him down to get x-rays.
They take the x-rays and then Finnick is taken to a different waiting room. It seems like it's been forever before a nurse comes over and takes him to a hospital room.
"The doctor should be up shortly to talk about the x-rays." The nurse smiles.
"Do you know what's wrong with me?" Finnick asks.
"I didn't see the x-rays, but the doctor will be able to explain everything." The nurse says with a smile and then leaves the room.
At least they aren't making you wear a gown. Finnick thinks to himself because he is still in his football jersey. He doesn't have all the gear on but he is wearing the uniform.
When he finally got his phone back he texts Peeta to bring him stuff for the night. He got a text from Peeta asking if he was alright. He noticed Annie called but isn't going to call back until he has something to tell her. He just texts her and tells her everything is alright. He also said cell reception is bad so she shouldn't try calling.
"That is your leg." The doctor says and shows him the pictures of the x-rays.
The pictures show that his knee is all messed up.
"Have you you ever dislocated your knee before?" The doctor asks.
"No." Finnick says. "Is that what is wrong with my leg?"Finnick asks
"Yes, you tore your ACL it's very serious."
"Well how do you fix it?" Finnick asks.
"In your case, surgery would be the best form of treatment. Especially, if you wish to continue playing football."
"Surgery." Finnick says.
"Don't worry it's a very common pro-"
"Wait wait wait." Finnick says. "You don't always need the surgery when you tear your ACL." Finnick says. Even though he shouldn't argue with the doctor, but Finnick hates hospitals.
"In your case Finnick it is the best option." He says. "We can get you the surgery as early as tomorrow."
"Can I get a minute before we start making a plan to cut into me." Finnick says.
"Of course, but the longer you wait make tge worse it will get." The doctor says and leaves the door.
"You look lovely." Peeta says. He says and sets down Finnick's backpack. Peeta got here an hour after Finnick spoke with the doctor.
"Yeah." Finnick says with a smirk. "Thank for this."
"It was no trouble, are you leaving soon?" Peeta asks.
"No they want me to have surgery." Finnick says.
"Why?" Peeta asks.
"Torn ACL, apparently it's very bad." Finnick says.
"So get the surgery or will that mess up your scholarship." Peeta says.
"No, it won't but I hate hospitals and you can due in surgery." Finnick says.
"This is a very common surgery pretty sure it's an outpatient procedure."
"Thanks Dr. Mellak but you can always die in surgery."
Finnick sighs.
"You won't die Finnick." Peeta says.
Finnick sighs again.
"Does leg hurt?" Peeta asks.
"Yes." Finnick says and Peeta smiles.
"They lost by the way."
"Not very surprising the other team had better defense than we did." Finnick says.
"Oh and you should probably calls Annie she called me all worried about you, because you didn't answer your phone.."
Finnick nods.
"I'll call her." Finnick says. He has something to tell her now.
"Do you want anything else before I leave?." Peeta asks.
"Nah this was enough." Finnick says.
When Peeta leaves Finnick looks down at his phone and sees he has a voicemail. He's assuming it's from Annie but when he checks it's not; it's from his Mom.
Finnick sighs and opens it.
"Finnick please call me so I know you're alright. You know how I worry when you get hurt. I love you Finnick, please call me soon."
Finnick dials his Mom back.
"Finnick." His Mom answers she sounds relieved.
"Hi Mom." He says.
"Are you okay? Are you home now?" She asks.
"No, I'm in the hospital." He says.
"Why, what's wrong?" She asks.
"Don't freak out Mom." Finnick says even though he knows she's going to anyway.
"That's never a good thing to say to me Finnick." She says.
"They said I tore my ACL." Finnick says.
"Okay."
"They say I need surgery to fix it because-"
"I'm coming up there to see you." His Mom says worried.
"Mom no, I'm fine." Finnick lies. He can picture her running around the house grabbing her shoes, purse, and running out the door. He can picture her going fifty over the speed limit just to see him. Although he wouldn't mind if his Mother came but he would never ask. "Plus you are five hours away."
She sighs.
"Your sister is coming then."
"But-"
"And I want to look up your doctor… no talk to your doctor."
"Mom." He says with a smile.
"If I can't come down there then I'm going to talk to him at least." She says.
Finnick sighs and moves the cold pack that is on his knee.
"Okay." Finnick says.
"I love you sweetie." She says.
"I love you too." He says.
A nurse comes into his room.
"Girlfriend?" She asks as Finnick hangs up.
"No." Finnick says. Although Annie is next on the list, he is starting to get tired.
She nods.
""I'm Sara and I will be your nurse for the next ten hours. I go to your school too. It was too bad that the team lost." She says.
"Yeah, too bad." Finnick says as the girl comes to the bed.
"Here are some pain meds for the night, it's pretty close to aspirin." She says and sets the small paper cup on the table. "I also have more ice packs for you. So you can wrap them around your knee if you want." Sara says.
"Yeah, thanks. You don't need to take my temperature or anything do you?" Finnick asks.
"No you're here with a knee injury." She says. "If you need anything you should hit the call button."
"Thanks." Finnick says.
"You should get the surgery if you want to play football your senior year." Sara says. "And you're a good player too." Sara says with a wink and leaves the room
Finnick did get the surgery which was obvious because even if he didn't he would probably walk with a slight limp for the rest of his life.
"Annie." Finnick says with a goofy grin. He's been out of surgery for a few hours. Peeta came to see him before the surgery and now Annie is here to take him home, once the doctor says it's okay that is. She's still worried about him though.
She kisses his forehead.
"Yeah Peeta said you would be doped up." Annie says and runs her fingers through his hair.
"Yeah well if I wasn't it would hurt bad." Finnick says and smiles
"You're tired." Annie says.
"It's the drugs." Finnick says with a chuckle..
"Silly boy." Annie says and kisses his forehead.
"Annie thanks for coming here." Finnick says.
"Of course I wouldn't want to be alone in a hospital." Annie says. "Besides, someone needs to take you home.
"That's nice." Finnick says and yawns. "I would do the same for you… because I think I love you." Finnick says.
"What?" Annie says not really hearing him because he mumbling.
"What?" Finnick says confused.
Annie brings his hand to her lips.
"You can fall asleep they'll wake you when it's time to go home."
"Okay." Finnick mumbles.
Finnick groans slightly as he wakes up.
"Baby brother." Finnick hears and turns his head to see his sister sitting next to him.
He's in the living room in his apartment. After Annie took him home his sister came by a few hours later. He fell asleep before his sister game to the apartment. Annie left after his sister arrived, she thought that would be best.
"What are you doing here Lena?" Finnick asks slightly confused.
"I wanted to see my baby brother." Lena says and ruffles his hair.
"Please don't call me that, you're only two years older." Finnick says.
"Fine I like Finny better anyway." Lena says.
Finnick rolls his eyes.
"I've called you that since we were little kids." Lena says.
"Whatever." Finnick says and looks around. "Where's-"
"Your girlfriend left once I came I think she had stuff to do." Lena says.
"I see." Finnick says.
"She's too pretty for you." Lena says looking at her brother.
Finnick rolls his eyes.
"Too nice as well." Lena says with a smile.
"Did you tell me why you were here?" Finnick asks because his memory is a little hazy from the drugs.
"I wanted to see you after your surgery. Plus Mom got all worried after you called her." Lena says.
Finnick nods.
"How long have you been here?" Finnick asks.
"A couple hours." She says.
"Did your girlfriend stay here all night?" Lena asks.
"Yes."
"What?" Lena asks.
"What do you mean what?" Finnick says.
"You have that look when you want to say something serious." Lena says.
"I feel like I said something to Annie yesterday but it couldn't be." Finnick says.
"What do you think you said to her,was it something bad?" Lena asks. She's just glad Finnick has a girlfriend again and is also glad that she's a nice sweet girl. Even if she was only with Annie for a few minutes she knows that is true.
"Nothing." Finnick says.
"Finnick." Lena presses
"I think I told her I love her." Finnick says. He shifts in the bed and winces.
"Well do you?" She asks.
Finnick sighs and shakes his head.
"You do. I see the way you talk about her and how your face lights up at the sound of her name. You love her."
"No I don't."
"Well, it took you a long time to admit that you're her boyfriend so it will take just as long to admit you love her." Lena says.
Finnick doesn't respond
"Oh and by the way I'm staying here until you're back to normal.." Lena says.
"Does Peeta know this?" Finnick asks.
"Yeah the bread man knows about it, he said I had the couch."
"Bread man?" Finnick asks.
"His name is Peeta and his family runs a bakery, total bread man." Lena says and Finnick rolls his eyes.
"As long as Peeta said it was okay." Finnick says and stretches.
"Good and i want to talk with Annie more." Lena says.
"Why?" Finnick asks.
"Because she is important to you." Lena says with a smile.
Gale
"So, you're going Trojan Fest with Madge?" Darius asks Gale.
Gale didn't really think about telling Darius, but it's not a date so Gale doesn't see the problem.
"Yeah, but it's not a date." Gale says.
"You can date her, I've already fallen for a perfect beauty named Leevy."
"I thought you fell for someone named Poppy." Gale says.
"She didn't really like me, but she's still pretty." Darius says.
"Will any girl ever satisfy you?" Gale asks.
"Hey, it's not my fault if they don't like me. Madge was cool and all, but she wasn't really into me man."
"What was wrong with Poppy then?" Gale asks.
"She said all gingers were cursed." Darius says.
"Well you may be cursed but for a different reason." Gale says and Darius rolls his eyes.
"Sorry if you wanted to go to the Trojan Fest."
"Please I'm going to the away game." Darius says.
"With Leevy?" Gale asks because Darius isn't the biggest fan of football. He likes basketball but not football.
"Of course not. I'm with a whole group of people. I was going to ask you but since you have a date-"
"It's not a date Darius."
"She clearly likes you dude."
"You sound like a girl I work with."
"That hot blonde behind the register?" Darius asks.
Gale sighs.
"Yes." Gale says.
"She'd know man."
"Why would she know?" Gale asks.
"Because she's pretty and probably dating someone."
"Yeah well a guy will an equally strange name comes to the bookstore and kisses her. I don't know if that means he's her boyfriend." Gale says.
"Why don't you ask." Darius says.
"Because I don't care." Gale says.
"Well you'll have to talk to Madge when you're at the Trojan fest, so think of some questions."
"I've talked to her before."
"Yeah, but the Trojan Fest can last hours and you giving one word answers all the time won't be fun."
"She said her friends would be there as well."
"Then why bother to ask you out?" Darius says.
"She said she didn't want to be the third wheel or something."
"Hmm a double date." Darius says.
"Please if one more person tells me this is a date I might-"
"You still have to go with her dude." Darius looks towards the clock. "I should be going." He says and stands up up. He swings his backpack on his shoulder and smiles."Try smiling it makes you look nicer than you are." Darius says and walks off.
"Why do people tell me that so often?" Gale mumbles to himself.
Ding Gale hears his phone go off.
Madge: Where did you want to meet up?
Gale: Outside the library.
Gale only picked this place because it is close to the student center but won't be overcrowded because of all the stands and bands that are going to play.
Madge: Sounds good
Gale: Yup
Madge: I'll see you tonight.
Gale doesn't respond. They agreed to meet up at four because it gives them enough time to go around to all the booths set up and get a decent spot on the lawn. Madge didn't say much about her friend except that she would show up with her.
"You don't need to walk me back to my dorm Gale." Madge says after the concert is over.
Gale had fun, he didn't really care for the music or the cheesy activities, but enjoyed seeing Madge smile. He also got free stuff the vendors were giving out; a concert t-shirt, a plastic cup with a Trojan on it, food, and pens. He didn't keep the pen he put them back at the booth. It said Trojan Fest 2017 written on it, but other than that it was just a pen. Madge got a few other things, the library gave away lots of spirit gear and she got a bracket and winter gloves as well.
Madge's friends did show up, but they didn't stick together for the whole time, in fact after the first opening act they left to be by themselves. Gale still didn't get a date vibe but did learn more about her. For example, she's the mayor's kid in a small town and wanted to go to a college far away so she wouldn't be known as just the mayor's kid. She has a thing for strawberries as well and Gale could see hanging out with her again. She wasn't into the nature scene but talked about being in concert band to play the piano. Gale found that interesting especially since the band isn't that easy to get into.
"So what did you think of the band?" Madge asks him.
Gale shrugs.
"Not really my type of music but it was fun."
Madge nods.
"It's the concert vibe that makes you have a good time." Madge says.
"Did you like the music?" Gale asks.
Madge nods.
"I've actually wanted to see them in concert before but concert tickets are expensive." Madge says.
Gale nods.
"The stupid booths and fried foods were good too." Madge says.
"Yeah fried food is always good. Although I still don't get the concept of fried kool aid." Gale says.
"You can fry anything. There's a town fair back where I live that's kind of like this but there are rides" Madge says.
"The fried food is the same though?" Gale asks and she nods.
"It's three days but I only go on the last one to see the fireworks." Madge says
"Fireworks." Gale says and looks up at the sky.
"Up." Madge says and smiles. She stops walking because they have reached her dorm.
"Well here we are." Madge says. There are multiple people still outside talking about the concert or plans for an after party. Gale doesn't have any other plans and would probably turn them down even though it is the weekend, he doesn't like doing too many events at once. Besides, he has to attend a meeting for the outdoors club because they want to plan their trip for winter break. The break is a few months away, but since it is the biggest event their club does they always want to make sure it is perfect and how much extra money the group will need to bring. Club dues only go so far, so you may need to pay extra money mostly for your personal food.
"Well thanks for coming with me." Madge says and smiles.
"Yeah it was nothing. Besides it was fun." Gale says.
"That's good." Madge says and smiles a smile that would make anyman's heart melt.
Gale smiles back.
"I'll see you around campus." Gale says.
"Um yeah." Madge says.
"You've got my number if you ever want to hang out again." Gale says.
"Okay." Madge says.
"Besides I suspect I'll see you in the bookstore." Gale says with smile.
"Yeah I'm always running out of things." Madge says.
"Yeah." Gale says.
"Okay, bye." Madge says.
Gale doesn't leave until she gets into the building. You need a key to get in and a few weeks ago all the locks broke so no one could get in for a few hours. Digital and electronic things aren't always the best. A metal key would work just fine.
Gale looks down at his phone while walking back to his house.
When Gale gets home he places the free stuff he got down and lies on the bed. He did have fun tonight and liked how Madge smiled at him, but he's got more in common with Katniss and she has a nice smile too.