Here's another chapter! Thank you to dandelionlass for betaing! Make sure you go and follow her on Tumblr.
So RL is starting to slow down. Just a little bit, but enough for me to actually start writing the next chapter. Maybe if we're all lucky I can have it out by like this weekend or something? I'll be busy next week due to it being spring break and all. But yeah. I finally got around to watching Fifty Shades of Grey (illegally, I wouldn't go see it in theatres) and I cringed almost the whole time. There was one part of the movie that I liked which was in the books but I was going to leave out of here but now I think I'm going to find a way to squeeze in. Anyways, enjoy this!
I wake up to Peeta's warm body pressing against me. The alarm hasn't gone off yet and Peeta is still past asleep. I've never seen him look so at peace before. His normal serious and concentrated look is now replaced with an angelic serene one. My gaze travels down Peeta's body. We're both still naked from the night before, not that I'm complaining. I haven't had the chance to admire Peeta's excellent physique up close before. He's always been careful not to let me get too close to him.
I'm hovering my fingers over the contours of Peeta's chest when I notice an abnormality. A small jagged white line mars the skin right about his left nipple. There is another one further down, then another and then another. The closer I look the more disfigured Peeta's skin actually is. His torso is covered in completely healed scars ranging from small line like the one above his nipple to circle-ish ones to oddly shaped blobs.
Just as I'm about to skim over one of the scars Peeta snatches my hand away. The harsh movement scares me but Peeta quickly gentles his grasp and places a kiss against my palm.
"I think you're up to no good, Ms. Everdeen. I'd hate to have to punish you again."
"Odd. I thought you'd like it."
"Not like, Darling, love. I would love to see your ass cheeks turn a brilliant shade of pink but," Peeta pauses to check his watch on my nightstand. "But, we should probably be getting up. I need to leave soon so I can get home to change and shower. I'd hate to walk into the meeting I'm having today smelling like sex."
"But that's what all the cool kids smell like nowadays," I'm not sure where this carefree attitude is coming from but I like it.
"Oh Katniss, you're going to be the death of me. Get dressed so you can see to it that I get to my car safely."
"If your car is still here that is. This isn't the safest neighborhood in all of Seattle."
"It's a good thing I have insurance."
I dawdle getting dressed. First I admire Peeta's perfect backside as he pulls up his slack pants, sans boxer because they have seemingly gotten lost underneath my bed. Finally when he's finished buttoning the last of his buttons I reach for my frumpy clothes and put them all on, one appendage at a time.
"Can I at least make you something before you leave? I'd hate for you to think that I only want you for your penis," I joke.
"Amusing. But I guess I can spare a few minutes. What are you making?"
"Toast," I answer simply. "Would you like it burnt or medium rare?"
Peeta smiles. "I guess I'll take it medium rare."
I pop two slices of bed into the janky toaster and pray that I don't get shocked when I push down the lever; I was lucky this time.
"Who's is this?"
I turn around to see Peeta is holding up a pile of printed papers that have been on the counter for weeks now.
"Oh, that is Prim's. She applied to do some summer internship program for some doctor named Aurelius or something but she didn't get it. Prim moped around here for like a month afterwards, she idolizes that man. He's like Dr. Phil but legit or something."
"Or something," Peeta smiles.
"Or something," I grin.
Peeta and I eat our toast, which ended up more on the burnt side than the medium rare sire, his with a smearing of peanut butter and mine with a pad of melted butter, in relative silence. Our bare feet smooth over each other as we play footsie underneath the kitchen table. Never in a million years would I have thought that I'd being having breakfast with a guy under this roof. Any roof really. Relationships weren't something that I was interested, even though this relationship is more of a business transaction.
Peeta kisses me softly on the front porch, reminding me of my doctor's appointment that he made for later today. How could I forget Peeta meddling with my bodily decisions again? I think of skipping the visit but that wouldn't be a very wise decision. Peeta has promised that an opportunity could arise where we cannot afford the time to mess with a condom and the idea of an unplanned pregnancy is enough to get me to do just about anything. Peeta also promises to see me on Friday for Prim's graduation.
Peeta holds my stare as the principal makes his speech. He's making bedroom eyes at me; dark and sexy. I am constantly shifting in my seat to try and ease the ache in between my legs, but nothing helps.
"Do you have to go to the bathroom or something?" Gale whispers beside me.
"No," I say quickly. "My butt is just asleep."
"Mine too. No offense but I hope Prim and Mr. Mellark's speeches are short and to the point."
I smile up at Gale then turn back to Peeta who sends me a small smirk. The group of I'm assuming to be single moms behind me are saying something about how he's so hot and I can't help myself but turn my head around and give them all an evil glare. Peeta is mine.
Prim's valedictorian speech is short and sweet, just like Gale hoped. First she starts with talking about how all we need is just a small amount of hope and together we can create something amazing. Then she proceeds to talk about how the older generations talks down to their generations because of how dependent on all of the technology around but in all actuality, technology is the future so the generation of today will thrive. Talking about all of the technology, Prim easily segues into the benefactor of today's ceremony; Peeta Mellark.
"Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen," Peeta says once the clapping settles down. "Many people have come up to me over the last couple of hours thanking me for my donations. They all tell me that today wouldn't be possible without me. Yet that is not true. Today would not be possible without all of the students that put in all the time and hard effort to graduate."
The crowd begins to clap again and Peeta flashes a small smile that makes all the girls swoon. "When I was in high school, I made many wrong choices. I was a troubled teen and I hated to be told what to do. That was until I got into extracurricular activities. Instead of being punished for trying to beat people up, wrestling gave me the ability to let out some of the pent of aggression that I had been harboring in a controlled matter. It gave me patience, control, fearlessness, and confidence. I needed all of those things to be where I am today. So to donate a sum of money to ensure that the leaders of tomorrow find their own fearlessness is really a gift to me, so thank you."
Everyone claps again, louder this time. I can't help to smile, that's my man. One by one high school students turn into high school graduates as they are each handed a rolled up piece of paper. I shout praise for Prim and then for Rory. Soon we are dismissed to find our loved ones and encouraged to join everyone for punch and cookies in the cafeteria. I excuse myself to find Peeta quickly before hunting down Prim.
"Looking for someone?" A deep voice says from behind me.
I whip around and smile at the blue-eyed God standing in front of me. "Yeah I am, maybe you can help me?" I smile coyly.
"Maybe I can. Who are you looking for?"
"This handsome devil with a dashing smile and the most beautiful eyes, have you seen him?"
"I think I have. He just went through that door over there," Peeta points to the locker room door. "I'll assist you in finding this fellow."
Peeta grabs my hand and pulls me into the abandoned locker room. In one fell swoop, Peeta closes the heavy door, pushes me up against it, and presses our lips together as if our lives depend on it. I moan as Peeta roughly gropes my breasts, his tongue dominating me.
"Peeta," I pant as wet lips trail down my neck leaving goosebumps to emerge all over my body. "Peeta," I say a little more sternly this time.
He stops, dragging his eyes to look down at me. "It's only been a day Katniss. How are you doing this to me?"
"Doing what?"
"Making me crazy," he says as if it was pretty obvious. "I was sitting up there trying my hardest to hide my fucking hard on while your just sitting there smiling and talking to Hawthorne. I need you."
"Are you jealous of Gale?" I ask because of the way he spits his last name.
"He wants you. I can see it all over him."
"Gale is with Johanna. I told you that."
"It doesn't stop him from still wanting what's mine."
"Not yours yet."
"Sign the papers Katniss. We already know how good it'll be, or do I need to give you a reminder."
"I'll take the reminder," I grin.
Peeta grabs my wrists and pins them above my head with one hands then grabs my chin with the other. Just as he's about to kiss me again I say, "Remind me later. I have to find Prim."
Peeta closes his eyes and breathes deeply but after a few pounding heartbeats, Peeta drops my hands and they fall to my sides. "Fine. Let's go see your sister. I want to wish her congratulations as well."
Prim is already standing with our mother and the Hawthorne family when Peeta and I find her. I want to turn to Peeta and tell him that I would talk to him later but before I have the chance he's striding over the group and making himself comfortable.
"Mom, Hazelle," Prim smiles. "This is Mr. Peeta Mellark. He's Katniss' boyfriend. Peeta, this is our mother, Camellia, and this is my boyfriend's mother, Hazelle."
"It's wonderful to meet the both of you."
"You and Katniss are dating?" my mother asks with a look of disbelief.
"Yes ma'am," Peeta says without missing a beat, even though we are not dating. Peeta doesn't do hearts and flowers.
"Why haven't you told me about Peeta dear?" she asks me.
"How can I tell you when you're never home?" I don't mean for it to come out bitchy as it does, or maybe I do. It doesn't matter anyways; I've already got the death glare from Prim, Peeta and Gale. "I mean, it's a fairly new relationship."
"Oh well, we were all just discussing that we should all eat at The Hob for lunch. Peeta would you like to join us?" my mom asks Peeta.
"I'd love to. I can't say that I've ever been there," Peeta answers.
"It's a little hole in the wall place that's owned by this homeless looking woman named Sae. She's not a looker, or much of a talker but she knows how to cook up a mean venison steak," Rory tells him.
I can't believe that I'm sitting beside Peeta in a place like this with my family and the Hawthorne's all sitting around me as if nothing is out of the ordinary. Prim and Rory are talking about their plans for the summer now that high school is officially over and it's their last summer before they have to enter the real world.
"Remember how we had plans for going to Hawaii after I graduated?" Prim asks me as I take a bite of mash potatoes.
"That was forever ago. I didn't think you still remembered."
"How could I forget? We were going to go deep sea diving and you were going to get bit by a shark and I was going to save you with just the string of my bathing suit top. I was going to be a legend and you were going to go on to teach amputated people how to shoot a bow and arrow with their feet."
Peeta laughs out loud and it makes me smile. "What else did you have planned, Primrose?" He asks her.
"We were going to climb to the top of a volcano and preform a cleansing ritual by throwing things into the center of it. And of course we would meet a pair of island boys and fall in love and never leave but obviously we'd skip over that part now."
"That sounds like a lot of fun," Peeta looks at me. I smile at him and nod my head. Too bad real life won't let any of that happen.
After more aimless talking, Peeta pulls an envelope out of his suit jacket pocket. "Prim I heard that you applied to Dr. Aurelius' summer program but didn't get in."
Prim looks at me quickly then looks back at Peeta. "Yeah, hundreds of people didn't get in either so I guess I can't take it personally."
"My mother is a doctor; Dr. Margaret Mellark. She's good friends with Perry. I'm good friends with him as well. I saw Perry on Wednesday night actually. I asked him about the program, turns out a young girl that was chosen had to give up her spot due to failing to pass the drug test everyone is required to take. I told him about you, told him that you applied but didn't get in. Normally this doesn't happen, but Dr. Aurelius was impressed with your tenacity," Peeta handed over the envelop for Prim to open.
Prim opens it and reads over the letter to herself. Once she's finished her eyes dart back up to meet Peeta. "Is this real?" Prim's voice is barely a whisper. It's so shaky and on the verge of breaking.
"Turns out Perry doesn't like the picking process for who is chosen to be a part of this opportunity. Yeah, all of these people sound good on paper, but he always felt that that lacked the drive or humility. And the only way he feels that he can find people like that is with face to face interviews. So starting next year they'll do paper applications and then conduct a few interviews. However, since there is an opening now, he thought that he better test it out. You have an interview on Monday."
"Peeta," I say in disbelief. I can't believe that he did this for my sister. This opportunity is huge and it'll change Prim's life completely. All her life she's dreamed of becoming a doctor and with Dr. Aurelius' program as a large stepping stone, she can literally go anywhere and do anything. The door to the world is wide open for my baby sister and it is all thanks to the man that is sitting next to me.
Everyone is quiet. Prim is in tears. I am in tears.
"Thank you Peeta," Prim rounds the table and hugs Peeta tightly. Peeta is apprehensive at first but hugs Prim back tightly.
"When you become Seattle's next hot shot doctor, I want free checkups," Peeta jokes.
"You'll get special house calls, whatever you want."
Peeta hugs Prim one more time before Prim goes back and settles into her seat. For being a man that doesn't do hearts and flowers, Peeta's good at it.