Alright. Day Two of Operation Get Katniss. I take a deep breath before pushing the door to Physics open. This morning, I made sure to take a shower with a modest amount of Axe shampoo, blow dry my hair thoroughly, and put on my nicest shirt. But still. There's always this fear that somehow, I'll never be good enough for her.
As I smoothly slide into my seat, Katniss comes into my peripheral window of vision, carrying a bag full of binders and carrying her textbook. I clear my throat, once, twice.
"Oh hi Katniss, didn't see you there," I exclaim, as I slick back my hair.
"Um, good morning Peeta. Hey, have you filled out the pre-work for the project yet?" she asks. Her face is cocked up ever so slightly so the sunlight streaming in from the window catches her hair and her cheeks, making her face all bronze. She's beautiful. I almost gasp. After regaining my senses, I finally answer.
"Yeah, um, uh…no, not yet, Catnip. I mean Katniss! Oh God, I'm sorry. Katniss. I haven't filled out anything yet but I'll do it tonight." At that moment, my face probably turned maroon. Catnip? Really? That's what Gale calls her you idiot!
Katniss gives me this funny look, but then smiles as if nothing ever happened. Phew. My heart is racing a little too fast for my liking and I try to calm myself down. Play it cool.
Gale walks in a little later, a little bit before the bell rings. After putting down his stuff onto his desk, diagonally across from Katniss, he makes his way over to us.
"Hey Catnip. Wanna hit the shooting range today?" The way he talks to her is so infuriating to me. While I stumble over the simplest sentences, he's able to ask her anything as an opening line.
Now I really get the chance to see her come alive. Her smile deepens and every single aspect of her becomes goddess-like. Eyes glinting and face upturned, she replies that she'd love to. I'm tempted to strangle Gale Hawthorne, Enemy Number One. Nothing will stand between me and my Katniss.
What? Are you kidding me? This is the biggest fucking project of the quarter and you're going to prance around with him?
I clear my throat a few times to snap them out of their archery conversation.
"Katniss," I interrupt. They're discussing what kind of bow string they use. "Katniss," I repeat, a bit louder. Finally, she looks at me.
"Yes Peeta?" Over her shoulder, Gale is glancing at me. No, it's more like glaring. I can hold my ground though.
"Katniss, we have a really big project and all the planning is actually due tomorrow. So…maybe you can go with Gale later and work out all the details for physics today? If you don't mind, that is." Alright, now Gale is completely freaking me out. It's like he's staring daggers at me.
She looks over to Gale. His expression suddenly changes, from a dark furrowed brow to a cheery happy smile. "Is it okay Gale? I really need this grade." With his reluctant consent, she agrees to my proposal.
"Alright, see you at your house then?" Katniss happily chirps. I nod, almost speechless that she actually agreed with gale practically holding a grudge behind her.
Is this going to be…a date? A giddy feeling bubbles up inside of me. I can't wait to tell Cato! I almost miss her next sentence, which only raises my happiness to the power of a hundred.
"And can I get your number too? In case I get lost or something?" Katniss shyly brushes back a piece of her long hair from her face. Gale is officially murdering me with his eyes but I couldn't care less.
After exchanging our numbers, the teacher officially starts class. Although I just slick back my hair, on the inside, it feels like I'm driving a fucking Bugatti with the windows down. Yeah, I feel that great.
AT THE END OF THE SCHOOL DAY…
When I see Peeta make his way over in the parking lot, I notice that he's wearing the most adorable smile on his face. It makes me happy that he's happy. But that still doesn't deter what I have on my mind.
"Dude, what happened to you? Why didn't you respond to any of my texts?" I shout at him.
"What? Oh Cato, hi. I have something to tell you," he says, all dozy and dreamy like. What happened to him?
"Alright. Fine, tell me later. But can you hang with me after school today?" There's this sudden need to talk to him. Glimmer has been pushing her tits on me and I really have to vent.
"Um…sorry Cato, but…I'm going to be with Katniss." he responds, almost a little sheepishly, but the overarching connotation is definitely positive. Like he's driving a Bugatti, his favorite kind of car.
My eyebrows then shoot up and for a second, I can't breathe. "Katniss? Like Katniss Everdeen?" Oh, shit…
"Hell yeah. We're working on a physics project and she's coming over. I mean, you can tag along, but that would be kind of awkward."
"No way! I don't want to see you guys hooking up. That's gross." A little bud of envy started to burst within me though. Peeta is mine, not anyone else's.
"For your information, we're not 'hooking up'. If we get together, she'll be my last love." The way his pink lips formed the word 'love' almost made my heart melt. At the same time, realizing the word was not intended for me but someone else made me feel like punching my car.
"Alright. Well, have fun then." My last statement is punctuated by Peeta's car door slamming. He rips out of the school parking lot as if he's got the most important date of his life. I huff. Not even a goodbye. I'll admit it did hurt a bit.
After watching his car disappear out of sight, that's when the pangs really start in my chest. There's Peeta, falling away from me for Katniss. What if we drift apart? What if we go our separate ways, and he never knew I, his best friend, loved him in more ways than he could comprehend? When do I tell him that I love him then, before he falls for Katniss and they have a wedding that I'm not invited to? The jealousy I feel inside of me is completely ridiculous but rational at the same time. I stand there, looking at where Peeta tore out of the exit. It's a slap on the back that brings me back to life.
"Hey Cato, what's got you looking so pale? Finally realized that you have crabs from all of those chicks you've gone with?" Finnick's mocking voice rings inside of my head. It takes a few moments to snap out of it and realize what he said to form a retort.
"No, it's nothing you bastard. Just looking at your face makes me blanch." A weak smile spreads on my face, although deep down, I have the sudden urge to cry. It's insane how much I care for Peeta, how badly I want him to notice me more as his childhood friend. Now everything is ruined with Katniss. I should just set up Gale and her on a date so Peeta will get the hint and stop pursuing her, realizing that Katniss would never love him like she loves Gale. No, that would be too cruel. How about…?
Marvel swings by and nudges me in the ribs. "Hey, you coming then? We're going to the Colony Grill to meet up with some chicks."
Girls, huh? How about…me, going out with another girl. Spend all of my time with her, and not Peeta. See how he feels.
"Yeah sure, is Glimmer going to be there…?"
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