RUN AWAY
Hey guys! Sorry it took so long but my internet is broken :( I'm at a friends house now, using theirs. Enjoy! Also, yes I'm using the baking bread cliche, sorry. So overused but I just think it's adorable. SERIOUSLY SORRY FOR THE NON UPDATES! I'M TRYING :( SORRY
Chapter Nine: Trust
Katniss POV
I'm lying in my huge canopy bed, mulling over my thoughts. I do this every night. Not intentionally, it just happens. I think about what happened that day, what might happen tomorrow, regrets, promises, secrets. Today I have a new topic. One that is rarely on my mind. Boys.
Finnick. The flirt. Sex on legs, that boy is. But I don't feel it with him and he doesn't with me. He seems conceited and a player but he's a good guy when you get down to his core and break through the walls he put up. A lot like me actually. I don't trust easily. I suppose it has something do to with family issues.
Gale. My best friend. He knows me like the back of his hand and I him. We're so alike. Stubborn, rebellious, independent. But he's acting weird. I've seen movies and TV and I know what that means. But Gale? Yes we dated but it's all over. He doesn't have feelings for me. Although I'm not so sure who I'm trying to convince anymore.
Peeta. He's…different. The boy with the bread. The baker's son. I barely know anything about him. I know he bakes and smells like pastries. I know he wrestles, his mother is abusive and his father is kind. He has 2 older brothers and a big heart. He's kind and giving, even though his life is the absolute opposite. And that makes him one of the strongest people I'll ever know.
So here's what I know. He told me he loves me and then kissed me. He was sad I left and I came back and he's a bully. Was it because of me? Did he lash out because I didn't feel the love back? Or was he always just a monster in disguise, just trying to get into my pants? Why can't I read minds? It would be so useful.
My mind wanders to the long, lingering hug and the sweet kiss we shared before I ran. It had to be real. No one can fake something like that. But back to the main problem. I don't know Peeta. I don't know his hobbies, his talents, his dreams, his secrets, his thoughts. And I'm not one to wander blindly into a relationship. So it's settled then, isn't it. Before I can act on my "little crush" I'm going to have to get to know him.
THE NEXT DAY
Katniss POV
Beep! Beep! Beep! That has to be the most annoying sound in the entire world. The alarm clock, blaring noises at me. Why do I go to school again? Waking up this early should be illegal. Just 2 more minutes of sleep and I'll get up, I think. Next thing I know, It's 8:20. Shit!
Throwing myself out of bed, I literally run into the shower and turn on the water. Shit! That's cold! I dry myself off and run to my closet. 8:22. I throw on skinny jeans and a silver top with a shredded back and a low-ish V-neck style collar. 8:23. I drag a brush through my wet hair while pulling on silver pumps and attempting to stuff large notebooks into my leather backpack. 8:24. I slurp down a pink fruit smoothie as the hair-dryer blares into my ears and runs through my hair. 8:27. I run down the stairs and jump straight into the car. "Drive!" I yell. The driver nods, slightly shocked by my random appearance and steps on the accelerator. We speed off. I check my reflection. I look fairly normal although my hairs a bit damp. I tie it up in a quick braid. Cute. I haven't worn my hair like that in ages. I swipe on some eyeliner and mascara. Even now I have to marvel at my skill. 8:28. Lip gloss and a dab of lotion and concealer. We pull up in front of the school. 8:29. The bell rings. 8:30. Crap!
I run right into homeroom, sitting in my seat as soon as the bell finishes. The teacher glances up to look at me. "Late." He says coldly. Dammit! I mean come on I was like one second late. Fuming inside, I slide down in my seat as he begins the morning announcements.
Peeta POV
"Hey Katy." She looks at me, hair swinging over her hair dramatically, her silver eyes matching her shirt light up. Breathe…..
"Yeah?" She answers me.
"I was wondering if maybe, you wanted to hang out. Like after school." I say slowly and unsure. She grins.
"Of course!" I sigh with relief.
"Cool!"
SKIP SCHOOL AT PEETA'S HOUSE.
Katniss POV
"So…" I begin awkwardly. I'm not really sure what to do now…. Peeta smiles at me.
"Why don't we watch a movie." He suggests. I shake my head. I want to learn about Peeta.
"You could teach me how to bake." I suggest. He looks surprised.
"You want to learn how to bake?" I nod. His smile grows so much it looks like his face will break. We set off to the kitchen. He brings out some dough and begins to knead it carefully and skillfully. I observe him carefully. He really is remarkable. Long blonde eyelashes, just as blonde as his perfectly styled hair and captivating blue eyes. I wish I had those eyes, I would stare at my reflection for hours, just observing they're beauty. But they wouldn't be the same as his. His skin is pale white but in a healthy way. Taking in his personality and looks, over all, he's just bright. A bright light that will never go out, kind and good to all.
He glances at me. I've been staring again. "You try." He says. I shake my head.
"Not a good idea." I shudder at the memories.
"What do you mean?" He asks confused.
"I started a fire once while making breakfast." He looks at me reassuringly.
"That happens easily. Stoves, ovens, microwaves, toasters. Fires can start all the time."
"I was making cereal." I confess, blushing bright red. Peeta pauses to stare.
"What? Katniss, how-is-th-that-poss-i-ble!" He exclaims between laughter.
"Shut up!" I retort, not really that angry. It is pretty ridiculous. I'm not even sure how it happened. One minute, honey nut cherios and the next…fire. It takes Peeta nearly 10 minutes to catch his breath and stop laughing.
"Okay," He says once he's calmed down, a slight layer of sweat on his forehead and his whole face is red. "Just, knead it, like this." He says as he shows me.
He moves away and lets me step forward. I stare at the dough. I smack it hard with my palm. It doesn't move. I look at Peeta, whose staring at me with disbelief.
"Really? I mean, really?" I scowl at him and he laughs at me endearingly. He likes my scowl…."Like this." He says coming up from behind. Before I can say anything, his muscular arms wrap around mine, his hands covering mine. He guides them to the bread, molding it attentively. My back is pressed directly against his front, and I can feel his muscles through the thin tee shirt. I try not to think about the fact that his groin is right by my butt.
"Like this?" I whisper, turning my head slightly so my lips graze his neck. His heart beats faster.
"Absolutely perfect." he murmurs back, his voice rough and surprisingly seductive. I press my back closer against him, if that's even possible. But he pulls away. "Um..sorry, I have to go to the bathroom." He rushes off before I can get out a word. I stand in the middle of his kitchen, bewildered.
PEETA POV
Shit! Um…Dead kittens? Rotting Flesh? My parents having sex? Okay, that did it. I don't know how much longer I can stand being friends with Katy. I glance at the reducing bulge in my pants. That was a close one. I need to learn how to control myself, or she'll think I'm just some pervert.
"I'm sorry, Katniss! I just really had to pee." I say as I walk out the bathroom, flushing the toilet for good measure. She looks suspicious and confused but seems to accept my excuse.
"Why do you call me that." She asks. I look at her.
"Katniss?"
"Yes."
"Because it's your name."
"No it's not."
"Yes it is."
"Not for a while now."
"You're still Katniss to me."
"Why?" I break down now. It's now or never, right?
"Because, Katniss is who you really are. I know everyone calls you Katy but Katniss is who you used to be. The you I fell in love with." I announce truthfully.
KATNISS POV
Wow. I mean like wow. Peeta really wears his heart on a sleeve. I move closer to him, my heart beating loudly and my mind clouded with doubt, mistrust, confusion, and…love?
"You really love me?" I ask. His beautiful eyes stare right into mine.
"I do. I always will." he pauses, "Do you love me?" I stare at him thoughtfully.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to-"
"No!" I cut him off. "It's ok, I just….I don't know. I like being around you. You make me feel…happy and myself. I think, I..." Peeta shushes me.
"It's all right. You don't have to answer. But will you…." He takes a deep breath.
"Katniss Lillian Everdeen." How did he know my middle name? Oh right, I'm famous. But something makes me feel that he knew before I was famous. That's when my epiphany happens. I used to be pretty invisible at school. A couple friends, never loud or outspoken, the only recognizable thing I did was break the school archery record. And let's face it, no one cares. It's a dying art. But he saw me when I was invisible. He always saw me for me. That's why I don't hesitate when he asks.
"Will you do me the honors of being my girlfriend?" His lips are parted slightly and I can tell he's holding his breath. Literally.
I answer by pressing my lips, for the second time in my life, against his.
