Chapter Eleven

Meeting the Family

When I get home, I immediately go into the kitchen to drink one of my mom's protein shakes. I don't think she's home right now, and I can never keep up with her work schedule. Prim is auditioning for a play, then her friend Rue's mom is dropping her off at home.

Pretty sure Peeta had to stop at Delly's house, especially how she practically begged him to come over. He'll come get me when we have to head to the lake. I can't help but wonder if Delly would attempt to woo him, especially now. She clearly sees me as her competition, and she thinks she's losing.

Maybe she is.

I don't want to think about Peeta and Delly, so I go into the living room and turn on the tv. I don't watch tv religiously like Prim, but occasionally I like to flip between channels. As I'm watching Keeping Up With the Trinkets, I hear the front door open. My mom comes inside with two brown paper bags in her hands filled with groceries. She steps inside and closes the door with her foot. When she sees me, she walks to the couch, leans down to give me a kiss on the cheek.

"Hey sweetie," She walks in the kitchen to put the bags down. "Where's your sister? Did she have that audition today?"

"Yeah. Rue's mom is bringing her home." I inform her, standing up from the couch and following her into the kitchen.

I watch as she unpacks the groceries, leaving the vegetables out on the counter. She takes out a chopping board and a knife to start chopping the celery. She looks up at me, her blonde hair nearly falling out of her bun. "Did you eat last night? I was downstairs waiting for you. I saw Prim eat, but not you."

"Yes," I lie. "I wasn't hungry when you called us down, but I stayed up pretty late studying for a test. I went to eat after you two went to sleep."

She shakes her head, not believing me. I can feel the lecturing about to happen. "Katniss, I don't know if you're just going through this phase again, but you did this your sophomore year of school. Is school getting too stressful again?"

I stare at her, not exactly knowing how to respond. She has always been observant, but I've always found ways to sneak behind her. I shrug my shoulders. "I'm eating Mom, in fact, I hope dinner is ready before I head to the lake."

"Hmmm, well I'll be done in an hour," She tells me. I start walking out of the kitchen, Bhutan she continues talking. "But I'm very serious Katniss. If I have to monitor you, then I will. If that doesn't work, I'm taking you to the doctor." It's not a threat, but it is a promise. I walk out of the room before she says anything else.

I go to my room, and shut the door. My room is a mess, so I start to pick up the clothes and scraps on my floor. I need to sweep, but I'm too lazy to go back downstairs. Instead, I just flop on my bed and decide to text Peeta.

Katniss [3:50 pm]

what r u up to?

I reach under my bed, grabbing my history textbook. I almost forgot that I had a quiz tomorrow morning, and Johanna will probably cheat off me. We might as well both make a good grade.

My phone vibrates, notifying me about a text. I flip it around to look at it, smiling when I see Peeta's name.

Peeta [4:02 pm]

Just got home. Can I come over?

Katniss [4:05]

yeah, but come through the front door. Mom's home.

I place my phone on my nightstand, and leave my book on my bed. Walking down the stairs, I smell the spaghetti that my mom is cooking up. There's a knock on the door, but my mom reaches it before I can.

"Hello, I don't think we've met," I hear her voice as I walk towards the door. "Are you one of Katniss' friends?"

"Yes ma'am. Peeta Mellark. I live next door." I watch as they shake hands with each other.

"You should join us for dinner, Peeta," My Mom offers to him. I can only imagine the embarrassing conversation that would take place. "It's nearly done. Come sit with us." She opens the door wider, letting him in. She turns and sees me, her eyes opened wide.

"He's cute." She mouths to me, and I already can feel myself blushing with embarrassment. Peeta walks over to me, giving me a soft smile.

My mom walks past us, entering the kitchen. "You two go into the dining room. Dinner will be ready soon."

"Sorry about her," I mumble, leading us into the dining room. "She likes to get chatty with my friends. You don't have to stay for dinner. We can just hang out somewhere until we have to leave for the lake."

"I don't know about you, but I'm starving," Peeta replies, rubbing his belly. "Plus, it'll be a great opportunity to meet your family."

I roll my eyes at him. Meeting families is overrated. "Whatever you say," I touch his arm, softly dragging my hand across it. He grabs my hand, interlocking our fingers together. A simple hand hold releases all these sparks and chills through my body. A simple action lights my body on fire.

A want, no a need, overcomes me. I glance up at his lips, and then our hands. I know he feels it too, given the way his eyes burn into mine.

"Katniss!" My sister's voice enters the air. I let go of Peeta, and turn, hearing her footsteps running towards the door. "Guess what happened?" She jumps up and down in excitement.

"Did your audition go well?" I ask her, assuming that's what she's referring to.

She cheeses up, nodding her head rapidly. "I got the lead! Well, Rue and I are the main characters, but I'm so excited!" She stops jumping, and finally notices Peeta. She puts her hands on her hips, and smirks. "Katniss, I didn't know you had a boyfriend." She giggles, scooting herself in front of me to get a closer look at him.

"Prim," I grimace. "Peeta lives next door, and we go to the same school. Cut it out."

"Hi, I'm Primrose Everdeen, Katniss's sister. I know we look completely different, but I promise you, we're biological sisters." She greets Peeta, talking too much. It's true though, Prim and I look very different. My dark brown curls, grey eyes, and olive skin doesn't compare to Prim's blonde straight hair, deep blue eyes, and paleish skin. No one would believe that we're sisters. She looks more like Peeta's sibling more than I.

My mom enters the room, with forks and knives to set on the table. "Come grab a plate in the kitchen. The food is ready!"

We all walk into the kitchen, grabbing a plate, and walking back into the dining room. I sit down next to my mom, while Peeta sits across from me, next to Prim. My mom ties her hair back before taking a fork to swirl her spaghetti.

"So kids, how was school today?" She asks us.

"Rue and I got into the play," Prim says proudly. "I kept telling her not to worry about it, and look where we are."

Mom nods, clearly happy for Prim. "That's amazing sweetie. I'm sure you'll do great. What about you Katniss?"

I shrug, playing with my food. "Nothing exciting."

"That's too bad," She chews on her piece of bread. "Do you do anything after school Peeta? Maybe you can help Katniss become more involved."

He shakes his head. "I used to play football, but I tore a ligament in my knee, so I stopped playing after that. I do help out with my family's bakery in the morning before school." He explains to her.

"Oh really?" She's gaining interest in him more by the minute. "What's this bakery called? I'll have to stop by before my shifts."

They talk back and forth, while Prim quickly finishes her food and dismisses herself. I take small bites off my plate, enough that will satisfy her. Plus, I figured she wouldn't call me out in front of guests. I take my plate and go into the kitchen to scrape it. I wash the plate in the sink then place it on the counter. Walking back in the room, Peeta and my mom are wrapping up their conversation.

"Can I steal my friend back?" I ask my mom lightheartedly.

"Mmhmm, but keep your door open and let me know when you two are leaving." She tells me, leaving the room.

"Well, my mom likes you," I mention as we walk up the stairs. "She's more protective of Prim and I, but she must get good vibes from you."

"That's good. I was nervous for a second. Didn't want to leave a bad impression."

I scoff, placing my hand on his chest to stop him from walking. "I doubt you've ever left a bad impression on anyone. You're the most likeable guy I've ever met."

"Likeable? Meaning you like me?" He picks at my words.

"We're not playing this game, Peeta," I wave my finger in his face. "You know I like you."

I walk into my room, without closing the door this time, knowing that my mom would kill me if it was closed. He leans in the doorway, knowing he's trying to figure out what to say. I hope he didn't interpret it in that way because then I'll have to find a way around it. Or do I…

"Well, it's only 4:30, and we don't have until it's 6. I can help you study if you want," Peeta suggests.

And that's exactly what we do.

Sorry for the delay loves. I hope you enjoy this chapter. I'm glad that I can cheer you guys up when I release these chapters. I have been having some depression days, so my writing has sort of slacked, but I forced myself to finish this chapter for you guys. Anyway, have a good day/night, and enjoy!