Chapter 12: I'd Bet On You
Disclaimer: Hunger Games are not mine.
Katniss:
One more cookie was placed inside the glass counter and Katniss smiled at the finished product, a turkey shaped cookie display for Thanksgiving.
She took pride in being the one in charge of the cookie display a the bakery. It felt good to know her work was noticed and helped increase sales. Even if it was just by selling one extra cookie.
She heard the kitchen door open and knew Peeta was bringing out more cookies.
"Go Katniss. Ask him about the staring problem. You can do it!
Rich was in the back checking inventory and the bakery wouldn't open for another ten minutes. She had time to talk to him.
Peeta was busy placing the new batch of cookies inside the counter and Katniss pretended to reorganize the turkey display. She continued to observe him. And she saw him move his gaze over her, just staring like he always did.
This was her chance and she took it. "Okay, what is it?" She stepped away from the cookies and crossed her arms."Is there something wrong with me? Why do you always just stare?"
He blushed. "I wasn't, I was, uh, looking at the display. It's really nice."
"No you weren't!" She laughed nervously. "It happens at school and it happens here. I'm not trying to be weird, but is something wrong with my face?"
He took a deep breath. "I, uh, I don't know..."
Katniss raised her eyebrow. "You don't know?" Was he implying there was something wrong with her?
Peeta panicked. "No! That's no what I meant! There is nothing wrong with your face, Katniss. It's uh, it's-fine."
Katniss smiled at his reaction. She thought about all the times Jo teased her about Peeta. Jo was convinced he liked her."Can I ask you something?"
"Sure. Yeah." He said.
"Do you have a crush on me? I'm serious, I want to know. " Katniss said.
He stood there, completely caught off guard.
With a sigh, he gave an answer. "Yeah. I do."
"Oh." She said. There was an odd warm feeling that came over her. She thought it was joy. "That's, um, nice. I'm flattered."
"Katniss, I don't mean to be a creep-" Katniss cut him off.
"No, no. You're not a creep, Peeta. I think that it's brave of you to admit it." She though of her own feelings then. The one's she kept secret. "Peeta, I think you should know that I sorta kind of...like you, too."
"You do?" He grinned.
Katniss nodded. "Why didn't you tell me?" She asked.
She remembered they were both taken.
His grin disappeared. "I couldn't. You were always with Gale."
"Gale. He's cool. And you have Glimmer. I bet she's...Glimmer." Katniss had nothing nice to say about her.
"Right." He said.
Katniss stared at the floor. "Peeta, I wish you had said something sooner."
Or at least before Gale had the chance to talk to me.
It was the truth. She would have jumped at a chance to go on a date with Peeta.
"I wish I had, too." The sadness in his voice was clear.
"I'm glad I know, though. I don't want things to be weird between us. We can still be friends." Katniss said. "This will make things easier. Besides, it's a crush and we outgrow them."
Just a silly little crush, Kat! It'll go away in a month tops.
"Just a crush, you're completely right." Peeta waved the issue away.
"Great! That's awesome!" Katniss exclaimed. "We should hang out sometime. As friends."
"That'd be should." He agreed.
Katniss stood there, swaying back and forth; she tended to do that when she was nervous.
Luckily, Rich came out from the kitchen and put an end to her discomfort. He proceeded to unlock the front door and there were already a couple of customers lined up. The day had begun and Katniss found herself avoiding Peeta. She knew that this whole 'just friends hanging out' thing was never going to work.
Katniss and Prim were fixing up dinner before their mom got home from work. Prim would make a salad and Katniss would prepare some chicken. Simple.
"Ugh, lettuce is so boring." Prim complained.
"It's good for you, Prim."
"It's gross. Hate it." Katniss laughed at her sister. She always complained about the vegetables.
"So, Kat, how was work?" Prim asked slyly.
Her sister would always ask about work. She, too, thought Peeta and Katniss would make an excellent couple. Prim claimed that they were soul mates.
"It was fine."
"Fine? Just fine? No crazy costumers? Nothing about the ever so charming Peeta Mellark?" Prim asked. "You always have something to say about him."
"Not today, Prim." Katniss said.
"Liar. You are a terrible liar. Am I going to have to have to call Rue and have her help me break you?"
Katniss couldn't say no to Prim and Rue, not when they ganged up against her. She couldn't say no to their adorable faces.
"Fine, fine. I'll tell you, Prim. Don't tell anyone. Not even Rue."
"Woah, this is serious! I cross my heart and hope to die!" Katniss laughed at Prim's antics.
"Peeta and I talked. He sorta confessed to...having a tiny crush on me."
Prim almost fainted. "KANISS! I'm so happy for you! Did you tell him you liked him? Tell me you did!"
"Prim, be quiet. Someone will hear and they'll think I'm trying to murder you!" Katniss joked.
"This is so romantic, Kat. Now you two will finally be together! Rue owes me $20!" Prim rejoiced.
Katniss gasped. "What do you mean she owes you money? Are you placing bets on my love life?!"
"We knew it would happen, she bet that it would happen at graduation. I bet sooner. Anyway, you win, too! You get Peeta!" Prim giggled.
"I do not. Prim, we are friends and we're dating other people. We are happy this way. It's just a little crush and it'll go away. We both know that, so we're staying friends."
"Katniss, I told you, you are a terrible liar! Friends? No. You have to stop dating Gale. I know he's your best friend, and if he really is, he'll understand."
Katniss stopped with the cooking and listened to Prim. For a thirteen year old, she had some very good advice offer.
"Besides, I still think Jo and Gale could get together. I have another $20 on that." Prim lazily tossed the salad.
Okay, Prim had a problem.
"Primrose Everdeen, are you placing bets on everything?" Katniss asked.
"Just you and your friends. I have $10 on Finnick and Annie winning prom King and Queen. Another $10 on Clove finding herself a boyfriend before the year's up. Tell her to hurry with that. And you and Peeta have to hurry, too. I'm not losing those $20. I'm so close, I can taste my victory!"
Katniss sighed. "Prim, no more bets, you're thirteen."
Prim ignored her and continued giving out advice. "I suggest you break up with Gale and tell Peeta you want to give him a chance."
Katniss groaned. "What if it is just a crush? And there's his girlfriend-"
"Kat, really. Go for it. You'll never know if you don't try. I see the way you smile when you talk about him. He's funny, cute, smart, and he bakes! Katniss, he's the perfect guy for you. I'm your sister, trust me on this."
Katniss gave Prim a smile. "When did you become so...worldly?"
"I've always been this way." Prim responded with a shrug. "It's a gift."
Katniss shook her head, but said no more. Prim was right, she wanted to know if what she felt for Peeta was something that could last. She had liked him for a while and it was getting hard to see herself with anyone else.
She'd do it. She'd tell Gale she tried, but can't love him. He'd have to forgive her. Then, she'd tell Peeta what she feels for him. No more denying it.
Everlark! Prim is a more social person, so she's giving Katniss that push she needs. And she's making money, woo! Go Prim! And Rue! Leave me some reviews guys. :)
