Chapter 12:

PLEASE READ AUTHORS NOTE RIGHT HERE! Ok. In this chapter there are some... Sexually graphic moments. It's not like full out love making but lets just say someone has to release a little sexual tension. So if that would make you uncomfortable or you don't want to read that part, I recommend skipping over Peeta's POV. Also, it is brought up again later on in the chapter, in the second Katniss' POV and I think that's it! So you don't need to read those if you don't want to! You won't miss anything important. I also will have to change the rating to M because of this, which I'm not necessarily thrilled about but ya know, you gotta do what you've gotta do. Ok enjoy! Oh and don't forget to vote on the poll on my profile! (btw this chapter is pretty long so you're welcome hehe :)

Peeta's POV:

"GET THE HELL UP YOU TWO!"

I was startled awake by whoever was screaming from the hall. My body shifted and I realized someone was next to me. When my eyes adjusted to the light streaming through the window, I remembered what happened last night.

I was sleeping next to the love of my life, Katniss Everdeen.

I sighed in content, staring at her beautiful face in her sleep. She looked so peaceful laying there, not a care in the world. I didn't want to disturb her.

But the incescent pounding on our door suggests otherwise. I slowly unravel myself from around her, releasing her from my iron grip from the night before. I trudge over to the door and fling it open to find none other than Finnick Odair standing before me. His arms were crossed over his abdomen, an eyebrow arched to match his smug smirk.

"What?" I snapped at him.

"How long does it take you to finish up with her?" Finnick remarked. My cheeks seemed to have set on fire.

"Shut the hell up, Finnick. We were sleeping. As in not having sex." I tried to sound menacing, but my obvious embarrassment suggests otherwise.

Finnick doesn't even try to hide his laughter. He starts cackling at me, his laughter booming through the hallway. Tears start a steady stream down his cheeks. I roll my eyes walking back into the room with Katniss, slamming the door in his face on the way.

I return to our bed to find that Katniss isn't asleep anymore. She sits up straight, bringing the covers with her. She rubs her eyes to rid the sleep from them. "Who was at the door?"

"Just Finnick being annoying as always."

Katniss let out a small chuckle at this. "What time is it?"

I glanced over at my phone resting on the nightstand.

"10:24."

"Oh. I guess we did sleep in a tiny bit..." Katniss said.

"Oh well. You were tired after last... night..." I was about to continue on but I could tell Katniss was uncomfortable on the subject.

"Do you want to take a shower first?" I quickly added.

She nodded briefly and made her way to the bathroom with a change of clothes in her hand.

I couldn't help but stare at her backside when she turned away from me. Hey, cut me some slack. I'm a teenage boy with hormones. I always try to be considerate and act like a gentleman. But this fact didn't stop my raging hard on.

"Damn it." I cursed under my breath. Maybe if I made it fast, I could get rid of it before Katniss got out. I could already hear the running water from the bathroom, and I knew the room's door was locked, so I shouldn't have anyone walk in on me jerking off.

I situated myself on the bed before pulling down my shorts. I imagined Katniss like I had many times before. I'm not particularly proud of those moments, but it's almost as if I don't have a choice. My body craves her touch, and the closest I can get is my hand.

Katniss' POV:

I step into the soothing water, letting the warmth sweep me away. Until I remember I forgot to grab shampoo from my bag in our room. I silently step out of the shower and grab a towel to wrap around myself. I quietly open the door and step out into the cool air. I begin to head towards my bag until I realize what was happening around me. I look up and find Peeta turned away from me, pants around his ankles, grunting.

Oh my god.

I spin around on my heels, grabbing the shampoo in the process, and sprinting back to the bathroom. I shut the door as silently as possible. I leaned against it catching my breath. I shook my head, trying to get the mental picture out of my head. Sure, I hadn't seen anything; his back was turned from me after all.

I shakily get back into the shower, hoping the water would clear my head. You shouldn't let this get to you. Peeta is a friend. Strictly, a platonic acquaintance . Why should it matter to me if Peeta was getting himself off? Because you like him, idiot. You wish it was you.

No. I do not like Peeta Mellark. I am not jealous he was jerking off. I don't like boys. I don't have time for it. There is so much more important issues to focus on other than boyfriends. I can't forget Prim, or my mother, or my schoolwork. I have to provide for my family. Boys can't take over my life, and I refuse to allow it to happen.

Nobody said he was your boyfriend, idiot.

I sighed and slumped against the shower wall.

I know what I have to do.

I have to stay away from Peeta Mellark.

Cato's POV:

I sit in the drivers seat once again, drumming my fingers against the steering wheel. I was waiting for Glimmer to get her damn ass in my car, because I was close to leaving without her. Everyone bustles about around me, talking and gossiping, even making out. I honestly don't know how I'll last on this trip. Sure, Marvel, Peeta, and Gale were my friends, but the girls...

Madge was nice enough. She seemed to be dating Gale, so I didn't really have a choice as to whether I like her or not. Katniss seemed pretty nice too, but kept to herself. A lot. From what I know her by, she's moody, and sort of bipolar at times. Glimmer is just Glimmer. The slut. Never changes.

And then there's Clove.

Clove. Just her name is perfect. Her long dark, straight hair that shines in the sun, the gorgeous hazel eyes that get me every time. I smile to myself and shake my head.

As if she was reading my mind, someone slips into the passenger seat besides me. I tilt my head to look at her. Clove. She looked beautiful, as always. Her cut off, ripped jean shorts seemed to ride up when she sat down. The faded pink, loose v-neck she wore dipped down more than usual, revealing the top of her breasts. I averted my eyes so she wouldn't catch me staring.

"Gale and Madge are making out on your trunk."

I sighed. Everyone was getting more action than me, hopeless little Cato. When I didn't move to yell at them, Clove figured something was wrong.

"Alright. What's up with you?" She asked, kicking her feet up on the dashboard.

"Nothing. I'm fine, Clove."

"No, you're not fine. What's bothering you?" She pressed.

I sighed. How am I supposed to tell the girl I like that I'm depressed over her?

"I just... Don't worry about it."

"Fine then! Don't tell me! What a great friend you are." Clove yelled at me.

I was fuming. What am I supposed to do to make this better? I can't just tell her I like her!

"You know you can trust me, Cato! We were best friends up until high school," she sighed, " What happened?"

I fell in love with you, that's what happened. "I don't know."

"We should do something together, like old times."

I didn't answer. Am I really willing to do this? Of course, I have a major crush on her, but I don't handle crushes normally. I ignore the person and wait for it to go away. But this crush isn't leaving.

"Yeah. That'd be... nice." I might as well embrace it if I can't do anything about it.

Clove opened her mouth to respond, but Glimmer and Marvel got in the car before she could speak. Clove simply nodded at me. I smiled to myself while pulling out of the parking lot. Maybe this vacation won't be so bad after all.

Katniss' POV:

I sit in the same seat I did the day before. I refuse to make eye contact with Peeta. I'm supposed to be ignoring him. And I'll keep it up as long as I have to. Annie and Madge practically shoved him into the seat with me, and I know he didn't want to. He could sense I didn't want to talk right now and that he should keep his distance. But that never works out. I cover my mouth as I yawn. I feel like I got about 4 hours of sleep last night, which is pretty much true.

"Tired?"

I shift my gaze over to Peeta. I didn't respond.

"I thought you slept pretty well last night. You know, after the..." He said nervously. I shot him a glare.

"Don't talk about it." I mumbled.

"Is everything alright, Katniss?"

"I'm fine." I said through gritted teeth.

Peeta set his hand on my arm. He opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off my shrugging his hand away.

He is silent for several minutes. "Did I do something?"

I rolled my eyes. Obviously. "What do you think?" I shot at him.

"I'll take that as a yes." He said to himself.

"Katniss... Whatever I did, I didn't mean it. You know I didn't. It was most likely a complete accident or I just wasn't thinking right. I would never do anything you're not comfortable with, and if I do, you can yell at me for as long as you want. Because I would feel horrible for hurting you. And know that it wasn't intentional, and it never will be. I'm sorry." Peeta pleads to me. I just scoff and roll my eyes.

"Your apology doesn't help anything."

He stayed silent. After a while, he spoke again. "It would help if I knew what I did... Could you tell me?"

I stared at the headrest before me. I looked down at my lap and picked at my fingernails. "I was in the shower..." I whispered.

I'm surprised he even heard what I said. "Wait, what?"

I took a deep breath. I can't believe I was doing this. "I was in the shower and I forgot the shampoo, so I went to grab it from my bag and I saw you..." I trailed off.

Peeta's eyes widened and his face turned dark red. "Oh my gosh, Katniss. I'm so sorry! I didn't- you- I... I didn't mean to do that in our room. I'm sorry. Did you see anything? Sorry. I shouldn't have asked that. I just- you know that... I- I don't know what to say. I'm so sorry." He quickly started apologizing, again. I simply shook my head.

He didn't say anything for a moment, which I was grateful for. The rest of the car didn't seem to acknowledge our conversation at all.

"You really didn't see anything though, did you?" Peeta asked me a bit shakily.

I couldn't help but crack a smile at him. I can't stay mad at him for long. He let out a small breath of relief and smiled back at me.

"So does this mean we're friends again?" Peeta asked me.

"Yeah, we're friends." I said to him.

And for once, I was actually happy.

We've been driving for at least 7 hours now. Finnick said we should be at the beach house in about 2 hours. I sighed and leaned my head against the window. After a few minutes of staring at the endless rows of trees, I felt my eyelids begin to droop. It was only about 6 pm, but I was exhausted.

I was half awake when I felt arms wrap around me and pull me towards them. I could tell it was Peeta by his familiar scent of cinnamon mixed with his cologne.

I laid my head in his lap and he began stroking my hair. It was strangely soothing and comforting, and I found myself asleep faster than I expected.

I'm startled awake by someone repeatedly beeping the car horn. My head snaps up and it takes me a few seconds to realize where I am. I slowly pick myself up from where I was laying, confused as to why everybody was laughing at me.

"Jesus, Katniss! You were passed out for like, 2 and a half hours! We couldn't get you to wake up!" Finnick barked out a laugh at me.

"Peeta was pretty concerned about you... On the verge of tears, literally. He thought he knocked you out or something... It was sweet." I could barely hear her last three words. I stared at all of them, speechless. Was I really that tired that I wouldn't wake up? That hasn't happened to me in so long. I rarely sleep well, even if it was for just 2 and a half hours. I turn my head to face Peeta, and do something even I didn't expect myself to do.

I hugged him.

"Thank you for worrying about me, Peeta. Nobody has cares for me in a while." I whispered into his shirt, my arms encircling his middle. He was shocked at first, but regrouped after several seconds and hugged me back.

I didn't care if all of our friends saw this gesture. Peeta meant a lot to me, even though I've been close with him for about a month. He has changed me, and it's something that nobody else has ever done to me. He cares for me, and as much as I don't want to believe it, I care for Peeta as well. He's a great friend, someone who I can lean on and trust, someone who I truly need and have been waiting for.

After a minute or so, we pull apart. Luckily, Annie and Finnick are preoccupied with their bags in the trunk of Finnick's car. Madge and Gale are busy chatting, and almost don't noticed us as we climb out. I rummage through the car and grab my suitcase before turning towards the beach house.

We were finally here! And the trip was totally worth it. The beach house was light blue with bright yellow shutters and a large front deck. There was a hammock out front along with a matching shade of blue shed. The entire ground was covered in sand and brown pine needles. Huge pine trees towered over the house and the road leading up to it. I clambered up the wooden steps and swung the door open.

I have one word to describe this house. Huge.

I entered into the living room with 2 couches and a love seat, 2 cozy looking chairs, a sky light above a section of the room, and light hard wood floors. A mirror hung on one of the walls, along with gorgeous paintings and beach themed pictures and signs scattered amongst them. The ceilings were open to see the wooden beams holding up the structure of the house, with small markings etched into them for decoration. The huge plasma screen TV mounted on the wall above the grand fire place was the best feature, though. It seems to the the whole room together.

"Wow." Just one room took my breath away. I can't begin to think how the other rooms will amaze me.

I set my bags down in a corner as Glimmer, Clove, and Annie enter the beach house. Annie seems to be the most amazed out of everyone, which is understandable considering Finnick is her long time boyfriend, and she has never been here, let alone heard about it.

Madge trudges through the door not a minute later with her arms piled high with bags. Once her feet hit the carpet in the center of the room, she dropped everything onto it and let out a long sigh. I smiled at her as she collapsed on the couch, looking exhausted.

From outside I heard Gale yelling. "ON YOUR MARKS. GET SET. GO!" Following his count off was three sets of footsteps pounding towards the front door. Finnick, Peeta, and Gale all slammed into it at the same time, fighting to yank the door open the fastest. Gale charges into the house, Finnick and Peeta trailing not far behind. Annie giggled as Finnick ran by her.

"You've got this, Finnie!" She shouted and reached out to slap his butt. He seemed almost unphased by her action, yet shot a smirk in her direction. She batted her eyelashes at me in response. I rolled my eyes.

The boys clambered upstairs and down the hall. I heard someone slam into the wall before two more thuds hit it.

"YES! I WIN!" Peeta shouted from down the hall. I smiled to myself.

"Fine, whatever. You get the master bedroom. Congratulations. You don't even have someone to sleep there with you, so what's the point of you having it?" Gale remarked to Peeta as the descended the stairs.

"Well, I won it fair and square. It's mine now. Have fun sleeping on the couch, dude." Peeta smugly replied.

"Oh no! I don't think so! I get one of the bedrooms, for me and Madge," Gale smirked, "Right, Madgy-padgy?"

"Of course, Gale." Madge responded. Were they even dating?

"Well, we better unpack of we ever want to get to what I have planned for tonight!" Finnick announced.

"Gross, dude. We don't need the insides on your personal relationship with Annie." Marvel said. I once again rolled my eyes.

"That's not what I meant. We're having a little horror movie fest tonight. Be prepared to piss your pants and sleep with your night lights, ladies. That goes for you too, girls." Finnick remarked, quite arrogantly I should add.

Cato scoffed. "Yeah whatever. We're the ladies. Says the guy who goes on for hours on end about the 'dress choices of the evening' at the Grammy's".

"Shut the hell up." Finnick said to Cato.

I shook my head and walked into the kitchen for a glass of water, leaving the bickering boys behind me.

Chapter 12 everybody! I really feel bad for not updating this week! I intended to last week, and then on Monday but I was literally swamped with work. I had like, 8 tests this week and last week combined and loads of homework each night that I couldn't do in study hall because I had to keep going to the tech room to finish my drawings because I don't get it at all. So my crush helped me:D

But yeah, keep voting on your favorite Career pairing: Clato or Glato. Thank you guys bunches for reading, reviewing, favoriting, etc. because it literally does mean the world to me :) I love y'all, and see you next time!