Finnick opens the door for me, his blue eyes burn into mine as he gestures towards the seat. I know he's angry but I am too. I climb in the car. Finnick closes the door, too hard. He practically runs around to the driver's seat. After buckling his seat belt and making sure I have mine on, he steps on it. His eyes are dark, but not with lust, and I'm sure mine are the same.
"You believe him?" His voice is more of a growl.
"No! Finnick you're perfect." I can't keep the anger out of my voice.
"What is it?" He asks calmly, but his white knuckles on the wheel tell a different story. I know it shouldn't be a big deal. But I snap.
"You are! I can fight my own battles damn it! If you would stop just for a moment you could see that. I can take care of myself! Peeta has been tailing me for weeks. BEFORE, yes BEFORE we started dating! I could take care of myself then, I can take care of myself now. I have no interest in him."
"Why didn't you tell me?" He practically yells.
"There was no point! As I said I am not interested in him, and never have been! I can fight my own battles! I'm not a weak, hiding girl, and if that's what you want, then let me go. If that's what you want from me. Maybe Peeta was right! Maybe you aren't good for me!"
"Katniss, I don't want you to change, ever. I love you the way you are—Part of me hears what he's saying, but I'm too angry, at him, and at Peeta.—but I have to protect you."
"You're not protecting me, you're chaining me down. Stop the car."
"Katniss!" There's panic in his voice now.
"No Finnick! Stop the fucking car!"
We're eight blocks away from the campus when he finally listens. I get out, and slam the door. I walk away, and out of the corner of my eye I see him slump over the wheel, shoulders shaking. I turn the corner without looking back, but I don't hear him drive away.
I start walking. I can't face Johanna, and Finnick would probably be waiting for me anyway, and maybe Peeta. I growl in frustration. It'll be evening soon and I have nowhere to go.
Gale. Gale will understand, he's been through enough relationships before. I smirk. I'll stay at his place for the night and try to work things out tomorrow. Hailing a passing taxi, I hand the driver a twenty and tell him the address, before selecting Gale's number.
"Catnip?"
"Hey Gale. I'm coming over. I'll be at your place in around 40 minutes."
"Something wrong?" I hear the worry in his voice.
"Yeah. Finnick and I had a…disagreement."
"Alright, I'll be there."
I hang up. It's been a while since I went to his place. But he's like a brother to me; I can talk to him about anything. I tune out the world, trying to calm my brain waves, for the rest of the drive.
When the taxi pulls up in front of the apartment, I see Gale getting out of a car just in front. A tad confused, I jump out of the taxi, and run towards him, feeling tears threatening.
He turns at the sound of my footsteps, and envelopes me in his arms, crushing me to him. I just about lose it right there. My anger has faded, and now I'm frightened. Will Finnick ever forgive me?
Gale hauls two bags out of his car, then hands me a pizza box.
"Here, I got some food and stuff, there uh wasn't a lot in the fridge when you called, and I know you love pizza when you're sad."
I nod wordlessly. He knows me too well…
The story comes out in bits and pieces as we share the box of pizza Gale bought. When I finally finish though, Gale looks pensive.
"You're proud, Catnip, but he was just trying to help. Also from a guy's perspective…you could've been cheating on him."
"Oh god, what if he thinks that?! I haven't been! I have no interest in Peeta whatsoever."
"Have you told him that?" Gale says calmly.
"Yes! But it didn't seem like he listened to me!" I practically yell, exasperated.
"Catnip calm down."
"But he—
That's when Gale kisses me. It happens so fast that I hardly have time to blink let alone stop him. I shove him off me, and he goes sprawling off the couch, narrowly avoiding hitting his head on the coffee table.
"What the fuck?! You're my best friend Gale! We were over long ago!"
He raises his head from where he is sprawled on the floor.
"I know Catnip, but you just looked so sad, and…it was an impulse."
"May I remind you that I am dating someone? Yes someone I had a fight with, but I am still dating him! This means I just cheated on him."
"I'm sorry Catnip, I just—
"No Gale. There's nothing you can say now."
I get up and grab my purse from the floor. I am putting on my jacket when Gale sits up.
"Wait, where are you going?" He asks, panic clear in his voice.
"I'm going somewhere far away from here because apparently I can't even trust my best friend!" I yell.
I half run towards the door. I make it halfway before Gale grabs my arm and stops me in my tracks.
"Katniss, I love you." He stares into my eyes and I freeze at his words. "I've been trying to tell you this for a while now, but I didn't know how…"
If looks could kill he would be six feet under the ground by now.
"Let me go Gale!" I growl, trying to yank my arm from his grip, but he doesn't let go, and he's too strong.
"Catnip!"
Part of me thinks I should listen to him, hear him out. But I'm too mad. My arm whips out and I slap him. I'm not strong enough to do any actual damage, but I can see the hurt in his eyes anyway.
He lets go of my arm, and I run the rest of the way to the door. I slam the door behind me, but not before catching a glimpse of my oldest friend sitting on the floor with his head in his hands.