Author's Note: Sorry for the long wait for this update - it's taken me a while to find a pace I want this story to move at. I struggled between how much Katniss would either pull away or go all in but I think I've found the right balance and I hope you think so too. Please let me know what you think - every single review puts a smile on my face and gives me that kick start to write some more for you all - so your reviews are mutually beneficial ;) Although it's slightly shorter than normal, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
Walking into the pub I was very aware of the hand of Katniss encased in mine. Now that we've actually spoken about what is going on, I feel so much more confident in initiating little things like this. And I think she doesn't mind it either. Well.. she hasn't snatched her hand away from mine yet. That is until she makes a beeline after Gale who storms away after seeing us holding hands. My heart tells me to follow her but my head tells me not to. To not become intense after our heart to heart outside and that she will need her time with Gale. I shouldn't be, but I'm happy he saw us like that. I'm glad he can hold that memory in his mind, that Katniss likes me and not him. Childish I know but sometimes you can't help being childish.
"Were you two just..?" Finnick asks, distracting my attention from the spot where I saw Gale storm out. It wasn't a question of shock but as I look to him, he seems somewhat proud. I try to shrug my shoulders as if I'm not bothered but that doesn't fool anyone.
"She said she likes me." I say through what Finnick would call a 'shit eating grin', which I immediately try and hide by sipping the beer Katniss had given me.
"Well no shit brainless." Johanna laughs. "You can be so god damn oblivious Peeta."
"Well, you know her.. She's different." I reply trying to defend myself somehow.
"Dude. She's a girl. Underneath everything they're all the same – just some are little better groomed." Finnick interjects, resting his arm on the back of the chair behind Johanna's head. I can't tell whether that was genuine or an innuendo – he's so used to talking dirty I don't think even he recognises what he says sometimes.
"I disagree – every girl is unique. There's only one out there for everyone." I say in all honesty, which earns the response of vomit sounds from both Jo and Finnick.
"God you're cheesy." They say in almost unison.
"I'm sorry I'm not after just a lay like you guys are." I say, taking a swig from my bottle. They both simply watch me. I know they say that I'm cheesy but I can see the smiles that they are trying to hide from me. They know how long I've waited for this to happen between Katniss and I. She isn't the average girl you get around here. She's genuinely different. She doesn't chase after a guy or desperately seek approval or attention. She is who she is – no matter what people think.
"Act cool Romeo, she's coming back." Johanna says through her bottle as she takes a sip of her own drink. I turn around in my seat to watch her approach. Her eyes have a glimmer of fire in them that wasn't there when she left and I notice her hands are clenched into fists, swinging by her sides. The last, most important thing I notice is the red mark that has appeared on her arm.
"I think I'm going to head home. I've got a busy day tomorrow." She states as she reaches the table, not looking at anyone in particular. Jo and Finnick look at each other and then glance at me.
"Can I give you a lift? I should get going to." I offer, taking some money out of my pocket to help in paying for the drinks. She doesn't say anything, but simply nods and turns away, presumably heading for the car park where I parked my father's car. Fin and Jo simply nods as I give them an apologetic nod, hurrying out of my seat to catch up with Katniss.
It was a silent drive at first. It had gotten pretty dark and Katniss was watching the lights flash past on the street, her head leaning against the glass of the window. I didn't want to push her to talk. I wanted to wait for her to open up to me. The red mark on her arm was fading but still visible - there is no way she is leaving this car without telling me how that actually happened. I'd put on the radio about half way through our drive to fill the silence. Giving her the time she needs. Pulling into her road and can sense her tensing up – possibly getting ready to talk. Pulling over outside her house, I put the handbrake on, switch the radio and gas off and wait. She initially doesn't make a move so I shift in my seat to face her full on.
"Katniss? Are you going to tell me what happened to your arm?" I cut straight to the most important part. She mustn't have noticed the mark on her arm and how it was showing so she adjusts my jacket that was still draping over her arms to hide it. Surely she must know it is too late for me to ignore it.
"He didn't hurt me. He was just holding onto my arms." She says in a quiet voice. Instinctively I lean forward over the middle and slide the jacket away from her arm to gently rub the area with my thumbs in an attempt to soothe it. She takes a deep breath as I do so.
"Do you wanna talk about it?" I ask, my eyes still fixed on her. I can't get used to seeing her seeming so vulnerable – so quiet – defeated.
"He seems to think I'm obliged to be with him because we knew each other first and because we're bestfriends." She says finally looking back at me. She doesn't look sad, or happy or angry. Simply passive. I think about what she is saying and try to push my immediate thoughts of 'tell him to fuck off' out of my head.
"Well I don't want you to fall out with your friend. I didn't mean to create this rift between you and if there is anything I can do – I'd be happy to do it. It may be one of those times where it just takes time but it is completely up to you. I'm not going to try and give you solutions when I don't know everything about your friendship but I can promise you that I'm here to help you when you need me. If you need to speak to someone, to yell at someone, to drink with someone or simply need a hug. I'm here." It rolls off of my tongue without my thinking about it and for once I don't regret what I've said. For once I'm confident that she isn't going to disappear – to run away.
"You're too nice for your own good Peeta." She answers. This was not one of the many responses that I'd expected and it actually makes me chuckle. And it's good to see a smile creep back on her face.
"I meant what I told you outside in the garden." She says, her smile still gracing her face. I didn't need her to tell me that. I rest my head against the back of my chair, looking at her an my am drops away from hers. I watch her features and am reassured by how they are set, without falter.
"I know you did." I smile back at her and this time she reaches over to me, and shifts a piece of hair back into the main bulk of it.
"So can I have your number now then?" I blurt out. I think I actually meant to say it in my head but it managed to slip past my lips as well. She doesn't seem fazed by it though and her smile widens slightly.
"You're crossing the line now aren't you Mellark?" She laughs and the colour and life physically returns to her face and she looks like her again. Sarcastic, confident Katniss Everdeen.