Chapter 21: The 14 Year Old Mind

Disclaimer: I don't own THG.

Peeta:

An apology would not do. For Katniss, it would never be enough. He hurt her, badly. She had her work schedule changed so she wouldn't have to see his face at the bakery. She didn't text or call. That was fine. It was his fault.

Peeta was dating Glimmer once again. The pretty blonde had gone to him and asked that the break be over. What a break, it didn't even last two weeks. She was supposed to say that she didn't want him back and then they were going to part ways on peaceful terms. But Peeta's imaginary scenario never did play out.

So when Glimmer asked to have him back, he agreed. He felt bad for her. The Careers were falling apart. Her dad was gone and her mom was distant. It was an odd feeling to have someone need you that much. Katniss was strong, she would recover. She would hate him, yes, but that would give her the courage to find something else without him. Peeta was willing to make the sacrifice for her.

The day was cool, not cold. California was never cold. Peeta thought to visit the park, as he did when he was troubled. The park where Katniss kissed him. Where she said she loved him. That was a happy memory and there was nothing wrong with wanting to relive it.

"Ugh! Fuck!"

That couldn't be...

"Katniss?" He saw her, on the ground rubbing her ankle.

She saw him, too. "I don't need your help. Go away."

Peeta wouldn't leave her on the ground, she was injured. He pulled her up and though she protested at first, she ended up leaning on him and letting him lead her to a bench.

"Thanks." She said sourly.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah, its just my ankle." She made an exasperated noise. "Damn tree branch." She must have tripped on it. She was wearing running gear and suddenly, Peeta remembered that she was on the track team.

Is there anything she can't do? Nope. She does it all.

He would never stop loving everything about her. Katniss. She wouldn't fade from his mind.

Peeta wasn't experienced with medicine or injuries, but he knew a sprain when he saw one.

"We need to get some ice on that. My house is close, we can go there."

"Absolutely not. I'll just call my-" She was looking for her phone and realized she didn't have it with her. Peeta smiled to himself. He left his at home.

"You're gonna have to come over, then. You can use our phone." She couldn't argue with that.

She leaned on him all the way to his house and Peeta rejoiced. Perhaps this was a chance for him to try and explain the situation. He wouldn't reveal too, much, but he could still let her know he sincerely cared about her. If friendship was something Katniss could offer, he'd take it.

He got her some ice and she took it gratefully, even rewarding him with a little smile, though she quickly suppressed it.

"Enobaria is going to rip my throat out. With her teeth." She whispered. Peeta laughed. She was kidding, right?

"You'll be fine in a week tops."

"I'll ask Prim. She'll know what to do." Katniss said.

He watched her sit there and ice her foot. She wasn't going to say anything about them, he'd have to do it.

"You changed your work days." He said.

She stopped with the ice. "I did."

"I'm not upset about it."

She frowned. "You have no right to be."

"Katniss, I'm sorry."

She scoffed and finally met his gaze. Her eyes were smoldering silver, a result of the anger she felt. "Don't apologize. I'm over it. I don't care. You want her, keep her."

"I don't. Its not her I want." He insisted.

"You're a fantastic liar. Is there some sort of award you get? Congratulations, you win." She sneered. "I need to call Gale."

He would have minded that it was Gale who would pick her up, but Gale was with Johanna Mason. No way Katniss would mess with that.

"Katniss, its not what you think. Glimmer is not what you think." He explained.

"You don't know what I think about her! And I don't care that you love her so much, do what you want." She said. "I'll walk home." She got up and began limping away.

"Stay. I'll get the phone." He helped her back to her chair.

"Finally." She muttered.

Peeta handed her the phone. "I don't want you to hate me, Katniss."

She dialed the number. "Hating you requires effort. It would be wasted on you."

She really knew how to aim those words.

Katniss:

She waved Gale and Johanna goodbye and thanked them for the millionth time. She had interrupted one of their dates, but they still went to pick her up. Katniss couldn't ask for better friends.

"Where have you been?" Prim greeted. "And why are you limping?"

"Hey,Prim. Rue." Thresh's little sister was working on a project with Prim. It wasn't due until the end of spring break, but the girls were overachievers.

"What wrong with your foot?" Rue made room on a couch for her.

"Sprain. I went for a run."

"I'll get some ice." Prim learned a lot from their mother. Katniss would heal in no time with the young doctor-to-be at home.

Prim returned with the ice and proceeded to interrogate Kantiss.

"Did you fall?"

"I tripped over a branch. Really, who puts a branch in the middle of a side walk?"

Rue giggled. "The wind. It probably fell."

"Thanks, Rue." Katniss said sarcastically. "And it got worse, I saw Peeta there."

"Oh!" Both younger girls gasped.

"Did he save you from the branch?" Prim laughed.

"No." Katniss was embarrassed. "He helped me to a bench."

"Who brought you home, then? You left your phone." Rue was holding up Katniss's green covered android.

"He made me go get ice at his place. And I called Gale."

Prim and Rue squealed.

"How romantic! He carried you all the way to his house and nursed you back to health!" Rue cried. They laughed once more.

"I sprained my ankle. I don't remember catching a deadly disease and he did not carry me anywhere!"

"He did! You're so lucky, Katniss! The most romantic things happen to you." Prim sighed dramatically and Rue nodded enthusiastically.

"What is wrong with you two?" Katniss wondered. They were crazy fourteen year old girls. Katniss didn't recall ever behaving so oddly. Maybe they were making fun of her...

"We're the sane ones here, Kat. I have to go home, Prim. See you at school." Prim and Rue exchanged hugs.

"Okay, so what did he say?" Prim adjusted the pillow under Katniss's foot.

"He apologized. I told him I didn't care for his apologies. They're pathetic."

Prim sat on the edge of the couch. "Did he try to explain what happened?"

Katniss laughed. "What do you think? He made up some stuff about Glimmer not being so bad. I don't care about her, he's the one who lied to me!"

"Katniss, maybe he wasn't lying." Who's side was she on? "There must be a reason why he's with Glimmer. He doesn't love her like he loves you, but they're probably close. Peeta is the most chivalrous guy I know of, if she needs help, he'll be there. Kind of like how Gale would be there for you." Prim said.

Katniss refused to believe that Peeta could actually think of Glimmer as a friend. But if that was the case, then he was with her for a good reason. Was there something he wasn't telling Katniss? If so, he should be able to trust her with it. Why did he chose to lie?

"What's this reason he has? He could just tell me."

"Would Gale go around telling everyone your secrets, Katniss?" Prim asked.

No. If I asked him not to, he wouldn't. Not ever.

"Prim, stop being so smart." Katniss said. "Why is life so complicated?"

Prim patted her arm. "Don't think of it as complicated, think of it as exciting."

At fourteen, maybe. Eighteen, not so much.

Peeta won't betray Glimmer and Katniss simply won't listen to him. Darn. Thankfully, Prim is wise beyond her years. Sometimes it takes some simple logic and Prim's got it. I don't mean to insult fourteen year olds, Prim and Rue were only having some fun at Katniss's expense. They know she and Peeta are soul mates, so they observe from the sidelines and laugh at what they know is high school drama. Reviews are welcome! :)