Chapter Twenty one – Finally Caught on (KPOV)

After Peeta went home I got a very excited phone call from Madge. Once we had hung up I called Peeta. Before he can even have a chance to say anything I shout down the phone.

"Gale asked Madge!" He laughs. "Hi, to you too, and I know, I was coaching him before he went and he's here now." Shit… "Hiya Catnip!" Gale shouts. "You never told me about this Peeta. But congratulations Gale!" "Aha, thanks Catnip," he chuckles.

"Listen, we have to go now, but I'll pick you up for school tomorrow morning. I missed you today," says Peeta. "I missed you too. I was really lonely," I tell him. "Stop with the sappy apologies, I need a lift home. Peeta let's GO" I hear Gale say.

We laugh and say goodbye. Before long, I'm asleep.

"Good morning beautiful," Peeta says as I get into his car. "You're just saying that because you want a kiss." He smiles and nods. I sigh and kiss him on the cheek. I can never resist his smile.

When we get to school, I have a free period but Peeta has English so we say goodbye and reluctantly part ways.

I am reaching for the door handle of the library when I'm blind folded and dragged down the hall. Someone has their hand over my mouth to quiet my screaming. I tied to a chair before I think to bite the hand.

"Ow! You bitch!" Their palm finds my face. My cheek is throbbing. My blindfold taken off, I am greeted with an empty classroom, a red head and a blonde.

"I don't know why I ever doubted you. I thought you were just the bitching type but obviously you're just as bad as Cato." Glimmer spits at me and misses miserably. I chuckle at her attempt. "Shut it catpiss. I don't care about Cato or what he does. Just a good fuck," Finch hisses.

"Finally caught on that he's a bit of an asshole? Took me a while too." "This isn't about Cato!" Glimmer screams in frustration. It's funny, she looks as though she's going to tear her hair out and I haven't even begun to start insulting her yet.

"You need to back off Peeta," Finch tries to say calmly. "Make me you cold hearted cow." I spit in her face and succeed in making Glimmer angrier. Finch wipes the saliva from her face.

"I thought you both wanted him. Why are you working together?" I ask. "Because Finch's cause is more worthy. I just wanted a good fuck," Glimmer informs. Now I want to slap her. Hard. "You broke his heart, I mended it. Deal with it." Finch moves her face close to mine. "Stay away from him, or I'll mess up your face." I laugh. "It seems getting beat up makes up stronger. Did you know after Cato attacked him he told me he loved me? You might as well not waste your energy."

Finch nods to Glimmer and I shut my eyes, preparing for the first impact. I refuse to give them the satisfaction of seeing me hurt. Being in love has done enough to my emotions, I have to look strong, even if I'm not. When Finch first came, I was such a drama queen. I have no idea where that came from but I'm determined that no one will ever see me that venerable again.

I take the punches and slaps, one after another. When the bell goes, they run out of the room, leaving me tied to the chair. I have a bruises all across my cheeks and eyes, a busted lip and I'm pretty sure Glimmers ring cut the side of my face because I can feel a warm liquid coming from above when my nose is bleeding. I struggle to stay awake.

I hear a scream. I recognise it Annie's but I black out before I can check.

They tried to send me home but I refused since my mother would be at the hospital anyway so it wouldn't make a difference whether I was a in the nurses office or in my bedroom.

I walk up to our table and everyone stares at me. "Don't look at me like that. I don't need your pity," I snap. They all look startled. This is the first time my walls have come up in a long time. I never should have let them down. It's those damn blue eyes.

I sit down and lay my head on the table, but I can still feel Peeta's eyes on me. "Don't- don't look at me. I'm so ugly" "You can never be ugly. You're the most beautiful girl I know. Always will be." He takes hold of my hand and kisses it lightly before planting another on my cheek.

Finch and Glimmer are scowling at me. I feel a hand on my shoulder. "Show them what you're made of." I watch the figure walk hesitantly to the other two. Another confusing gesture from Clove.

I stand up. "Yes I'm still here! You can fuck up my face but I'm stronger than you," I yell across the cafeteria, letting everyone know that they were the ones that did this to me. Finch steps forward.

"I would have thought you'd be under a bridge by now, you're ugly enough Troll," she spits. Glimmer laughs exaggeratedly. "Great come back," I say sarcastically. "Would you like to let me know actually how much make up you put on in the morning?" Okay, that was a cheap shot but it got a few 'oohs' from the crowd.

She stares at me, speechless. I smirk. "Now run along, I'm sure Cato's tongue is lonely." She huffs, flips her hair and struts out of the cafeteria with what's left of her pride. Glimmer scurries after her and Clove gives me a nod before trundling behind.

I sit back down. Everyone's jaws have dropped. "That was incredible Catnip!" I bow my head. "How did you find the courage to do that?!" I hold the mockingjay necklace Peeta gave me and I smile.

"Hope," everyone looks at me confused. "It's the only thing stronger than fear. By giving Finch the slightest bit of hope that she will get her way makes her more terrified than ever because there are the odds that she won't actually get it."

Everyone smiles and congratulates me. I've got my confidence back.