I'm back!
I hope you'll forgive me how long it took me to post another chapter. Let me tell you that this is the longest chapter I have ever written! 18 pages =D Well I hope you won't be dissappointed when I tell you that most of it is not about our main characters. Since Katniss and Peeta and all their friends are extra busy with studying for their graduate tests, this chapter is focused on someone else. But let me tell you that it's definitely one of my favorites =) I found out, that I just love to write fluffy chapters =D Especially about first kisses, first dates and first falling in love. =)
Well I hope you'll enjoy it. There will be probably one or two more chapters and epilogue... =)
Chapter 25: End Of One Chapter
It's beginning of May and right now I'm lying in Peeta's comfortable bed in the bakery. And I'm sure you think Peeta's there with me and we're having nice time together. Well as amazing as it sounds to be in Peeta's bed, today we're not fooling around. To be honest it's pretty long since we have spent more time in his bed not fooling around than doing so. I'm in his bed, yes, but surrounded by text books, huge number of papers and notebooks.
I guess it's about a month now since I started to freak out about the graduation tests and Peeta has suggested we study together in our free time, using their loft. And so we started. Sometimes we were in the living room, sometimes we ended up in Peeta's bedroom and sometimes we end up separately, because I'm extra nervous, he's making fun of everything and it just pisses me off. He (and everyone else) thinks that I take it so seriously because I'm a nerd and I can't handle having worse grades. His only concern is to pass the tests he doesn't care about the grades. Well I've been working hard in high school all the time, having the best grades I could and right now I know, that I could graduate with honors if I try really hard. And that's my aim. Not that I would like to go to college or anything, but graduating with honors really is an honor. I want my family and friends to be proud of me at least in high school when I'm not going to college.
At first I thought it wouldn't work and we would distract each other too much, but it works. We study together, we explain things we don't understand, we examine each other in different subjects... Okay I admit that sometimes, it turns into study break spent by fooling around, but to be honest that's not so often because we know Jacob is downstairs and he got used to checking on us from time to time. When we're fed up with studying, we go downstairs to help in the bakery for a while. Peeta does this more often than me.
Today is obviously one of my worse days. We're studying biology, specifically basics of genetics, which is quite a complicated thing and Peeta obviously doesn't care about it as much as I do. And when he made his third joke, I lost my nerves.
"You know what?" I asked angrily "I'm done with you! I'm going to your bedroom and you leave me alone!" I yelled and shut the door behind me so hard that they had to hear it even downstairs.
Peeta knows me too well to try to comfort me in this state. We've gone through that already and it didn't end up well. So he took my advice and leaves me alone. I took my phone, put the headphones into my ears and put on some calm piano music. Listening to instrumental music really helps me to shut down the world around me and focus on studying.
So right now, I'm sprawled out on Peeta's bed in a weird position (because when you study for three hours, after such a long time, you just can't be in a normal position any more), I'm lying on my back, holding the textbook over my head and trying to remember all the rules of genetics. But in a while, I realize that I really am extra tired. My head feels woozier and I don't have any idea what I'm reading in the book.
After a while, my hands give up, the textbook lands on my chest and I tell myself, that I will close my eyes just for five minutes. Just so they could rest from reading for a while. And then because I feel a little chilly, I pull Peeta's blanket over my body. It smells so beautifully. Like everything else in a bakery. I will rest, just for five minutes and then I'll go back to genetics. I remember that I ended up in the chapter about inheriting genes. There was an example about the hair color of rabbits or something...
Well I'm woken up an hour and half later when I feel a tender hand stroking my hair. I know I should wake up and go back to studying, but I don't feel like doing that. So I just turn around, shoving the textbook down from my chest, I cuddle to the soft warm blanket and I move closer to the tender hand in my hair. I hear a soft laugh in response.
"Hello, Sleeping Beauty." he says and a soft kiss lands on my cheek which makes my lips curve into a sleepy smile. I only hum in response. I think I'll spend this night in here. I don't feel like waking up and going home.
"Are you getting up?" he asks.
"I don't think so." I yawn. "I think I'll stay here until morning." I mumble with still closed eyes.
"Oh, come on, it's just four in the afternoon. So many hours of studying in front of us!" he says with an excited voice, probably imitating my enthusiasm about studying.
"Shut up." I mumble and pull his blanket closer to my chin. He chuckles softly.
"Where is that eager girl, who wants to know every little bit of information until our graduation test?" he asks.
"She's still asleep." I mumble "And if you wake that monster up, you know it won't be good." I say. Now he really loughs out loud.
"Okay, okay." he says between his laugh. "You should really wake up though. I brought you something good." he smiles his sweet smile and pulls out a cute cupcake. White frosting and a tempting strawberry on top.
"Hmm, I love strawberries." I smile and extend my hand to get the cupcake. But Peeta stands up and moves out of my reach.
"Hey!" I protest sleepily.
"If you want this delicious cupcake and more, you have to come out of that bed." he smirks and I just growl in annoyance.
"Come kitty, kitty." he says in a honey voice and that irritates me even more. I jump out of the bed with a killing glare.
"You're gonna pay for this! You know I hate when people call me Kitty!" I say and he just laughs.
"Seems like I'm in trouble." he says. He doesn't say it like he's afraid though. He says it with a provocative smirk and runs out of the room. I follow him and he's just able to put the cupcake down before I force him on the couch and pin him down.
"Soooo." I purr and give him a hard look. "You think you can play with me like I'm some little cute kitty?" I ask.
"Well you looked like a little kitty, wrapped in that soft blanket and purring happily." he says and doesn't break our eye contact.
"But now I see, you're more like a lioness." he adds and the corners of his lips twitch up.
"Good." I say and smirk. "Remember that next time then." I release him, sit down and take the cupcake. Peeta though doesn't care about food right now. He leans closer to me so his lips are by my ear.
"You know you're damn sexy when you're angry?" he whispers in that sexy low voice of his. And just like every time since the first time he did this, goosebumps erupt on my neck and I shiver. I turn my head only slightly to the left and the only thing I can see are blue eyes. And they are sparkling happily which makes me smile. I lean towards his ear.
"You know, when you whisper into my ear like this, it still makes me shiver." I whisper into his ear, lightly teasingly touching his earlobe with my lips. I can see goosebumps on his neck, I can see how he closes his eyes and I can see how his breath hitches. It's kind of satisfying to know I have such a power over him.
"I know what you mean." he breathes out and smiles slightly. We start to kiss slowly and softly, but he breaks it after a while.
"Katniss you know we can't right now." he says sadly as he leans his forehead against mine.
"I know." I say. Unfortunately, my period started three days ago so we can't do much. I can still satisfy him, but he doesn't like it since he can't make me happy too. So we just cuddle for a while and eat the snack he brought. There are some cheese buns, cupcakes and some doughnuts. I suggest we go down and help Dave and Hilly for a while since Jacob had to go away, but he stops me.
"We can't go there right now." Peeta says.
"Why not?" I ask confused.
"Because there is something happening and we shouldn't interrupt it." he says and winks at me.
"What?!" I ask confused.
"Well, I advised Dave that since he's playing guitar and singing pretty well..."
"How do you know that?" I interrupt him.
"I've seen him in a worship group in the church." he says "Well I advised him to sing her a song. Like I did in the end of last year."
"Oh man, you think that will work on Hilly?" I ask.
"It worked on you." he smiles.
"Hmm... I don't know. I just hope he won't make it even worse." I say.
"Nah." Peeta says and puts his arm around my shoulders. "He'll be okay. I bet they're kissing right now." he winks at me and I smile.
And so we remain upstairs and after we finish our snack, we come back to studying. But this time we take it more lightly. It's more like cuddling on a couch, with a textbook in my hands and him distracting me playfully with his lips on my earlobe.
Hilly's POV (aka "let's see what's happening downstairs =D" )
When Peeta goes upstairs again with snack for Katniss, we remain silent while Dave is making dough and I am cleaning up after frosting cupcakes. I don't know why, but during last few months I think we grew closer with Dave. He kept his word and tried to keep his embarrassing nicknames in. Usually he uses Sunshine for me. But occasionally, he changes it into Nightingale or Beautiful. It's strange. I don't know why would he call me beautiful. I'm nothing special and most people think my blue hair is a little... Well weird.
"Would you mind a little bit of music?" Dave asks and when I shake my head. He turns the radio on.
There just starts this song Timber sang by Pitbull and Kesha. It's has a really good beat and just from the beginning I secretly watch Dave. At first, for the first few seconds he just taps his leg in a beat. He just finishes the dough and puts it away to rest. As he does that I can't miss how he moves his hips in rhythm and hums with the song. His moves make me snicker secretly. He's so crazy sometimes. And then he takes a broom and decides to help me. Or at least I think that until he starts dancing crazily with the broom. I can't hold it anymore and I laugh out loud.
He gives me one wicked smile as he dances towards me. He puts the broom away and before I can react, he grabs my hand and pulls me into his crazy dance.
"I can't dance!" I protest but he won't let go of my hand.
"Let's just dance crazily!" He laughs "It's only you and me and I won't tell anyone." he smiles, winks at me and before I can say anything else, he twirls me around. And so I eventually give up and let myself dance crazily with him. Honestly, it makes me laugh and it makes me feel happy when we laugh together. In the end, he kind of hugs me and spins around with me until my legs are off the ground. Without realizing it, I lock my arms around his neck tightly and I laugh. Finally he puts me down, but instead of putting me on the solid ground, he sits me on the metal worktable. I'm still smiling widely, when he looks me in the eyes and winks cheesily.
"You see? You can dance." he says.
"Yeah, everybody can dance, but the important thing is how." I point out.
"There's nothing bad on dancing crazily. I don't like boring people, I like crazy." he smiles as another song starts playing in the radio. I just shake my head amused as he notices the song and smiles.
"Ohh, this is a good one. Listen to the lyrics carefully, they are so true." he smiles and starts singing with the song, looking into my eyes intently.
Her eyes, her eyes
Make the stars look like they're not shining
Her hair, her hair
Falls perfectly without her trying (He trails his hand through my hair and leaves a flour track in there)
She's so beautiful
And I tell it every day (he gives me a sweet smile)
I know, I know
When I compliment her
She won't believe me
And it's so, it's so
Sad to think she don't see what I see
But every time she asks me do I look okay
I say (he puts his hand against my cheek in a tender gesture).
When I see your face
There's not a thing that I would change
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are.
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for a while
Cause girl you're amazing
Just the way you are. (I can't stop the feeling, that he's singing this song for me. That he means the words. But how could he? I'm not beautiful. Not at all as beautiful as the girl in the music video).
Her lips, her lips (he softly trails his thumb against my lip and I feel shivers around my body)
I could kiss them all day if she'd let me.
Her laugh, her laugh
she hates but I think it's so sexy.
She's so beautiful
And I tell it every day
Oh you know, you know, you know
I'd never ask you to change.
If perfect is what you're searching for
Then just stay the same.
So don't even bother asking
If you look okay, You know I say
When I see your face,
There's not a thing that I would change.
Cause you're amazing
Just the way you are.
And when you smile,
The whole world stops and stares for a while.
Cause girl you're amazing,
Just the way you are.
The way you are
The way you are
Girl you're amazing
Just the way you are (he stands right in front of me, and he takes my hand into his softly, staring at me intently and singing very quietly. Almost like a whisper. Like it is meant just for me.)
When I see your face,
There's not a thing that I would change.
Cause you're amazing,
Just the way you are.
And when you smile, (he smiles slightly)
The whole world stops and stares for a while.
Cause girl you're amazing,
Just the way you are.(in the end he kisses my hand softly and lets go of it)
Now I'm absolutely confused. He's just standing there, piercing his eyes into mine. Those deep dark brown eyes. It makes me feel like he can see into my mind and read what I'm thinking about. Or at least he wants to. Which is confirmed, when he speaks up.
"What are you thinking about?" he asks without looking away. He's too close to my comfort.
"I-I..." I hesitate. "I'm thinking that one day some girl will be really happy when you sing this to her." I say and look down. It makes me feel weird to talk about this topic. Or annoyed? I can't exactly name it. "When you find the right one." I add and smile up at him weakly. I would like to end this uncomfortable conversation as quick as possible. He just snickers like he amused and shakes his head.
"I already found her and gave my heart to her." he tells me.
"You did?" I ask surprised. I have never seen him with a girlfriend. "What is she like?"
"Ohh, she's amazing." he says with a dreamy smile. "She's just so different from other girls. She's beautiful, smart and so special. I really like her. The only problem is she doesn't know about it. She's not aware that she has my heart in her hands." he says a little sadly in the end.
"Well then you should tell her." I say a little irritated. Why did we even start with this conversation? And why do I feel so irritated with it?
"I'm trying." he smiles "but she won't listen to me."
"Why would she not listen to you, when you are telling her you like her?" I ask confused. Every girl should be happy if Dave would like her. He's a great guy.
"She doesn't believe it could be true." he says softly. I frown. That must be a weird girl. Why would she not believe that someone likes her?
"Well I don't know why are you even telling me." I shake my head wanting to stop talking about this. "You should tell her." I say. I would like to go down from the table and do something to stop this conversation, but he won't let me. He steps even closer and places his hands on the table on both sides of my body, making me stay where I am. I look up at him frowning in annoyance.
"I'm trying to tell her. Really hard." he whispers "Like… right now."
"What do you mean, right now?" I ask confused "It's just us in here."
"Exactly." he says and gives me an emphatic look.
This totally confuses me, until it finally clicks in my head. He means me! No, he can't be meaning me. He can't like me! But as my eyes widen with realization, he sees it, smiles shyly and a slight blush comes to his face. Which kind of confirms the theory…
"So you get it?" he asks softly.
"No." I say and shake my head. "It can't be me. I have never met a boy who would like me like this. They're always just friends." I say.
"Well I do." he says with a smile.
"You do what?" I ask.
"I like you." he says.
I don't know what to say. I can't speak. I can't even breathe. It's like I froze, staring into his eyes in disbelief. I'm not that beautiful, smart and special girl he was talking about. I'm sure I'm not the one who has his heart in her hands. I can't be!
"The girl I was singing about, the girl I talked about... It's you." he says, he grabs one of my hands and holds it in both of his, while he still stares into my eyes. I don't know what to say. I just feel my cheeks getting red and I look down at my feet hanging in the air. I don't know what to do in this situation. I have never been in one.
"Why?" I ask the silliest question which comes to my mind. "I'm not very beautiful or special..." I start but he won't let me finish.
"I disagree." he says with a sweet smile.
"But you could have anyone else." I say still disbelieving. "Why of all beautiful girls in the world you would chose me?!"
"Because you're just different than other girls. I don't want other girls. I want you." he says with that sweet smile again.
"I don't know what to say to that Dave." I say nervously. I look down and fiddle with my T-shirt.
"Look, I know you're probably confused and this is sudden. To be honest I don't know what in the world I am doing right now. I have never done this either. I understand that you'll need time, but could you just give me a chance?" he begs with puppy eyes.
"Dave I... I..." I don't know what to say.
"Please Hilly, I've been wanting to tell you for so long! I've been watching you since I first met you and I just really like you. I promise I'll not hurt you in any way. And I won't force you into anything if you don't want it or don't like it." he says.
"But why?!" I ask almost angrily.
"I don't know why!" he answers with same frustration "I just know how I feel about you." I'm so confused by this.
"But there is so many other beautiful girls." I protest.
"No, you're much more beautiful than any other girl I've ever seen." he says. This makes me blush terribly so I look down. "You're just so busy being you, that you don't realize how utterly unprecedented you are." he smiles at me. "I like how original you are, Hilly. You don't want to look like girls from magazines, you don't want to be like celebrities. You just want to be you. And that's what I like about you so much. I'm just the same. I want to be me and not some average teenager boy with things that are cool right now." he smiles.
"Look, I'm not asking you to be my girlfriend." he says "Yet." he smirks.
"I'm just asking you for a chance. One date. That's all I want for now." he says and begs me with his eyes. My hands start to shake with anxiety. "Then you can decide if you want another one or not. It doesn't have to be anything fancy. We can just go and see some movie or just go for a walk in a park or whatever you would like to do.
"I d-don't know h-how..." I stammer out.
"How what?" he asks confused.
"How to date!" I say frustrated. "I have never had a boyfriend! I don't know anything about relationships with boys. No boy has ever asked me to a date... I have never even been kissed!" I say and only then I realized that I didn't want him to know.
"What?!" he asks in shock "No one has ever asked you to a date? No one kissed you? Ever?!" he seems surprised. I don't know why.
"No... Who do you think would like to kiss me?!" I ask a little irritated.
"Me." he says factually "In a heartbeat." he adds softly and only now I realize how close we are again. And speaking of heartbeat, mine has raised up like crazy. It feels like my heart wants to jump out of my chest. I'm sure he has to feel it.
His hand touches mine which is resting next to my leg. He places his hand over mine and I feel strange feeling in my stomach. Like flying butterflies. It's something I have never felt before. I feel extra nervous. I want to run away, but in the same moment I'm glued to the spot and I can't tear my eyes away from his.
"Can I?" he asks shyly.
"Can you what?" I ask a little confused.
"Kiss you." He says and a slight blush comes to his cheeks.
I didn't think it is even possible but my heart speeds up again. I can feel it hammering against my chest and I can't breathe properly. I'm not sure if I won't faint from the lack of oxygen in my body soon. I don't know what to say so I just shrug and look down. But as he leans closer to me with sparkling eyes and shy smile, I move away a little totally panicked.
"I don't know how to kiss." I say embarrassed.
"I don't know either." he says, which surprises me. I always thought he had a lot of girls with his charming manners.
"But that doesn't mean we can't do it." he whispers with a sweet smile and one of his hands lands on my cheek again, forcing me to look at him. "Though we can always practice if you want." he jokes with a crooked smile. I close my eyes for a moment trying to calm down, but it's impossible as I feel his warm breath on my face. When I open my eyes and see his lips so close to mine I panic again.
"We shouldn't do this." I shake my head slightly and look him in the eyes.
"Why not?" he asks. Unfortunately, I can't think about an excuse. Probably because I can't think at all right now.
"Scared that you might actually like it?" he asks and smirks. I give him an irritated look.
"No." I say "It's just... We're at work. It's… it's not right."
"No one will know. We're alone." he says.
"But what if..." I start.
"Hilly." he says.
"I don't think..." but again he interrupts me. He places his finger on my lips softly. The touch shuts me up immediately. He leans closer, puts his hand on my cheek again and whispers into my ear.
"Stop thinking so much. Just calm down." he whispers.
For some reason I shiver again. I guess it's his beautiful melodic voice so close to my ear that makes me shiver. Beautiful melodic voice?! What's wrong with you, Hillary Turner?! I really try, but it's impossible to calm down. His actions made my heart beat even more and the only thing I can do to calm down is close my eyes tightly and take a deep breath.
And then it happens.
"Just come here..." he whispers so softly that I hardly hear it.
His hand slides from my cheek to the back of my neck, diving into my long hair and pulling me softly closer. And before I can protest or do anything else, his lips touch mine. He presses them against mine softly and I just sit there frozen, shocked and totally scared. What am I doing?! Why am I allowing this?! What do I do now? How do you kiss a boy?!"
But after the first shocking second, I find out, that my lips move, without me even knowing it. They move like as if they have their own mind. Moving in perfect unity with Dave's soft and warm lips almost hungrily (by the way they taste like vanilla cream. I bet he tasted some when I was not looking). And my mind is just empty. I would like to think about what's happening. To analyze it somehow, but the feelings are so overwhelming, that I just can't think.
The kiss feels like eternity and yet it feels too short when his lips abandon mine. But before I can do anything else, they come back one... two... three times in three soft sweet little kisses. Like he thinks he will never get to kiss me again and he wants to remember how it felt. Then he pulls away, but I still keep my eyes closed. I feel his forehead leaning against mine and I feel his warm breath against my lips.
And only then my brain finally restarts again. David Clark just kissed me! He gave me my first kiss ever! And as I realize that I start to feel anxious. What if he didn't like it? What if I did it wrong? What if he changes mind about me now?! The silence which is hovering between us is not helping my anxiety so I break it.
"David?" I say softly.
"Hillary?" he says softly.
"D-did I do it right?" I whisper, my voice shaking with breaths. "Did it feel nice?" As soon as I ask I feel like an idiot, blush and look down.
"I don't know if you did it right." he says at first "But it felt amazing. Million times better than in my dreams." he smiles at me, his forehead is still leaning against mine so his deep brown eyes are the only thing I can see now.
"What about you?" he asks.
"What about me?"
"Did you like it?" he asks and I can see concern in his eyes.
"I-i did." I whisper so softly that I doubt if he heard it.
"Okay." he says and smiles "I'm glad about that."
"Why?"
"Because I definitely want to do it again in the future." he smiles happily and pulls away a little. I just shake my head, but my lips curve into a smile. I don't know why. I just can't get it away.
"Did you eat vanilla cream, when I was not looking?" I ask suspiciously.
"What?! How do you know?" he asks shocked. "Do you read my mind or what?!"
"As much as I would like to have the superpower of reading minds…" I say with a smirk. "No, I don't." I say.
"How do you know then?" he asks. Suddenly I blush, feeling embarrassed. I shouldn't tell him, but there is no coming back now.
"Your lips kind of tasted like it." I whisper, my cheeks burning.
"Oh…" he says and blushes too. "Well good for me huh?" he smirks after a while. "Not many people can say that their first kiss tasted like vanilla cream." He says and I chuckle softly.
"So..." he smiles at me again. "Will you give me a chance? One date?" he asks, sounding hopeful. I hesitate for a moment.
"Pleaseee." he says with puppy eyes. "I promise we can do whatever you want. We don't have to go for a fancy dinner and do all those things you should do on the first date. We can just have a walk in a park, or picnic or we can see a movie, we can just walk your dog or..."
"Dave." I interrupt his babbling.
"What?" he looks up at me and I can see a little bit of fear in his eyes. Fear, that I will say no.
"Okay." is the only thing I say.
"Okay what?" he asks confused.
"Okay, I'll go on a date with you." I add and smile slightly.
"Really?!" he asks unbelieving.
"Yeah." I say and blush a little when he's staring at me so intently.
"Oh man, you said okay!" he exclaims happily. Once again, he puts his arms around me, he pulls me down from the table and spins me around with a happy laugh. I can't help than laugh with him. When he puts me down, he runs to the window, he opens it and yells on the top of his lungs.
"She said okaaaaay!" I can't help than laugh over his happiness and suddenly someone from the houses which are near answers him.
"Who cares?!"
"I do!" Dave yells back and shuts the window closed again. I'm laughing when he comes to me again.
"Thanks." he smiles at me softly.
"Don't freak out too much, I agreed to go one one date with you. That doesn't mean that we will continue in it." I warn him.
"Well, we'll see." he smiles.
In a while, Peeta and Katniss come down and we just finish cleaning and they promise to close the bakery in an hour, so we can both go home. We say goodbye and we walk out. I intend to head home alone, but Dave accompanies me.
"Can I walk you home?" he asks. I look at him suspiciously.
"Is this that date you were talking about?" I ask.
"No." he smiles "I just don't want you to go alone and besides my car is being repaired so I have to walk too." he says.
"Okay." I say and starts in direction of my home. For a while we walk in a comfortable silence. But than our hands brush against each other slightly and to be honest it's like electric shock for me. By the look he gives me, it feels the same for him. We move a little further from each other and the silence becomes weird. Luckily we reached my house so we will probably say goodbye in here. We stop and I smile at him.
"Thanks for walking me home."
"My pleasure." he smiles "So, are you free for our date tomorrow?" he asks eagerly.
"Patience, grasshopper," I counseled. "You don't want to seem overeager."
"Right, that's why I said tomorrow," he said. "I want to see you again tonight. But I'm willing to wait all night and much of tomorrow." I rolled my eyes with a smile.
"I'm serious," he said.
"I can't go tomorrow, I'm going to visit my friend who's in hospital tomorrow." I say.
"What about Friday afternoon then?" he asks.
"Well..." I say and think about my plans. "I don't think I have anything important on Friday afternoon." I say and a big smile appears on his face.
"Friday it is than." he says happily. "What would you like to do?" he asks.
"I don't know." I say "Whatever you choose." I smile. "We could just have a walk or a movie, I would really prefer something calm than going into crowded restaurant or something like that."
"Okay, I'll think about something." he smiles. That nervous but on the other hand exciting silence falls between us. And I admit I think about that kiss again. Should I kiss him goodbye?
"Than see you tomorrow Sunshine." he smiles and heads towards his home.
"See you tomorrow." I smile and head home. I won't deny that I was thinking about him a lot for the rest of the day. Especially about his lips on mine.
The next day we worked together with Jacob in the morning and in the afternoon Peeta and Katniss joined us as usual. They've been helping us for a while and then they went upstairs to study when the rush hour was over. Friday was pretty same.
The only difference was the atmosphere between me and David. I can't help than glance up at him from time to time. And I find out, that every time, there is something on him that is interesting for me. His genuine smile when our eyes meet, the way his hair fall into his eyes because it's too long. The way his strong muscular arms move as he kneads the dough. The way his muscles move under his white t-shirt... Wait, what?! What were you just looking at?! As I realize it I blush and look down at the cupcakes I've been decorating for ten minutes now. Usually I'm able to decorate a tray of cupcakes in five minutes, not ten. I frown as I realize how much he distracts me. As the end of the shift comes closer I become more and more nervous. What will I do?! I have a date today and I don't even know what to wear! I decide to ask Katniss for help.
"Katniss could we talk for a moment?" I ask nervously.
"Of course." she says. She looks tired.
"I know you have a lot of studying, but wouldn't you welcome a little break?" I ask.
"What do you mean?"
"I need your help." I say desperately. "Dave asked me to a date. And I said yes. And it is today. And I have no idea what to wear, what to do or how to behave..." I say hopelessly. "I have never dated before."
"Oh, you ask me for a help?" she smiles slightly. "I don't know if I'm the best person, but I'll happily help you." she smiles.
"Thanks!" I say happily and I even hug her.
"So we could take Peeta's car and go to your place. And when we're done I'll go back in here." she says.
"Okay." I smile.
"Peeta!" she calls into the kitchen "I'm borrowing your car, I'm going to help Hilly with something! I think I'll be back within two hours okay?"
"Whatever!" Peeta calls back "Just drive safe!" he adds.
"You know me." Katniss says "I drive under the limit all the time and I let people drive through the crossroad first all the time." she laughs.
"Okay let's go." she smiles at me. I give her a nervous smile back. I'm silent through the ride and I fiddle with the hem of my t-shirt. Why did I agree to this date again?! When we arrive, I just tell mum about Katniss and we go upstairs into my room.
"So what should I help you with?" Katniss asks.
"Everything." I say kind of desperately. She laughs, probably at how scared do I look.
"Look it's not such a big deal." she says. "It seems scary, but it'll be a beautiful memory, you'll see." she smiles at me encouragingly.
"But what if I mess it up and he won't like me any more?!" I ask desperately. She just laughs.
"It's funny that you have exactly the same thoughts I had before my first date with Peeta." she smiles. "I'll tell you the same thing my mum told me to calm me down. And let me tell you that it is absolute truth." I sit down on my bed, take a deep breath to calm down and listen to whatever she wants to tell me.
"It doesn't matter where do you go, what do you say or what do you do. If he really likes you, he will love whatever you do. Just because you are doing it together." she says and smiles. "And it really was like that." she says "On our first date Peeta said 'I love whatever we do together' "
"Are you sure?" I ask nervously.
"I am. And you shouldn't worry about what to wear. Another wise quote of my mum says 'It doesn't matter what you wear. He always says that you are beautiful'" she says and smiles.
"Well I'm not exactly ugly, but I'm not very beautiful either." I whine remembering all the little things I don't like about myself.
"Hilly, I doubt Dave cares about what you think. For him you are beautiful." she says.
"How do you know?" I ask.
"He told me."
"When?"
"You remember that day you found out that your granny had a stroke? You were arguing and as you were talking to your mum I was talking to Dave. Do you want to know what he said?" she asks. I just nod.
"I told him to give you a break, but he said he can't help than looking at you. That you are so beautiful he can't help. He said you look so cute when your hair falls over your eyes as you decorate the cupcakes. He said he always wants to extend his arm and brush it behind your ear." she says and I'm really shocked by those words. Could really someone like me this much?! Could he really like the way my hair fall over my eyes even though it makes me crazy?
"Really?" is the only word I'm able to say.
"Really" she says. She sits next to me and puts her arm around me. "Trust me Hilly, he likes you a lot. They way he looks at you, the way he cared about you when you found out about your granny, they way he talks about you... It's obvious that he fell head over his heels for you." she smiles.
"What about you?" she asks.
"I'm not sure." I admit. "He's really kind. And he is handsome." I consider.
"And how does he kiss?" Katniss asks with a smirk.
"What?!" I ask in shock.
"I know he kissed you." she laughs "Sooo... How did it feel?"
"It was not bad." I smile and blush at the same time.
"Good." she smiles. "So let's find something to wear." she says and opens my wardrobe.
"I should wear something nice." I say nervously "Maybe a dress? Or skirt?"
"Well you should wear something nice, but it should be also comfortable." she points out. "So do you feel comfortable in dress or skirt?" she asks.
"Not much." I admit. "I mean, I don't like dresses much, but I can survive skirts. Sometimes I wear them for church."
"Well another question is, what will you do?" she asks
"I have no idea." I say.
"Okay, let's find out." she smiles and takes out her phone.
"What are you doing?!" I ask in dread. She just hushes me and I have no chance before she start talking to someone and I dread it's Dave.
"Hey!" she says "Look, I'm at Hilly's and we're deciding what she should wear. I just wanted to know, what will you do? You know sometimes you plan something where you can't wear skirt or dress. For example Peeta took me horse riding on our first date and he told me not to take skirt." she says and I fall into my bed, hiding my scared face in a pillow. How can she do this and be so calm?!
"Okay, I promise I won't tell her." she says. That gets my attention and I look up at her.
"Uuu nice." she smiles. "Oh, that's cute." she adds. "Oh, of course." she laughs "Okay, thanks." she smiles and hangs up.
"Why did you do that?" I ask her.
"To find out what will you do and to be honest I'm sure it will be pretty amazing date." she smirks.
"Where will we go?" I ask.
"I can't tell you." she smirks.
"Pleeeeaaase." I whine.
"No." she says strictly.
After half an hour, we settled on dark jeans. I have a dark purple long sleeve t-shirt and above it a nice waist tank top which is white and has dark blue and purple butterflies all over it. It fits nicely with the dark blue jeans. I put the long sleeved t-shirt under it because it's a little bit colder outside and I don't want to take a sweatshirt. At exactly 5 p.m. there is a knock on our door and I look at Katniss desperately.
"Go on." she whispers and smiles.
And so I do. I open the door and there he is. He's wearing dark blue jeans and green checkered button up shirt with long sleeves which are rolled towards his elbow. I must admit he's striking. Standing with that perfect shiny smile of his, leaning against the door frame with a little flower bouquet made of daisies. He didn't buy them though. It looks like he picked it on his way. A smile creeps up my face and I blush a little.
"For you my beautiful lady." he smiles and hands me the flowers. I mumble something about putting them into water so I run up into my bedroom to put them in the vase. As I do I hear Katniss calling bye so I call bye and thanks back. I take few deep breathes before I go back down, where Dave is still patiently waiting.
"So..." I say nervously.
"So?" he smiles at me.
"Shouldn't we go?" I ask.
"Yes we should." he smiles and let's me go first as a true gentleman.
We go into his car and he drives into the center of the town soon I find out, that we're heading into the Butterfly Park in the center of the town. It's the biggest park in our town and it's very well known because there are special plants that attract a lot of butterflies of different species so there is always a beautiful walk around.
"So you choose the walk in the park?" I smile looking at him.
"Yes." he smiles. "That's the first part."
"First part?" I ask. "There will be more?"
"Prepare yourself for an unforgettable afternoon and evening, Miss Turner." he smiles and winks at me. I just snicker over his speaking.
As we slowly walk through the park admiring the beauty around us, our hands brush against each other again. We both look at each other nervously, but this time we don't move away. This time a shy smile spreads over his face together with a light pink blush as he softly grabs my hand with his and he waves our fingers together. As he does that my heart skips not just one beat but at least ten. My cheeks feel warmer and my heart beats like crazy for the next few minutes as I realize that he's holding my hand. Softly in the beginning, but than he becomes braver I guess and he holds me securely, swinging our hands between us slightly which makes me smile. Every time I think I got used to it, he runs his thumb over my skin softly and my heart skips a beat again.
I was scared, that we will have nothing to talk about and there will be that awkward silence again. But it's not. We talk all the time and I find it really easy to talk to him. We know each other already so it's easier. Half the way through the park we sit on a bench for a while. For a while we just sit in silence. I can see a strange dreamy look on his face and I would love to know what is he thinking about.
"Penny for your thoughts." I smile. He smiles back at me.
"I was just thinking how much I want to kiss you again." he whispers into my ear. My body responds with an uncontrollable shiver. I blush and look down with a shy smile. Should I let him do that again?
"People say, that when women is silent it means yes." he whispers. I look up and find out his face is only inches from mine. Those deep brown eyes of his are piercing me with an intent look. It is full of some emotion. Could it really be love?
"Go ahead." I whisper and a shy smile still plays on my lips as they connect with his and my eyes flutter closed.
It's soft and sweet and I can't make myself to stop. It's a series of soft kisses actually. After some time I lost count. And then I feel his tongue stroke my lips softly and the open without my permission and then our tongues move together and as soon as I realize it I pull away, breathing heavily.
"I'm sorry." he says scared. "Was it too much?"
"No..." I say still breathing heavily. "It's just..." I stop myself before I say it.
"What is it?" he asks.
"Well you know I believe in God, I live in a christian family..." I say.
"I think I know that. You happen to attend the same church I do." he smiles and I snicker.
"I know... So... I don't want to go too fast." I say and blush a little. "You know I believe that God made some things between men and women to be done after marriage." I say and blush even worse.
"You mean sex?" he asks. I hate him for saying it out loud, because the old couple which was passing us turns around and look at us with shocked faces.
"Oh yell that word again, I think that dog on the other side of the park didn't hear you well." I say.
"Sorry." he chuckles.
"Well, Hilly. Don't you think I'm a christian too?" he asks.
"I know, but you're a man. It's different for you." I say.
"Oh yes, just because I'm a man I must be a sex needing beast which just wants to get laid, don't I?" he asks me.
"I didn't mean it like that." I say a little annoyed.
"I just..." I start but I don't know what to say.
"Hilly I also want to be faithful to God's word." he says and gives me a serious look. "Even though it will be probably more difficult for me than you, I want to save sex for my wife." he says and I can see that he really means it. "I want to go slow too." he smiles. "I promise I won't do anything you wouldn't like." he says and smiles.
"Okay." I smile back and surprise even myself when I lean in and reward him with a soft kiss on his lips. He smiles and we continue in our walk until we reach a very special place. I have absolutely forgot that there is something like this in our town! There is a huge white screen and I realize it is an open air cinema. Dave leads me towards a huge oak tree and we sit down and lean against the tree trunk. He takes down his backpack and takes out some food, some cupcakes and a sparkling grape juice.
"Seems like someone has been planing to do as many cheesy things as possible." I smirk and Dave chuckles.
"Well I thought you could like this." he smiles.
"What movie are they playing?" I ask.
"A romantic one." he whispers with seductive voice and he gives me a wink.
"And it's name is?"
"The fault in our stars." he smiles.
"Oh, man, I've read that as a book... I don't know if I'm ready to see it." I say scared. I really loved the book, but the tragic end almost killed me.
"Don't worry, I'm ready." he smiles and takes out a box of tissues which makes me laugh.
"You really are thinking of everything." I say.
"I am." he smiles. "I wanted this to be perfect."
"And perfect it is." I smile and kiss his cheek softly. To my surprise he blushes lightly.
In a few minutes the movie starts and we become silent. As the evening comes, the air is quite chilly and I slowly scoot closer to the warmth of Dave's body. Eventually my head rests on his shoulder while he encircles my body with his strong arm. It makes my heart beat quite faster. After some time he takes out a blanket and he wraps it around us as I sit between his legs, lean against his chest and he puts his arms around me.
As Augustus in a movie tells Hazel, that he's dying I can't stop my tears from falling. I can feel how Dave took a few deep breathes and I suspect him from trying to hold his tears in too. As Augustus gets worse, I sniff and Dave hands me the box of tissues with a sad knowing smile. I can feel how he tightens his hug as I blow my nose.
As Augustus finally dies and poor Hazel cries desperately in her bed, I can't help then cry too. I try to keep my sobs quiet as I feel Dave's arms tighten around me comfortingly. When I look up into his face, I see, that tears are streaming down his face too. I lean against his chest and I can feel his heartbeat. We watch the rest of the movie in silence when the credits start I close my eyes and take a deep breath. I feel so warm and so safe that I don't feel like going out of this embrace.
"So how did you like it?" he asks after a while. I open my eyes and tilt my head back a little to look at him.
"It was traumatic as hell, but it was beautiful." I smile.
"Well at least you knew what will happen when you read the book. I had no idea." he says and wipes the rest of his tears. I just smile.
"Yeah..." I say "You know I really like some thoughts from this movie. For example the one she says in Amsterdam... 'I fell in love with him like you fall asleep. Slowly at first but than all at once...' That's just beautiful"
"Do you think it's true?" he asks.
"I don't know." I say as he looks at me "I guess I'll find out soon." I smile widely.
"I still suspect you choose this movie on purpose so I would cuddle closer to you, because it's cold outside and because I was upset by the movie." I say and give him a suspicious look.
"You got me." he laughs. "I thought I could be kind of your hero, when you cry over their tragic fate and I will be here to hug you and comfort you." he adds.
"Well you certainly know how to be a hero." I smile.
We pack all the things and head back to the car. This time when we stand up, our hands find each other immediately and almost automatically. It feels so right to hold his hand. We remain very quiet through the ride home. I guess it's because it's pretty late and we're quite tired.
"So..." he says when we stopped in front of my house.
"So?" I ask with a smile.
"Did you like it?" he asks and I can clearly see how nervous he is.
"Hmm." I hum to prolong his sweet torture. "I think it was acceptable." I say.
"Acceptable?" he says slowly "That means you would go on a second date?" he asks.
"I would like that." I smile at him. A happy smile spreads on his face.
"I'm glad about that." he smiles.
"Will you text me when you're home safely?" I ask.
"It's just five minutes from here Hilly." he smiles.
"I know, but I want to know you're home safely.
"Fine, I'll text you." he smiles.
"Okay." I say "Well I guess we say goodnight now."
"Yeah. Goodnight Hilly." he smiles sweetly.
"Goodnight, my hero." I smile and kiss him softly.
As I walk towards our house I look back and see him still looking at me. I give him a smile and a little wave before I go inside. Ten minutes later as I lay down into my bed, my phone beeps with a new text.
Dave: I'm home and safe. :) Nice dreams, my lady.
Me: Thanks for texting. Nice dreams, my hero.
Dave: I'll have nice dreams if they'll be visited by you. :) This text make me smile and so I respond once more.
Me: Okay, than see you in your dream. We meet under the big oak tree. I hope you'll recognize me.
Dave: I definitely will. You're the girl with the Winnie the Pooh t-shirt.
Me: :D Okay, stop texting and go to sleep. We go to the bakery in the morning.
Dave: You started with this texting not me.
Me: Is this going to be that "in love" end of conversation where we'll be telling each other to hang up, but none of us will do that?
Dave: Maybe?
Me: Well I'm not that silly kind of girl. Goodnight.
Dave: Wait! What do you want to eat?
Me: What?!
Dave: What should I bring to eat? In the dream... I have to laugh over his playfulness.
Me: I want something fancy. Like good meal and champagne... And a hundred red roses. And I want you to come there riding a white horse, dressed as Prince Charming.
Dave: Hmm, seems like you'll be very hard to please.
Me: You bet. :D
Dave: :)
Me: We should sleep.
Dave: I miss you :(
Me: Than go to sleep and we'll meet in our dreams.
Dave: I'm afraid you will change your mind.
Me: I won't I promise.
Dave: Okay. Good night then.
Me: Ta ta for now. :)
Dave: :D You're so original.
Me: Would you stop babbling? I want to sleep.
Dave: Okay, okay.
Me: Great thanks!
Finally I put the phone down and close my eyes with a huge smile on my lips. Katniss was right. It didn't matter what we did, the main thing was that we were doing it together. Could he really be the one that God has created for me? I think about it for a while, but my eyes start to close sleepily. Just as I feel the first waves of sleep in my head, I'm woken by another beep of my phone. I groan and pick it up to find another text.
Dave: I can't sleep... Are you asleep?
Me: Not. Any. More.
Dave: Sorry? :)
Me: Why can't you sleep?
Dave: I have to think about you. :)
Me: Oh, you'll see me in the morning! Just stop thinking about me and close your eyes and it will be okay.
Dave: I wish it was that easy.
Dave: I think you're the one that God created for me. That makes my heart beat really fast.
Me: Really? How do you know?
Dave: I can feel it. :)
Me: Okay, than go to sleep and pray that I feel it too...
Dave: Fine. :)
Me: Good night. xoxox
Dave: Good night Sunshine xoxox
I just smile over his sweetness and I close my eyes again to finally fall asleep again and as I do I still think about his words. I think you're the one God created for me. I wonder how he can be so sure. But I'm sure I feel something for him too. I think I could live with him for the rest of my life. It would be not only nice, but also fun. I always wanted a man who was able to make fun.
After Friday everything changes in my life. It's not just the fact that I think about him for a huge amount of time during the day. It's also the way I feel when we're together. We even don't have to be on a date and I feel happy.
Our routine in the bakery changes too. The way he greets me in the morning. Calling me Sunshine and giving me a soft innocent kiss. Ever since our first kiss in the bakery kitchen, I see him differently. His nicknames are not annoying any more, they are cute (well most of them). Every morning he greets me by our house and we walk to the bakery together hand in hand. We try not to distract each other too much at work, but I just love the little things he likes to do when we're in the kitchen together. The way he smiles at me, the way he brushes his hand over my back when he's passing me. Only a simple touch like that makes my heart skip a beat. Sometimes, when he's done with the bread dough, he comes to me, hugs me from behind and kisses my cheek. I found out, that he's really fond of my hair (I really don't know why. It's nothing special) And I certainly like to do those things back. I found out, that his hair is impossibly beautiful. It feels so nice to run my fingers through his hair. I especially like to dive my fingers into his hips which always makes him jump and yelp because he's really ticklish.
I feel a little guilty that I give him so much attention when poor Peeta and Katniss have only a week until their graduation tests. Well, Peeta is quite okay I think, but Katniss is freaking out. I try to calm her down, but sometimes she's in such a bad mood that it's better not to say anything. On the next Monday we wish them the best of luck as they head for their first graduation test, which is math. I bet Katniss will have the best grades. Highest score in the class probably. She's that type of nerd who freaks out about the test and then they pass it without any mistake... Well we'll see in a week.
So what do you think? Did you like how it turned out between Dave and Hilly? Aaand were you able to find some TFIOS quotes in there? There difenetely were some =) Please leave me reviews I love them... Also thanks for all favorites and follows. Feel free to read my other fanfictions "Stay with me" and "Story Of Lover Boy" See you next time!