THE JOURNEY
Disclaimer: I do not own The Hunger Games. However, the story idea is mine. I am writing this story for fun and hopefully people will like it. I also used the name of a real town, but then I made it up from there. The school doesn't exist the way I made it sound and I am sure the forest/woods are different.
Author's Note: I am already updating! Aren't you all happy? Your reviews were incredible! Thank you so much. I know many of you are very concerned about what Cato is going to do. I guess you will just have to be patient and see. I know that's not what you wanted to hear though . Without further ado…here is chapter 25. Please read and review.
Chapter 25 – Peeta's POV
I am going to kill that arrogant jerk. All the way to Nashville I couldn't relax because I wanted to tear him limb from limb for staring at my girl. After Johanna gives us our IDs, I pull her into the elevator with me and she giggles in my ear. She leans in to kiss me and I eagerly press my lips to hers.
"Is it any wonder that I want my own room?" Johanna complains. I can hear Cato clear his throat and mutter under his breath.
"Don't count on it to last."
I don't allow myself to react as I continue to kiss Katniss as we wrap ourselves around one another. When we arrive on the third floor, Finn kicks Cato in the leg causing him to stumble. I smile at Finn's irritated look - now knowing that he heard Cato as well. Once everyone but him is out of the elevator, I block his way off and stare him down menacingly.
"Count on it." I say seriously with conviction. Cato's eyes widen, but he says nothing, like the coward he is.
Finn and I dress quickly while the girls get ready in the bathroom. "I have a bad feeling that Cato is going to try something tonight." I whisper to Finnick.
Finn nods serious for a change. "We need to keep our eyes on him at all times tonight."
I am so relieved that Finn has my back. Together we will protect our girls from him.
We are alo dressed casually in jeans and t-shirts, although it should be illegal to look as good as Katniss does right now. The girls walk ahead of us, so Finn and I take this as an opportunity to warn Cato. I place a hand on his shoulder and he looks at me with a smirk until Finn lays his hand on his other shoulder.
"Just wanted to give you a friendly remainder to keep your hands off of the girls." I say with an emphasis on the word "friendly."
Cato scoffs, and his smirk doesn't disappear. Foolish of him I think.
"All the girls Peeta or just the beautiful Miss Everdeen?"
He has the nerve to grin at me, so I punch him in the stomach. He groans and would have fallen to the pavement if Finn hasn't held him up by the shoulder.
The girls are a ways ahead of us now and they have no idea what is going on and Finn and I intend to keep it that way.
"I thought you were going to keep this friendly." Cato says in a raspy voice.
"That was friendly." I say before Finn lets him go and we walk away.
Katniss's POV
The bars are loud, dirty, and packed…not my scene at all. I am really bored until we reach a bar with karaoke and dancing. Peeta pulls me into his arms and holds me close to him. We sway to the twangy music.
"Not my scene either, babe." He tells me in my ear. His sweet breath causes tingles to race up and down my spine and my heart to beat violently against my chest. I take a deep breath before pulling back slightly to look at this incredible man before me. He smiles down at me. "How about I get us each a drink at the bar and then we can head out after that?"
I nod, grateful for an escape. "I'm going to run to the bathroom before."
Peeta leans forward and gives me a tender kiss on my lips. I want to deepen the kiss, but I pull away and hurry to the bathroom anxious to be in his arms again. I turn back once I reach the bathroom to see Peeta standing at the bar waiting for assistance.
After using the bathroom, I make my way out into the hallway. I come face to face with Cato. He looks me up and down once before smiling at me. "Having a good time?" He asks me.
I try to be nonchalant, but not unfriendly. I don't want to encourage him, so I nod. "Peeta and I are headed out though, so if you'll excuse me." I move to go around him, but he blocks my way. He leans in close to my ear and inhales causing me to shiver, and not in a good way.
"I'll be seeing you soon, beautiful." He brushes his fingers over my cheek before stepping aside to allow me to walk past him.
I race away and step into the bar area once again. Peeta sees me and waves me over to a small table. He immediately notices that something is wrong.
"The bartender is going to bring our drinks over; she is super busy. What's wrong?"
I shiver in my seat and Peeta comes around to hug me close. "What is it?" He whispers with an edge of panic in his voice. I am not unsettled easily, so this is scaring him.
"It's nothing." I say trying to shrug it off. "Cato just cornered me and creeped me out is all."
I see Peeta grip the chair in anger. "What did he say to you?"
I clear my throat. "He said, 'I'll be seeing you soon, beautiful.'" I said quietly.
Peeta nearly growls and I look at him in shock. "He is not going to touch you. Let's forget that drink and get back to our room. I want to spend some time alone with you."
His voice is low, deep, and sexy. I nod immediately as Finn and Annie come to our table just as the short bartender is bringing us our drinks.
"Finn? Annie? Have a drink on me. We are heading out." Peeta says putting an arm protectively around my shoulders.
Finn tips his head to us in thanks and Annie waves as we weave through the crowd and out the door. I ignore Cato's gaze and his disappointed look.
Peeta and I walk back to our room and he wastes no time in sweeping me up in his arms and laying me on the bed. He gently caresses my cheek and leans in to kiss me. I enjoy the feeling of his tongue caressing mine, of him invading my mouth as I moan softly against his aggressive tongue. I feel my entire body fill with heat and I never want to stop kissing Peeta Mellark.
Unfortunately, Peeta's phone starts ringing and he answers it when he sees it's Finn.
"This had better be good, Finn." He answers and then his face shows concern. "Calm down, Finn. We will be right there." He hangs up and sits up pulling me with him.
"What's wrong?" I ask as he takes my hand and we hurry from the room.
"Finn is panicking. He is blacking out and so is Annie. They only had one drink, but he says he is close to losing consciousness. Johanna is with them and so is Cato. We need to hurry.
I follow after Peeta all the while working something out in my head. Those drinks were meant for us. Cato's words…I'll be seeing you soon, beautiful. Was it possible? Could Cato really do that? Would he drug me to get what he wanted? Would he have left Peeta drugged at the bar and taken me somewhere? No, it isn't possible. I shake these thoughts from my head. I am being crazy, right?
Thoughts? I am already writing the next chapter and feeling pretty inspired. I hope you all liked this chapter! Please review and let me know! You guys rock!
Thanks!