Chapter XXVIII
…
Since that "step" in our relationship he had been different, good different. Lighter. More outgoing. Happier. More avid. Calmer. More confident. In a way he was just more… Peeta.
It was odd though because Peeta hadn't even been there for that "step," for that conversation that I had held with Mark. He wasn't part of the change, but at the same time he was. I assume I had grown closer to him since my interaction with Mark and that was why he had become more... Peeta-ish.
It was all so odd, but at the same time it was perfectively fine.
Shaking the thought from my head, I went back to tinkering with the car engine. I opened the petcock on the lower end of the radiator and drain its coolant into a bucket. Then undoing the clamps around the hose, I worked on it till it broke away from its attachment, completely dislocated. Taking the new radiator hose in hand I pushed it firmly over the stub-out from the radiator and engine seating over the beam that ran around the outer division of the stub-out as far as it possible could. Re-clamping the hose, I closed the petcock and refilled the radiator to its approximate level. Once everything was good and in place I capped the coolant and ducked my upper body through the driver's side of the car, starting the engine.
By then there was nothing left to do, but wait and see. So with a failed attempt of forty-two seconds to wait and see, I jumped up off the ground and began to put away the tools spread out at the front bumper of the car.
It was then that I heard the door of the garage open over the roar of the engine. Yet I didn't turn to see who it was.
Continuing to clean up, I listen as the footsteps grow closer. It isn't till the pair of light, fabric flats are just feet away from me that I speak up.
"You know trying to sneak up on isn't one of your bets ideas Annie."
I hear her laugh. "I wasn't sneaking up on you, you heard me come in."
I smile to myself before turning to face her.
"Yes," she tells me without a doubt a little on-edge from self-enforced stressed, "I'm snappy, just waiting on you. Want to get this hell over with."
"You decided to put yourself in this hell," I laugh.
She gives me a death glare.
I give her a nod. "Give me a moment." Turning before I let the smile I had been holding slip.
Nevertheless, she nods going to sit on one of the random bar stools placed around the garage.
I, I work quickly putting all the tools I had been using back in their place. Then checking on the radiator I can't help yet smile at the results, no coolant drip or any problem for that matter. Bending back through the window, I shut off the engine, grabbing my bag from off the seat.
"Ready," she asks impatiently.
I nod.
"Good," she says went a rush, hopping off the stool, "Let's go."
…
"I think you'll like this one," Annie calls from behind the curtain.
"Mh hmm." Just like the other five I had said I liked.
Hearing the curtain being pulled back I turned to see what Annie had on now. And at the sight of her my eyes widened.
"You like it?" She asks, twisting her hands together in panic and fear. "You don't like it?"
"Annie-" I begin, but she doesn't let me finish.
"I know, it's awful. It's just, it's just-"
But before she can finish her sentence I slap my hand over her mouth.
"No," I tell her, "It's perfect."
And it is. The dress was meant for her. The dark navy blue fabric of the dress complemented her skin and frame, showing the sleek curves along her sides. The white stitching of elaborate swirls and twirls across the bottom's edge and bodice brought out the unseen silver specks in her eyes I had never recognized before.
"Really?"
I nod. "Yes."
She lets out a squeal, jumping up and down. "Yesss."
Shaking my head, she continues to have a small celebration between her and herself for a moment longer before returning to the fitting room still squealing with joy.
Back to waiting for Annie, I roamed around the small boutique. There was everything from jean shorts to ball room gowns. It was while I was moving back to the fitting room that something caught my eye. Intrigued, I walked over. And there between a faded orange sweeter and purple blouse I pulled out a simple black dress. Against me, it reached my mid-thigh and without a doubt the fabric would cling to my skin. The material was soft and unrevealing without a chance of there being sort of show as an outcome of its two-finger thick straps.
Flawless.
"So you're going to Hundredth Night," I hear Annie ask over my shoulder.
I smile, running the fabric between my fingers.
"I take that as a yes."
"Shut up." I laugh.
"Katniss Everdeen," she teases, "This must be a first, wanting to go to a dance."
"Annie," I warn turning to face her.
"You want to go to a social event," she smiles, "You willingly want to go to a social event and not just you, but with Peeta. You want to go out in public with Peeta. My god, it must be the apocalypse, the end of the world. Jesus save me."
"Annie."
"This is great. Really-"
"Annie-"
"This is so surreal that maybe, could actually be real-"
"Ann-"
"This is- this… Great!"
I feel my face flush pink, running from my neck up to my cheeks. "Can we just buy this shit and go," I pled, unable to make eye contact with her.
"Of course," I hear her smile, in a snide, over-pleased manner.
And taking me by the arm, she leads me toward the front of the store where the check-out it located…
"But were not done just yet."
…
"Annie-"
"No," she cuts me off, "We are doing this, you have no say."
I let out a groan, slumping down in the chair as Annie went running through the aisles of the department store. Watching her go, she went up and down every shelf looking from box to box. Every now and then she would pick one up and put it under her arm. By the time she had made her way through every aisle, she had eight boxes. Eight boxes.
Letting out another groan she shot me a glare causing me to shut up.
"Pick."
And so uncapping each box, I came to the realization that every single shoe she had picked out was a high heel.
Every single shoe. Every single shoe had a death fucking heel attached to it.
Looking to her she shook her head. "We're not leaving till you pick one."
"Can't I just wear my Chucks," I plead, "I already wore heels once because of you."
"False," she smiles, "You never wore those heels on your date with Peeta, they're still in the bottom of your locker at school where you put them the day I gave them to you."
I look to her surprised. That was months ago, how did she know that, even remember that.
"Yeah, so pick out a shoe."
Not bothering to fight her any further in hopes of just getting out of the store I looked down at the shoes.
Strappy sandals – Out
Sparkled heels – Out
Bedazzled pumps – Out
Lacy? heels – Out
Clear plastic – Out
High wedge – Out
Zipper up – Out
Plain, open toe – Okay
Showing Annie the shoe of my choice, I prayed to God she'd let me go. And to my luck after a long silence she smiled, "They'll go great with the dress and the bangles I have you can wear."
…
Stirring the noodles around the pot, my phone went off.
Fuck.
I muttered, dropping the wooden spoon in my hand to reach across the kitchen to answer the call.
"Hello." I said in a rushed voice, squishing the phone between my head and shoulder.
"You okay?" Peeta asked on the other line.
"Mh hmm," I dragged out, turning to see the water now boiling over the pot. "Cooking."
"What?"
I let out another curse as I grabbed a nearby hotplate from off the counter, using it to shut off the stovetop.
"Are you making mac-and-cheese again," I hear him smile through the phone.
"Yes," I spit out. Now using the potholder to carry the boiling pot of water over the sink where turning on the cold water I poured its contents into the strainer.
The setting down the pot, I took the strainer in hand and ran cold water over the noodles. When thought to be good, I reached for the cabinet, pulling out a large mixing bowl. Pouring the noodles from the strainer into the bowl, I tossed the strainer along with the pot into the sink.
"You still there?"
"Yeah," I say, "Give me one more second."
Dropping my phone down on the counter, I side step over to the refrigerator. Swinging the door open and scamming the shelves with the small they store I pull the stick of butter, less than a quarter cup of skim milk and a bag of grated cheese out. Back to the other side of the counter in record speed. Fetching another bowl from the cabinet I empty the milk into it as well as place a hunk of butter along with some cheese. I rush back across the room, shoving the bowl into the microwave for an unknown number of seconds.
"Still there," I ask after retrieving the phone from the counter.
"Yep," he pipes, "How's the kitchen treating you?"
I shrug my shoulder not even realizing he can't see me.
"You simmering the butter, milk, and cheese on the stove?"
"Mh hmmm." I lie not as smoothly as I would have liked.
"Lair," I hear him smile, calling me out, "You're nuking it."
And just like that the microwave dings. I curse myself silently as I hear Peeta laugh on the other line shouting, "That's not real cooking!"
Rolling my eyes, I set down the phone. Then using the potholder, I take the bowl from the microwave and pour its contents onto the noodles in the separate bowl. Adding some extra cheese, only a handful… or two, I stir it all together.
"Hello? Katniss? Did you set me down? Katniss? Hey," coming from off the counter beside me.
"You were in time out," I say picking up the phone.
"I did nothing wrong," he says in protest, Mr. Mellark laughing otherwise in the background.
"So what's up?" I ask.
"Heard Annie made you guy a pair of heels."
"God, does Annie tell Finn about every freakin' moment of her day."
"Either that or he reads her diary."
I laugh. "Oh god, that'd be great." Then after a few short giggles, I say, answering the question. "Yes, I was forced against my will to buy a pair of high heels."
"Sorry," he says, without a doubt meaning it. "Do I want to know how you got yourself into that?"
"Well I didn't wear those heels I was supposed to wear on a date on you months ago and then ibouaadres."
"What you do," he ask confused, "didn't hear that last part"
"I bought a dress."
There was a silence.
No words.
No background noise.
No breathing.
Nothing.
"Hello?" I ask.
"Did I hear you right, you bought a dress?"
"Yeah," I nod.
"Do I want to know why?"
"'Cause I liked it."
"Annie had nothing to do with it?" He questions.
"Nothing."
"So what's so special about this dress?"
"I'm gonna wear it to Hundredth Night?"
He sighs thoughtfully. "This is your own doing?"
"This is not how you play twenty questions."
"This is not Katniss-y."
"Touché," I smile, "But no, I on my own decided to go on my own thank you very much."
I could just picture him smiling. "And are you going with anybody?"
"What you think your job is?"
He laughed. "Feel so loved?"
I laugh too.
Smile
"You should."
