Chapter 29: Game of the Century

Disclaimer: I don't own THG.


Johanna:

Days after prom, things have changed at Panem Academy. The Careers are no more, instead they've decided to make a new group. Not a clique, just a group of random people that just so happens to have the same lunch block. It worked out pretty well, actually.

"Alright everyone!" Johanna called. "Time for important announcements! Gale, go."

He had told her about it earlier. Gale had been awarded the football scholarship to UCLA. Perfect outcome, Johanna had received an email from USC informing her of her acceptance.

"Got the scholarship!" He cheered.

"Way to go, man!" Finnick congratulated.

"That's awesome! Yeah, football!" Annie added. "Sports!"

Well, not much football knowledge there.

"Four for you, Hawthorne!"

Johanna groaned at that comment. Someone had to put duct tape over Marvel's mouth before he said anything cheesier.

"That's great, Hawthorne."

"Uh...thanks."

That was strange. It was common knowledge that Cato wanted the scholarship. People even went as far as assuming he'd be willing to buy it. But alas, everyone was wrong.

"It is great." Clove interrupted. "I'm happy for you, Gale. Sad for you, Cato. You two don't have to be so awkward about it. It is what it is."

"Clove is right, guys. Let's move on to some real news!" Glimmer exclaimed. "We're up to one million hits!"

Annie clapped, excited for her cousins new found internet fame. Glimmer passed her phone around, letting everyone see. Sure enough, the video of Glimmer breaking up with Peeta at prom went viral after some junior posted it. It was easy to find, all you had to do was search 'Mean Girl wins Prom Queen', and there you go. The video had even been feature on some late night show. Apparently, the host wanted Glimmer on Skype for the next show.

"How is that real news?" Johanna wondered.

"Hey, where are Kat and Peeta?" Clove asked.

And right on cue, Katniss rushed into the cafeteria, Peeta following close behind. She was absolutely ecstatic, her hand gripping her cellphone.

"Guys! I did it! I got into Stanford!"

Everyone immediately congratulated her. Katniss had been the last one to receive her college news. Now she and Clove would attend Stanford together. Annie and Finnick were both heading off to Berkeley. The boys were all going to UCLA. Finch was the only one traveling, she was going to William and Mary, but promised to keep in touch.

Wow. Haymitch actually did a good job as senior counselor!

It was quite an achievement to see all her friends be successful. But there was still one more thing to do...

"Order! Order!" Johanan pretended to be holding court. "We all know this Saturday is the Quarter Quell Game."

"Like the Capitol preps stand a chance." Cato boasted.

"We've got this, Jo." Gale told her. There was all around agreement.

Once again, Johanna demanded to have order. She was calling the shots.

"True, there's no doubt we'll win." Johanna says. "But we need a game plan."

"Wait, I thought-"

"Not that kind of game plan, Clove." Jo pulled out a piece of paper. "We're gonna need food, face paints, matching clothes, anything and everything to make the Capitol prep losers look like even bigger losers.
Annie frowned. "I don't want to make anyone look like a loser."

"Annie, she means losers in a good way." Finnick told her. "No one's gonna mind, promise."

"Okay. Losers in good way, that's what I meant. I'm in charge of food." Johanna wrote her name down. "Greasy Sae's burgers. Which means I'm gonna need some donations."

"How much are we talking?" Marvel asked.

Jo gave it some thought. "$5. Each. So come on, hand it over."

With that out of the way, Johanna moved on to the next item on her list.

"Face paints. Who has some?"

"I do!" Glimmer raised her hand. "Cheerleaders always have face paints. And, I'm a master at spirit make up, I'll do that."

"Fine, Glitter. You're face paints." Jo wrote her name. "Annie, you wanna help with that one?"

"Sure!" Annie said. "I'm pretty good at it, I guess."

"Cool. Now, we need to agree on what we'll be wearing. Wear anything black and gold, unless you've got a jersey. Clove, you and I are wearing those." Johanna said.

"Jo, I have never seen you be so bossy." Katniss mused. "It's so weird..."

"Yeah, she wasn't this bad when we had track." Clove added.

"Get over it." Johanna said coolly. "Last on the list, does anyone need a ride?"

She received all around 'no's' and 'I'm good'. Check.

"I think we've got it!" She grinned. "This is going to be the best football game in history!"

And it would be.


Clove:

So much for the best day in history. Clove was spending the entire first quarter of the game hiding behind Johanna. There was no way she was going to be see by him, her dreaded 'ex-boyfriend'.

"No, don't move! Stay." She pushed Jo back into place. "There, just like that."

"You're crazy." Johanna said. "It's just Gloss."

"I know! But I don't want him to see me! Why is he here, he already graduated!"

Johanna rolled her eyes. "Like anyone's gonna miss the Quarter Quell. Look, this quarter's over, I'm gonna go get some drinks."

"You can't leave me here!" Clove protested.

"Come with me, then!"

The girls walked upstairs to the concessions stand. Johanna did a superb job with the food, but drinks were running low. It was a hot May day and the sun was certainly doing it's job.

Clove had unfortunately lost track of Johann in the crowd.

This is perfect! Just perfect!

"Clove!"

She cringed. Just the guy she didn't want to see.

"Hey, Gloss!" Her tone was strained.

"Haven't seen you in a while!"

"I know right? It happens when you move away." Clove gave him a fake smile.

Silence.

"Enjoying the game? Coach gave Hadley my place. I thought it's be Hawthorne, but whatever. All good." He said.

"Yup. They both would have been awesome. But we're in the lead, so it doesn't really matter." Clove hoped Gloss would give up trying to talk to her.

"Right." He smiled back. "So, I'm gonna be here for the summer. We should hang out sometime."

Her smile vanished. "I don't think so."

"Come on, Clo. Just like old times. We used to have so much fun together." He winked at her.

Clove scowled. "I'm not crazy about old times, Gloss. I said no and that's that."

"Woah. When did you become such a-"

"Finish that sentence and you'll be missing a few teeth."

Clove saw Johanna appear, hands carrying some Gatorade.

"Don't need you making any threats, Mason. I'm talking to Clove." Gloss said.

"She isn't the one that's going to be responsible for your missing teeth, Gloss. I am. So before it happens, I suggest you leave." Clove said menacingly.

With a frown, Gloss finally vanished.

"That was intense, Clove! I would have liked to see you hit him, but this was good, too." Johanna handed her a bottle.

Together, they returned to their seats. Clove finally felt as though she was done with the past. No more hurting over some idiot boy. She had another to worry about.


Katniss:

"Yeah! WOOO! GO!"

At first glance, Katniss didn't seem like the loud type, but tonight, she'd make an exception. That was her team, her friends, winning the most awaited football game of the century. It wasn't over yet, but it would end soon.

"Kat, you're gonna kick your popcorn over." Peeta warned.

"Just hold it, 'kay?" And she went back to cheering.

After a few minutes, her strength was reaching it's max. Her throat was feeling a little sore, too.

Katniss took her seat and had a sip of water.

"Tired?"Peeta asked with a smile.

She nodded. "Kind of. Big game."

"Yup. You're face paint's coming off." He reached over to touch her cheek. Black paint.

"It's so hot out!" She fanned herself. "Gosh, why can't football be played indoors?"

Peeta shrugged. "Don't know. Maybe one day."

"I hope so. When is this going to end?" Katniss laughed tiredly. "Most of the time, I have no idea what's going on. It's a bunch of guys running around with a ball!"

"I thought you loved football? You're like, the best cheerleader here!"

Katniss smiled at her boyfriend. "Am not. I'm just...really happy. I think everything's gonna work out. For everyone, I mean, not just me."

Ideally things would always work out. Katniss and her friends were graduating, they were going to college, they were all determined to have great futures. But she had no way of knowing what was to come. Sometimes life got in the way. Like with her dad. Or Peeta and his parents. Today, Katniss refused to let fear and uncertainty get in the way.

"You know what I mean, Peeta? There is nothing else I would want from today. Except winning this game. Just so we can rub it in."

He laughed. "I get it. Same here." The two shared a kiss. And missed the final play.

"Oh my gosh, what happened?" Katniss stood up, trying to figure out what was going on.

"I think it's over." Peeta said.

"What? I missed it! Who won?" Everyone around her was cheering and clapping. Some were yelling about cheaters, others were complaining about the ref.

"We won!" She realized. "Peeta, we won the Quarter Quell!"

She hugged her boyfriend and cheered some more. Class of 2013, the class that won the Quarter Quell. The perfect ending to a very long, very complicated, senior year.


Okay, so I wanted to write about the football game...and then I realized I don't know anything about football. Like, nothing. We don't even watch the Superbowl at my house. And I've only been to one high school football game and I had no idea what was going on. So I wrote the ending to the game from Katniss's POV and since she doesn't know about it, I didn't have to explain. But she did sort of sum up what everyone was feeling. Relief, because high school was over, and hope for an amazing college experience. The next chapter will be the last chapter in the story! Thanks for reading! :)

Guest: I have an extreme love for chocolate, so Katniss and Peeta do,too. And I'm thinking about what else I can write, I have to see. I do have another Everlark AU, it's called Spotlights and Alcohol. I don't know if you've read but feel free to check it out. Thanks for reviewing!

Directioner4life: I'm sure you've caught up at this point, so Clato is official by now. Thanks so much for liking my story!

Asdfghjkl3: A sequel is a possibility. I do want to add something to this, so let's keep hoping I'll come up with something! Awww, I'll miss you all, too. You guys are awesome for reading this!

Anon: It is indeed almost over. I'm very sad about it, but I'll try for more. Thank you for reading and reviewing!