Chapter 29
Clove POV
I hurriedly ran a brush through my hair. Cato and I were starting our second semester of law school and he would be here to pick me up soon.
I hurried to the kitchen to grab some yogurt when I ran into a sleepy Glimmer emerging from her room.
"Morning," I huffed as I buttoned up my blazer.
"How are you already stressed? You haven't even done anything yet," Glimmer whined as I reached the fridge.
"It's my second first day! Plus I don't want to make Cato late," I responded in between bites of my skimpy breakfast.
"I don't get why he didn't just stay here, y'all are practically inseparable anyway," Glimmer grinned.
"He just got back from visiting his parents last night. Plus, I needed to finish some reading for today. I can't be behind already," I responded calmly. "Speaking of inseparable, I haven't seen much of Gale lately."
"Me neither," Glimmer shrugged. "It's just not as fun anymore, you know?"
I gave her a look. I had never known Glimmer to give up on good sex without a legitimate reason, and I didn't buy her excuse.
"Any reason you're less enthralled by his big ole muscles than usual?" I asked casually.
Glimmer just shrugged, not making eye contact. "Maybe the new year is already having an effect on me."
Before I could pry any further, I heard a knock at the door. I could hear Glimmer catcall as I bounded over into Cato's arms. He hugged me close to him as we happily exchanged several fervent kisses.
"Unless you get class credit for banging, you guys and your wandering hands should probably get going," Glimmer joked from the kitchen.
"She's probably right," Cato laughed as he made his way out of the doorway. I followed suit, blushing and shaking my head. There truly was never a dull moment with Glimmer.
"Where are you headed first, babe?" Cato asked as we neared our destination.
"Criminal Law," I asked. "You?" As hard as it was to be, to an extent, in competition with my boyfriend, it was so nice to be dating someone who understood my schedule.
"Torts," Cato responded with a lack of enthusiasm.
"Not excited?" I teased.
"Well, I just had more fun being in class with you," Cato moped. "I at least had something nice to look at." He laughed as I smacked his arm.
"You mean that you valued my thoughts and opinions, right?" I countered, quoting Cristina Yang. "'If you want to appease me, compliment my brain!'"
"I love your brain, babe," Cato grinned, pulling me in for a hug and kiss before we separated for the day.
"I love you," I mumbled into his chest.
He smiled and looked back at me as we parted ways. We had decided to minimize our interactions at school, so as to prevent distractions in finishing our work. Cato was just like me – driven – and I loved it. Still, my heart ached when we parted for the day; I loved being able to share my passion in pursuing law with him. I shook it off as I walked inside.
The reunion later would be well worth it.
After getting out of my last class of the day, I walked out in the hall to find a large crowd gathering around one of the bulletin boards. Curious, I approached the cluster. As I got closer, I could see the main attraction was a piece of paper stapled to the center of the board. I heard snippets of conversation lingering in the air, the words "Ragan" and "internship" catching my attention. I felt my heart pounding in my chest as I pushed my way to the front, trying to get my eyes on that paper.
"Oh," I gasped as I finally stood in front of the fateful list. "I got it. I got it!"
I could barely contain my excitement as I bounced down the hallway, no longer even registering the presence of the chaotic crowd. I had landed the internship of my dreams! My hard work had paid off and I was set up for success. I was absolutely giddy when I ran into Cato as he walked out of his class.
"Someone must have had a good class," Cato laughed as I flung myself into his arms.
"I got it! I got the internship," I beamed.
"Congratulations, babe," Cato said, placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. "I know you really wanted it."
My heart sank as I pulled back and looked into Cato's icy blue eyes. Cato was in that class too, meaning that he must have also applied.
"I'm so sorry, I didn't even think-" I started
"Babe, please!" Cato interrupted, grinning widely. "I am so happy for you. Let's celebrate tonight! We haven't been out to dinner in a while, I'm gonna take you somewhere nice."
I beamed. He really was so incredible. I interlaced my fingers with his as we walked down the hall.
"And then after we get home from dinner we can really celebrate," Cato whispered, making me blush and sending chills down my spine.
I couldn't wait.
Katniss POV
After coming in from the harsh chill of the Boston winter, I was more than happy to snuggle up with Peeta on the couch. I would never get tired of the feeling of settling into his broad chest and inhaling his scent (which today was cinnamon, my favorite). Peeta was flipping through channels when I heard Marvel come in the apartment.
"Hey, man. How's it going?" Peeta called, not taking his eyes off the screen.
"Can't complain. Just had an amazing pathology lecture. I was just coming back to get a quick dinner before heading back to campus to study," Marvel said as he bustled around the kitchen.
"Do you have an exam coming up?" Peeta asked as he stroked my arm gently, making me feel even more at home in his arms.
"Not soon, but whenever I have time I generally try to review for Step 1 – that big test I have to take after the end of this school year," Marvel responded.
"I'm sure you'll do great on it," Peeta said back.
"I only have to pass to stay in medical school, no pressure," Marvel huffed. "Oh geez, is it that time already?"
Marvel's question was his response to a commercial for a jeweler, advertising Valentine's Day specials.
"Guess so. Got anyone you want to shower with presents and affection?" Peeta teased.
"I'm too busy!" Marvel called out nonchalantly as he headed back to the door. "See you all later, don't defile my couch while I'm gone!"
"He really is a grumpy old man in a twenty-four-year-old body," I chuckled after the door closed behind him.
"You're not wrong," Peeta laughed. "How about you, got any big Valentine's Day plans? Do I have any competition?"
I smiled at him as I thought about his questions. Realization hit me and I gasped.
"I actually do!"
Peeta furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, waiting for me to explain.
"Cinna and Portia are getting married on Valentine's Day," I clarified. "And I'm participating in the ceremony. Plus it's Cinna."
"I didn't know they were having a Valentine's Day wedding. That sounds really nice," Peeta said, resting his chin on my shoulder. "Do you get to bring a date?"
"That could be arranged," I giggled, peppering his jawline with kisses. "Would you like to be my date?"
"I'll have to cancel all of my other dates, but I think I can make it work," Peeta countered, his hands roaming down my body.
I let out an indignant scoff and playfully hit his chest. I struggled against his grasp, hoping to overpower him, with no success. I ended up pinned to the couch with Peeta's chest resting on mine, his face inches from my own.
"Of course I will be your date," he grinned. "Nothing would make me happier."
I responded to his answer by kissing him hard, my hands trailing down his strong chest to his abs, which I could feel through his shirt. Peeta let out a muffled moan as he hands gripped my hips, bringing me even closer to him. The kiss was becoming more passionate by the second, Peeta's deliberate hands pushing up the bottom of my shirt. I was contentedly learning every ridge and muscle under his shirt, which eventually came off. His skin was warm against my own and every delicious touch was invigorating but still not enough.
"Are you serious? What did I say about the couch!"
My eyes widened and we broke apart to the sound of Marvel's distressed yells.
"I forgot my phone. Now I'm leaving. Again. I mean it, no bodily fluids on my couch," Marvel huffed as he made his way toward the door a second time.
The door slammed behind him and I could still feel the shocked expression stuck on my face. Peeta looked at me, his eyes equally wide. We burst out laughing and couldn't stop for almost twenty minutes.
Marvel investigated the couch suspiciously when he got home that evening, shaking his head and muttering about "horrible images" and "baby sister."
A/N: Hope you enjoyed it!
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