AN/ Surprise!! I couldn't wait a full 24 hours and bring you chapter 9.

Chapter 9

I rest my arm on the console between us, hoping he takes his hand off the steering wheel and does the same.

"So, Katniss what's your favorite season?" Peeta asks.

"Well spring is the best time for planting. But personally, I love fall."

I catch him glance over at me. His eyes sparkle in the sunlight. I swallow the lump in my throat

that always seems to form when I'm around him.

I shake the feelings off and ask him to take me back to my place instead.

"I'm sorry, can you just drop me off at my apartment? I know I said I wanted to go to the shop first."

"Sure." He flips his car blinker on and turns around.

"Thanks." I look over at him when he comes to a stop sign.

He stretches his right arm and rests it beside mine. "Katniss, you don't have to keep thanking me. It's really no problem."

After a few cars pass by on the road in front of us, he turns and heads down the road that leads to my apartment.

We ride the rest of the way in silence until he drops me off. And even then I simply thank him and tell him to text when he gets back to Rue's house. I'm not good with words.

As soon as I shut the front door behind me, I call Prim.

"Hey, I'm not catching you at a bad time am I?" I ask when she answers.

"I'm about to study for an exam but I can talk for a few minutes."

"Prim? Can I come over to your place later?"

"Kat, you're starting to worry me. Wait I thought you were with Peeta. The guy from the bakery."

"Well, I was. Now I'm home."

"What's going on Kat?"

"I just need to talk through my feelings. I'd rather talk to you than Madge."

"Feelings? Wait...you really do like Peeta?"

"Can I just come over Prim?" I comb a hand through my hair.

"Yeah. I'll stay in and study here." She says. "Come on over."

"Shoot. I don't have my car," I say realizing it's broken down outside my shop.

"I'll come to you." Prim says. I hear her rushing around her apartment. "Be there in 15 minutes. Don't do anything crazy."

What am I possibly going to do in the next 15 minutes? I take a quick shower and change into a plain gray T-shirt and black pants.

I'm drying my hair when I hear my front door open.

"Kat, it's me!" Prim calls out into my living room.

"Drying my hair!" I shout back at her.

She appears moments later.

"What's happening to you?" She asks. I can tell she's trying to read me with her eyes. Her blue eyes searching mine.

I brush my hair out and push her into the living room.

I plop down on the couch. "I don't know."

A notification dings on my computer, indicating a new live vlog from Peeta.

I cast the vlog to my tv and wait for the live to start.

"Do you always cast vlogs to the tv? Or just Peeta's?" Prim asks. She scrunches her eyebrows together.

Peeta's countdown starts and I settle back on the couch.

"Hey everyone!" He waves at the camera "It's been a while since my last vlog, but as promised I have made some sugar cookies and I'm here to decorate for you."

He's clearly taken a shower and combed through his hair.

"I like to start with a background layer. Kind of like a painting." He says coating one of the cookies in an orange hue. "While this dries I can answer some of your questions. So don't be afraid to ask."

Prim pulls her phone from her back pocket.

"What are you doing?" I ask wearily.

"I'm going to ask Peeta a question." She signs in with her username: PRIMANDPROPER

"What. No!" I exclaim grabbing at her phone

"Too late." Prim smiles at the screen.

"That was a great question MM252...let's see. Primandproper I'll save your question for last. Let's move onto the next step. Now once you have your first layer of frosting, you can really do whatever you want."

He rolls up the sleeves of his green Henley shirt and I almost swoon at the sight of his muscles.

I know by her gasp, that Prim is looking at me, but I don't take my eyes off Peeta as he concentrates on his decoration.

He answers a few more questions and finally reveals his creation. A cookie lined with evergreen trees against an orange background.

"Before I go, I haven't forgotten your question Prim and proper. Ahhh how was your weekend and what is your favorite dessert to make?"

"You asked him about his weekend? Are you insane!" I glare at Prim.

"Hey, let's see what he has to say first." Prim backs up in surrender.

Peeta seems deep in thought, but that could just be me.

"Thanks Prim. My favorite dessert to bake are Macarons. As for my weekend. It was pretty good. I got to hang out with a friend and not worry that much about the outside world." He says. He runs his hand through his hair. "Well, that's it for today. I'll see you guys around for another live soon."

I stare at the blank tv screen. I'm sure I'm blushing.

"Oh yeah. You definitely have a crush big time. Come on, Kat, he's amazing. Give it a try." Prim encourages.

"Ok if you don't like him say I'm the best little sister."

I don't say anything. Instead I fall sideways onto the pillows beside me.

Prim shrieks. "You like him a lot don't you?"

"Yes." I whisper.

"Was that a yes?" Prim prays. She pokes my arm.

"Yes Prim. I like him. Okay. But how did it happen so fast? I've only known him a few weeks. A month at that".

Prim makes me sit up and she leans her head on my shoulder. "What's wrong. Why are you hesitating? Clearly he had a nice time with you and you can't stop gushing over him."

I feel my eyes glossing over with tears. "He reminds me of Dad, Prim. He's kind and gentle and sweet."

"Isn't that a good thing? Just invite him over for a movie or something. It doesn't have to be a big deal. I mean you already slept with him." Prim jabs at me.

"Should I text him? Ask him in person… oh gosh I couldn't do that."

"Just text him. You know he's not busy." Prim says. "I have to go. But text me as soon as he responds. Love you." Prim hugs me and hops up off the couch.

The next thing I know is that I'm left here alone. I decide to take a short nap and digest all these new feelings.

As always, thank you for reading and if you enjoy, please leave a review.