Disclaimer: I don't own any characters or rights to the hunger games. But the plot is all mine. Enjoy
Chapter 2 : "Where did the party go?"
"This is the story of how they met, her picture was on the back of a pack of cigarettes,
And when she touched him he turned ruby red. A story that they'll never forget, never forget"
Fallout Boy, Where Did The Part Go
" Lets go bitches!" Jo says as we make our way in the hotel elevator. We all met up at the hotel around 4 and got ready together. Jo wore her black and silver metallic mini dress with her hair in a sleek bob framing her heart shape face.
Annie's dark hair was in loose curls that fall effortlessly down her back making her look like a real mermaid. I decided to wear my hair in a fish tail braid that rested on my right shoulder. Simple yet elegant.
The elevator doors open and we make our way to the lobby and out the hotel doors, just as our ride for the evening pulls up.
A sleek black 2017 Range Rover Suv, compliments of Jo's dad. She caught him cheating on her mom again, so he bribed her with money of course.
Her parents relationship is as backwards as ever, just last year she guilted her mom into taking her on a $8000 shopping spree for the same thing.
Our driver introduces himself as Blight and holds the door for us to climb in.
***M&B***
We pull up in front of the mayor's house about twenty minutes later and blight opens the door for us to climb out. When were out he closes the door and tell Johanna he'll be back around midnight to pick us up.
" Wow " Annie says looking at the mansion looming over us. It was a cream brick building with a lot of windows and two large lion statues in each side of the front door.
The hedges scalped in odd designs and behind us in the middle of the circular drive way was a large water fountain with cherub babies spitting water.
We follow the other party guest in and up the grand double staircases with a huge chandelier in the middle to the ballroom.
I immediately see the stage with a Dj in the corner and a sea of people dancing.
Of course Johanna immediately switches to party mode " catch you guys later I'm going into the jungle to dance".
She takes off and disappears in the middle of the crowd.
" Don't worry I won't leave you until Finnick gets here and is done playing" Annie says winking.
" Thanks I feel so much better" I say dryly. She laughs and pulls me to get drinks at the bar near the front of the stage so we'll see the band better when they get here.
We dance for a while after that until Madge's voice is heard on the mic introducing Finnick and Gales band.
Annie starts jumping up and down and squealing like a kid on Christmas.
I get why she's excited, her and Finn are perfect for each other even though she's kinda famous for being able to tame the famous Finnick Odair. Before Annie he couldn't keep it in his pants for an hour, but once he meet her, he never looked back.
I look up to the stage and spot Gale on his guitar and send him a quick wave.
He waves back and shifts slightly and I see a guy in the back sitting at the drums and I'm shock by who I see.
Peeta.
What the hell is Peeta doing in a band with Finnick and Gale?
No, this isn't happening, When did they get a new drummer? What happen to Titus? This day just gets better and better.
Annie must see the stress on my face when she ask " what's wrong Kat?"
I look at her with wide eyes and point to Peeta. " That's hot mall guy ". She looks at him and smiles widely. " damn, he is hot Katniss. And he plays the drums. Drummers are always hot."
I wave my hand up and down in front of her face. " earth to Annie, remember Finnick?"
She rolls her eyes and pulls out her phone. " What are you doing? " I ask.
" Texting Johanna, this is big Kat. He's hot and you've got as much charm as a rock. You need all the help you can get with him".
I glare at her and let out a huff. " who says I even want him? "
She looks at me with one eyebrow raised. " Yeah okay, just don't be mad when some other lucky girl scoops him up".
I open my mouth to argue but the band begins to play and my eyes fall right to Peeta.
***M&B***
I stood in place watching Peeta play throughout their whole set.
They performed a couple more songs and I couldn't keep my eyes off of how his muscles would flex through his white v-neck t-shirt. My mind started to drift to what he might look like without it.
Lucky just then Jo comes up and pulls me from my thoughts.
" Hey brainless, you gonna go talk to drummer boy or just stare like a creepy stalker. Cause if your not I'll gladly take him off your hands" she says wiggling her eyebrows.
I shake my head at her and sigh " Jo I wouldn't even know what to say if I did and he's probably not even interested".
" God you really are brainless sometimes. The guy drove his car around the mall so he could find your car and then waited to give you back your keys. He could have just left them or turned them in. Or he could stolen your car like I would have done." She says smirking.
And right on time I see Gale and Peeta coming in our direction. Jo follows my line of sight and smiles. She gives me a half salute and walks off just as they come up.
" Catnip, how's it been?" Gale says taking me in for a hug.
" I'm good, you guys did great up there" I say avoiding Peeta's eyes.
" Yeah well we just recruited this drumming prodigy" Gales says pointing to Peeta. I nod and He continues " oh by the way this is Peeta, Peeta this is -" before he can finish Peeta cuts him off.
" Katniss, right?"
He looks to Gales confused face and says with a laugh " We ran into each other at the mall earlier"
I blush and Gale just shrugs " so where did Jo run off? I didn't get to say hi"
" she's probably refilling her cup. you should go and ask her dance" I say teasing him.
He blushes and playfully shoves me " shut up Everdeen, I'll see you later." He says and heads off into the direction of the she went.
I realize after a moment I've been left alone with Peeta. We both stand their awkwardly until he speaks first. " So Catnip, how do you know Gale and Finnick"
" Gale is my best friend and Finnick is dating my friend Annie." I say and he nods knowingly.
Then there more awkwardness " So your the new drummer. I would have never guessed."
He smiles and rubs a hand through his hair nervously. " yeah, it's more of a hobby though. I hope I didn't suck to bad up there though"
" No you were awesome, I could keep my eyes off you." I say quickly regretting the words. Had I really just admitting to eye stalking him. I'm sure I'm blushing a scarlet red because he looks just as red as me.
His beautiful blue eyes lock with my gray ones and before I can speak my view of Peeta is blocked by big head full of blonde curls. I shift to the side into Peeta's view again.
" Hi I'm Glimmer, I just wanted to tell you that you did so good up there..."
I miss the end of her sentence when I notice her hand rubbing up and down his arm. Of course Glimmer Perkins would go after the same guy as me. Damn why did Annie have to be right all the time.
I can't help the twinge of jealousy I feel and I have to put my anger in check because unfortunately he isn't mine.
Glimmer screams groupie with her bright red tube dress that barley covers her boobs and ass. Looking over to Peeta I see his eye lock with mine and are silently pleading for me to get him out of this.
Without thinking I go and wrap my arms around His waist and kiss his cheek, which caused her to remove her hand. " Baby, I'm tired of dancing, lets go and get some drinks" I say placing a kiss on his cheek.
"Oh cactus, I didn't know you two were dating or that you were dating anyone for that matter" she says forcing a smile.
" Its Katniss and yeah, we ran into each at the mall one day and the rest is history" Peeta says.
Glimmer gives another forced smile and tightens her grip on her cup. " oh how cute."
" Yeah, I couldn't be happier " I say letting go of his waist and grabbing his hand l to lead him away.
Rage is written all over her face and Peeta just shrugs at her then turns to follow me out.
Once were clear of the dance floor and safely at the bar I drop his hand and sit on a stool.
" I'm sorry about that... I didn't know what else to do and..." before I can finish Peeta cut me off when his lips crashed into mine.
My eyes go wide and I'm shocked, frozen in place. After a second I get over my shock and my eyes flutter closed as I return the kiss.
His lips are warm and surprisingly soft. Im not sure what to do next and contemplate pulling away when I feel Peeta's hands cup my cheeks. I mirror his movement and bring my hands to his cheeks.
I feel the light stubble on his chin and lightly run my finger tips over top of it. He must take this gesture as a green light to continue because I feel his tongue graze my bottom lip asking for entry.
Before I can talk myself out of it I part my lips slightly. The feeling of his tongue dancing with mine is an indescribable sensation. This kiss isn't rough or awkward but tender and caring. It feels safe, warm and comforting. I feel my heart beating faster and a warm sensation run throughout my body.
He pulls back and to my surprise I make a sound of disappointment. His intense blues meet mine and he gives a shy smile. I feel the blush rush to my cheeks and bite my lip nervously.
What on earth has this boy done to me. I just meet him today and I'm already kissing him.
" So.. Um..that was fun.." I say trying to break the silence.
He chuckles and gives me a nod. " yeah, I..um..I just wanted to thank you for what you did back there."
" So you go and kiss every girl that does you a favor uh?" I tease.
" What? No! And you kiss me back as I recall" he smirks. I feel the blush creep up and scold myself for being so affected by this boy.
" So anyway, what made you join the band?" I ask.
" I filled in for Titus on a gig when he couldn't make it. Apparently he hasn't been coming to practices and flaking on the band so I replaced him." He says with a shrug. It's so odd how comfortable I am with this guy. I'm mean he's practically a stranger but he feels like home.
" I find it odd that I practically just made out with you but I know nothing about you." I say.
He hops up on a stool next to me " Ok what do you wanna know. I'm an open book."
I smile and began to ask question after question. I learn that he sleeps with the window open. He has two older brother, both named after bread as well, Wheaton and Rye. His favorite color is not bright orange but a soft orange, like the sunset. His last name is Mellark. He is an amazing artist and his parents own a bakery.
I tell him just as much about me too. I tell him about Prim and let him know his parents aren't the only ones who were adventurous with names. He now knows my favorite color is any shade of green and I promise to show him how handy I am at archery.
I even surprise myself by talking about my fathers mining accident.
" I'm so sorry Katniss. That's terrible. It seems like he was a big part of your life." Peeta says pulling me in for a hug. I wipe a stray tear off my cheek and say " yeah, he was my everything. He taught me everything I know about archery. He was great."
He's silent for a moment before speaking again. " I wish I could have met him. He sounds like a hero almost."
I look up to him and nod. " he was my hero".
Peeta pulls me in tighter and I naturally melt into him. We stay melted until we're interrupted by a voice.
" Peeta, breaks up...oh sorry did I interrupt?" I turn and see Finnick and Annie right beside him with a huge grin on her face.
I scowl at her and peel myself from Peeta. He turns to me with a sad smile that I return. He hops off the Stool and extends his hand.
I give him a questioning look and he says " aren't you gonna watch me play? You know since you couldn't keep your eyes off me earlier." He teases.
I roll my eyes dramatically and take his hand hopping down. " whatever Mellark".
He laughs loudly and we follow Annie and Finnick over to the stage.
When we get there and I see Finnick give Annie a kiss and tell her something in her ear that makes her blush. I can't help but think if that could be me and Peeta one day.
I shake my head to will the thought away, I'm getting ahead of myself.
" Well I guess I have to head up there now." Peeta says nodding toward the stage.
" Yeah I guess you do, but I'll be here watching" I say with a chuckle. He smiles and places a light kiss on my left cheek before turning to the stage.
I spot Annie and walk over to her smiling like a silly lovesick kid.
" We'll I guess you didn't need our help after all" she says smirking at me.
I roll my eyes still grinning and turn my attention to the stage. My eyes land on Peeta's beautiful blues and he gives me wink before he starts out the song with his drum. Just like earlier I'm hooked.
***M&B***