Aaaaand here's where it all starts coming together! I can't believe this story is almost over, I'm writing one more chapter to finish the story, wrapping things up. The end of this chapter is sort of a cliff hanger, but don't worry, I'm already working on the next chapter so it should go up pretty soon! Let me know what you think, and if you were right about who cracked first!
Peeta came to pick me up the next evening, I'm sure fully expecting me to be dressed as dark and dismal as I normally am. But today, I decided to go out on a limb and try a different style. My light wash jeans and flowy dark blue blouse feel foreign on me, but I'm trying something new.
I opened the door, this time using the handle like a normal person. He jumped slightly when he saw me behind it.
"No magic door this time?" He asks with a smile. I find myself smiling back.
"Not today."
"I can't say that I mind. You look beautiful. I mean, you always look great, but like... today you look different and it's really cute too." He stumbled over his words, and I bit my lip waiting for him to finish. He seems more flustered than he was yesterday, and I know the reason why.
"Thanks Peeta."
"Ready to go?" He asks, offering his arm. I nod, taking it and moving my body against his. He's so warm and smells so good. It's really not fair to me, my side of the bet was way more difficult. If anything, the love potion I gave him just evened the playing field.
I pull the door closed behind me, using just a tiny bit of magic to lock it. I grin sheepishly at Peeta's questioning look.
"I always lose my keys." I admit.
He opened the car door for me, helping me in. I have to say that love potion Peeta is the most chivalrous person I've met. He gets in on his side, starting the car.
"Are these new pants?" He asks, brushing his fingers along the side of my leg. I'm sure it was just to feel if it's fresh denim, but the soft caress sends a shiver down my spine.
"Yeah, that obvious, huh?" I ask nervously, clearing my throat lightly.
"No! Not obvious at all, I just noticed because they're different from what you usually wear."
He stopped at a light, looking over at me as his hand found mine. I bit my lip again, not knowing what to do. His had was warm and rough, likely calloused from all the baking he did with his family growing up.
Apparently the storybook 'butterflies' are real, I just hadn't experienced them until I met Peeta. I recall what he said to me yesterday, that he really likes me. That was not something I anticipated hearing from many people, and it gave me an unexpected thrill down my spine thinking about it.
"Do you actually like my outfit?" I finally asked, breaking the silence, hoping I sounded more casual to him than I did to myself.
"Of course I do. I mean, I think your usual black on black goth princess look is a lot more Katniss, but this is a fun change of pace. You look beautiful." He tells me again. I nod, more to myself than to him.
He pulls up in front of Fin and Annie's house, giving my hand a squeeze.
"Stay put." He smiles, jumping out to open my door.
"I can open doors myself, you know." I say quietly, half expecting him to not hear. He just laughs, tucking my arm into his.
"A gentleman knows a lady can open her own doors, but shouldn't have to."
With that, Finnick opened the door, his face brightening up.
"Peeta, Katniss! Come on in!"
He and Annie welcomed us in again, their inviting home making me feel at ease despite the fact that I barely knew them. Annie also had a very disarming presence which relaxed me completely.
Is this what it's like to have friends?
During dinner, Annie cleared her throat, and Finnick stopped his conversation with Peeta immediately to look at her, eyes full of adoration.
"Thank you guys for coming over tonight, I'm celebrating my promotion finally going through. This means that I'll be able to work from home with much more flexible hours. And get paid a bit more. Which is awesome, because that's not the only announcement I have to make tonight."
She looked over at Fin, who smiled at her, taking her hand in his.
"We're having a baby!" He exclaimed to us, my jaw dropping as Peeta's face burst out into a giant grin.
"Really? That's incredible!" He exclaimed, patting Fin on the shoulder.
"We just got the news yesterday, I was actually promoted over a week ago." Annie admitted, daintily sipping her water with a smile.
"Congratulations, that's great news." I tell them, smiling across at Finnick. He grins back.
"We're waiting to find out the sex, but I'm hoping for a baby girl, Annie is hoping for a boy. I've already started shopping for clothes, and the little girl outfits are just too cute." He admits.
"Well, either would be adorable with you two for the parents," Peeta tells them, making Annie blush lightly.
"We also wanted to ask you, Peeta, to be the godfather." Annie told him. Peeta looks thrilled as he answers.
"The godfather? Of course, are you sure?"
"Who else would we want?" Finnick points out. I remember Peeta saying Finnick has no siblings, and growing up so close in age, they had been best friends since they were in diapers.
"I'm honored, Fin, thank you."
"Well, obviously, Annie can't have any, but would you like to join me in a glass of wine? My drinking days are coming to a close soon too, so might as well enjoy it now, right?" He laughs, already getting up to serve us. Peeta looks at me, and I nod slightly.
"That sounds great, count us in."
Finnick came back with three glasses, Annie laughing as he kissed her.
"Sorry, babe."
"I was never that big of a wine fan anyway." She smiles at us. "Drink up!"
Our conversations continued, Finnick and Annie told us about their vacation cruise they had lined up, hoping by that time Annie wouldn't be too sick, and she'd be able to enjoy the last hurrah.
I had a hard time focusing on the topic, as I nervously sipped my wine. The last time I'd had the beverage was when I spiked Peeta's drink, cheating on our bet and making everything infinitely worse.
Peeta switched back to water so he could drive us home, but I stuck with the wine, hoping it would eventually calm my nerves so I could relax.
Eventually, Annie called it a night, heading upstairs to get ready for bed. Peeta and I took the cue, saying our goodbyes then.
Peeta's hand found mine again as we walked down the driveway to his car, but neither of us said anything.
He opened my door for me again, and I murmured a quiet 'thanks.' He got in the other side, humming softly to himself as he started the car.
"Tonight was a good night." He said, eyes still on the road. I nodded absently, feeling myself getting dizzy. I felt sick, but we were only about 15 minutes away from my house, so I took some deep breaths, praying I could make it inside before anything embarrassing happened.
My belly turned, my anxiety churning and making me feel sicker. Peeta must've heard my heavy breathing, because he looked over at me a couple times before asking if I was okay. I nodded, brushing him off.
Three minutes later, I grabbed his arm, gripping tightly and catching his attention.
"Pull over!" I yelled, reaching for the door handle.
"Katniss, are you okay? What's wrong?" He asked, moving to the right side of the highway. I didn't answer him, opening the door as soon as he was stopped and taking a few steps outside before losing my dinner. Coughing and sputtering, cursing myself for not being able to hold it in, I wiped my mouth and turned.
"Here, use this." Peeta handed me a wet wipe, the package in his other hand. "You okay?" He asked as I tried to clean up. I checked my clothes for any casualties, finding none.
"Yeah. I'm sorry, can you take me home?" I asked, my voice hoarse and eyes teary. He looked sympathetically at me, nodding. As I walked back, he rubbed circles on my back.
"You alright?" He asked again after getting back on the road.
"I'm sorry, I don't what that was." I lied, feeling gross and terrible and worst of all, humiliated.
"It's okay, Katniss, happens to anyone." He offered, giving me a smile. "I had that happen to me on a date once. Food poisoning with poor timing." He laughs, shaking his head.
"Thanks, Peeta." I say softly, deciding to let him believe it was just some back produce I'd had for lunch.
We pulled up in front of my house, and I got out before Peeta had time to open my door for me.
"Katniss," he grabbed my arm, turning me around as I reached the porch. "Let me know if you need anything, okay? I have some good teas and soups that will settle your stomach right away, okay?"
"I will." I say, smiling weakly. I move to go inside, but Peeta hasn't let go of me yet.
"I'm serious. I want to be there for you, okay?" He looks at me deeply, and if I hadn't just thrown up, I would've thought he was about to kiss me.
"Okay Peeta."
"In fact, would it be okay if I make you a tea now? Going to bed on a messed up stomach is the worst." He offers, but it's too sweet, too nice. I can't take more.
"It wasn't food poisoning, okay?" I pull my arm away from him, just making him more confused.
"What-"
"I freaked myself out and got sick from nerves, I'm just trying to go inside so I don't have to look at your stupid, nice face and hear you be nice to me all the time, I can't do it anymore!" I start yelling, and Peeta just looks lost.
I can't expect him to follow my rant, though. He is under a spell.
"Katniss, I don't know what you're talking about. What's going on?"
"I cheated, okay? I cheated!" I exclaim, whirling back around to look at him. "I'm a filthy cheater, and it's making me sick!"
"Cheated on me? Katniss, we're not really dating, I don't think that really counts..."
"Not on you, I cheated on our bet, I gave you the stupid love potion because I knew I wasn't going to win, and I just wanted it to be over so I could stop seeing you and feeling terrible all the time!" I'm fully crying now. Peeta frowns.
"Love potion? When did you do that?"
"On the trip to the caves, I brought it with me." I wipe my face, feeling myself start to go numb from everything. "I didn't want to be the one to say 'I love you' first, but here I am. I fell in love with you, Peeta, and that was never a part of the plan. The stupid plan with the stupid bet, and now it's all over. I love you, bet over."