When Peeta arrived at his locker after Physics a few days later, he was unable to mask his disappointment. No Katniss. Again. He'd begun to think she was deliberately avoiding him after their last encounter by her locker.
He spun his lock - 12-47-26 - then snapped it open, reaching in to exchange his Physics books for History. He stretched up on his toes to root around for a spare pen, when something grabbed his sides. He startled with a shout and whipped around, but no one was behind him. He looked around frantically, finally spotting a long braid whipping around the corner.
He spent the rest of the week in a state of high alert. Each time he let down his guard and relaxed, sharp fingers probed his sides and sent him shooting into the air, searching everywhere for her slim figure or her signature hairstyle.
Thresh thought it was hilarious.
"She's awesome, man," Thresh slapped his large hand against his knee as they sat in the cafeteria having lunch. Well, Peeta was eating, all the while scanning the room, afraid he'd toss his plate of fries sky-high at any moment.
"I don't think it's awesome," Peeta grumbled, more used to being the prankster than the pranked.
Thresh titled his chair backwards until it hit the wall behind him and he was balanced on two legs.
"No, man, she is sick. I watched her sneak up on you yesterday. Her steps are silent, man. She tracks you like a hunter. And wicked fast! That girl is out of your reach before you even know what's happening."
Peeta resisted the urge to kick Thresh's chair out from under him. His sides ached from where her fingers drove into his sides; his ego was bruised and he longed to see her face, maybe even stammer out a few words.
"C'mon Peet," Thresh cajoled him. "You need to look on the bright side."
"And what's that, oh wise one?" Peeta could hear the snap in his voice. He didn't care.
Thresh dropped the legs of his chair to the floor and leaned his elbows on the table. His smile was full of straight white teeth. "Katniss Everdeen puts her hands on you about four times a day."
"I guess." He hadn't looked at the situation quite like that. He picked through his fries, looking for one with exactly the right amount of ketchup on it.
"You guess?" Thresh's voice was incredulous. "Peeta, you've had a hard-on for her since middle school. And now she's tracking you through the halls all day? Wake the fuck up! She's into you."
Peeta shook his head and ate another forkful of fries. "Nah. I don't think so. She hasn't even spoken to me in a week. Have you ever met a girl like that?"
Thresh laughed. "Peet, I think we can agree that Katniss Everdeen is not like most girls."
Peeta downed his soda and pushed his tray away. "Whatever, man. I'm gonna go get ready for chemistry."