Author's note: THE DATE CHAPTER!
Happy reading!
Chapter Five
Katniss smoothed down her hair. "How do I look?"
Prim looked her over. "You look cute. But you should wear something lower-cut." She reached up and tugged on Katniss's collar. "Show off that cleavage."
Katniss slapped her sister's hand away. "My cleavage is right where it needs to be, thank you very much." She straightened her shirt. "So what are you doing tonight?"
"We have a big history test tomorrow, so I'm going over to Liz's and Cassie and Dave are coming over."
"Aren't Liz and Dave a thing?" Katniss asked as she looked out the window. She thought she'd heard a car in the driveway.
"On-again-off-again. Right now they're on. I don't know how long it'll last or how long they will focus on studying before they start making out and Cass and I uncomfortably try to continue, but fail." Prim chuckled. "Are you nervous?"
"A little." Katniss admitted. "But I think we'll manage."
"Don't get into too much deep stuff. It's a first date. Touch him a little, guys love that."
"I'm not a touching person."
Prim shrugged. "You need to get laid."
"Gee, thanks." Katniss sighed. "I know I do, but I'm not the kind of person to sleep with someone I don't know and I doubt Peeta is either. We're going to just take this slow and see where it goes, okay? And I don't want you to expect special treatment just because I'm dating your teacher. I'll tell him I expect you to be treated the same as always, especially if this goes south."
Prim nodded.
The gravel crunched in the driveway and they heard a car door close. Katniss looked to her sister once more and then walked toward the door. She waited for Peeta to knock and opened it. "Hi." She said with a nervous smile. She looked over his simple wardrobe and appreciated the way his jeans hugged his thighs and the perfect cut of his t-shirt.
"Hey." His smile was just as unsure as hers. He looked over her shoulder. "Hi, Prim. How are you this evening?"
"I'm good." She answered as she gathered her bag. She walked toward him as she slung it over her shoulder. "I expect her home at a decent hour, young man."
Peeta chuckled. "Yes, ma'am."
Katniss asked Prim, "Do you have your phone?"
"Yes, I do." She patted her front pocket. "Do you have yours?"
"Yes." Katniss patted her own pocket. "Don't just sit around gabbing all night. Actually get some studying in."
"I will." Prim gave her sister a hug and then bounced out the door humming something Katniss didn't recognize. She turned as she close the door and sang loudly, "Hot for teacher!" Then she closed the door with a giddy laugh.
Katniss and Peeta both laughed nervously.
Peeta asked, "Are you ready to go?"
"Uh, yeah, sure." She followed him out the door. His Jeep was an older model, but newer than her own car. "I like it." She said, pointing to his rig.
"It gets me around." He opened the passenger door for her and waited for her to climb in before he shut it.
They rode into town in relative silence. The radio was on low and Katniss hummed along.
She didn't realize she'd actually been singing until Peeta said, "Wow, you have a beautiful voice."
She blushed. "Thanks. I was in the choir in high school. My teacher said I could have made something of myself if I had been able to move on, but I couldn't. Not when there was Prim to care for."
"I'm sorry you couldn't."
Katniss shrugged. "We should talk about other things. Where did you go to school?"
Peeta pulled into a parking lot and killed the engine.
"Greasy Sae's?" She said, looking up at the sign.
"You know it?" He asked.
"My dad used to bring me here every Saturday when I was little. It was our tradition. I refused to let him bring Prim along. It was our thing. And then we'd go out to the range and he'd teach me how to shoot a bow."
Peeta shook his head. "A bow? You're full of surprises." They got out and walked up to the door. "I went to Panem University, in answer to your earlier question. I majored in art education for grades nine through twelve. And history. I'm a bit of a nerd." They picked up their menus. "So how long have you been a butcher?"
"I started that nearly three years ago. Before, I cleaned houses and did odd jobs. Nothing very stable. The butcher job was a God-send. I may work long hours, but at least I'm consistent. And I get paid a regular wage."
He watched her over his menu a moment and then went back to perusing the page. "Do you like it?"
"It pays the bills. Right now, I can't afford doing something I like." She put her menu down. "What are you getting?"
"I think I'll go for bacon and pancakes. What about you?"
"I used to always get steak and eggs when I was a kid. Steak cooked well done and eggs scrambled with cheese. I think I'll get that."
He smiled. "That actually sounds really good. I may get it, too. If you don't mind me copying you. Except I like my steak medium."
"These days I like mine medium, too."
They made their order and sat awkwardly for a moment. Neither of them knew what to say. Finally, Peeta sat forward.
"What would you do if you didn't need to work at butcher counter anymore?" He asked.
Katniss smiled shyly. "I'd go to college and study…" She shrugged. "I really don't know what I'd study. There are so many things. I was a smart kid in school. I was in the top twenty students. I suppose agriculture or something like that. I liked chemistry." She shrugged again. "I haven't given it much thought because I knew it wouldn't amount to much. I know Prim is going for pre-med. She wants to be a doctor."
"She told me that once. I told her it was a good idea since artists rarely get a good deal later on."
She nodded. "Very true." She played with her fork and watched him across the table. "So what would you do if you weren't a high school art teacher?"
"Probably work in a bakery. Own one someday. That's actually kind of a dream of mine." He smiled nervously.
She reached across the table and placed a hand on top of his. "That's great." She moved her hand away quickly. "But you teach."
"I teach." He nodded. "And I love it. The kids always have some really interesting thoughts that I never had before or come up with something I would have thought without me leading them there. It's so rewarding."
She smiled. "You're doing what you're supposed to be doing, then."
"I suppose so."
The conversation came to a lull and their food was brought out. They dug in and ate for a while.
Katniss said, "Pretty good."
"Mm-hm." Peeta said around a mouthful. He swallowed, "So what's your favorite color?"
She thought about it a moment and then said, "Green. Like forest green. And you?"
"Orange like in the sunset. Soft and kind of dark."
"And your favorite kind of music?"
He chuckled. "I like it all. I find myself drawn to old spirituals, gospel. I've never been religious, but the songs always kind of make me feel…" He shrugged. "It's hard to explain."
"I understand." She said softly.
"But I also really like rock and pop and movie soundtracks." He chuckled. "I like everything."
"I prefer 90s pop and country myself. But Prim forces the current stuff on me." She laughed. "But I like it."
They talked about more of their interests. Peeta told a few corny jokes and Katniss couldn't get enough. She hung on his every word, not wanting the evening to end. But soon her food was all gone and she was too full to even contemplate dessert.
Katniss pushed her plate away and picked up her glass of water. "That was better than I remember."
Peeta grinned and finished off his last bite. "Always delicious." He asked for the check.
They sat in silence once again smiling at each other over their water glasses. The check arrived just moments later and Peeta scooted out of the booth and Katniss followed as he walked to the counter to pay. She didn't want the date to be over, but both of them had to work the next day.
The drive back was too short. Katniss sang along to the radio again. Peeta hummed and listened and wished he could record her and go back to hear it over and over. He parked the car in her driveway and they both just sat.
She looked over and smiled. "Would you like to come inside?"
"Sure." He followed her to the house and waited as she unlocked it.
"Looks like Prim is still out studying." She observed. She pulled out her phone once they were inside and sent a text. "You have a curfew."
"I know. I'll be home in a bit. Make sure your bedroom door is closed. I don't need to see Mr. Mellark naked."
Katniss snorted and put her phone away. "Prim'll be home soon." She said.
Peeta nodded. "Okay. I suppose I should go."
"You don't have to run off." She said quickly. "Would you like the dime tour?"
He smiled and nodded. "I'd love it."
She showed him around the small single story house. There wasn't much to it, but she was proud of it. And happy she and Prim had cleaned that morning. "This is my favorite part." She said as she stopped by the back door out of the kitchen. "My dad built this." She stepped out and walked to a brick fire pit and lit it easily. She sat down on a nearby chair and motioned for him to join her.
Peeta took the seat and leaned close to the fire. It was a cold night. "This is nice."
"Thanks." Katniss pulled her coat around her shoulders. "My friend Gale and I set up targets back there." She pointed off into the distance. "And we shoot from here. I'm better than him."
He laughed. "I'd love to watch you guys sometime."
"I'll let you know when we're getting together. If you're free, you're definitely welcome."
"I'd be delighted." He watched her a moment and then asked, "When can I see you again?"
She giggled. "I work late every day this week."
"How late is late?"
She thought a moment. "Until seven Monday and Wednesday. Just till six every other day."
"Can I bring you dinner? You and Prim? On Friday?" He was anxious for her answer.
She nodded. "Okay. Sure. I don't know if Prim will be around or not, though."
"I guess I'll call and see."
"I hope we talk more this week." She said softly.
"Do you text?"
"I do."
He nodded. "Then I'll text."
"I have to leave my phone in my locker at work, so don't be offended if I don't respond right away. I'll check it every break."
"I'm not supposed to have mine out either. I leave it in my desk drawer."
"I don't go in until noon tomorrow, but I'll be up with Prim. So if you want to text me before school..." She watched him nervously.
He smiled and nodded. "Sure."
Prim called from inside, "Katniss?"
"On the back porch." She called back.
Peeta stood. "I guess I should go."
Katniss followed. "I guess you should."
Prim opened the back door and watched them a moment before she backed up. "I'll give you two a minute."
"I'm leaving." Peeta said.
Katniss motioned for him to precede her through the door. She followed him to the front of the house and they stood awkwardly for a moment.
Peeta chuckled nervously and then kissed her cheek. "I'll text you in the morning."
"I'll answer it." She grinned. "And don't forget about Friday."
"I won't." He stepped out the door. "See you tomorrow, Prim."
"Good-bye, Mr. Mellark." Prim called.
"Bye." Katniss said.
"Bye." Peeta finally left and headed toward his car.
Katniss turned and saw Prim pursing her lips. She made smooching noises. "Katniss has a boyfriend." She sang.
"Shut up." Katniss said, blushing. She walked back out and put out the fire in the pit.
Prim followed. "Tell me about it."
Katniss shrugged and walked back inside. "Not much to tell. We ate and talked and then came back here and talked some more. He said he wants to bring us supper Friday. I said it was fine, but I didn't know if you would be here."
"I'll make sure to have plans that night." She made more smooching noises and went to her room. "Goodnight, Katniss."
"Goodnight, Prim. I love you."
Prim paused and smiled. "I love you, too."
Katniss's phone when off as she was climbing into bed a little while later. It was a text from Peeta.
"I know I said I'd text tomorrow, but I just couldn't wait. I had a good time tonight."
She smiled. "I did too."
"So what are doing?"
She turned out her lamp and reclined on her bed to respond. "I'm in bed. I was thinking about reading a bit, but I changed my mind. What about you?"
His reply took a while. "Thinking about something silly."
"Oh? Care to share?" She put her phone on her chest and closed her eyes as she waited for his answer.
Another long stretch of time passed before his text came through. "Just that I felt amazing being with you and I never felt that before and I think I might be smitten with you."
She giggled and quickly covered her mouth with her hand. She was doing lot of that lately. She typed out a reply. "I feel the same way."
"I don't want to wait for Friday to see you again. How about I bring donuts tomorrow for breakfast?"
"Okay. That's fine. I'll have the coffee brewed. Or are you more of a tea man?"
"I like coffee. See you around 7?"
"7 works."
"Goodnight, Katniss."
"Goodnight, Peeta."
Shegot up and ran to Prim's room. She bounced on her sister's bed, disturbing her reading.
"What?" Prim asked.
"He's bringing donuts in the morning." Katniss said excitedly.
Prim closed her book and set it aside. "Can he not get enough of you or something?" She asked with a teasing grin.
Katniss giggled. "I guess not. Look what he said to me." She handed over her phone.
Prim took it and read over the conversation. She put her hand over her mouth and said, "Aww. That's so sweet. Smitten. He's smitten with you." She gave the phone back. "I can't wait to tease him."
Katniss placed a hand on her sister's knee. "Listen, I know you and Peeta are pretty cool with each other, but don't do it at school, okay? Just when he's here or if we see him around town. Can you do that?"
She nodded. "Of course. School and his private life should stay separate."
"Good." Katniss leaned forward and kissed Prim's forehead. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight."