An awkward tension fills the room. Marvel is still looking at Cato, searching for some sort of answer, but there is none.
"You have a girlfriend, Marv," Cato points out. "You're with Glimmer."
"I know." Marvel looks away from him, slightly ashamed of himself. "I know, I know, and I feel horrible, but I've loved you for a long time, Cato. You don't have to say it back. I just needed to tell you."
Looking from Marvel, to the ground, to the door, back to Marvel, and then to his hands tangled in his lap, Cato's head begins to spin with confusion. What the hell was he supposed to say? What does anyone say in a moment like this? And- what the fuck is with that constant vibration in his pocket? Excusing himself, Cato walks just outside the room and furiously flips open his phone. "What?!" He shouts at the other person.
"Whoa, buddy. Is that any way to speak to your friends?" A taunting feminine voice asks.
"Damn it, Clove. What the hell do you want?" Cato asks, annoyed.
"Oh, shut up. You forgot to bring my phone again." She says.
Remembering the cell phone in his living room, Cato instantly calms down. "Oh, yeah." Then it hits him. "Hey, wait a minute. It says you're calling me from your phone now. How-?"
"I went to your place, dumb-dumb." She smirks. "The door was unlocked so I let myself in. Where are you anyway?"
"None of your business, whore." He smirks. Talking to Clove was always a relief, despite the circumstances.
"I guess you'd know," Clove snickers back. "But seriously, where you at?"
Cato bites on his bottom lip. "In the hospital with Marv."
There's an awkward pause on the end of the line until Clove finally manages to whisper, "Oh." Then there's a slight shuffle and more silence. "Is he alright?"
"I think so." Cato says honestly.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Clove asks softly.
"No." Cato says flatly. It wasn't that he didn't trust her, but there were certain guidelines and rules in place, and one of his was that he never rat out a friend. What was going on between him and Marvel would stay just between the two of them. Clove didn't need to know anything more.
"Okay. Well, if you change your mind you know I'm here." She offers genuinely.
"I know." Cato smiles. "Thanks. I'll talk to you later. Somebody else is trying to call right now."
"Bye, Cato potato." Clove laughs.
He rolls his eyes at the nickname. "Later, Clover." And with that, he hangs up and looks at the screen to see who's calling. It's Peeta. He should really talk to him, but he can't be bothered. Not with everything else that's going on right now. Not to mention, Marvel could probably hear everything he says just behind the door. Should he leave? No. He put Marvel into this mess. He'd be a terrible friend to just walk away. So he does the best thing he can right now; he presses the ignore button on his phone, places it into his pocket, and walks back into the room with Marvel.
Peeta huffs when his call goes to Cato's voicemail… again. If he didn't know any better, he'd think Cato was purposely trying to avoid him. What a dick. He can't do that. He can't just come into his life, kiss him, make him believe there's something more between them, promise to explain himself, and then disappear out of the blue! Peeta deserved better than that. It just wasn't fair!
But what else could he do? Call yet again? Send another text message? He's already sent a dozen. He was beginning to look like a psychotic ex, but the anticipation of it all was just killing him inside. He looks down at his phone, ready to burst from all the pent up anxiety, and something happens… he gets a text message.
"I accept ur apology."
It's as if a bomb was just seconds from exploding and has now been disengaged at the final second. Relieved doesn't even begin to describe how Peeta feels right now. Excited to finally hear from Gale, he takes the opportunity to call him. Maybe they can meet up, get some food, and just hang out. He could really use a friend right now. But the moment he calls, it goes straight to voicemail.
Talk about timing. Ugh.
But then he gets an idea. He'll just go visit Gale at his place! But… he doesn't live with his family anymore, right? How was he supposed to know where to find him? Maybe Katniss knows. He dials her number and waits anxiously.
"Peeta?" She asks.
"Hey, Katniss." Peeta smiles. "How are you?" He can hear her sniffle.
"Oh, I'm okay, I guess." She mumbles. Truth be told, she wasn't okay.
Peeta can read her. "What's wrong, Katniss?"
She lets out a sigh. "I don't know. I guess I just miss Gale. We talked a little bit, but he seems so distracted with Domi, and that stupid FaceBook page. He was my best friend and now I don't see him anymore. It just sucks."
This is a perfect chance. "Well, he just sent me a text and said he accepted my apology. I tried to call him, but it went straight to voicemail. I was thinking maybe it would be a good chance to swing by and see how he's doing? Maybe we can both go."
The idea is perfect. "That sounds great, Peeta!" She thinks about finally being able to see him without the distractions of school or Domi, excited to see her best friend again. And then she realizes Gale is living with Myka, and she has no idea where he lives. "But I don't know where Myka's place is at. Do you?"
Damn. "No, sorry. Do you know anyone who might?"
"I don't know. Did Myka have any friends? He's kind of quiet, isn't he?" She wonders.
"Just Gale, I think." He starts thinking about every moment he's seen Myka. Once, when he and Cato were fighting in the cafeteria, doubt Cato would have his number; another time in art class; at the lunch table… oh! "Finnick!"
"Finnick?" Katniss asks.
"Yeah! He's got a huge crush on Myka. In fact, he mentioned something about taking him out on a date today, so he should know where they live." Peeta says proudly. Why didn't he think about this sooner?
"Perfect! I'll shoot him a text in case he's still on his date or whatever. I'm on my way to pick you up now. See you soon, Peeta!" She shrieks in delight.
It's about time the group get back together!
Finnick hastily struts into his bedroom with his cell phone in one hand pressed against his ear and rubbing alcohol and bandaging in the other hand, as promised.
"No problem, bye." He says before hanging up and tossing the phone on the dresser next to his bed. Myka observes him, but doesn't bother asking who he was on the phone with. It isn't any of his business. Not to mention, he's too high to care. They don't exchange any words as he instantly gets to work on Myka's bloody arm, cleaning the wound where the shark had bit down, and wrapping it when properly cleaned. He lightly strokes the bandaged skin and leans down, planting a soft kiss on the wrap. Myka smirks, brushing his fingertips against Finnick's cheek.
"Kissing my wounds all better, huh? I think I hurt my cheek too." He grins. Finnick chuckles at this little game, leaning in and kissing him on the cheek. "I think I hurt my neck too." He kisses his neck. "And possibly my lips…" The kiss grows hot and heavy, and soon they're feverishly making out on the bed, tangling fingers into each other's hair, nibbling and biting at swollen lips. Their libidos begin to take over and soon they're groping at each other, grinding their hips into one another, tugging at random articles of clothing until they're both topless. Myka begins to unbutton Finnick's jeans when he stops him, remembering his promise.
"Myka, wait. I don't want it to be like this." Finnick says softly. It's taking everything in him not to rip off the brunette's clothing and get straight to work.
"What?" Myka pouts, confused. "You don't want to do it? I thought you were as turned on as I am."
"No, I am!" Finnick says. "But I don't want this to be a one time thing. I want you to be my boyfriend."
Myka considers what Finnick has just said. "So if I was your boyfriend, would you fuck me?"
"Well… yeah. I mean, who wouldn't? You're so fucking perfect." Finnick purrs, staring at those puffy, swollen lips with longing.
That's all he needed to hear. "Then I'm your boyfriend. Now fuck me." Myka demands, forcefully pulling Finnick down on top of him.
"Wait, what?" Finnick asks incredulously.
Myka rolls his eyes in irritation, wanting to get to it and quickly. "I said you're my boyfriend. Now do it!" The cocaine is making him crazy with lust. He teases and teases until Finnick gives in. It works. Finnick immediately pounces on him, kissing him.
Finnick's tongue is nothing less than magical, making him squirm in delight.
This is what it should feel like. But then… was it feeling so good because Finnick was being so careful and sweet, or was it because the cocaine made everything feel that much more amazing? He begins to wonder if Gale decided to take any of it, and what he was doing right now.
Working up the courage, Gale decides to give Domi a call. His phone had died shortly after texting Peeta, but he's had it charging long enough by now. She's been on his mind all day and he can't get her out of his head. The phone rings three times before she picks up.
"Hi, pumpkin. How are you?"
"How'd you know it was me?" Gale asks.
"This amazing invention called caller id, little dove. What's up?" She asks with a giggle.
"I was just thinking of you. Can I take you out? Are you busy?" Yes, he was feeling much more confident now.
"I'm not busy." She smiles. "What would you like to do, lovely?"
"Anything. I just want to see you." Gale answers honestly.
Domi grins at the comment. "Do you like creepy, abandoned places?"
"As a matter of fact…" Gale smirks.
"Come pick me up. I'll show you a haunted navy base that will blow your mind. It's a great place to think."
"I'm on my way." Gale says.
"See you soon, lovely." Domi replies before hanging up the phone.
Gale catches himself grinning from ear to ear. He's only dreamt of this for a long time, and now he was finally going to go out with Domi. He's always fancied her, but now he knows for sure that she is definitely his type and he just wants to be around her in every moment that he possibly can.
Sprinting downstairs to the main gate of the apartment complex, Gale is in a rush to get to his car so he can visit Domi. Just as he's about to leave the complex, he sees Katniss and Peeta standing outside by the gate. He also notices an abnormally large man just a couple feet from them to the left. The man seems to be made of pure muscle, and standing at 6'5" ft, he's an extremely intimidating force not to be reckoned with. Did he live in one of the apartments? Gale hadn't noticed him before, and he doesn't look like he's in a gang.
Ignoring the uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, he takes several hesitant steps towards them. "What are you guys doing here?"
"We came to see you." Peeta answers. Though they're both uncomfortable from the visit and the environment, Katniss looks especially worried. She doesn't know what to expect.
"Oh. How did you guys know where to find me?" He asks in curiosity. It isn't that he isn't happy to see them, but he wasn't aware that anyone knew where he was living.
"Finnick gave us the address." Katniss explains. "We figured he'd know it since he was on a date with Myka."
At this, the ox of a man looks right at them. "Excuse me," he says. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but did you say that Myka lives here? Myka Volkayne?"
"Who wants to know?" Gale asks defensively. He didn't know this man.
"Oh, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to be so rude. I'm an old friend of his." He says. "We've been out of touch for a while. I just moved to the area and got word that he lived around here. We were best friends for a very long time. I was hoping to run into him and surprise him. Do you know where I can find him?"
Gale squints his eyes at the man. He's still unsure. This man was too old to be life-long friends with a teenager. "No," he lies. "We don't."
Realizing his obvious discomfort, he thinks of a way to ease Gale's suspicions. "I really am just trying to get in touch with an old friend. Here," he pulls up the sleeve of his black jacket to reveal a tattoo of a wolf on his arm. It's the same kind of wolf, a gray wolf, that Myka has tattooed on his thigh. This wolf, however, is not in a stalking stance. It looks much less intimidating and graceful, sitting like a well-behaved dog with a collar around its neck. Still, both wolves are obviously symbolic and prove they have a history together.
"He's at his boyfriend's house." Peeta answers for the man. The tattoo was enough to ease any suspicions he might have had. Besides, he took pity on the circumstance. After all, he and Katniss showed up uninvited to visit Gale. This guy deserved the benefit of a doubt.
"Oh. Do you know when he'll be back?" the man asks with a touch of jealousy to his voice.
Katniss answers that question with a smirk. "I guess that depends on how well their date goes."
"I see." He says. "Well, thank you all very much. It was nice to meet you." He begins to walk away, but suddenly stops in his step. "Oh, if you don't mind me asking, how do you all know Myka, by the way?"
Peeta and Katniss both answer "Gale," and point at him, who in turn shrugs his shoulders. "We're roommates." He explains.
Accepting the answer as a minor setback, the man nods and continues on his way until he disappears from view. Katniss, Gale, and Peeta look at one another, confused and feeling very awkward.
"So," Peeta starts. "How are you, Gale?"
"Um, fine. How are you guys?" He asks, relieved for a change of topic.
"Good." Peeta answers.
Katniss shifts from foot to foot, a bit apprehensive. "We're okay."
Gale nods his head. "That's good to hear. So… uh, listen-" he rubs the back of his neck. "I'm sorry to cut this short, but Domi is expecting me over. I was supposed to be at her place already. How about we hang tomorrow and talk?"
The effects of the cocaine have already worn off. Gale had only done one line, but was really itching to take another. He felt awkward and didn't want to be around his current company. He missed Katniss, and even Peeta, but this wasn't the best time. Katniss looks downright depressed. She was really hoping to hangout with Gale, and knowing that he was just going over to Domi's house didn't help one bit. She felt as if Gale had chosen Domi over her, and that wasn't right.
"Okay." She sighs. "Have fun, Gale."
"Thanks… and thanks for swinging by. It was good to see you two." Gale offers.
Katniss and Peeta offer a sad smile, disappointed by the turn of events. Gale didn't seem the least bit interested in them. At least he wasn't mad at them anymore, right? They stand there awkwardly, unsure whether to hug or just part ways. Peeta waves and turns away with Katniss following suit. Gale watches them as they make their way to Katniss' gray car. The ignition starts and they slowly drive away. He walks towards his jeep when he realizes he forgot his keys.
"Shit," he mutters under his breath. Turning around, he makes his way back towards the apartment. He walks up the stairs, notices the little black cat has run off scared. It's not so surprising though. That cat has always been a little wary of everyone but Myka. But he is still disappointed. He thought the cat had grown to like him. He walks up to the apartment door and hears a small thud on the other side. Myka's foster parents are probably home.
Wait. He didn't see them go through the main entrance. But they might have entered through the back gate. That would make sense. Shrugging, Gale lets himself into the apartment. He takes a quick glance around, but sees nothing. He goes into the bedroom, grabs his keys, and proceeds to walk out when he notices something off. The drawers are open. He didn't remember going through them. Maybe he was just really high and forgot. He looks around the room very quickly, but sees nothing. Accepting his paranoia as just a vivid imagination, he leaves, locking the door behind him.