When Thursday night rolls around I'm reluctant to keep my promise about going bowling with the centre. Though Prim wants me to go, I'm nervous about seeing Peeta for the first time since I interrupted his meeting with Haymitch. Honestly, I'm not too sure he would even want me there after I barged in on whatever private moment that was happening.
But Prim won't dare let me skip out no matter which excuse I give.
So that night I find myself tied into red and blue bowling shoes as I grip a small hand-sized ball at the top of the lane. I'm just about to let loose my ball when out of nowhere Peeta slides down the lane next to mine and let's loose a howl and his own miniature ball. It sails down the lane, off the bumpers, and into the pins at the end. I can't help the laugh that escapes me as he gets back to his feet and grins wickedly in my direction.
"Come on Everdeen, toss the ball!" He riles and steps into my lane, stalking me until I toss it to a perfect strike. I hop around with excitement at my first real round and turn to Peeta who smirks at me as though nothing had happened. "No fair, you've got two working hands!" Peeta laughs and holds up his palms towards me.
"Ha, nice try Mellark but the ball only takes one hand to throw!" I reply and saunter away back to my team. I settle down onto our bench, making faces at Peeta in between joining the conversation that's happening around our corral.
"I'm telling you, Ghostbusters was a legit film and anyone who disagrees just hasn't watched it carefully!" Thresh, a thick-rimmed glasses-wearing, 22-year-old film student with dark skin, argues aloud, tossing his hands up in exasperation.
"Wait, Thresh, who exactly is telling you Ghostbusters wasn't good?" I interrupt before his hand gestures get too carried away.
"Ugh, just Marvel, the little tweaker – "
"Hey, Thresh man, come on, you know the rules," Peeta interrupts, leaning over the bench towards Thresh as he motions to the rail-thin kid who's wandering towards the head of our lane with his ball in hand.
"Aw, Peet – "
"No. Everyone here gets treated the same way we want to be treated. No exceptions," Peeta insists over Thresh's protests. Beside me, Rue, the girl I met at the reception from the other day, giggles into her palm before getting to her feet and motioning for Prim to abandon their team and join her in some type of shenanigans over in the game room.
"You're up," Marvel mumbles, returning to our corral and calling out to Thresh before crashing onto the bench. I catch Peeta's eye and he gives me a look of confusion at the moment that's just past between the group before getting up to help a frail looking girl with pale skin named Annie with her technique.
Without meaning to, I find myself watching Peeta as he jokes with the girl who can't be much younger than us, offering her different coloured bowling ball options until she gives in and cracks a wide and beautiful smile. Observing the exchange, I can't help but wonder what the story is there.
Or if there's anything going on between them.
"Everdeen, you're up!" Thresh shouts, breaking into my thoughts and thankfully distracting me from a path I don't want to continue on.
The rest of the game carries on with much cajoling and riling. Despite the fact that Peeta and I are clearly the oldest ones in attendance give or take a few years for some, it doesn't seem to matter much as the kids hoot and holler their way to higher scores. When it finally comes down to it, Peeta's team takes the win as Prim throws her third strike of the game, knocking us out by almost thirty points.
Afterwards we all pile into the centre's unmarked van and head back for a quick bite before heading home. The drive back is loud and full of excitement as the kids in the back joke and laugh, clearly enjoying the presence of one another. It's only when we pull into the parking lot and I'm about to slip out the passenger door that Peeta reaches over and taps my shoulder.
"Can I talk to you for a minute?" He asks hesitantly, withdrawing his hand and resting it between his knees under the wheel. I notice then that he rarely extends contact longer than necessary every time, often finding ways to put his hands somewhere protected.
"Yeah, sure," I reply and slip my legs back into the van until I'm staring out at the brick wall before us. Prim casts a second glance at me, a small smile on her lips, before she heads into the centre with the rest of the kids. I'm the first to break the silence, sure that I know what's coming. "Look – Peeta, I'm sorry I just barged in the other day. It was rude and inconsiderate and I'm sorry," I stutter and meet his eyes, trying to plead with him silently.
I don't expect the small smile that graces his lips or the shake of his head.
"Katniss, don't worry about that. I was having a bad day. I did want to ask you though, if, well... If you meant it?" He seems hesitant to ask, almost as if he's nervous I'll say no.
"I mean what I say – I'm here if you need to talk or anything. I may not know what to say, or what not to say, but sometimes I can shut up and listen," I joke lightly and shake my head, realizing that I'm rambling. Peeta only laughs lightly and shifts in his seat until he's looking at me.
"Want to get lunch on Monday?" He asks. I pause, considering the offer and trying to remember my schedule. I don't see any reason why not – Peeta's a great guy. He's funny, kind, and refreshing to be around. Maybe I was imagining that thing with Annie?
Stop it, Katniss, I scold myself internally. "Yeah, that sounds nice." I answer instead, nodding my head. His smile only seems to multiply as he watches me.
"Great. That's awesome," he whispers and leans over, resting his uninjured hand on mine momentarily. As quick as it came, it goes, as Peeta climbs out of the van and rushes over to help me down from the high step.
The rest of the night goes quickly as the group slowly starts to disperse over the hours. When I find Prim passed out among the cushions of the couch, I nod to Peeta and say a quiet goodnight before rousing her and leading her out to the car. Her sleepiness doesn't stop her from teasing me about my private interlude with Peeta in the van.
"He likes you. Oh, he does!" Prim mumbles as I slide her into the car and head towards home. Her jibs can't do a thing to wipe the smile from my lips.
I work most of the weekend, only taking Saturday night off to do laundry and finish up some paperwork. I try to ignore the pile of bills on the corner table as I watch the fuzzy nightly news play out before me.
When Monday finally rolls around, I'm more nervous than excited for my lunch with Peeta. I'm not really sure what it is – whether it's a date or just two people having a meal together. Pulling up to the centre though all of my nerves seem to dissipate as I find comfort in the familiarity of place.
But lunch time comes and goes and soon it's three in the afternoon and still no Peeta. Johanna long ago left, asking me to cover reception until Peeta got here, only he never showed up. I'm only just beginning to start to worry when Haymitch stumbles out from the back room and notices it's me and not Peeta.
"Where's the boy?" He slurs and leans heavily against the desk. I shake my head and shuffle the papers around.
"Not sure – he was supposed to meet me for lunch," I admit sadly as I look out the window.
"No message?" Haymitch continues and I shake my head slowly.
"We didn't really do the number exchange part..." I mutter lowly. Haymitch only frowns before nodding and heading back to his office with a grunt.
At four thirty when the official closing time of the centre rolls around, Haymitch sends me home and tells me not to worry about it, something came up. I try not to take it personally but I can't help the feeling that maybe he's avoiding me – that maybe I've done something to disappoint him or that this was all a mistake in the first place.
Returning home to Prim, she hassles me from the doorway to tell her every detail, every topic of our conversation so that she can analyze it and tell me just how perfect we are for each other.
"He didn't even show up!" I snap finally, uncharacteristically lashing out at her to ease my wounded pride. I barely see Prim's startled gaze before I close the door to my room and lock myself away for the night.
AN: You know, it's amazing the feedback I'm getting from you guys. Seriously, you make writing so worth it because your comments are wonderful and cheer me up so much. I just want to talk about everything with you (even if I can't answer your questions yet!) Also, my beta Opaque is so so so good to me. She keeps me on track and helps get the story from my jumbled mind to you guys to read, so love her too because she's working just as hard at this to make it enjoyable. Love you all, so much.