Author's Notes:
Thanks for all the reviews and messages. I love the ideas you guys have offered and will definitely keep them in mind
I will try to update before the weekend
As always, please review, I love hearing from you!
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"So there are five of us. Well, six now, I guess. You've already seen my room. There's Finnick and Peeta, they share that room." Annie says, pointing at the room at end of the long hallway, just across from hers. "Johanna, don't get on her bad side by the way, she sleeps in there. And Gale has the den. He put up that curtain thing to block it off, but half the time he sleeps in Johanna's room with her. They think they are being all sneaky about it but they really aren't."
I miss the mark to laugh at Annie's gossip, so I offer a late smirk. "Good to know."
"There are two bathrooms; one here in the hallway and one in through Finnick and Peeta's room. Johanna has kinda taken over the hall one so I use Finnick's. I'm sure they won't mind if you use it too."
"I don't take up much room. Never liked to wear make-up and now I don't have to."
"Awesome! Well, other than that, there's the living room here, the kitchen has that little dining nook in it. A little background on the apartment; we are the second floor unit. There's the roof terrace above us, and Ms. Mags live on the first floor. Johanna works for her, running errands and stuff. The laundry room is across the hall from her apartment."
My head is still pounding, but I don't have the heart to tell Annie to slow down. She seems genuinely excited that I'm going to be staying here.
"Anyway, Finnick, Peeta and I work at the restaurant, Johanna works for Mags, and Gale is an 'independent contractor'. He kinda just does odd jobs here and there. Do you have a job?"
"I was working at this family diner back home, but I guess that ship has sailed."
"That's ok! I'll talk to Haymitch tomorrow! He's the manager where we work, and I'm sure he'll give you a shot. I think Finnick was saying we needed another server."
I nod. It would be nice to be back to work in a restaurant again.
"So that's our place! We all kinda chip in around here. I have laundry and dinner duty. I talked to the boys and they said it would be okay if you helped me out as far as your contribution." I didn't think it was possible, but she seems even perkier after that last sentence.
Without hesitation, I lunge forward, embracing Annie in a full-fledged hug. "Thank you Annie. It's nice to have a real friend."
"You're welcome Katniss. Now go on and set up your stuff in my room. Peeta is picking you up a mattress and some other stuff with Finnick. Although I do have to wonder why I trusted two guys to do a girls shopping."
"I'm sure everything they get will be perfect. Anyway, I don't really have much stuff, so there really isn't much to set up." Why do I keep turning her conversations to darker topics? I really need to work on being more positive. "So, are you and Finnick, you know?"
"Together? Yeah. We met a year and a half ago when he found me sleeping at the train station. It was a cold winter that year, and he invited me to come back here for hot chocolate. And me, completely ignoring that whole 'stranger danger' thing they taught us when we were kids, came back here and fell asleep on this couch, right here. When I woke up the next morning, Peeta and Finn asked me to stay."
"And Johanna and Gale?"
"Jo got caught by Haymitch digging in the trash cans behind the restaurant and practically begged to live here. Gale used to do handyman work for Haymitch, practically lived around the restaurant, but when his parents died, Haymitch caught him sleeping in the kitchen so now he trades work for rent."
"So this is Haymitch's apartment?"
"It's his building. Mags was a friend of his mom's so he moved her in years ago. Our apartment, he used to live in, but now he has a house in Victor's Village. You know that really up and coming neighborhood a few blocks away? Well, when he moved out, he told Peeta he could stay and look after the place."
"So Haymitch is Peeta's dad?"
"God no! Well, I guess kinda become like a dad to him. Peeta's just like the rest of us. Haymitch took him in when he was 14 years old."
"What kind of guy just takes in a 14 year old off the streets like that?"
A different voice answers. "The kind of guy who understands that you can't go back if you want to move forward." His voice, while smooth and gentle, startles me. Peeta stands at the front door, followed by Finnick, their arms filled with shopping bags. "Your mattress is downstairs. I'll go get it and set it up in Annie's room."
Annie and I take the bags from the boys and take them to our room to unload. Towels, toiletries, a bed set.
It doesn't take me long to set up my side of the room. Annie has cleared the nightstand drawers for me to use, as well as half of her closet. With all the available space, it becomes painfully obvious how little I have left to my name. On the bright side, at least I have control over my life now.
I'm just finishing making my bed when there's a knock on the door. "How's it going in here?" Peeta enters the room slowly.
"All finished up. Thanks again, for everything."
He smiles, his eyes go soft, as though taking in every angle of my face, then clears his throat. "I um… got you this." He places a simple cell phone in my hand. "It's a prepaid and not as fancy as the one you are probably used to but if you need me, or us, any of us, we are just a phone call away. I put everyone's numbers in there for you."
I can't contain my appreciation, which seeps through my face in the form of a sad smile. "Peeta, about the other night, I can't thank-"
"Katniss, seriously, we are good. Everyone could use a friend every now and then."
"I've never been good at whole 'friends' thing. And we hardly know anything about each other, yet you are letting me stay here."
"Well, I know you partake in late night shopping, have a love for dessert flavored ice creams, and love my cooking so much that you would rather die than let it go."
"To be fair, the guy was also trying to steal my purse, you know." I playfully joke. But soon there is a peaceful silence again, one I am desperate to fill. "Well, you know everything about me apparently, but I know nothing about you other than the fact that you are an amazing cook and have a mean right hook."
"I used to be on a wrestling team, I don't mean to brag but I was pretty good, in fact I was second only to my older brother. As for my culinary skills, Haymitch taught me everything he knows." The glimmer in his eye reveals the depth of his pride. "I don't like coffee, I'm 17 years old and still double knot my shoe laces, and I love to paint."
"Now that's all fine and dandy, but I don't even know your favorite color."I say sarcastically.
"Orange." He stands and walks to the door.
Suddenly, my heart is leaping from my chest, and as he reaches for the door handle, I respond. "Green."
He turns to show his smile. "Nice to meet you Katniss."
As the door closes, I whisper, "Nice to see you again, Peeta."
