*Peers from behind door* you still there? Sorry for such a long update. Time just slipped through my fingers and I got caught up in my other story. Again sorry.
Smurfflynn- Im glad you agree :)
Sorry about spelling mistakes for those with OCD. I do read through it but they escape me sometimes. Need to find someone to read through them instead really.
I'm going to do a Finnick and Johanna view now just for a bit of insight. As I said before it come from my head as I type. Hope it turns out ok *crosses fingers* Penny for your thoughts?
"Why are you such an idiot" Johanna chuckled, elbowing her friend in the ribs. Finnick turned his back to the new girl and Peeta and gave Jo a lopsided smirk.
"I'm not an idiot, I'm charming" He says absolutely.
"Yeah, yeah. Go find your toga while I sort out my crap." Jo mumbled, reaching into her bag for her canvas plan.
"Tell me again why I'm doing this. I mean I get why me, look at me, I'm adorable, but since when do you actually plan and, well, do anything in Art?" Finnick inquired. His curiosity flaring. In reality he didn't want to wear the stupid dress, but he would for his friend.
"Aunts birthday soon. She's decorating again and she keeps saying she needs something for a wall. So I'm gonna paint her something as a gift." Johanna says, a slight blush gracing her face. Finnick looked down at his quirky friend. He lived it when this side of Jo showed, it didn't happen often openly but it always brought a smile to his face. Seeing she was embarrassed Finnick decided to make her laugh.
"I just think you want to look up my skirt…" he quipped, pulling the toga from his bag and strutting away, smiling at Jo's chuckle. Johanna watched Finnick as he walked away. She knew what he was doing, and she loved him for it. How did she deserve a friend like him? Wiping the smile from her face she gathered her supplies and set everything up in the corner by the door. Just waiting on Fin now.
Sitting at her stool she looked over at Peeta. Johanna couldn't get around he relationship with that succubus Katniss. She watched on as the life drained from Peetas face each time he was with her. She mentally notes the differences; he's a lot more paranoid of things now, she has broken his trust so he questions everything, where he used to openly joke with her and Finnick he is more subdued and quiet when she's nearby. It's sad to watch, but she can't help him. He has such a big heart and he's so kind and forgiving. But he's also incredibly stubborn. She could hint, imply and even outright say on occasion, but it's something he needs to learn on his own.
Jo looks at Peeta and notices something different on his face. In this class he's usually sad or contemplative and withdrawn, engrossed in his work. But right now he is doing nothing. Staring at the girl next to him looking…Content? A small smile is gracing his lips as she speaks to Cinna and she can't stop the smile that falls on her lips too. Johanna has never seen him look at anyone that way, though she recognises it herself. It's the look that her aunt and uncle give each other when she's sitting at the table. A look she aspires to share with someone one day.
So, its this girl huh…we'll see.
Jo returns from her thoughts and finds the scene infront of her looks drastically different. Instead of the sweet smile on Peetas face, it has been replaced by a worried frown, a pained look that she recognises. How she wished she knew what caused him to look like that…she'd kill it then hang it by its toes. Johanna moves her head slightly to scowl at the girl that caused that look on his face, only to be surprised again and see the girls form has gone rigid.
I wonder whats up…? Jo thought idly.
She watched in silence and Peeta pulls her from the seat and guides her out the room conspicuously. He is so gentle with her, like she was a delicate flower, the concern still visible in his eyes. Jo doesn't take her eyes away from the scene. It was so sad, yet actually quite beautiful. She waits in silence for Finnick, deciding to say nothing of the event. But she couldn't help but wonder if the girl from 10 will be the one to finally make Peeta, well, Peeta again.
She is broken out of her reverie when a muscular leg appears on her lap. She meets the eyes of a cocky Finnick. "Like what you see?" he says twirling for Jo. She just laughed as she dragged him to a stool and positioned him how she wanted. "Yes. You're stunning Finnick. Now stay still" Johanna said, lightly tracing the image and becoming engrossed in the gift. Finnick complied, liking how Jo was finally committed to something. Johanna was a good student on average. She had a short temper most of the time and was often sent out of rooms, but her grades were good so she was never suspended for her language or fights. She just didn't really have a passion for anything, he would help her find it though, gradually.
Finnick let his mind wander to the new girl. She was beautiful, in a wholesome kind of way. He couldn't deny he was attracted to her but many of the guys he spoke to today that had seen her said the same thing. But that's not what made him think of her, it was Peeta. He had watched Peeta go over to Delly and the girl and he had seen the way that his eyes sparkled. Peeta deserves only the best and he had never seen him look at anyone like that before. It was like he practically glowed in her presence. Finnick had watched the encounter and the short banter at their table. Peeta, although nervous at first, was confident and slightly flirtatious at their table. He thought about when he spoke out during class and the looks that Peeta sent his way. He doubted that Peet even realised the possessive vibe he was sending, but he'd soon find out.
Finnick thought back to when Peeta admitted he liked Katniss, well 'loved'. He felt that their failed relationship was somewhat his fault. He could tell that the feelings were superficial on her behalf, although he still can't figure out why. He should have tried to dissuade Peeta for pursuing it, he was in love with the idea of love, not her. But he just stood by and now his friend was a shadow of his buoyant-self. If this Willow can bring him out of his shell the way she did today, well, they'd be spending a lot more time with each other that's for sure.
The click of someone opening the door made both Finnck and Jo turn their heads towards it. There they saw Willow and Peeta talking in hushed tones. They turned and looked at eachother in question, small smirks placed on both their faces as they turn back to the scene, watching as Peeta lent back against the shut door. A warm smile playing on his lips. Finnick and Jo look at each other, silently sharing the same thoughts as they carry on with Jos painting.
Willow will fix him.
"What the fuck are you wearing? Dude! Put it away please!" Peeta cried. Finnick turned slightly to see a red faced, smiling Peeta walking towards him. Finnick grabbed a nearby stool that Jo gestured to and positioned himself on it. He stood a little taller and puffed out his chest at Peeta.
"What? You intimidated my boy?" Finnick said, smiling at the playful Peet he has come to love. Jo rolled her eyes at the two as she got up to fix the way Finnick was standing. "Jo…What are you doing with my friend? Why is he in a skirt?" Peeta asked her in a mock whisper. She smirked at him with a raised eyebrow. However before she could reply Finnick intervened…. "Actually! It's a toga Peeta, pay some damn attention in history" He said, sulking slightly, pouting for dramatic effect.
"My bad Fin, but even so, you look very pretty in your dress" Peeta replied, batting his eyes and playing damsel for Finnick. Fin laughed at his friend, he had missed this side of him. How could one encounter cause this much of a change. Finnick was enjoying it now but he was sure it would be a one step forward, two steps back scenario with Katniss in the picture.
"Move douche" Jo said, politely obviously. Peeta did as he was told before he asked "Seriously though, jokes aside, what are you doing?" Jo didn't look up from her image but gestured with her arms to Finnick. "Well I decided to do Mr Speedo swimwear here as Poseidon. May as well get something out of that mug of his" Not ready to tell him why when people where around. If he asked she would but otherwise she saw no need. She watched him move to the desk near them and pull out his sketch items. She looked at Finnick, silently asking if it was ok for her to step out for a sec, since he was standing there like a good boy for her. Finnick tilted his head toward Peeta as confirmation. She rose from her stool smiling at him and walked behind Peeta quietly. She looked at his face, a dazed look in his eyes, she didn't think he was even aware of what he was sketching. Jo decided to see what it transformed into. His lines and shading were so precise and beautiful, even when he wasn't paying attention, a sense of pride filled her as she watched him continue. The sketch began to take a form that she could recognise, it was Willow. The elegant slope of her neck, the roundness of her face, however the most definition seemed to be on her eyes.
This was it for him then. It was her.
She recalled the stories of her aunt and uncle and the tales they told of being in love, so to her this was clear as day. If Willow was good enough for him, Jo would help it happen. Otherwise she may just punch Peeta for being so stupid…
"So, you have the hots for the new girl" Jo said, unable to keep the slight know-it-all tone out of her voice. Peeta jumped from his dazed state, making Jo internally smile.
"What?! Why would you think that? I finally have Katniss now Jo and I'm happy. Willow is a friend" Peeta stuttered out unconvincingly.
Rolling her eyes Johanna replied "Uh huh. Well, I have been your friend for years now Peet. You always liked the idea of Katniss, not her. She was different and closed off. You wanted to help her open up more than be with her. You just got confused along the way" Jo was looking into Peeta eyes, trying to convey how much she wanted him to understand. . "Besides, even when you were pining over Katniss, not once did you draw her, consciously or otherwise" She added as she walked away.
Finnick watched the scene in confusion but he would ask Jo about it later. He looked at Peetas face and the emotions that passed through it, feeling sad that his friend questions everything he feels. Peeta suddenly looked at the clock and quickly headed to the door, calling out "I won't be long" behind him, Finnicks eyes following him the entire time. He watched as Peeta opened the door only to stop abruptly. Finnick peered past his form and saw Cato kissing a clearly uncomfortable Willows hand.
Is that why Peeta looks so angry? Fin watched as Cato walking away, seeing Willow cringe at the fake sentiment caused him to chuckle despite himself. Willow bumped into Peeta and Finnick watched Willows face light up at the contact.
Now that is exactly what he wanted to see…
Finnick looked away as they began talking, not wanting to be caught staring at them.
"That….had to have been…the…worst lie…in the history…of ever being told!" Jo and Finnick hear their friend say through a round of laughter. They each smile but do not move to look at them.
A more feminine laugh joins in wholeheartedly. . "It was not that funny Peeta! And I wasn't even trying to lie before you degrade my acting skills." Willow said, a mild chastising tone to her voice.
"I'm sorry. Are you ok though?" Peeta questions, smile clear through his voice.
"Well I can clearly see how much you care from you laughing at me" Willow mumbles, clearly playing with him. Finnick loves the fact she playing along with him, rather than berating him for being 'childish' or 'embarrassing'.
He didn't hear her approach, which is strange for him, usually he always knows when someone is near him. "So, how's it going Neptune?" He heard Willow ask in a mirth filled voice. He smirked at her attempt of banter. A line came into his heard, it was bad and actually wasn't at all relevant to the question but he just felt like it had to be said.
"You know, the usual. I'm trying really hard but each time a women gets a look at my huge spear here…they just get wet…" Finnick fist bumped himself mentally for getting it out so well. However his ego deflated slight as Jo started to laugh at him.
"HAHAHA! Really Finn, that's what you're giving the new girl. You're a disaster Finnick, truly. Would you please move tubs, your blocking my light…" Jo says , not looking up, but wanting to get a feel for her reaction. Katniss would have a hissy fit and demand she never be spoken to again. If she's too touchy and fragile, then she's not the one for her Peeta. Also he didn't want to see the disapproving or angry looks she is undoubtedly getting from her two best friends.
"Well I suppose I should do something this lesson, so I'll let Ms Originality get back to you Poisidon" Willow said, actually patting Jo on the shoulder. No tears, No strop, just a quip and walking away. Huh.
Johanna couldn't stop the small chuckle that left her mouth. "I think I like her".
Finnick, although not agreeing to the methods she used, understood that this is the way Jo gets her feel of people and smiled slightly on hearing her admission. He watched Peeta walk away and take a seat near Willow, watching her with gentle eyes as she worked.
"Stop looking" Jo said sharply, throwing a paper ball at his face.
"But it's so sweet…" Finnick said. Jo smiled at her friend. His rouge, boyish attitude was just a front for that romantic gentleman she knew was inside.
"Stop being such a girl. I want to paint a manly god, not a pansy." Jo replied softly, letting him know through her voice that she agreed with his assessment. Smiling once more at his friend, Finnick did as he was told.
A few minutes before the bell, Johanna let Finnick go change into his regular clothes as she put away her bits and pieces. As he returned to the room he watched Willow and Peeta come face to face, merely inches apart.
If this were a movie, he'd kiss her right now. He thought to himself
"I didn't mean to startle you" he said softly, looking into her eyes with a warm smile.
Are you freaking serious?! I can't deal with this cheese. Intervention time! Finnick though as he watched her blush. It was a perfect movie screen scenario, and they don't know each other properly yet, this could only get worse the closer they become. Finnick made his way over to the pair, sights set on teasing Peeta.
"I don't suppose you know where Ms Trinkets Humanities class is?" she asks him. Finnick sees this opportunity and takes it.
"Yes he does. But it so happens that this is also my next class. Care to walk with me?" He said, giving her his most dashing smile which she giggles at. Seeing this Peeta tries to steal her attention away again, taking Finnicks bait. "I am perfectly capable of taking her Finnick…" Peeta protests.
"I know, but you're in Maths which is the opposite direction so there's no point, besides I am also 'perfectly capable'…of many things" Finnick implied, looking at Willows, amused face, giving her a wink for good measure. He's glad she hasn't taken the bait and actually swooned like various others, because if she tried it on him, right now, he's ashamed to say he wouldn't say no.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves ey?" She chuckles, smacking Finnick lightly on the arm. "Thanks anyway Peeta but he's right, there's no need for you to be late for lesson is I'm in his class anyway" Finnick watches as she reaches out and squeeze's his wrist. He stares between the two as they seem to convey an entire conversation through only their eyes. He notices how Peetas face, which had a look of dejection on a second ago, turns into an easy smile at her touch.
I feel a tug on my shirt and look down to see Willow dragging my away from the door. I smile at her easiness to be around. "Come on then Romeo, lead the way."
I agree with Jo. I think I like her too.