Hey so here's the twenty-second chapter, I apologise ahead for all errors grammatically and also any spelling errors. I'm not really a writer. It hasn't been beta-ed all errors are my own. I of course don't own any part of the Hunger Games that's all Suzanne Collins. If I had it would have been a hell of a lot different.
Warning: boy on boy, kinky smut, drinking, definite drug use, a little violence, swearing, OOC-ness and all those bad things.
So if you read the last chapter of my other story My Fate Re-Written you know I have been dealing with exhaustion due to lack of sleep and not eating properly and on top of that a virus so I took a few days off just to recover and de-stress. So sorry for making you wait so long for a new chapter. To all though who review thank you once again. Its amazing to know people enjoy your work. I think I'm getting close to the end for this story, probably going to wrap it up in the next eight chapters. And I'm thinking that once I bring out my third story I may have to cut down to one update a week, sorry to all those who have loved the twice a week thing I had going. But I figure if I'm writing just one chapter a week just for multiple stories it kind of makes up for it. So to make up for not updating either of my stories over the past six or seven days I have decided to give you all a surprised which will probably pop up on Wednesday, so keep a look out. :D I haven't decided which story a,b or c I'm going to start next month yet so if you haven't told me what you would like to see please do, it would be a great help. Or if you have any suggestions for either a story or other ideas I'm totally open to hearing them. Xo
Peeto4eva- ... I got to have the drama and I know I'm mean ending the chapter that way but I got to keep you coming back some how haha. Xoxoxo
Conspiration-ult- O.O... well it could mean anything and I have the next chapter don't worry :D. And thank you for voting 1 and 3 are both stories I'm leaning towards... looks like I may be doubling my work load and starting two new stories next month. Also I promise to try not to break your mind to often... unless it's from smut then it may happen often ;). Thanks so much for sticking with me on both stories. Means the world. Xoxoxo
pumpkinking5- :D I'll keep updating as often as I can especially with reviews coming in. They really motivate me to sit down and pump out more. And Peeta is SUCH I good person... hope you aren't to anxious about Derrick. YAY totally just YAY more Neko Peeta! All the time! Thanks for reviewing and for voting! I do really want to bring out a Neko Peeta story. Xoxoxo
PrinceArdhz- thanks boo! :D and thanks for making up your mind and voting. I'm glad Neko Peeta is getting a few votes. I was worried I was the only one who felt that way. So thanks again. Xoxoxo
fanboyingfiction- thanks for voting and yes I do want him to be a bit more, um what's the word, aggressive? Self-aware? Powerful? All of them? Haha so I should do a strong capable (Oooh that's the word capable) Neko Peeta then? Xoxoxo
Whaatevaa- wow thank you thank you thank you for your kind words. Means so so so much. And I'm glad you love the story. :D seriously though so much. Xoxoxo
He Took My Heart
Chapter Twenty-Two
As I turn back to the painting Cato's walks back over. "What is he doing here? And why was he talking to you?"
"It's fine Cato he is here with his mother and he wanted to apologise and tell me he isn't going to bully me anymore." I say grabbing Cato's hand before he even thinks about walking over there. I wasn't about to let Cato ruin my night. "Just let it go, I have and I'm the one he bullied."
Cato let's out a deep breathe. "Fine but only because mum would kill me if I started to beat his ass in the middle of her gallery."
I roll my eyes and pull him over to the next painting. When we stop I feel my phone start to vibrate. I pull it out of my pocket and see its Derrick's number. I hit ignore only for it to start ringing again a second later. I press ignore again hoping he would stop before Cato noticed. I receive a text next, then another. I sigh and open the messages.
'Peeta I told you if you weren't going to play nice I would be forced to reveal your dark secrets. The first is in the next text.'
I sigh preparing for what ever it could be in the next text. I open it and I'm shocked, I feel myself start to go red and shake. When? How? My breathing becomes shallow as panic takes over.
'Its not the only one.'
I wanted to cry, if this got around I would never live it down. I close my phone before Cato could see. My hands start to shake so I remove my other hand from Cato's and pretend to be staring intently at the painting before me. I couldn't let these pictures come out. I would be the Paris Hilton on our school. I would be teased and tormented the rest of my high school life, not to mention my family would find out. How did Derrick get these pictures? When did he take them? How could I of not noticed? I can't think straight, I need to do something. I feel so unstable, so powerless. But I knew I had to take control of the situation before it causes to much damage. I can only image how Cato it going to react. He would lose his mind and do something completely stupid and reckless. I had to deal with this before he found out. Suddenly a thought clicks in my mind. Luka, he seemed to hate me. And he obviously has gotten close to Derrick. Was he helping Derrick now? While I had forgiven Luka because he seemed to genuinely be remorseful and let's face it he didn't want me to tell anyone about him being like me so he had to save face. Was he just being nice to avoid looking like he was apart of this? I couldn't help but be suspicious of the timing and his intentions. I needed answers. So I spin around and search the room for Luka. As soon as I find him I dash angrily across to him and pull him outside. "We need to talk." I blurt out as we walk across the street so no one from the gallery would hear.
"What going on?" Luka asks in confusion.
"Are you in on it? Was what you said to me before just apart of his plan to fuck with my head?" I growl out in frustration.
"What are you talking about?" His face still the frozen in confusion.
"Derrick, are you helping him? Do you know about what he sent me?" I ask ready to lose control. I was so agitated and angry I didn't notice Cato cross the street and stand behind me.
"No Peeta I swear I have no clue what you are talking about? I haven't talked to him since you walked in on us at the party." He replies honestly.
I sigh and stomp my foot bringing my hands to my forehead. "Fuck. He said if I wouldn't let him be apart of my life again he would reveal all my dark secrets. At the time I thought I didn't have any he could use against me so I didn't worry about it. But I was wrong, so freaking damn wrong. He just sent me a picture of me naked and having sex with him."
"He what?" Cato yells from behind me.
I jump surprised to hear his voice behind me. I turn around to look at Cato. He looked like he was about to kill someone with his bare hands. The hatred in his eyes scared me. This is why I didn't want him ti find out, he's going to lose it and then I could lose him. A tear falls on my cheek and I start to pathetically sob. "He, he said it wasn't the only one. I'm sorry I, I didn't know he ever did that when we were together I swear. I just, I can't let him do this to me. I can't have those pictures floating around. It will ruin my life."
Cato eyes change slowly, the hate disappearing to be filled with ones of compassion. He slowly walks up to me pulls me to his chest. His arms wrap tightly around me. I bury my face into he chest and let the tears flow. "Luka do you swear you know nothing about this?" He asks, his voice controlled but aggressive.
"Cato I swear, I may have picked on Peeta but that's a whole other level. I, um, if you need me to help in any way I'd be more then willing. I have a lot to make up for, with what I put you through Peeta." Luka says, the sincerity clear in his voice.
I turn in Cato's arms to face Luka once again. "Thank you." I sniffle and wipe the tears from my cheeks as Luka heads back to the gallery. I look up at Cato. "What are we going to do?"
"Firstly we are going to tell your father."
"Cato no I don't want him finding out." I burst out. I didn't want anyone to know really. The thought of that conversation with my father scared me. He was going to be so disappointed in me. I start to sob again. Derrick really was going to win.
"I'm sorry Peeta but you can't let Derrick do this to you. And if I threaten him he might do something even more damaging to you. We need to tell your father, and then probably the school. If he doesn't stop then we go to the police." Cato says rubbing my back in a soothing manner.
I was so confused, Cato was being so level-headed and smart about this whole thing. I mean I know if I had just not told anyone and dealt with this on my own it probably would have blown up in my face. "Cato, I, you are amazing and I love you." I lean up and kiss him passionately to show my appreciation.
When we break apart Cato looks me straight in the eyes. "Doesn't change the fact I'm ready to kill him right now. But.."
"Cato no you can't. It is probably what he wants so he can screw you over some how. I bet he would do anything to break us up. He probably thinks if that happened I'd go running back to he or something stupid." I latch onto his shirt scared he might actual do something and leave me here.
"Peeta I'm not going to try anything. We are going to sort this out the right way for once." Cato continues before turning to look back at the gallery. "Come on let's take you back to mine. Mum will understand. And tomorrow we can talk to your dad."
I nod as Cato takes my hand and we head to his car. I had calmed down for now but I couldn't shake the unnerving feelings taking over. We reach his car and I get in going over every thing in my head. I unlock my phone and look at the picture again without Cato seeing. I don't understand I was looking right at the camera but I don't ever remember willingly letting him do that. I know he got me drunk a few times but he swore he just put me to bed and cuddled. I looked dazed in the photo but happy and filled with lust. I was on my back, my legs spread wide with Derrick between them. My hands on his hips while I was biting my bottom lip. I was afraid to see how many other photos there were, and what I was doing in them. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have been so wrong about him?
As we pull up to Cato's house I realise we had spent the whole trip in silence while I internalised everything. Cato was being so amazing right now, I couldn't shut him out, I had to force myself to be open with him. We both deserved better. "Sorry for being so quiet. I'm just trying to figure out when he took the photos."
"It's okay Peeta. I'm not the one being harassed and yet I'm flipping out so I can't imagine how you feel. That being said I don't want you to struggle with this on your owe. I need you to not shut me out right now. I'm always going to be here by your side, no matter what is going on." He says caressing my cheek.
I lean into his hand and let a weak smile show. "I will try not to. I just don't understand why he is doing this."
"That's something we may never find out. Now let's go inside and take a long hot shower and go to bed. I think it will make you feel better and less stressed out babe." Cato says opening his door.
I do the same and head towards the front door of his house. "That sounds so amazing right now. Just promise me something."
"What?" He asks opening the door.
"Distract me all night. I don't want to think or dwell on this. I just want to forget it all and pretend it's just a perfect normal night with my boyfriend." I say getting on my tip toes and kissing his cheek before heading up the stairs towards his bedroom.
"I can do that." He smiles and follows me up.
Once we are in his room I immediately start to strip off my clothes. Cato does the same and we head into his bathroom. I open the glass door and step in. I turn on the water and wait for it to warm before stepping under and let the water wash away all my worries. Cato steps in and wraps his arms around me. We stay like that for the longest of time. Just standing there with his arms around me, keep me strong, protecting me from the world. I try to block out what had happened tonight and just enjoy being in his arms. Him holding me right now meant everything. When the water starts to go cold we quickly wash and get out.
"Are you hungry?" Cato asks as he slips on a pair of boxer-briefs.
"Not really. But I know you are so let's go make you something to eat." I say softly as I pull on a pair of pyjama bottoms.
We head down to the kitchen and Cato makes toasted cheese melts. While we are sitting there the home phone rings. Cato answers putting it on speaker. "Hello?"
"Oh Cato you boys are home. Is everything alright?" Chloe's voice echoes from the machine.
"Yeah um Peeta wasn't feeling well so we came home. Sorry for leaving without telling you. He really liked the art but I thought it best to bring him home."
"Oh okay honey, is he alright?" she asks concern in her voice.
Cato looks over at me and smiles warmly. "He will be. We are going to go to bed early and have to head to Peeta's house early tomorrow morning. So we probably won't see you until tomorrow night."
"Well goodnight then, and tell Peeta I hope he feels better tomorrow. I love you boys."
"I love you to mum. And I'm sure Peeta does to, I'll talk to you tomorrow." Cato says taking his sandwich out of the grill.
"Okay love you." A second later the phone disconnects.
"You're not going to tell your mum are you?" I ask as Cato sits on the stool next to me.
"I don't know. I may have to at some point. Peeta you shouldn't be ashamed you didn't know he took those pictures and this whole situation isn't your fault." He replies kissing my forehead before biting into his sandwich.
It didn't take Cato long to finish his food and we were heading back up to his bedroom. Cato closes the door behind him as I crawl into the bed, closely followed by Cato. He pulls me to his chest and nuzzle my face into his chest and close my eyes. It didn't take me long to fall asleep listening to the steady beat of his heart.
Before I knew it, it was morning. I didn't want to face the day ahead of me, but I knew I couldn't ignore my problems. I let out a sigh and open my eyes. My head was still on Cato chest, his arms around my back. Life would be so much simpler if we never had to move from this position. I go to get up to head to the bathroom but am pulled back down to Cato's chest. "Morning." I smile at him as he opens his eyes.
"Morning sexy." Cato leans up to meet his lips to my own. "It's going to be okay Peeta. We are going to sort this out."
I nod and lay my head back on his chest. "I know I'm just worried about my dad. He's going to be so disappointed in me."
"Babe it may upset him but he loves you and I think he would be glad we are coming to him for help instead of him finding out some other way." Cato rubs his hands up and down my arms before kissing my forehead. "Now let's get dressed and deal with this so we move on and go back to enjoying life."
I nod against his chest and sit up. He was right once we have dealt with this we could move on and not have to worry about anything else. We are dressed and heading out the door in thirty minutes, and twenty minutes after that we arrive at the bakery.
"God this is gotten to suck." I mutter getting out of the car.
"You can do this Peeta. Its going to be alright." Cato reassures me.
I unlock the front door and head to the back of the bakery where I know my father would be preparing the bread and baked goods before he opened the store. As we walk in dad looks up in surprise but seems happy to see us.
"Hello boys, what brings you by so early?" He smiles as he continues to take loaves of bread out of the ovens.
"Well dad I, um, we need to talk to you about something serious." I say standing on the opposite side of the table.
He looks concerned, his eyes shifting between me the Cato several times. "You promised me you wouldn't get engaged until you were older." Dad mutters though he didn't actually look that upset at the idea of us being engaged.
Cato starts to chuckle and I even manage a sincere smile. "No dad we aren't engaged. Don't worry we didn't come to talk to you about that. It actually has something to do with Derrick."
Dad frowns looking as the oven for a second before looking back at us. "You mean that odd boy you would sneak around with years ago?"
I feel my face heat up, he new back then I was fooling around with guys. I thought I had covered it up so well. "Um, well yes. He recently came back into my life and has even transferred back to our school. But he's been harassing me and now he um." I start to get emotional and again, scared at how he will react. "He is threatening me with pictures of me having sex with him. I, I don't remember ever letting him do that and now he's going to show everyone and my life's going to be ruined. He won't leave me alone and I'm sorry, so sorry this is happening. I, we just need your help before it gets out of hand." The tears start to flow and Cato wrap his arms around me from behind.
My dad stands there going through what I had just told him. I watched as he went through a mix of emotions. He finally looks back to us putting down the utensils in his hands and washes his hands in the sink. "Peeta I'm not going to lie, I'm disappointed you are in a situation like this but I know it is out of your control. I need you to explain everything from the start to me right now."
I nod wiping my face with my sleeve. "The weekend we went down to Cato's parents beach house he came with his brother who is one of Cato's good friends. He tried hitting on me but I told him to stop and that I was with Cato. After he tried again and it got physical between Derrick and Cato and I thought he would drop it. But he transferred back to school and threatened me that if I didn't let him be apart of my life he would ruin mine. Still I brushed it off and told him to leave me alone but then last night he sent me a text saying I had to be nice to him or he would release these photos of us together. He only sent me one but he said there was more. I don't know why he is doing this I just want it to stop."
My dad stands there as he went over everything in his head. "Right well Peeta I'm going to have to ring the school and sort this out with them and Derrick's parents. Do you still have the messages he has sent you? We may need evidence to support what you are accusing him of."
"Yes, and Delly was there when he threatened me about ruining my life." I say trying to stay strong and hopeful.
"Alright I'm going to ring the school. You go up to your room and wait there, I'll come up and tell you what's happening when I'm done. We are going to sort this out and stop him from doing this to you. The boy obviously has a few issues of his own that need to be dealt with." Dad says turning to grab the phone and look for the school's phone number.
We head up to my room and I just lay down on my bed. Cato sits next to me before laying down and hugging me. "See it's going to be okay. Your dad doesn't hate you and once this is over I think maybe we should go down to the beach house just the two of us and get away from all this for a few days. What do you think about that?"
"I'd like that a lot." I say smiling at him. Maybe things were going to work out. I had to stay positive, it could be worse I mean he could of just released the photos without warning me. I don't know how long we lay there but I starts to doze off.
I wake to a knocking at my door. I turn to see my dad walk in, his face strained and saddened. I shake Cato's shoulder to wake him up and sit up, caot doing the same. "What did the school say?" I ask anxiously.
"Well they are taking this very seriously. Which I'm very glad they are. The school is very prepared to back us if we have any problems with Derrick and conflicting stories. As long as Delly and who ever else has witnessed any of his behaviour comes forward to back up and validate what he has been doing to you. They contacted Derrick's parents to explain everything and get his side of the story but his parents told the school he hasn't been home for since the night of the party. They thought he was staying at a friends house."
"What? He's missing?" I blurt out in confusion. Why would he be hiding? Did he know we would go to an adult?
"Peeta did you know he was on medication for a mental condition and that he stopped taking them weeks ago?" Dad asks.
"What? No he never told me that. Are you telling me the reason he has gone off the deep end is because he stops taking his meds?"
"It seems take way. His parents are very concerned for his safety. If Derrick contacts you in any way you need to let me know. He is unstable right now and we don't know what he is capable of so I need you boys to be careful and not upset him if he does contact you. The last thing we need is derrick hurting himself or someone else while he is in this condition. Derrick's parents have contacted the police so there is a probable chance they will want to talk to the both of you. But right now I have to get back down stairs and help Ry with the bakery. If I hear anything I'll let you know." He says turning back to the door and clothing it behind him.
"So Derrick has a mental condition and that's why he's gone all stalker on your ass." Cato says laying back down.
"Apparently." I thought this through, I mean I was still upset he had been doing this to me but at least now I know why, he wasn't thinking straight. Without the medication he couldn't be completely responsible for his actions. I felt sorry for him but at the same time I was kind of scared. Him being mentally unstable meant that he wasn't going to be rational, he would be capable of anything. Maybe hiding away at the beach house next weekend was a really good idea. Derrick was out there somewhere, unstable and obsessing over me. Right now I didn't feel safe even with Cato here to protect me.