Hey guys so I received a review saying that I needed more bulk to my story, and I could not agree more. I have added details to all chapters and expect some longer chapters soon. Thank to all who are reading this, I honestly didn't think anyone would
2 weeks earlier…
"PEETA!" I scream as he throws me over his shoulder. I laugh until my stomach hurts as he runs around in front of the dilapidated high school with me on his back.
"I am not letting you down until you agree to go to the Prom with my dearest Katniss Everdeen." He giggles knowing I will give. Ugh what has this boy done to me? I hate school functions and yet I know I will love this one because the man I love will be there with me.
Up until two years ago, I would never have believed you if you told me, I Katniss Everdeen, would be this happy because of a boy. But Peeta has that effect on people. Peeta is one of those people who can make fun of you one moment and then the next, he stares at you with those unbelievably blue eyes (that may I say can melt anyone's heart) and makes you feel like there is not enough love in the world because he's hogging it all and sending at you. Peeta has been my surprise happiness and I am so happy that for once in my life, I didn't back away, but accepted and embraced.
"FINE!" I yell at him with absolutely NO trace of venom despite my efforts, and he almost immediately sets me down, and takes my hands in his warm calloused ones. I can see the hope in his eyes. "I will attend this Prom you speak of as long as you promise to go to the lake with me afterwards." I smile at the thought of sharing my father and mine's place with Peeta. I have never taken anyone out to the lake. Peeta knows this as he had tried to tag along a few times in the beginning, he was never pushy but I could tell he wanted to know why i would not let him come with. But after I finally opened up, he never asked me again because unlock anybody else I know in this world, he understands my boundaries. He stares back at me, as he understands the gravity of which this proposition holds. He stares at me with those beautiful blue eyes that seem never-ending. He pulls me in for a deep kiss, and I feel that fire rise in my stomach again. He hands cradle my face as his tongue asks permission to enter my mouth and I allow him access with a moan. He pulls away all too soon.
He holds me close as he whispers in my ear: "I love you every second of everyday". I scowl lightly at his never-ending words of endearment. He really is one of the biggest cheese-balls you'll ever meet. He backs away a little to look into my eyes; he pushes back a few pieces of hair that have fallen from my braid. I wipe my scowl off my face and kiss him again in response.
He takes my hand and pulls me to his car, opens the old, rickety door and quickly takes his spot in the driver's seat. He searches for my hand as soon as the key is in the ignition and I instantly take it entwining our fingers. He pulls my hand to his lips and places a feather light kiss on my hand, as we drive away from Cornelius Snow High. I look out the window in silent peace as the scene of our small town passes by. I have lived in the town of Panem my entire life and I know every street corner by heart. We pass by Peeta's family's bakery. Then I smile as we pass The Hob, remembering the day Peeta and I met.
I ran as fast as my skinny legs could take me. As I slammed into the back door I was instantly hit by the whoosh of the cold air that was ever present in this old restaurant. I went to my locker and tied my apron while walking to the front. I had only gotten the job a month ago, and I needed the money. I walked up to my first table, still slightly out of breath.
"Hello, welcome to The Hob, what can I get you this evening?" I say without looking up.
"Hey um can I have a chocolate milkshake?" A boy asked, I could tell from his pitch that he was a dude but I could tell from his dialogue he was probably my age.
"Of course" I say, finally looking up I see who is sitting at my table. It was Peeta staring at me with his half smile. I remembered him instantly. He saved my life when I was younger, after my father had died. Little did I know that whilst paying the check Peeta asked if I wanted to go see a movie with him and his friends after i got off work, and before I could think clearly a "yes" tumbled from my lips and I have never once regretted that one word.
When we reach my house I lean in to give a goodbye peck but he surprises me when wraps his hands around my waist and pulls me flush against him, deepening the kiss. I have been with Peeta for almost three years now, and even today I feel a love like no other emanate from him. I honestly don't know what he sees in plain old me, but I am not complaining. I pull back remembering something.
"I have to go meet Gale in the woods." I say in explanation for breaking the kiss. His eyes always have a twinge of something I only ever see when I mention Gale to him but I shake this off and give yet another peck, only this time Peeta accepts that I have to go. I hop out of the old truck. I look back and Peeta still has that look. "Hey, I'll come by afterwards ok?" His eyes fill completely with love again and some new found excitement as he eagerly nods yes in response. With a smirk I quickly make my way to my door and look back to see Peeta pulling out of the driveway. I run to my room and change to go meet Gale.
I sit in the forest and soak in the feeling of the trees around me I can hear the buzz of life in my ears and I love it with my entire being. Suddenly things change, and I know why: Gale. Gale and I have been fighting to survive together for as long as I can remember. Gale's dad was claimed in the same mine explosion as mine, so at age eleven we bonded over this tragedy in order to save our families. We have been friends ever since. For a while, the entirety of the town believed we would one day marry, and one time, so did Gale. It made sense, I'll give him that, but I did not love Gale the way he wished I would.
When Peeta and I began dating, Gale freaked. He and I had planned to meet in the woods that day. I was calmly sitting, waiting for gale to make his appearance, when out of nowhere a very angry Gale crashed through the trees. He began screaming profanities I had never heard slip from his mouth before. Apparently Gale had seen Peeta and I's first kiss. Then out of nowhere he grabbed me and pushed his lips to mine, I tried to break away, but couldn't. I slapped him the second he came up for air and ran away. I didn't see or talk to him for almost half a year, but one day while out hunting I heard him. He looked at me and whispered a "sorry" and we've been working ever since to be the way we used to.
"Hey Catnip" Gale says with a sly smile as he breaks through the tree line and into my sight of vision. I smile slightly and stand to greet him.
"So Gale how are the mines?" Gale is a year older than myself. He was smart enough to leave this town, got the grades, and the acceptance letters to prove it, but he didn't have the money necessary. He fell to the fate of so many others in this town he became a coal miner, just like his father and mine. I usually never ask about the mines because they terrify me, I have nightmares every night and through my own mind I watch my father die every night. But today I need to know, I don't know why but I do.
"Same old same old" He responds simply. Despite his response being one I expected it irritated me slightly because I wanted to know. I stand and hand him his bow. I take my own and we begin our hunt. I love to hunt. I love seeing the forest cast shadows and the way the sun glints on the leaves. It is the only part of my father I have left. Gale and I rarely speak while hunting as to not scare off the animals. A few times I'll catch him staring at me with eerily wistful eyes. We spend hours out in the woods, and when I see the sun begin its descent I turn to Gale and suggest we leave. As we walk back, Gale turns to me suddenly.
"Why do you love Mellark?" He asks. Oh no, not this again, he hadn't brought it up in months. I groan and answer simply with:
"I just do."
"But why? What does he have I don't?" He pressures.
"We are not talking of this right now Gale. I thought you had given up on this." I snap. I can hear my voice, it is filled with enough venom to kill.
"I will never give up on us Katniss." He whispers, so that I can barely hear him. I decide to not further this conversation anymore and change the subject.
"I'll take three squirrels and the rabbit, the rest is yours." I say grabbing my share and leaving him behind me.