I can't help but twist the shirt in my hands while I stand in the shadow of a building, a block from the bakery. I keep peering down the sunny side walk, and peeking at an antiqued hanging sign that simply states 'MELLARK BAKERY.' It's been a little over a week since Peeta gave this damn shirt to me, and it's been sitting on my desk, waiting ever so patiently to be returned to it's rightful owner, while I just resent every fiber, in every damn thread of it.

I look down at my boots and huff in annoyance. I shouldn't have let Prim talk me into this, face to face of all things. I could have just put it in a bag and stuffed it in the mailbox. Problem solved. But no, of course not. That's too simple. Face to face she said. I bat a piece of hair out of my face and look down the road again, catching sight of two people walking into the bakery. Perfect, I can drop it on the counter while he's occupied. That's close enough to face to face. I take a deep breath and square my shoulders, lifting my jaw high and looking forward. In and out. Simple. I step out of the shadows and down the road. Walking quickly and with purpose. In and out.

I grab the heavy old door and a bell jingles as I pull it open. The smells of the bakery assault my senses and causing me to drool. I look around quickly, scowling all the while. It's a nice little place, quaint with a few booths by the windows. My eyes land on Peeta, whose standing behind the counter with an apron around his waist. Across from him, there's a tall bronze haired man who is probably the most attractive human I've ever laid eyes on. Beside him I can make out the wisps of hair from a girl hidden from my view. Peeta has an easy smile on his face that stops me in my tracks. He's laughing at some joke the guy said when he turns to the door, his mouth opens with a smile for a second before his eyes meet mine. His smile falters and his mouth closes again. A small, shy smile, and a hint of red across his face replaces it.

"Katniss, hi." He says, sounding both surprised and happy to see me. So much for going in and out unnoticed.

I scowl and cross my arms. "Hey." I walk quickly towards the counter, and stick the now wrinkled shirt in his face. "Here. Thanks for letting me borrow it." He blushes even harder as he registers it in my hand. He's probably picturing me naked again. I feel my face growing hot as well, so I turn my attentions to the wall to study the wall paper. He reaches tentatively towards the shirt, his fingers brushing mine slightly as he grabs it.

"No problem." He says quietly. I scowl, and cross my arms again and watch the rings of blue in his eyes swirl around each other subtly a before looking away again.

The bronze haired guy whistles. "Well… not to break the sexual tension in the room or anything, but I'm Finnick." He smiles and thrusts his hand in my face. I wrinkle my nose at it, and take it anyways. "This is pretty out of the ordinary. Usually I'm the one creating the tension, if you know what I mean." He winks and wiggles his eyebrows at me suggestively. I can't help the scoff that escapes me.

Finnick brings his hand to his chest and feigns hurt. "Hey now! I'm just not bringing out my A-game because I have a girlfriend now, but really, no need to hurt my ego." He smiles again and puts his arm around the brunette beside him. She smiles softly, but thinks twice and it disappears quickly. But it's enough for me to spot her skinny "canine" teeth. I feel the hair on my neck standing up and I resist the urge to bare my teeth at her. It's a wonder I didn't smell her before. The seductive aroma of the bakery are clouding my senses, effectively hiding the sweet smells of water. A fucking water nymph. They sicken me.

She moves herself slightly behind Finnick into a guarded stance, nothing noticeable to the humans but a small change in posture. Her pupils narrow to a slits as she regards me. She has one hand wrapped around his bicep, and I can see her nails starting to blacken as they come to a point. I sniff at her again, and scoff. Finnick puts his one arm around his back to coddle her there protectively. A care free smile on his face as he looks between the two of us, he shrugs at Peeta and mouths 'women'. Peeta leans casually against the counter, his chin resting on his hands. He regards the scene with curiosity, but doesn't look very worried, he clearly doesn't feel the tension in the room.

I sniff again at Finnick, he smells faintly of the sea, the sweet smells of charm and selflessness seep from his pores, but he's not one of us. He's a human. He's just her toy until she decides to drown him. Nymphs are the all the same. The find a toy and use it till they're bored and then they throw it away, or break it for fun. She opens her mouth to say something when the scene is broken by the thumping of someone running downstairs. Another Peeta joins us in the room after a moment, tying an apron around his waist. He looks a few years older though. His chin is just as sharp, but he's not as handsome as his brother. He claps Peeta on the shoulder, who starts untying his own apron.

"Thanks for covering for me Peet."

"You know I don't usually mind Rye, but I have plans today. So next time don't drink so much okay?" His voice has a light tilt to it, sounding like playful banner, but the way his brother glares at him suggest otherwise.

"Fuck you." Rye shoots back. He turns and starts washing his hands in the sink behind the counter. "Where are you guys going anyways?"

Finnick smiles, a playful and excited look reaching his eyes. "Swimming actually. Where else would we spend a hot summer day?"

My eyebrows shoot up to my hair line as my eyes flit to the girl again. She shakes her head at me. I suppress a growl.

"I just have to get my shorts on okay?" Peeta calls quickly before turning to run upstairs. He slows quickly and turns back, leaning on the counter towards me. "Do you want to come with us?" His eyes are hopeful, pleading. "It's too nice outside not to." He smiles.

I regard the girl again. Sizing her up. She makes a move to try and drown him, I'll kill her. It may not be the full moon anymore, but that means she'll underestimate me. I look at Peeta again, who still wears his oblivious, hopeful smile.

"Sure."

His smile grows ever wider showing me all his sparkling teeth, he nods before running away. I catch Rye looking at me funny. He looks me up and down before grinning. He shakes his head in a knowing way, before sharing a look with Finnick. I really want to wipe the smirk they share off their faces, but I hold my tongue.

Finnick turns to me, "I'm sure you could borrow one of Annies suits!" He grins, glancing down at her for permission. She nods quickly. "I live just down the road at the tackle shop, and she has some stuff there." He smiles at her again, before pecking her on the forehead.

"I'll take her there now, so you guys don't have to wait too long. Okay?" She smiles at him, "Meet us out front!" she turns quickly on her heel and speeds out of the bakery with me hot on her tail.

I match her stride and walk beside her on the sidewalk. She looks over at me sadly. "It's not what you think."

"Like hell it's not." I spit.

She sighs. "I know how it looks, but it's not that complicated. I left the river for him. That's all there is to it. I've never drowned a human and I'm not about to start with him."

"You what?!" I all but shout at her. From the little I know of Nymphs, they never leave the river. They can wander, but if they decide to leave permanently, they can't return. The colony will shut them out. An exile. I gape at her.

"It's been many seasons since I stepped out of the water to follow him, and I haven't looked back." She shrugs. Her eyes catch mine, but they have a happy light in them. "He's got the blood of a River God you know." She smiles. "It's what drew me to him. I thought he was one. The way he looked in the water." Her eyes glazing over as she remembers. "It was beautiful."

I regard her silently as she leads me into the tackle shop, she waves at a attractive red headed woman behind the till, before leading me into the back and up some stairs to Finnick's loft.

"No harm will come to him while I'm near." She turns her eyes on me, as she throws a bathing suit in my direction. "That includes those he cares about as well." She doesn't bother turning away from me as I change. There's no such thing as decency in our world. She glares daggers at me instead. "We both know what Peeta is, and that means guarding him more so. Even if it's from you."

I frown at her as I tie the bikini sting around the neck. "What's that supposed to mean?" She cocks her head to the side, and she gets the same knowing look on her face that Finnick and Rye had.

"If harm should come his way from your path." She continues, her eyes become nothing but black slits, fins and scales appearing on her arms and face as her emotions bring her true form forth. She seethes at me. "I'll kill you."

I scowl and shimmy back into my shorts. "If you've been out of the river as long as you say, Nymph," I spit the words at her. "You would be able to control yourself better."

She scoffs and throws her hair over her shoulder with a flick. Her skin becoming smooth and creamy again. "I'm not the one who looks like a rabid mongrel." I frown, knowing full well that my facade needs some work.

"Now come on," she struts towards the door. "They're waiting for us."

Peeta and Finnick sit shirtless on the sidewalk, leaning back on their hands. A pretty blonde girl stands on the road in front of them. She giggles at something Finnick says and bats her eyelashes dramatically. Finnick looks perfectly comfortable. Like entertaining vapid woman is something he does everyday. Peeta on the other hand looks tense. He smiles, but he rubs his hand over his neck while glancing up and down the street. Like he's watching for something. Annie steps out of the shop after me, and I feel her bristle beside me immediately.

"Don't you have somewhere to be Glimmer?" She spits at her. "Like maybe hanging off Cato's arm and drooling all over him?" I tense at the mention of Cato. Frowning I turn to Annie, she crosses her arms in front of her and purses her lips. I watch her rub her right thumb and forefinger in small circles, something hardly noticeable, but she must be doing it to keep her fins from showing. It's working… mostly. I can see scales appearing behind her ear.

Glimmer rolls her eyes, winding her hair around one finger, while popping a bubble with the gum in her mouth. She ignores Annie, and turns her attention to Peeta instead. "So Peeta, I've heard you're up for wrestling captain next year." She winks at him, before looks him up and down. "That's hot." Her voice is high and obnoxious, with an annoying little lift at the end. I can't help wrinkling my nose at her. She smells strongly of an awful perfume laced with vanity. It makes me sneeze.

"Bless you!" Peeta says bouncing off the sidewalk and moving to stand beside me, putting distance between him and Glimmer.

Glimmer gives me an annoyed look and sizes me up and down before scoffing. "Who are you?" She mimics Annies pose and crosses her arms in front of her, but she pushes her boobs up to her chin at the same time, flaunting them in our faces. She chews her gum dramatically and I scowl.

"None of your concern," I growl at her. Annie puts her hand on my shoulder, a warning. My ears must be pointing. I breathe deeply through my nose, but keep my eyes open. Watching the annoyance flick through Glimmers eyes.

"Come along ladies!" Finnick calls, bouncing on to his toes quickly, before grabbing Annies hand. "We have places to be now, don't we?!" He smiles with a jubilant expression before turning to Glimmer again. "It was so nice to see you again Glimmer really, but don't take it personally when I say that we don't want to see you again anytime soon." He says this with a smile on his face, and cheerful voice, but the look on Glimmers face could push up daises. "Please now," He makes a shooing motion, "go away."

He turns, hand in hand with Annie, and together they skip down the road. Annie is right, I can definitely see the River God in him. I rub my face and smirk into my hand. She turns to Peeta, her eyes angry. He puts his hands in front of himself in defense, too nice to out right agree with Finnick.

"Bye Glimmer, I'll see you at school in September." He turns quickly, moving to follow Finnick and Annie down the road.

Glimmers eyes trail over me again, seething with malice. She turns up the road and stomps away from us with a huff. I scoff and roll my eyes at her. I look down the road, where Peeta waits for me a few feet away. He has his hands in his pockets and his shirt is tucked into the back of his pants. Leaving his chest and stomach open for my consumption. I drink it in quickly before jogging to catch up with him.

We walk in silence for a while, observing Annie and Finnick skip down the road before turning a corner and disappearing. I narrow my eyes a little, I still don't trust her. Nymph's are known for being liars and tricksters, but she seemed honest. If it's true she left her colony for a human, she must be different.

I'm so deep in thought that I miss Peeta saying something to me. I peek over at his sapphire eyes, and I see that he's suppressing a smile.

"What?" I frown.

My frown apparently makes him smile more. "I was just asking if you're sure you want to come with us. Annie and Finn can be pretty intense sometimes, and I really wouldn't blame you if you wanted to sit this one out." He shrugs, rubbing his hand over the back of his neck.

"No, I want to come." I nod, surprising both of us. The temperature is well past 25, and it's not even noon. My hair is starting to stick to my skin, and I'll admit that the talk of swimming is very appealing. The suspicion that Annie is going to drown anyone has subsided a little, but that doesn't mean I'm not going to watch her.

Peeta stops rubbing his neck and smiles again. "I'm glad." He pauses, his cheeks tinting crimson. "I was hoping I could see you again."

My face heats up slightly as his admission, completely unaware at what to say. I look to the ground and we walk in silence the rest of the way. Both of us to embarrassed to say anything more.

The smell of water, and the sound of laughter pulls my thoughts back into focus. Finnick and Annie swim circles around each other in the river, both laughing as they race through the water, with only a speed they could posses. I jog down to the dock, leaving Peeta behind. Crouching, I start unlacing my boots as quickly as I can with a grin. There's some steady thumps behind me, before Peeta's body goes sailing through the air off the dock, and crashes into the water, sufficiently soaking me head to toe. I gasp a little at the chilly temperature and sputter for a moment.

Peeta's head surfaces above the water smoothly, a large grin on his face and he chuckles. "Sorry, I couldn't resist."

I smile a little at him and shake my head a little. I go back to unlacing my boots before shimmying out of my shorts and top, piling them on top of the boots away from the dock. I walk to the edge and sit down, dangling my feet into the water. It's cool and refreshing, and I can't help but sigh as the water laps around my calves. I breathe in deeply, savoring the smells all around me and the sun on my skin.

I glance over to Peeta and watch he and Annie laugh as they move slowly across the water. She seems carefree and at ease, and I'm supposing due to my presence, she keeps a good distance from Peeta. I'm sure that she could close the distance within seconds if she really wanted, but it relaxes me none the less.

Peeta glances back at me, and he seems to have a knowing glint in his eye and smirk on his face. I tilt my head slightly in question, opening my mouth slightly to ask what he's looking at, when a hand grabs my ankle firmly and pulls me off the dock, sending me crashing into the water.

The torrent of water pulls me under and I choke back on a mouthful of water that burns my nose and causes my body to want to gag, only forcing me to swallow more of the lake. I struggle for a moment against the torrent, only to realize that it's actually a pair of strong arms lifting me back to the surface.

"Holy shit! I'm so sorry Katniss, if I had known you were going to try to drink the lake, I would have left you on the dock." Finnick sputters and his beautiful face contorts into a frown, which still ends up looking like a model pose. His life must be so hard.

I cough hard while he pats my back a little, holding me up as I cling to the dock beside us, I look at his concerned face and I can't help the laugh that escapes my body.

"It's okay Finnick," I reassure him. "I can swim fine, you just surprised me is all." His face floods with relief and he smiles.

"I figured you could. Annie did mention that you have a pretty mean doggy paddle." He winks at me and his smile gets a little broader, though I feel my brief one fall.

I push him away from me. "What's that-"

"Are you okay?" Peeta calls from behind us. Swimming up to us after our little fiasco. A smirk still plastered to his face, but worry etched into his eyes.

"We're fine," Finnick calls, "Just complimenting her drinking ability." He laughs.

I scoff and pull myself back up onto the dock.

"Oh don't do that," Finnick teases.

I assume my previous position of sitting on the dock with my feet in the water, watching Peeta tread water, as he watches me. His eyes meet mine again, before they quickly flit away and he swims back to Annie whose been trying to get his attention.

"What did she say about me?" I ask Finnick but not looking at him. I wring my braid out carefully while watching Annie splash water in Peeta's face while she giggles.

"That you're special," Finnick responds after a moment, leaning his back against the dock. Also watching Peeta and Annie swim around and laugh. "That you're like her. But different."

"She told you?"

Finnick laughs a little and smirks. "Annie tells me everything. Funny enough she can't keep a secret to save her life. I know all about her. "He glances back at me, greens eyes dangerous, "and you now, I guess."

I can't help the bile that rises in my throat, and anger that burns in my stomach. It's not her place to tell him anything about me. I let him know as much.

"Since I'm sure Peeta hopes for you to stick around, I'm gonna want to know who, and what" he adds as an after thought "I'm dealing with."

I frown even further. "He won't be seeing me again. I'm just here to return his shirt."

Finnick laughs. "Yes, because when someone's swimming they definitely need a shirt." I go to protest and he just raises his hand and cuts me off. "Defend your honor all you want, but Peets special, and all sorts of people are drawn to him. None of us can deny that. Don't pretend you're not gonna be coming around after this. Because we both know that you will be."

"Annie said something once about his soul, I was worried she had a thing for him once because she always so at ease around him, and just," He shrugs while looking for words. "Glowing I guess. But after a while I noticed that almost everyone was like that. Anyone half decent anyways."

I open my mouth to argue, but end up closing it again. No words able to get past my lips. As much as I want to deny it, I know it's true. I didn't even fight his request to come swimming, I've been laughing with someone I hardly know, and as much as I've tried to keep my thoughts from wandering to him, I haven't been able to do that either.

"Does he know what Annie is?" I ask instead. My voice soft.

He sighs, and his face holds a sad expression. "No. She hasn't. She only told me because we're dating. And that took a few months to come forward. It was definitely a surprise though. I don't know why she's scared of telling him though."

He holds my gaze again for a moment. "You shouldn't be scared either. I'm sure you could tell him you have a penis, and he'd still accept you."

"He knows that I don't." I say before I can help myself.

Finnick turns around to face me mouth completely agape before he starts laughing with his whole body as my face turns crimson.

Annie and Peeta turn and gawk at us as Finnick keeps laughing so hard he can barely keep himself above water.

I can't help the turmoil that rolls in my heart, which confuses me because I don't understand why. Before I can figure it out, Finnick, still laughing, grabs my ankle again and pulls me back into the water.

Well I don't really understand how 6 months have already passed, because I feel like I've been working on this nightmare of a chapter the entire time.

I do have other parts written, and I think now that I finally got this done. The rest will finally fall into place.

Thank you for all the reviews, follows, and favourites. It's wonderful, and really helps me keep writing.

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