CHAPTER 5: RECOGNISING THE ENEMY
"Katniss!" Johanna and Finnick are knocking on my door.
With my breath ragged I pace around my room. I can see it in my head, posted from Haymitch with a little sticky note attached to the release forms of my mother saying Call me when you're ready. –H. No, no, no. Why would they want to release my mother?
Prim! This'll wreck Prim.
"Fuck!" I mutter thinking this couldn't have come at a worse time. I would have to go back now, help sort it out. I couldn't expect my baby sister too, nor Haymitch who was not even blood related. I'd have to tell Annie too. Get her to cover my work when I'm there-
"Katniss!" Johanna's raises her voice again interrupting my thoughts.
I wrench the door open, frustrated, wishing for some time alone to plan this. Jo and Finn stand outside my door holding the letter from Haymitch that I hastily threw down in a fit of rage. Their eyes are questioning.
"What?" I snap.
They glance at each other. "Are you okay?"
I sigh and run a hand through my hair. "I'm not surprised really. I don't understand why they're releasing my mother but I'm not surprised."
They continue staring obviously realizing I haven't answered their question. "I'm going to have to go back." I admit, once again avoiding it.
"Classes start tomorrow." Finnick says.
"I'll catch up."
"Katniss you can't just up and leave, what about the case?"
I stare at him with open dislike. "What about the case Finnick?"
Finnick loses his patience with me, throwing his hands in the air and striding over to his bedroom. The door slams just like Peeta's.
"Just think this through first okay?" Johanna tells me trying to make me see reason.
"I have Jo. And the outcome is still the same. I will have to go back." I say simply. It was clear in my mind.
"You're not responsible for everything Kat."
"It's my family. I can't expect Prim to sort it out. Or Gale, or Haymitch. Johanna's theirs no one left!" My voice is shrill. She can see this is the wrong time to argue with me and because of that she resigns.
"We'll talk about this tomorrow." She eyes me carefully before pulling me into a hug and leaving me to my own thoughts.
The night proceeds with tension. Finnick is obviously mad at me, Johanna wary, and Peeta doesn't even leave his room. What a start to our 'fun' filled year! We are already at each other's throats…
I watch the clock move way past midnight and I find myself still alert. My mind won't stop buzzing with problems; State 12, my mother, the court case, my criminal activity, Annie, Thresh, the mail, Peeta, … I sit perched on the island counter, in the dark, sipping a mug of tea. I watch the trees move in the breeze swathed in moonlight, listen to the distant ocean crashing and think over my predicament.
As I begin to make plans, weaving ideas for the case and my own personal problems together, my ears prick as I detect a soft thud in the hall.
"Shouldn't you be asleep?" I wonder aloud, knowing Peeta is in the kitchen without needing to turn around. So he's finally come out to play, I think.
"I could ask you the same question." He replies easily. "Where's the tea?"
I silently point to a cupboard and I watch him prepare himself a mug. How strange he is. He suffers so much yet shows little effort. Unlike me. He moves smoothly through the kitchen, ignoring me for the most part. He only turns to face me as he finishes preparing the tea, without sugar I note, and brings it to his lips.
"Aren't you supposed to be mad at me?" I ask sarcastically, keeping his gaze as I take another gulp.
A grim smile graces his lips. "Who says I'm not?"
I notice a difference in the way he regards me right now. No more compliments, no more polite conversation. I have to admit I like this version of him better. I can understand it. Interpret it. After a lengthy pause I say softly, "I wasn't going to, you know."
"Take the case?" He asks.
"Yeah."
"Then why? Why did you do it?" He presses, his eyes locked on mine. I notice the richness of the color, both flecks of light and dark blue dancing around the iris, noticeable even in the dim light.
And then I just admit it. "I felt guilty."
His eyebrows rise.
"I felt guilty and I wanted to fix it. I've known enough pain to understand."
He's quiet for a moment, mulling over my answer, before he says, "You shouldn't have taken it."
I chuckle sadly. "No. But I did." And then I add, "I always make the wrong decisions."
He smiles slightly at that then says, "You're meant to interview me." It's not a question. A statement. A blank statement. No emotion.
"That I am."
I detect a flicker of frustration in his eyes, left over from this afternoon. "You know...I've been debating whether or not to tell you anything at all." His voice is stilted, the angelic quality dissipating.
I nod in agreement. I understood this. It wasn't easy to open up especially to someone in such close quarters. Even if you were naturally like Peeta.
"It's your choice." I shrug. "What you tell me, it could help the case." I don't urge him or influence him. I don't want to, even though I'd be screwed if he said no. But it should be his decision.
He appraises me under scrutiny. "It's interesting Katniss. You give a whole lot but you don't take."
I bristle slightly although his comment was a compliment. "I'm not altruistic Peeta. I've taken a great deal too."
"I heard the commotion earlier. Something about your mother?" I was surprised he had the guts to say it the way he did. Like a challenge. I stall by drinking more tea.
I was unsure in the moment why I made the promise I did, but I tell him, piquing his interest. "If I interview you, I might just tell you about it."
"Like a trade?" He asks incredulously. "Seriously? Just to prove how fucked up we both are?"
I don't bother giving heed to an answer.
Surprisingly he laughs and says, "Thank you." I shoot him a questioning glance. He should be frustrated, shouldn't he? "For caring. I know I'm not your favorite person in the world."
There it is again. The guilt trip. I could never escape it and it was even worse now I was able to recognize unfairness of my earlier actions towards Peeta. "You're alright." I mutter.
He seems to sense the weight of the words for he smiles. He downs the rest of his tea and places the cup in the sink. He turns to me and says with a smirk, "We'll talk tomorrow. You can do your interview."
I'm a little taken aback sensing his reluctance only a moment ago. But I nod my head in approval strangling the cup in my hand.
"Oh and for the record, you're alright too."
He wanders back out the way he came leaving me once again alone in the darkness.
000
I wake up to the sheets being ripped from my body.
"Get up!" Johanna's voice enters my foggy mind.
I roll over, squinting, trying to understand what is happening. "What the hell Jo?" I mumble sleepily.
"You're late, it's the first day of classes!" She rants, slapping me on the ass. "Up."
I roll out of bed, literally, and grapple with the clock. Shit. I slept in. Last night's events come back to me in a rush and I realize why I hadn't set my alarm.
Johanna throws articles of clothing at me as I knot out my hair. I can hear the calamity of the boys downstairs. I throw on what she hands me and follow her to the ground floor, grabbing my bag along the way.
Finn smirks at me sitting comfortably on the couch. "Woke up, sleepy?"
I shoot him a glare still remembering his irritation with me last night. "You could have woken me up earlier."
"I thought it would be funnier this way." He unlike the rest of us has his classes in the afternoon today leaving him to a morning of leisure.
"We better go, we're already late." Johanna says tugging on my elbow. "Peeta!"
Peeta emerges from the kitchen, a backpack slung on his shoulder wearing a loosely buttoned shirt and jeans. He walks towards us quickly as we exit the house bidding Finn goodbye. As I pass through the door he hands me something.
I look down. "A muffin?"
"You didn't eat." He says motioning to the food he has just given me.
I stare at him curiously. "Thanks."
Johanna's voice cuts in, she's already a few meters ahead of us and we rush to catch up with her.
It's really only when I leave Jo and Peeta to find my class that I realize I am meant to interview him today and talk to Johanna about returning home. In all the rush and I hadn't particularly thought about the problems that I would have to face today. Johanna must have been appeased that I hadn't ranted about moving back home this morning and left me to my classes happily. I also realize that I need to tell Annie the arrangement for the interviews so I can be the one to interview Peeta. I sigh, thinking of my tedious day ahead.
As I head to class a familiar voice calls out from the throng of people. I turn and see Cato heading towards me.
He like me was studying law. "Hey I have something for you." He says and hands me an envelope. I stare for a minute before I connect that this is my mail that has come from Cato and Thresh's house.
"Oh thanks." I mutter taking the envelope.
"So why exactly do I have your mail?" He asks curiously. "Thresh was a little vague."
I falter, unsure of what to say. I awkwardly lie, saying something about Haymitch and his houses and a fight. I can tell he doesn't believe one stich of what I just said.
"You okay, right?"
I force a smile. "I'm fine. It's no big deal. Trust me."
As we walk in and sit next to each other ready for a few hours of law, I think back to Peeta, wondering how in the world I got so tied up with someone I barely liked. As I drifted in and out of the lecture I finally came to the conclusion that I did indeed have to care to do what I did. For no normal person would make the decisions I had.
000
Fortunately I finish classes at 2pm leaving me the rest of the afternoon to sort myself out. I find a text from Annie asking to talk. I meet her on the campus and we get lunch.
She asks about the interviews. I immediately suggest that we split the interviews and collaborate when I'm at work next Monday leaving her little chance to suggest we do them together.
"We can listen back to the recordings make sure no one overlooked anything. And it'll be faster this way." Hopefully with this she will agree to my terms.
The minute she nods her head in agreement I say "I'd like to handle Peeta Mellark if you don't mind."
Quiet, unassuming Annie agrees more easily than I thought. I felt guilty for deceiving her but I deemed it necessary.
For the rest of lunch we fall into easy conversation about our lives. I'm happy to see Annie has regained her usual self since the last time I saw her.
"How's the house going?" She asks.
I'm glad that I never complained in detail about Peeta because by now I'm sure she's forgotten. "It's getting better I suppose." And then I sigh. "I think I might have to go back to 12."
Her face blanks. "Why? You can't leave the case." Why was everyone so set on telling me everything I couldn't do?
I explain about the letter and my mother and that I could possibly work the trips around my work and class schedule. I also vaguely note Gale still hasn't called me about coming to State 4. As I talk through the story I catch a glimpse of blonde hair near the door to the restaurant. Suddenly Peeta waves to me and starts walking my way.
Holy shit. I try to keep talking to Annie so as not to alert her while I fiercely glare at Peeta trying to convey the seriousness of the situation. My heart is beating wildly as he gets closer and closer before he realizes that something is wrong. While still trying to keep the conversation with Annie I jerk my head slightly motioning outside. He seems to understand and walks out the door.
I wrap the conversation up within a couple of minutes and we both promise to have our interviews ready and taped by next Monday. I let her leave first and then meet Peeta outside.
He looks sheepish. "That was Annie, wasn't it?"
I nod grimly. "She doesn't know and I'd like to keep it like that."
We begin the walk home which is only a few blocks. The heat is still unrelenting but after three years I was used to it.
"So are we doing this?" He asks after a period of silence.
"What?" I ask with a frown.
"The interview."
I sigh. Last night seemed like another world. One where Peeta and I got on. And one where he was far less annoying and me far more agreeable.
"Yeah. Okay. Let's do it." I give in, knowing the uncomfortable would have to happen. And honestly, I was a slight bit curious about how his family had become what is was now.
He takes the lead when we reach the house and immediately heads upstairs. I follow him, having little choice. When we reach the landing I quickly duck into my room, finding a notepad, pen and the tape recorder I had used on previous interviews. When I step back out however and find he has entered his bedroom, I pause at his door. What was he thinking this was?
When he sees my incredulous look he responds, "It's private, no one will bother us, plus I have a few things up here that I may need to show you."
Knowing very well he could in fact have evidence, I enter his room. His room was positioned at the end of the hall, one down from mine. His was the only when I hadn't barged into on the first night.
The moment I step in I'm awestruck with the amount of books the room contains. One entire wall is devoted to shelf after shelf.
"You sure like to read." I mumble, sitting on the carpeted floor, my back against a bare wall. I raise my knees and balance my notepad on my thighs, chewing the pen.
He shrugs. "It helps to get my mind off things."
He sits on the floor with me, although he's smart enough to keep his distance. Behind him lays an easel and an array of various paints, pencils and papers.
I scoff. So he's smart, artistic and sporty? Jesus Christ.
"I'm going to have to record this. Show it to Annie." I tell him, laying the device on the carpet.
He eyes it and for the first time he looks unsure. Finally he relents with an "Okay."
It starts of very businesslike and awkward with me diving straight into the questions. We are both painfully aware that we can't say anything that will convey we know each other. The intimate nature of sitting in his bedroom also does not help. It looks as if we were in a study session, not an interview for a court case.
After identifying which companies his father owns, names of his family, and his own part in the court case, I reach over and shut the tape recorder off.
"This isn't working." I clearly state.
He seems to be on the same wavelength but points out an obvious flaw. "What are we going to show Annie?"
"We'll record it after. I'll ask you the same questions you answer now and you can just repeat everything." This was not allowed. For very obvious reasons. Yet I didn't bat an eyelid.
"Okay." He says. "Where do we start?"
"Your mother I suppose." I feel odd, demanding such personal information.
He sighs and looks towards the window. "She was never really happy with our family life. That much was obvious. My brothers and my father and I would go on camping trips or play sport but she would never do anything. Problem was we were all stuck with her most of the time because dad was always working. I think she liked me the least because no matter how perfect I tried to be I'd always earn a punishment." I can tell he's moved on to a faraway place by the way his eyes glaze yet he keeps talking. "When I was younger she would do all sorts of things. Slap me, belt me…dad didn't know for a long time. When he found out a few years ago that's when all this court drama had started happening. I didn't want to bother filing her for abuse as well but dad insisted. I don't know how you're going to work that out; I haven't lived with her for years." He says, acknowledging my presence directly.
It's the indifference he speaks with that irks me. This is horrible beyond imagining yet he says it plainly.
"It might not stick," I admit distractedly, "but the other stuff could."
"You look a little shocked." He says with a wry smile. "You alright?"
How can he say that, after everything he just explained?
I feel like this is the time to say it. What I had been thinking for a long time. "I'm sorry I judged you." I blurt out, earning a quizzical stare from Peeta.
He recovers quickly. Shrugs. "I might have judged you if I hadn't been told otherwise."
"Finnick told you about me?"
"A little." He admits. "I was here for months before you. I sort of picked up stuff along the way."
I sigh not wanting to focus on my life. "Do you mind if we go into the details about your family business?"
"No. "He shakes his head. "So dad owns a lot, as I'm sure you know. It's hard to keep the books on track. Mom would help occasionally. Turns out she was taking a lot of the money. She had a whole slew of credit cards and fake identities so she could spend it without our family realizing. One day I found a few credit cards and a few ID's; she'd been careless that day. I also found out where the money had been going." He stops, shakes his head, and doesn't continue on that thought. "She stole money from organizations we have partners with so I think that's where a lot of the legal stuff happened."
I let out a breath and take a note. "Yeah, that is where a lot of the problems lie."
Silence falls between us. I look up at Peeta and wonder how his life could get any worse. A thought suddenly occurs to me and I follow it on a whim.
"Why are you studying business? It seems like you'd stay away from it."
He smiles. "Dad wanted me to. I was considering art," he motions behind him to the art supplies, "but my mother thought it wasn't a real job and dad wanted me to get the ropes in business so I could join him and my other brothers."
"Do you like it?"
He shrugs. "It's okay. It'll get me somewhere." It's obvious by the look on his face that he longs for a different discipline.
Another silence. "Katniss…"
"Yes?"
"Is this putting you at risk?" He motions between us and the tape recorder lying off on the floor.
I pause. "Why do you care?"
"You care enough to help me. I don't want to complicate your life any further." He sounds so sincere I find myself softening.
"It's was always complicated." I state. "You haven't done anything wrong."
He holds my gaze for a moment, searching for something. "Is that why you are studying law? Your family?"
The questions is so quiet, so gentle, I can't find it in me to become angry. I sigh. I knew he would ask this sooner or later. "Yeah. You know about my dad?"
He shakes his head. I'm surprised but considering everything he just told me, I felt obligated to explain this one piece of information. "He died in a car accident a long time ago. That's when my mother started…becoming depressed I suppose. They never apprehended the person that ran into him. From then on, and after what my mother did, I wanted to study law."
"I'm sorry."
"Yeah, me too." I sigh.
"We're kind of in the same boat aren't we?" He chuckles.
He surprises me but I know what he means. "This whole house is a bunch of misfits."
It was true. All four of us had had quite a past. "I guess that's why we all get on." He says. It was a loaded question, almost a challenge. Did we get on?
He offers me a smile and after some thought I return it.
"Look, Jo and Finn are getting back later but I'm starved. Do you want to go get some food and we can continue?"
Suddenly my guard rises again. What was he insinuating? He sees my apprehension but remains unfazed.
"Katniss you don't have to analyze everything you do. Let's just go order dinner, bring it back, and we can talk. I'm hungry. Please?" He tacks it on the end with a boyish smile.
"Yeah, okay. Let's go." I say quietly.
We leave the house quickly and head over to a restaurant that served good Chinese takeaway. I'd never really done anything alone with Peeta apart from eavesdropping and interviewing. It was nice.
We ordered and patiently waited, talking over small details of the case. When the lady comes back Peeta takes the food and pays.
"Here." I urge him, trying to hand over money.
"No." He shakes his head then a mischievous smile overtakes his face. "Remember, how my dad just throws me money?" He repeats what I had said bitingly to him the first time we met.
I feel a little ashamed before he nudges me with a small smile. "Come on, let's get back."
We walk slowly through the sun kissed streets, the heat only just dying down. College kids in bikinis and swimwear litter the street and beach. The waves crash to my left, the sun beginning to set.
"I like it here." Peeta smiles, looking over the beach.
"Are there beaches in State 5?"
"Not really. Here is much more peaceful." It was true that I too, had always found State 4 much more peaceful. He glances toward me. "Why did you choose to come here, if you live all the way in State 12? It's miles and miles away."
"Partly because I wanted to get away but mostly because Haymitch could see I was unhappy and he wanted me to do something. He knew the university here was good and he knew about the law firm too."
"He sounds like a good guy."
"Sadly…" I gripe.
As we continue walking I notice how carefree Peeta looks, how happy, and I wonder whether today had helped, like he had finally felt in control.
My stomach is growling once our house comes back into sight and I can't wait to open the Chinese and continue the 'interview'. However Peeta sees him before I do. I notice because he stops speaking, and I'm forced to look from him to the porch.
And there he is. The same as always.
"Hey Catnip."
None other than Gale Hawthorne.
A/N: Okay bit of a cliffhanger again! I really hope you liked this chapter, it took a while to get right and also edit. And finally there are some Katniss/Peeta scenes going on!
Thanks to everyone for the support I can't believe how well this story is going so far. Let me know what you think! What you like and don't like!
-Elli