A/N: Thank you for all your reviews! PhoenixGrace, thank you for betaing this chapter. Hope you like it!

Disclaimer: I have nothing creative to write here, so I'm just going say plain and simple that I don't own The Hunger Games. Yeah, and that just kind of proved I don't.

I Never Knew

By kelster07

Chapter 3: Moonlit Exchanges and Fireworks

At about an hour to midnight, I feel fatigue and an odd sort of warmth settle in. We've exhausted every single embarrassment possibility in truth or dare, I've spent hours on the dance floor and eaten practically everything in sight. Chips, prawns, meringues, you name it. I walk through the long hallways, further and further away from the catalyst of the music and noise.

I open the front door and make my way outside. A blast of cold air hits me, and I welcome the refreshing coolness.

I find a seat on the structure of the small playground across the road from Finnick's house. I lean against the support, looking up at the sky. It just makes you feel so small, I suppose. Like there's another few million people out there that have it worse than you. A few seconds later, I hear footsteps coming towards me. I look up and see his face illuminated slightly by the moonlight. Marvel.

"Hey."

He takes a seat next to me on the platform. I move over a bit to allow more room and shiver slightly from the lakeside wind. Marvel smiles gratefully back at me.

"Hey. What are you doing out here?" I ask curiously.

"Thought I'd take a break from all the noise in there," he replies, scratching the back of his head.

We sit in silence; only the sound of the blowing wind is heard. He breaks it first.

"What's your favourite colour?"

I look up in confusion. "Huh?"

"Might as well get to know each other. What's your favourite colour?"

I smile. "Green. If you could have one superpower, what would it be?"

He thinks for a while. "Probably to be able to travel through time. What's your favourite subject?"

"Err… Physical Education? I like sports. Do you play an instrument?"

"Saxophone. I didn't want to, but dad made me. Says it's good for your brain, or something like that. Can't argue, though. He's practically a genius. Do you?"

"Nah. I used to play guitar, though. What's your favourite food?"

"Um… Probably focaccia."

"Bread." I state incredulously. "Bread is your favourite food? You sound as bad as Peeta."

"Yeah, why not? It's nice." He crosses his arms defensively. "Do you have a secret talent?"

"Err.. Oh yeah. I can beat Cato in hand-to-hand combat."

"You're not serious?" His jaw drops in amazement and his eyes widen.

"Yeah, I am."

"That's not possible."

"Ask Cato. Wait, actually, don't. He'll probably kill me if he realises I've told you."

We both laugh. It feels strange, sitting in the quiet stillness alone and not murdering each other. Something that I should probably get used to.

I think about my question carefully first. I blurt it out. "Why are you being so nice to me?"

"Why can't I be nice to you?"

"Maybe because you hate me?"

"I don't hate you."

Did I hear him right? "What?"

"I don't hate you." He repeats, a bit louder this time. "It's almost New Year. You know, fresh start and all that stuff."

I nod. Aw hell, why not? "I'd like that."

Marvel starts talking about. "I know practically nothing about your family. Siblings? Parents? Pet goldfish? Tell me about your family."

"I have a younger sister, she's ten. I also have an older brother called Sean and he's… I have no idea how old he is. My mum's the best parent I could ever ask for. No pets."

"Dad?" he asks in a questioning tone.

I give a hollow laugh. "He's six feet under."

He starts to speak again. "Sorry. I didn't mean to- "

"No, it's okay."

We don't speak for another few minutes.

"He was the best dad anyone could ever ask for." My voice betrays my head. I don't know why I'm opening up to him, of all people, but I just have to let it out. "They were so happy. My parents, I mean. I still remember all those nights my dad let me stay up late to watch television, and my mum would always scold him harmlessly. He made the best lasagne." I smile as I remember the aromas of his cooking wafting from the kitchen. "And then out of nowhere, it just happened." I pause. "Why am I even telling you this again?"

He says quietly, "Because you know I'm not going to throw it back in your face."

The wind picks up again and I start shivering. Damn this dress. I subconsciously start to move closer to him. I don't notice until he looks at me strangely and I feel the heat creeping up my neck. When the tranquillity settles again, I quickly continue the game, trying to lift the dire atmosphere. "How's life with Cashmere?"

He groans and buries his head in his arms. "As crazy as this might sound, her parents are alright. Her mum treats me the same way she treats Gloss and Cashmere. But she… She is a complete nightmare."

"Does she go on about Cato all the time?"

He rolls his eyes and laughs. "I swear, I've heard her go on about it in her sleep. So, who's the lucky guy?"

I flush, thinking about the exchange with Lakyn earlier. Don't be crazy, Clove, I think. There's no way he would like you back. "Don't have one."

He waggles his eyebrows. "You sure about that?"

"Yeah. No guy in their right mind would like me."

"Why," he says, "do you think it's so impossible that a guy would like you?"

"You sound like Glimmer."

He scowls. "Just answer the question."

If you told me even an hour ago that I would be having this conversation with Marvel, I would've put you straight into the loony bin. I sigh. "I don't stand out."

"Care to elaborate?" He eases me on.

"Why do you even want to know the answer so much anyway?"

"Eh, just curious."

I stare at him.

"I told you before. I'm not going to throw it back in your face. Or tell anyone, for that matter."

I take a deep breath and answer the question. "I don't stand out," I murmur, but this time I continue on. "I love Glimmer, I really do. But sometimes, you start feeling like you're living in the shadow of someone. Glimmer's smart. And beautiful. And also really, really likeable. And I'm not."

"I think you're really downgrading yourself there."

"No, it's just the truth."

He gives me a look. "No it isn't. I think we both know that."

"What?"

"You're not ugly, or dumb, or unlikeable. You're smart, fiercely loyal and…"

I interject before he can continue. "You're just saying that."

He shakes his head. "You really have no self esteem, do you?"

"Fine." I grumble, "With a straight face, tell me with a straight face you don't find Glimmer attractive."

He sighs and runs his fingers through his hair again. This time he turns around to face me before he speaks. "I do, but not in that way. She's just not my type."

"How can Glimmer not be someone's type?"

"She just isn't."

I don't realise how close we are in proximity to each other until now.

"Then what is your type?" Oh god. I shut my eyes tightly, mortified by what I just asked. How stupid can I get? I feel my cheeks redden and I turn away from where he's sitting. There's another awkward silence.

Suddenly, I feel a warm hand on my shoulder, pulling me closer towards him again. I look up and his face is inches away from mine. Emerald green eyes watch me carefully; even in the darkness I'm drawn in by the deep abyss of colour. Momentarily, my mind goes blank and I have no idea what I'm doing. Damn those green eyes. I'm not prepared for it when he closes the gap. I feel his lips against mine and I instantly panic and go on high alert. At the same time, my whole body tingles and the lesser part of my head tells me it feels right. What? The majority of my mind tells me I'm being completely ridiculous.

Crap. What do I do? I'm frozen to the spot for a few seconds before common sense enters my brain again. At times like this, I really hate my conscience. Gently, I pull away and he immediately looks down.

He starts, "Sorry, I didn't mean to. It was stupid and- "

"I have to go." I mumble, and I leave him there and quickly climb down the railing. I run aimlessly around the neighbourhood trying to get rid of the whirlpool of thoughts and questions in my head. Did that really just happen? Does Marvel Brown, I dare say it, like me?

Me, the person who's endlessly made fun of him. Me, the person who's ignored him and brushed him off at every chance possible. Me, the person who infinitely disliked him. Me.

The wind lashes out on my face and I blindly run faster until I can't feel anything anymore.

A hard body hits mine and I stumble back. Glimmer. "What's with the rush, Clo?"

"I'm just cold. Damn your dress, Glim. What are you doing out here?"

"Everyone's coming out to the playground. Fireworks at midnight."

She looks me up and down. I look down at myself. Oh, crap. I realise that from the cold, my cheeks are almost a permanent shade of pink. My hair is probably messy from running against the wind. Oh, crap, crap, crap.

We begin to walk back towards the playground and I pray that Marvel has at least had the decency to go back into the house. No such luck. She looks at me again and then at Marvel, suspiciously. Messy hair, pink cheeks, two people. And most certainly not from, well, you know. But, if you put the pieces together… I just hope she doesn't come to the obvious conclusion that I know I'm basically advertising right now. Not that I want to.

"Why were you out there Clo?"

"It was too stuffy inside, so I went outside for a run." I obviously left out the part about just being kissed by Marvel. Marvel, the one person who I've never figured out. Pretty much the only person that has constantly annoyed me and actually succeeded without even trying.

She seems to accept this as an answer and lies down on grass. I follow suit and not before long, everyone else joins us. Cato, followed by a reluctant looking Marvel lies down on the ground next to me. I avoid looking over at Marvel who's talking to Gale and instead keep a conversation going with Glimmer and Cato.

"I can't believe this year's over."

"Almost over. Still another three minutes to go." Cato says back, glancing down at his watch.

I scowl. "Close enough."

"So, what's your New Year's resolution?" Cato asks me and Glimmer.

Glimmer snickers. "I'm sure Clove's is to get a boyfriend."

"Oi! I heard that, Glimmer Walsh!" I whack her on the arm. When I look over, Marvel looks away. What have I done?

The last few minutes of the year are a blur of giggles and harmless jabs. Before I know it, everyone's standing up and looking up at the sky. And then the countdown begins.

"Ten! Nine! Eight! Seven!"

The ten seconds are up quickly and I turn away from the traditional New Year's snog display. Loud bangs go off and a colourful array of lights shoot up into the darkness.

The shout comes from several voices at once. "Happy New Year's!"

New Year. A fresh start, as Marvel so easily put it an hour ago. A new canvas. But this time, I have a feeling it won't be so easy to forget everything and start again.

A/N: Eek. Marvel likes Clove. Did you see that one coming? Thanks for reading! I love all feedback, including constructive criticism, so hit that review button! :)