Hey everyone! Here is your second chapter, let's hope that it's a bit longer than the last one. Don't hate me for the Gale/Johanna pairing!

My thanks to cutegirlems, m1129, NcleRnSchlcht (interesting username, mate!), and lastly, Readers Gonna Read for the follow, as it gives me motivation to keep writing. Please feel free to drop in a review as well.

See you on the other side!

As we walk towards the beach, I can feel the thumping of the music through the ground, my feet absorbing the rhythm. Johanna walks beside me, arm in arm with Gale, the guy she had met in the bar, dressed in a flimsy bikini, a sarong wrapped around her lean, tanned body.

I myself am dressed in a much more comfortable outfit, wearing board shorts and a cute singlet. My hair is tied up, the wind whipping around my ponytail, curls of salty hair blowing into my face.

As we reach the top of the sand dunes, the scene before me unfolding, I wish desperately that I could be at home, sitting in my pyjamas on the coach, rather than in this hell hole. Why did I ever agree to come tonight, to parade with barely any clothes on in front of a bunch of horny men eying my body with no concern of my personality? My eye falls on the huge bonfire in the middle of the beach, surrounded by rotting seaweed and drunk teenagers, singing, laughing, snogging.

I am distracted by the arrival of a very cheerful and slightly drunk Finnick, followed by a dishevelled Haymitch. I swear, he never bothers to wash or shave, and the smell of alcohol is evident on him. I manage to discreetly back away from him, coming to stand behind Johanna where I can only smell the salty sea breeze.

"I see you decided to show up," Johanna inquires.

"Yeah, once I heard that there was free alcohol and a bit of ass to be had, I couldn't resist. Shall we?" Finnick leads the way, and the five of us make our way down the dune towards the mass of people.

Johanna and Gale are immediately greeted by a mass of bodies, and obviously, immediately feel right at home, beers in hand. I am offered a drink, but I refuse and look around to see where Finnick had gotten too.

I was not disappointed. I spotted Finnick, in the midst of it all, successfully chatting up a girl. I always feel sorry for them. They just don't realise that it all means nothing, that Finnick just uses them for his own pleasure.

I quietly withdraw from the crowd, walking to the edge of the water, relishing the feeling of cool water pooling around my feet. I stand alone, for I don't know how long, watching the moon rise slowly, the ripples of the waves cascading onto the shore.

"Beautiful, isn't it?

I swing round, startled, to face tall, blonde stranger.

"Who are you?" I ask suspiciously, eyeing him off.

"Well, you are obviously not one for warm welcomes," his blue eyes meet mine. "My name is Peeta. And yours is…"

"Kat. It's short for Katniss." I take a step back, and I am now standing deep enough for the waves to lap at my shorts, wetting them straight away. A shiver runs down my spine.

Peeta senses my uncomfortable reaction to his presence, and flashes me a shy smile. "Well, sorry for disturbing you… see you around."

I watch him walk away.

I make my way back to the party, trying not to step on people who had already passed out. Some people just can't hold their alcohol. I ask a random teen if they had seen Johanna, and he pointed towards the outskirts of the circle of light that the bonfire created.

Approaching the darkness, I see two shapes lying on the sand. It's Johanna and Gale, and they are clearly making out. It's uncomfortable thinking of what they're sure to do tonight.

Regardless, I needed a way to get home. I make my way toward the parking lot, racking my brain for options for transport. I could hire a taxi, but I doubt that there would be any signal on my cell. I am just considering walking, when a strong hand falls on my shoulder. My first instinct is to turn around and kick my attacker in the balls, but his steady voice stops me.

"You need a ride?"

I recognise that voice straight away and turn around, irritated.

"You should know better than to just surprise me like that. You could have ended up with serious problems down there. And anyway, I live on the other side of the city."

"We'll work it out." His laugh is deep, and sounds pleasant. I wouldn't mind hearing it again.

"So, you comin? He asks, and starts walking towards his car. I have no choice but to follow, dreading what is to come. Can I even trust him?

"Don't worry, I'm not a serial killer or anything like that. Just a guy helping out a damsel in distress."

I box him in the arm. "I am no damsel, I can handle myself perfectly without your help."

He laughs again. "Just get in," he sighs, opening the car door for me. I hesitate, but step in.

He hops into the driver's seat. "So, you interested in coming to my place?" he asks carefully.

I stare at him. "You mean, for a hook-up or something? Let me get out of this car…"

"No no no, that is not what I meant. It's just that, since you live so far out, it would probably be easier. And I swear that I won't lay a hand on you. Unless you request it, of course," he grins, as I give him my most convincing death stare.

"Fine." I cross my hands and stare angrily out of the window. Peeta turns on the radio, and suddenly I hear the Beatles playing. I turn to him and grin.

"So, we have a Beatles fan, do we?" I tease, happy to finally have something to make him feel uncomfortable.

He shifts in his seat, a blush creeping to his face. "My dad was always into it, so I guess I got it from him," he stutters.

I laugh loudly, and we spend the rest of the car drive talking about our music taste. It is approaching two o'clock when we pull into the driveway of Peeta's flat.

"Please don't get put off by the mess. My roommate isn't the neatest person to live with."

As Peeta unlocks the door, I take in my surroundings. There is a gravelly path that leads up to a big apartment block littered with cars and motorbikes. Peeta lives on the bottom floor, giving him easy access to his apartment. He steps inside, and I follow.

Well, that's the end of this chapter. If you enjoyed, please leave a review or follow this story, it will be much appreciated.

What do you think so far? Should Katniss have gone with Peeta, a guy who she barely knows? What do you think will happen to her?

Enjoy reading!

-FoxfaceNightlock