You'll have to insert your own words for Jo on this one. I used squiggles because I didn't think an angry Jo would wholesomely rip Peeta a new one. :) There will be more updates on this today, as I'm trying to catch up!
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December 19th
Peeta didn't make it all the way to the girl's table before his phone vibrated in his pocket, indicating an incoming text message. He stopped five feet from the blonde and turned his attention to his phone. It was his first message from Jo.
Hey $%&#^^!
She must really be in a mood to have called him explicit names.
What the &*#$?! I finally talk Katniss into speaking to you, which, by the way, took me days, and you treat her like #%$& ^#& *#? You #&&$ ^&$*$. You don't deserve her.
Peeta felt like he had just been slapped in the face. Hard. He touched his cheek, having tangibly felt Jo's words leave a red mark in the shape of her small hand. He read the text again, not believing the words on the bright screen. She had come to talk to me? He didn't understand. He had seen her with another guy. A guy that Peeta knew was definitely interested in her, and it seemed perfectly clear to him that Katniss returned the feelings. Anyone would have thought it, he assured himself, trying to justify his behavior.
Peeta could admit that he had been rude. Yes, that was wrong. And he knew it had affected Katniss by the way she ran out of the bakery. But what the heck was Jo's problem? Why does she care? Katniss didn't want anything from him.
Unless she does. The thought hit Peeta like a ton of bricks. He began typing furiously on his phone, responding to Jo's message. He had to delete several unintelligible words that autocorrect was hard pressed to find replacements for, due to the alcohol clouding his brain and making his usually nimble fingers numb. Finally happy with his message, he hit send, waiting impatiently for a reply.
What?! She has a boyfriend! Or at least she's interested in someone. I saw them together. Tall, dark and brooding. And #^*& you, $^^#(&$ for getting my hopes up.
Peeta would have been nicer, but the whiskey made him not care as much. He glanced up, meeting the dark brown eyes of the blonde girl he had been about to acquaint himself with. She looked eager and irritable all at once. He gave her an apologetic look as another text came through.
I told you, %#$&%$&, she's not seeing anyone. She's pretty brainless when it comes to how people feel about her. And it looks like you don't know what you're doing either. You guys are perfect for each other. Except you screwed it up, you little % *$^*.
He angrily typed up the next message, tired of Jo's name calling.
Peeta - Who was that guy then?
Jo - He's a friend.
Peeta - Yeah, right, Jo. I saw how he looked at her. You'll have to do better than that.
Jo - Fine! So he likes her. Always has. She's known him for years, they grew up together. If something was going to happen between them it would have already.
Another message came through before he could process what she was saying.
Jo - I'm telling you, she's actually interested in you. And you treated her bad enough that she may not want to see you again. All my hard work, down the drain, #%&(#!
Peeta scrambled to the bar to pay his bill, not giving a third look to the girl he was about to approach eagerly not five minutes ago. Jo's messages had sobered him enough that his mind was functioning more rationally again. He had to right what he felt was an atrocious wrong, and after settling his tab he bolted out the door in frantic search of his second chance.
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Sorry about the late update again! My problem is the story isn't finished. I'm literally making this up as I go and trying to find time to do it! So stupid me, I failed again. Somebody remind me to write a complete story and THEN promise to post daily. :)