Okay so the story changes a bit in this story. PLEASE read and review. I update pretty regularly, and check my review often. They make my day! A special shout to the hunger games is my life for giving such an awesome review! Please read and review, peeps.
KATNISS POV
Something's missing. Right after Peeta leaves and I go upstairs to change into my hunting clothes, I feel like I'm forgetting something. Oh well. I just shake off the feeling and decide to worry about it later.
I go outside with my hunting bag, and I look over to Peeta's house. I wonder what he's doing. He probably took up painting again or is baking something. It's funny how those hobbies of his make me like him more, instead of if Peeta had more manly hobbies, like sports. Not that District 12 ever had many recreational activities anyway.
I walk down the road leading to the fence, thinking of Peeta, yet again. Why can't I keep him out of my head? I sigh. When I reach the forest, I catch a wild turkey and several squirrels. Greasy Sae will love them. Hopefully she can get Haymitch to eat something before he starves.
On my way back to town, I bump into someone coming out of a building under construction. I almost fall over, but that person steadies me with one arm on mine, the other arm around my waist. I look at the person holding me, and see that it's a guy. He looks about my age, maybe a year or two older.
He looks at me, recognizing my face, probably seeing it on TV from all over Panem. Still touching me, he says, "Katniss Everdeen? Is that you?" I pull away from him, embarrassed. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry."
Dusting myself off, I say, "Its fine." I study the guy again. His hair is kind of short, sticking up in a cool way. It's light brown, and messy in a purposeful way. His eyes are sea green, reminding me of someone. He's handsome too, which makes me ask without thinking, "Hey, by any chance are you related to Finnick Odair?"
He just laughs, shaking his head. "No, but I have gotten that a lot." He smiles at me, and his teeth, and white, clashing against his tanned skin. "I'm James, nice to meet you."
"James? That's a weird name."
"Yeah, I know. My mom was really into history, so she named after some guy she heard about. She thought the name was interesting or something like that. But at least it's better than her first idea." He cringes, as if reliving a horrible moment. I laugh and James looks happy, as if I told him he won a million dollars. He says, "She originally wanted to name me Frances." He laughs. "My dad thought it was too old-fashioned so my mom grudgingly agreed on James. You know, if I could have talked then, I would definitely be rooting for my dad." His smile falters a bit, and then brightens again before I could think.
"So, Katniss, what are you doing? I thought you were too mentally unstable to be outside." He laughs, and I realize that this is something he does a lot. Something about him makes me happy, like he has a bright magnetic field around him.
"Actually, I should be asking what you are doing here. I've never seen you around before."
"Well…" he hesitates, and looks at me. He studies my face, as if memorizing every detail. His bright emerald green eyes mesmerize me, and I feel my face blush. I look down. "It's kind of a long story." He says.
I look up at him say, "Well, let's start with this. Where you from?"
I guess he decided to trust me, because he says, "District Four." I look at him, shocked. He smiles sheepishly.
"Seriously?" I say. He nods. Suddenly, I want to hear why ended up here. "How'd you end up in Twelve?"
"Well, it's a long story…"
"Well, I've got lots of time." I smile up at him. It startles him, but he just smiles and shrugs, following me to go see Greasy Sae to drop off my game.
PEETA POV
I've got it. When I give Katniss the pearl back, I'll tell her then. As long as she knows I don't hate her, then I'll and hopefully she will feel better.
The pearl is in my pocket and I can feel the small hard roundness of it as I make lunch. Katniss is probably hunting, so I decided to make lunch and surprise her. When the time is right, I'll tell Katniss I love her. I don't expect her to say anything back, let alone say she loves me, but at least she'll know. Who knows, I could win her back. I know I'm not gonna give up trying, anyway. She needs me, and I need her.
I finish up lunch, and go put on my jacket to invite Katniss over. I go outside, whistling a happy tune as I go walk up to her house.
"Peeta!" I hear. I turn around to see Katniss run up to me. She hugs me, squeezing me tightly
Where did her happy mood come from? I look behind Katniss and see why. A guy about our age with bronze hair and green eyes stands behind her, smiling at me. He hold out his hand and says, "James. Nice to meet the famous Peeta Mellark." His voice his cheerful.
I shake his hand, and say "Nice to meet you, James." My voice is also cheerful, but admittedly I can hear my slight jealousy behind it. I can't help but wonder how Katniss and he met, and how they became friends so quickly.
"James and I were just talking about how he came here." Says Katniss. "He came from District Four." This catches me off guard. I should've known from his eyes.
"Really?" I say. James nods, a little shyly. Katniss says, "So did you want something?"
I remember I'm supposed to get Katniss for lunch. "Oh, yes. Would you like to eat lunch with me? I made pasta." Katniss smiles and nods, then looks up at James. Even though I'm reluctant, I say, "Oh and how about you James? I have enough for three people."
"Well, I don't really want to intrude", he says, but I can tell he really wants to.
Katniss says, "It's fine, right Peeta?" She looks up at me with hopeful eyes, and I can't resist her. Anything for her, I'll do.
"Of course," I say.
So, that's how we all end up in my house, eating lunch as James retells his story of how he ended up in District Twelve. I watch how Katniss is entranced in his story, taking in every word. I gotta say, the story is pretty interesting, but all I see his Katniss. All I notice is her, knowing I can't let James take her away from me. For Pete's sake, I love her.
I also notice how James looks at Katniss, as if he is amazed just to be in her presence. I am too, everyday. They try to include me in their conversation, but I don't say much and they eventually give up. I just eat silently, wishing I could just grab Katniss and kiss her until we couldn't breathe. I have been having these feelings all day, and I know that if she ever kissed me for any reason at all, I just may not be as strong as I have been all the other times we've kissed. I would probably lose it, almost like on the close call on the beach in the Quarter Quell. Well, at least I think that was real. I hope so.
Under the table I reach in my pocket, holding the pearl. It's alone, just like I feel.
Looks like I can't share my heart's wishes to Katniss today.
Awww, poor Peeta. He's jealous. Oh and sorry if Katniss seems a little OOC in this, but you will find out why, don't worry. So…will Katniss fall for James? Will Peeta admit his rediscovered love for Katniss? Only way to find out is read the next chapter! It will be up soon.
Reading reviews motivates me, by the way…