Chapter 13

The Confrontation

…

Coming to a stop just after the sixth street jetty I lean over, resting my hands on my knees. In. Out. Breath. In. Out. I continue to tell myself this, gripping my knees tight. Leaning over, I lift my head as I feel the soft ocean breeze blow across the beach. And I can't help, but smile. God, that felt good. I should do that more often. I felt alive, rejuvenated as Annie would have said. I just felt good, like I had needed it. It has been weeks since I had gone running, I probably haven't run this Peeta and I had broken up.

But today was different. I ran. This morning when I woke up at five, I don't know what came over me, but I just felt like running. I had the need for fresh air, for open grounds. I need to let loose and just… run. So I threw on a pair of running short, laced up my shoes and went for a run. I ran the island, what I normally ran when I went running. I started along the south end of the bay and circled around to the north point of the island and then along the beach back toward where I started. I ran by Captain Robinson and Valerie's. I ran by Annie's yoga class and by two kids fishing in the cove. I ran five, six miles. It felt great, fantastic. I felt as if I could go run another six miles. Standing up straight, I lifted my arms over my head.

Breath. In. Out. In. Out.

As I gain control of my breathing, I turn to look at the ocean. The sun has risen and the day has begun. Back closer to the main, center of town I had spotted some people already beginning to make their way onto the sand. I couldn't be later than seven and people were already ready to start their day. Smiling to myself, I begin to hum along to the song my playlist just switched to.

If I could wake my crooked heart… If I was there right from the start… To feel what it was like to be turned on…

Continuing to hum along, I nearly let out a shriek as I feel a hand rest on my shoulder. Yet instead of letting out a shriek, I push the hand off my shoulder as I quickly turn to connect my fist with the lower chest cavity of my assailant only to have my fist grasp by the wrist enabling me from hitting the person. Fully turning around I wriggle my wrist from the person's grip, taking a step away from them before looking up to see who had actually grabbed my shoulder. And looking around I came face to face with Cato.

Cato.

Thank god it wasn't a creep, I think. Pulling my ear-buds out of my ears I tucked them under my armband. Then ringing my hands together I look to Cato giving him an uneasy smile.

"Hey, sorry about that… You kinda just came- came up and freaked me out… I- sorry."

He nodded his head. "It's fine, should have thought it wasn't the best of ideas of come up behind you like that. Should've thought you would throw a punch."

I nod, ringing my hand tighter together as we fell silent. Well this isn't awkward at all, I think, not awkward at all. And so standing there, Cato and I stare at one another in a pregnant silence. I haven't talked to Cato in nearly two weeks, not since the engagement party. And even then things were weird. He didn't make eye contact with me that night and said no more than congrats. I just supposed after Peeta and I had gotten back together that things between Cato and weren't just going to work out.

Continuing to stand there in silence I say, "So…"

And seeming to catch my drift Cato seems to snap out of it, remembering why he was here.

"Oh, sorry," he said, "I was down at my house and saw you running. Figured I'd come cover. I was wonder if you wanted to go back to my place and talk. We haven't seen each other in a bit. I got some food in the frig and shit if that sounds appealing."

Not knowing what to say I blurt out, "Just ran six-some miles for the first time in weeks, I don't think eating would be the best idea at the moment."

He nodded his head, "A water maybe?"

…

Sitting on one of the bar stools along Cato's kitchen counter, he opened the refrigerator door grabbing something off of the bottom shelf. Then he shuts the door, turning around to hand me a bottled water. "

Thanks," I mumble, twisting the cap off the bottle and taking a quick swig.

"No problem," he replies before turning his back to me. He faced the kitchen wall where his toaster sat beside the kitchen's stove.

He was waiting on the bagel he had popped in the toaster moments ago to pop back out. Neither of us said a word. Awkward. Cato stood waiting on his bagel and I sat there not knowing what to do with myself. This is awkward. After agreeing to hang out, we walked the few blocks back along the beach to Cato's place in silence. Awkward. Then we went inside and found ourselves in the kitchen. Cato asked if I wanted anything food, listing off anything and everything he had in his refrigerator and pantry. Awkward. Finally after saying no to everything he had listed and had covered he announced he was going to toast himself a bagel. Then after cutting and placing the bagel into the toaster he remembered he promised or owed or whatever me the water he had offered me back on the beach. And that's how we got to now.

Then hearing the toaster pop, I am more than happy for something breaking the stillness in the air. Cato's silence wasn't as bad as Peeta but it still made me uncomfortable. Watching as he grabbed the bagel from the toaster, he set it on a plate quickly spreading a thin layer of cream cheese on each side before turning to face me.

"So what's been up?" He asks, taking a bite of his bagel, "Haven't seen you around."

I shrug my shoulders, "Working at the bar, planning a wedding, not much really." He nods his head as he places half of the bagel that remains onto the plate.

"So you are going to marry him?" I nod and he nods in response.

Awkward.

Then watching him, I realize him staring down at Peeta's ring on my left ring figure.

Awkward.

Grasping my right hand over my left I ring them together.

"Nice ring," he comments, "How did Lover Boy pay for it? Did Eric pay the bill for it? Did he sell some of those photos he got?"

"He paid for it himself, Cato," I sternly respond, "He now owns and manages the bakery, he can afford it."

"Right, forgot Eric signed the place over to him on Wednesday, free cookie I heard," he nods again, "Didn't think of you as much of a ring girl thought either."

I shake my head, "Not really. This is like one of the maybe ten pieces of jewelry I own. I told him I didn't need a ring, but well Peeta insisted, said something about it being right."

"So you're going to marry him?" He asks again.

What was he getting at?

"Yes, Cato," I say a little irritated, "Why do you care so much?"

He looks up at me, meeting my eye level. "You ever think I was interested in you?"

"In fucking me," I say. He opens his mouth to say something, but I continue to talk. "Yeah, I thought you might have been, but then I realized, Cato, that you have had just about one serious relationship in your life and that was with Glimmer. Any and all relationships you have had with anyone have been just physical. As much as I hate to say it I need something more than that. And that is where Peeta falls, he's not just physical. I fell for him and for some reason he loves me."

Seeing him shake, he slams his fist against the counter. "I can feel."

I snort. "Bullshit Cato. You are the Brute. The best you can feel anger, lust, and an orgasm." Looking pissed as could be, I could see the anger bubbling up inside of him as he gripped the counter's side.

"Says the queen bitch," he mutters.

Letting out a stiff laugh, I stood up from my seat at the counter. Then walking toward the back door, I stop just before walking out the door.

"Cya Cato."

And then I'm out the door.

…

Walking into the living room of Annie and Finnick's house, Annie isn't the one I had expected to be sitting on the couch, but instead it's Finnick. Kind of disappointment that Annie wasn't the one home, I don't truly mind though. Annie, Finnick, Finnick, Annie, they were basically the same person; no, let me restate that, they were the same person. They talked the same, acted the same… well sort of the same, kinda. They were basically one being that had been divided into two, they completed one another. I glance over my shoulder to make sure Annie wasn't here as I let out an aggravated huff. Whatever, Finnick would do. Finnick knew what to say and knew when he was pushing it. And feeling Finn's eyes on me, I find myself confused on what to do with myself. Spinning around in a circle, I ended up standing where I was before: facing Finn and confusing.

Looking to him as if he held the answer to whatever I was looking for he patted the open spot on the couch cushion beside him. So reluctantly I crossed the room and sat down beside Finn, tucking my feet under my butt.

"What's up, Kitty," he asks clicking the remote so the television muted.

"Were you ever friends with Cato?"

He laughed nodding his head.

"Really?" I say surprised.

Finnick and Cato were never that friendly with another, but then again they didn't talk much or hang out with one another.

He nodded his head again. "We were kind of best friends up to junior year of high school."

"What happened," I asked. "I started dating Annie and Cato became the world's biggest dick," he says, "He just wasn't a good friend. He talked shit about Annie all the time, spread rumors about her and talked behind my backs about her... He tried to get into her pants a few time, even told her he cared about her. He was just a complete ass and I didn't need him and his shit so we just stopped hanging out… Our friend group divided at that point. Marvel sided with me and then Peeta joined the gang. And Cato went and hung out with Glimmer and the jocks. We were friends and then we weren't. Cato hung with his friends and me with mine... Since then we've just- we just haven't been able to stand one another."

I nod my head letting him know I get what he's saying. We sit there for a few moments before Finn talks again.

"Can I ask why I'm telling you this?"

I shrug my shoulder. "I don't think were friends anymore."

"Something happen?"

I shrug my shoulder again. "I don't think he likes the idea that I'm going to marry Peeta, no, he doesn't like the fact that I am going to marry Peeta," I pause, "And then he told me he likes me… like actually likes me supposedly. Emotion and feelings and all." I stop and the room falls silent for a moment.

Then breaking the silence Finnick said, "Sorry."

I nodded. "It's cool I guess. I don't mind really… I mean, I guess I'm kinda pissed that he won't be there… I liked hanging out with him. He was past me minus the whoring around. He's cold and stern. He reminded me of me."

Letting out a breath I expect myself to continue, but I don't. Instead of saying anything more I sit there in silence. Then in the moment of stillness, I felt Finnick wrap his arms around me.

"You were nothing like Cato," he said, "And even if you were, you not anymore. Plus that doesn't mean you need to have him around as a reminder of who you were or weren't. And to add even more so… you don't need another jackass in your life, that's what Rye is for."

Letting out a laugh I nod my head ever so glad I decided to come over.