A/N: Here's the next chapter of "It Was A Lie". This is turning out be quite a fun fic. The reason Katniss seems so OOC is, well, because that's how I felt like writing her. The Katniss in the books frustrates and depresses me a lot of the time, so I thought I'd make her a little different. Plus, she just realized she fell in love, and although that can be scary, it is an exhilarating feeling. That's why her head is in the clouds. She's happy. Also, Gale is also going to be OOC in this story. Sorry, I've always been Team Everlark (if you couldn't tell), so I'm sorry if you don't like how Gale is portrayed in this story. It is fiction after all!
Enjoy!
We saunter back to Victor's Village hand in hand, still reveling in our day together. I look up at Peeta and see he has a small grin on his face, his eyes sparkling. My heart swells knowing I helped cause that.
Once we reach the Village, we break apart, albeit reluctantly. Peeta goes over to tell Haymitch about dinner (we both agree he will probably have to wake him from a drunken stupor, which Peeta just shrugs about), and I head to my house to tell my mom and Prim and do some other stuff.
I walk through the front door, and see mom and Prim in the living room. Mom's knitting, and Prim is reading a book. I plop down on the couch, letting out a long breath, smiling.
"Hey," I say nonchalantly.
"Look who's home," Prim teases.
"Shutup Prim," I tease back. She smiles.
"How was your day?" My mom asks.
"Perfect," I sigh. "Peeta took me on a date," I blush.
"So are you guys official now?" Prim asks excitedly.
I nod.
"He asked you to be his girlfriend?" She asks in the same tone.
"No. I actually asked him," I grin. Both of their jaws drop. "What? It's what I wanted," I scowl. They chuckle.
"Well we're happy for you," my mom says.
"Thanks. Actually, Peeta, Haymitch and I are having dinner at Peeta's and we want you to be there."
They look at each other and nod.
"Sure," my mom says.
"Great!" I say standing up. "I'm going to go shower and get my bag packed for tonight."
"You're staying at Peeta's again?" My mom sighs.
I freeze.
"Yeah, Mom. It really helps us both out. Not just with the nightmares, but getting through life as a victor."
"I see," she contemplates. "I just don't want you doing anything you'll regret."
"Mom! Can we not talk about this!"
"Katniss, you're sixteen. You're still a child."
"A child who's killed and won the Hunger Games," I retort. I'm starting to get frustrated.
"True, but I'm still going to worry about you."
My frustration level drops at hearing her worrying tone.
"Mom, look. I get it that we're both young, but we've already been through so much together. It's not about….that. It's about being together, being there for each other. We're in love. We're just starting to figure out what that means, and I can't do that if I'm not with him."
"You're in love?" Prim speaks up.
Might as well come out and say it now, I think.
"Yes. We love each other, and we've told each other. His mother wasn't too happy when she found that out. She slapped him."
"Oh, Katniss," my mom sympathizes. "I can't believe she would do that. Were you there?"
"Yeah, I was standing right there. I threatened to kill her if she ever touched Peeta again."
My mom's jaw drops again and Prim just smirks. I don't think they both understand that I'm deadly serious. She will never touch him again as long as I live.
"Okay, I'm going upstairs then I'm going over to Peeta's to help with dinner. Come over around seven."
They both nod, probably still in shock from my firm statement about Peeta's mom.
I smile at them and head up the stairs to my room. I close the door quietly and fall back on my bed sighing heavily. What a crazy, amazing, exhilarating, unexpected twenty-four hours. Yesterday I was lying here depressed, thinking I'd ruined any chance I ever had with Peeta. I'm so glad I decided to talk to my mom and Prim when I did. They helped give me the courage to admit the truth to Peeta. I'll have to do something to thank them. I hate owing people.
After a moment of reflection, I jump up, strip, and hop in the shower. I undo my braid and wash my hair thoroughly, knowing how Peeta loves to run his fingers through it. I love to do the same to his hair. It's one of our little couple quirks, I guess. When I'm finished in the shower, I take a look at my naked body, marveling at how the Capitol was able to clean it up after the Games. There's no trace of any of my scars, even the ones I got as a kid. You would never know I took a knife graze to the forehead at the Cornucopia during the Feast. I once again silently thank Haymitch for not letting them enhance my breasts. They're not special, at least I don't think so, but they're mine.
I dress in a pair of jeans and a long sleeve grey t-shirt. I put on a pair of sneakers and braid my hair in the familiar single braid. I've noticed how Peeta looks at it. I can't believe I'm now doing things like this for a boy. It was never a priority. Until Peeta. Until now.
I grab one of my backpacks and throw a pair of sleep shorts and an old tee in, as well as my toothbrush. I look around and make sure I have everything I need, then hurry downstairs and yell out a quick 'see you soon', and I'm out the door.
I look to Peeta's house and it's still dark. That means there's only once place he can be. I look towards Haymitch's house and I can't help but burst out laughing.
Peeta is there, with Haymitch, on the grass in front of the house. Haymitch is face down. Peeta is trying to get him on his feet, and Haymitch is waving him off, giving him the middle finger.
I decide to help my boyfriend. I throw my bag on Peeta's front porch and sprint towards them.
Peeta sees me coming and gives me a look of frustration. I smirk.
"He refuses to walk. He says he's not drunk enough to deal with us," Peeta huffs.
"Okay, Haymitch, have it your way," I say sarcastically. I walk past them, up the steps, and into Haymitch's house. I have to pinch my nose to fight the nausea that builds at the stench. We really need to get someone in here to clean, I think. I go to the kitchen, where pots are stacked high in the sink that have probably been waiting to be washed since before the Games. I find a large pitcher and fill it with ice cold water.
I walk back outside and the boys are still in the same position. Haymitch face down grumbling, Peeta standing over him running his hands through his hair. I chuckle at the situation.
"Peeta, stand back," I warn as I get closer. He looks back at me, sees the pitcher, puts tow and two together, and backs away quickly.
I stand directly over Haymitch's head and I decide to give him one last chance.
"Are you going to get up, Haymitch?" I ask.
"Go away, sweetheart," I hear him murmur.
I look at Peeta, and we both shrug.
I turn the pitcher over and dump every last drop on his head. He shoots to his feet instantly.
"What the hell Katniss!"
"What? Peeta told you we want you at dinner, and you left me no choice."
"Just because I didn't listen to lover boy, you dump water on my head?"
"Don't call him that," I say angrily. "And you are coming to dinner, and you will be polite," I point my finger at him threateningly.
"Okay, okay," he concedes, his shoulders slumping.
"Good," I say more perkily, happy that he's coming, even if I do know he'll get on our nerves nevertheless.
I turn to Peeta and reach my hand out. He takes it in his, and we start back towards Peeta's.
"What's with the hands?" Haymitch asks from behind us.
I turn my head to speak to him.
"We're together, Haymitch. And I don't want to hear a word about it," I warn.
He puts his hands up defensively, not wanting to further anger me. Good choice.
"About goddamn time that girl got her head out her ass," I hear him grumble. I ignore it, but am relieved to know he approves in his own weird way.
Haymitch sits at the kitchen table while Peeta and I work surprisingly well together to prepare dinner. Peeta shocks me when he tells me we're having lamb stew, one of my most favorite dishes. I impulsively stand on my toes and kiss him at the proclamation, earning a grunt from our mentor. I glare at him.
As I set the table, with reluctant help from the drunkard, Peeta gets the rolls out of the oven. He promises to teach me how to make them. Soon, there's a knock at the door, and I go to answer it. It's my mom and Prim, right on time.
"Hey! Come on in," I say, moving aside in the doorway.
"Here Katniss, we brought some mashed potatoes," Prim says as she hands me a serving platter.
"Thanks little duck," I say, giving her a hug. "Let's head back to the kitchen, dinner's just about ready."
We walk back, and Haymitch is seated again, mumbling about the lack of alcoholic drinks being served. Peeta is putting finishing touches on dessert, a small cake he baked quickly.
"Peeta!" Prim yells when she sees him. She runs to him and wraps her arms around him. Peeta looks shocked, but only for a second as he returns the hug.
"Hey, Prim," he says. "Good to see you."
"It's good to see you too," Prim replies. "I'm so happy about you and Katniss."
"Me too, me too," Peeta says quietly. I watch their interaction with joy. Seeing the man I love and my sister get along so well is a blessing. She seems to really like him, and vice versa. I know he used to sneak her cookies from the bakery every now and then, but I never thought they would become fast friends.
"Good evening, Mrs. Everdeen," Peeta says to my mom once his hug with Prim breaks.
"Hello, Peeta. Thank you for having us for dinner," she replies.
"Peeta, my mom and Prim brought us mashed potatoes," I jut in, showing him as I put them down on the table.
"Perfect!" Peeta exclaims. "That's exactly what we needed to make this dinner complete." Prim gushes.
My mom and Prim take seats where I instruct them to, and say hellos to Haymitch. Prim starts in asking him a million questions, and I'm sure if it was anyone but her, he'd ignore them, but it's Prim. He can't help but be drawn in by her enthusiasm and sweetness. He actually forgets that he's semi-sober and starts to enjoy himself.
I walk to Peeta and we hug, and I lean up to peck him on the lips quickly. I hear Prim squeal in the background and my face goes beet red. My mom and sister just saw me kiss my boyfriend. Peeta is slightly smirking at me, and I give him a fake pout. He smirks wider and sneaks another kiss in, then kisses the tip of my nose, which I can't help but giggle at.
"Let's eat," he says.
We sit down, next to each other. Haymitch sits at the head of the table and my mom and Prim are across from me and Peeta.
"Dig in everyone. The main course is lamb stew. Kantiss' favorite," Peeta explains.
As we eat, I switch my fork to my left hand and seek out Peeta's left hand with my right. It wasn't so much a conscious decision as a feeling that I needed to be connected with him, even if I'd just kissed him and all we were doing is eating dinner. I'm once again questioning how I ever thought I could go without this. I don't think I'll ever forgive myself for what I did to him, to us, even if he says he's already past it.
Prim sees our linked hands and smiles widely at us. My mom gives us a small smile. Haymitch scoffs and goes back to his meal. I'm surprised he's eating as much as he is, and vow that we'll have him over more often. We need to look out for him like he looks out for us. We're all he has.
Peeta gets up to serve dessert when we hear a knock at the door. He puts the cake down in the middle of the table and goes to answer it.
After a few seconds, I hear him call out.
"Katniss! Can you come to the door please?"
I excuse myself from the table and walk to the front door, wondering who would be looking for me at Peeta's house.
I turn the corner and I see Peeta with a slightly worried look on his face, standing next to Gale who looks pissed. Great. Just what I need tonight.
"Hey, Catnip," Gale says somewhat sarcastically.
"Hi Gale. What can I do for you?" I ask evenly.
"I need to talk with you. Alone," he says while glaring at Peeta.
I sigh and look to Peeta, who is looking at me with worry. I nod, telling him it's okay, and he starts back towards the kitchen. He gently touches my arm as he passes, reassuring me and leaving a trail of fire where his fingers grazed my bare skin. I shudder slightly. I step outside with Gale and shut the front door behind me.
"What is it Gale? We're in the middle of dinner," I ask.
"That's just it, Catnip. You're over here, at Peeta's having dinner? What the hell?"
"What do you mean?"
"What do I mean?! You and me were close, as close as can be, and then you go the Hunger Games, and come back with him!"
"So?"
"It's not fair!" He cries.
"Why isn't it fair?"
"Because you're mine!"
"Gale, please quiet down. I don't know what you think we are or were, but we are friends. Peeta is my boyfriend. It's different."
"I thought you were acting in the Games. It was obvious. You don't actually like him, you're just pretending."
"Gale, at first it was an act. You're right about that much. But then I realized I actually do have feelings for Peeta. Real, strong, amazing feelings. I'm sorry if you don't think that's fair, but as my friend I would hope you would be happy for me."
"So everything I did for you means nothing because of him now?"
"What? When did I say that? Gale, you're my friend. I am so thankful you found me when you did. I don't know where my family would be today. I am so grateful to you, but that's it."
"Well, it's not good enough," he sneers.
"What do you expect me to do about it?" I ask, frustrated.
"Get rid of him and be with me!" He demands.
"No, Gale. Just….no. Please stop whatever it is you're trying to do. I am with Peeta and you have to accept that. If you can't, then I guess we can't be friends anymore, which is not what I want. I still want to go hunting with you and be your friend. Can we still be friends?"
Gale doesn't answer me. Instead, he grabs my shoulders. I try to get out of his grasp but he's too strong.
"Gale! Let me go!"
He just shakes his head violently. He starts leaning down towards me, and I recognize quickly he thinks he's going to kiss me. I can't let that happen. I do the only thing I can think of.
I slap him.
He releases me and looks at me with fire in his eyes. I stare back at him with determination.
"Just go Gale! Please, just leave me alone! I never want to see you again!" I am sobbing now, having trouble coming to terms with what just happened.
"Fine, Catnip, but this isn't over. I will have you."
With that, he turns and stomps away. I can tell he's as angry as I've ever seen him before.
I collapse onto the front porch, lamenting the apparent loss of my friend Gale. I am crying now, unable to stem the flow of tears. I don't hear the front door open, but I feel the strong arms snake around me, pressing my back to his chest.
"Shh, Katniss, it's okay. I'm here. I'm here. You're okay," Peeta soothes, his face buried in my hair.
"H – h – he tried to kiss me!" I blurt out.
"He should know that's my job," Peeta jokes. I can't help but let out a half snort, half chuckle.
"Peeta, I don't think I can be friends with him anymore. He thinks I belong to him. He thinks he's going to take me away from you!"
"I won't let him, Kat. I promise you. I'm so sorry. This is all my fault. He'd still be your friend if we weren't together," Peeta says sadly. That's just like my Peeta, blaming himself for something out of his control.
"No, Peeta," I say forcefully. I turn in his arms to face him and sit directly on his lap. "This is Gale's fault. If he can't accept that I want to be with you, and can't be happy for me, then I don't want to be his friend. This doesn't change a thing between us."
Peeta just nods, still with a look of sadness. It breaks my heart, so I lean over and kiss him passionately, trying to break him out of his funk. He came out here to comfort me, now I'm comforting him. That's another thing I love about us.
He responds eagerly to my kiss and I feel him running one hand up and down my spine and the other through my hair and down my braid. I grasp onto his hair to pull him closer to me, needing to satiate the hunger inside me.
We break apart after a couple minutes of the most intense making out we've done yet and we're both breathless and smiling.
"That's better," I coo, stroking his cheek lovingly. Remembering what Peeta had done in the kitchen earlier, I give him a kiss on the tip of his nose. He smiles wider.
He's about to get up when I stop him.
"Peeta."
"Hmm?"
"I love you."
"I love you too Kat."
We make our way back to the kitchen, but not before I stop off in the bathroom to clean my face from all the tears. Gale's visit really messed me up, but Peeta helped make it all better. I sincerely hope this isn't the end of our friendship after all we've been through together. The ball is in his court, though. I made clear my stance, and told him I was more than willing to be his friend. It was him who couldn't accept the terms.
Dinner is finished, and we say goodbye to our guests. I surprise myself when I willingly give my mom a hug. She seems stunned, but puts her arms around me and squeezes. No words needed to be spoken. I was happy I was repairing my relationship with her after I thought I'd never see her again. Prim hugs Peeta, then gives me a hug. I tease her about being an afterthought and she laughs. Haymitch grumbles a thank you and goodnight and heads home, presumably to get drunk. He was actually more than tolerable tonight.
Peeta and I lie down on the couch and relax after the emotional incident. He backs up to the back of the couch and I lay in front of him, my back to his chest. My head lies on his outstretched arm while his other arm is wrapped protectively around me.
We talk quietly about our day, not letting Gale ruin our perfect date.
"Thank you again for the date, Peeta," I tell him.
"Of course, Kat. I had a lot of fun taking my girl out."
I smile when he calls me his girl. I'm still getting used to that.
Soon we saunter up the stairs and get ready for bed. Once again, Peeta changes in the bathroom, and then we brush our teeth side by side. I had taken my shirt out of my bag, but decided I wanted to wear one of Peeta's again, so I dug in his drawers and found one that smelled like him. He smiled wide when he saw me wearing it, and I saw his eyes flit down to my short sleep shorts, revealing my long lithe legs. I can't help but notice how normal it all feels.
We crawl into bed, right back into the same position as last night, my head on his bare chest, his arms wrapped around me in a cocoon of love.
Even though Gale's and my confrontation put a damper on the evening, I know that today was one of the best days of my life. Peeta admitted that he loves me, and I had the courage to tell him the same. He took me on my first date, and even though I don't have anything to compare it to, it still felt like it couldn't have gotten more perfect. Then we had dinner with our mentor and my family. What a day.
I look up at Peeta, who has been absentmindedly stroking my hair. I notice he's taken my braid out, and my dark hair has splayed all over his chest, contrasting with his blonde locks.
"Sweet dreams, Katniss. Don't be afraid to wake me up if you need me."
"You too, Peeta."
We give each other one more kiss then drift off to sleep, identical small smiles adorning both our faces.
