Hola! Wrote this the same night as chapter 8. Keep sending me your ideas! Tried to make the timeline match up as best as I could. Have no idea what an appropriate song could be, let me know. Btw, Clove and Peeta are literally me when they talk about school (except I don't do food tech). I tend to get very hostile when I am stressed…

Enjoy! :)

It's been about a month since 'that day'. Cato is acting like nothing happened, except a few slightly sexually tense eye moments. The gang is ecstatic to have him here. Fox is furious that Thresh didn't move here with Cato. Honestly, I'm kinda over 'the thing'. Sure I was a bubble of happiness for a couple of days, but I realised he doesn't want to be anything more than friends, which is fine.

Fine.

Totally.

Fine.

Besides, I've vowed to stay off boys forever. No boyfriends, nothing. School is too important. Even for someone as good-looking as Cato.

"Clove, can you chuck us Peet's notes?"

"Clove, if you damage my notes I will hurt you." Says Peeta, not even looking up. Its the beginning of our senior years, and the pressure is already building.

"Peeta, chill, its only worth like 15%" Marvel consoles. Peeta looks like death.

"Food tech is mostly just theory. Like, all theory. I wish I had chosen hospitality." Katniss snorts.

"Learning what should be common sense isn't that fun, either. Besides, I thought you just wanted to continue your dad's bakery?" She continues

"Well, yes, but it would be nice to go to Capitol Uni. So I can at least learn about business or something and expand the place."

"I thought you were already doing business studies?" I ask

"Yep. And its running me ragged. I haven't gone to bed before midnight for the third night in a row" He says as he yawns in confirmation.

Marvel reaches across the table to hold his new girlfriend's hand. Glimmer blushes as he runs his thumb over her knuckles. Literally none of us saw this coming. It just…. happened? Either we are all completely blind, or they are incredibly sneaky. Or they took advantage of our oblivion. Or both.

"Tomorrow, right?" He asks her

"Yes, silly, I told you that." Glimmer beams

"Whats tomorrow?" Asks Cato

"I'm taking him somewhere… and don't even bother asking where because I wont tell you" Glimmer gestures to both of them. Cato looks at me from the opposite side of the table.

"You ready for tomorrow?"

"THE EXAM GOT MOVED?!" I yell, heart pounding

"Um - no, not an exam." I physically sigh and relax. It seems that assessments are all my life is consisting of at the moment, and its getting a little hard to keep on top of things.

" I meant after school. Ice-cream, remember?"

"The hell are you on about? When did we decide on this?" I could have easily forgotten with all my studying. I never even make plans because I know I'll forget.

"Just now."

"I have to be home straight after school"

"Who says?" He interrogates

"My parents" I retort

"Literally five minutes for ice cream. I'll even take you home."

"No! Do you know how crazy my parents are? But alright, I suppose five minutes won't hurt." And just like that, this maniac has deterred me from my rigid schedule. But why?. I turn my head to see the group staring at us quizzically, some with their jaws hanging. Peeta is the last to look up.

"Why is everybody so quiet? What happened?"

"Nothing" Katniss says, looking as confused as I feel.

Glimmer and I have started walking home together, ever since her family moved to a new area and the only way she can get home is by taking public transport. As we near her bus stop, she asks me,

"Clove, what was that today?"

"What was what?"

"You know what."

"I have no idea what you're talking about"

"I want you to know that I will find out his intentions. I'm serious, Clove. I want you to be happy, but you need to be careful after -"

"Yeah, I got it." I dismiss, not wanting to hear Assmuncher's name. "Besides, you know I'm boycotting boys."

"Please be careful with this one, Clove."

"Would you relax already? It's just ice cream, it's not like its a date or anything. You are more than welcome to join us."

"Ugh, I'll pass this one up, thanks. Marvel, remember?"

"Oh, yeah. Where are you taking him?" She grins shyly.

"His favourite place as a kid. Sorry, but I can't tell you any more" She laughs laugh and tell her it's fine. Her bus approaches and I give her a quick hug.

"I'm serious, Clover. Don't let this go too far." She warns, and is driven off into the distance.

After school, I make my way to the ice cream place with Cato, who orders blueberry. As I wait for my triple-choc, he grabs us a seat. We have our normal banter, until my ice cream dribbles all over my lips and the side of my mouth, he wipes it away with his thumb. The moment is so outwardly casual, but so inwardly tense I resist the urge to lean in and let him remove it with his tongue, instead.

"Can I ask you something?" I venture

"Go for it"

"Why did you… you know… um…" I blush, hoping he will save me

"Oh, that. Well, I thought it would surprise you, the look on your face was definitely worth it. Plus you needed the money for your stall, right? And also, you're pretty cool."

"We've been friends for like over ten months or something and I'm only 'pretty cool'?" I laugh.

"No, you're pretty. And cool" He smiles and my stomach does a backflip. I look around and happen upon a large wall clock. Fuck.

"I have to go! Sorry! My parents. I'm 15 minutes late" I explain hurriedly as I grab my bag and sprint home, not even letting him say goodbye.

"Clove! Where were you?!" My mother demands as soon as I walk in the door.

"At school. I needed help with an assignment". If there's one thing school has taught me, it's how to lie through my teeth.

"Which one?"

"English" I murmur as I busy myself unpacking my bag. She accepts the excuse with no further questions.

I've decided that a little flirting won't hurt anyone, it's not like I really like him anyway. And If he does like me - which he doesn't - he will act on it, then I can suss out this situation.

What's the worst that can happen?

It's past midnight now, I hope you guys are happy. That means its been 13 months for my boyfriend and I today, lmao. Update: since writing this, it's actually now been 17 months ?Cheers, guys.

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Take care!:)

xx-S 3