Okay guys, I am an awful person! I promise I am trying to update as fast as I can but junior year is the hardest year of school ever! Physics and Pre Calculus have killed me! I'm actually supposed to be doing my Pre Cal homework but I have spent the past two hours writing this for y'all. I will seriously try to get my other stories updated this week too but I got cast as a DooWop Girl in Little Shop of Horrors (so basically I am in the entire show singing and dancing and have the best part in the entire show, even though it ins't a lead) and have rehearsals until 6 everyday and on Wednesdays and Fridays until 9! I am trying though, guys! I am also and idiot and forgot to put up the poll from the last chapter, but I put that up so please vote!
TARDISRose: Gale is the best! We get to see more of him this chapter (I just love him!)
axes tridents and snares: I know right? She is a jerk!
Mikey Jacquez: Well this is another single sitting. I paused a little bit to do some English at times, but besides that... merrrrrrr
hungergamesgirl999: That makes me happy that this is your favorite fic! I'm sorry for the long wait! I'm glad you can still read it!
TheWomanWhoCodesAndWrites: The Hawthornes are so cute! I love writing them! Rory is so cool and I thought Gale wouldn't really freak out like, out loud but it would be more of a suffer in silent, ya know? Thank you for your vote! Means a lot! I will keep that in mind! I love that quote so much! Thanks for it :)
Catching Fireflies: I'll look him up when I have time. Apparently he has a Pandora station on my Pandora, but how that got there is beyond me... Gale and Jo and the Finnick and Annie are just...ERRMERRGRRSH!
Alexandra Jackson rocks Hades: Oh congrats! I'm really glad you liked it! :D
RunnergirlI: I would take any of them... All Graceland boys are amazing! It's because Effie and Haymitch raised them right... Lol jk ;) I would date them though.
MewWinx96: Finnick is amazing! Oh goodness! I hope it gets figured out! I'm not sure how I would feel about the swearing... I'm listening to Taylor Swift and 1D and Broadway (and Disney) while writing these reviews... Zoos are so much fun! Go go go go go! Yay for fluff! I will consider your gender vote, thanks a ton! :D
Kere2000: Aww thanks a ton! :D
ilovecaden: Oh my gosh, that is so sweet! Thank you :D
MiaBelles: I did hear.. I cried actually because that means I cannot be Annie... I was way too upset... Like I modeled Annie after myself and give her many of my own thoughts and ambitions. I wanted to be her, but I guess I'll be her for this story :D
peeta and katniss 1: I am very glad you like it! Thanks a ton!
Peace Love Hunger games: We will have to see! I will try to get that song finished for y'all! :D
CatnipGirlOnFire: The song is a song I wrote actually :D We'll see what happens :)
RiderArya103: Oh that's so funny! I am glad you like it! I'm very glad I inspired you to listen to Les Miserables. If you want another musical listen to "Little Shop of Horrors" and look for the DooWop girls. That is who I am! :D
Guest: I am awful at reviewing (like I review everything but my reviews are all short and stuff...) but your writing is very good! I read your new account bio and I was very surprised by how young you were. You'll get better, I promise. PM me if you need anything at all!
Sarah7821: Lol guessed as much and no biggie :) You're not an idiot!
OdairBear: Very glad to hear it!
TributeAndProud: Aww thanks! :D
RiderArya103: Johanna is seventeen and she is in her final year of secondary school. She will turn 18 sometime during her final year. Hope that helps :) Katniss is 16 and Annie is 17.
Guest: Umm... I guess...? Lol I'm confused XD
MeaganOneDirection: I am very glad you are hooked! It is so much fun to write!
mysparklingbutterfly: I was actually watching that movie when I got that review! I love the Hunchback of Notre Dame! It is such a dark Disney movie...
FallenPetals712: Lol mini, I shall see but thanks for your vote but I doubt they will be named after a character... merrrr lol
FallenPetals712: I can see that mini! Lol you should inclued "Juliet Shadow's Mini Me" in your profile bio... Random thought XD
you gave me forever: I am glad you liked it! It is fun to write!
Guest: I am very glad you like it! In response to your request for me to respond to my reviews a different way... This is a tradition I started with my first modern day Finnick and Annie story and I cannot respond to guests doing it a different way. I appreciate your thoughts though and if I think of a different way to do this I will certainly try to do it!
ExplodingAaron: Oh I know Annie isn't ready for that... lol XD
Guest: HERE HERE HERE! ;)
the daily whatever: I'll do my best :) thanks for the feedback! It means a lot!
SugarCakes123: Very glad!
7NationArmy: Oh really? I'm very glad! Thank you a ton! I'll be sure to look up that song :)
Chapter 3- Drugs
Gale
The sound of Johanna's vomiting saddens me. It doesn't make me sick, it doesn't make me want to run; it just makes me sad. It makes me sad because I know this wasn't meant to be her life right now. She should be busy living as a carefree senior girl who has no worries in the world. Instead she'll be graduating her senior year with a child in her womb.
This is all my fault. I am her boyfriend. I should have been there to protect her. That is my job. What else am I good for? Crap. "Hawthorne!" My head snaps up and I see the beer bellied Tennis coach staring at me. "Get a grip, son!"
I make a sarcastic salute by bringing my right arm up to my forehead. Finnick is making his way over to me while Jo and Annie play their round of Tennis. "What's up, man?"
I sigh and look over at Jo. Her hair has grown out. It isn't in that short haired pixie cut it was in when I met her. Now it is almost to her shoulders, the tips occasionally brushing the top of her shoulders. Its red color is beautiful in the sunlight. How on earth did I get so lucky? "Dude, are you listening?"
"Oh, yeah, sorry." I pick up a racket and start bouncing a tennis ball with it. "Nothing is up. I'm just, worried, you know?"
Finnick picks up his racket and starts to bounce the ball as well. "I understand. I mean, I am worried for Johanna and all, but I am really worried about Annie. No way will she be able to last when her mom gets back. Her mom isn't going to let her stay with me either. I only see one option."
I look at him and make a tense face. "What are you planning, Finn? Do not get yourself and Annie in trouble. Her mom has the potential to kill."
He shakes his head. "Her mom will not be able to kill us. She will not be able to find us."
I'm getting worried now. I feel like I know what he has planned, but that does not mean it is a good idea. "Finnick you don't mean-"
"Yeah I do." He takes a breath and looks over his shoulder to make sure no one is watching or listening. "We're going to run away."
I take a glance over at Johanna. I wish this was something I could just help her run away from, but to do that would involve killing an unborn soul and doing something that she would never approve of. This doesn't mean it is a wise option for Finnick to do this. "Finnick, I mean this in the best way possible, but that is a terrible idea."
He shakes his head. "No, a terrible idea was letting Johanna and Peeta film that fiasco at the Doughnut Shop two months ago. I have been questioned about my sexuality four times since then, and then they accuse me of using Annie as a cover up and when I tell them to screw off they take it as an invitation. That was a bad idea. Running away and taking Annie with me is a brilliant idea."
I roll my eyes. "Obviously you and I differ on our definitions of the word brilliant." We hit tennis balls back and forth for a few more minutes, my thoughts consumed. I would never be able to leave cold like that. I couldn't leave Rory, Vick and Posy without taking them with me. "What about Eloise and Daisy? What do they think?"
He shrugs. "I don't know. I haven't told them. I haven't even told Annie."
I drop my racket. "You haven't told Annie? What do you mean you haven't told Annie? Are you crazy? This involves her too!" My voice is approaching a yell and Johanna and Annie are looking at us, distracted from their game. From their look they obviously didn't make out what words I said. "What if she says no?"
"What if she doesn't?" He replies back quickly.
"If she agrees to this insane ides then where the heck are you two going to go?" He stops and thinks about it for a bit.
"I gained a large sum of money last month –I cannot tell you how- and with that I will get us an apartment and provide for us until we have jobs. I'll go to community college and get my high school diploma online. I have it all thought out. Annie will not have to worry. She can become that actress she always dreamed of being. I don't want anything but to make her happy." He looks like he is in pain as he describes this to me. He did something to get that money. I understand he did it for Annie. I would do anything for Johanna.
"Finnick, what did you do?" My voice is just above a whisper, no one would be able to hear us.
"It's nothing." He is shaking, looking around, making sure no one looks at him.
"You're lying. What on earth did you do?" I am looking down at him, my eyes narrowed threateningly. "What is it, Finn? I'm not going to call the cops on you."
He seems to give up. "You cannot tell anybody. Not even Annie. She doesn't need to know. You cannot tell Johanna either."
"What did you do, Finn?" My voice is raspy and the air suddenly becomes very cold.
"A drug lord, I don't know which one, told me to steal drugs from another drug lord. There was apparently one million dollars worth of drugs in the thing I stole. As soon as I brought it back the guy gave me fifty grand in cash! He didn't tell me it was drugs until after I brought it back and he paid me. I don't care, though. I can finally provide for Annie and get her everything she deserves!" He tries to play it off as chill, but he is going crazy.
"They'll find you, Finnick. The best thing you can do is ditch the money and act like you were never involved."
"I cannot do that or they will kill me." The girls start to make their way over to us and Finnick moves to Annie. I engulf Johanna in my arms. This conversation is not over.
Katniss
I walk to the house with Peeta by my side. He has been sweet lately, but I have also changed. I go off by myself more. I walk further to escape this reality I do not want to be a part of. I find my escape in a way I know I should not. "Hey, Peeta, I'll be right back." He smiles and nods.
He the shyly bends down to place an awkwardly sweet kiss on my cheek, colored rose from the cold. "I'll be waiting." I smile as I watch him walk to the living area on the top floor and pull out our homework.
I, in the meantime, go to my room, make sure Johanna isn't about to come in, open my dresser and below my bras and underwear I have three items I know I shouldn't. The first is a pack of cigarettes and a lighter I have hidden in a pair of granny panties I never wear. I only own them because Effie bought them for me. I pull out the box and place it into the side of my boot. The second is a fake ID I have hidden in a black lacy thong that I only own because Johanna dared me to buy it. The ID says I am twenty-two so I can pretend to be legally buying cigarette and beers. The last thing, the needle and heroine, are illegal on every count but I can't stop.
I shove the ID into the back pocket of my skinny jeans and put the deadly drugs into my other boot, the knock off Ugg design helping conceal the items stored inside them. I walk out and see Peeta sitting at the table starting on out Algebra II homework. "I'm going out. I need fresh air. I'll be back."
He gets up and comes over to me, pulling me into a close embrace. "Do you want me to go with you?"
I shake my head. "I'm fine Peeta. I want to clear my head." If he only knew the half of it. Peeta lets me go and I give him a quick peck on the lips before I go down the stairs. I can feel sky colored eyes watching me as I disappear from his sight. I wish I didn't have to lie to him. I hate lying to him but I am afraid of what would happen if he ever caught me. He would think less of me and leave me alone. Me and my crackhead self.
I wish I could stop but ever since I started it gets harder and harder to walk away. It drives me crazy to go one day without anything, two days is torture and the few times I have gone three days is absolute hell. I feel salty tears prick in my eyes but I blink them away before anyone can see me cry. I don't cry.
I walk out the back door, being as quiet as I can as I leave for my walk of shame. I make my way over to the small cliff where Peeta fell. I have made that my spot. I pull the lighter and cigarette box out of my boot and light a drag, inhale the smoke and feel every worry start to melt away. I feel myself get excited to inject myself. That makes me the happiest. I finish my cigarette and stomp it out on the ground. I then take the heroine, and do all things necessary to inject it into my bloodstream.
I am high and happy for what seems like could be forever or just a few moments. I'm still slightly high when I stumble back to Graceland. I didn't inject too much into my system.
Peeta can tell I am in a good mood when I get back. I am smiling and that causes him to smile. Maybe that is why I do it. I know this can bring a smile to my face and my smile brings a smile to Peeta's face. Peeta's face is like a drug to me. I wish all drugs were as easy to get. "Why are you so smiley, Katniss?"
I shrug and a small giggle escapes my lips. Maybe I am higher than I thought, but I don't care. "No reason, Peeta!" I giggle once again and he looks at me, the intoxicating smile no longer reaching is cerulean eyes.
"Katniss, what is up with you?" A nervous laugh is starting to escape from him.
"You just make me so happy Peeta!" The smile is erased from his lips and he looks at me with concern.
He looks me over, and it is the funniest thing ever. He is just looking! He should do something. I start to giggle, once again. "Katniss, are you high?"
I giggle once again. "Why would I be high? I don't even know where I would get heroine."
"Katniss!" He comes over to me and scoops me up and takes me to his room. It is so funny. He lays me down and starts to take my boots off.
"Hey, Peeta, you shouldn't take off my boots." I don't know why, but he does it anyway. He takes off the boot with the cigarettes hiding in it first. The smile is erased from my face. He takes off the other one and the needle comes out. Suddenly I start to cry. I don't cry. What is wrong with me? I do not cry. I feel Peeta wrap his arms around me.
He places a kiss on the top of my dark hair, my forehead and the tip of my nose. "Katniss, please no more drugs."
I shake my head. "No more drugs." I wish it was that easy.
He pulls away so he can look me in the eyes. "Katniss, please. That could kill you, Katniss. I don't want to see you get killed."
I cry harder. Peeta looks so hurt. It's my fault too. "I'll do my best to have no more drugs."
Okay, so record breaking reviews last chapter! 34 reviews for one update! Yay guys! Like seriously! You are all great! It took me forty minutes to respond to all of you, but I do anyway because I love you all!
Thanks to: MeaganOneDirection, MiaBelles, Mikey Jacquez, Natura Nature, SecretsandSugarCubes, SibunaChika1227, StarBright18, StayAlways, axes tridents and snares, cursed to curse, Catching Fireflies, TARDISRose, Alexandra Jackson rocks Hades, Kyranoel, Fire Kitty 12, MewWinx96, babymcflurry, ThaliaFairbain, cutegirlems, Y.O.L.O So do it right, lole12312, Cinna's Bird, MahoganyMagic12, Random person in wonderland, RiderArya103, SparksFly'SkyHigh, Addicted2-Your-Story, AnotherDawnLikeOurFlag, TurtleThompson, messygreenroom, PerfectionIsFlawed, come burn with me, hyllia14, Lizzie6410, Steven Garrett, Kirihito Mai, RunnergirlI, hungergamesgirl999, UntilTheCannonSounds, Yasie, Purplespartan, HungerGamesAddict3, Amitytribute, DomiHearts1497, likelife, sarah. , ExplodingAaron, gomez-girl, 1DandBobsyouruncle, Wolfie-V, nolengthoftime98, Naanal, eadricson, kittybelltheory, smileywiley, Peetagorean Theoerem Is Here, DaughterFromApollo, RedandCalico, Justseeingyou, dogpawz, DramioneForever123, .Love0103, neverendingme, Laura2810, tris divergent x, BethWolf, LOS2005, qkelly820, Aztec Moustache, hazzadaz, Peace Love Hunger games, peeta and katniss 1, peetasmineforever3, SmileyMockingjay, THGgoddess4ever, Sarah7821, mysparklingbutterfly, TheCraftyKitten, Victoire Collins, Phellie258, juul291, Chucklez-Lives-On, JennaArmstrong87, the daily whatever, Kere2000, Starkidpotter-jackson-odair, alexis. flanagan. 33, LovingHowJaceSaysCop and 7NationArmy for adding this story to their favorites!
Thanks to my 116 followers as well! Cookies for all!
-Juliet