~Sketching Out Our Love~

~Chapter 11~

Hi everyone! Happy Friday!

I am sorry I am updating so late in the day. I had some last-minute writing/editing to do that I didn't get to yesterday. I was very busy this week with school, and I also got a new car! It's a yellow Volkswagon Beetle. I'm sure you know what those adorable cars look like. It's been very exciting, so I didn't write as much as I usually do.

As always, thank you so much for your amazing response! The amount of alerts skyrocketed with the last chapter, and it really made me happy that you are enjoying the story!

Thank you to my amazing beta Choclate Lover. I know I say this every week, but she is simply amazing!

Enjoy the chapter! 3

"Peeta, wake up!" A loud girly screech pulled me out of a blissful sleep. It was the first real sleep I'd had since following Katniss to California, and I didn't want to get up yet. I stayed still and didn't open my eyes, hoping that I could just go back to sleep somehow.

"Peeta, seriously, wake up!"

I reluctantly cracked open one eye and found myself looking right at my annoying- yet lovable- sister. She was staring down at me anxiously with her big sky blue eyes.

"Oh, finally." Prim sighed in apparent relief. "I thought you'd never wake up."

I pulled my blanket up around my chin more securely and sank deeper into my pillow. "Go away, Prim." I mumbled.

"No, I'm not." Prim argued. "Not until you get up."

"Why?" I whined, not ready to give up and get out of bed. It was the day before Homecoming, which was a no-school day for us. The football game didn't start until six, so I didn't need to be anywhere. I want to sleep in a little, but Prim seems to have other ideas.

"Your date has nothing to wear to Homecoming!" Prim panicked, waving her hands around anxiously. "And she needs some professional guidance to help her chose the perfect dress."

A wave of pleasure rolled through me as I heard Prim call Katniss my date. I let the words run through my head, enjoying the sound of them. Katniss was my date.

"So?"

"Just get up, Peeta." Prim sighed in defeat. "I'll give you ten minutes. Rue and I are waiting outside."

I mumbled some more until I finally heard my door close as Prim left. I stayed in bed, fully intending to stay asleep until I wanted to wake up.

I was just dozing off again when Prim knocked on the door loud enough to wake the whole neighborhood.

"Three minutes, Peeta." She declared imperiously. "Don't make me drag you out of bed."

"Geez, Prim." I complained. "How hard is it to sleep in for once?"

"Two minutes." I heard her retreating and then going down the stairs.

I thought of just ignoring Prim, but the thought of Katniss made me drag myself out of bed and get dressed. When I looked somewhat decent, I made my way downstairs to find Prim and Rue waiting on the couch and watching some sort of modeling show.

"You're five minutes late, Peeta." Prim scolded. "It's already nine twenty!"

I stared at Prim's perfectly waved hair and delicate features. She had also taken to wearing eyeliner and mascara since starting high school, which made me wonder where my baby sister had gone.

With a pang in my heart, I grabbed a muffin I had made at the bakery yesterday, and sat down at the table to eat.

"No, you'll eat in the car." Prim scolded. "Should've woken up earlier, right?"

And with that, Prim all but dragged me out of the chair. Prim could be the most determined person on the planet when she wanted something. Before I knew what had happened, I was in the driver's seat of my car, keys in hand, and Prim and Rue in the backseat.

"Let's go!" Prim squealed. "It's going to be so much fun!"

"Yeah, sure." I muttered sarcastically as I drove to Katniss's house. She was probably still asleep, and my crazy sister was going to wake her up. I felt embarrassment rush through me at the thought of a sleeping Katniss.

Prim and Rue chattered quietly in the backseat. They were literally best friends, they got along so perfectly. They even looked the same to some extent. They were both thin with birdlike bodies that looked like they could fly off the ground at any given moment. The only difference was that Rue's skin tone was mocha while Prim's was porcelain.

"Peeta, you brought your phone, right?" Prim asked as we parked in front of the apartments where Katniss lived.

"Yeah, why?" I responded somewhat anxiously as I led the way to Katniss's apartment house. Who knows what Prim was planning to do with my phone?

"Because you get to take pictures of all the dresses and shoes Katniss will try on!" Prim sang excitedly as Rue giggled in delight.

They both ignored my look of complete horror and continued talking along like I didn't even exist. I sighed as I unwillingly rang the doorbell of Katniss's home and waited for her to answer.

We stood there for several minutes, waiting for Katniss to answer. I rang the doorbell three times with no answer, which only confirmed my suspicion that Katniss was asleep.

On the fourth ring, a bedraggled Katniss slowly opened the door and looked at Prim, Rue and I blearily. Her dark hair was in a messy braid, and she was dressed in plain red tank top and shorts. Her grey eyes were still half closed with sleep. In my opinion, she looked just as beautiful as she always did.

"Hey, Sleeping Beauty." I joked as I pulled her in for an embrace. She sank into me, and I stood for a moment, enjoying the feel of her body on mine. I was just leaning for a kiss when a sudden loud noise interrupted us.

Katniss and I jumped apart like we'd been electrocuted. I turned to see Prim standing with a slight grin. "We need to go to, Katniss. You'll have plenty of time to kiss Peeta at Homecoming." She teased lightly.

"I have tons of dresses, Prim." Katniss argued weakly in a hoarse morning voice. "I don't want to go dress shopping!"

"Where are they?" Prim asked bossily. "I have to look at them first."

I took a seat on the couch while Prim and Rue followed Katniss into her room. I took the time they were gone to look around the room a bit. The walls were a stark white with no pictures or paintings on them. The artist in me wanted to add some color to the house.

My eyes caught two framed photos on the fireplace ledge. I stood up and walked over to get a closer look at them. The first was one of a beautiful blonde woman in a wedding dress standing beside a man who closely resembled Katniss. I immediately recognized them as Katniss's parents, from a happier time and place.

The second was one of a younger Katniss, perhaps ten, sitting in between her parents. She was smiling widely, and I realized I had never seen her that happy. I instantly got a burning fire within me to someday make Katniss smile like that and be truly happy.

Prim, Rue, and Katniss reentered the living room. I noticed that Katniss was dressed in a light pink skirt and white V-neck shirt with lace. The outfit emphasized her petite feminine body, and her hair was down, adding to the feminineness of the outfit. She looked uncomfortable in the ensemble that Prim had no doubt forced her into.

"If it helps, you look beautiful." I whispered into her ear, so Prim wouldn't overhear us.

"It doesn't, but thanks anyways." Katniss replied sadly, staring down at the silver ballerina flats she wore. "I'm still stuck in these clothes."

"Do you want to know something?" I murmured, brushing a stray piece of hair away from her smooth olive forehead.

"What?"

"I prefer shirts and shorts as well." I responded, smiling widely at her. I watched as a small smile slowly lit up her pretty face, and she mouthed the words thank you at me.

It took us five minutes to get Manhattan Mall. Manhattan Mall was a huge mall with every kind of store imaginable. I had tried to get Prim to go somewhere smaller and quieter, but she had adamantly refused.

Katniss stared in shock and gasped when we first got a glimpse of the huge structure that was Manhattan Mall. I could almost feel the waves of horror rolling off of Katniss.

"It's ok." I soothed her quietly. "I'll stay with you the whole time."

Katniss's terrified expression eased out, and I felt myself smile. I'd do anything to see her smile.

I grabbed one of her delicate hands in my own large, rough ones, and rubbed it soothingly in the space between her first finger and thumb, just the way she liked it. Since we had been together, I had learned about the small gestures that she enjoyed. She loved it when I brushed her hair back, or when I rubbed her hand and back. They were small gestures, but I knew they meant a lot to her.

It took ten whole minutes, but we finally managed to find a parking spot that wasn't in the middle of nowhere. Prim sat in the backseat grumbling the whole time about how I'd woken up too late and now there would no good dresses for Katniss to wear.

Katniss just rolled her eyes and smiled. I knew that she would be secretly overjoyed if all the dresses ran out by the time we walked into the mall. As for me, I'd be fine if she showed up in the clothes she wore to bed. I was still in a state of elated shock over the fact that she was actually going with me, so the dress wasn't a priority for either of us.

The second I parked, Prim jumped out of the car, pulling Rue along with her. She took out a notepad and purple pen from her purse, and grabbed my phone from me. "For the pictures." She explained to me. "Rue wants to take Katniss's pictures."

I just shrugged, knowing I had already lost the battle anyways. I linked my hand with Katniss's, and she automatically weaved her fingers through mine. It was amazing how easily we'd settled in as a couple. If you told me two weeks ago that I'd be dating Katniss, I would've laughed in your face. But now we were going out, and it didn't seem like such an insane idea anymore.

Prim rambled on about the day's schedule, fully oblivious to the fact that only Rue was paying her any attention. I caught words like "dress shopping" and "manicure and pedicure."

Katniss's eyes narrowed at "manicure and pedicure." I laughed at her disgusted face, and she glared at me, which only made me laugh even harder.

"Watch it, Mellark." Katniss warned coldly. "I can shoot a bow straight through your eye."

I knew she was only joking, though, because a small smile was playing at her lips. "Liar." I breathed. "You'd never hurt me."

"You've made me weak." Katniss grumbled sadly. "I used to be able to scare anyone off."

"I haven't made you weak." I contradict her. "We're stronger together. Love overcomes everything."

"And you've made me all sweet and sentimental too." Katniss added in the same sullen voice.

"No, you were always sweet." I tease her. "Just hiding under a tough exterior."

"Stop playing tricks with my brain, Mellark." Katniss moaned.

"People tell me I have a way with words." I wink at her, and she glares again.

"We're here!" Prim sings. She pushes Katniss and me apart, and marches Katniss over to a huge Macy's department store. I follow behind them, and Katniss shoots me a desperate look and mouths save me.

During Homecoming season, Macy's sets up a special area with dresses of every color and style. Any other girl would associate this place with heaven, but I knew Katniss was in the middle of a sparkly, cloth-filled torture room.

Prim grabbed dresses with fluffy pink tutu skirts and strapless sweetheart necklines. I grabbed a particularly terrible dress with a sparkly pink tutu skirt and a revealing neckline from her arms. The revolting dress wouldn't even cover anything.

"Just saying." I begin. "I have some rules. If Katniss shows up in something like that, I will make her change into my sweats before we leave."

Prim gives me the pout face, but I don't back down. Instead, I grab the ugly tutu dress, and three of it's companions, and put them back on the nearest rack. "Nothing sparkly. Or fluffy. Or pink." I threaten Prim.

Katniss gives me a look of pure relief, and even Rue cracks a small smile. Prim reluctantly backs down, and heads into the section with more acceptable looking dresses. When she and Rue each have about twenty dresses slung over in their hands, they push Katniss into a fitting room with the huge pile of dresses, and wait outside the door. I sit down in a chair outside the fitting rooms where I can still see the dresses Katniss will show Prim and Rue.

Katniss tried on dress after dress for nearly an hour. Prim stood outside, taking notes and ranking her favorite dresses, while Rue dutifully took pictures. I almost dozed off several times, so I couldn't imagine what Katniss must be feeling.

No doubt she wanted to rip Prim and Rue to shreds, storm out of the mall, and forget about going to Homecoming altogether. If that were the case, I would kill my little sister.

"This is the one!" Prims squealed in complete delight. "Rue, take some pictures!"

Prim quickly scribbled something down on her notepad, and put it back in her purse. She proceeded to examine every inch of the dress Katniss wore, until she was completely satisfied. Prim was pushing Katniss back into the fitting room to change back into her clothes when Katniss hesitated for a moment. I watched her walk over to me nervously, and come to stand before me.

"Do you like it?" She asked hesitantly. "I don't care if Prim likes it or not. I want you to like it."

I took her hands in my own, and smiled up at her. "I'd love you no matter what you wore."

"So, you like it?" Katniss asked hopefully.

"Did you know my favorite color is sunset orange?" I ask her.

"Yes." Katniss's eyes light up thoughtfully. "But why sunset orange?"

"Because I love the sunset." I explain. "It's such a calming color, but full of light at the same time."

"Then this dress is perfect for our Homecoming." Katniss whispers in delight. It's just what I'd expect of Katniss too, because it is very simple.

The dress is very elegant, but in a good way. It is simply perfect. It's the perfect shade of orange, not too glaringly bright but not too dark either. The band sits right above her slender waist, and sits beautifully on her upper body. The neck of the dress is tied high up and sits on her shoulders neatly. But the most amazing feature is a small triangle shaped slit right above the waistband. It would look pretty on anybody, but on Katniss, it looks amazing.

"Come here." I whisper. Suddenly, I don't care that we are in a public fitting room. The only thing that matters is her.

"What?" Katniss stares at me like I've gone insane. "What are you talking about?"

Tired of talking, I grab her and settle her on my lap. My head twists upward to meet her lips, and she responds immediately. Her hands are tangled in my hair, and one of my hands is on her waist supporting her and the other is on her cheek. We stay like this for a long moment, not caring who is watching us.

"Oh, look who's here." A taunting voice makes Katniss and I break apart, though I keep an arm around her waist protectively.

I look around for the source of the voice until I find Glimmer. She stares down at me, and Katniss in my lap, and snickers. "Get a room, Mellark."

I ignore her, and so does Katniss. Instead, I massage gentle circles on the small of Katniss's back until I feel her relax under my fingertips.

Glimmer obviously got the message that she was being ignored, so she said, "Too bad I can't stand and watch you lovebirds make out all day. I'm very busy, unlike you." She adds the last part in a snide voice, and I resist the urge to punch her.

"Be careful during Homecoming." Glimmer warns with an evil smile as she turns to leave. "You never know who might be… watching you."

"What does she mean?" Katniss whispers to me once Glimmer is out of earshot.

"Nothing. She's just trying to scare us." I say confidently, though on the inside, I'm secretly worried. "Go change so we can get out of here." I add quickly.

"No kidding. We've been here forever." Katniss untangles herself from my arms and gets off my lap. I suddenly miss her warmth, and will her back. She must notice this on my expression, because she teases, "I didn't know you liked me that much."

"You have no idea how much I like you." I tell her with all the sincerity I can manage.

"Ok, that's good enough for me." She grinned and shook her head. "You are the only person I'd wear a dress for."

"I'm so honored." I tease lightly. I stand up and cup her face in my hands. Our lips met in a light and sweet kiss. "I love you." I murmur when we break away.

"Me too." She whispers back. I'm still waiting for her to say those three words back to me someday. Maybe, someday, she will tell me she loves me too.

The next hour is filled with shoe shopping. Katniss picked out a pair of very pretty silver heels, even though Prim wanted Katniss to buy a spiked stiletto heel. Katniss flat out refused, saying Prim could buy it for her to wear instead.

It's after the shoe shopping that Katniss's real torture starts. Prim literally forces her into a nail salon, and sets Katniss up for a French manicure and pedicure.

"I'm not painting my nails." Katniss snaps at Prim. "I am not."

Prim ignores Katniss, and drags Katniss to a reclining pedicure chair. Once Katniss has been forced into it, Prim takes a seat next to Katniss and hands her a magazine to read.

Katniss throws me a look of pure horror as a small Asian woman sits on a chair in front of Katniss's toes. Prim sits calmly in her own chair as another woman works on her feet, but Katniss fidgets and seems anxious throughout the whole ordeal.

"Careful." The woman who did Katniss's nails cautions her as Katniss gets up from her chair thirty minutes later. "They aren't dry yet."

"Thanks." Katniss mutters to the lady. She shoots me an annoyed glance though, so I know that she doesn't care if her nails get messed up or not.

"That will be forty dollars."

Katniss stares at the woman in shock, and shoots Prim a death glare. She still pays the forty dollars, though, but walks out fuming.

"Last time ever." Katniss fumes as we leave Prim and Rue to find dresses for them. We decide to use the time to eat, so we are heading to the food court.

"I hate your sister." Katniss muttered to me once we had ordered our food. "She is absolutely insane."

"She's usually the sweetest girl you'll ever meet." I defend Prim, even after everything today. "And I don't mind if your nails aren't painted either."

"Stupid nails." She muttered in annoyance, as she tries to hold her fork without messing up her nails. "Why do girls paint their nails anyways?"

"Because if they are anything like Glimmer, they are all vain." I reply. "That's why I like you so much. You don't care about that stuff."

"I've never been that kind of girl." Katniss admits. "I dread dances, while other girls look forward to them."

"Doesn't matter." I smile happily at her. "I prefer you over Glimmer a hundred times over."

"Thanks." She looks up at me. "All these feelings, of being loved, are still so new to me."

"I could get used to it."

"I already did get used to you." Katniss whispers softly, her eyes meeting mine. My heart does a somersault as our eyes meet. "I don't know what I'd do without you, Peeta."

I smile as memories of Katniss and I rush through my head. The last week has been one of the best in my whole life, and that's because I had spent it with Katniss.

I buttoned the final button on my white dress shirt. I hated dressing up almost as much Katniss does, but I know that she has it worse than me. Prim tried to get Katniss to sleepover so she could do her hair and makeup, but Katniss politely declined. Instead, she said that she could do it on her own.

I slung my suit jacket over my shoulder and pushed my shoes onto my feet. I try to take deep, steadying breaths, even though a small part of me feels like hyperventilating. I was so freaked out about taking Katniss to Homecoming. What if she hates it? What if she hates me?

I groaned as I realized I had forgotten to put my tie on. I stood in front of the mirror for nearly five minutes trying to figure it out, until I finally gave up. I was so nervous but excited that my fingers weren't functioning properly.

I wander over to Prim's room. She takes one look at the tie around my neck and instantly understands.

"Peeta, calm down." Prim soothes gently as she ties the tie. She is completely dressed and ready, except she only has one shoe on. She was slipping on her pink shoes that match perfectly with her dress when I came into her room. In the next room, Rue is getting dressed in a silvery grey dress she picked out yesterday.

"I'm nervous." I admit honestly as Prim twists my tie expertly. "What if she doesn't like going with me?"

"She'll love it." Prim says confidently. She slips on her remaining shoe. "Now leave or you'll be late."

"Right." I breathe quickly. "Bye Prim. Remember, be careful."

Prim rolls her eyes as my protective nature comes out. "Chill, Peeta. Luke isn't going to kill me or anything."

"He better not." I reply coldly. Luke is Prim's date to Homecoming. I had thrown a fit when I found out Prim had a date, but Mother had been overjoyed. Needless to say, Prim was going with Luke and nothing I say will change it.

"Just trust him. And me." Prim gives me the puppy dog eyes, and I feel myself cave in just a bit.

"I do." I reach over and hug her, being mindful of her makeup and hair. "Love you, Prim."

"Good luck, Peeta." Prim suddenly smiles, and her blue eyes light up. "Don't make Katniss cry. You make her cry at all of your dates."

"We've never been on a real date." I protest. "We went on car rides and to a cemetery. Overall, not too romantic."

I told Prim how I followed Katniss to San Diego after I came back. I trust Prim with these kinds of things, and so far, I've been right to trust her. She hasn't told anyone.

"Well, you should've done something nice while you were there." Prim explains. "Like, you should have gotten her that cat that you saw."

I had seen a pretty tabby cat while at the cemetery. If it was allowed on a plane, I would've thought of taking it for Katniss. I had told Prim about the cat immediately, because she has a soft spot for cats. "It wouldn't have been allowed on a plane." I complained.

"Well, get her one now then." Prim smiles. "I'll help Katniss raise it. It'll be fun!"

"I'll think about it." I reply cautiously. I don't want to say yes for sure, because Prim will get way too excited.

"Whatever, Peeta." Prim rolls her eyes. "You are so slow."

"Hi…" I can do nothing but stare in utter shock. My mouth seems to have the lost the ability to speak or do anything but simply gape in complete astonishment.

"What's wrong?" Katniss teases gently. She leans against the doorframe, and smiles at me. Katniss senses my speechlessness, and I think it amuses her that I've reacted like this.

"God… Katniss you are beautiful." I finally breathe out. I can't think of a higher compliment than that because she does look beautiful. She paired the orange dress with a pair of low silver heels and pearl earrings. But it's her hair and makeup that takes center stage.

Katniss's dark hair is braided to the side, and the rest of her hair flows down one shoulder in loose, wavy curls. I don't know how she did it, but it looks beautiful.

"How did you do your hair?" I ask in amazement. I look at it up close, being careful to not mess it up in any way. My artist side is fascinated by the intricate braiding and twisting in her hair. I could stare at it for hours and not get tired of her hair.

"I didn't." Katniss admits. "My mom did it. She is very skilled with hair."

"She did an amazing job."

"She did my makeup too." Katniss adds. I look at the light, natural makeup on Katniss's face. It makes her flawless skin glow, and her eyes seem to stand out more than usual due to some light eyeliner and eye shadow. Her makeup is perfect; not too overdone so it looks fake, like Glimmer's.

"I got you something." I add shyly. "I think it would look nice with your outfit."

Katniss takes the red velvet box from my hand, and opens it curiously. Her eyes open wide when she sees the simple necklace with a single glowing pearl dangling from it.

"I can't take this." Katniss stutters. "It's too expensive."

She tries to hand the box back to me, but I take the necklace from her box and leave the box in her hand. I take a step closer to her, and slip the necklace around her neck, and fasten the clamp. The necklace fits perfectly with the design of the dress and the earrings she wears.

"Now you look perfect." I whisper to her. When I had seen the necklace, I knew it was for Katniss.

"Thank you." Katniss looks to the point of crying, and I remember Prim's words. Don't make her cry.

"I love you." I say to her. "I know one day you will too."

"I already do." She whispers. "God help me, I do."

"Then that's all I'll ever need." I reply simply.

I kiss her, being careful of her lipstick. But Katniss doesn't seem to care about her lipstick, so I deepen the kiss. Her mouth opens against mine, and I gasp when I feel her tongue for just a moment. Katniss immediately breaks away, blushing.

"I'm sorry." She mutters as a blush heats up her cheeks. "I didn't mean to do that."

"No, I liked that." I admit, trying to calm my racing heartbeat. "I was just surprised."

Katniss smiles in relief, and I suddenly find myself wishing I could freeze this moment forever. "I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now, and live in it forever."

"I don't see why not." Katniss says, leading me to the couch in the living room.

"Then you'll allow it?" I ask with a grin as I sit down and pull Katniss into my chest.

"Yes." She replies, nestling up against my chest comfortably. "I would allow it."

I almost don't want to go to Homecoming anymore, because I feel so at peace in this moment. But my uncomfortable dress clothes rub against my skin, reminding me that as much as I'd like to stay here forever, I can't.

"I wish I could draw you right now." I say, holding one of the curls in my fingers and twisting it gently. I hold her against my chest more tightly, even though I know my shirt will be wrinkled later.

"I want to watch you draw one day." Katniss smiles, her hands playing with my gelled hair.

"You'd have to be my muse." I tease. Her hands have now traveled down to my cheek, and I smile as her fingers gently trace my jawline.

"I think I've liked you since the first day." Katniss admits, her hand returning to rest above my heart. "But I tried to hide from the truth."

My heart fills up to the point of pain at her words. But it's a good kind of pain, and I don't want to stop the feelings. "I loved you since the day I laid eyes on you." I tell her without missing a beat.

"I'm so sorry I was stupid." Katniss shakes her head ruefully.

"It doesn't matter." I tell her. I reluctantly let go of her, and stand up. She follows my lead, looking at me questionably. "We don't want to be late." I explain.

"Oh, right." Katniss shakes her head. "I almost forgot about Homecoming."

"Me too." I laugh. "It was so peaceful that I stopped worrying about anything."

"I'll just let my mother know I'm leaving." Katniss hurries out of the living room and to her mother's room, and I wait for her patiently by the door.

"I'm ready." Katniss announces, coming to my side and taking my hand. "Let's go."

"Let's go." I agree, holding her hand more tightly. "I'm ready as long as you're here."

Yay! That's the pre-Homecoming chapter, where we finally get to see some sweet moments between our new couple! It was kind of strange for me to write a fluff chapter, because this whole story has been not-fluffy, for lack of a better word. But it was nice as well.

I'm sorry that Homecoming dragged into the next chapter. But nonetheless, we have some cute moments in this chapter, which I hope makes up for that. I know it was a little bit of a boring chapter…

The whole next chapter will be Homecoming in Katniss's POV. You'll meet some new characters, including one of my all-time favorites. Also, don't forget about the little encounter we had with Glimmer… that will be important next chapter.

*Katniss's dress is real, I found it online. It is very simple and mature-looking, because I couldn't see Katniss in something sparkly and short and frilly. I will put the link onto my profile.

Ok, I'm done yammering on…

As always, a review earns a preview. This chapter's preview will be longer than most, because I won't be updating until Saturday.

See you Saturday!

Lots of love,

Glitter 3