Disclaimer: Remember, I just write this for fun. I don't own any rights what so ever; the hunger games and all its characters are property of Suzanne Collins. Also, the idea of an exclusive high school with a gang of four boys ruling it, is from the manga Boys over Flowers, or Hana Yori Dango.
Katniss was definitely dawdling, feeling a bit lost as she stood there on Gale's porch, about to ring the bell. She knew that, once she'd go in, there would be no turning back. She bit her lip, chewing it in growing frustration. Gosh, it was so tempting to just turn back to the safety of her own house, to forget about the whole damn audition…
No. That wouldn't be fair to the rest. She rang, before she could change her mind. When nobody came to answer the door, she almost sighed in relief. She glared over her shoulder. It wasn't too late yet. She still could go and-
The door flew open, and a happy Gale stood in front of her, grinning from ear to ear. She muffled a curse. 'Catnip, finally. I already started to think I would have to pick you up at your place. Come on in. Rue and Marissa are already in the garage.'
He practically dragged her into the house. She allowed it meekly, though she couldn't suppress the idea of being trapped when the door slammed shut behind her.
If Gale even noticed, he didn't say a word of it. 'I still have to pick up some things from upstairs. Why don't you go ahead and see the others?' And away he was, leaving her in the hallway. With a deep sigh she walked towards the kitchen, opened the door that led to the garage and descended the small steps, causing Rue and Marissa to look up from the instruments they were tuning. Rue was the first to greet her, setting her bass guitar aside as she got up from the couch. 'Katniss, you came!' While they hugged, Marissa walked towards them, slapping Katniss on the shoulder as a greet. 'So, how is your ankle? Must have been quite the fall you made. I hope it's all better now?'
Katniss nodded. 'By the way, thanks for the lovely flowers. I really appreciate it.'
'Flowers?' Marissa asked, raising a brow, but Rue broke her off. 'Gale told us about you having cold feet; I'm so glad you got over it. I'm sure everything's going to be alright.'
'Just remember, if I scare him away, it's your own bloody fault,' Katniss warned, half mocking, half serious. Rue shook her head. 'You won't. Oh, I'm just so exited. Imagine us, playing for a real audience.'
'Ah, so our little star has decided to come as well. Great.' They all turned their heads towards Haymitch, standing in the door post. Looking stern as ever.
Gale appeared right behind him, notebooks and extension cords in hand. 'Well, I think we have everything. If the girls are done with their preparations, we can start.'
'Excellent.' Glass in hand, Haymitch installed himself onto the couch, while Katniss helped Gale with the speakers and Marissa and Rue went back to their own work. When they were finally done, they all took their place; Katniss behind the microphone with Gale with his electric guitar at her right and Rue with her bass guitar at her left, and Marissa behind the drums.
Haymitch drew their attention once more. 'Okay, now everyone is ready, let us start. Today, not only your music's quality will count, but also your performance. When you stand in front of an audience, they'll expect a show. Sometimes that's even more important than the music itself.' He looked at Katniss. 'You know the song Poison?'
'From Alice Cooper?' She nodded. Of course she knew the song. It was ancient.
'Yes. I want you to do that song.' He began to hand out some papers, containing the notes and lyrics of the song. When everyone got their copy, he continued: 'Now listen. When you're going to sing, not only do I want to hear the lyrics, I want to feel them as well. Think you can pull that off sweetheart?'
Katniss frowned. It was the way he said it. As if he expected she couldn't do it. What an asshole. And he was the one who's going to coach them?
She switched the microphone on, and as Gale started with the intro, she took note of the lyrics, studying them quickly. And then it was her turn. She opened her mouth, but only got to the first lines when Haymitch cut her off, waving his hand in displeasure. 'No. No. No! Listen to yourself! You're singing it as if you're talking to your goddamn mother. All monotone, too nonchalant, no feelings. Read the lyrics!'
He cleared his throat. "Your cruel device. Your blood, like ice. One look could kill. My pain, your thrill…" Damn it Katniss, I want to feel it! I want to feel the emotion! So, from the top again!'
Dusk was already setting in as he walked down the sidewalk towards her house, hands deep within his jacket to protect them from the chilly wind. With the sun gone, it was getting colder. Not surprisingly, considering it was already the end of September. Just thirty-two days and they would be celebrating Halloween over at Finnick's.
Peeta sighed, taking in his surroundings. It sure looked different in comparison to his own neighborhood Smaller. Less abundant. He chuckled. Guess he was a snob after all.
He didn't know why he came here. After all, Katniss had cancelled their date for tonight, so really, he had no business here. But he couldn't shake the feeling that it hadn't been just an excuse to get rid of him. Why else would she want to talk to him this morning? And he, asshole as he was, had turned her down, just out of spite.
As he neared Katniss house, he suddenly became aware of the music, coming from one of the other houses. A woman, singing. He recognized the song; it was one of the old-timers his father was crazy about. Without thinking, he passed the parked blue station wagon on the lane and walked towards the noise, curious to see who was performing. It didn't sound bad. At all. But then the music stopped.
'Stop, stop! Sweetheart, please! Try to focus here. It is "needles and pins" not "needles and pain". And try to put up the volume a little. I want you all to rock. Okay, and again.'
Peeking though the tiny garage windows, Peeta saw Katniss with Gale and two other girls. Katniss just took another sip from her water bottle, refreshing her dry throat as Gale began to replay the intro again. Everyone looked tired and grumpy, including the man pacing in front of them. Weird. He somehow looked familiar to him.
Katniss was about to sing again, when the girl left of her began to scream, pointing fanatically in his direction. He backed up, startled, and almost tripped, but was just in time to regain his balance. The garage door flew open, and Gale and the man came out. 'What the hell?!' When seeing Peeta, Gale rolled his eyes. 'O, it's you. What are you doing here?'
'Peeta?' Katniss was out on the lane in no time, surprised to see him. He shrugged, feeling quite embarrassed now all eyes were on him. 'I'm sorry. It wasn't my intention to disturb. I just heard your music and got curious, that's all.'
'You know him?' Marissa asked inquisitively, standing beside Katniss. She laid an arm around her shoulder, looking down on Peeta. 'Good catch. He's cute girl.'
The man sniggered. 'Yeah, and not to be rude, but he's interrupting. Just come back in an hour boy; your sweetheart will be finished then.'
'Haymitch is right, we should proceed,' Gale said, not at all happy with Peeta's presence. 'Marissa, Rue…' The other girls already entered the garage, but Katniss lingered, still looking at Peeta. 'I'm…I'm sorry about yesterday,' she said. 'It's just…I had to be here tonight.'
He nodded. 'I'm sorry too. I behaved like a jerk this morning. I shouldn't have reacted like that, like a spoiled little boy who couldn't get his way. I'm sorry.'
She smiled. 'So we're both sorry then.' Feeling relieved, she offered him her hand. 'Would you like to listen to our music inside?'
He blushed, but nodded, happy with the invitation. 'I thought you didn't like to sing for strangers?' She sighed. 'I do. But I have to learn it sometime.' Then she looked to him, smiling even brighter then before. 'Besides, you're not a stranger anymore, right?'
'Hey, if the two lovebirds want to hurry up!' Haymitch jelled from inside, startling both Peeta and Katniss. 'Guess they're getting a bit impatient.' He took her hand, almost dragging her along. She followed him first, but suddenly stopped, gazing at something. 'Peeta, do you by any chance own another car besides the silver one?'
'Huh?' He turned, not comprehending what she was talking about. She pointed at the blue station wagon on the lane. 'Please tell me that's your car.'
'No. It isn't,' he told her, trying to get her with him.
'No, it's mine,' Haymitch mingled, getting out again. He was really looking pissed now. 'What do you think princess? Time is valuable, and we don't have much left.'
He had just parked his car in one of the lots, when he noticed the figure with Katniss. Fuck. What was Peeta doing there? And why was he looking at her like that? Tensed, Cato watched them as the two teenagers went back into the garage. And cursed. This was not good. What was his friend doing there? Last night he had told him he was having a date with some chick tonight. He gulped. He couldn't…he couldn't have referred to Katniss, right? No, that was insane. Why would Peeta even fancy a girl like her? But then he remembered the first time he'd seen her, that day on the field, just a few days ago. Was it not Peeta who had drawn their attention to her? With eyes that screamed puppy love all over? Damn!
He lounged back, playing absent-mindedly with the toothpick he'd clenched between his teeth. She doesn't love him, he told himself. She doesn't. At least, that was what Marvel and that friend of hers told him. Because she liked him. Cato. Unless his friend had fooled around with his head. But why would he do that?
He shook his head. No. Katniss didn't love Peeta. So in that case, she could be only playing him. And Cato wouldn't be Cato if he would let his friend get hurt by some evil bitch.
A/n: Okay, first, I want to thank everyone who has read this so far…I do so appreciate it. And to Annarosen, Alwaysreading25, Peetame, MaidenAlice, Desastreuse, AHeart99, BehindTheseCastleWalls, Ali, JennaRae44, LondonJewel, boogawoogalover, ILoveAFictionalCharacter, Sakura, canadiangirl97 and Guest: thanks for the lovely reviews you've posted so far.
As for my spelling and grammar, if you guys have some tips, or see some major errors in the story, feel free to tell. It can only improve my writing.
Oh, and 30 favourites and 50 follows…Wow! Please, keep reading and reviewing. I hope to update soon!