HEYYY! I'm on spring break which is why this chapter is done. If I wasn't I'd still be working on this. 154 reviews! THANKS GUYS! You guys are all awesome! HUGS FOR EVERYONE!

Anons

Guest: I plan to anon! :) I love Clove more! ;D

HG3: Thank you!

*References to Trip to the Capitol are in this chapter. LET'S SEE WHO PICKS THEM UP?*

GO!

Chapter 11 "Homecoming"

Third Person POV

Finnick heads over Annie's place early in the afternoon for his dance lessons. Finnick thinks he'll still suck after this, but Annie is more open-minded about it.

Finnick knocks on the door lightly. Finnick is surprised to see that it's Annie's older sister who answers the door.

"Grace," Finnick breaths out, so very confused for two reasons.

One, isn't she supposed to be away at college?

And two, oh God, Finnick is meeting his girlfriend's older sister. Yeah, they've met before, but Finnick wasn't Annie's boyfriend at the time, and that changes everything.

"Hey, Finnick," Grace smiles. "You okay?"

"Of course!" Finnick tries his best not to sound completely freaked out. "Why would you ask me that?"

Graces wordlessly moves to the side and lets Finnick enter the house.

"Annie!" Grace shouts. "Your boyfriend's here!"

"Be down in a second!" Annie shouts back from upstairs.

"No rush!" Finnick shouts, relaxed as he takes a seat on the couch.

Then Grace takes a seat next to him and Finnick starts freaking out again. Grace isn't saying anything to him, just staring at him wordlessly. Finnick tries to ignore her intimidating brown eyes but he simply can't. He stares back at her. Her hair isn't as red as Annie's, but it's just as curly. Grace isn't as beautiful as Annie is either, but she's pretty. She also isn't as sweet as Annie is, which is why Finnick is so terrified right now.

"So...umm…" Finnick clears his throat. "Visiting home?"

Grace is around twenty years old and she's in her second year of college. The last time she was home was for Annie's birthday.

"I had to. My little sister finally gets asked out by the Finnick Odair, I can't just not come home."

So this is how I died, Finnick thinks.

Grace leans in closer to Finnick and her eyes narrow. "Hurt my sister and it'll be your head."

Don't get her wrong, she does like Finnick. He was the only person to talk to her sister on her first day of school. Annie was worried about being the new girl at school, so Grace was extremely happy when Annie came home talking about a boy named Finnick. She would never shut up about him. Within a week Annie was friends with Gale, Peeta, and Johanna as well. Grace could never hate Finnick, but she could be overprotective of her little sister.

Finnick nods. "Good to know."

The sound of Annie coming down the stairs is what causes Grace to go hide out in the kitchen.

Annie gives Finnick a small kiss on the lips then pulls him up to his feet.

"You're here to dance, Finnick. There is no time for sitting."

Finnick smiles, "Fine. No matter how many times I step on your feet, neither one of us will sit."

"I'm your teacher. I can do whatever I want."

"Oh really?" Finnick smirks and pulls Annie into a kiss.

"Not with your sister in the next room you can't!" Grace shouts, interrupting their kiss.

Annie really wants to go into the kitchen and slap her sister for that.

"Oh, I just love when she visits," Annie says sarcastically.

"How long is she staying?"

"She's leaving tomorrow, mid-day. It kind of sucks that she came today though, you know, with homecoming and all. I really don't have time for her," Annie says sadly.

Grace hardly visits. She doesn't even come home during the summer. Annie and Grace are very close though, so when Grace does visit Annie never leaves her side. Finnick knows how much it kills Annie when her sister leaves. It's probably killing Annie now that she doesn't have today with her.

"We don't have to go, you know." Finnick says. "I'd much rather stay here with you and Grace."

Okay, Finnick's lying. Grace creeps him out so much, but he'd stay for Annie.

Annie smiles. "No, I wanna go. Now stop distracting me. You're going to learn how to dance even if it kills me."

In the next few hours, Finnick manages to step on Annie's feet dozens of times. He actually even causes Annie to fall about five times. Grace sits on couch with her camera in her hands, recording. Annie tells her to put it away but Grace doesn't. She thinks this will be a great home video of them at their wedding.

...

"Are you conflicted honey?"

"Are these boys pressuring you?"

"I know you were with Gale."

"And you're going on a date with Peeta?"

"Oh my God, stop!" Johanna shouts frustrated.

Blight and Cecelia don't usually get into Johanna's business, so sitting at the kitchen and having that awkward talk is new for her. All Johanna said was she was going to the dance and they went "concerned parents" on her ass.

"Wait, how'd you know about Gale?" Johanna asks curiously, because she sure as hell didn't tell them.

"Dear, it's a small town. You didn't think you could keep this from your parents, right?" Cecelia teases.

"The baker told us about the date," Blight adds.

"It's not a date," Johanna says for the tenth time since she sat down with them.

Of course Blight and Cecelia ignore her and keep talking. Johanna lays her head on the kitchen table, giving up.

Let them think it's a date, Johanna thinks. Doesn't really matter. What are they going to do? Force Peeta and I to take photos on the staircase like it's fucking prom?

That's exactly what they did.

"Just one more picture, Johanna. Come on it's for my photo album of you," Cecelia says holding her camera up, ready to snap another photo.

Johanna groans. "Fine."

Peeta is finding this rather funny. He loves seeing Johanna annoyed. He decides to take a different pose in this picture. Peeta hugs Johanna tightly. She sends him a death glare before smiling for the camera.

"That's adorable," Blight says, smiling.

"Okay one more!"

"No!" Johanna shouts pulling away from Peeta. "You guys have embarrassed me enough for tonight. Lets go, Peeta."

Peeta says bye to Cecelia and Blight with a friendly smile. Johanna mumbles bye and drags Peeta outside. As much as Johanna likes to say Cecelia and Blight aren't parents, they sure embarrass her as much as any other parents would.

Waiting on the front steps are Annie and Finnick.

"You didn't you guys come in?" Johanna asks.

"It would be awkward with me and Annie standing there while your parents meet the date."

"It's not a date!" Johanna says with Peeta.

"They're right, Finnick," Annie says with a smirk on her face. "Since we're with them it's a double date."

"Oh my God," Johanna sighs.

Finnick and Annie laugh together. It's not often that they get to tease Johanna like this, so they're going to appreciate every minute they can.

"Can't you tease Johanna and walk? I don't want to be late." Peeta says.

"Oh please, you just want to see who Glimmer's with."

"And that," Peeta admits. "Okay lets go!"

...

They get there late-ish. Immediately upon arrival, Annie takes Johanna and runs off to vote for homecoming queen. Annie promised Cashmere she'd vote for her. Peeta says he's going to go stalk Glimmer, but in reality he goes looking for Gale. He doesn't want any kind of confusion as to why he's here with Johanna. It's not a date. They are here as friends. The last thing Peeta wants to do is get into a fight with Gale. So this leaves Finnick alone.

Finnick takes a seat on the bleachers. The dance is in the main gym.

He sees Clove dancing on the floor with Glimmer. The two are laughing, smiling, and look like they are having the best time. Finnick can't help but wonder if Clove did come with Cato.

Clove catches Finnick staring at her and Glimmer. She finishes her dance with Glimmer before going over.

"The reason one comes to a dance is to dance. What the hell are you doing sitting on your ass? Where's Cresta?" Clove asks, taking a look around.

"She's off making Johanna vote for Cashmere."

Clove takes a seat next to Finnick. "You know, I don't know why she's so worried about winning. Of course she's going to win. Her and Gloss."

"'Cause they're Careers, right?"

Clove lets out an amused breath. "'Cause she's Cashmere and he's Gloss. You'd have to be pretty darn amazing to beat them."

Finnick just nods.

Annie comes along and says her hello to Clove, and Clove just gives her fake smile because she honestly hates her. Then Annie has Finnick dance with her.

Clove smiles at the thought of Finnick stepping on Annie's feet repeatedly. Sadly, Clove has better things to do then sit here and watch the two dance together. Like bothering Marvel, which Clove loves to do.

She finds Marvel by the oversized punch bowl. For a split second she thinks about pushing Marvel in it, but she'd rather not have Marvel try and get back at her for it.

"Getting your date some punch?" Clove asks.

"Nope. This is for me. I'm so hungry. You'd think they'd have some kind of food here." Marvel sips his punch.

"You ate at my house, how are you still hungry?"

"I'm a growing boy."

"Yeah?" Clove glances up and down his body. "When's the growing going to start?"

Marvel smiles. "Says the girl whose 3'8"."

"I am 4'8", shut up."

Marvel laughs and Clove can't help but smile.

"So where's Cashmere?" Clove asks.

"Her and Glimmer went to the bathroom to check their make-up."

They are never coming out. Clove holds her hand out, "Dance with me?"

Marvel takes one more sip of his punch before dancing with Clove. Marvel is a pretty good dancer, so he and Clove move well together. Marvel twirls her here and there. Clove laughs after Marvel bumps into someone and almost falls over. Just for that Marvel spins Clove four times in a row. Clove starts feeling dizzy.

"Stop with the spinning before I throw up on you," Clove tells Marvel.

"Hey, if you don't like the spinning dance with someone else. I suggest Cato since he's not much of a dancer."

Clove rolls her eyes. "Don't even start."

"I'm just saying,you guys are cute together."

Clove raises an eyebrow, 'cause is Marvel seriously expecting Clove to find that flattering? 'Cause she doesn't. Cute, Clove hates being called that.

"In that evil sort of couple way," Marvel adds, and Clove smirks at that.

"What a shame, I'd rather not be another one of his meaningless dates."

Marvel's face softens. "You're not meaningless, Clove."

"He sure made me feel that way."

Him and pretty much everyone else, Clove wants to add, but she doesn't.

Marvel wants to say something; anything to make her feel better, but nothing comes to his mind. So he doesn't say anything. He simply pulls Clove into a hug and they continue to dance like.

Cashmere comes and steals Marvel away. Clove doesn't mind, why would she? Clove dances with a few other guys before going to a corner in the gym and sitting on the floor. It's around nine o'clock and she's is already tired. She's ready to go home. Just as Clove's about to leave Cato comes and sits with her.

Clove doesn't say hello, she doesn't even give him a friendly smile. She's not in the mood for Cato right now.

"Wanna dance?" Cato asks Clove.

Clove frowns at him. "Pass."

"So you're still not going to given me that second date? Why not? Afraid you're going to fall for me?" Cato asks with a smirk.

"Sure," Clove says sarcastically. "Or, you know, maybe I just don't want to date you because you're an ass."

Cato rolls his eyes. "Should I act more like Marvel than? You know to please you."

"…What?"

Cato shrugs. "I saw you two dancing. You seemed rather pleased with him."

Is…Is he jealous? Clove asks herself, because she's not going to ask Cato. Jealous of Marvel? What?!

"Are you serious right now? No. No I—" Clove groans. "Nope. I'm done." She stands and starts walking away.

"Where are you going?" Cato shouts.

"Away from you!" Clove shouts back.

Clove goes outside. It's cold and dark out. The only thing providing light is one light post flickering.

What is this a freaking horror movie? Clove thinks, staring at the creepy light post. Is some guy gonna come grab me and—Oh my God!

"Clove, it's me!" Cato moves his hand from her shoulder.

Clove turns and lets out a relieved breath. "You scared the hell out of me. And what the hell, I told you to leave me alone."

"Yeah, like I'm going to listen to you."

"Oh my God," Clove says annoyed. "Why won't you leave me alone?"

"You know why."

"Fine! I'll go out with you. You can take me on how ever many fucking dates you want! Happy?"

"No!" Cato shouts.

Suddenly Clove's not angry. She's confused. Clove just agreed to another date and he says no. Is that not what he wanted?

"I want you to want to go out with me again. Because I like you, Clove. I like you a lot. And I know you like me. What I don't know is why you so strongly refuse to go out with me. What did I do?"

"What did you do?" Clove repeats, insulted. "You ignored me! Acted like nothing happened, like we were nothing! That I was just some other random girl that meant nothing to you. Cato, you went out with three other girls after me. You know how that made me feel? It killed me to see you with those other girls 'cause you're right. I do like you, a lot. You don't care about me, Cato. You just care about getting another date."

"That's not true." Cato says in a low voice. "I admit that dating those others girls was an ass thing to do, but…I was afraid."

"Afraid?" Clove snorts rudely, yet somehow sounds sad at the same time. "Don't give me that afraid of commitment crap. That's the oldest line in the book. Honestly, Cato. Can't you do a little bet—"

"I'm not afraid of commitment!" Cato shouts, cutting Clove off. "I was afraid of you."

Clove just stares at Cato. She doesn't know what to say. What do you say to something like that? Clove's not even sure she knows what he means by that.

"Look," Cato speaks again. He steps closer to Clove. "I just wanted to see if what I felt for you was completely real. That it wasn't just because you were pretty or hot. We're friends, so I didn't want to screw up by dating you and then lose you as a friend too. I didn't want to hurt you. I was afraid of that. I kept ignoring you because I didn't want to screw everything up. Clove, I couldn't stop thinking about you. I—I," Cato begins to stutter. "I realized I wasn't afraid of falling for you because I already had."

"…Bullshit."

"What!"

"You keep talking about how you much you like me and all that crap but answer me this, Cato." Clove steps forward. "Why didn't you kiss me?"

Cato groans, annoyed. "That's what you're asking me. Really, Clove?"

"You shook my hand at my door and left. You didn't even try to kiss me. So tell me, if I mean so much to you, why didn't you kiss me?"

"Maybe because you deserve a first kiss you'll remember. Not some lame front door kiss everyone does on a first date."

Clove doesn't need to ask to know that Glimmer told him that she'd never been on a date, let alone kissed anyone. Clove doesn't know whether or not to kill Glimmer for telling him or to thank her.

But she does know the pounding in her chest isn't going to stop her from what she wants to do next.

The light post is still flickering. Cato doesn't move as Clove comes closer. Cato's looking at Clove the way he did when they first met. Not taking his eyes off her, only looking at her face, her eyes. Clove cheeks burn up as she presses her lips against his.

The kiss isn't filled with the rush of passionate and heat, but it's a slow, warm, loving kiss. A first kiss Clove doesn't want to end.

But she does. She needs to breath and so does Cato.

Cato smiles at Clove before wrapping his arms around her and pressing his forehead against hers. Clove smiles back.

"What now?" Cato asks.

Clove shrugs. "I don't know. I hmm…I'm sleepy to be honest." Cato laughs a little. "Walk me home?"

"Of course."

They leave together hand in hand and talk about their relationship.

…

Johanna and Annie sit together as Finnick and Peeta go get them all drinks. They've been dancing none stop with each other all night.

"Annie, you did a good job with Finnick. He only stepped on my feet three times," Johanna says and means it.

"He only stepped on mine once," Annie says proudly.

"That's a miracle."

Annie laughs. "Say, hmm how are you handling things?"

"By things do you mean Gale?" Annie nods. "I actually haven't seen him or the slut." She's referring to Madge, because duh.

"At all?"

"I've been avoiding him at all costs. Last thing I need is another fight. I just want to have a good time."

Annie nods. "Well then, do you want to dance, Mason?"

"I thought you'd never ask, Cresta."

They stand together but ending up being blocked by Glimmer.

"Annie, did you vote for Cashmere yet?" Glimmer asks, completely ignoring Johanna.

"Already did. Johanna did too." Annie tells her.

"Well every vote counts." Glimmer looks at Johanna, "Even the less important ones."

"Oh, bite me."

"Johanna!" Annie snaps. "Not worth it."

"So Annie," Glimmer changes the subject. "Having a fun time with Finnick?"

"Yeah, I am. Thanks for asking."

"Was it hard asking him to the dance? I would be nervous asking a guy way out of my league out, well there's not many of those, but you get what I'm saying."

If Annie wasn't holding on to Johanna's hand, Johanna would have slapped her by now.

Annie decides to ignore that last part. "I didn't ask him. Finnick asked me."

"Oh." Glimmer looks confused. "Kay." She leaves.

"Okay, that was weird." Annie says.

"Just Glimmer being a bitch. That's not weird."

Finnick and Peeta come back with the drinks and they go back to sit and talk. Johanna mentions Glimmer, and Finnick explains why without thinking. He tells them Cashmere lied to him about Gloss and Annie going together. Before Finnick can bring up Clove telling him the truth, Annie's on her feet looking for Cashmere. They all get up and follow her.

Annie finds Cashmere dancing with Marvel. And then she slaps Cashmere.

"Annie!" Cashmere pushes Annie back, "What the hell!"

"Cashmere, you're a fucking backstabbing bitch." Annie tries to hit her again, but Finnick holds on to her.

"Hello, I'm not the one who just slapped someone for no fucking reason." Cashmere says, with Marvel holding her back.

"You know what? Fuck this. You aren't worth it, Cashmere." Finnick lets Annie go. "I hope you trip and fall on your way up to the stage."

Annie pushes through the crowd that formed around them, and Johanna, Finnick, and Peeta follow her. Peeta is telling Annie to calm down. Johanna is complimenting Annie on that slap. Finnick is telling her how sorry he is and how he shouldn't have brought it up.

"Guys, I'm fine." Annie says. "A little pissed, but I'm fine. Finnick, can we just dance?"

"Yeah." Finnick takes Annie to the dance floor.

Johanna and Peeta go sit together on the bleachers.

"Are you having fun?" Peeta asks Johanna.

She nods. "I actually am. Thanks for making me come."

"What are best friends for?"

"Sorry about Blight and Cecelia. They must have taken dozens of photos."

"That's okay. Cecelia told me she'd send me copies."

Johanna snorts. "Of course she did."

"That reminds me…" Peeta goes into his coat pocket and pulls out Cecelia's camera. "I promised her I'd take some photos."

"When did she give you that?" Johanna asks, because you'd think she'd remember something like that.

"When you weren't looking. Blight also told me I'd better have you home by eleven and no funny business," Peeta says teasingly.

Johanna laughs. "He doesn't have to worry about that."

Peeta puts his arms around Johanna and she snuggles into him. Peeta uses his other hand to take a picture.

"Knowing Cecelia she'll want at least twenty pictures." Johanna hops off the bleachers. "Take another one."

Johanna smiles and stands alone. Peeta takes the photo.

"Perfect," Peeta says. "You almost look happy about taking a picture."

"Shut up," Johanna snatches the camera, or tries to.

Peeta moves too fast for Johanna, but that's not stopping her. She practically jumps on Peeta 'causing him to drop the camera. They're lying in the blenchers, tangled up together, and are laughing. There's a flash, causing them to look up. It's Gale with the camera.

"Don't you two look cute together?" Gale tosses the camera to them. "Not a date, huh?"

Gale storms off.

Peeta waits for Johanna to run after him, but she doesn't move.

"Aren't you going to go after him?" Peeta asks, sitting up.

"No," Johanna gets up. "Why ruin my night by getting into another fight. Let him think what he wants."

"But it's not a date."

Johanna shrugs, not caring at all about Gale at the moment. "Dancing would be a great photo."

They go to the dance floor and take a few pictures. Then Annie and Finnick join them and take more pictures.

The music gets lowered and there are a few boos here and there, but they stop once Ms. Trinket is on stage. Looks like its time to crown the king and queen.

Ms. Trinket is happily on stage with the envelopes in her hands and the crowns on the side table.

Ms. Trinket taps on the microphone before speaking. "The time has come to crown this years king and queen. Our homecoming queen is…" She opens the envelope and smiles. "Cashmere."

There's a lot of clapping as Cashmere makes her way on stage and has her crown placed on her head.

"Too bad she didn't fall," Annie mumbles.

Johanna laughs.

"Think of it this way Annie," says Finnick. "She's going to be named queen to Gloss' king. Kind of weird since they're siblings."

"Not really…" Peeta stops taking when Finnick gives him that Oh my God, shut up and agree look.

Ms. Trinket opens the next envelope. She looks a bit surprised but smiles anyhow. "Your homecoming king is…Finnick Odair."

"What!" Finnick shouts, completely lost because he wasn't even nominated, how the hell is he king?

"I guess people really took advantage of that write in box," Annie says.

There's clapping and everyone's staring at Finnick. Finnick feels so awkward. It takes him a second to realize that he should probably go on the stage.

There are a lot of cheerful giggles as Finnick gets on stage. Most of them are from the girls in the crowd. A few guys too.

Ms. Trinket places the crown on him and mumbles something about really soft hair.

Now the king and queen have to have their dance. Oh joy.

Finnick and Cashmere both fake smiles as they dance since everyone's taking pictures.

Everything's fine until Finnick accidently steps on Cashmere's foot.

"Sorry," Finnick says.

"You did that on purpose," Cashmere hisses.

"Did not."

"What did you do, stuff the ballot box?" Cashmere asks very angrily. The fake smile is still on her face though.

"What? No, I didn't."

"Then how'd you beat Gloss?"

"Look, I'm just as shocked as you are. But don't you think if I was to stuff the ballot box I would have made Annie my queen?" Now Finnick's mad.

"I don't know how you did it, but believe me. With Annie out of the way, you're no longer on my good side."

Finnick fakes a gasp. "Oh, no. I'm so scared."

"You should be." Cashmere smiles. "And I know just where to start."

Cashmere leaves Finnick and heads out the gym. She's probably following someone, but Finnick really doesn't care at the moment.

Finnick goes to find his friends so he can brag about being king just to annoy them.

Ugh! I suck at 3rd person POV, I know.

Annie hates the Career's now (finally). I feel bad that there was no Gloss at all in this chapter. The Cato and Clove ness was hard for me. So comments?

Please review! :D Anyone get those references?

Thank you to my beta reader, cindella204