SO SORRY for the long wait. I'll tell you right now the next chapter will be up tomorrow.

ANYWAYS, Merry Christmas you guys :) I hope you are having a wonderful holiday :)

Anons

S: Haha, sorry to freak you out :P I'm going ice skating soon so be jealous girl xD Hmmmm. The main event that needs to happen is the play. When the play is going on, then the end is near.

A Reader: Hate it? Don't read and don't leave a comment. Rude much?

Guest: I'm sorry i took so long! D:

Last Time on Freshman Year: Since Clove's attack, she hasn't been herself and Marvel is the only one who knows why she has been acting so strange. The Careers had a fall out. Clove lashed out at Cashmere and that ended things for them. Glimmer, Marvel, and Cato went with Clove while Gloss stayed by his sister's side. In order to prove to Cash that Peeta was over Glimmer, Finnick suggested Peeta should ask Cash out because of course she would say no yet still proving he was over Glimmer. However Annie and Johanna convinced Cash to agree to dating Peeta because they think this is the push Peeta needs to get over Glimmer. Also, the victors made plans for an ice skating day! :)

Chapter 21 "Ice skating"

Peeta's POV

The snow falls lightly from the dark sky. Little flakes fall here and there, but thankfully the wind isn't so strong today. As I wait for Johanna outside of her home, I'm only wearing my winter coat, and that's all I need.

Johanna steps outside with her green coat on and a pair of ice skates in her hand.

"Since when do you ice skate?" I ask as we leave for Gale's house.

"Since last time I visited Cecelia and Blight's friends and they all wanted to go ice skating."

"Are you any good?"

"I would say so."

"Good. You can teach me."

"You sure you don't want Cash to teach you?" she asks me with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

I try and smile at Johanna's comment about Cash. The truth is, I don't have any feelings for Cashmere other than those of friendship. We've been on two dates and I'll admit the dates went very well, but the feeling just isn't here. Cash is a beautiful, smart, funny, and wonderful girl, but she isn't the girl for me. But I suppose Cash was right. I'm never going to move on from Glimmer if I don't try.

"What is going on between you two?" Johanna asks. "Don't you guys have your third date tomorrow?"

I nod lightly.

"Third date is a big step, Peeta. Do I see commitment?" Johanna teases me.

"I don't know, Jo. Cash is great and everything—"

"But you don't feel that way about her," Johanna interrupts. "It's okay, Peeta. You can tell me the truth."

"I feel horrible about it, but, yeah."

"Just tell Cash. We both know she feels the same way you do, but she doesn't want to hurt your feelings. So both of you stop being such wimps and just tell each other."

We arrive at Gale's house and he's already outside in his winter gear waiting for us. He greets Johanna with a kiss and gives me a warm smile.

Since Homecoming things between Gale and I haven't exactly been the same. When it comes to Johanna he sees me as a threat when he shouldn't. Because of his jealousy there are times when I feel like Gale would rather not have be around, and then there are times when we have a great time together. I hope today is a good day.

"So, the holidays are just around the corner," I say trying to make small talk. "Gale, what are your plans?"

"Well for Christmas I'm staying here, but for New Years my mom has plans to travel out of the district. What about you?"

Christmas would have to be my favorite holiday. The whole family gets together and it's the one time of the year my mother actually smiles.

"All my relatives are coming to the bakery for a party. New Year's hasn't been planned yet, but most likely I'll be leaving too."

"Neither of you told me you were going to leave. You both suck," Johanna says. "New Year's is going to be boring as hell."

"I'm sure Annie and Finnick will keep you company, Johanna," I say.

"Oh no. I'm not going to be the third wheel to those lovebirds. I'll probably be with Gloss and Cash."

"Why don't you just stay with your parents?" Gale asks.

"Because Cecelia and Blight have an office party on New Year's and I'd rather not ring in my new year with a bunch of old people."

I'm a little surprised Johanna didn't correct Gale when he said parents. I used to call Cecelia and Blight her parents too until Johanna straight up told me to stop. She told me they weren't her parents and to stop calling them that when she doesn't even call them that. She was pretty pissed at me, but I understand why. Cecelia and Blight have been the longest couple to keep her, but she still doesn't want to get attached. It's silly of her. Obviously Cecelia and Blight love her and aren't going to send her back.

We get to the ice rink in no time. Johanna pulls out the spare key Cash gave her to get in.

"I still don't understand how Cash managed to get us in after hours," I mumble as Johanna opens the doors.

"She's rich," Gale tells me like I'm an idiot. "I'm sure the spoiled brat just asked daddy and got what she wanted."

"Hey!" Johanna nearly shouts. "I know you don't like Cash and Gloss but suck it up. They have been nothing but nice to you, and the least you can do is try to stop being such an asshole."

"Nothing but nice? Are you fucking forgetting the first two months of school?!"

And here is where I walk away. The last thing I want is to hear Johanna and Gale bicker.

I enter the ice rink to find Cash and Gloss already on the ice and Finnick and Annie getting their skates on. Annie sees me and jumps out of her seat.

"I can't walk in this skates, so Peeta, get over here so I can hug you," Annie demands with such a sweet voice that I can't resist going over to her.

As Annie gives me a hug Finnick smiles at us.

"Where are Gale and Johanna?" Annie asks me as she pulls away.

"Outside arguing like they always do."

"What are they fighting about this time?" Finnick asks.

"Cashmere," I say with a shrug. "Where do I get skates?"

"Over there in the bin," Annie says as Finnick points to the bin.

I grab a pair of skates from the bin and take a seat in the middle of the benches. As I put on the skates I look on to the ice and in the distance is Cash skating along side Gloss. They're holding hands as they travel in small circles. Then Annie and Finnick get on the ice together. Annie nearly slips, but thankfully Finnick was nearby to catch her. Finnick leads Annie to Cash and Gloss. Finnick talks to them, as Annie seems to be having a hard time standing up.

"Peeta," Johanna calls me from the bottom of the benches with Gale at her side. "Come on. Get those skates on and hustle your little ass over here."

I tie my skates and head towards Johanna as slowly as I can. I rather not fall on my face down the stairs, although I'm sure Johanna and Gale would get a kick out of seeing that. By the time I make it down the stairs Gale and Jo are already on the ice waiting for me.

"Peeta, just take my hand and I promise I won't let you fall on your ass." Johanna sticks her hand out towards me.

I take her hand and try getting onto the ice. I nearly fall, but I manage.

"It's just like skating," Gale tells me as he takes my other hand.

"It's a shame I've never skated before."

"Then you're fucked."

"Just try standing by yourself." Johanna says as she lets me hand go.

That sounds simple enough. I let go of Gale's hand and focus on keeping my balance and not moving an inch.

So far so good.

"Damn," Gale breathes out. "Look at Cashmere go."

I look in the distance on the ice and see her. Cash skates with such elegance. It's as if she's prepared a routine; the way she skates across the ice, so naturally. She jumps in the air and lands perfectly on the ground.

"Is there anything she can't do?" Johanna asks with something near annoyance in her voice, maybe some jealousy too.

"Look's like Peeta's girl has it all—" She's not my girl. "Hold on to her, Peeta." Gale gives me a wink. Before I can even respond Johanna takes my hand and pulls me with her as she skates away from Gale and towards Cash.

"What the hell, Jo?"

"You need to tell her the truth before I kill you for being such an idiot."

"Why do you care so much about this?" I ask, but Johanna doesn't respond. "Are you jealous?"

"No. Shut up and tell her," Johanna snaps.

Johanna pushes me forward, right into Annie. As I fall I pull Annie down with me in the process. My head hits the ice hard as Annie lands on my stomach, knocking the breath right out of me.

"Oh my God, Peeta?" Annie shrieks out as she gets off of me. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine," I say sitting up.

"Are you sure? Your head hit the ice pretty hard."

"Don't worry about me, Annie. Are you okay?"

"Perfect actually," Annie smiles. "Your tummy broke my fall."

"Okay, what the hell happened?" Cash asks with everyone else hovering over Annie and me. I didn't even notice they were there.

"I just suck at skating," I say while staring right at Johanna. She just shrugs at me.

"It isn't just Peeta's fault," Annie chimes in. "Me on the ice is an accident just waiting to happen."

"Lucky for you two Gloss and I are excellent ice skaters," Cash tells us with a smile. "We can teach you a thing or two."

"I'll take Pe—"

"How about we all pitch in?" Johanna interrupts Gloss. "Gale, Finnick, and Gloss can go with Annie and Cash and I will handle Peety here."

"Sounds like a plan," Finnick says while helping Annie off the ground.

"Come on, Peeta." Cashmere sticks her hands out towards me. "Give me an hour and you'll never fall on the ice again."

"Not unless someone pushes you," Johanna says with a wink.

I stand with Cashmere's help and then her and Jo are pulling me over on the other side of the ice rink.

Cash starts me off with the basics. Being able to stand without falling.

"Don't be a statue."

"How else am I not supposed to fall?"

Cash sighs lightly. She skates closer to me so that she is right in front of me.

"The key is to relax." She places her hands on my shoulders. "Just relax."

I nod lightly and try to relax my body. Cash starts to slide her hands off my shoulders and down my arms. She stops at my wrists. Cash is about to hold my hand when I'm being pulled down to the floor.

I land on my back with a smiling Johanna hovering over me.

"Lesson number two, don't be afraid to fall on your ass," Johanna says with a smile.

Note to self: kill Johanna later.

"Umm," Cash mumbles awkwardly while skating away. "I'm going to see how Annie is doing. You two can work out whatever it is that you two need to work out."

"What the hell, Johanna?"

"What? By the looks of it if I didn't do anything you two would have been sucking face and I'd rather not have to see something so disgusting."

I get up with no help from Johanna.

"For your information we haven't even kissed yet, so you don't need to worry about that. And what the helI, I thought you liked Cash."

"I do like her, but you don't, so stop pretending," Johanna hisses. "I'd rather see you with Glimmer than see you with someone you don't even care for."

"You're wrong," I tell her. "I do care about Cash."

"Then prove it. Tell her the truth." With that Johanna skates away. I would go after her, but since I can't move without falling I don't.

I don't understand Johanna's attitude toward all of this. I was always planning on telling Cash how I really felt. Why did Johanna feel the need to push me into it?

"Peeta?" Cash calls me from behind. I try to turn myself around, but Cash turns me around herself. "Are you and Johanna fighting? She just stormed off and glared at me like she wanted me dead."

"It's Johanna. Whom doesn't she glare at?"

Cash smiles. "True."

"So are you going to teach me to skate or what?"

For the next hour Cash devotes her time to trying to teach me to skate. It isn't as hard as I thought it would be. I do fall a couple of times and I manage to make Cash fall with me a few times too. There was a point where I was skating straight on and Cash was clapping happily, but then I realized I had no idea how to stop. Cash had to catch up to me to prevent me from crashing into anyone of anything. But overall I got the hang of it.

Now we sit on the bleachers with our regular shoes on and laugh about all the times we fell.

"My favorite was when you crashed into Finnick," Cash says. "He totally freaked out like a little girl."

"He came out of nowhere."

"He was right there, you were just too busy staring at me to notice him."

That's not entirely true. I was staring at Johanna who was glaring at me with a frown on her face. Johanna just so happened to be in Cash's direction.

"Cash, we should be honest will each other."

"What do you mean?"

I sigh. "Clearly this," I gesture between the two of us. "Isn't real. I know you feel bad for me, but you shouldn't force yourself to date me."

"Peeta, I'm not—"

"Cash," I interrupt her. "It's okay. I've come to the realization that Glimmer and I are never going to happen. I'm ready to move on now, but why pretend? I just think we should end this before someone gets hurt."

Cash nods. "Of course you're right, Peeta. We don't want to ruin our friendship."

"I think I'm going to get going, Cash. It's getting kind of late," I say.

Cash smiles lightly. "I'll see you next year." She puts her skates back on but before leaving she gives me a kiss on the cheek and says, "I hope your kiss at midnight is with someone special."

Clove's POV

The cold wind blows back my hair and freezes my face up. I can partially feel my skin turning blue at the moment. I take a sip of my latte for warmth and proceed to watch my friends enjoy themselves in the snow. Glimmer is making snow angels while Cato and Marvel are chasing each other with snowballs. No one really comes to the woods when the snow starts to stick to the ground, so it's just us out here, in total darkness. The only light comes from the moon and couple of candles Glimmer brought and set up on the picnic blanket.

Tomorrow night Cato is leaving for the holidays. He is visiting his extended family down in District Two. Glimmer is also leaving for the holidays tomorrow, so Marvel thought today was the prefect day to celebrate Christmas together. We already ate together and now all that's left is to exchange presents, tell each other how much we'll miss each other, and say our goodbyes until the New Year.

Cato, full of snow, comes and sits next to me on the picnic blanket. Marvel then starts chasing Glimmer with snowballs in his hands. I watch them run around and smile to myself.

"They are such children," I mumble.

"What, you don't like a good snowball fight?" Cato asks me.

"I don't like the cold," I say honestly. "Why else do you think I wear gloves in the fall?"

"I don't know, I just know you looked adorable." I smile at his comment. "If you don't like the cold, why are you here?"

"I don't care how cold it is. I want to spend whatever time I can with you before you leave. "

Cato leans into me for a kiss, but I gently push him back.

"I'm sick. Remember?"

Cato sighs and takes a hold of my hand. "Clove, I don't care."

"Well, I do."

No, I don't. That's a complete lie. The truth is since the incident at Thanksgiving I've kept my distance from Cato. I've been really careful, making sure we're never alone together and being careful about what I say to him, and holding my hand is the most he's touched me since then. When I came back from vacation Cato knew I was upset, so he understood I need some distance. After that he had a cold, and that was my excuse. Now I'm using my own illness as an excuse. Cato would never hurt me, I know that, but I can't help it. Part of me is glad he's leaving for two weeks. Maybe separation is what I need right now.

"Hey lovebirds," Marvel shouts at Cato and I. "How about we exchange presents now?"

"Marvel," Glimmer hisses out. "Can't you see they want some alone time? We'll leave you guys alone—

"No, no, no," I respond a bit too quickly. "I want my presents, so get your butts over here on the picnic blanket."

"I'll go get the bag of presents," Glimmer exclaims running over to the tree where we left them.

"Cato, you should help her," Marvel says as he sits next to me. "I would, but like you say 'I'm weak' so…"

"I'm going." Cato leaves my side to help Glimmer.

"Thank you for the save," I tell Marvel. I know he only interrupted the moment because he saw how uncomfortable I was.

"You're welcome, but Clove, you'll have to tell him sometime."

"He never has to know," I tell Marvel in a whisper.

"So what's your plan, Clove?" Marvel asks kind of angrily. "Avoid him and your entire relationship until he gets fed up and breaks up with you? If you don't tell him, I will."

"You promised me."

"I know but—"

"All I need is time. Please, Marvel," I beg him. "Please."

Marvel shuts his eyes. "Do at least one thing for me. Tell your mom."

I stare at Marvel speechless.

"Present time!" Glimmer shouts rushing over to me side. "Open mine first, Clove."

She shoves her gift right in my face, breaking the stare. I take the present and smile at her. Cato comes with the bag of gifts and settles next to Marvel.

I unwrap Glimmer's gift and smile. It's framed photo of Glimmer and me when we were little, playing in the snow together. I give Glimmer and hug and tell her how much I love it. I got Glimmer a sparkling dark purple dress, which she loves. We continue to exchange gifts and laughs. After an hour we decide to gather our things and get going.

We're near the bakery when Glimmer spots Mellark walking alone. She goes over to him and they start talking and smiling together. The three of us don't wait for Glimmer and she seems perfectly okay with that.

"I thought Glimmer didn't like Peeta."

"She doesn't," I tell Cato and Marvel. "I don't know why she's all over him."

"Maybe she changed her mind," Marvel mumbles.

"Glimmer is stubborn," Cato says. "She isn't one to change her mind about anyone."

"I don't even care," I say honestly. "All I care about right now is going home and laying in bed."

"Marvel, I'll meet you back at your place. I'm going to walk Clove home."

"No," I tell Cato. "Marvel's mom is expecting you to spend the night there, and she'll probably think it's weird you aren't with him when he gets home."

"She has a point," Marvel says backing me up.

Cato frowns lightly at me.

"I'll stop by your house before you leave tomorrow," I tell him. "I promise."

I leave without so much of a hug from Cato. Tomorrow I'll find the courage to give him a proper goodbye.

I walk alone toward home. While I walk alone I can't help but think about Marvel asked me to do.

How do I tell my mom what happened? I don't want to tell her anything because nothing happened. He pushed himself on me then I smashed his face. That's it. What's the point of giving my mom a heart attack over nothing? It could have been a lot worse and I should be grateful that it wasn't.

I hear my name being called from down the street. I turn hallway to find a car pulling up in front of me, Gloss' car. He's in the car alone.

"Hey, Clove."

"What the hell are you doing out so late?" I ask completely ignoring his greeting.

"I could ask you the same question."

"I was out with Cato, Marvel, and Glimmer. Now I'm walking home. You?"

"Ice skating with the victors."

"What fun."

"It was."

"So is there a reason you stopped me on the street like some kind of creep or…?"

"I was going to offer you a ride home seeing as it's late, it's cold, and a lot of weirdos are out at this hour."

"Referring to yourself, Gloss?" I joke.

"Oh ha, ha. Very funny," he says with a smile. "So can I give you a ride home?"

"Why would you want to give me a ride home?"

Gloss rolls his eyes at me. "Why do you make things so difficult? Just because you hate me doesn't mean I hate you."

I stay silent for a moment before going to the other side of the car and getting in.

I can feel Gloss stare at me while I put my seatbelt on. After a moment the car starts moving. I stare directly ahead and manage to remain silent the whole way to my house. When we stop in front of my house I thank Gloss for the ride. I'm about to get out of the car, but Gloss places his hand over mine. To my own surprise I don't scream at him, I don't lash out at him, I just stare at him.

"Are you okay?" he asks me. "You seem kind of…"

"Kind of what?"

"Uneasy. Like you're hiding something—"

"I'm not hiding anything."

"Maybe you aren't, but I find talking to someone about my problems is always very helpful. And I'm not saying you should talk to me about it, I'm just saying you should talk to someone about it. No matter how big or small the problem might be."

He doesn't understand. No one understands. I'm afraid of what my mom would think. Of what anyone would think. Nothing happened, and yet I can't stop thinking about it. How weak is that?

"You shouldn't be afraid." Did I say that out loud? "You'll be okay."

I slowly pull my hand away from Gloss'. I thank him for the ride home and step out of the car, but I can't seem to close the car door behind me.

"I hate your sister, but that doesn't mean I hate you." With that I close the car door and run into my house.

My mom isn't home. She's probably working overtime again. I'll sit in the living room and wait for her. I don't care how long I have to stay up waiting for her. I shouldn't be afraid. I'm telling her exactly what happened. I'm telling her everything.

WHOOOOOAAA. So there is some Gloss/Clove in there for future purposes :)

Please Review! Tell me what you think :)

New Chapter up tomorrow, aka the Christmas Chapter.

Happy Holidays!