I'm BACKKKKK! :D Hey guys it is good to be back! Here I am in the end of May. Hopefully I'll have a new chapter of What I wouldn't do up soon :)

Anons

S: You did remember correctly :D It is Peeta xD Thanks! Yeah I had ACT during spring break.

dominicana: More Clove coming up soon :)

Clatoforeverx: The clatoness is coming to play VERY soon.

Last Time on Freshman Year: Johanna landed the lead female role in Cinna's production of "Romeo and Juliet" after her and Gloss were goofing around in Cinna's room. During winter break Peeta got his first kiss from Johanna on New Years at midnight.

Chapter 25 "Romeo"

Peeta's POV

I wake up bright and early on Wednesday; at five to be exact. I set the oven to preheat while I mix the vanilla batter and add just a dash of cinnamon. While the cake bakes I jump into the shower, and manage to get out just as it finishes. I let it cool while I go wrap Glimmer's present and write her a card to go along with it. I frost it with strawberry, Glimmer's favorite, and add sprinkles and white roses around the edges of the cake for a finishing touch. On top of the cake in big letters written with chocolate frosting "Happy 15th Birthday, Glimmer!" I quickly change into something that doesn't have frosting all over, box the cake up, and head to Glimmer's house with plenty of time. Just as planned, Clove, Marvel, and Cato are all there and Glimmer is still sound asleep.

"Good, you're all here," I say as Clove lets me. "How'd you get in the house?"

"Glimmer's parents work the morning shifts so they let us in before they had to leave," Clove explains.

"They also left a lovely pancake breakfast to go along with the cake," Marvel says while taking the cake from me. He sits it on the coffee table of the living room.

"Where's her room?" I ask. I've only been dating Glimmer a few weeks; I've never actually been inside her house before.

"Just down the hall," Clove says. "Cato, where are the candles?"

"In the kitchen," he says then heads to closed doors in the back of the living room. "I'll get them and the matches."

"Is it Glimmer's favorite?" Marvel asks opening the box.

"Strawberry frosting on vanilla," I say. "With just a hint of cinnamon."

"Damn, Mellark," Clove says while eying the cake. "It's really nice."

"Stating the obvious, but thank you."

Clove smiles. "You've obviously been spending too much time with Glimmer."

"Got the candles," Cato shays coming back into the living room. "I can't find the matches though."

Marvel reaches into his pocket, pulls out a lighter, and hands it to Cato.

We all stare at him in silence.

"What?"

"Why the hell do you carry around a lighter?" Clove asks while taking it.

"Some things are better left unanswered, Clove."

"Good," Cato says. "I don't even wanna know."

"You guys are weird," I blurt out.

They all roll their eyes simultaneously . . . and they just got stranger.

Without another word, Cato picks the cake off of the table and Clove lights the candles, gently placing them onto the cake. We follow Clove to Glimmer's bedroom where Glimmer is sound asleep and begin to sing on the count of.

Happy birthday to you.

Happy birthday to you.

Glimmer's eyes flutter open.

Happy birthday, dear Glimmer.

She smiles.

Happy birthday to you.

"Now get up and blow out these damn candles," Cato mutters.

Clove hits Cato on the shoulder and Glimmer responds with an eye roll, sitting up and blowing the candles in one quick breath.

With Glimmer still in her pajamas we all sit in the kitchen together and have a slice of cake.

"This cake is really good," Glimmer tells me with a smile. "Thank you." She gives me a kiss on the cheek.

"Our little Glimmer is finally fifteen," Marvel says rather dramatically. "Oh where has the time gone?"

"Now all that's left is Cato's birthday," Clove says while taking a bite of cake. "Then we'll be a bunch of fifteen year olds."

"Mellark, when is your birthday?" Cato asks.

"March twenty-third," Glimmer answers for me. "Ha, he's older than you."

"By like a month."

"Stop talking and eat." Clove attempts to fed a piece of cake to Cato. He fights it even though there's a smile on his face, but then Clove pouts and he takes the bite.

"Cato isn't one for sweets," Glimmer tells me. "But Clove always tells him it's healthy to have something sweet every once in a while."

"Then he'll tell her 'That's why I have you' and we all gag," Marvel says with a full mouth.

Clove lifts her fork to Cato's lips again, but this time Cato takes the fork from her and feeds it to her.

"It's sweet, but also kind of annoying," Glimmer says.

It's different seeing this side of Cato and Clove. I've always thought of their relationship as more controlling. It would make sense; they both have a temper, don't like to be told what to do, and don't take anyone's shit. But in reality they're relationship is as sweet and Finnick and Annie's.

"By the way," Glimmer whispers to me. "It was really sweet of you to do all this. I know my friends aren't the easiest people to get along with—"

I cut her off with a kiss.

…

I head to school with Clove, Cato, and Marvel as Glimmer stays behind to get ready for school. She'll miss homeroom, but Glimmer doesn't care.

"Can you believe how much extra credit Cinna is giving for that play?" Marvel asks once we enter the school. "Makes me want to go audition."

"Why don't you?" Cato asks. "Romeo auditions are today after school."

"'Cause I hate Shakespeare."

"More like you don't understand him," Clove mutters. "You got a C on the exam."

"It was a C plus."

I laugh.

"What about you, Mellark? You plan on trying out for Romeo?" Cato asks me.

I shrug. Honestly, I haven't given it much thought.

"I think you should give it a shot," Clove tells me. "You've already got that 'hopelessly-in-love' thing down. You'd make the perfect lover boy, lover boy."

The bell rings and suddenly Annie and Cash are dragging me into homeroom. They basically carry me to a table in the back. As they force me to sit at the table, Clove, Cato, and Marvel enter the classroom laughing.

"What was that?"

"That was us," Annie says referring to Cash and herself. "Preventing Johanna throwing a fit when she would have seen you with the Careers."

"You should be thanking us right now," Cash says.

"Well I—Shouldn't you be in your homeroom?" I ask Cash, suddenly aware that she isn't in this class.

"Gloss and I have a sub; we're fine."

"Where is Gloss?"

"Gloss, Gale and Finn went with Johanna to her locker," Annie tells me.

"After school we're planning go to the Hob," Cash says. "You in?"

I bite my lip nervously. "Sorry, I have plans." Although Glimmer told me I didn't have to go through any trouble since she's having a party this weekend, I still plan to. Glimmer mentioned her parents having a special dinner for her, so I plan on stopping by and surprising her.

Gloss, Gale, Finnick, and Johanna join us at the table shortly after announcements play on the speakers. Auditions for Romeo are today after school. Juliet auditions were the other day, but results haven't been posted. I'm sure Cinna wants to make a dramatic announcement for the lead roles.

"You guys are coming to the Hob after school, right?" Annie asks Gloss, Finn and Jo.

Finnick, Gloss, and Gale all nod in agreement.

"Sorry," Johanna says. "I can't. I have to make up a test after school."

"That's okay," Annie says. "We'll keep Gale company."

"Please do."

"So I hear we're all invited to Glimmer's birthday party," Cash says. "How exciting."

Shit, who told them?

"Yeah, Gloss told us. We're all very excited," Johanna says dully.

"Wait, Peeta didn't—?"

"Gale, shut up, please." I cut Gale off before he can mention the fact that Glimmer told me they could, but I told her I didn't want them to.

"You don't want us to come, do you?" Finnick asks.

"What?! Why would you think that?"

"'Cause Clove told."

Well. "Yeah, I don't want you guys to come," I admit.

"Why not?"

"Rude."

"Are you embarrassed of us?"

"I'm not embarrassed of you guys. I just know this is going to end badly," I state.

"What makes you think that?" Johanna asks while, crossing her arms over her chest.

"First of all, you don't like Glimmer. You," I point to Finnick, "Cato hates you." I point to Annie, "You don't like Clove, and you two," I look towards Cash and Gale "Hate all of them."

"I don't see how that calls for disaster," Gloss says. "I'll be there."

"Well if my brother is going, I'll go."

"I don't give two fucks if Cato doesn't like me," Finnick states. "I'm going."

"If Finnick's going, I'm going," Annie says. "And I'll drag Johanna with me." Johanna nods in agreement.

"Well if Jo is going, I guess I'll be there," Gale says.

Great.

"Peeta, we aren't going to do anything to ruin the night," Annie says. "Trust me. We'll all be on our best behavior."

I highly doubt that.

…

As usual, for lunch Gloss joins Glimmer, Clove, and I for lunch, but since it's Glimmer's birthday Marvel and Cato ditched to be with her.

Glimmer always looks her best, but today is different. Instead of her usual curls, her hair is straightened and nearly reaches the end of her back. Even though the temperature is low and dull outside, she still manages to pull off a spring dress that is covered with roses. Her makeup is light today; only a dash of eye shadow and a bit of lip gloss. She looks beautiful.

Glimmer takes her usual seat next to me as Clove sits between Glimmer and Cato. Gloss usually sits next to Clove, so I can tell he's pretty upset that he has to sit next to Marvel and I today. I'm not blind; Gloss clearly has a thing for Clove, and for awhile I thought Clove felt the same way. Clove and Cato were oddly distant after Thanksgiving break. It was only a matter for time before they broke up, but then Cato came back from Winter Break and everything was different. They were closer than ever. Gloss is surely noticing that as well.

Cato holds Clove's hand over the table and Clove has her head rested on Cato's shoulder as they eat. Gloss stares hard at their hands joined together as if he's ready to separate them himself. Glimmer noticed Gloss' staring too and she smiled at him.

"You guys didn't have to ditch class for me," Glimmer says. "We're going to celebrate this weekend anyway."

"Of course we had to," Marvel says. "Getting out on biology is a bonus. Right, Cato?"

Cato nods. "Bio sucks."

"It does not suck," Glimmer says.

"Says you, miss 'I-wanna-be-a-nurse'," Clove teases.

"Please, I'm gonna be a nurse."

"You gonna wear that nurse outfit for Mellark?" Marvel jokes.

Clove and Gloss both laugh while Cato rolls his eyes.

"Shut up, Marvel," I tell him.

"Why don't you try out for the nurse in the up coming play?" Gloss says, clearly asking Glimmer.

"I would never take a minor role in a play," Glimmer says. "I tried out for Juliet and Cinna said he was very impressed."

"Really now?" Gloss has this unusual grin on his face. "That's awesome."

"Are you going to try out for Romeo today after school?" Clove asks me. "Be Glimmer's Romeo?"

I'm not into acting much. It would be a waste of a part for someone who actually wants the part.

"You should!" Glimmer exclaims. "Do it. For me?"

I sigh. "I'll think about it."

"You should go for it, Peeta. You and Juliet would be great together." The way Gloss says that makes me feel like I'm missing something.

…

This is how I find myself at tryouts after school with Gloss. I'm not entirely sure how I ended up here. I'm pretty sure Gloss dragged me here against my will though.

"Now how are you going to be Romeo with at frown?" Gloss asks, trying to pull on my cheeks. "Smile, Peeta." I put on a smile. "That's better!"

"How long is this going to take?" I ask, annoyed.

The line stretches from Cinna's room to the end of the hall, and of course, Gloss and I are the last in line.

"Not long, I hope."

"There has to be at least two dozen guys in his line."

"You are over exaggerating," Gloss mumbles. "I only counted nineteen."

"I'm out!"

I don't even move an inch before Gloss is pulling me back.

"Nope, you're doing this," Gloss says, still holding on to me.

"Gloss, I am supposed to meet Glimmer at her house in about two hours. I don't have time for this."

"What if Glimmer does get the role of Juliet? Do you really want some guy kissing her everyday at rehearsal? Trust me, you being Romeo is meant to be."

I suppose he has a point. I'd rather not have to see my girlfriend kiss another guy.

"I guess you have a point," I mutter.

"Of course I do. Plus, you get extra credit."

The extra credit would be great.

"Alright but I need to leave in an hour," I tell Gloss.

"I got this," Gloss lets go of me. "Just give me five minutes."

I head to my locker and grab my coat, my bag, and Glimmer's birthday present. I've spent the past three weeks trying to find the perfect gift for Glimmer. Maybe it's stupid, but I wanted to get Glimmer the perfect gift. Something she'd kept even if we didn't work out in the end. It was only until a few days ago that I thought of the perfect gift.

"Peeta?"

I close my locker and see Johanna standing at the end of the hall. I give her a small wave and she smiles.

Johanna and I haven't talk much since the kiss. Truth be told, I've been avoiding her, and I know she has been avoiding me. When I'm with Glimmer and Johanna is around I feel extremely guilty because I cheated. Plain and simple, I cheated on Glimmer. Now that Gale and Johanna have made up I'm sure she feels the same amount of guilt as I do.

"Jo, want are you doing here? Didn't you have a test to make up?" I ask and walk over to her.

Johanna nods. "I actually just finished and was about to get going. What are you doing here?"

"Oh just hanging out with Gloss." It's not a lie.

Johanna raises an eyebrow at me. "Who's the present for?"

"Glimmer," I say, and I can feel the guilt coming again. "Johanna, maybe we should talk about what happened."

Johanna bites her lip. "Can't talk about it when nothing happened." She pats my shoulder lightly with a smile. "See you later, Peeta." Johanna runs off before I can say another word.

Maybe acting like nothing happened is for the best. The kiss was nice, but it's not like I felt anything.

I come back and find only three guys are in line now. Gloss gives me a smile.

"What did you do?" I ask while getting into line.

"You really don't want to know," Gloss says. "Trust me."

He's probably right.

Within thirty minutes I'm being called into the room. Gloss comes with me for 'moral support' as he calls it.

Cinna greets me with a huge smile.

"Don't be nervous," Cinna says handing me a script. "Just read from the heart. Turn to page ten and I'll read Juliet's lines. Start with 'If I profane with my'; top of the page."

I take a deep breath. "If I profane with my unworthiest hand, This holy shrine, the gentle sin is this: My lips, two blushing pilgrims, ready stand, To smooth that rough touch with a tender kiss."

"Good pilgrim, you do wrong your hand too much, Which mannerly devotion shows in this, For saints have hands that pilgrims' hands do touch, And palm to palm is holy palmers' kiss."

"Have not saints lips, and holy palmers too?"

"Ay, pilgrim, lips they must use in prayer."

"O, then, dear saint, let lips do what hands—"

"Wait," Cinna interrupts me and then steps out the room leaving Gloss and I clueless.

"Was I that bad?" I ask Gloss.

Gloss shakes his head. "I thought you were good. Wouldn't have killed you to smile more."

I roll my eyes.

"But overall it was a great reading. Maybe he had to go to the washroom or something."

"He probably would have told us if he had to."

"He probably would have said you sucked instead of running out the room."

"We don—"

"Let's try that again!" Cinna shouts coming back into the room. "This time with our Juliet."

"I thought she wasn't casted yet," I say.

"Of course she's already casted! You can't find Romeo without finding Juliet first. Right, Gloss?"

I stare at Gloss and he shrugs.

"Right you are, Cinna," Gloss says with a wink.

"Johanna, come in please."

What?!

"Did he just say Johanna?" I whisper to Gloss.

"I'm sure there are other girls named Johanna in this school," he whispers back.

Johanna walks and freezes when she sees me.

"And I was wrong," Gloss says.

Johanna is Juliet. Johanna Mason is playing Juliet Capulet. What is going on?

"Okay, take it from the start Peeta," Cinna says. "Johanna, don't just stand there like a statue. Get by Peeta and read lines with him."

"Actually," I say. "It's getting kind of late and I should really be going."

"What about the audition?" I can hear the disappointment in Cinna's voice.

"Sorry, I—"

"Cinna," Johanna says interrupting me. "Peeta and I just need a minute."

Johanna takes my hand and pulls me into the hallway.

"What the hell are you doing?" Johanna asks me a bit upset.

"What the hell am I doing? What the hell are you doing? You're Juliet? How the hell did that happened? I didn't even know you tried out for the part."

"I didn't try out," Johanna says. "I was in Cinna's room and he overheard me reading lines, and one thing lead to another, and he offered me the part. If it weren't for the extra credit I would have never agreed."

"You could have told me, you know," I tell her. "I wouldn't have made fun of you or anything."

"I know you wouldn't have, but let's be honest, we haven't spoken much since…"

"The kiss?"

"We are not talking about it. Back to main topic here, why are you leaving? Just because I'm Juliet?"

"Yes," I say honestly. "That is exactly why."

"Don't be an idiot. Cinna has only made me read lines with two other guys. I only read lines with people Cinna likes for the part. This part could be yours, Peeta."

I don't understand Johanna in the slightest. She doesn't want to discuss our kiss, but she's perfectly find with me becoming Romeo, meaning we have to kiss more.

"Don't give me that confused face," Johanna tells me. "I'd rather be kissing you than kissing some random hormonal guy."

"I'm still so very confused."

Johanna rolls her eyes. "Let's just get in there and read some lines, okay?"

Johanna doesn't wait for my response. She goes back into Cinna's room and I follow right behind her.

"We're ready, Cinna," Johanna says with a smile.

I awkwardly smile back at her and nod.

Cinna nods. "Johanna will you start from 'Good pilgrim'."

Johanna reads her lines with such grace I'm stunned. Gloss clearing this throat is what makes me snap out of it, and I read my lines with her. Then, when the time comes, I lean into Johanna and kiss her. The moment I pull away Cinna and Gloss start clapping.

"That was great," Cinna says still clapping. "So much more chemistry than Johanna had with those other two boys."

"Yeah," Gloss says. "Do it again."

Johanna sends a death glare his way. "What are you even doing here?"

"Not being welcomed by you, that's for sure," Gloss mumbles.

"There is still another day for Romeo auditions, but I think it's safe to say I have my love match already," Cinna tells us.

I'm sure most of you guys remembered the mention of the school play in "The New Girl's Fire" so here it is with the lead roles.

Next up is Glimmer's Birthday Party

PLEASE REVIEW! :)