This is the beta-ed version. Thank you to my new beta reader, Chocovian (aka S)

Anons

S: No I haven't graduated yet. One more year to go! Yays.

Grace: Thanks! I love Johanna too.

Chole m: More drama with Johanna is coming soon. Thanks!

Enjoy the chapter!

Chapter 26 "Glimmer's Birthday Party"

Glimmer's POV

My parents went to visit my sisters at their college in the Capital. They left last night and won't be back until tomorrow night. My parents aren't stupid like most parents are. They were very aware that I would most likely throw a party in their absence and that is exactly what I did. So before they left, they locked the basement where the liquor cabinet is and took the spare key with them. That's completely fine with me. I don't care for drinking anyways; I am barely fifteen, after all. The last thing I need is liquor in my life.

It's seven thirty on the dot when Clove comes barging in my room with dozens of bags in her arms. I add the last touch of mascara on my bottom eyelash before turning around to her.

"It is amazing how many presents you are getting," She says as she throws the bags on my bed along with the other dozens of bags. "So, you ready yet? People started arriving like an hour ago."

"Almost," I say then go rushing into my closet. "I just need to change into—" I pull out my dress for tonight, "this beauty."

"Wow," Clove says looking at my dress.

It's a strapless pink cocktail dress with a sparkling belt above the waist and clear pink fabric hanging off the back.

I smile. "I know. It makes your blue dress look like crap."

"Hey!"

"I'm joking! You look gorgeous, of course, and it's adorable how Cato is matching with you."

"Get dressed and get downstairs, okay? I'd rather not be the one entertaining all of Peeta's lame friends."

"Is Peeta here?"

Clove shakes her head and then leaves me alone in my bedroom.

I sigh heavily because I haven't seen Peeta since my birthday and I won't blame him for not coming today.

When I came home on my birthday, I wasn't expecting to see both of my sisters in the kitchen eating all of the birthday cake that Peeta brought for me. My sisters and I don't have much of a relationship. Let's just say when they left for college two years ago, it was the best day of my life.

So instead of a birthday dinner, it became a welcome home dinner. I wasn't too upset. After fifteen years, I was used to my sisters always being in the limelight. My parents love me but I understand why all their attention goes to my older sisters. Sister one always had her nose in a book, graduated as valedictorian, and got a full scholarship for college. Sister two never stopped moving. She was on nearly every sport in high school, the best at everything she tried, and the captain of the cheerleading, volleyball, and baseball team. Not to mention she received a scholarship for excellent leadership skills. And then there's me. All I am is pretty and they never fail to remind me.

Halfway through dinner Peeta showed up at my doorstep with a bouquet of flowers but I wasn't the one to answer the door. My sisters practically tortured Peeta with a million questions and were nothing but rude to him. The moment Peeta had a chance to leave, he took off.

After I change into my dress and put on my white heels, I head downstairs.

The living room is filled with people mingling and dancing. This isn't like one of Cashmere's crazy mess of a party. I only invited a few dozen friends, my Careers, their friends, and the Victors...plus Gale. Inviting the Victors was all Marvel's idea. He said if I want things to work out with Peeta, I need to associate myself with his friends. If that's what it takes to make this work, then so be it.

"Don't you look beautiful," Marvel greets me at the bottom of the staircase.

"I told you pink was your color," Gloss says while shoving his drink into Marvel's hand. "May I have the honor of giving the birthday girl her first dance?"

Over dramatic much?

"Well—"I spot Clove with Cato near the kitchen. "I need to take care of something really quick. Give me a minute, then find me, okay?"

Gloss nods kindly and makes way for me.

I like Gloss. Him and Peeta are probably the only Victors that you just can't hate. There is something there when it comes to Gloss. He is easy to get along with.

"There she is," Cato says while pulling me into a hug. "Took you long enough."

"Well worth the wait," Clove says. "You look beautiful, Glimmer."

I never get tired of hearing that.

"Don't you two look cute? In matching colors," I say teasingly.

"She made me," Cato mumbles. "I wanted to wear a t-shirt."

"You were not going to wear a t-shirt to Glim's party. You were the one who chose the blue blouse."

"It was either this or the yellow one and I'd rather not look like a giant lemon."

As Clove and Cato start bickering, I wave Gloss over for a dance. Gloss comes to me with a smile and his hand out ready to lead me to the dance floor. Too bad I have other plans in mind for him.

"I'm actually going to dance with Cato right now," I tell Gloss. "But I'm sure Clove won't mind dancing with you in the meantime." I turn to Clove. "Right, Clove?"

Clove looks surprised by me. "Sure. Why not? I guess."

Gloss gives me this crazy look before I leave dragging Cato with me for a dance.

Clove and Gloss could be the perfect couple together. There is only one thing standing in the way between them, Cato.

I take Cato as far away as I can from Clove. Cato getting jealous over Gloss is the last thing I want. Luckily for me, Cato keeps his focus on Finnick and Clove instead of Gloss and Clove.

"So, how are you and Clove doing?" I ask Cato as we begin to dance. "Things still odd?"

Cato shrugs. "We're doing good but there is still something off, you know?"

Since Thanksgiving, Clove hasn't been the same. It's not like she is a completely different person. She is still Clove but there is just something different. It's January now and she still isn't the same.

"Yeah, Clove is still acting kind of strange with me too," I admit. "Have you tried talking to her about it?"

"Yeah," Cato sighs. "But all she does is change the subject on me." She does the same with me.

"What now then? Are you going to break up with her?"

"What? No," Cato nearly shouts.

It was worth a shot.

"So then what's the plan?"

"I don't need one," Cato says firmly. "I love her. I don't need a plan."

My jaw dropped open after 'love'. "You love her? Since when?"

"Since the start," Cato says with a smile.

"Have you told her that?"

"Not yet."

…

After about an hour of hiding from Gloss, he finally finds me upstairs opening all my presents. Knowing he wants to talk, I take him somewhere we can talk privately.

"What was with that little stunt you pulled earlier?" Gloss asks me while we step out onto the balcony. "With Clove?"

I shrug. "Nothing. Just giving you a little—" I move my hands forward, "push. Since you don't have the guts yourself to make a move yourself."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Gloss mumbles.

"Please. It's no coincidence that you're the only victor who eats lunch with Peeta, me, and Clove, that you roll your eyes so hard when Cato is even mentioned, and that you look at Clove like she's the only one in the room," I say with a smirk.

Gloss sighs. "I didn't know I was that obvious about it."

"You're not," I admit. "I'm just really observant. And let's face it, Clove is kind of blind when it comes to this stuff, but, hey, she makes up for it by being so pretty."

Gloss smiles at that. "Why? I know you said that you want Clove to be happy, but she seems pretty happy with Cato."

"Well she isn't," I snap and I'm not sure why. "I don't know what's going on with Clove but you seem like the only person who can actually make her smile. I love Cato but I love Clove more. Clove is the most important person and she deserves to be happy. Cato isn't making her happy. Why not go for it?"

"No," Gloss says firmly. "I'm not going to steal Clove away from Cato no matter how much I like Clove. I'm not going to be the other guy and I'm not going to be the asshole that stole Cato's girlfriend away. I would never intentionally hurt someone like that."

Wow. Gloss, the jock, the one you'd expect to be that asshole that hooks up with every girl in the school is the exact opposite. He is nothing but a nice guy. You know what sucks about nice guys? They really do finish last.

"Okay," I say. "I get it. I won't bug you about it anymore about Clove."

"Thanks, Glimmer. I really appreciate it."

"I just hope you don't miss your chance with her." With that, I leave Gloss alone on the balcony.

When I head back downstairs, I spot Clove and Cato on the center of the dance floor. Cato has Clove's hand in his and its held high as Cato spins her around and around. Clove is laughing meanwhile and nearly trips after the fifth spin. Then Clove lets herself fall into Cato's arms. She wraps her arms around Cato's neck and pulls him in for a kiss.

Maybe Cato does make Clove happy after all.

"They do look cute together, don't they?"

I look to my right to see Peeta standing beside me. I didn't think I'd see him tonight.

"Peeta." I say with a smile. "Hey."

"Hey." Peeta smiles back. "I was looking all over for you. Where have you been?"

"Oh, I was hiding from Gloss. It's a long story don't ask." I take Peeta's hand. "I'm sorry about the other night. My sisters are—

"You don't need to be sorry, Glimmer."

"I don't?"

Peeta shakes his head. "I have an older brother…I know how hard it can be to have to live up to someone else."

"You picked up on that?" I ask surprised.

"It wasn't too hard especially when they started to refer to you as the pretty blonde." I never understood that since they are blondes too. "But are you okay?"

No. I'm not okay. My sisters knew exactly what they were doing when they decided to pop by on my birthday. They always do this to me. It can never just be about me for once. Nearly everyday I have to hear my parents say 'why can't you be more like your sisters'. It makes me feel like I'm not good enough for them.

"I'm fine."

"If you aren't, you can always talk to me. You know that, right? Just because you aren't the top of our class or athletic doesn't mean you aren't worth anything—"

I cut Peeta off by pulling on the collar of his shirt and kissing him.

…

"Here you are," I exclaim when I find Clove sitting in the kitchen eating a cupcake. "Where did you get that cupcake?"

"Mellark brought over three dozen and I helped him stack them in your fridge in the garage."

"Peeta made me cupcakes? Ugh, this isn't helping."

Clove raises an eyebrow at me. "Okay, what's going on? Sit and tell, Glimmer."

I sit across from her and inhale deeply. "I think I'm falling for Peeta Mellark."

"What?"

"I don't know how this happened. It's just…he is so sweet. He understands me, he always put me first, he does what he can to make me feel good about myself, he is so selfless, he is hot and a really good kisser—"

"I didn't need to know that," Clove says. "But hold on, you mean you aren't going out with Peeta because you like him?"

"You are so blind. I'm only going out with him because of his status."

"What's his status?"

"He's a Victor. Peeta Mellark is one of the most popular boys in school. I only hung out with Cash and Gloss because being a Career used to mean everything around here but not anymore. You, Cato, Marvel, and me are the Careers; we are second on the food chain and I don't do second."

"So you're only with Peeta because you want to be a victor?"

"That's the plan." I sigh then I lay my head down on the table. "Or that was the plan. Now I just feel bad about this."

"Well you should. I can't believe you were using him. That's pretty low, Glimmer."

"I know that. And I can't do this anymore."

"Then break up with him."

I can't just break up with him. I need a reason. Something that doesn't make him hate me.

Annie's POV

~Seven o'clock~

"Remind me why I'm here again?" Johanna asks me.

"You are here to show Peeta, your best friend, that you support his relationship," I say with a forced smile.

"But I don't."

"You have to at least try, Johanna. Make an effort."

Before Finnick and Gloss came to like each other, I had to pick between the two, but I wasn't going to pick. That was my choice but I can't say Peeta will make the same decision when it comes to Johanna and Glimmer. Peeta and Johanna are best friends but Peeta had fallen hard for Glimmer long before he met Johanna. In all honestly, I don't think he'd pick Johanna over Glimmer. I don't want Johanna to lose Peeta.

"I'm not you, Annie. I can't just pretend to like Glimmer," Johanna says honestly.

"I'm not telling you to pretend. I'm telling you to give her a chance," I say. "Do you want to ruin your relationship with Peeta?"

"I think that ship has already sailed."

"Huh—?"

The door swings open and there's Cato with Clove wrapped around his arm. Clove is wearing a blue dress and Cato is wearing a dark blue dress shirt. It's really adorable how they match.

"Hey, Clove" I say. "Cato."

"Hey Annie," Clove said and Cato just nods in response. "Surprising to see you here, Johanna."

"I'm full of surprises. Now, are you going to let us in or what?" Johanna says so rudely that I want to slap her.

Clove simply rolls her eyes and leaves with Cato.

"Johanna," I hiss. "That was rude."

"It's Clove and Cato, they can handle it," She mutters as we enter.

"Still, Johanna. Gosh, what has gotten into you lately?"

In all honestly, Johanna isn't really the best company someone can ask for. She can be stubborn and she has a temper but lately it is something else with her. I'm not sure what it is but I hope whatever it is she handles it.

"Annie!" I hear Finnick shout from a distance. Up ahead, there's Finnick with Gale and Gloss. I rush over and run into Finnick's arms. "I was wonder when you get here."

I give him a peck on the lips. "Sorry. It was a challenge getting Johanna here."

"Challenge?" Johanna says behind me. "You're the one who spent and hour curling your hair."

"Well those curls never looked better," Gloss says pulling me into a hug.

"Kiss up," Johanna mutters.

I smile as Gloss pulls Johanna into a hug. They would be so cute together. Then Johanna gives Gale a kiss and my smile is gone.

"Come on, Ann. Let's dance," Finnick says.

"Actually, I need to give Glimmer her present from me and Jo." I dangle the gift bag in front of me.

"Clove is collecting those," Gale tells me.

"Let's go find her then, Gale. You too, Finn."

Before anyone else says another word I drag Gale and Finnick away with me. We find Clove near the staircase with Cato.

"Hey, Clove!" Finnick smiles brightly at Clove.

Cato rolls his eyes at Finnick.

"Hey, Odair." Clove says. "Hey, Hawthorne."

Gale gives Clove a smile.

"What are you losers doing—"

"Cato!" Clove shouts interrupting Cato. "Ignore him. He's just bitter."

"I'd say asshole but your choice of words, Clove." Finnick smirks.

"Finnick," I say warningly. "Ignore him. He's just rude." Finnick frowns at me.

"Well," Gale says awkwardly. "I'm going to go before Johanna finds me here and this gets ten times worse." And with that Gale runs off.

"Anyways," I say breaking the silence. "Where can I leave Glimmer's present?"

"Oh, I can take that." Clove takes the bag from me. "I actually should start bringing some of the others to her room already."

"Need any help with that?" Finnick asks. "I'm more than happy to help—"

"I think she can manage," Cato says rudely.

Finnick throws his hands up in defense.

"I can use some help," Clove says looking directly at Cato. "Cresta, can you help?"

What? "Me?"

Clove nods before dragging me away to the front door.

"Was it smart to leave those two together," I ask more myself than Clove. "Alone?"

"Probably not," Clove says with a shrug. "And I don't really need your help, by the way. I just thought they could use some time alone to think about what dumbasses they are being."

Clove opens the cabinet right next to the door. There are a few presents hiding in there. She starts grabbing a few.

"I don't understand why they don't like each other—" Clove snorts. I raise my eyebrow at her.

"Oh, you were being serious?" Clove asks.

"Yeah," I say slowly. "Why? Am I missing something?"

Clove shakes her head. "Nothing you should worry about." Now that just makes me worry. "I gotta go leave these bags with Glimmer. Have a great time."

After Clove leaves me, it doesn't take too long before Finnick finds me.

"I know you want help Gloss out but is separating Jo and Gale really the best thing?"

I told Finnick about the conversation I had with Gloss. Finnick agreed that it sounded like Gloss was talking about Johanna but dismissed that idea since he doesn't see Gloss falling for Johanna. Since then, I've been trying to help Johanna and Gloss get together and Finnick has been trying to stop me.

"All it's going to do is cause problems," Finnick continues.

"You don't know that," I say. "They'd be great together."

"But she is dating Gale," Finnick nearly shouts.

"So?"

"So?!"

Gloss then finds us.

"Annie," Gloss says then exhales. "I know what you're doing."

"I am not doing anything," I say innocently.

"Johanna isn't who I was talking about."

"I don't know what you're talking abo—she wasn't?"

Gloss rolls his eyes.

"I told you," Finnick says to me. "If anything Gloss is into older chicks. Not someone younger than him."

"Untrue. He was into all of this," I gesture towards my body.

"Don't remind me," Finnick mumbles but I ignore him.

"So obviously age doesn't matter to him."

"You told him?" Gloss asks me.

"Of course she told me," Finnick states. "Annie can't keep a secret to save her life."

I pout. That is so untrue.

"Guys, I appreciate all that you're trying to do but please stop."

"I'm just trying to help," I tell him. "Gloss, you should be happy!"

"I am happy," Gloss says. "Annie, stop driving Johanna away from Gale for my benefit. Breaking people up is not a solution. If it's meant to be, then it will happen. It's called fate."

I can't help but roll my eyes. Fate. That's nothing but crap.

"Trust me, Gloss," Finnick says. "She won't be meddling into your love life anymore."

"Or lack of," I mumble under my breath.

"Good. She was worse than my sister."

Cash is really all about getting her brother a girlfriend, so that's a compliment.

Without another word, I take Finnick's hand, lead him to the dance floor, and finally give him the dance I owe him. The song is slow so I wrap my arms around his neck and his hands go around my hips. I rest my head on his shoulder and he rests his head over mine.

…

I'm in the middle of my third dance with Johanna when Cashmere shows up.

"Mind if we make this a threesome?"

"Cash," I exclaim then pull her into a hug. "I didn't think you'd come."

"I could say the same about Johanna," Cash says pulling Johanna into our hug.

"Annie dragged me here," Johanna says.

"That's funny. Peeta kind of dragged me here."

"Peeta is here?" Johanna asks pulling away from the hug.

"Yeah." Cash pulls away too. "Clove and him are putting the cupcakes away."

"Cupcakes?" I ask curiously and also hungrily.

"You should see them. Peeta went crazy, so many cupcakes and so little time. He had me helping him."

"So that's why he is so late?" Johanna asks and she kind of sounds jealous.

"Duh!" Cash says. "Why else? He is crazy about her. Why? Who knows? She isn't that great. But anyways, I need help finding her. Peeta is looking for her."

We spilt up looking for Glimmer. I start looking for Glimmer on the dance floor, then the backyard but I don't find her there, so I head upstairs. It isn't a surprise that Glimmer is from wealth. She gives off that vibe for some reason, her and the rest of the Careers. The floor upstairs is covered in thick, red carpet, paintings are hung up all over the creamy walls, and her hall has three different directions to take. I stick with going straight ahead which leads me to the back of Glimmer's house. There's a balcony that extends out to the backyard and there's Gloss, staring at the night sky. I join him out there.

"Beautiful night, huh?" I say, standing next to Gloss.

Gloss simply nods.

"Gloss, I'm sorry about the whole Johanna thing—"

"Don't be," he interrupts. "Your heart was in the right place. It always is."

I smile. "I just want all my friends to be happy."

"Well you don't have to worry about me. I'll always be happy. I like being happy, it's fun."

"So tell me is your mystery girl...is she in there?"

Gloss nods. "With someone else, but it's cool. If it's meant to be, then it will happen."

"Why her, Gloss? Why not Johanna? Johanna is just as crazy as you are, what makes this girl different?" I ask out of curiosity.

"Annie, I don't believe in being with someone who I don't love—"

"You love this girl?"

"I can see myself falling in love with her, yes. There's just something about her," Gloss says softly. "She can be sweet when she wants to but never lets anyone walk all over her. Her smile can light up the room but her glare can scare the room. She is just…something else. I can't say I've met a girl like her before. Annie, she is truly amazing. That's why it's not a surprise that she isn't single. A girl like that is going to be taken in a heartbeat."

I may not know whom Gloss is speaking of but I know Gloss never talks about anyone like that. If I were Gloss, I'd fight for the girl and I wouldn't care that she had a boyfriend. All is fair in love and war, but Gloss doesn't see things that way.

"So what are you going to do?"

"The only thing I can do." Gloss sighs. "I'm going to wait for her."

I smile at how sweet Gloss truly is.

"What are you doing out here anyways, Annie?"

"I was looking for Glimmer."

"Oh, she was just here," Gloss tells me. "Like ten minutes before you came."

"I'd better go find her then." I give Gloss a quick hug before running off.

When I get to the staircase, I spot Glimmer entering the kitchen. I run down the staircase and head for the kitchen only to find the door locked. With all the music playing, there is no point of knocking. No one will hear it. Luckily, I know another way in.

I head down the small hallway located on the side of the kitchen wall. I pass a large bedroom and a bathroom. I turn the corner and find the door.

As I reach for the door handle, I hear mumbles and the mention of Peeta's name. I can't help but move my ear against the door.

"—aren't going out with Peeta because you like him?" Clove says.

What?!

"You are so blind," Glimmer states. "I'm only going out with him because of this status."

"What's his status?"

"He's a Victor. Peeta Mellark is one of the most popular boys in school. I only hung out with Cash and Gloss because being a Career used to mean everything around here but not anymore. You, Cato, Marvel, and me are the Careers, we are second on the food chain and I don't do second."

"So you are only with Peeta because you want to be a victor?"

"That's the plan."

Oh no. Poor Peeta.

I move away from the door when I hear someone coming behind me.

It's Johanna.

"Ann—"

"Shush," I hiss at her.

Before Johanna can say another word, I'm pushing her back into the small hall and into the bathroom.

"Annie, what the hell?"

"Johanna," I say sadly. "You were right about not giving Glimmer a chance. You won't believe what I just heard."

Doesn't Annie have bad timing? I would say so.

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