Chapter 2

I've been friends with Annie Cresta since I was ten years old.

She grew up in the house next to mine, her mother some type of olympic swimmer, her father a carpenter. She had the strangest color hair you'd ever seen, her eyes something out of a story book, so round and bright. She was kind. Shy but polite though something was always a little off about the girl. A social disorder, maybe, but it seemed in the three years we'd spent at college, she'd grown out of it.

Grown so far out of it, in fact, she is dragging me to a party in the heart of "Fraternity Row", as I like to call it. Lines of houses, all with beers bottles and lawn chairs sprawled spastically across the front yard. Greek letters, cracked and crooked, hanging from rooftops; the never ending sound of gangster rap and house music through all hours of the night.

No, Fraternity Row was not my favorite place to be. But Annie is one of my favorite people and when she'd called me hours ago, excited about being invited to an end of the year party on campus, I had no choice but to tag along per her request.

I know her excitement was mostly stemming from Finnick Odiar, the school swim team captain and most attractive student on campus. Annie swam for the school and has developed quite the crush on Mr. Odiar throughout her collegiate days. And as of recently, I get the feeling it's now a two way street.

"My feet already feel like they're about to fall off," I complain. Without second thought, I unstrap the heels. Annie gives me a horrified look.

"You cannot walk in there like that, Katniss," she says, stopping in her tracks. "This is not some silly party. This is kind of like a formal and if you go in there without shoes on-"

"Oh please. Finnick won't banish you because I decided not to wear shoes," I laugh. "Besides, this isn't a formal. I heard twenty-five people in my history class talking about the quote-on-quote "rager Finnick Odiar is having". I won't be the only tacky one there."

"Please Katniss," she begs. I strap the shoes back on, sighing dramatically. She whispers something below her breath and stomps ahead of me. I laugh.

When we walk into the house, I could not be more right on my expectation of the night's events.

We're offered jello shots upon entering, more than one hundred bottles of liquor sprawled across a wooden dining room table. In one corner of the room, I can see an intense game of beer pong taking place along with an array of body shots. I spot a pack of crying girls and over dramatic laughing, one red-head puking in a vase. In summary, a frat party at it's best.

"I don't see Finnick anywhere, do you?" Annie asks anxiously, scanning the room. I do the same. The 6'4 Finnick Odiar is nowhere in my line of vision. "He told me he would be here. I mean, he lives here so obviously he's here unless he's hooking up with some slut in his bedroom. Do you think he would do that, Katniss?"

I shake my head. "No, Annie, I don't think he would do that to you."

It settles her. That along with the two shots she took upon arrival. "Maybe I should call him. Should I call him or does that have clingy written in big block letters? Oh god. Maybe we should just-"

"Ladies," a voice says from behind us. We turn slowly. "What a pleasure to see you tonight. I was starting to worry that you may never show."

Annie embraces Finnick lightly, her cheeks flushed, a smile on her face. When I look up at him, he looks the same. I smile to myself. Yes. Definitely a two way street.

"You must be the lovely Katniss Everdeen I hear so much about," Finnick says, shaking my hand formally. I smile. "And may I say, words don't do your beauty justice."

"Thank you, Finnick," I say. "I think I could say the same thing about you."

He laughs, turning to Annie and whispering something in her ear. A moment later, the two are gone, disappeared to one side of the room to talk or drink or kiss. Whatever. I'm once again, alone. I take advantage of the free alcohol.

I'm on my third vodka soda when someone sits beside me on the stained beige couch I've made my home for the evening, tipping me slightly to my left. I don't bother looking over. I just focus on the contents of my cup.

"I didn't know you were so into frat parties."

I blink heavily, downing the remaining portion of my drink, turning towards Peeta Mellark who wears the biggest shit eating grin I've ever seen. It would be appealing if I didn't know how smug he could be. "Oh, you didn't hear? I live for this shit."

He laughs humorlessly, shifting an arm to rest around my shoulders. His closeness puts me on edge and I scoot over as far as the couch will let me which isn't very far at all. "Of all the places in the world to sit, you chose to sit next to me, why?"

"You looked lonely and I thought you could use some company," he explains. I don't believe him. People like Peeta never do anything for anyone else's benefit but their own. I snort into my cup.

"That or you were just hoping I was drunk enough to where I would sleep with you," I say. Peeta quirks an eyebrow in surprise. I remain as emotionless as I can. "If you're going to talk to me I need more of this." He takes my cup and hands me his own. I laugh. "Thanks but no thanks."

I move off the couch, awkwardly having to lean onto his out stretched leg in order to get to my feet easily. Shit. Maybe I was a little drunker than I thought. I look around for Annie. It'd been an hour since she snuck off with Finnick. Whatever was going to be done had to be done by now, no?

"Are you looking for your friend?" Peeta asks, following behind me. "The red head with Finnick?"

"How long have you been stalking me, Mellark," I snarl, not bothering to look at him. When I get to the refreshments table, I opt for one more shot and a bottle of water.

"She was hanging out with Finnick, playing beer pong a few minutes ago. They were winning so I doubt they've moved if you want to check there. I'll go with you."

"I don't need you to escort me around. Thanks," I say. I really just want him gone. Gone far, far away from me so I don't ever have to think of him again.

"I'm just trying to be nice."

At that, I must stop walking and turn to face him because his words are ludicrous. "You? Being nice? In what world are we living in and when did I get here?"

To my surprise he laughs and his smile is so beautiful I can't help but return it slightly. "Believe it or not, I'm not always a dick," he explains. "At least, I try not to be."

"Ah," I mumble, wanting to be done with the conversation entirely. I start sipping my water. I need to sober up if Annie really is playing beer pong. She isn't the best drinker and two drinks can sometimes put her over the top. It's going to be a long, long night if that's the case. "Nice to see you tonight, Peeta. Stay safe."

"Katniss," he calls, holding onto my forearm. I jerk away from him. He startles. "Look. I just want you to know that I'm really sorry about the way I acted that night. No one deserves to be treated that way. It was a rough night for me."

"Yeah, me too," I snarl, not really accepting his apology. I was always too quick to forgive. This time would be different. "Maybe this'll be a good learning experience for you. On how to treat women. And people."

Peeta smiles awkwardly. "Why don't you have a drink with me? We can hang out. I'll make it up to you. We can talk about you and your family and your home life, first date stuff. A redo."

The proposition catches me off guard. I cross my arms over my chest, hesitant.

He was beautiful, I couldn't deny that. The blue eyes, the strong jaw, the dusty blonde hair. Every girls dream. God, how I wish he could just be ugly. He'd be so much easier to ignore.

He takes my silence as a victory and takes ahold of my hand. I let him. I follow him numbly over to where they are serving refreshments. I don't really need another drink but when he hands me two more shots, I don't argue. I down them and watch as he does the same.

I could feel the effects from all the alcohol now more than ever. I'd never been a heavy drinker but in high school, I was more than capable of handling my own at parties. But it was different this time and I couldn't tell you why. When I look back up at Peeta, I know he feels the same. Before I can stop myself, I say, "You're just trying to get me drunk to get me to sleep with you."

Surprise crosses his face and then he's fighting the urge to laugh. He can't stop himself and soon I'm joining in. "You don't think very highly of me, Ms. Everdeen, and I don't really know why." He puts his hands up in defense. "I'm a good guy. Promise."

"So I guess you're one of those tortured souls." Something in his expression turns dark. He composes himself a second later, finishing off the drink in his hand and laughing but I can't help but notice how force it sounds.

"You have no idea."

I bit my lip awkwardly, sensing I may have hit a nerve with Peeta.

Annie saves the day, Finnick in tow as they laugh loudly about something private between them, swaying back and forth. Annie falls in a heap on my lap, twirling a piece of my hair around her finger, humming. "Katniss, I'm just having the best time. Aren't you?"

I nod my head, brushing a hand through her unruly hair. "Are you ready to go Annie? It's a little late and we've got to get back to the apartment."

Annie opens her mouth to speak but Finnick interrupts. "You guys have had way too much to drink to go back to your apartment. You guys can stay in our rooms, sleep it off." My eyes narrow at him suspiciously. I didn't know much in my impaired state but I knew t would much rather lug a passed out Annie halfway across campus than sleep in a frat house.

"I don't think that's necessary but thank you, Finnick," I mumble, getting to my feet and pulling Annie along with me. We only make it two steps before Annie slumps in my arms, her eyes rolling closed as the weight of the alcohol - and whatever else she took - takes her under. I fall under her body mass, Peeta and Finnick both coming to the rescue.

"Whoa there tiger," Peeta jokes, handing her over to Finnick who places her soundly on the couch. She nuzzles his neck and whispers something that makes him blush. I roll my eyes.

"We really shouldn't stay here," I say.

"Maybe not but there's no point in you leaving now," he says. "Besides, it seems like she wants to stay." I cross my arms defensively. My eyes move between her and Finnick who whisper quietly. She's still going in and out of consciousness. Peeta seems to read my mind. "Finnick isn't like that, Katniss, if that's what you're worried about. He would never."

I sigh, my composure falling as the alcohol makes it's way through my system and my eyelids begin to flutter. "One night won't kill us."

"Loving the attitude," he jokes, giving me a soft nudge with his shoulder. Something within me lights and I get those butterflies in my stomach that I feel all too often when I'm around him. Strange to think that just a day ago he was literally Satan himself in my eyes. Correction, an hour ago.

"You can sleep in Peeta's room, Katniss," Finnick says behind us, putting Annie over his shoulder. "I'm gonna put her in the spare bedroom but it's only a twin."

I frown. "I can sleep in there with her. She doesn't need to be alone and-"

"The room is connected to mine," he says. "I'll listen for her. Besides, you seem a little tipsy yourself. You won't be much help to her if she needs it." Sensing I'm ready to attack he holds his hands up in defense. "Go sleep it off, Katniss."

And with that he's gone, leaving Peeta and I alone at the bottom of the stares. His cheeks are flushed when I finally turn to look at him.

"I can sleep on the couch if that-"

"No," I say. I don't know where the new found courage comes from but I speak up, grey meeting blue as we stare each other down. He's waiting for my next move but I want to watch his. He gulps. "It's your room. We can share the bed, right?"

Peeta nods his head slowly as if he's not sure I'm really meaning what I'm saying. I'm not really sure I mean what I say. Maybe it is the alcohol but so be it. This is what I want for now.

"To think that two hours ago you were ready to rip my head off," he mumbles, reflecting my previous thoughts. I choose not to comment.

He passes me, showing me the way to his lone room on the other side of the house. He says goodnight to some of his brothers who stare at me for a little too long as I wait awkwardly in the doorway.

When we finally make it to his room, after what seems like years, he shuts the door softly, careful not to make too much noise.

"You can wear some of my pajamas if you want," Peeta says, handing me a pair of basketball shorts and a tshirt. I thank him, moving to the bathroom to change. I take my time, trying to regain some of the sanity I've seemed to have lost.

Peeta is already in bed when I emerge from the bathroom in his clothes. He doesn't bother looking at me as I slip into the covers next to him, digging my feet into the soft, orange cotton. I sigh. It's been a long time since i'd slept in a real bed. The one in my own apartment was something I'd found on the side of the road about five years ago.

"This was a nice change after two years in the dorms," he whispers. I look over at him and he looks over at me. "If this makes you uncomfortable, I can sleep on the floor."

"If anybody should sleep on the floor, I should sleep on the floor," I argue. He smirks. "You're fine Peeta. It's just sleep."

I turn my back to him then, my eyes feeling heavy and my throat too dry to say much of anything. He reaches over me to turn off the lamp, one of his hands moving long strands of hair from my face. My cheeks flush but in the dark I know he can't see.

"Just sleep," he whispers to himself. "Goodnight Katniss."

Sorry about the wait on this one! Hope it was worth it.

Did you see Mockingjay Part 1? Thought it was interesting. Went with a friend who hadn't seen either of the first two - don't ask me why - and she LOVED it which I thought was quite strange. It wasn't as exciting as the first two and unless you are as obsessed as I am, I didn't think anyone would come out LOVING it and moved the way I was. But I was happy to be proven wrong!

Josh was great. Jen was great. Philip was BREATHTAKING. And I thought Liam improved a ton!

Wasn't too happy with the Finnick scenes. He felt so non important to me in this movie which really hurts my heart because he was one of my favorites throughout the book and I think Sam is so charming.

Leave your own reviews for me in the comments! Thanks a ton.

-B.