Chapter 3
6 weeks to go…
After showering, swallowing some headache pills and stuffing myself with yet more cheese buns I finally feel like I am beating my hangover. Madge left about an hour ago to nurse her own hangover at Thom's leaving Peeta and me alone. So far I have locked myself in my room and answered some emails from work in an effort to avoid him. On reflection I realise just how crazy my lie is and I get more nervous about what I have got myself into. I have never been good at lying and I don't know how I am going to convince people I am in love with Peeta. It's been so long since I have been in a relationship and I am not sure how I am supposed to act. Will I have to kiss him? What if everything becomes really awkward between us?
Eventually my parched throat and rumbling stomach force me out my bedroom and into the kitchen. When I enter Peeta is sitting on the couch with a sketch pad in his hand. I have witnessed him sketching and painting many times but it still amazes me how much his features change. Gone is the happy smile and sunny disposition and in its place is an intensity you wouldn't expect from someone so cheery. His eyebrows furrow and his face takes on a more intense tone. The concentration and dedication are evident for all to see.
He looks up at me when I enter, putting his pencil down and leaning back against the couch, a casual arm slung across the back of it.
"Well isn't it my lovely girlfriend," he teases. "Is there anything I can do for you baby?"
He has a stupid smug grin on his face and I scowl at him.
"Never call me baby," I state sternly.
"What pet name would you prefer? Sweetheart? Kitty Kat?" he replies.
"I don't do pet names."
Peeta chuckles at this as I just continue to glare at him. Well at least one of us finds it funny.
"You know I am doing you a favour too," I say. "I'm a pretty good catch. Successful job, intelligent and willing to support you as a failing artist. I am way out of your league."
"Ouch! Hit me where it hurts!" he replies clutching his hand over his heart. "And you clearly think very highly of yourself. But the truth is I am the one that is out of your league. Charming people like myself don't often go for sullen and hostile people like you."
"I am not sullen and hostile!" I snap.
Peeta laughs at my response. I am seriously reconsidering using Peeta as my boyfriend. It may be better to admit I was lying than have to listen to his endless teasing and insults.
"You have just proved my point," he states with a chuckle. He then gets off the couch and moves towards me in the kitchen. "However you pull it off well."
I glare at him, still annoyed. He stands in front of me and gives my braid a little tug as he speaks. The gesture reminds me of when we were kids and he used to tug my braids to annoy me. It still has the same effect today.
He smirks at my obvious annoyance before pulling back and moving past me to grab himself a banana. I continue to glower at him as he peels the skin back off the banana and leans his elbows against the counter top.
"We have to come up with a story about how we got together. With a mouth as big as Glimmer's it won't be long before both our families are on the phone demanding details," Peeta says after taking a bite of the banana.
I realise he is right. The first thing Glimmer will have done after she left is phone my Aunt Effie and tell her my shocking revelation. They will gossip about how unlikely this scenario is before Effie will phone my mom who will then tell Peeta's dad who will tell his mom. Both our families like to gossip and this news will spread like wild fire. Before we know it everyone will know and be desperate for the whole story.
I let out a tired sigh as I make my way over so I am standing on the opposite side of the kitchen counter top to him.
"What do we need to work out?" I ask tiredly.
Peeta finishes his banana chucking the skin in the trash before answering.
"Well obviously you came on to me," he states.
I hang my head back in annoyance. I knew he was going to make me look bad in this story. It will be his form of revenge. I pull my head back up with a sigh as we begin negotiating the details of our fake relationship.
After much arguing we finally manage to come up with a believable story:
We got together after Peeta came round looking for Madge only to find her not there. I was stressed at the time due to my upcoming promotion and Peeta helped me relax. After some alcohol I made a pass at him and we ended up hooking up. Apparently that is all it took for me to beg for more but Peeta was reluctant. He didn't want to ruin our friendship and relationship with Madge. After lots of begging he finally consented and asked me out on a date. We have now been dating for the last 3 months. We have recently exchanged I love you's at my promotion celebration.
Other details such as what was our first date (a hike and picnic in the woods) and whose place we stay at (obviously mine) are also sorted out. I don't come out of the whole thing looking great, mainly desperate and clingy, but that is what I deserve after getting us in this mess in the first place.
We have barely finalised the last detail before my cell phone rings. I take a deep breath before answering.
It starts.
"Hi Prim," I say after checking the caller ID.
"How could you keep this from me? I couldn't be happier for you! I always thought you and Peeta would make a great couple!" Prim squeals down the phone.
Well that didn't take long. I knew she would be excited. She's a big romantic at heart and has been desperate for me to have a boyfriend for years. I take another deep breath before answering her. I will have to be at my most convincing.
Even though she is four years younger than me we have always got on well. I am very protective of her. She is a very friendly and a kind hearted person and I would do absolutely anything for her. She's at a college out of town at the moment as she finishes her medical degree. This means we don't get to see each other as much as we like. However every now and again I drive up to see her and we do things every typical pair of sisters would do. We go for coffee or to the movies and reminisce about stories from our childhood.
"It's no big deal," I say trying to calm her down.
"No big deal!" she shrieks again. "Katniss, you are dating Peeta Mellark!"
A lot of Prim's enthusiasm for this relationship stems from the fact she really likes Peeta. He was her first crush when she was 10. She had skinned her knee after falling off her bike and Peeta and come to her rescue and carried her home. For months after she would blush and run away every time she was in the same room as him. We all thought it was cute and hilarious and would tease her endlessly about it. Peeta, being the kind hearted person he is, was really good about it. He was kind to her but gently told her he was too old for her. Eventually the crush passed as she moved onto some teen movie star but Peeta has always had a special place in her heart.
"I know Prim. I am the one dating him," I reply mockingly.
"Stop playing it down. I want to hear all the details," she replies.
It's time to test out our story. If anyone is going to call us out it is Prim. I take a deep breath and dive straight into the story Peeta and I made up only a few moments ago. Prim awes in all the right places and asks lots of questions about how he treats me and how I feel about him. I answer them all as best as I can and hope I sound sincere. Peeta watches the entire conversation with an amused look on his face. I scowl at him. He is enjoying this way too much.
Eventually Prim exhausts every possible question and winds down the conversation.
"I'm just disappointed I won't get to see you both before the wedding. I want to take you both out to celebrate," she declares.
"Prim, I got a boyfriend not discovered the secret for world peace," I say.
"I know but I am really excited for you both. I always suspected you would get together. The way you tease each other always hinted at deeper feelings for each other," she replies.
I frown. Peeta and I tease each other like a brother and sister. There are no deeper feelings there. But I have a role to play.
"I wish you would have told me sooner. Would have saved me a lot of time," I joke.
Prim laughs.
"Well you're together now. That's all that matters. I can't wait for your wedding!" she replies.
"Hold up there. We have only just started dating."
"I know. I just have a feeling."
I shake my head. I hope she is not too disappointed when we break things off after the wedding. She sounds so happy for us. I hate that I have lied to her.
With that we say our goodbyes and hang up the phone. I have seemed to come out of that relatively unscathed.
Over the next couple of hours both Peeta and I get phone calls from various members of our family. My dad is a bit shocked at the news but is happy for me never the less. He tells me he has always liked Peeta and that he trusts him not to hurt me. I come off the phone relieved at his acceptance. I don't know why but his approval of Peeta touches me. Dad and I are pretty close and often spend weekends together hunting and fishing on my grandfather's estate. In many ways he is my role model. His approval means a lot to m,e even if this relationship is not real. I end the conversation with a promise to go hunting with him again soon.
Peeta's mom is ecstatic at the news. It is no secret that Madge is her favourite child, as she is the only girl, and as a result she loves me for being such a good friend to her daughter. I can hear her down the phone excitedly telling Peeta how pleased she is and how he won't be able to do any better. She declares that she can't wait for our 2 families to be finally joined.
On the plus side for Peeta this distracts her from the fact that he is once again homeless and living on our couch. An hour and a half later Peeta finally manages to get her off the phone.
"So it looks like everyone is planning our wedding," he states with a grin.
I smile back at him.
"Your mom and my sister may have to go into therapy when this all ends," I reply jokingly.
Peeta smiles before throwing himself down on the couch next to me.
"Mom will get over it after a trip to the mall," Peeta says. We fall into a comfortable silence as we watch the TV.
"So I have been thinking..." Peeta starts after a while. "We should go on a practice date before the main event. You are not the most affectionate person and you will need to be if you want to be convincing."
"I know how to act on a date," I reply defensively, a scowl on my face.
"Katniss, I have seen your attempts at flirting. It's not pretty. I just suggest we go on one date. I can teach you how to be more affectionate and we can both get used to being around each other in that way."
I don't like his insult about my flirting. I may not be like Glimmer who stands and twirls her hair in her hands and laughs at all the guy's jokes but I have managed to get men to go out with me in the past.
However it has been a while since I have been on a date and earlier I did panic that I wouldn't know how to act. It may be a good idea to give our "relationship" a run out before the wedding.
"I suppose it can't hurt," I reluctantly agree.
Peeta grins.
"Excellent! How about Wednesday?" he asks
I tell him that's fine and we go our separate ways. As soon as I accept the date I get some unexpected butterflies in my stomach.
On Wednesday I stand in front of my mirror tugging on my green dress trying to get it to sit right. We agreed we'd treat this like a real date which means I have to dress up. As I stand in front of the mirror I begin to wonder if I have put too much effort in. The dress is knee length with a dipping neckline. I normally save it for family parties Effie throws. I stop fiddling with my dress and decide it is too late for me to change and grab my purse and go and meet Peeta in the living area.
He is watching TV with Madge when I enter. With the apartment to herself Madge has invited Thom round for some quality alone time while we are out. Peeta meanwhile is wearing a navy button down on top of a bright white t-shirt. The shade of navy makes his blue eyes even more brilliant. They both look up at me as I come in.
"2 dresses in 1 week. Has this ever occurred before Katniss?" Peeta teases.
I hit him on the head for being rude as I walk past.
"Are you ready for this thing?" I ask anxious to get this over with.
"Hold up. This is a proper date. I got you flowers," he says jumping up from the couch.
He bounds over to the sink in the kitchen and grabs a bunch of dandelions that have been sitting in a glass.
"For you, since you loved making flower crowns out of these when we were kids. And to make up for destroying all the ones you tried to make me," he says.
I am touched that he put so much personal thought into the flowers. I do love dandelions. They may be a weed but they remind me of hunting with my dad. He always said that once we saw the first one in spring it meant it was time to start hunting again. He always told me dandelions represented hope because after a long winter they remind us that things can be good again.
"Thank you," I reply with a genuine smile. I then place them in a nearby jug.
"Now let me take your arm and take you on the best date you have ever been on!" Peeta declares.
"That I'm paying for," I remind him.
He just shrugs and replies, "Technicalities."
I shake my head at him but take his arm.
"I still think this is ridiculous," Madge says. "There is no way you can pull this off."
"That's why we are practicing tonight," Peeta replies with a grin.
Madge shakes her head again and tells us to just go. We say our goodbyes and make our way to my car.
Madge has not approved of our ploy. She says it is something out of high school and we are both too old to play games like this. She says it is only a matter of time before we get caught out in our lies and we are both left looking like fools. She is probably right but as soon as the first lie fell from my lips there was no going back. It would have been too embarrassing.
However Madge has agreed to go along with our story as she loves us both so much. She still gives us lots of disapproving looks but I'm m glad in general she is on board. She will be vital if we are going to pull this off.
Peeta and I have decided to go to one of our favourite restaurants for the date. It is a reasonable priced French restaurant that serves the best desserts; freshly bakes pastries and creamy crème brulee. Both our families love this restaurant and have been coming here for years. We thought it would be best to go to a place we are both comfortable with. And if we happen to bump into someone we know it will only help calibrate our story.
The journey to the restaurant is surprisingly easy. I have always found it easy to talk to Peeta. He just has a presence that makes you want to talk and open up. His pleasant small talk and self-deprecating sense of humour instantly puts you at ease.
As we pull up outside the restaurant. I hop out quickly and start making a move towards the entrance but Peeta's voice halts me.
"Wait up!" he calls as he jogs over to me. "Where's the fire?"
I look at him confused.
"You can't dart off without me. I was going to help you get out," he explains.
"I'm not some damsel in distress who needs a knight in shining armour. I can get out a car by myself," I state annoyed.
"I know but if we are going to do this you have to let me do things for you. It's what boyfriends do."
I am not convinced. I am an independent person. I wouldn't even let a real boyfriend do these things for me.
Peeta sees my apprehension and continues.
"First let me take your hand," he says interlinking our fingers together.
His hands are calloused from working many hours in the bakery over the years. Rather than put me off it actually soothes me. I don't like men that have smooth hands. It suggests they sit around and do nothing all day. I am a doer and like people who are practical too.
"I know not every guy would hold doors for you but that is the type of guy I am. Just suck it up and trust me," he adds.
I do trust him. I always have. He has always looked out for Madge and I and even Prim when we were kids. He has never given me a reason not to trust him.
"Fine," I reply. "I suppose you are better at this than me."
Peeta smiles triumphantly as he walks me to the restaurant door swing our hands between us. I try to look pleased as he holds the door open for me even though it still irritates me.
The hostess greets us and I notice how she not so subtly eyes Peeta appreciatively.
I am not stupid. I know Peeta is good looking. In high school girls would often try and befriend Madge and I in hope that we would set them up with him. Age has only improved his good looks. His floppy curls have been cut shorter but still have an unruliness about them that makes him look younger. His eyes are a brilliant cerulean blue and he has a strong jaw that I have heard lots of girls gush about. He has also managed to keep his level of fitness up over the years. Being a fledging artist, with a lot of time on his hands, means he has plenty of time to keep in shape. His muscles are defined but not over the top meaning they look great in tight fitting shirts like the one he is wearing tonight.
Normally his good looks have no effect on me. When you have known someone since they were a kid and have seen their face all blotching from insect bites on a camping trip or seen them through their string vest phase it is hard to be attracted to them. But I don't like the way the hostess is looking at him. She doesn't know this date is fake. How dare she check him out!
A possessive urge I didn't know I had forces me to move my body closer to his and I give her an evil glare to show her he is mine. She flinches away from my stare before taking us to our table. As Peeta lets her walk in front, he pulls my back to his chest and whispers in my ear.
"You look beautiful tonight by the way," he states.
All the hairs on the back of my neck stand up on end as his breath hits a spot behind my ear. I catch the hostess looking at us guiltily as she observes us. Peeta knows exactly how to play it.
The hostess brings us to our table and waits for us to sit down. I go to sit on the chair furthest away but Peeta won't let go of my hand and he tugs me back.
"Let me," he says with a smile as he pulls out my chair for me and gets me to sit down.
This gentleman thing is really going to get on my nerves. Maybe I should negotiate this a bit more when we get home. The hostess hands us some menus and departs leaving us to choose our orders. We decide quickly as we have been here so many times we know the menu inside out. We both choose our favourite dishes.
After our menus have been taken away Peeta reaches across the table and takes my hand. Instinctively I go to pull away but he catches hold keeping me in place.
"You are going to have to get used to me touching you. It's what couples do," he says.
I know this. It'll just take some time to get used to. I have never been like this around him before.
"And you are going to have to get used to touching me," he adds.
I go pale. I am not good at public displays of affection. They always seem false to me. Peeta senses my apprehension and squeezes my hand reassuringly.
"It's easy," he says. "I'll show you."
He lets go of my hand and takes a bite out of one of the pieces of bread on the table. He leaves a trail of crumbs around his mouth.
"Okay, wipe it off," he demands.
I look at him as if he is crazy. I don't see how this will help. I reach across the table and roughly wipe off the crumbs with my fingers. Peeta shakes his head at me with an amused smile on his face.
"Not like that. I'm not some messy toddler. I am the man you love. You need to go slower. Like this," he says.
He then licks his thumb and gently wipes off an imaginary piece of food from the corner of my mouth. His thumb lingers on the spot before he slowly brings his thumb across to run it along my bottom lip. I watch him slightly memorised.
"Now you try," he encourages.
I do as he says, licking my finger and gently rub off the crumbs. As I move my fingers to his lips he catches my hand and brings it up to his lips, placing a gentle kiss on my knuckles.
"That's better," he says placing my hand back on the table with a smile.
The whole interaction is surreal but I feel proud of myself for pulling something like that off.
I spend the rest of the meal trying to be affectionate. I watch Peeta and copy what he does; tuck a loose curl behind his ear, rub soothing circles on his arm.
I find it hard though when it fights against all my natural instincts. Even with Gale I was never touchy and feely in public. It made me feel uncomfortable. There are some things that I believe should be kept private.
Aside from my attempts at flirting the night goes reasonably well. We talk about Peeta's recent painting inspirations and my plans for my new job. We relive various escapades from our childhood and I find my sides hurting from laughing so much. Maybe because I know this is not going anywhere but it is the best date I have been on in a long time.
While we are waiting for dessert a petite brunette walks over to us and eyes our joined hands on the table.
"So this is why you couldn't go out with me this week. You've got yourself a proper girlfriend," the girl says with a smile.
Peeta turns to face her but does not let go of my hand.
"Sorry Clove that I didn't tell you. It's kind of new," he states apologetically.
Clove smiles and places a hand on his shoulder.
"No hard feelings. We were never exclusive. It's a shame though. You were a good workout," she states.
Peeta apologises again but she doesn't seem too heartbroken. She leaves soon after offering her congratulations.
Suddenly I feel awkward and I pull my hand away. Peeta looks a bit surprised when I do.
"Was that your girlfriend?" I ask suddenly ashamed that I haven't asked this before.
Peeta shakes his head.
"We run in the same park but it was only ever casual. It didn't hurt me to call it off," he replies reassuringly.
I feel ashamed that there is a girl who actually wanted to go out with him for real. What if they did and then fell in love? Am I denying Peeta a chance of happiness by forcing him into this charade?
"You shouldn't be out with me. You could be out meeting the next Mrs Mellark," I say while looking at my hands in my lap. Peeta furrows his brows.
"Clove was never going to be my future wife," he replies seriously. "It's only 6 weeks Katniss. I highly doubt I was going to meet my future spouse in that time."
"You don't know that," I state.
"No, but I'm committed to you now. If I back out now I am just going to look as stupid as you."
I nod my head but still feel bad at what I am making him do. Peeta relaxes when he senses my reluctant acceptance and leans back in his chair.
As I contemplate Peeta's love life further, I am suddenly shocked that he has not been snatched up already. As kids I was always aware how much he wanted the wife and kids with the big house in the country. I always thought he would be married by now.
There have been girlfriends over the years and one serious one just after college. She had been an art major like him and they spent 3 years living to the next pay check but both always seemingly happy. However she developed a pill addiction that caused things to unravel. I am suddenly curious to know why he has never settled down.
"Why aren't you married?" I ask bluntly.
He chuckles.
"Always straight to the point," he laughs and he pauses as he ponders my question. "I don't know. Never found the right girl."
"Why not? You're smart and funny and can bake. What more does a girl want?"
He laughs again.
"I should get you to write my internet dating profile," he says.
I blush.
"I guess I don't want to get married until I am financially stable. I want it all. The white picket fence and the dog and the 2.6 kids. I just don't think it's fair on my future wife if I can't provide that for her. I guess because I can't provide that I haven't gone looking for it," he explains.
I am stunned into silence. Some people may think he's being old fashioned for believing that. It's not that he doesn't want an independent wife but rather he always wants the best for those he loves. Until he can give them that he won't find it.
"I guess I'll be waiting a long time. I'm nowhere near there. Christ I'm living on your couch!" he declares.
I smile sympathetically and reach for his hand across the table. He looks up startled when I do.
"You'll get there. Your paintings are really good," I say reassuringly.
"Thanks," he says giving me a grateful smile. "I just need some new inspiration. My current stuff just isn't cutting it at the moment."
I give his hand a squeeze.
"Who knows maybe the wedding will inspire you," I say with a grin. "Glimmer talks about it like a masterpiece!"
He smiles and thanks me just as our desserts arrive. I tuck into my crème brulee feeling like I understand Peeta even better now.
At the end of the night we walk up the stairway to my apartment laughing about the time we convinced his brother to eat a worm to prevent himself getting cooties. Rye is pretty gullible and we still tease him about this today.
Madge and Thom are already in bed when we get in and Peeta moves to pull out the pillows and sheets out the cupboard.
"I had a really good time tonight," I say honestly.
Peeta nods his head.
"Me too. It's been a while since we hung out just the two of us" he replies.
"I think we will be able to convince them," I say.
Another nod. "You're not a complete lost cause," he says with a grin. I smile in return.
We stand in silence for a moment before I decide to put into use what I have learned tonight.
"Goodnight Peeta," I say softly, looking up though my eyelashes and kissing his cheek.
"Goodnight Katniss," he replies his blues eyes piercing into my own.
I go to my room and close the door behind me. As I reflect on the evening I realise I don't remember the last time I had such a good night with a guy.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed the chapter. The next chapter will bring us to the week of the wedding where we will really see Katniss and Peeta's relationship begin to change. Hope you look forward to it.