Peeta age 14
2010
Two years ago, when I first came to camp, my dad was dropping me off. He pointed to her and said, "You see that girl?"
I saw her alright. She had two braids instead of one and she was hugging her mom and sister goodbye. I wanted to meet her.
My dad told me he'd dated her mother. But she ran off and married a lumberman. I was shocked and asked him why she wouldn't want to be with my dad. Because to me, my father was the best man in the world. He told me because, when her dad sang, even the birds stopped to listen.
Then later, we sat around the campfire and the older counselors asked if anyone knew any songs. Katniss's hand shot straight up. She opened her mouth, and the most beautiful thing to ever bless my ears swirled out. And of course the birds stopped to listen.
I knew right then, I was a goner.
As I leave Katniss's cabin, I see her friends Madge and Gale. They are walking real close and laughing. Like a couple. They don't even notice me. I wish so badly that could be me and Katniss someday. I feel like things are finally coming together for us. I mean we are finally friends. And today by the lake, I think she even wanted me to kiss her.
Okay, keep it together Mellark!
I'm so happy she is gonna let me help her. If I had known those stupid asshole punks were bullying her before. I would have done something sooner. Now I've got to figure a way to get her out of the mess she's in.
Then, I bet she'll really want to kiss me!
"Hey, Jo?" I say when I finally find Joanna by the craft building.
"Yeah, what's up Picasso Peet?" She replies.
"I have a sort of, favor to ask you." I tell her.
"What makes it a sort of favor?" She asks suspiciously.
"Well, it's the sort of favor that really isn't a favor, because you might want to do what the favor entails anyway." I bait.
"That's my kind of favor. So you want me to beat someone up, steal some of Crane's liquor, or... take your virginity?"
She pokes my crotch area making me jump. Then she laughs. That's just Jo, she's a firecracker. Pretty, exciting, but dangerous. The quicker you figure that out the quicker you can go on and be friends. And you have to be okay with her touching you anywhere she pleases.
"Not exactly." I say.
"Not exactly to which one Bread Boy?" She says seductively and gets real close and puts her hands on my chest.
I gulp and put my hand on hers then intertwine our fingers in one hand.
"Come on. I'll tell you on the way." I say and pull her towards the lake.
"Whoa! Slow down there tiger. So, this girl, the girl of your dreams? Is caught up in an incestual, sexcapade, video blackmail, with twattle-dee and twattle-dumber, and their male counter parts. They have been messing with your honey and you haven't turned there heads in to canoes yet? Peety, Sweetie, have I taught you nothing. Ok, so what's my part in this little shindig?" She says after I've explained everything to her.
"Alright, so I feel like we shouldn't have to bring Finnick and Annie into it. Hopefully. But we need to lead Clove and them, to believe whoever taped Brutus and Glimmer are either long gone or somebody they don't want to mess with. I don't want to ask you to do something, you don't want to do. So your evolvement can be as much or as little as you want." I say.
"Ok well, Enobaria has already felt my wrath so, I'm sure her scally wag sister and her hobbit friend know better than to ruffle my feathers. So, sure, I'll be your scape goat. We just need motive." She says.
"Thanks Jo! It means a lot to me." I say.
"No problem Honey Buns." She teases.
"Oh, hey here comes Katniss." I say.
After introductions, I ask Katniss if she asked Madge where she heard about the tape sent to Annie. And here's where the plot thickened.
Apparently, Madge was in AV club and working on computer stuff. When her friends Bee Tee and Wiress were testing out some new hidden listening devices. While Madge stayed in the room with Wiress to listen while Bee Tee roamed the halls, they over heard a unidentified girl, confront him. She told him to put a video file on a thumb drive by the next day, or else she would end him.
Madge also said Bee Tee told Wiress he wasn't going to look at what was on it. But about a week later when the disparaging rumors where going around Annie, Bee Tee spoke up and told Madge what was on the video.
Apparently, the same girl had commissioned him to make a fake email and send the mpeg to Annie Cresta. He said he felt awful because he didn't know the guy in the video was Annie's boyfriend and she had always been so nice.
When I asked Katniss if Madge knew who the girl with the vendetta was, she said no. But funny thing was she sounded familiar to Madge. So I told Katniss our plan to use Jo as the girl who recorded them. To get them to back off. And we planned to get Glimmer and Clove to meet us by the lake tonight. The plan better work. I can't take them messing with Katniss anymore.
"Thanks again Jo." I say to her as she leaves.
"Uh huh, don't mention it." Jo says without looking back.
"Peeta, you are really going out of your way to help me. I don't know how I'm ever gonna repay you." Katniss tells me.
"You don't owe me anything. Just being my friend, that's enough. And... Don't ever hit me with your right cross without my helmet on. I almost got whiplash this morning." I say.
She shoots me a beautiful smile. I haven't seen one like it on her face since; she's been so worried about all this drama.
"Ok, deal." She says and puts her hand out to shake mine.
I take her hand and pull her into a hug and she feels so good in my arms, I don't want to let go. She looks up at me and as we look into each other's eyes I get that same feeling I did earlier. Like butterflies in my stomach, mixed with dizziness, and a weakness in my knees. I want to lean down the 2 or 3 inches it would take to put my lips to hers. Then it occurs to me.
She might have had her first kiss already.
Or she might not want me to kiss her.
Maybe I should ask her?
I clear my throat.
"Umm, so tonight?" She says and pulls away.
"Yeah, about six." I say.
Man I blew it! The moment is gone.
"I'll, uh... walk you to your cabin." I add.
"Ok, thanks. Actually, I'm going to archery. You can come if you want though." She says.
"That's cool."
We get to the archery station and she shows off her impressive skills. We laugh and have a good time, but I'm horrible at it. Then I walk her to the cafeteria and we bump into Madge. Katniss and I go our separate ways till later.
I see her go up to Clove, most likely to tell her to meet us by the lake. She looks at me and gives me a wink and leaves with Madge. I eat as much as my nerves will let me, and then leave the cafeteria about 5:35. I want to get there early so I can hide. I decide I'll only come out if I need to.
While walking there I run into Finnick Odair and he's with Tresh. They ask me where I'm going but, I'm not really sure if I should tell them.
Katniss age 14
2010
When I leave Peeta after our lake breakfast, I feel like I miss him already.
What is wrong with me?
I've had guy friends before. I mean Gale is my best friend. But with Peeta it's different. I feel butterflies in my stomach and dizzy.
Ugh! I got to get it together!
I'm in my cabin when I hear Madge's laughter out the window. I quickly hide the food Peeta gave me. I lay down on my bunk and grab a book to look like I'm reading, just as Madge walks in.
"Oh! Kat! I didn't know you would be here." She jumps.
"Yeah. How was your umm... breakfast?" I ask.
"Good! Good. Are you reading The Last Song again?" She asks.
"Yup. They are making it into a movie. Miley Cyrus is gonna play Ronnie, and I think Liam Hemsworth is gonna play Will." I tell her.
"OMGee! I love him. His brother Chris is gonna play Thor! Don't you think Gale looks a little like Liam? Like if his hair was lighter and he had an Australian accent?" She squeals.
"I don't know, maybe?" I say.
"Come on. Don't you think any boys are cute?" She asks.
"I don't know? Do I need to?" I ask uncomfortably.
She takes my book and puts it down.
"Katniss Gardenia Everdeen you do like boys? Don't you?" She asks me.
"Of course I do. But I don't sit around and dream of them, or how cute they are, or imagine having there last name." I clarify.
She scoffs like she's knows I'm lying. I do think about some of the characters in my books. How it would feel if they fell in love with me. Romeo, Mr. Darcy, Jace Herondale, Prince Maxon, Four, John Snow, Christian Grey, or Edward Cullen. They all make me want to find love. But... they're not real. I'd settle for someone like my dad. He's the best man I know. So I guess that would be... Gale?
But...
"I like blonds."
Crap, I said that out loud!
I clamp my hands over my mouth.
"Oooh! Now we are getting somewhere." Madge says excitedly, and she laughs.
"Ok, but seriously. I don't think I want to date. What if something bad happens? Like what happened to Annie Cresta for example." I segue, hopefully subtly.
"Oh, I know that was awful. But she's better off, I think. Brutus really is a brute." She states.
"Yeah, is he the one who recorded him and Glimmer doing the horizontal polka?" I ask.
"Well... no. I'm not supposed to say anything but... I was in AV club and working on computer stuff. You know Bee Tee and Wiress, right? They were testing out some new hidden listening devices. Me and Wiress were listening while Bee Tee was walking the halls when he was confronted by some random girl. She yelled, Av Geek Boy! Put this video on a thumb drive for me by tomorrow, afores I ends you! Those were her exact words." Madge confides in me.
"Wow! And then what happened?" I ask.
"Well, Wiress and I told him not to do it and not to look at what's on the video in case it was something illegal or incriminating that he could be caught up in. He said he didn't have to look at it to transfer it. He said he didn't want trouble with that girl, because he knew her reputation. But he wouldn't tell us her name. I thought she sounded familiar though. But so anyways, after we heard about Annie and Brutus, Bee Tee took me aside. He said what was on the video. He watched it and told me he was too embarrassed to tell Wiress because he liked her. But that he felt really bad because later the girl told him to make a fake email and mail the file to Annie Cresta. Annie was always so sweet to everyone and he didn't know it was her boyfriend in the video. But I told him it's better she isn't with him, so either tell who the villain was, or just let it be." She relates.
"Oh Man. Well, you were right. She is way better off with Finnick. He's a good guy and wouldn't do something like that." I assure.
I tell her I'll see her later at dinner. Then I go meet Peeta and his friend.
Joanna seems a little scary but nice. She has long hair and I'm intimidated by the way she flirts with him. But he doesn't seem to be phased by it.
Once I explain what Madge told me, he tells her thanks and bye.
"Peeta you are really going out of your way to help me. I don't know how I'm ever gonna repay you." I say.
I have never liked owing people, but Peeta is someone I wouldn't mind doing anything for.
"You don't owe me anything just being my friend, that's enough. And..." He says.
I guess we are friends.
Wait! Is he gonna ask me for something else?
I shouldn't have said anything.
There are some things I'm not sure I'm ready for.
"Don't ever hit me with your right cross, without my helmet on. I almost got whip lash this morning." He says laughing.
I should have known he would never take advantage of a situation like that. He so good and cute and he makes me smile and feel safe like no one else, except maybe my dad.
Huh, just like dad.
"Ok, deal." I say and put my hand out.
I think he's going to shake my hand. Then he pulls me into a hug. A tight hug and I don't want to let go. I shouldn't be this comfortable in his arms. He looks at me and I realize how close we are and it reminds me of this morning when he tickled me before we got interrupted. The way he's looking at me makes me feel like a girl in a fairytale. Maybe I should let Peeta Mellark be my first kiss. He clears his throat, and then backs up.
Maybe he doesn't want to kiss me.
"Umm so tonight?" I say.
"Yeah, about six." He says.
I turn to leave; disappointed I have to leave him.
"I'll, uh... walk you to your cabin." He stops me.
Yes!
"Ok, thanks. Actually, I'm going to archery. You can come if you want though." I feel emboldened to say.
"That's cool." He says.
We have a lot of fun, laughing and hanging out together. I even try to teach him to shoot. He was really adorable, trying not to show when his ego is hurt because he isn't very good. But I tell him it takes time and I can't bake or draw like he can. Then we head to the cafeteria. On the way we bump into Madge.
We separate because I have to set up the rendezvous with Clove and Glimmer. I go speak to Clove and ask her to meet me at the lake at six because I have new information on what she asked me about. After I talk to Clove, I wink at Peeta so he knows it's system go for mission: Trick the Tricks, which Jo nicknamed it.
After we leave, Madge asks why I was talking to the girl with the worst wrap sheet in school. Madge told me she volunteered as an office aid last year. She says that Clove could be kicked out of high school before she even starts because of all her suspensions.
Huh?
Why does she risk picking on me if she could get in a lot of trouble?
Maybe Peeta was right. I should've just told on Clove. But that would still leave Glimmer.
When I get to the lake, the sun is really low. It's such a pretty color orange. I almost don't see Glimmer at first, and then she sees me.
"Hey Kat-piss. How's it going? You find out what I need?" Glimmer asks me.
"Well, I found out some pretty interesting things. Like for instance a girl set you up." I retort.
Then Clove pops out.
"How do you know that? You spoke to Annie?" Clove demands.
Why is she skeptical of this info?
"No, I know the person who sent the email." I say, trying not to let my voice shake.
Where is my back up?
And, as if on cue, in strolls Joanna. Like she doesn't have a care in the world.
"Sup, Dildo Haggins and... Glitter is it?" Jo says smirking.
"Why are you here?" Glimmer asks.
"I heard you was looking for me." Jo states looking bored.
"You are looking at the person who sent Annie the email." I say.
"Why? You whore!-
"No she's... uh-
Glimmer and Clove say at the same time. Glimmer steps closer to Jo but doesn't take the final few feet.
Was Clove about to say no she's NOT the person who sent the email?
Holy Crap! She did it!
That's why Bee Tee didn't want to mess with the mystery girl. That's why she tried to convince Glimmer not to find out who it was. And that's why she has been smiling about this the whole time.
But why did she do it?
More importantly, did Jo catch that? Cause Glimmer sure didn't.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" Marvel says and comes from behind a tree.
Great, they brought back up.
Peeta, I hope your there.
"There gonna be a Kitty Kat fight?" Marvel says eyeballing me.
"You want to do something Flitter? There ain't nothin' but space and opportunity." Jo challenges Glimmer.
I step closer to Jo and farther away from Marvel. But as I do Cato and Brutus come out from the same direction he just came out of and there eyes are on me. Jo doesn't seem worried. I on the other hand, am completely freaking out. Even if Jo takes on Glimmer and I take Clove. Gulp! The three boys will gladly ascertain us and then we are screwed. Even with Peeta as our secret weapon.
"YO! You wanna say that to my girl again? Ho bag, I will ends you." Clove addresses Jo.
Yup it was her alright.
I think Jo got the familiar phrase. Because as she looks at me, one eye brow raised and smirks, I nod my head in agreement.
"You don't scare me. You or your punk, mister sister, chuckle headed crew. I will gouge your ugly, hobbit eyes out and spit in your empty socket wholes, if you raise your voice at me again. Stank ass, traitor!" Jo yells back at Clove.
"Who you callin' a traitor? Gorilla faced, crab infested, fun pony!" Clove yells.
"What are you talking about physco ho?" Glimmer adds.
"That's right. I know it was your gremlin lookin' ass." Jo accuses Clove.
"Shut it, you... herpes having, anus. Your daddy's a traitor!" Glimmer shouts at Jo.
Cato and Marvel laugh.
"You too blind to see what's right in front of you, huh Depot?" Jo spits at Glimmer.
"Depot?" Glimmer asks confused.
"Is that not what your boyfriend calls you? Oops! You probably don't have a boyfriend anymore. You're the only dumb ass, train station that sleeps with brothers around here." Jo says to Glimmer.
Oh I get it train Depot. Ouch.
Glimmer looks at Cato ashamed, like she might cry.
"Or would Frodo over here do it too. Maybe that was your motivation for back stabbin' your bestie." Jo accuses.
"That's it bitch! I'm gonna make it so you can't reproduce no more! Not that anyone would stay, with you!" Clove spits at Jo.
"Shut up, all you evil witches! I want to know who's responsible for breaking me and Annie up. I don't care about the rest of y'all." Brutus speaks out.
"That would be, Clove." I say and point to her.
She runs for me. Jo runs for Glimmer. And Just when the guys are about to try to grab the girl nearest them, Finnick jumps on Brutus. Thresh tackles Cato. And Peeta grabs Marvel by the throat! It happened so fast but it felt like slow motion.
Clove got close enough to hit me and I ducked just like Peeta taught me and I throw a punch. I miss. Damn! I jabbed twice with my left and she looked surprised but backs up and I miss again. Then we're both in fighting stance and she squares up with me. She smirks. I got height on her maybe two inches. But she's quick.
Clove hits me in the arm I'm blocking my face with, twice and damn it hurts, but I hear Peeta yell, "Katniss move!" and I know he means me feet.
We circle each other a few times. I don't know if she is waiting for me, but I'm tired of this dance. I jab and miss again. She swings and misses. Then I do the combo Peeta was about to hit me with this morning. Connect! Right on her, apparently, glass jaw. She goes down and doesn't get up.
I look quickly look around. Jo is sitting on Glimmer, who is facedown in some dirt one hand twisted behind her back. Jo looks bored again.
Peeta has Marvel in a head lock.
"Don't move it'll only hurt more, Marv." He warns.
Cato is out cold. Thresh's is standing over him, arms crossed while shaking his head.
"You had enough? Cause Crane would be glad to kick you out and I could call the park rangers and have you picked up." Finnick is saying to Brutus, who has a bruised eye.
"Naw, Man! What you getting involved in this for?" Brutus asks.
"You are picking on my little cousin, and it stops now! You lost Annie because you slept with your little brothers girl. Which is beyond gross and dick headed. Clove recorded you, asked Bee Tee from AV club to send it to Annie. Jo pretended she did it so those ho-zillas would leave Katniss alone. But by the looks of things, Katniss doesn't need any help. Right, coz?" Finnick says.
"Right." I say, feeling like Rocky Balboa.
"So, what do you say?" Peeta says choking Marvel a little more. At the same time Cato sits up having heard most of what Finnick said. Also, Jo stands Glimmer up and pushes her towards Clove and me. I tense ready for more knockout practice.
"Sorry... Kat...niss." Marvel says coughing as Peeta releases him.
"Sorry." Brutus says looking ashamed.
"Sorry." Glimmer says rolling her eyes.
"Sorry, I guess." Cato says.
"Good, now let's let these people deal with Clove when she wakes up from her nap." Finnick says.
Jo, Finnick, Thresh, Peeta, and I leave and go to the campfire where most of the other campers are. I tell them all thank you and hug Finnick and Thresh. Jo fist bumps me and tells me in my ear to hide my lady boner. I don't get it so, I just smile. Peeta walks up and puts an arm around my shoulders.
"Wow! Champ, you got her with that one hitter quitter huh? I can't believe Clove was the back stabbin' culprit." Peeta says making me laugh and blush.
"I learned from the best. You gonna have me in shape for the next shot at the title, coach?" I say and we crack up laughing.
"Oh Katniss. You amaze me." Peeta admits.
"What do you mean?" I ask.
"I mean, you were afraid to do something that you had in you to do, all the time. You are braver than you thought. Pretty much all around amazing." He says.
I blush because I feel like grabbing him and kissing him.