Thank you for following along this journey which is soon coming to an end. Thank you for all the reviews and follows and favorites...wow, you all blow my mind. Please forgive my laziness for not answering. I promise I will next time you review ;)
A very special thank you to Loueze and Not An Islander for their incredible dedication and support, amazing insight to my mind, and mad, mad beta skills. You ladies are the best. My story would be lost without you :)
I own nothing, the world of The Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins.
High school, Junior Prom Night
Katniss lay on her bed curled up into the fetal position feeling completely heartbroken and hopeless.
When the Prom ended Dalton invited her to an after party at one of his teammate's house; it was supposed to be epic, and everyone would be there, the party of the year. She politely declined claiming she had to work early the next morning and needed to sleep for at least a couple of hours. So he offered to drive her home. It had been a while since she'd seen either Madge or Peeta so she agreed. She just wanted the night to be over.
On their way to the elevators she found Peeta cozied up against a corner behind a potted fern, wrapped in Georgia Leeg's arms, their bodies aligned together, his hands on her hips. She was whispering something in his ear or so it seemed. She really could've been trying to bite it off as far as she knew. Peeta seemed to be enjoying it as he was smiling.
Before she could get caught staring, Katniss quickly led Dalton down the stairwell claiming she didn't want to interrupt the very public make out session. She didn't even give him a chance to ogle the lucky couple.
He walked her all the way to her front step, ever the gentleman, and leaned in to kiss her cheek as she stared wide eyed.
"I had fun tonight." He whispered looking inter her eyes, standing dangerously close. "Maybe now you'll let me take you out on a date?"
The moment was sweet, the kind that would make any girl swoon.
Katniss just smiled shyly at him, quickly and quietly thanking him for the ride and biding him good night. She rushed in the door before he decided he would try for a different kind of kiss.
Once in the comfort of her pajamas, wrapped in the covers of her bed, she texted Madge telling her she was home safe. She didn't text Peeta. She knew she didn't have any right to be upset with him but that still didn't stop her mangled teenage heart from wanting to ignore his existence. Madge would let him know.
The day of the holiday party finally arrived. Katniss was swamped with work. Between finalizing details for tonight's event, her office responsibilities and dealing with Effie, she had more than her nerves could handle. It seemed like at the very last minute, Effie decided to become involved with the arrangements, asking all sorts of questions from the very minute detail of the menu to the color of the place settings. She was appalled that there wouldn't be flowers as center pieces and wondered why the wine list didn't go through her office for approval. Katniss tried to remind Effie that this wasn't a wedding and that there was a budget to consider and tried to appease her by assuring her that everything would be fine. Effie huffed and puffed and sashayed out of Katniss' office saying she had a hundred things to do before tonight. Katniss stood in shock, staring at the space from which Effie had just disappeared. She should have known that Effie would try and take credit for the festivities. Just then, Effie stuck her head back into Katniss' office.
"Katniss darling, we will see the Mellarks tonight, won't we? "
Katniss' mouth fell open again as she tried to answer. "Um…I, uh, I…I…I believe so," she stuttered.
Katniss had received confirmation for one person attending. Something deep within her heart told her not to get her hopes up that the one in attendance would be Peeta.
"I am very excited to meet them, after hearing so much about their services. I'm thinking that if tonight goes well, we might use them for the Anniversary Gala. Very well then carry on."
Effie disappeared leaving Katniss alone. Not five seconds had passed when Johanna waltzed in with a sly smile and sat across from her.
"You were just waiting for her to leave, weren't you?" Katniss huffed. "And what are you smiling about?"
"I didn't want to interrupt," Johanna answered holding back a chuckle. "Are you almost done here, we need to go down to the venue?"
"I'll be done here in five." Her voice shook nervously.
"Well don't take too long, I booked appointments to get our hair and nails done at Cinna's so we need to get out of here pronto."
If Johanna noticed anything about Katniss' change in demeanor, she ignored it for which Katniss was grateful.
Effie brought to mind, thoughts that she fought all day to ignore. She had tried to keep herself so busy she didn't have a chance to think about Peeta. Of course she was only lying to herself; Peeta was and will always be present in her thoughts and heart.
Both Johanna and Katniss were greeted at the museum by Vic and Rue. They were a bubble of excitement despite having had spent a very long and tedious morning setting up the scenery for this evenings celebration. They spoke over each other, laughing with enthusiasm as they walked Katniss through the set up. She had to admit, even though she was still looking at a rough draft, it was beautiful.
"And just wait until all the lighting is finished and set in place; it's going to be amazing. Peeta is a genius!" Rue gushed.
Katniss felt her heart tighten. "Is he here?" She asked with hope.
"He left earlier. Stayed long enough to set the trees and work out the lights with the technician. His brother should be here in a few along with the wait staff to set up the food stations." Vic answered.
Katniss just nodded avoiding everyone's eyes, pretending to be enthralled by the branches of the tree she was standing next to. She reached out to touch it. It was covered in what looked like white foam and iridescent glitter with glass baubles hanging from them to simulate frozen rain drops. Nice touch, she thought, giving kudos to Peeta, he really is a creative genius.
Peeta. Any hopes she had left of seeing him again were squashed with his absence. She was positive that he wouldn't be there that evening. He wanted nothing to do with her anymore. Their contract would be fulfilled in a matter of hours; there was no need for them to see one another, ever again. That last thought hurt more with each day that passed and yet felt familiar, like an old wound. If anything, this cruel joke that fate played on her, having them come back together for a work related event, only proved to her not only how much Peeta Mellark is necessary to her, that he has always been, and always will be the love of her life.
"Hey Evee...Evee...Katniss!" Vic's voice brought her back from her thoughts. Her head snapped to him. He smiled shyly. "I hope you don't mind, I invited Gale and Madge with our plus ones? Rue and I will be each other's dates and I offered our plus ones to the two of them so that Gale and Madge could see what we've been working on for months. Madge is very excited."
"Gale and Madge are coming?" Johanna asked rejoining their group. She had finally finished a phone call she'd been on for twenty minutes.
Katniss found it odd given that Johanna hated talking on the phone.
"Yes, Vic and Rue used their plus ones to invite them." Katniss explained.
"That'll put Effie in a tizzy," Johanna added with a smirk. "Assemblyman; Gale Hawthorne?" she chuckled. "Guess who her new best friend will be when she finds out you're related to him." Johanna playfully punched Vic on the arm.
The boy's face went pale while Rue and Johanna laughed. Katniss just smiled.
So Katniss sat patiently through her manicure and eyebrow shaping, make up application and hair styling. Johanna wasn't kidding when she said she wanted them to go all out for tonight's shindig.
"Tonight is going to be fabulous; all eyes will be on our department, so we must look the part!"
Katniss just smiled at her friend's excitement. She tried to laugh at the appropriate moments and supply her fair share of commentary when the conversation required it. She put her best face forward pretending to feel the same exuberance as everyone else, but she couldn't control the ache in her heart.
She was a survivor. Time and again, she had proven to herself that she had the inner strength to stand in the face of adversity and not succumb to it. She wasn't her mother. She didn't hide in her own grief. Nonetheless, for the first time in what felt like a lifetime, she felt lost, without a clear sense of direction and it scared her.
Since the failed attempt to see him, she had been trying to convince herself that not being with Peeta wouldn't be the end of the world for her literally. She would wake every morning, go to work, keep up with her responsibilities, and continue on with her routine. She knew without a reasonable doubt that she could exist. But that's all it would be, existing because to live, to truly live would require for her to feel. How will she be able to feel anything if her soul, her very being, was torn to shreds?
"Worried about tonight?" Cinna, her stylist and close friend since Johanna had introduced them many years ago, asked, startling her. She's been distracted all day. "Sorry." Cinna chuckled softly. "Do you seriously think I wouldn't do everything in my power to help you make an impression?"
"Umm…" She didn't know how to answer.
He handed her a dress bag.
"You are going to blow everyone away. However that sadness in your eyes doesn't have anything to do with tonight, does it?" he asked, the look in his wise brown eyes telling her he already knew the answer.
Katniss simply shakes her head, lowering her eyes to the garment bag in her hands.
"Do you think talking about it might help?"
Katniss releases the air she didn't know she was holding and slumps down in a chair.
"There is just too much pain between us, Cinna, years of it. It's the kind of pain that tears at your heart. There might not be a way back." She quickly wipes the tears that managed to escape her eyes with the back of her hands. "I'm so sorry; all your hard work is smeared across my face. Good thing you placed the dress in a bag or I'd have ruined that too!"
Cinna walks over to the counter behind the cash register, pulls out a makeup wedge and sprays it lightly with water. He quietly walks over to Katniss and takes her chin with one hand and begins blotting her face with the other.
"There is nothing in this life that cannot be fixed." He looks into her eyes for a moment, then continues working on her. "You just have to have the patience to work through the rough spots and soothe out the kinks."
Katniss takes a deep shaky breath, as if it pained her to fill her lungs with air.
"Is he worth the effort, Katniss?" Cinna probes.
"Yes." She whispers immediately.
"Then nothing can stand in your way except yourself."
"He's been avoiding me…so…" she lowers her head in shame.
Cinna chuckles. "You are intelligent and resourceful, you will find your way to him unless he should find his way to you first."
Katniss smiles sadly "Doubtful..."
Cinna laughs making Katniss smile. "Katniss, you still have no idea the effect you can have on people do you?"
Katniss tries to hold back a snort, making Cinna laugh. He pulls her into a friendly hug.
"You know that I will always bet on you, I've got your back. Go, have fun tonight and let your heart lead a little more than you do your head every now and then."
"Thank you, Cinna."
The Holiday Ball was a success. Every person that walked through the museum doors was in awe of the spectacle before them. The room had been transformed into a frozen forest, a true winter wonderland, surrounded by snow capped trees wrapped in twinkle lights, giving the room a soft ethereal glow. Even the dance floor had a covering that made it look like they were stepping over a frozen lake. It was beautiful. The image reminded Katniss of the woods in which she'd go hunting with her father, when she was a little girl. She wondered if Peeta hadn't thought of that as well and came up with this scenario as his own special gift for her?
She mingled and greeted people, welcoming them to the party, accepting compliments for the breathtaking scenery, for the amazing band, the gorgeous place settings, for the cocktails that were circulating throughout the room, for the food, oh the food! Never had she heard so much adulation over the food and dinner hadn't even been served yet. If people were going crazy for appetizers she was about to become everyone's favorite person in the office once the night was over.
"Katniss! Katniss, darling!" Effie's voice rang loud and clear despite the band's loud and upbeat rendition of "Dancing Cheek to Cheek"
Effie cleared through the crowd and finally reached Katniss with Haymitch in tow. "Katniss, dear, everything is absolutely fabulous. I love it all but of course nothing can be too good for our people." Haymitch rolled his eyes.
Katniss wondered how many drinks Effie had enjoyed since arriving.
"Oh and the appetizers are simply divine have you tried the crab mousse, yet?" Effie gushed.
Katniss just shook her head trying to stifle her laughter.
"To die for…" Effie stressed the word 'die'. "Congratulations darling, you did it! This is proving to be one of the best events we've had to date."
Katniss beamed. This was mostly Peeta's hard work. If only he were here to receive the commendations himself.
"By the way where are the Mellarks, I was looking forward to meeting them tonight?"
"They'll be here…soon." Katniss lied smoothly.
"Don't forget I want to meet with them before the night is over." Effie chirped. "Oh, and dear, that dress looks absolutely darling on you!"
With that she walked away. Katniss just stood there stunned at the whirlwind that is Effie Trinket. She felt Haymitch squeeze her shoulder.
"Nice work sweetheart. This shindig actually looks like fun this year." Katniss smiled at him.
She continued to make her rounds, trying to talk to as many people as possible. Hard task given that the company was so big. Until dinner was called and the company president, Plutarch Heavensbee gave his speech, this was still her responsibility.
She was able to catch up with her friends for a while after they took a break from dancing.
Madge gushed about Katniss' dress and her hair, while Gale ate and ate.
"Save some room for dinner." Katniss laughed.
Gale snorted. "You well know there is plenty of room for dinner," He said proudly while patting his stomach. They all laughed. "…especially if it's something from Mellark's. Where are they by the way, Vic couldn't shut up about Peeta, I'd thought I'd see him around?"
Katniss tried to keep a straight face. "They'll be here. Since when are you so interested in seeing Peeta?" As far as Katniss could remember, Gale and Peeta had never been friends.
"We've been friends for a long while, he'd always been close with Madge remember? Besides, guess who helped them out with all those business permits?"
Katniss looks at Gale in shock. She turns to Madge who offers a warm smile. All this time, Katniss had just assumed everyone had just continued to avoid Peeta, as she had selfishly asked of them years ago.
"It's been a long time now, Catnip. I know, you aren't upset about that, right?" Gale asks looking at Katniss intently. "Besides, Madge did keep away from him for a very long time. Upset at what he'd done to you, not letting him explain. It wasn't until we found out he was dating again that Madge looked him up."
Katniss smiled at him. "No." she said, shaking her head. "In fact, I'm glad that you didn't listen to me. I was unfair to try to keep everyone apart. It's good he was able to count on you all when he needed you."
Soon President Heavensbee takes the stage and offers his welcoming speech to this year's festivities, wishes everyone a great time as well a happy Holiday season.
The band goes into a festive rendition of "My Favorite Things".
She stands towards the back of the great hall looking over the party. People are enjoying themselves, laughing, drinking, and having fun. She takes a deep breath and closes her eyes and tries to absorb the positive energy that floats throughout the room. She could use a good dose of positivity just about now. Maybe after dinner she could sneak away and go home. Until then, she had to keep pretending that she was enjoying the merriment. She took a glass of wine from a waiter walking by, her third glass. It didn't matter, nothing seemed to work, not even the wine. To be drunk right now would offer some relief from the stress. The notes of the music morphed into a softer tune, as people came together to sway to the beat.
She was humming along with the vocalist. Her father was a fan of big band music and insisted that it made any party a success. He was right. So was Peeta when he suggested the band to be a better option than the DJ.
"Time and time again I said I'd leave you
Time and time again I went away..."
She sang softly swaying to the beat, when the lyrics to the song hit her. Who is the fool to want who? Is she the fool to want Peeta, to have never gotten him out of her system or is he the fool for having wanted her, despite his pain?
Her eyes burned with unshed tears. She straightened her back and very nonchalantly tried to wipe her eyes when a strong pull caused her to turn towards the main entrance.
"But then would come the time when I would need you
and once again these words I had to say…"
The song played on.
Standing there with his hands in his pockets, looking dashing in his black suit and loosened tie around his neck was Peeta staring at her. Even from such a great distance she could feel as his eyes bore into hers as if he could see straight into her soul. Without giving it a second thought her feet carried her toward him.
Earlier that same day…
I miss you.
That's what the text said
One of several he's been receiving for the past few days. Katniss is trying to reach out to him and he hasn't responded although God knows how his hand has twitched to at least type a response to her.
Me too.
That's what he wanted to say. That's what he should have said. But he didn't. What would it change? How can he break the awkwardness that a reunion at this point would ensue? He felt like that boy again, the one that admired Katniss and didn't know how to approach her, how to earn her trust, her smiles. She was willing to try, he knew as much and Rye had hinted to her obvious feelings for him, but was that enough? Can their feelings help them take that giant leap over everything that kept them apart?
No, Peeta will not attend that party. The situation would be much too uncomfortable for them both. Maybe he'll call her later in the week, after tonight, after the stress the season had worn down, meet over coffee somewhere. No, it was a better idea to keep tonight about work and Rye would go representing the business. Will scolded him for such a decision a few days ago, when they were going over their schedules for this event.
"We're supposed to make a good impression on these people." Will said becoming flustered with his younger brother. "You know presentation is not Rye's forte. With our luck he's going to get caught in the men's room with the boss' daughter and his pants around his ankles."
"Hey I resent that!" Rye shouted back in mock indignation from the other side of the large bakery kitchen. "Is she hot?"
Will lifted his eyebrows at Peeta as if Rye had just proved his point.
"Our food will do the talking for us!" Peeta answered in a definitive tone. He'd made up his mind and his brothers were not going to make him change it.
That was until earlier this afternoon.
Peeta showed up very early the morning of the party. There was just so much to do, so many things to set up. He worked diligently enjoying Vic and Rue's company. He laughed at their eagerness; let himself be engulfed by their excitement. He'd been so blue for the last couple of weeks that the light mood was welcomed; so much to do, so little time.
He talked to the service supervisor and went over the evening's timeline. Will would show up later on to set up the actual food stations and review the food service with his sous chef. Peeta then went on to review the diagram of the table set ups with Rue and Vic. The trees had been delivered the day before, so that gave them a head start. Wrapping the twinkle lights was another story. By mid-afternoon, mostly everything was in place or at least on route to being finished.
He was grateful that Katniss wasn't around. He knew she wouldn't be, she had responsibilities at her office. He just wasn't ready to see her, yet, because what would he say to her if she was? How would he approach her? This wasn't the time or place for them to discuss their situation. Besides, he knew tonight was a big night for her and he didn't want to ruin it. He said his goodbyes to the interns and hurried out of there since he had heard someone mention that Katniss was on her way.
He took a deep breath when he entered the bakery. There was a certain relief in having finished with his end of the bargain, quite satisfactory if he did say so himself. The museum will be unrecognizable by this evening. The party will be perfect and Katniss will receive much deserved praise for her hard work.
He was surprised to find his father in the kitchen. But then again, on days when they had a big event to cater, it wasn't unusual to find the patriarch fiddling in the kitchen, making himself available to whatever his boys might need, even if it was only for a quick snack.
"All done son?" Mr. Mellark asked.
"Yeah," Peeta sighed tiredly. "Will is there setting up the dessert and coffee stations and taking care of the kitchen as we speak."
"That's great! I'm sure tonight's going to be a success." There was a twinkle in the eldest Mellark's eyes.
Peeta knew that look very well. His father was up to something and he frowned. "Okay." He said confused. "What's going on, Dad?"
His father chuckled. "Making cheese buns is all. Care for one?"
Peeta narrowed his eyes waving away the offered treat. "Sure you are. I'm going to take a nap, I'm a bit tired…I'll catch you later?" He turned toward the stairs leading up to his apartment.
"Make it a short nap, you need time to shower and get ready."
Peeta froze with on foot on a step. He turned toward his father. "Excuse me?"
"Son, you have a party to attend." His eyes rake over his son. "A shave would be a good idea. A little late for a haircut though." He smiles. "We want to make a good impression on these people, on all these people."
Peeta is completely sideswiped by the comment. "Dad, Rye is taking care of this I-"
"Don't be an idiot, Peeta. You are dying to go and you know it. So stop acting like a bonehead and get to it." Mr. Mellark's face had apparent amusement.
"But Dad-"
Peeta tries but is immediately interrupted by his father.
"I love you, my boy, so very much. I'm done just standing by while you wither away your life." His face and tone had taken a more serious note, all lightheartedness gone. "I know it's unnerving to make yourself so vulnerable, but it's worth the risk isn't it?"
Peeta lets go of the breath he didn't know he was holding and nods.
"Then what are waiting for?" The glimmer was back in his eyes. "Bases are loaded, you're up to bat. You either strike out or make a grand slam. It's up to you."
Peeta laughs at the baseball reference, and then sighs. "Thanks, Dad." He turns toward the stairs.
"Anytime my boy, anytime."
Trying to sleep was useless. His whole body was wound up like a tight coil ready to spring. He was nervous and just couldn't relax. Not even baking helped. So he gave up after three batches of cookies. He showered and changed into his black suit. He placed extra effort into his hair which so desperately needed a cut. After several attempts he gave up. Why was he so anxious?
He was about to leave and was looking for his keys and wallet when Rye came barreling into his apartment.
"Looking sharp, Peety!" Rye said giving him a once over. "Almost as good as I would in a suit."
Peeta grunted. "This was supposed to be you."
"Shut up you know you want to go. It's time you face your demons, but…" Rye had mischievous smirk. "I thought long and hard about all possibilities for tonight and…"
"Rye, just get on with it, I don't want to be late." Peeta insisted.
"You've had a couple of shitty weeks, so I'm giving you an early Christmas present."
He held out an envelope towards Peeta.
The younger Mellark examined the contents and turned a confused look towards his brother. "What, now, with the Christmas rush?"
Rye took a deep breath and very calmly spoke. "Peeta, it's only for three days. The bakery will not fall apart, I spoke to dad and both he and Will are okay with our absence for a bit."
Peeta somehow felt nervous.
"It's a boys weekend and you and I have been talking about hitting New York for a while now, remember?"
Peeta nods at Rye.
"But this flight leaves tonight; I need to pack a bag…"
"Peety, your excuses are lame! I will pack your bag and pick you from the party. There's a cab waiting for you downstairs so you don't have to drive. Anything else you'd like to throw at me?"
Peeta stares at his brother for a moment and then licks his lips. His mouth feels parched. "So are you doing this because you suspect that things might go sour with Katniss, tonight?" Peeta felt his heart sink as to what Rye might be implying.
"Look baby bro, I think that you need a break from everything and a couple of days with me in a different environment will be great breathing space. That is all." He looked at Peeta intently. "If everything goes well with Katniss and you two finally make up, well I'm sure she won't mind you taking a couple of days with your brother, will she?"
"Okay Rye. Let's do this. Text me when you're ready." And with that, Peeta is out the door and in the waiting cab.
High School, Junior Prom Night
Georgia. She's pretty…she's flirty and curvy, very curvy. She'd probably let him put his hands all over those curves if he tried. She has a confidence that makes her sexy, at least he thinks so and best of all she wants him and why shouldn't he give into Georgia? He's a normal 17 year old boy. He's not in love with the girl but neither is the girl in love with him. It's just adolescent hormones that are clouding their minds with lust. Truth is he'd never even given Georgia a second look until tonight. So maybe he'll let her slide her hand down his pants and bring him some relief. She seems eager to please him, she wants him and Peeta needs to feel wanted, at least tonight he does because Katniss doesn't want him and he really doesn't want to end his junior prom wallowing. It's bad enough that he's making out with one girl while thinking of another.
So he lets Georgia tickle him and nibble on his ear. That's nice, he thinks. Her breasts, her nice, perky, perfectly round large breasts are pressed up against his chest and that's nice too. His hands slide off her arms and land on her hips, her beautiful round hips. She tells him she thinks he's hot and that makes him laugh. Peeta's never really paid attention to his physique except during wrestling season when his diet and weight training are essential to his athletic performance. So he enjoys the feel of her lips against his neck. She seems to know exactly what buttons to press. He enjoys it so much he forgets that they are only off the elevators that everyone needs to take to get down to the parking basement. He isn't thinking as his mind is considering the path his fingers would take along the sinuous lines of her body. His hands are slowly coming around her stomach and up her sides, when a loud and annoyed voice breaks the two apart.
"Peeta Mellark!" Madge is standing at the end of the elevator foyer with her hands on her hips looking very indignant.
He blushes.
"I'll see you at Woof Taylor's party?" Georgia purrs into his ear asking about the party at the soccer team captain's house.
"Definitely." Peeta said nodding dumbly at her.
Georgia pulls apart from him and walks away exchanging dirty looks with Madge as they pass each other.
Peeta sheepishly walks towards Madge trying to not let her look of disgust or the fact that he'd just been cockblocked, bother him. "Are you going to the party?" he finally asks trying to sound nonchalant.
"No." she snaps. "So if you rein it in long enough to drive me home, I'd appreciate it."
"Sure." He said a little bit irked at her attitude.
"Where's Katniss?" They asked in unison.
"I don't know. The last time I saw her she was talking to Dalton." Madge answers somewhat angrily, "I texted her when the dance ended but she hasn't answered."
If Madge's attitude was souring his mood, knowing Katniss was lost somewhere with Dalton is only making it worse.
"Let's go then." He said dryly wondering if she was going to be at the party.
"Georgia Leeg, Peeta, really?" Madge questioned once the elevator doors were shut. "Couldn't find a bigger slut to pass the time?"
"What?"
"Funny I've known you most of my life and never thought skank would be your type. That color doesn't suit you." Madge, dear sweet quiet Madge was really letting him have it.
"What's wrong with Georgia Leeg?"
"She wants you as arm candy for the summer since she's up for cheer captain next year." Her tone was very matter of fact but Peeta didn't really care for her implications. "Obviously, she's already campaigning for Homecoming Queen."
"Well both my ego and I thank you for your concern." He snapped back staring at the control panel in front of him.
"What about Katniss, Peeta?" Madge asked walking out of the elevator ahead of him, not even bothering to look his way. He followed in tow. He felt like her footman.
"She's with Dalton." He answered as he opened the car door for her.
"What about Dalton? Peeta, you're so dense sometimes" she said as she was getting in his car. "I love you both but sometimes I just can't with you two, anymore."
Peeta got in and started the car and was pulling out when they heard a phone ping.
"It's mine…." She said reading a text she'd received. She sighed dramatically. "Well in case you still cared, Katniss is safely at home. Dalton dropped her off more than 30 minutes ago." Her tone was accusatory as she turned to look at him. "You were saying about Dalton?"
Peeta didn't answer. His jealousy had clouded his judgment and made him assume things about Katniss and Madge was very passive aggressively calling him out on it. They were both quiet the rest of the way to Madge's house.
"I don't know what you think is going on between Katniss and Dalton but I can assure you it's nothing. You should get your head out of your pants long enough to not let her get away, unless you really have your heart set on becoming Georgia's boy toy but, we both know exactly where your heart is." Madge finally said, her tone revealing her impatience.
When he said nothing in return, she shook her head at him and stepped out of his car. "Thanks for the ride, see you Monday." She mumbled.
Peeta was angry and confused. All he could think about was Katniss. When he reached the party he sat in his car and wondered what had gone wrong. Why wasn't she here, why did she go home? Did he do something to upset her? He knew Dalton liked her, he as much told him so. Then why end the evening so early, didn't she want to be with Dalton? Suddenly the anger he was feeling earlier turned into concern for his best friend. Why had she texted Madge and not him, which was so unlike Katniss?
Kids were arriving at the party by the throngs. Classmates walked by his car greeting him. Did he really want to be here? He didn't usually go to parties, they weren't his thing. Suddenly he heard his name being called from the front of the house. Georgia, beautiful, hot Georgia that had changed out of her prom dress and into a sexy little summer dress. Even in the darkness he could see how well it accentuated her best assets and she was waiting for him.
What was he going to do? He realized that knowing Dalton wasn't around Katniss anymore changed his outlook with Georgia. Staying at the party meant sex with Georgia, she'd implied as much. He had to admit that being pressed up against her soft body felt good, good enough that his traitorous adolescent body responded to her grinding despite his mortification. When she started nibbling his ear he was afraid he'd further humiliate himself in public. Seeing Katniss in that dress had him all wired up but Georgia only made his need for release that much more urgent. But it would be his first time and with someone who wasn't Katniss. Did he really want to go through with this?
He started his car and waved good bye to the girl as he pulled away.
He arrived at the museum a little earlier than he expected so he loitered around trying to go unnoticed. He walked to the far edge of the park surrounding the museum and sat on a bench watching people go in. She was inside. There was a fluttering in his stomach at the thought of having her so close. Before too long, they'd both be under the same roof. How was he going to react? Was he going to fall at her feet as usual? How would she react? Will she come up to him and try and talk or will she pretend like nothing is wrong and go about her routine? Whatever the reaction, he was sure that he would not be walking away from this evening unscathed.
As he reached the main entrance to the museum he could hear the Company's president give his welcome to the event. That meant that dinner will be served soon. He walked over to see what table he'd been assigned to find that "Mellark" had been removed. Damn! Maybe he could find Rue or Vic before he ran into Katniss and they could clear this up for him. He felt warm and loosened the knot at his neck. Presentation be damned, he needed to breathe.
He stood at the entrance and took in the sight before him. He smiled to himself. He just might have outshone himself on this one. The museum looked like something out of a story book, a frozen fantasy. The lighting, the twinkle lights, the candles on the tables, the linens, all the different shades of white and ivory gave the room an aurora borealis ambiance. He was proud of the image before him. Just then he heard a voice ring clear above any other sound in the room.
He quickly scanned the room looking for its owner. His heart was beating so fast it was going to pound right out of his chest. If he was waiting for a sign, he needn't look any further. The voice that made him lose his heart when he was a young boy of five was still the one sound that could remind him that nothing in this world matters to him if he can't share it with her.
And there she was. On the other side of the bar, holding a glass of wine, swaying to the music with her eyes closed. She probably didn't even realize that she was singing. That happens to her often. Usually he would just hold his tongue and enjoy listening to her before she realized she had an audience and stopped.
"But then would come the time when I would need you
And once again these words I had to say"
The irony of the song she is singing "I'm a Fool to Want You", a fool indeed. Just then her eyes open and she turns around looking straight at him, their eyes locking. He could feel his insides bottom out. She started walking towards him. Without thinking twice his body started moving towards hers. He doesn't know what he's doing. He hasn't the slightest idea what he's going to say.
"Take me back, I love you
Pity me, I need you
I know it's wrong, it must be wrong…"
The song plays on as she seems to float towards him. He doesn't think he's ever seen anything more beautiful than Katniss at that very moment. She looked like an angel, wrapped around the warmth of the lights. Her hair was twisted and coiled up into a messy knot at the base of her neck while soft tendrils framed her face. Her body was covered in beaded ivory that fell to her knees and ran along her curves like fresh cream over her skin. When she moved, the beading sparkled like the crystals on the trees surrounding them. She was ethereal and stunning. All she needed were the wings.
They stood before each other without saying a word as the current song came to its dramatic conclusion.
Katniss' eyes roamed his face, his body, as if making a mental inventory, to be sure he's real and that he's fine.
Peeta's eyes roamed her face, her body, her hands clenching the empty glass of wine. He noticed her breathing was a little labored. Was it because his presence affected her as much as hers did for him?
The next song began another soft tune. The band must want to ease the crowd into the calm of dinner.
Without speaking a word they stepped into each other without breaking eye contact. He led her to the dance floor and took her in his arms. She held on as if clinging for dear life and together they began to sway.
She fits so perfectly. He thought as she settled into him. As if she'd been born specifically to fit unto my body.
Home. She thought as she was enveloped by strong arms and eased into the embrace. Her skin burned from where his hand was pressed against her back. When his hand discovered the bare skin, he seemed to pull her closer.
"You'll never know how many dreams
I've dreamed about you
Or just how empty they all seemed without you
So kiss me once, then kiss me twice
Then kiss me once again
It's been a long, long time…"
With hearts that beat a matching rhythm, they twirled around the dance floor as if floating on a cloud. He couldn't look away, captivated by her beauty. She didn't want to tear her eyes from his, afraid he'd disappear. Those big beautiful blue eyes that make her heart ache with so much longing. How did she ever think she could ever live without him? Her stomach was a swirl of nerves and excitement. Here she was in his arms, finally.
It has been a long, long time, she thought.
Empty dreams, Peeta thought. Empty would be his life without her in it. What was he thinking believing he was strong enough to stay away from her? Lost in her presence, at that very moment, Peeta relinquished whatever was left of his soul. He didn't' want to ever be apart from her again. Nothing was worth losing the peace he was feeling, the sensation of being whole. Nothing mattered anymore, the past was in the past and it couldn't be changed. They could look towards the future and try to make it brighter. Try to be happy, together.
The music in this chapter went old school, all from the WWII era.
"I'm a Fool to Want You" by Frank Sinatra
"It's Been A Long Long Time" by Harry James and his Orchestra