I woke up nestled in Peeta's chest. Johanna is in the bedroom, and Finnick and Annie are gone.
I shift in his arms to face the ceiling. He's awake, and I look at him.
"Want me to move?" I mumble, and he shakes his head.
"Let's go to a room." He mumbles. I get up, and he follows me to my room. I lock the door, and lay down with him.
"You're so…" I trail off, thinking. "Familiar."
He pulls me closer. "Is that a good thing?"
"Yes." I whisper. "But still…you're so familiar, yet so different."
"Different?" he asks.
"Yes, because now we're older, and it doesn't have to be fake anymore."
He smiles. "For five year olds, we did a pretty damn good job."
I laugh softly. "We even had rings."
He laughs. "Oh, we were a piece of work. Remember when they didn't fit, so we moved them to our pinkies?"
I laugh and nod. "We were head over heels in love."
We don't say anything for a while. "I still am." He finally whispers.
"What?" I ask.
"I still am head over heels in love with you. This time it's okay, and we're allowed to be, and we're adults. Everything we wanted a kids. We had our whole lives planned out, remember?" he starts rubbing my back. "We were going to have sex in freshmen year. We thought it was okay to wait until we were in high school." He laughs softly. "And we were going to elope, and run off to college, and I'd get you pregnant at twenty."
We both laugh. "Oh, the worst part is we would've gone through with it." I whisper.
"But then my Dad got his new job, and we moved to North Carolina. I thought I was going to die. I cried so hard when I found out. It was so hard for me to tell you. God, you looked so…destroyed. Annie did, too."
"I cried." I whisper. "After I threw the ring at your head."
He sighs. "You're still so beautiful."
I smile, and we search each other's eyes for a long time.
"I thought I was never going to see you again." I whisper. "I'd been miserable until college graduation. Annie had too, actually, but we faked being happy. It wasn't till we moved here that we got less depressed. Gale just…he made things worse."
"I hate him." he whispers. He looks down at my bruised arm and sighs.
"Me too." I whisper. We don't speak again.
We study each other's faces. It's nearing ten. Annie will be waking up soon.
I scoot closer to him, and then slowly, I kiss him.
His lips are soft and familiar, just like they always have been.
He deepens the kiss, and I sit up, pulling him with me.
So many memories come rushing through my head, and I slide into his lap. He pulls me closer, so we're pushed up against each other.
His mouth starts to move down my jaw. My hands run along his chest. "Peeta." I mumble. "We can't."
He pulls away, and kisses me. "We won't."
…..a…..
He went home and took Johanna and Finnick with him, and the puppies, and the bunny. I sit on the couch in silence.
Annie sits next to me.
"Did you have sex?" she asks. I shake my head.
"You?" she shakes her head.
I can't think straight. Why are we even getting close to having sex when we technically aren't even a thing?
I sigh, and then go to my room, and I change into my bathing suit, and put a white half shirt over it. I put my sunglasses on, and I tie my hair up and go to the garage and get my beach bag, and my fishing pole, and I go to the backyard and toss them in the boat.
"I'm going on the boat." I say.
"I'm coming." She says.
Peeta goes on the boat a lot. If he isn't writing, he's normally on his boat.
I lock up the house and wait for Annie, and then we get the boat in the water, and we take off.
We drive for a while, and I wait till we're deep into the great lakes to toss the anchor.
We sit there. We can't see any land. Annie and I may be female, but we still fish.
I toss the line, and Annie tosses hers, and we just sit there and wait.
"What's on your mind?" she whispers.
"Peeta." I mutter.
"I realize that, but what?"
I sigh. "What's the point of us being around each other if we're not even a thing?"
She sighs. "Honey, you just saw him yesterday for the first time in eleven years. Give it time."
"I really love him."
"I know you do."
We sit in silence, and then I pull my line up and sit with my feet handing off the bow.
Annie's phone starts ringing.
"Hello?" she asks. "On the boat, why?" she's quiet for a while. "Really? That's awesome!" she says. "Yeah, we'll come. When are we leaving?" she pauses. "An hour, give us an hour."
She hangs up. "We're going with Jo, Finn, and Peeta to Wisconsin tonight." She says, pulling her line in.
"What for?" I ask.
She smiles. "Their parents live in a little town. They gave Rye and Graham the okay to throw a party. They've got acres."
"So we're going to a party?" I ask. She nods.
"A campfire and it's going to be big. Lots of people."
I start the boat and we speed back to the house. They're waiting, and they help us to put the boat back, and then Annie and I rush inside. I shower, and then I ask how long we're staying, and Peeta says to pack for a week.
"It gets cold at night." He says.
I pack a ton of clothes into my duffle bag, and then I put on dark denim short shorts, my black converse, a white tank top, a red and black and white plaid button down that is longer in the back. I tie it at the bottom and leave it open, and then I drag my duffle bag into the living room.
"Ah, I was waiting for the braid." Johanna says.
"Who's driving?" I ask.
"You are." Finn says.
So we go out to my car, which I forgot to put in the garage last night.
When I try to start it, it doesn't do anything. It doesn't even make a noise.
"What are you waiting for?" Johanna asks.
"It's not doing anything." I say. I turn the key three more times, and then I get out and lift the hood.
The motors gone, and there's a note taped to the inside of the hood.
That's what you fucking get for breaking up with me
I slam the hood, pissed, and grab my phone and call Daddy.
"Hey Kitten."
"Gale took my engine." I say.
"What?" he asks.
"Gale came over and took the fucking engine to my car and lft a note saying that's what I get for breaking up with him!"
"Are you serious?" he asks.
"Yes!"
"Okay, I'm going to get you a new car. It won't take long. An hour tops."
I hang up and sit on the hood. They get out, and we sit around.
My anger gets the best of me, and I call the police.
They show up, and I explain everything. They nod, and I tell them how he yells at me all the time and that he grabbed my arm, and I show them the bruises.
"Well this is vandalism, domestic, and physical abuse. This can get him arrested. Don't worry. We'll take care of it…and you're car…we'll see what we can do."
"Don't worry about my car. My Dad is taking care of it."
He nods and says he'll call me with information, and he takes the note and leaves. I lay down in the grass. Annie convinces me to switch into jeans and out on my cowgirl boots. I give in and go and lay back in the grass.
Daddy lulls up with Mama behind him. Mama's in Daddy's truck, and Daddy's in a brand new 2014 Chevy Silverado 1500.
I've been talking about this truck since before it even was on the market. Daddy said he'd get if for me for Christmas.
"Happy?" He asks.
"Yes!" I hug him. It's blood red.
"It's a manual."
I used to be pissed that my car wasn't a manual. I'm so glad my truck is. We all toss our stuff in the back.
Mama greets Peeta and Johanna and Finnick.
"So where are you guys headed?" Daddy asks.
"Peeta's parents house in Wisconsin." I say. He nods.
"Oh, I miss them." Mama smiles.
"Come along." Peeta says. "Mom was really happy when I told her that we were in touch again. She was asking how you guys were and she said she wanted to see you. Dad was happy too. Bring Prim and Like and Mr and Mrs Cresta and come along."
"Yeah, my parents like you guys." Johanna says, and Finn agrees.
We wait a half hour for them, and I walk around my truck, obsessing and wiping off fingerprints.
"God, it's perfect." I mutter.
"Look inside." Johanna says, but I refuse.
It's noon. We'll get there around eight, right when the party starts.
"I can't wait to drive it." I say, and I start pacing.
"Shotgun!" Peeta says when Mr. Cresta pulls up in his Ford F150 with everyone.
They wave for us to go, and I get in the car and I put on the GPS with Peeta's help, and then I put the car in neutral and back out.
"I haven't driven manual in four years. If I stall, I'm sorry. It'll come back to me, I swear."
We put the windows down, and we blast the stereo, and we're all cheering, and Nugget and the puppies are in the bed of the truck and the puppies and bunny are in cages but Nugget isn't. . He's very well trained so I'll let him roam the property. He'll come to a whistle.
I speed, and Daddy texts me about it. I put on cruise control at the right speed, and we all sing loudly and shout.
I downshift into forth when we enter a town, and then third, and then second to turn. We talk about stopping for food, but Peeta insists we don't have to. He informs Annie and I that all of their parents are really excited to see us. Rye and Graham are happy too.
A Hunter Hayes song comes on.
I love him, and Annie does too, so we blast it, and scream sing along.
"Slow down." Peeta says. It's getting dark, and we're in the middle of the country. "Katniss, I'm serious. It's deer hour, and they run across the street."
I shift into third and slow way down, and we go through an Indian reservation.
"Really quick, go into fifth and gun it."
I do, and we go over a big hill and we actually lift off the ground. I shift into third then, and shut off the GPS and let Peeta give us instructions.
"Okay. There. See? The fire. This is their property."
"It's giant." Annie says.
I shift into second and pull into the driveway. There's a giant fire out in the field, and there's cows in the barn to the left, and the house is lit up to the right. My family is behind us.
I shut off the truck, and someone goes running past into the house.
"Was that Rye?" I ask.
"Yes." He says.
Graham runs after him. They look the same, just older and more muscular.
We all get out, and Peeta stops me outside.
"Wait." He says. "Be my girlfriend?" He asks.
"Okay." I smile. He pulls me in the house and everyone follows us. They didn't hear him ask. I glue myself to Annie.
"Peet!" Graham yells, clapping him on the back. "About damn time! Finnick, you big o' dumbass!" He gives him a guy hug.
It's so familiar and warm and comforting.
Finn hugs his parents, and Johanna hugs hers.
"Katniss!" Rye yells!" He runs for me and picks me up and spins me around, and waits till he knows I'm dizzy to put me down.
I stumble, and grab Annie's arm.
"You got hot!" He says once I've regained my balance. I roll my eyes.
"Thanks. You look the same."
"Hi Katniss." Graham says. He too, makes me dizzy, and then sets me down. This time, I grab Peeta's hand. He keeps me steady. Annie gets attacked then, and then Prim.
"Katniss. You grew up into a beautiful woman." Mrs. Mellark hugs me.
"Thank you." I smile.
I get the same thing from Peeta's dad, and then Finn and Jo's parents.
Then.
"We need another truck." Rye says. "Who's Chevy?"
"Mine." I say.
"Awesome. Thanks." He grabs the keys and runs off. Mr. Cresta let's Graham use his truck, and all of us go out the back door and run down the path. There's a lot of people, loud country music, tons of alcohol, and a big fire. We use the beds of both trucks. I let Nugget loose. She won't go far. Finnick and Annie take the puppies and bunny inside.
It's so weird. A lot of people that I know from middle and elementary school are here.
"Some people followed us all the way through." Peeta explains. People throw cans into the fire, and they throw in a broken chair, and there's a lot of drunk people. Peeta gives me a beer, and he sits in the bed of my truck. I sit between his legs. Annie and Finn join us. We sip beer, and then we start conversing.
I start getting a bit more open, not even tipsy, but more comfortable, and Annie and I get in the bed of my truck. I let my hair out, and we start dancing and singing to Luke Bryan. Johanna's flirting, and Peeta and Finnick are watching Annie and I.
"I'm a little drunk on you, and high on summer time!" Annie and I sing.
We sing every song, and eventually, Peeta brings me down and takes me to the barn, up to the hay loft.
"So tell me." He whispers "what happened after I left? I checked your old house and it was for sale."
I lean against the hay, between his legs. I shrug. "I joined the softball team and when Annie and I went to Michigan University everyone moved with us."
"Softball?" He asks. I nod.
"If we set up a ton of lights, can we play? I wanna see if your any good."
I smirk. "You're on!"
...9...
It took a while, but with a lot of cars, we lit up the field. Everyone sat around and we formed teams. Peeta's pitching. Boys against girls.
Annie hits first. She's not horrible. I taught her some stuff. We used old hubcaps as bases. She only gets as far as first. Our parents are outside, watching, and Luke and Prim are playing. There's nine batters. Johanna goes, and she gets to second. Annie gets home.
Prim goes, and she sucks. She gets an out. I'm last. Some girl named Rebecca is next. She gets to third.
The next girl gets an out.
"I don't want to go next." A girl whispers. "We're gonna get out and they're gonna be jackasses about it."
"I'll go." I say.
Annie's smirking so big, and so is Prim. I grab the bat and twirl it.
"Ready to lose?" Peeta asks.
"I should be asking you the same question." I say with an evil smile.
He throws a terrible pitch, and I don't swing.
"Ball!" The crowd chants.
He throws another terrible one, and I don't swing. "Ball! Come on Peet!" Rye scream at him, hurling the ball back at him.
He's doing it on purpose.
Peeta throws a fast ball. I swing, and nail it with the middle of the bat. It goes flying, and Peeta watches in shock as I bullet to first, and second, and third. They get the ball when I. At second, and right before they can get me, I slide to home, and everyone starts cheering.
I go stand next to Johanna and Annie. Peeta's shocked. I blow him a kiss, and then kiss my finger and touch my ass with it, telling him to kiss my ass. He starts laughing and pitches the ball to the next girl.
She gets our third out and we switch. They let me go to the most active place. I get the only mitt, and I wait.
They're all good, but almost every ball goes flying towards me and I catch them. Johanna's waiting to get the balls I miss.
I miss Peeta's, and I send the ball flying to Johanna, and she gets him out on first. People are staring to chant my name.
That was our third out. It's one to one right now.
...8...
We won, and Peeta's frustrated. I keep teasing him about it.
"It's not funny!" He says.
"Oh come on!" I exclaim, "You know you wanna laugh too." I whisper.
He cracks a smile, and I start laughing.
"Oh, shut up." He says. I laugh, and push his chest. He pokes my nose, and laughs when I go cross eyed. All the parents are watching us with huge smiles. I push his shoulder, and I make him go cross-eyed, and I let out a girly laugh. It's high pitch, and only he can bring it out of me. That's how it's always been. He brings out the love and soft side part of me. He makes me so happy.
I hop up on the bed of my truck and hook my fingers in the belt loops of his jeans. I kiss him softly on the lips, and I hear Annie squealing to Finn about it. This is the first time we've kissed in front of everyone else. The parents look so happy, and so does Johanna and Finnick and Annie. It's a short kiss. He kisses my three more times. "You wanna see something?" He asks.
"Okay." I whisper. He digs out his wallet and Finnick starts whispering frantically to the parents and to Annie and Johanna. They're all staring now.
"What?" I ask. He hops up next to me, and I move closer to the window. We shut off the lights of the cars and now it's just the firelight that's lighting up our faces. It's one in the morning, and I put a sweatshirt on because it's in the forties. People are laughing, but the music is off. It's so nice and calming. He uses his phone as a light, and places two small objects in my hands.
The rings. His is the same. It's that plastic ring, with the plastic square blue gem. Mine is a plastic ring with a plastic circle pink gem.
"Oh Peeta." I whisper. My eyes filling with tears. We're sitting with our legs crossed, and they're touching. I'm leaning against the car part, and so is he. Tears slide down my cheeks. "You really did keep them."
"I couldn't ever let go. I knew I'd never be with anyone else."
"Peeta, Gale wasn't-"
"I know." He whispers. "And I don't care. I understand why you were with him. You thought we'd never see each other again, and so did I. I guess fate had us meet our souls ares early, and our souls just got lost for a little while." I smile.
I put the ring on my pinkie, but it doesn't fit. I laugh, wiping away my tears. They're still watching us, but I don't care.
Still, more tears fall and he brushes them away.
"I love you." I whisper.
I haven't really told him all but once.
"I love you too." He murmurs. I hug him, the rings clutched in my fist.
Then I climb in the back window of my truck and get two fiddle chains. The silver ones that are made out of the balls. I keep them I'm my purse, because when we were, Peeta showed up at my house with them and told me they were relationship necklaces they're stupid and pointless, but I kept then. I hand Peeta one.
"Is this..." He trails off when I nod.
I put his ring on one and put it around his neck, and I put mine on the other and he puts it around my neck.
We sit there then, just talking. I mostly listen to the stories of everything I missed over the years. I nod a lot when he asks me questions, and we're smiling the whole time.
I cut him off to kiss him at random times. Finally, at three in the morning, I lay a blanket in the bed of my truck, and I whistle for Nugget. She comes bolting out of the trees a few minutes later and curls up next to me. I pull Peeta down with me, and we look at the stars for a while, pointing out random constellations. After a half hour, the fire light and the slowness of Peeta's breathing lulls me to sleep.
...8...
Birds chirping is the first thing I notice. The next thing I notice is that Peeta's gone. Nugget took his place. People are talking. I sit up, and Peeta's with all of the parents. Mr. Mellark says something to him, and he turns around, and then says something to him and comes over to me. He kisses me. He's not in the truck, he's standing behind it. I scoot closer so he's in between me.
"You okay?" He asks. I nod, and wrap my arms around his neck and bustle my head in his shoulder.
"I'm tired." I mumble. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me closer.
"I know something to wake you up." He says.
"Yeah?" I ask. He nods, and he picks me up, and walks about ten feet away from the truck. Everyone that's awake is watching us. He shifts me she he's holding my hips. "What are you-"
And then he throws me right up in the air. He's strong, and I soar twenty feet above him. I scream, and everyone else gasps. Right when in sure I'm gonna die, he catches me, and then sets me down.
"What the fuck was that?" I demand.
He smirks. "You said you were tired." He says.
"But I didn't say I wanted to die!"
"Your not dead." He says. "Are you mad at me?" He gives me that innocent look. I stare at him with my arms crossed.
"I'm not happy." I say.
He sighs when I walk past him.
People start getting up, and Johanna and Annie come over to me.
"Paybacks a bitch." Johanna says, and points to a bucket of ice water.
"Get his phone." I whisper.
She nods and walks over to Peeta. Everyone's cleaning up. "Hey, can I use your phone?" She asks.
"Sure." He hands it to her, and people watch with smirks as I pick up the bucket and dump it right on his head. I drop it, and he gasps and turns around.
"Paybacks a bitch!" I giggle. He takes his shirt off, and I gasp as he reaches for me, and then turn around and run.
He chases me around the field, and finally he arms lock around my waist. Everyone is watching. I squeal, pushing his chest. He laughs, and picks me up so my arms are around his waist.
"That wasn't very nice." he whispers.
"Who ever said I was nice?" I smile.