Katniss and the Rebels
Chapter 18: Keep Calm And Don't Faint
AN: Hey it is me again. So this is basically 'Jealousy?' and 'Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining' from Peeta's POV. In this chapter we see Rye and Madge, hear about Finnick, Delly, Annie and Thresh and of course talk to Katniss. School is very tiring isn't it? I have two essays to write but instead I am writing fanfiction for you people...I much prefer this :D
OH MY GOD GUYS THAT TRAILER! I loved it! What did you think of it?
DISCLAIMER: If I owned The Hunger Games trilogy a certain victor wouldn't have died in Mockingjay
Now you guys don't forget to follow and favourite and review because it makes me write faster :)
If any of you guys are on tumblr and want to follow me my username is peetamellarkinthetardis
And if you guys have any song ideas leave them in the reviews and I will listen to them and see if they will suit the story :)
Guest Review Reply: Hi first of all yes I can see where you are coming from with your views on Katniss. But please be aware that she wasn't feeling her usual self. She was stressed, exhausted and irrational. Katniss Everdeen is hot-tempered and over dramatic and this is a clear view of her being this way. I don't agree with you when you say she is acting like a cow towards Gale for no reason. Gale is her closest friend and they supposedly knew everything about each other. He was known for disliking townies and never got along with Madge Undersee and then suddenly she walks in on them together acting like her and Gale do or a couple. She was in shock along with everything else and spoke without thinking. I can see how you think she is being nasty to Madge but she is just trying to think about everything that happened. Katniss wasn't in her right mind and was being irrational. If she had spoke to Madge she would have yelled at her, accused her of all sorts and wrecked their friendship and Katniss knew that so she knew she had to try and understand what had happened before talking with either Gale or Madge.
She is worried about Madge and that is why she asked Thom about how she is doing in Chapter 16 because while she is angry, hurt and confused with Madge she still cares about her well-being which I think is important.
Katniss does feel bad about what happened which she says in Chapter 16 when she is talking with Peeta. She outlines to him that Gale helps with Prim and her mother as well but she just can't help the way she feels. Cheesy as it may sound it's true in her case.
Gale has looked after Prim and Mrs. Everdeen along with his family as well of course. And Katniss is eternally grateful for that and she does thank him for it. That is one of the reasons why she acted the way she did. She thought Madge could give Gale and his family more than she ever could. She felt insecure and was worried he wouldn't want to spend time with her any more and would leave her, Prim and their mum to deal with things themselves and she lashed out.
Katniss is thinking much clearer now thanks to Peeta (and Thom) and that is one of the main things I was trying to show. That she needs Peeta to calm her down and keep her sane and rational something that was clear in the trilogy.
Yes she may have over reacted with the music but her young neighbour was ill and she was worried about him. She knew how she would have felt if that was Prim or any of Gale's siblings and knew what the family were going through.
Katniss of course knows now that she was wrong to act the way she did and we will see her conversations with Gale and Madge very soon and she will be much more level-headed.
Gale himself is quite confused over everything that happened. He knows how he would feel if Katniss started accepting gifts off Peeta Mellark and if he walked in on her and Peeta being close and that is one of the main reasons why he is feeling bad about everything. He knows that after so many years of hating people offering him charity and then him accepting it of one of Katniss's closest friends she would be hurt and confused and he doesn't blame her for that because he himself is also trying to figure out why he took it.
I am writing a chapter in Madge's POV and I think it will be chapter 20. There you will see how she is dealing with the whole thing and how she feels about how Katniss reacted.
I really hope this clears things up for you and thank you for telling me this so I can clear it up for other readers who may be wondering why Katniss acted the way she did and for reviewing.
DEDICATIONS: BraveWarriorGirl, isra22, missamypd (if your username is after who I think it is after then it is AWESOME), Guest and GrLoui
Peeta POV
I am currently digging my fingers in the steering wheels of my car hoping the discomfort will distract me from the horrifying things coming out of my older brother's mouth.
"And then she-"
"RYE! For the LAST time will you please shut up about that girl last night!"
"Aww is wittle Peety jealous because he isn't getting any off of Katniss Evergreen?" Rye pouts as he mocks me in a baby voice.
I dig my nails into the steering wheel harder and focus my eyes on the road.
I want to throw him out of the car so bad right now in the middle of the road.
But I know he will just go home and tell mum on me as if he were a five year old...which may be the number of his IQ but still.
I don't even know what my mother loves so much about Rye, I mean she is all ways yelling at me to do better while he does no work at all and she treats him like he is royalty.
"Shut up" I growl
We have finally arrived at Rye's college, THANK GOD!
"You know I could all ways give you tips on-"
"GOODBYE RYE!" I shout as I turn and glare at him. My older brother covers his ears (hungover again)"All right, all right!"
He slips out of the car muttering something about at least he is able to get girls.
I am going to kill him one of these days.
I really am.
But then again I have been saying that since I was six so…maybe not.
He grabs his bag and slams the door shut. I quickly pull out of the college parking lot and drive to school, plotting the best ways to execute Rye on the way.
I am sitting at my desk in Home Economics drawing the flowers that Ms. Trinket has carefully arranged on her desk when I hear a timid voice above me.
"Peeta?"
I look up and see Madge looking down at me her eyes filled with worry.
"Hi Madge are you all right?" I ask
Madge nods and quickly turns her head around to check the door before looking back at me.
"Em… I'm okay Peeta. Have you seen Katniss this morning?"
Katniss? Why would Madge be so worried about Katniss? Is she okay? Is Madge okay?
Has something happened?
"No I'm sorry I haven't seen her. Is there anything I can do to help you Madge?"
"No, no, I'm fine really it's Katniss I'm worried about. Oh she saw something yesterday that I think she completely misunderstood and I kind of screwed up when I was only trying to help her. Well I didn't mean to screw up and well I didn't really do anything but- oh it is a long story but basically I think she is mad at me and is avoiding me. Well I mean I can't be sure I mean she isn't in school yet so she hasn't had a chance. But even if she was I mean it would be understandable after what she assumed happened but I just really need to explain things to her.
Just please don't tell Katniss I spoke to you yeah? I know she puts up a strong act but I think this might have hurt her more than she will be letting on. She is quite fragile after everything she has been through you know. Oh god do not tell her I called her that she would skin me."
I can't help wonder what happened between them to make Madge so worried but I don't pester her,
"Yeah sure, I won't say anything to her about it but I'm sure it will all work out sooner or later Madge. You and Katniss have been friends for years."
Madge smiles sadly, "I think I may have messed it up though Peeta. Or I was going to at least. Or, well I don't know it all happened quite fast." She sighs "Sorry I am probably not making a lot of sense to you I apologise. Look I better go take my books out or Trinket will give me a lecture. Just please make sure she is all right for me yeah?"
"Yeah of course" That is one thing I can hopefully do.
"Thanks Peeta" Madge says gratefully and moves to sit down again.
I wonder what happened between Katniss and Madge that could get Madge so worked up and Katniss ignoring Madge. I shake my head knowing it isn't my business and get back to drawing the flowers.
Lunch is finally over, thank god.
While it wasn't as bad as the lunch last week where my friends decided to humiliate me in front of the girl I like it was still quite bad.
Finnick spent the whole time nudging me and asking where my 'girlfriend' is while Delly droned on and on about the 'shopping trip' she and her cousin went on over the weekend.
I don't mind Delly talking about clothes.
I mean it's not like I despise shopping like some guys do (I don't necessarily thrive off it but I don't hate it)
But forty-five minutes of her endlessly describing each dress she tried on in major detail was something I wasn't ready for on a Monday.
Apparently Finnick took Annie out to the cinema over the weekend (I'm pretty sure they didn't actually watch the movie if you catch my drift) and they went out to eat afterwards and Annie couldn't stop thanking Finnick today and saying how romantic and perfect it was
I think Thresh was with me on this one they were being waaaay too lovey dovey.
I have a study class next so I head to room 16.
There are only three other people in the room when I get there.
One looks like she is a sophomore and she is listening to music on her headphones and doing homework while the other two are making out in a corner. I make sure I sit well away from them.
I take out a spare sheet of paper and aimlessly doodle on it until I hear a sound beside me that makes me look up.
I see Katniss has plopped down beside me and I smile.
"Hi Katniss" I say happily as I put away my drawings hastily.
Katniss smiles back, "Hey Peeta how are you?"
"I'm fine thanks how about you?" I answer.
Katniss didn't come in to Home Economics until the very last second before the bell rang.
She sat next to me and she did not look at Madge the entire class though I saw Madge look back at us a few times.
I wouldn't say Katniss was angry or sad, personally she just seemed exhausted to me.
But then again who isn't on a Monday morning…well Delly excluded.
"I am all right thanks Peeta. Sorry if I was off with you this morning I just had a rough weekend."
Why is she apologising to me?
She was perfectly polite this morning to me. Maybe a little tired and she didn't talk that much but nothing rude or anything or the sort.
"It is fine Katniss really and I am really sorry to hear that."
Katniss smiles at me as a thank you and I nervously stammer out next, "You can all ways talk to me about anything that's bothering you or just anything in general."
No she is going to think you are a creep stop talking. Leave it there.
"Some of my friends say I'm good at helping... people... I don't know."
INTERNAL FACE PALM
God I am such an idiot.
"Just you know if you ever want or need to talk to someone. But obviously like you have other friends I'm not suggesting you have none or any-"
"Thanks Peeta" Katniss cuts me off and I breathe a sigh of relief
"No problem" I mutter rubbing the back of my neck hoping she doesn't notice the sudden flush in my cheeks.
"Just, you know" Katniss says sighing "Gale and the kids they...well...they drive me insane a lot."
That is when Katniss starts to open up to me.
She does something I never imagined possible and trusted me enough to tell me her fears and worries.
She mostly tells me of her worries over Primrose and the Hawthornes.
She tells me how she is finding it hard to cope with them. She tells me how sometimes she feels she is only 17 and feels like she shouldn't be forced to raise four children that aren't even her own. That most people aren't age don't care about their siblings never mind raise them. She hurries to tell me that she doesn't mind but it is hard.
She reveals how she is having money problems because Gale only works part time and she is only a waitress getting paid minimum wage. Her mum can't see anyone right now and Hazelle (Gale's mum) is only beginning to come round.
She tells me how she is scared her and Gale won't be able to afford Vick's dancing classes. How Vick is really passionate about it and he is really good at dancing and how he would be devastated if he couldn't go any more.
She also mentions Prim and Gale's brother Rory. How they will get together soon enough and how she isn't sure she can deal with them being together never mind what would happen if they were to break up.
She reveals also how the youngest Posy is finding it difficult settling into school. That Katniss is afraid people will pick on her for being poor and not having better quality clothes that aren't hand–me-downs and she worries they have already.
This is where she brings in the whole argument with Madge.
She tells me what happened yesterday. How she was so hurt that Madge Undersee can provide for Posy while she cannot (something I disagree with completely).
She says how she only had old, raggedy, worn-out clothes and toys to give Posy but Madge has brand name, great quality clothes and toys she can give Posy
She then goes on saying how grateful Gale was to Madge after she gave Posy her old things. How he was never shown that sort of gratitude to Katniss even though she has been helping Gale raise her, feed her and clothe his sister since she was born.
She says more about how she feels like Gale doesn't appreciate her and how he was more grateful to Madge Undersee than he has ever been to her.
When she finishes saying this guilt and remorse fLash across her face and she quickly corrects herself as she praises Gale and divulges that he has been amazing, helping her with Prim and their mother while still taking care of her own family.
She stops talking soon after that and she looks so hurt and exhausted and frightened that I want nothing more than to wrap her in my arms and promise her that everything will be all right.
She shouldn't have to deal with this. She is only seventeen and she is forced to raise four children that aren't even hers and to deal with all these adult problems and worries long before she should have to.
I wish so badly that there was more I could do for her. I know it wasn't her mother's fault for falling into depression but I can't help but be angry at her for putting Katniss through this pain.
More than anything though I can't believe that Katniss trusts and cares for me enough to reveal all of this to me. That took immense amounts of courage and trust which just made me fall in love with her even more.
I see Katniss looking at me and she seems worried about my reaction.
How could she be worried? How could she doubt herself?
I take her hands in mine and subconsciously rub my thumb along the back to her hand.
"None of this is your fault Katniss." I begin softly,
"You have every right to feel this way. It must be so tough on you and I am so sorry for your situation and I hope I can help in any way I can." I hope I don't come off pushy with that but I want her to know the offer is all ways there
"You shouldn't feel bad about feeling this way. Rory, Vick and Posy aren't your responsibility yet you still make sure they are. You still love and care for them as if they were your children which is so incredibly admirable Katniss."
I couldn't imagine Bran and Rye having to raise me never mind actually doing a good job. I would probably been addicted to alcohol at the age of ten and sleeping with girls when I was 13 if they had their way.
"I can clearly see why you would be upset by Gale acting like he does." Okay we all know you aren't Gale Hawthorne's biggest fan Peeta but try to not insult him in front of Katniss he is still her best friend after all.
"It mightn't be so much that he is taking you for granted as he has just gotten so used to you and Prim being part of his family that he feels he doesn't need to show you any gratitude. He should but maybe he thinks you all ready know how grateful he is for helping him with his family."
I look into Katniss's eyes and she nods at my words before lifting her hands up to wipe her eyes.
No, no, no, no, no, you made her cry!
You idiot!
You are not supposed to make the girl you like cry!
Okay it's one of the first rules of life you know breathe at least once a minute and DON'T MAKE THE GIRL YOU HAVE HAD A MASSIVE CRUSH ON FOR YEARS CRY!
Unless it is with happiness.
And these definitely are not tears of joy.
Way to go Mellark!
"I'm sorry oh god Katniss I'm so sorry" I apologise profusely.
Katniss shakes her head and looks around the classroom before training her eyes back on me.
"Don't apologise Peeta you have done nothing but make this ten times easier on me thank you so much" This time it's Katniss who squeezes my hand and runs her thumb along it
Oh god why does she have to be so god-damn nice about this!?
Can she not just slap me?
Well okay maybe not slap
"I…I made you..." I get out then I close my eyes and breathe in deeply. Seriously Mellark do not cry.
The last thing you want is Katniss Everdeen thinking you are a wimp.
"Hey, hey, hey" Katniss says, putting her hands on the side of my face.
My eyes widen.
Is she trying to kill me?
Katniss smiles at me, "Thank you Peeta. I have never talked about this with anyone before and you have made it so much easier just being here and listening and I'm sorry if I got over emotional and droned on and on-"
"You didn't!" I say hastily.
How could she think I would ever get tired of listening to her?
Dammit Peeta you interrupted her!
You aren't doing a great job of making her like you.
"Sorry didn't mean to interrupt" I apologise again.
Katniss laughs, "Its fine"
We sit in a comfortable silence for a few minutes. Her bright silver eyes are looking into mine then she takes her lovely, cold hands from my face and place them on her lap again.
I want to stop her but don't want to come off as weird so I stay quiet.
I now take note of how close we are now.
Our foreheads are almost touching while our knees are.
Katniss breathes in nervously
Have I moved forwards? Or has she?
Our faces have inched closer and I can't stop my eyes drop down to her lips for a split second before they quickly return to her eyes.
I hope she didn't notice but I can tell she did.
Katniss smiles softly which I take as a good sign.
I have half a mind to lean in and close the gap between us but then the bell goes off.
Katniss and I spring apart instantly.
I look at the ground ashamed. I can't believe I was thinking of kissing Katniss Everdeen in the middle of a classroom.
I know that didn't stop the two in the corner but still.
I stand clumsily put my bag over my back and head towards the door.
I don't want to leave things like this though so before I know what I am doing I cough awkwardly and Katniss turns around looking at me curiously.
"Em…thank you…Katniss you know for sharing what you did with me"
I still can't believe she trusted me enough to tell me all that.
"And I just want you to know" I continue "That I won't and never will tell anyone what you told me and that like I said I'm here if you ever need me."
Katniss visibly relaxes
"Thanks Peeta that means a lot."
I smile, well she doesn't hate me that's good at least.
"If you do ever want to talk you know I will listen. And I promise I won't get bored or sick of listening to you." I look down at the ground. Dammit stop talking Mellark. I rub the back of my neck nervously before whispering "I never could get sick of listening to you."
What part of stop talking did you not understand!?
Katniss doesn't seem to mind though and she smiles at me.
I think I notice a tinge of pink in her cheeks before she says goodbye, leaving me alone.
That is before I remember I have a class the other side of the building next and I quickly sprint out of the classroom.
Last class of the day is finally over thank god.
The last two classes were hell as I couldn't stop thinking about Katniss.
My French teacher had to tell me to snap out of my daydream twice.
She even had to say it in English (and she never lets us speak English in class let alone speak it herself)
But I can't find it in me to care.
I head to my locker to find Finnick leaning against it.
"PEETA BREAD!"
Oh dear god
The entire hall turns to look at me and I glare at him.
"Odair" I state as I push past him to get into my locker.
"Awwwww don't be like that Pita" Finnick pouts beside me
I get my English stuff from my locker before shutting it and slinging my bag over my shoulder.
"Maybe you shouldn't yell in the halls causing the entire hallways to stare at me" I advise before pushing turning and heading towards to school exit.
"Aw ok I'm sorry" Finnick says blocking my path "I just wanted to thank you for the advice about Annie" Finnick winks at me and I somehow manage not to groan.
"No problem can I leave now?"
Finnick mocks a hurt expression, "Peeta! I am your best friend! You should bask in the glory of being in my presence"
I blink
"Okay fine I was wondering" And there it is "How is Everdeen doing?" Finnick asks worriedly
"Katniss? She is fine why?"
"She didn't look too well in Home Ec. that's all. I was of course looking at you guys making sure you were talking to her! And Madge mentioned something about a fight. Then I didn't see her at lunch today and Hawthorne looked a right grump all day."
Does he stalk her or something?
"Yeah I don't know the details just that Gale and Madge did something to upset Katniss and now she isn't speaking to them" I lie shrugging.
"Oh she totally walked in on them-"
"Finnick! Mind your own business for once!" I interrupt
"Fine" Finnick sulks
"Shouldn't you be at Annie's locker right now instead of mine?"
Finnick blinks before muttering, "Dammit" and he runs in the other direction.
I laugh and round the corner heading towards the exit when I spot Katniss leaning against her locker.
She looks exhausted.
I move towards her carefully.
"You all right Katniss?" I ask and her eyes fly open with fright.
She looks at me for a moment before coughing,
"Hey Peeta yeah, yeah I'm fine. Just over thinking you know. Stressed about a test coming up. Nothing to worry about."
Somehow I don't think Katniss is telling the truth and I move towards her slowly,
"Are you sure? You look a bit peaky Katniss."
"Oh so you are insulting me now?" Katniss asks, bored.
No I definitely didn't mean to do that! Why can't I do anything right today!?
"No! No! That's not what I meant at all! I-" I stammer out but luckily Katniss interrupts me,
"I know it isn't I'm really sorry I've just had a long day and I haven't been getting much sleep lately. I'm sorry Peeta I shouldn't take it out on you." Katniss looks down at the floor then and I think I see her sway slightly before she falls forward gripping my shoulders for support.
At first I think she has fainted but then I look down and she her eyes squeezed shut and her breathing heavily.
"Katniss!?" I question nervously.
What is wrong with her? Is she ill? She has looked exhausted all day. Maybe she isn't eating or sleeping right…
I move my hands to her waist gently to steady her as best I can, "Katniss are you all right? What's wrong?"
She presses her forehead against my chest but stays silent.
"Katniss will I get someone? You don't look well at all."
"No please no I'll be fine." She tells me shakily
I don't want to upset her so I stay where I am.
"Katniss? I drove today I can drive you home or to the doctors or something."
"Thanks Peeta really but I'm fine" She takes her hands off my shoulders and moves back too fast and she ends up falling against the lockers.
Oh God no. I reach out and get a hold of her waist pulling me to her. I hear the loud laughing from the corner and see that it is coming from Glimmer and Cashmere (last names).
How dare they laugh at Katniss while she is ill!? I feel anger bubble up inside me and try to shake it off for Katniss' sake.
"Katniss? I'm going to bring you to my car all right? You can't walk anywhere like this."
I hope I don't offend her with my offer and she doesn't argue.
She nods and murmurs, "Sure th-thanks Peeta." Though it comes out as more of a "Sure bhanks Peeta"
I lean her against the locker and back away slowly.
I grab our bags (I had placed mine on the floor when she fell…onto me.)
I think of carrying her but realise I can't with the school bags and I'm not leaving her here at the mercy of Glimmer and Cashmere.
"All right Katniss? I've got two bags so I can't carry you but just try and lean most of your weight on me."
I wrap my arm around her and we exit the building.
Soon enough we reach my car and I unlock it. I throw our bags in the back-seat before opening the passenger door for Katniss and gently lifting her inside the car.
I smile at how childlike she looks, her eyes barely staying open and her body slumped.
Her face looks sickly pale though and I wish more than anything that I could help her more.
"Sorry for this" Katniss mumbles and her eyes droop shut.
I smile sadly thinking of how tired she is and why she is so exhausted, "It's no problem Katniss."
I am shutting the passenger door when I hear somebody yelling Katniss' name behind me.
I turn around to check who it is and during so I spot Katniss tensing and turning her head away from the noise.
Once I have turned around I see a flushed Gale Hawthorne running towards me.
He is almost at the car and I know Katniss can't deal with this right now so I tell her,
"Its fine I'll deal with it, you just rest Katniss."
I shut the car door and make my way to meet Gale in the middle.
He slows down once he sees this and his eyes narrow.
He stops a few feet away from me.
"Gale." I state and Gale shifts
"Peeta. Why is Katniss in your car?" Gale asks, his voice deadly even as his eyes boring into mine
"She isn't feeling well" I inform him and Gale's whole demeanour shifts,
"Is she all right? What happened? What did you do to her? If you have laid a finger on her-"
"Gale!" I interrupt, "I have done nothing! Katniss is absolutely exhausted! She has to take care of her mum and Prim and then your family as well! And you and Thom and Darius and herself! She has too many things to deal with and she can't cope."
Gale stays silent for a moment and I can tell he is annoyed at me but is mostly worried about Katniss, "Look Mellark you have known her a week ok? I have known her my whole life I think I know more about her than you do. I don't need Katniss to take care of-"
"Gale I am not trying to hurt your pride here for crying out loud" I say sighing.
I briefly wonder whether he will beat me up or not…yeah he most likely will.
Gale folds his arms grumpily and I sigh, "Look Gale she all most fainted today!"
Gale's eyes widen and he is about to speak but I cut him off
"She needs to rest and I really don't think she is up to listening to people never mind talking as well. Look I think Katniss should talk to you and we both know she will soon but not now. She just needs to rest she has no energy for a confrontation now.
Gale seems to be considering this and I continue
"Look I am going to bring her back to my place for a bit" Gale moves forward angrily
"TO REST!" I add "I'm just going to let her rest I'll do homework or work at the bakery or something. My brothers are going to be home as well. Gale I'm not going to let her get hurt all right?"
Gale stares at me for a few minutes and I can practically hear the clogs turning in his head.
"Fine" he mutters
"Ok. I'm sure Katniss would appreciate you bringing Prim and your siblings home so she knows they are safe" I tell him making sure to say that it is what Katniss would want.
He nods, "Yeah I'll do that" He turns around and begins to walk off before he turns his head back and says, "And Peeta?"
"Yeah?"
Gale looks at me strangely before saying, "Take care of her."
Before I can answer he hurries off.
I quickly head back to the car not wanting to leave Katniss alone for too long.
Once I enter the car Katniss' eyes open and she looks at me innocently.
I shut the door before leaning forward and brushing a loose strand of hair out of Katniss' face.
"You okay?" I ask
She nods and mutters something I think was along the line of "Thanks".
Whatever sound she made sounds adorable anyway and I smile,
"My parents are out for the day so only my brothers are home do you want to rest there?"
I really hope she doesn't think I am trying to be suggestive when I say that.
I would of course suggest she rest at home but she would be fretting over her mother and Prim there and I doubt she would get a lot of rest.
Never the less Katniss agrees so we drive home.
I park the car outside the bakery and turn to Katniss,
"I'll go in on my own first ok? I just need to explain things to Bran and then I'll bring you in."
Katniss nods slightly and I take that as an agreement.
I head inside with the two bags and Bran looks up at the sound of the bell.
"Hey Peeta." Bran says smiling brightly at me.
Ever since he told my mum about Katniss and I working together he has been trying to make things up to me.
"Hi Bran" I say "Could you look after the bakery for me today? Katniss is here and she isn't feeling well so I'm going to let her rest upstairs."
Bran nods, "Sure yeah of course."
"Thanks" I say and just when I open the door that leads to the stairs Bran stops me,
"Peeta?" I face him, "I promise I won't…you know tell mum or dad she was here and if they come in while she is up there with you I will come up with something to get them leave."
I look at him for a moment before thanking him again.
I leave the bags upstairs in the sitting room and hurry outside again.
I open the door for Katniss letting her out.
I ask her if she is able to walk inside (I think it is A BIT too early in our 'relationship' for me carrying her even if she is ill. Not that I wouldn't like it but you know…) and she says she is.
Bran and Katniss make small talk as we walk across the bakery and soon we are in the sitting room on the couch.
I feel her forehead, checking for a high temperature but she feels perfectly cool.
"Well you don't have a high temperature which is a good thing." I tell her and she grins,
"My nurse Peeta." She whispers and I have to resist the urge to kiss her right then and there.
I laugh instead deciding she might be more comfortable with that.
"That's me." I tell her after all why would I refuse the privilege of getting to take care of her?
I stand up and advise her to lie down.
He laughs, "That's me." Peeta stands up "Here Katniss you should lie down."
"Peeta…" Katniss groans reluctantly
"Katniss! Listen to your nurse and lie down." I order her but grin to assure her I am only kidding.
"Yes sir." Katniss agrees smiling and lying down.
Wow she actually did something somebody told her to do. She must really be sick.
I sit down in the armchair beside the couch and that is when Katniss asks me the dreaded question.
"Peeta? Who was calling my name before?"
I rub my neck and try not to stress over her reaction, "Em it was Gale."
Katniss face is emotionless as she nods and asks, "What did he want?"
I figure she knows what he wanted but I answer her question anyway.
"Just to talk to you" I tell her honestly.
Katniss turns her head to look at the ceiling.
"Oh… right."
I decide to show a good side of Gale (YES SHOW THE GIRL YOU ARE IN LOVE WITH THE GOOD SIGN OF HER EXTREMELY GOOD LOOKING BEST FRIEND WHO SHE IS MOST LIKELY TO GO OUT WITH AND MARRY AND HAVE REAL KIDS WITH! YES WELL DONE PEETA!)
"He was worried about you when I told him you weren't feeling well." I say hesitantly
"Peeta" Katniss says firmly implying that she does not want to talk about Gale no exceptions
"Sorry" I say quickly.
After a few minutes of awkward silence I decide I should get some of my homework done seeing as I don't know how long Katniss will be here (not that I want her to leave).
"I'm going to start my homework if that's all right I just have a lot today." I inform her
"Peeta of course it is all right you can do whatever you want." She reassures me smiling
"What subject are you going to start on?" she asks curiously
"French" I answers holding up my French book with a picture of the Eiffel Tower on it (how cliché)
"You took French?" Katniss inquires
"Yeah, mum's idea." I say bitterly as I remember the constant arguments we had when I was choosing my school subjects. Telling her I despised French and that I found it far too difficult. She insisted that it would benefit me in the future and that I would go nowhere in life if I did not take a language. It was one of the few times I ever disagreed with my mother out loud and she did not take it well.
"Don't like it?" Katniss asks
"I don't have a great teacher for it." I answer and it is true my teacher is rubbish. One of the main reasons why I was never interested in the subject.
"Did you take a language?" I ask her Peeta asks me and I shake my head
"Nah, no interest in them"
"Yeah I don't really want to learn French but my mum thought it would be good for my future or something" I shrug
"Ah yeah well you need a language for some big colleges I think…. I don't know" Katniss says optimistically, "So what have you to do for French homework?"
"Write a letter to your pen pal in France." Basically what we have been doing since freshman year.
"Oh fun so after this are they going to write back explaining in lavish detail about how they eat croissants every morning and that they have a view from the Eiffel Tower from their home?" Katniss jokes grinning brightly.
This is when I notice there is more colour in her cheeks and I breathe a sigh of relief as I laugh at the sign of her recovering
"Em no"
"Aww no! They don't even write back now that is mean!" Katniss says pouting
I shake my head in despair, "Right" I am at a loss for what else to say
"Hmm so what is the name of this rude French pen pal then" Katniss asks clasping her hands and leaning forwards slightly
I look down at my letter.
I don't know how well Katniss will react to me writing a letter to her in French for homework.
I blush red and mutter, "You"
"Aw brilliant!" Katniss says enthusiastically "I all ways wondered what it was like to live in Europe. I'm getting a letter all the way from France, aw thanks Peeta! I can't wait to read it" Katniss is grinning like I just told her she has won the lotto.
I laugh and tell her she won't be able to understand it.
I realise I am not going to get any decent work done while talking to Katniss but I don't want to stop. I only have the introduction done and the beginning of the next paragraph.
"Ah sure that will be half the fun!" Katniss says "I think I might get a start on my homework as well."
"Are you sure you're up to it?" I question not wanting her to strain herself
"Yeah I'm feeling much better thanks to you."
I smile at her "I'm glad"
Katniss pulls out her science book from her bag and instead of doing my homework like any normal human would I decide to ask her about science instead.
"You took science then?"
"Yeah it's all right" Katniss says sighing
"I never liked it really"
"Yeah I only chose it because I had to choose another subject." She admits
She opens up her book and we work on our homework in comfortable silence with the odd conversation here and there.
We decide to take a break from our homework after we finish our English essays
Katniss begs me to let her read the French letter and I let her even though I know she won't understand it.
I was right of course and she takes a swift glance over it before handing it back to me saying,
"Yeah no I don't understand this
I laugh I response to her.
"You translate it for me" Katniss challenges as she gets comfy on the couch
"It's boring" I warn her
"Brilliant" She grins
I roll my eyes, "We had to write about school and stuff"
"Oh fantastic I love school and stuff" Katniss smirks at me clearly loving this, "Go on"
I look down at the letter and begin translating.
It doesn't take as long as I expected and when I finish Katniss doesn't speak for a few minutes which makes me feel a bit uncomfortable under her stare.
"Wow….this Katniss must be a bitch to not want to reply to that." Katniss says seriously.
I burst out laughing and don't recover for several minutes,
"Thanks"
"No problem, seriously though that was great you gave all the information that was asked. Your evil French teacher has to be impressed with that."
"You only heard it in English Katniss it could be rubbish in French." Which is true. The grammar could be off. I could have worded things wrong. I might have misspelt words. Ok let's not think of all the negatives Peeta.
"Course it's not" Katniss says
"How do you know?" I ask raising my eyebrows
"Because nothing you ever write could ever be rubbish," Katniss compliments sweetly "No matter what foreign language it is in."
We smile and I know take in just how close we are to each other. If I moved in just a tiny bit of foreheads would be touching.
I have to stop myself from letting my eyes glance down to her lips again.
After a few minutes I can't take it any more. I know if I stay there I will end up kissing her and I cannot risk freaking her out when she has just began to trust me.
I pull away from her coughing and sitting as far back in my chair as I can.
"We should probably get back to homework" I mutter.
Katniss looks at me before reluctantly agreeing.
We finish our homework about an hour later.
We pack up our stuff and Katniss asks me if she can ring Prim to which I agree to of course.
There is no reason why she needs to ask my permission to do stuff. I would tell her that but I don't want her to feel offended.
Katniss rings Prim and I make sure not to listen to their conversation I don't want to seem rude.
I continue to pack away my things and put my bag in the corner before sitting down in the armchair again.
I think back to what Finnick said a few days ago about me asking Katniss to go with me to that football game.
I don't even know if Katniss likes football! She probably has much better things to be doing with her time.
If I do ask her out it would be to somewhere…normal.
Like the cinema or something.
But then again Finnick would kill me for not going to the game with him and I don't want to spend the whole time sitting next to him and Annie sucking the faces off each other.
Maybe I should ask her.
I mean she hasn't shown any signs of being repulsed by me and she has blushed a few times around me.
She might see me as just a friend and if she says that I can all ways say that I only wanted her to go with me as friends….
I notice Katniss isn't on the phone to Prim any more and is looking down at her lap.
She disheartened and regretful and I ask if she is all right.
She looks up at me, "I suppose so. Prim's at Gale's so that's one less dinner I have to organize which is a relief"
Katniss smiles but it doesn't reach her eyes.
"Oh right well that's good" I say wringing my hands, "You know I would invite you to have dinner here but I don't know when my mother will be home and…well…she isn't exactly the politest of people."
"Thank you Peeta, I understand." Katniss says and I can tell she does understand.
I think about bringing up the game now but Katniss speaks first.
"I should get going. My mum is at home and I don't…well I don't want her to worry."
Her hesitation doesn't escape my notice but I forget about it quickly not wishing to intrude.
We stand up and we make our way to the sitting room door.
"Thanks for everything today Peeta."
"It was nothing really just make sure you rest. I was glad to help." I say honestly
"Well thank you anyway and I will."
Katniss is about to open the door when I stop her.
She turns around and looks up at me.
"I was just wondering…" Come on Mellark you can do this
"Yeah?" Katniss asks biting her lip (I would like to confirm my earlier suspicion that she is indeed trying to kill me)
"Well Finnick is making me go to the football game that's coming up" I feel my face heat up and I can't hold her gaze for long. Mellark you have planned this moment for over a decade! Just get it out. "And he will probably be making out with Annie the whole time so I was wondering-hoping that you would come with me. You don't have to of course I understand it would probably be boring for you stuck with me while them two-"
Katniss cuts off my babbling, "I would love to go."
Did she just agree to go out with me?
Did Katniss just agree to go out with me?
Did Katniss Everdeen just agree to go out with me!?
"Really?" I don't believe it.
She can't have.
Why would she want to go out with me?
Don't ask yourself these questions just be glad she said yes!
Katniss nods, smiling, "Yeah it sounds like a great idea."
"Oh well great! Thanks!" I say and I think my face may break from my grin.
Katniss leads the way downstairs and I have to stop myself from jumping with joy.
Katniss says goodbye to Bran and we go outside.
"I can drive you home if you want?" I offer
"Thanks but I'll be fine walking, I have to pick up some milk anyway." Katniss says motioning to the shop down the street.
"Oh right that's fine" I don't know what to say.
What do you say to the girl who just agreed to go out with you?
"So I'll see you tomorrow then?" Katniss asks as she slowly walks backwards.
TOMORROW?!
THE GAME ISN'T TOMORROW RIGHT-?
Oh right she is talking about school...I knew that.
"Yeah you will" I smile and watch as she turns away from me and begins walking away.
I am about to head inside where I would then go up to my run and jump up and down with joy when Katniss calls me back, "Oh Peeta?"
No...
She has changed her mind.
She has realised I'm not good enough. That I am useless and I will never amount to anything. Just like my mother has all way said.
She is clever she knows she doesn't have to go out with me out of guilt and knows she can do much better than me so she is going to tell me straight out so I don't get my hopes up (any further)
Or maybe she will just drop hints about how great it is that we are going as friends (I think the previous version would be easier to cope with)
I pray to god that my face isn't showing my torment as I reply, "Yeah?"
"This football game?" ...I was right "Just in case Madge asks which I'm sure she will do over and over again would this be described as a date?" Katniss asks with a curious smirk.
What do I say?
What the hell do I say?
The truth?
What I hope is the truth?
Yeah go with that one.
What's the worst that could happen? Well...let's not think about the worst that could happen right now.
"Em...well I suppose it would be yes…" I stutter out
Katniss grins and answers with, "Cool. See you later Peeta!" Katniss walks away and I stare after her in shock.
Katniss wants to go out on a date with me.
Katniss Everdeen wants to go out with me and she thinks it is cool….
….
….
I think I am going to faint.
AN: Awww my poor nervous baby.
Next chapter Gale and Katniss will talk (FINALLY).
I wonder if she will tell him about her and Peeta's date...
Her and Peeta's date hmm...
I have personally never been taken to a school football game on a date but sure I'm sure I will come up with something ;)
Anyway I wasn't sure whether to call it soccer or football so I just figure it will be American football they are playing (I don't know if Americans call that soccer as well. I'm sorry it is just confusing to me and I'm not really into sports so...)
So do you guys want Finnick and Annie to be there with them at the game?
Or just Peeta and Katniss?
Tell me what you guys think and/or want to see in the reviews :)
Please Favourite, favourite and review
Thanks for reading
xTeam Mockingjayx
(THAT TRAILER THOUGH! FINNICK, PEETA, GALE, KATNISS! SO WORTH THE LONG WAIT...well maybe I wouldn't go THAT far...)