Chapter 5: Getting to Know Each Other

Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games

Katniss:

Katniss tapped her foot to the beat of the music that blasted through her headphones. Often, people complain about their inability to focus on work while listening to music but Katniss was not one of them.

"Katniss!" Her mother yanked out one of her headphones.

"What?" She yelled, startled by the action.

"I said, go pick up Prim from Thresh's house! She went to work on a project with Rue." Prim and Rue Mathews were like sisters. Inseparable.

The Mathews family lived in an apartment a few buildings away and Katniss was there in a matter of two minutes.

"Hey Kat! Prim, your sister's here!" Thresh's low voice echoed through the apartment.

"Coming!" Prim called.

"So Kat, found a job yet?" Katniss had mentioned needing one. She didn't like asking her mother for money. She hated owing people things.

"Ugh, don't remind me. I haven't heard back from anywhere!"

"Great!" Katniss frowned at her tall friend. "I don't mean it in a bad way! I found you a job!" Thresh announced.

"Where?" Katniss asked excitedly.

"I have to quit my job at the bakery, because of football. This season's important. So, I thought, why not see if Kat wants the job!" He finished with a smile.

Thresh had worked at Mellark bakery for the past year and a half. The pay was good and the free pastries, even better.

"Thresh, you rock!" She hugged the giant.

"Woah! Thresh, not Katniss! She's like our sister!" Rue complained. Katniss and Thresh laughed.

"I was just thanking your brother for getting me a job. No worries Rue, we're all still family!"

"Katniss, you should see our volcano! It works!" Prim gushed as Rue nodded enthusiastically.

"Let me guess, you tested it out and made a mess?" Thresh said.

"Just a little one..." Rue said innocently.

"We cleaned up though, promise." Prim added.

"Good. Mom wants us home for dinner. Thanks again Thresh! I'll stop by tomorrow." Katniss said, leading Prim out the door.

A job! Finally!Wait a minute...at Mellark Bakery!

Oh no, she'd see Peeta! Katniss had a huge crush on him. No one knew about it except herself. He was dating Glimmer and working at the same place would be unbearable.

No Katniss! You need this job! She gave herself a little pep-talk and made up her mind to take the job.

The bell on top of the door rang when she walked in. A guy with a nose piercing stood behind the counter.

"Yeah?" He said, his voice sounded bored.

"I'm here for the job..." Katniss hoped this guy knew what she was talking about.

"Yo, Peeta! Some chick's here to see you!" He yelled as opened the door to the kitchen.

"She's hot, man! She your girlfriend?" The guy said in an extremely loud whisper. Katniss felt more uncomfortable by the second. Breath, Kat. You can do this!

The door behind the counter opened and out walked Peeta Mellark. He wiped his flour dusted hands on his apron.

"Katniss, hey! Sorry about Rich. He's kind of blunt. What can I get you?" He asked kindly.

"I,uh, I'm here to ask about a job? Thresh told me about it."

"Oh yeah, he did tell me he'd ask you. Cool. It's part time, Monday through Wednesday from 5-9pm and Saturday mornings. About $8.50 an hour. Plus, you keep whatever you get in your tip jar!" He laughed, holding up a little jar labeled 'Tips'.

Katniss laughed at his actions. "Great! I'm in! When do I start?" The schedule worked perfectly! Track practice was moved to Thursdays and Fridays because of some new project Clove had to work on.

"Monday good?" She nodded. "Okay, see ya then!" He gave a little wave and went back into the kitchen.

He'd be here? Right, someone had to bake the cookies and bread. Smart Katniss.

"So, you're working here? Awesome. I'm Rich." It was that guy again.

"Katniss."

"Hey, maybe you and I could-"

"No thanks!" She said almost too quickly. "I mean, I already have a boyfriend. Sorry." She smiled sheepishly and left.

Once outside, Katniss took a deep breath and congratulated herself. That was handled with grace and elegance!

Annie:

Saturday night was date night for Annie Cresta. Finnick, that's right Finnick Odair, had asked her out! She was thrilled! She hadn't said a word about it to anyone. Certainly not her cousin Glim, for obvious reasons.

Annie raised a hand to her chin, trying to decide between her red dress or her blue one. Both were appropriate, but she couldn't make up her mind.

"Grandma Mags! Could you come in here for a sec?"

An old woman, around 80, waddle into the room. Annie guided her toward her bed and showed her the dresses.

"Grandma, I need you to pick a dress. Just point at your favorite." She smiles at her grandma.

Mags pointed to the blue one.

"Compliments your eyes, honey." She said. "Who are you going out with again?"

Annie giggled. "Finnick, grandma. He's a friend from school. I'll be back before ten, I promise."

Mags gave her a questioning look which was then replaced by a smile.

"Have fun Annie. Be happy."

"I am." I haven't been this happy in a while.

Annie was finishing up fixing her hair, when the doorbell rang.

"I'll get grandma!" She rushed down the stairs and flung the door open.

"I got you these." Finnick handed her some tulips and Annie detected a hint of shyness coming from the usually outgoing boy.

"They're beautiful, Finn. Thank you." Annie invited him in while she searched for a vase.

Finnick spotted Mags and proceeded to introduce himself.

"I'm Finnick Odair. Annie's friend."

"I'm her Grandmother, dear. You're so handsome! Annie didn't mention that part." Annie blushed.

"Okay! We should go, Finn! Bye Grandma!" She took Finnick's hand and pulled him out the door.

Finnick's car was parked right in front of her house. He opened the passenger door and Annie gracefully climbed in. Once he took the driver's seat Annie asked about their destination.

"Hmmm...does a movie sound okay? Dinner after?"

"More than okay! Perfect."

The two teenagers laughed as they talked in a diner booth. It was late, and there were a few customers here at Greasy Sae's Diner. A few of them were shooting them strange looks, but Annie didn't notice.

"I'm serious Annie. I didn't get it."

"They reincarnate! That's the story. No matter what, their paths meet because they're meant to meet." Annie explained.

"So people who are meant to meet, meet no matter what? Makes sense that I'm here then." He said.

Aww! How sweet! "Finn, what's it like living here in Panem all your life?" Annie asked. She was new and she didn't really know anyone besides her cousin and her circle of friends.

"Boring." He joked. "Nah, it's fun! When you know the right people...I don't want to be rude, but your cousin is well, a bitch."

Annie sighed. "She's hard to handle, but that's only because no one cares to see past her clothes and make up."

Finnick didn't say anything in response and she knew that he didn't believe her. Glimmer really was a nice person. She was so willing to help Annie make it through the hardest time of her life.

"Finnick," She said seriously. "I want to tell you something. I know we've only known each other for a little while, but this is a date right?"

"Yeah it is!" He grins.

"Right. We're getting to know each other and you should know this." It was better that he knew it from her first. Not rumors. "I'm here with my grandma because my parents are dead. It happened a couple of years ago and I'm kind of still trying to get over it. I don't think I can ever be over it, but I'm trying." Annie was staring down at her plate. Finnick reached for her hand, silently asking her to continue her story.

"We were out on one of my dad's boats, enjoying the Florida beaches. But there was this storm and we were caught in it. It was awful." Annie gulped. "I don't remember much, but I woke up in a hospital and my grandma was there. She told me. My mom. My dad. My brother. They weren't coming back." She blinked quickly in an effort to stop the tears from falling.

"Annie..." Finnick couldn't find the words to say.

"Moving here was my grandma's idea. She thought I could go to school with Glimmer." And that's why they were close. Her cousin and Mags were here only friends. Luckily, she had Finnick.

"Annie, I won't tell anyone. I promise." He said. Annie used her free hand to wipe at her tears. "I'm here for you. Any time you need someone who's not wearing a skirt or knitting, I'm here." She smiled. How could any guy be so perfect?

Katniss has a job! With Peeta! Now they'll be seeing a lot more of each other. Annie has been through a rough time and Finnick will be the one to help her get her life back. Kind of like in the books. Hope you liked it and REVIEW! I like reviews!