Chapter 7: End of the World

Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games.

Peeta:

He took a step back to examine his latest painting for art class. Looking good! All it needed was a bit more yellow. It was a painting of a meadow full of bright dandelions. This would be the final piece of his portfolio. Once class ended, Peeta made his way to Glimmer's locker. She insisted they walk to lunch together.

Lately, he felt distant from Glimmer. She was still great, but Katniss was always there. Now more than ever, since she worked at the bakery. She had only been working there for a week or so, and already he could tell she fit right in. She was kind and patient with costumers, even the ones in a rush that always seemed to think they were a priority, but really were only being annoying. She kept the tables clean and everything stocked. Plus, she liked talking to him. They chatted about random things. Anything from favorite colors to their hobbies. He just liked her more and more!

"Peeta, hey!" Glimmer gave him a chaste kiss and took his hand as they walked to the cafeteria. "How's that painting coming along?" He had told her about it before.

"Fine. I'm almost done. I going to add some more color and that's it."

She smiled, showing off her perfect white smile. "You'll have to let me see it once it's done." She said. Glimmer never had an eye for art, so there wasn't much she could say about it. Maybe Katniss would like to see it...

Glimmer is you're girlfriend Peeta! Not Katniss. But Katniss was becoming a friend. He could share his art with a friend if he wanted to.

Lunch was a weird event that day. Glimmer told the group all about her new cheer routine. It would be full of pep, or something. Peeta wasn't listening. Annie was absent from lunch, stuck in detention. Again. It didn't take a genius to figure out who got her there. Glimmer knew, but she was ignoring Annie at the moment. She told Peeta that she was looking out for her cousin.

If she wants to look out for Annie, she should let her be with Finn. He's not so bad.

He looked over at Katniss's table. Katniss had chosen to sit next to Gale today and that bothered Peeta, even though he was a aware he had no right to be jealous. She and Gale were apparently having a serious conversation. Jo and Clove were chatting about who knows what.

"Oh my god, guys! Cato's reading!" Marvel laughed. It was true, he was reading a book! Peeta couldn't see the cover, but he knew it had to be Pride and Prejudice. It was for school. Cato appeared to be only half way through, which was odd considering the class was almost finished with the novel. They were starting Hamlet on Monday. The blond in question glared at Marvel.

"Shut up, Marvel. It's for class."

"For class!" Glimmer said. "Reading for school? The apocalypse must be near!" She joked. Marvel and Peeta both laughed along with her. Cato ignored the jeer and continued to read. Yup, the apocalypse was coming for sure. Sad, Peeta would never get a chance to tell Katniss how he felt.

She's too good for me. Katniss deserves someone as amazing as she is. On that thought, Peeta turned his attention back to whatever Glimmer was complaining about.

Katniss:

The world was ending. That was the only reason why Gale, of all people, would ask her on a date. Katniss couldn't say no. It was Gale, her best friend. She didn't want to seem uncaring. He made a pretty good argument, too.

"You have nothing to lose Kat. We're great friends and it makes sense to try it. Nothing will change if we don't want it to." He had said.

Everything would change. But maybe for the better? Yeah, she liked Peeta, but no progress was being made there. He treated her like a friend/ co-worker. He was sort of like her boss and dating her boss wasn't her. Then there was the little fact that he already had a girlfriend. A beautiful, rich, elegant girlfriend.

"Katniss? You okay?" It was Saturday morning and she was working the breakfast rush. Peeta was there, baking. He had come out of the kitchen to set up a tray of muffins.

"Wha-yup! I'm good!" She smiled and moved to clean some of the already spotless tables.

I have a date with Gale today. And it will be awesome. Not weird at all! Lies. It would be the most awkward experience of her life and she would never be able to look at Gale again. Ever!

That was the worst case scenario. There was always the chance that Gale felt as awkward as she did and the two would decide to just forget about it and stay friends. Fingers crossed for that one.

Katniss knew that Gale had crush in her, but she always thought it was puppy love. He would forget about her sooner or later. Besides, he got along so well with Johanna. He could go out with her and Katniss didn't doubt that they would work. They both loved arguing and sports. Johanna was good at getting him out of his moods. He always knew what to say to stop Johanna from punching a cheerleader or one of the Careers. They were perfect for each other. I'm not right for Gale. I'd be lying to him. She could only see herself with Peeta and she hated that he was taken.

Maybe someday he'd break up with Glimmer. Not all relationships last forever. Katniss was going to test hers with Gale and she hoped their friendship could handle this doomed date.

Gale:

"You look really nice." He said. She did indeed look nice in her casual skinny jeans, green blouse, and pair of black sandals. Not the most elegant outfit, but Katniss made it look incredible.

"Thanks." He could hear the discomfort in her voice. Yeah, he was starting to feel it, too. He hoped that Katniss would be more excited but clearly she wasn't thrilled. She's trying to be and he can tell.

It was all surreal. Him and Katniss on a date. Finnick was the one who talked him into it. The copper haired boy assured him that asking her out would be worth it. Making the first move would show Katniss that he wasn't afraid to take a risk for them to be together. When Finnick got so smart, he didn't know.

"So, where to?" Katniss asked. Gale strapped on his seat belt and Kat waited for an anwer.

"Arena. I thought we could have some fun. Laser tag maybe?"

Katniss smiled and nodded.

Arena Sports Zone was a popular place among the high school students. It was a three floor building. On the third floor, was an indoor laser tag arena. The middle floor was full of arcade games. The first floor was a full service restaurant.

They arrived and decided to have a bite to eat. Neither was very hungry, but some talking would help reduce the tension. Gale got them some fries and chicken wings.

"Our dear friends stopped by the bakery the other day." Katniss said. She dipped a fry into some ketchup and quickly ate it.

"They wanted some free cupcakes?" Gale assumed.

"Yup. I couldn't give them any. I've only just started! Do they want me to get fired? They're so unbelievable sometimes." She complained. They loved their friends, but it was true. Sometimes friends can be a bit out there.

"You should ban them." Gale joked.

Katniss laughed before having another fry. "Nah, I can't. Not my place. It'd be a bad idea anyway, bad for business. They bought, like, three dozen cupcakes. And then Finnick actually took another two dozen home! He inhales cupcakes!"

Gale and Katniss laughed at there friend. He had quite a sweet tooth!

After their snack, the two went up to the third floor only to find the laser tag place rented out by a bunch of second graders. Birthday party.

"Aww! They're so cute! Look at them!" Katniss gushed. Through the mesh walls, they could see the little kids running around, not really aiming at anyone. Amateurs.

"I thought you didn't like kids, Kat."

"I never said I didn't like them. I just don't see myself ever having one. I'll just spoil Prim's children!" She explained.

In an ideal world, this date would lead to many others. And then, in the very distant future, he and Katniss would be married. He'd change her mind about kids. She could spoil them if she wanted to.

"Right. Anyway, it sucks that the whole place is rented out. I really wanted to kiss your ass at laser tag!" He teased.

"As if, Gale. My aim is way better than yours! I could be blind folded, and I'd still get more hits." Just then a frazzled looking woman approached them. She had all her stuuf with her, purse and car keys ready to go.

"Hi, I'm Jamie! I'm Lily's mom, it's her birthday. " Gale and Katniss were confused.

"Umm...Hello Lily's mom?" Gale said questionably.

Jaime smiled. "Look, I have to go pick up a cake from the bakery and I need someone to watch the kids. I know, I don't know you, but you guys like laser tag, right? Right! So maybe you could go in there and supervise for a bit? Guy over there says I have to leave someone who's not seven in charge."

The two teens looks at the woman with blank expressions.

"Please? Free laser tag! And cake!" She pleaded.

Katniss smirked over at Gale. "Sure! No problem!"

"Oh thank you!" She ran over to the help desk and talked quickly to the guy that managed it. Gale and Katniss were given vests and two laser guns.

"Woo! Laser tag!" Katniss was a lot more excited about the date now.

"With seven year olds...not fun, Kat." Katniss ignored him and went into the laser tag arena. A new game was about to start.

Gale joined her inside and the kids just stared. There was about eight in total. All equipped with vests and laser guns.

"Hey, where's my mommy?" A little red headed girl asked.

"She went to get you some cake, kid. We're going to watch you guys for a little while okay?" Gale told them.

"You're old!" A little boy yelled. The buzzer rang, indicating a new game.

"Rude." Katniss whispered.

"Let's get the old people!" Another girl shrieked. They gave a loud battle call before all aiming at Gale and Katniss. Katniss, being the competitive person she was ran off, dragging Gale with her.

What in the world is going on! They're elementary school kids!

"Oh my god, Gale they're vicious! What's the plan?"

"We play some laser tag!" They'd show those kids what these 'old people' could do.

Katniss cheered and they could hear the kids yelling and laughing, still trying to find them.

"Let's do it! Team Everthorne, go!" Katniss yelled in encouragement. Then they both ran out, ready to take on a bunch of second graders.

Even though they got creamed by the little kids, Gale had never had more fun and he was glad it was with Katniss.

They got their cake and while they ate, Gale decided to ask Katniss a question.

"Do you think we could go out again sometime?"

"Hmm..." Kat said thoughtfully. "I'm not sure I want our next date to involve a group of shrieking seven year olds, but yeah. I don't see why we can't try. I'll be honest, Gale, I didn't think going out on a date was such a good idea. I had fun, though. You proved me wrong." She gave him a shy smile, one that he'd never seen on her before.

Gale beamed at her. The world could end right then and he wouldn't even notice. Katniss Everdeen, the girl he's been in love with since eighth grade, was going on another date with him.

"I promise, no more little kids. Or laser tag. Maybe a movie?"

Katniss giggled and had another bite of cake. Gale followed her example. Great cake for a great date!

Jo's plan totally backfired. Katniss and Gale had a fantastic date and she wants to give him a chance. Peeta is starting to drift away from Glimmer, but he can't just breakup with her. He's Peeta. And he's not going to go for Katniss if he thinks she's happy with Gale. He should stop being so nice! Well, read and review guys! Thanks!