Chapter 8: Some Things Have to End

Disclaimer: I don't own The Hunger Games

Johanna:

Sunday was never a good day to visit the mall. The crowds were incredible and the perfume sales people in those over priced department stores were even more annoying than usual.

"Hey, watch my stuff, guys. I'll be right back." Katniss stood from her chair, most likely on her way to the restroom.

The girls had agreed to spend the day at the mall so Katniss could tell them all about her date with Gale. Johanna had thought it an excellent idea, hoping to hear that Katniss say that Gale wasn't boyfriend material.

But no, little Kat had only great things to say about her fabulous laser tag adventure. She did have her doubts at first, but spending time alone with Gale had 'opened her eyes to the possibility of a relationship'. Her words. Stupid words.

As soon as Katniss disappeared into the crowd, Johanna dramatically slammed her head down on the table and groaned.

"I know, Jo, Sundays are too crowded." Clove said. Johanna groaned once more. Clove knew exactly why she was upset and it had nothing to do with crowds.

"It was one date. One. That doesn't mean they're soul mates." Clove said, finally agreeing to discuss the issue.

"They're taking Posy out trick-or-treating tomorrow!" Johanna cried.

"Okay, so two dates. Though I don't think that counts since Posy will be there. Either way, I'm not buying my maid of honor dress just yet!" Clove joked.

"Ugh! You're no help, you know! And you wouldn't be the maid of honor, I would!" Jo yelled. Some people around them were beginning to stare.

"Calm down, people are going to think we're crazy!" Clove said. "Maybe they want to be together, Jo."

"Gale does. Katniss doesn't like him, not like that."

"We don't know that, maybe she-" Clove did not get a chance to finish.

"We do know that, Clove! She's told us before! She said, and I quote, 'Gale and I are just friends, I don't think anything else would work.' End quote." So Katniss never actually said that, but she was thinking it!

"Whatever. Johanna, if she's not right for him, who is? You? I've told you before, all you have to do is walk up to Gale and tell him that you think you two should go out." Clove stated.

"Like I'd take advice from you. You're not exactly the relationship guru. John, Derek, Andrew, G-"

"Johanna! Shut it! So I dated a few guys, big deal. At least I made a move when I had to. You're sitting here moping around and just being irrational. Let them be! If they break up, so be it. If not, you deal with it. You missed your chance."

Johanna scowled but didn't counter, seeing Katniss nearing the table. Katniss. That traitor, she knew that Jo liked Gale. Of course, Johanna has never said it out loud, but best friends know these things! That's why every one of their friends knew Katniss liked Peeta Mellark.

If he broke up with Glimmer, then Kat would have a chance! Kat and Peeta, me and Gale. Clove...forever alone!

Satisfied with her logic, Johanna had to plan a quick getaway. She wasn't as upset as before, but she still did not want to hear more about Gale and Katniss's Halloween plans.

"Okay, so what next?" Katniss asked.

"I think I'll go home. I have this headache and I should probably sleep it off." Johanna said.

"Oh, that's fine!" Katniss assures. "I haven't done any work this weekend, so we can go."

"Nah! Don't ruin your day because of me, Kat. Stay and shop!" Johanna smiled.

"I drove you here, Jo. If you go, we all go." Clove glared at her. She knew Jo was faking.

"I'll walk."

Clove's glare intensified. "You'll walk at least an hour."

"I can take it. See you guys at school."

Katniss was a bit confused by that last exchange, but she waved goodbye at Johanna. Clove shook her head in disapproval but thankfully didn't stop her.

Johanna was not going to walk home. No way. She'd just call Thresh and ask him for a ride. They could always count on Thresh! Besides, he probably just got out from football practice with Gale. Who knows, maybe Gale had something to say about the date.

Annie:

Annie Cresta and Finnick Odair were officially a couple.

That Sunday, the two of them just hung out at Finnick's house. Homework and boring television wasn't the most exhilarating thing, but better than being alone with her Grandmother. Not that she didn't like grandma Mags; Annie just wasn't into knitting.

The two teens were currently busy with math homework.

"That's wrong Finn. You forgot to add the 6." She pointed to part of an equation.

He looked at his paper and shrugged. "I get credit for trying. I'm hungry, you want anything?" She shook her head, no. Finn left for the kitchen and Annie continued working on math.

Her phone buzzed. A text.

'I'm at your house. Where are you?' Glimmer.

'Busy.' She sent her the text. About a minute later, she got an answer.

'Mags said you were at a friends house.' She had to come up with something quick.

'I am. My boyfriend's house.'

There was no reply after that and Annie was relieved that Glimmer had backed off.

Finnick made a noisy entrance into the living room. He was holding a bag of chips, a box of cookies, and a six-pack of soda.

"You're gonna eat all that?" Annie asked. Wow, that was unhealthy.

"Uh, yeah? I'm hungry."

"I could make you something, Finn. Chips and cookies aren't a meal."

"You don't have to-"

"I want to. Where's your kitchen?" And he did not argue with Annie. He led her into the kitchen. It was beautiful! Annie loved cooking, she found it to be therapeutic. There was nothing like creating a wonderful meal for the people you care about.

Annie was searching the fridge, when someone pounded on the door. She looked to Finnick for an explanation as to who it could be, but he was just as surprised. Annie continued her search for ingredients while Finnick got the door.

"Woah, I don't remember letting you in my house." That's Finnick's voice but who is he talking to?

Her cousin waltzed into the kitchen, crossing her arms in anger when she saw Annie.

"Really? You ignore my calls and you're busy with that?" She points to Finnick. "I thought we agreed that you'd stay away."

Annie put on her brave face. "No, I remember saying that I could pick my own friends."

"Annie, I don't want you to get hurt. He's dated, like, every girl at school!" Glimmer shrieked.

"I'm right here, and I have not. Annie, you can't possibly believe that." Finn said.

Annie sent him a comforting glance. "I know, Finn. Glimmer, I think it would be better if I stop hanging out with you and your friends for a while. I don't think I'm right for the Careers."

Glimmer's face was one of pure disbelief. "No! No one just walks away from the Careers! It's an honor and a privilege to be seen with us, Annie!"

"Well, I don't want that honor. If it means I can't see my own boyfriend, then I can't accept. I thank you for all you've done for me, Glimmer. I really appreciate it, but I'm done." Annie stated firmly. Finnick was immediately at her side, proud of his girlfriend.

"I'll give you one more chance, Annie. Come with me, we're going home. You think about what you want. If you walk away now, you lose everything." Glimmer threatened.

Annie stayed silent. It hurt her, seeing her cousin like this. She clung so desperately to this idea of The Careers when in reality, it meant nothing.

Do they all treat popularity the same way? Like it's something they have to hold on to?

"Sinclair, I never said you could come in. And you're kind of ruining the mood, so if you could please leave, that would be great." Finnick said coolly.

Glimmer fumed. With one last angry glance at Annie, she turned on her heels and stormed out.

"You did good, Annie. You're more than welcome to sit with me at lunch!"

"I don't get why she's so fascinated by her popularity. I mean, everyone at school knows she's popular, but they wouldn't want to be friends with her. It's her attitude that they hate." Annie paused momentarily, a question entering her mind. "Speaking of hate, what's the deal with you two? She talks about you like you're Satan's spawn!"

Ever since she told her cousin about them, all the blonde could do was pressure her to end it. He's a liar, she said. Trouble maker, flirtatious, good for nothing, womanizer. He'd break her heart and leave her for another girl. Not meant for someone as sweet and gentle as Annie. Yet, Finnick had proven all of it to be false.

"She offered me a spot as a Career. She can't handle rejection." Finnick told her.

Annie laughed loudly. It would be silly to be angry about that. She doubted that was it, but it was an amusing thought. Glimmer mad because someone turned her down.

No, the real problem had to be something else, something bigger. Lately, her cousin had been on edge. Easy to anger and not her usual loud self. Annie found herself wishing she could help her. Annie wouldn't be a Career, she ended that, but they were still family. She resolved to find out what was bothering Glimmer and if she could, help her cousin find herself again.

"So...what are you making?" Finnick patted his stomach. Annie had forgotten about the meal she was preparing.

"Oh, um, maybe some pasta? You have a lot of shrimp in your fridge, so we should add some."

"Lot's of free seafood when your parents own a fishing company." He said.

"You're so lucky! I love seafood. Never get tired of it." Annie replied.

With some help from her amazing boyfriend, Annie prepared a meal that (in their expert opinions) could have come straight from a five star restaurant.

Johanna is super upset about Katniss and Gale. Unrequited love sucks. What do you guys think Jo should do?

Annie has had enough of Glimmer trying to control her. Since they are cousins, Annie knows Glimmer very well and she can tell something is wrong. Glimmer is just trying to keep as much as she can together and all she's doing is pushing people away.

See you guys next week, in the meantime please REVIEW! I want to thank all of you that have left reviews, you're awesome!