Katniss's thoughts smoldered as she dressed for evening out. What does Peeta mean, he knows the truth? About Gale? That coward still hides behind the story I concocted five years ago so he could save face.
Peeta can't possibly know. Nobody but Gale and I know the truth…...me, Gale and that skank Glimmer, I guess. I never even told Finnick the whole story.
And why did he keep staring at my ring? It's not like I needed his permission to get married. It's not like he was there when everything went bad with Gale.
Katniss glowered at the two carat oval shaped emerald ring that graced her left hand. This isn't even the real ring. Why was he so interested in it?
Her real engagement ring from Finnick was locked inside a safety deposit box in a bank in District Four, along with her wedding band. I guess it's kind of silly to wear a replica of a ring, she mused, but I would never forgive myself if something happened to the real thing.
It's not like Peeta will understand, she thought. I'm sure whatever "truth" he thinks he knows has the Gale spin on it. I'm sure I am the bad guy.
The encounter with Peeta had left a confusing churning river of emotions running through her that she couldn't shake as she dressed in a silver top and dark jeans and touched up her make up.
He DID agree to go to the cabin with me next weekend, she thought grabbing her purse. Her phone buzzed with a message that said her friends were waiting outside. Maybe we can sort all of this out then.
Clove and Elektra were buzzing about Johanna's choice of clothing as Katniss joined them. "Jo!" Clove screeched. "I have underwear that covers more than that!"
"That's because your underwear is boring," Johanna countered and they all laughed. "I have to make sure Blight forgets about that shy nerdy grade school version of me."
"I don't think that will be a problem," Elektra mused. "You could stop traffic wearing a paper bag."
"Hey, if it gets Blight into my bed, find me a bag and a crosswalk," Johanna smirked and they all laughed again.
"You look great tonight, Foxy," Clove said, using their college nickname for the wily Elektra.
"I love the light up jewelry," Katniss added.
"Thanks. It's from home," Elektra offered, referring to District Five where power is made. "Dad sent some for the two of you and even some for Jo-whore-a."
Katniss and Clove clung to each other to keep from collapsing in a fit of laughter. Johanna just smirked ." You won't be laughing when you "LADIES" get to write up my fabulous wedding for Capitol Magazine."
"The tight clothes are cutting off oxygen to her brain, making her delusional," Elektra stated, earning more laughter from Katniss and Clove.
**********************Break********************
"Do you think Marvel is cute?" Clove asked as she and Katniss flagged down the bartender. "I know you don't like anything from District One, but if you forget that, he seems okay, right?"
Katniss glanced up at the upper level of the club to see Marvel and Cato at a pool table and signed. I guess that means I am going to have to entertain myself with Cato, she thought. Johanna was dancing with Blight and Elektra looked pretty cozy playing darts with Thresh.
I can be Clove's wingman, she thought. Besides, Cato IS hot….
"KATNISS! And CLOVE!" the bartender exclaimed. "Long time no see babes. Are you doing a write up on this place?"
"Flavius!" Katniss exclaimed back. "What are you doing here?"
"Filling in to get this place up and running," he explained. "Your usual?"
Katniss and Clove nodded. "I might write it up, but tonight we are here just to hang out."
"We have to keep Foxy and Jo out of trouble," Clove added.
Flavius gave them a knowing look and a nod that made the orange corkscrews on his head bounce as he handed them their drinks. "Easier said than done from the looks of things," he declared with a laugh. "Come back and see me before you leave."
"Will do," Katniss callled with a wave as she and Clove headed for the upper level to find Cato and Marvel.
Katniss and Clove found that Thresh and Elektra had joined their group and their were all talking about some athletic contest the men were going to be competing in. Katniss chimed in occasionally, earning a reward in the form of a smile from Cato's handsome face for her knowledgeable comments.
He is cute, she mused, feeling the warming effects of the whiskey. And quite tall….and kind of pretty in that corporate lawyer sort of way….her thoughts trailed off as she drained the last of her drink.
Katniss glanced at her watch. It seems like I have been here forever, she thought, noting it had only been two hours.
Her phone buzzed with a message from Johanna that had been sent to all three girls. "Leaving with Blight. Don't wait up."
Katniss glowered at her phone. Figures, she thought. "I'm going to get another drink," she announced and headed downstairs.
The line at the bar was long, so Katniss took the opportunity to look around the club to see if it would be a good write up for her section of Capitol Magazine. Effie gave her a lot of creative license under that category of "business."
The club was fun, over-indulgent in its electricity theme, with sharp vivid decor in neons of blue, green, pink, and yellow.
I'll ask Flavius who owns this place, she thought, turning back to the busy bar, preparing to order another whiskey smash and pump the bartender for information.
She was just about to lean around the big man in front of the bar to get Flavius's attention when she heard someone call the name of the man she hadn't spoken to in five years.
"Gale! Shouldn't you be out schmoozing and promoting instead of bartending?"
'I am here to schmooze and promote, but the bartender needed a break. What kind of PR person would I be if I let all of the patrons of this fine establishment go thirsty?" he asked with a laugh.
The big man laughed, paid for his drinks and moved out of the way, leaving Katniss staring into the face of the man she said goodbye to five years ago.
Katniss stared at him, frozen to her spot. Gale, she thought. Why here and now? A strangled cry escaped from her throat.
"Catnip?" Gale mouthed, looking like he was seeing a ghost.
It was the use of his nickname for her that brought her back to reality. Needing to get as much space between them as possible, she turned on her heel and ran out the door into the cool night.
Katniss leaned against the wall, feeling like the wind had been knocked out of her. I need to get out of here, she thought frantically. Get somewhere safe.
She texted Elektra and Clove that she was feeling well and that she was going home. Just as she found the strength to start walking, her phone buzzed.
Figuring it was one of her friends, she ignored it until she was inside the safety of her own home. She sank to the floor with her back against the door once she looked at her phone.
She knew the number, despite not having used it in five years. "Was that really you?"