Chapter 17

Katniss Everdeen POV

I'm working in the bakery today. I was supposed to be working with Gale, but he called out because he had to take care of some emergency with Posy. Luckily Mr. Mellark was understanding, he seems to realize we have a lot of family responsibilities. I'm also far enough into the job that I feel like I can handle most of the duties by myself.

I'm stocking the coffee sugar station when Peeta comes downstairs. Sometimes he wakes up early enough to come down and for us to talk, even on the weekends. "Good morning," he says. "How's it going?"

"Good," I say. "Why are you up this early?"

"I get up early sometimes," he says. "I want to get a workout in since wrestling season is about to start."

"Oh, right," I say, I forgot that was coming up. "Are you excited?"

"Definitely," he says. "It's the time of year I look forward to the most."

I smile at him and go to put away some trays that the bakers just washed. I slip a little and almost drop a couple of them. He rushes over to me and catches one before I can drop it.

"Thanks," I say. "You have quick refelexes."

"Yeah, wrestling can do that to you."

"I don't really need help," I say. "I know you wanted to get a workout in, don't let me stop you."

"You're fine," Peeta says. "If you're struggling, I'm happy to help."

"Well, that's really sweet," I say. "I just wasn't sure you'd want to, I figured you'd be tired of doing stuff around here since you grew up with it."

"Eh, it's a lot less noisy now that my brothers are gone." I set one of the trays down and we start laying out some cookie dough that Peeta takes out of the fridge.

"How are your brothers by the way?" I ask.

"I think they're good," he says. "We talk sometimes, but they're more focused on college and partying than anything else. Plus, I'm really focused on wrestling."

"How's your sister?" He asks me after a pause.

"She's good," I say. "She's enjoying middle school cheer a lot."

"Oh, that's good for her."

His dad walks down and sees Peeta and I, smiling at us. "How are you, Katniss?" He asks me.

"I'm good," I say. "How are you, Mr. Mellark?"

"Doing well," he says.

"I'm sorry about Gale," I say. "He had an emergency with his sister, but I'm sure I can handle it all."

"I know you can," he says. "And it's not problem, I get that family things come up. Peeta, you're helping. That's rare right before wrestling season."

"I just wanted to give a helping hand," Peeta says. He looks back at me. "I should head out, though. Are you good from here on out?"

"Yeah," I say. "Thanks for your help."

"Of course."

He walks out and starts running down the street. I'm starting to like him a lot more, but just in a friendly way. He's really helpful and kind, I really appreciate him being there for me and helping me. He's nice and cute, but he's just a friend.

Annie Cresta POV

Today is my first date with Finnick, and I still can't believe this is happening. He's picking me up and we're going roller skating. I thought that was a really interesting first date choice, but at least it's a place where we can actually talk and have fun and be active.

"Are you nervous?" Maeve asks me as I'm getting ready.

"Yeah," I say. "He's so popular, I can't believe he even likes me."

"Just remembet that you don't owe him anything," she says. "Don't do anything you aren't comfortable doing."

"I know, and I won't. But thank you anyway." I go outside to wait, and Finnick's car eventually pulls up. I walk over to him and get into the car.

"Hey," he says. "How are you?"

"I'm okay, how are you?"

"I'm good," he says. He pauses. "It's good to see you, you look really pretty."

"Thanks," I say, smiling. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah." We drive to the roller skating rink in silence. I can tell he's actually a little nervous, but I have no idea why.

We're lacing up our shoes after getting there when he breaks the silencd. "So have you done this before?" He asks me.

"Actually, yeah," I say. "My sister and I used to come here all the time as kids." I felt a lot better agreeing to this knowing I wouldn't look like a complete idiot, even though it's been a while since I've been roller skating.

"Have you?" I ask.

"Once or twice," he says. "I'm a little out of practice though, so I might need your help."

I smile and we go out onto the rink. He's holding onto the railing at first, but I don't need to. It makes me feel less nervous that there's actually something I'm better at than him.

"So have you given any more thought to joining the swim team?" Finnick asks me after an awkward pause.

"Yeah," I say. "I think I'm going to do it. I know I'm definitely going to quit the cheer team, even though Johanna and Madge don't want me to."

"That's probably a good idea," he says. "Those girls are such jerks."

"It's not even really about that as much," I say. "Cheering just isn't for me, I don't enjoy it that much."

"But you do enjoy swimming, right?"

"I really do," I say. "I grew up swimming, and I really love it. But yeah, I can handle people not being nice to me. I've dealt with that for a long time."

"I'm sorry."

I shrug. "It is what it is," I say. "I know I have weird quirks from OCD, and not a lot of people understand what that's like."

He doesn't respond, he just tries to grab my hand but I flinch as a reflex. "Sorry," I say. "I don't know why I reacted like that."

"No, I'm sorry," he says. "If it's too soon, we don't have to hold hands."

"No, I want to," I say. "It was just a reflex, I'm sorry." He smiles and grabs my hand, this time I accept it.

I'm surprised at how natural this feels. Of course I was nervous about this date, but it actually feels right hanging out with him like this. I even like holding hands, and I've always been weird about physical touch. I like his touch, though. It doesn't feel creepy or weird, it feels right.

Finnick Odair POV

Annie is actually so much fun to be around. I knew she was sweet, but I'm surprised at how well we actually click. We're sitting at a table after roller skating, we ordered some nachos and some sodas.

"Can I ask you something?" She asks me.

"Of course."

"What made you want to take me here for our first date?"

"I thought it would be a lot of fun," I say. "It would be different from a movie date or something, and we could actually talk and get to know each other better."

"I like that," she says. "I agree, I feel like movie dates aren't good for first dates. Not that I can really have an opinion on that, I've never been on a date before today."

"Really?"

"Yeah," she says. "I've always been pretty shy, so I've never dated."

"I would call Homecoming our first date," I say. "At least, I thought it was."

"Really?" She looks genuinely surprised.

"Yeah," I say. "That was when I knew I wanted to continue things, I had a lot of fun that night."

"Me too," she says. "I just can't believe one of the most popular guys in school likes me."

"Don't look at it like that," I say. "I like you and we're just getting to know each other."

She smiles at me. We keep talking and eat our nachos before heading out. I pull up to her house and want to kiss her, but I don't want to move too fast since holding her hand made her nervous.

"Can I kiss your cheek?" I ask her.

She nods. "Sure," she says. "I appreciate you asking first."

I kiss her cheek. "Bye," I say. "I'll text you tonight if that's okay."

"I'd love that."

She walks into the house, and I don't drive away until I see she got inside safely. I really like her, and I actually don't mind taking things slow. She's such a sweet girl, and she seems like a good person who actually be my girlfriend and not just someone I hook up with.

That night, I send her a text. *Hey, I had fun today.*

Ding. *Me too :). Thanks for taking me out.*

*Can I ask you something?*

Ding. *Of course.*

*Will you be my girlfriend? I hate to ask over text, but I don't want to wait until I see you again.*

There's a pause, it feels like the longest time for a response ever.

Ding. *Sure, I'd like that. :)*

*Then it's official, good night beautiful 3.*

Ding. *Good night.*

I'm really happy about this, I'm actually ready to properly date someone and take things slow. I don't even care what anyone thinks or has to say about me being with her, and I hope she doesn't care either. She's so sweet and beautiful, I'm really excited for this.