Love Story (Everlark Fanfiction)

Betrayal

***Katniss' POV***

"Ms. Everdeen, wake up." an unknown voice tells me. "Hmm?" "Wake up, Ms. Everdeen. We have arrived to your home." A voice I identify as Plutarch's says again. I open my eyes and the blinding 10:00AM's sun hits my unprepared eyes. I sigh. My mind is clouded with many thoughts, questions to be exact.

"What happened today? Everything was great. Why would his mum do that to Peeta? Is my father finding out?"

My head is pounding and the only thing I want is for it to stop. My brain feels swollen and I can't explain why. "Thank you Plutarch, for everything. By the way, don't call me 'Ms. Everdeen'; okay? It's only 'Katniss' for you." "No problem, Ms. Ev- I mean, no problem, Katniss." He says and flashes me a smile. I smile back. "If you ever need anything, remember I'll always be here for you. Just as your parents, Cinna, Octavia, Venia, Flavius, Prim, your friends, and Peeta." He adds. "Don't worry, Plutarch. I'll keep that I mind." I say as I get out of the car. "Bye, Katniss" he says. "Goodbye Plutarch!" I chirp; hiding all the frustration, pain, and confusion I am going through.

I enter my house and head to the living room. The dark green velvet curtains are wide open and there, reading in his favourite leather couch, is my father. "You took longer than what you usually do, Honey." He says. There's something in his voice I can't identify. That can't be good. "Oh yeah, sorry, father. I stumbled across Finnick. We decided to go to Starbucks and just talk. There, we lost track of time and ended up talking for hours." I lie. "Oh, really... Then, why did I get a call from the police telling me they need you as a witness in Mrs. Mellark's trial for child abuse against Peeta?" he asks, raising his voice in the last sentence. I gulp and my eyes widen. This can't be happening. Should I tell the truth or just lie my way out of this? After a couple seconds of thinking, I decide on the later.

"Last night, Finnick asked me to meet him at the park this morning. I did as he told me to, since I thought he just wanted to hang out. When I got there, he told me to come with him. He took me to the Mellark's bakery. Remember that Finnick has no idea about our families' feud, so I just decided to play along. I didn't want him to know and giving him the wrong image of our family." I start and my father nods as a sign to tell me to go on. "Turns out Peeta and Finnick are really good friends, and that he called Finnick desperately asking him for help. Finnick explained me that Peeta needed witnesses. Peeta has been suffering child abuse from his mother since he was ten years old. He wanted to get rid of that monster he called mother and he had a plan." The word monster comes out of my mouth with so much venom that not even I can believe I said it. Hopefully, Dad will think I said it that way because he knows how much I hate seeing innocent people suffer.

"He was running late to work and he knew his mother will attack him for that. That's when he decided to record everything that happened and then threaten to take the video to the police. That way, she would have a last chance to change. There's where Finnick and I become part of the plan. He wanted us to record as his mother beat him to pieces. He didn't do it with his brothers because they despise her and would surely take the video to the police whereas we wouldn't. At least that's what he believed." I am losing control and know I need to calm down before I say something to sympathetic to my supposed enemy. "He wanted to give her a chance to change first. Obviously, she didn't take it. She started beating Peeta so brutally, that I couldn't help but interfere. I defended Peeta and Finnick called the police. He wanted to help too but I stopped him. I wanted to do this in my own. I got hit in the eye and Peeta had to go to surgery because of his mother's beating. The police saw as Mrs. Mellark hit me and stopped her. They helped a passed out Peeta and took me to the hospital. Finnick was there with me all the time. I guess that's why the court wants me to testify against Mrs. Mellark." I finish trying to act as nonchalantly as I can.

My dad nodded and looked at me. His gaze was unreadable. After a few seconds of silence, my father spoke. "Katniss, I know you're hiding something. I can see how you're eyes shifted to the wall behind me when you first started talking. My dear, I need to know the truth, please." His voice sounds pleading. He wants to know. He deserves to know. He has given me everything, from a home to a good education, from good morals to love. I have to tell him, don't I? I swallow and prepare myself to say what will change my life for good or for bad.

My head starts pounding and everything is becoming quite blurry. "Father, I... I..." Am I I going to tell the truth or lie again? My head is throbbing and I can't manage to make the words come out. Panic is taking over and breathing is becoming a harder task. "Father, I am... I... I" He comes closer and says, "Honey, breathe." He inhales and exhales deeply and I imitate his actions. I have to tell him.

After what feel an eternity, I manage to be somewhat calm. It's now or never, I guess. "Katniss, if it's so bad, I need to know. I want to help you." I nod and I feel as a child, small and helpless. I need to say it. When I think I can finally do it, what comes out is, "Dad, I'm scared. I want to tell you. You deserve to know. But I know for a fact you'll hate me for this." A tear escapes my eye and the others follow suit. "Sweetie, you know that I will love you, no matter what." He answers with a sympathetic smile. I nod and swallow again.

"Father... I... I am..." I inhale deeply and finally say, "Dad, I am dating Peeta Mellark."

My father's face changes to an expression I can't quite decipher. I can tell it isn't anger but I'm sure it isn't happiness either. "Is that why you don't want to leave, to be with him?" he asks drily. I close my eyes and nod as tears stain my cheeks. "Father, I know this might sound way too soon to know, but I truly love him. He does love me, and makes me feel safe. We need to get over this feud. You're a grown, mature man. Don't let the hate of previous generations poison your soul. Please try to understand. I didn't choose him. I just fell. I know you knew since the day I spent all that money in that paint set ten years ago. I know that this is hard to accept, but please give him a chance."

My father just sighed and closed his eyes as one single tear escaped. "Go to your room." I open my mouth to protest; but he puts a hand up signalling me to just drop the topic altogether. I just nod and try to retain the tears building up in my eyes as I move up the stairs, avoiding anyone I might encounter.

At last, I get to my room and slam the door. What have I done? I think as I slide down the door and finally let myself break down. I don't know what my father will do now, but I highly doubt there's any possibility of it being beneficial to Peeta's and I's relationship. I've lost him, haven't I?

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Author's Note

Hi fuys! So. it's been a LONG time since I last updated, so here goes a quick, small update for you all. I'm so sorry about the long wait and promise to update as frequently as possible from now on.

Thanks for your patience!

- Marcela