Beautiful Scars

Kismet

"Katniss you ok? You seem somewhere else." I ask.

"Huh? Oh yeah. Sorry I... I, um... just thinking about, some stuff." She answers flustered and not meeting my eyes.

I think I overstepped a boundary. I keep thinking I need to fix any and everything in their lives but obviously she's not ready to date. Truthfully, I feel guilty about having someone else in my life. But would I be okay with a significant other in hers?

No. What was I thinking?

"Ok, so let's go get dresses." I suggest after a few more minutes.

"Dresses? Plural? Peeta..." She asks scowling at me.

"Come on, Kat. I just want to buy her some stuff. Please don't rain on my parade." I beg.

After a lot of arguing and coercing by me, we buy Melody two very cute dresses and one for Katniss. I know she is not happy about it. But I convinced her everyone would be dressed nicely and she admitted she didn't have anything that would work. She thought she was paying for her dress. But I winked at the cashier and made her take my credit card instead.

We eat some early lunch at the food court. I explain to my girls, what I want my restaurant to be like. Katniss and Mel, are excited and happy for me. I feel a sense of pride that they approve.

I got so wrapped up in our day, I almost forget about Cass. Until she texts me to ask if she should meet me at the school later, or if we should ride together.

"Excuse me. I'm sorry to interrupt your meal, I just wanted to say what a gorgeous, well behaved little girl you have. And what a beautiful family you are." An older woman that was sitting near us, says on her way out.

"Thank you. They are the beautiful ones, but I'm pretty lucky." I answer.

"Thantchu." Melody says smiling brightly.

Katniss looks stunned.

"Are you ok?" I ask her after the woman leaves.

"Yeah I just... I'll talk to you about it later." She says putting on a fake smile.

Maybe she's upset by the woman's assumption. But isn't that the point. That everyone believes Mel is mine.

After we get back to the Hawthorne's and Katniss takes Melody inside and tells her to get ready for the graduation, she comes back to the car and gets in.

"Peeta, why are you saying stuff like that? You're engaged, and I don't want Melody to get the wrong idea about us. I don't need you... pretending all the time. It's confusing!" Katniss yells at me.

Where is this coming from? Maybe she was really offended by what happened this morning.

I was all hugged up on her, my dick hard to boot. I didn't even think...

"Why are you so mad? I thought this is what you wanted. For people to think that Melody is mine without a doubt. Am I not doing what I'm supposed to do?" I ask defensively.

"Yes! No!... Yeah, you buy us clothes and have lunch with your pretend, family, and take credit for her beautifulness. Meanwhile, Cass is texting you at the table, probably asking when you'll be coming home to her. We are not your dolls to play with when you see fit. We have feelings. I mean... Mel has feelings." Katniss says animatedly.

Am I being insensitive? Does Melody not feel loved, enough?

Katniss is breathing heavy and red faced. Her hair is falling in her face. My hand itches to run my fingers through it.

God, she's gorgeous.

Dammit!

Finn was trying to warn me of the... impulses I might have.