Linking Arms

Chapter 2

Peeta

I slowly look up from the gym floor, facing my devils. They all stare at me blankly; I can tell some remember me, some don't. But those who pushed me, and beat me, and taunted me, those are the ones who give a blank look at me.

This is all surreal... I mean they're all clapping for me, clapping for someone whom they despise. My hands are extremely sweaty in my jean pockets. I can't stand being in front of flooded crowds; especially the ones filled with my nightmares.

Principal Snow continues. "You may all head into your classes now. And may the odds be ever in your favour this year!"

Everyone trots off the bleachers, airing over into their individual classes. I tiptoe behind them, trying not to get ones attention. As I walk through the bulky metal doors, someone collides with my shoulder. I look up to see his face, not just any guy's face, but the one who specifically filled me with the sorrowful blue devils. Gale Hawthorne.

I immediately step back with a blank expression. "U-Uhh, I-I'm s-sorry."

He gives me an unfamiliar smile; a nice one. He pats me on the shoulder and says,"Don't worry buddy. You're okay."

And with that, he walked away. I stand there with a shocked expression plastered on my face. What the hell was that?

I turn back to see him slinging an arm around Katniss along with Glimmer, Clove, Marvel, and Cato surrounding them.

He must have not remembered me.

How can someone who verbally and physically hurt me not even remember who I even am? I stare at the little crowd of his whom I mostly despise. They all look the same, maybe even better. All except Katniss. Her long brown locks have been cut and styled into a blond cut with extensions. She's become slimmer; she used to be built with muscle. Now she's slim to the bone.

+++

I cringe when I'm told that it's time for P.E. One, I hate to be judged by those who are physically better than I am. Two, I am not looking forward to being yelled to run faster by overweight teachers. And three, I am not letting Katniss seeing me the way I am.

I stand cluelessly in the corridor, trying to follow my way into the gym locker. A tall muscular blond confronts me with a small smile. "Gym lockers are all the way down. You take a left and there's a red door that leads into the locker room."

"Thanks," I mumble.

"I'm Finnick by the way," He extends his hand out to me. I take it and greet,"Peeta, Peeta Mellark."

He smiles and walks away with a knapsack over his shoulder. I cock my head in confusion. I know he's just trying to be a nice guy, I'm just not used to this. A bit of confidence rises in me as I follow his instructions and walk myself to he locker room.

The second I step in, I feel my confidence go down again. A million faces turn to me and stare. Self-consciously, I walk to my new locker and pull out my red and grey P.E uniform.

I walk behind some lockers and change there, away from the blank faces. I hear someone say,"Did you see him? He's so small that I could probably crush him with one foot."

I roll my eyes and get changed.

+++

Katniss

"Yeah, and I was like, 'Bitch, I would slap you but that would be animal abuse'!"

Clove and I start laughing as Glimmer explains her encounter with Johanna Mason. We get a couple of stares, but we don't care. We keep laughing anyway.