Linking Arms

Chapter 15

Peeta

I seat myself on the cushion chairs in the lobby, propping my elbow up on the arm rest. As I daze off to sleep, Mrs. Odair pokes me on the shoulder.

"Y-Yes, Mrs. Odair?"

"I thought you were going home to rest, Mr. Mellark."

I sit up. How do I say that my mother kicked me out of the house because I lost the keys to her precious Audie that she cares more for than her own son? "I'm uh, having some. . . problems at home."

I give a small, faux smile to lighten the effect. Mrs. Odair's expression saddens. "Is everything alright at home?"

I nod my head. "Oh, it's all good. I just got in a little fight with my mom, that's all."

"Ah, that's too bad. . ." Mrs. Odair frowned. "You know, Peeta? You've been such a big help taking care of Finn. . . why don't you just crash in our house for now?"

I omit the fact that I have been staying in their house for a while now and just happily nod in agreement. "Really? Oh, thank you so much."

I get up from my cushion chair. "Do you know the way to our home?"

I nod. "Yes. Please tell me if anything happens."

She nods and I gratefully walk out of the hospital.

Katniss

After 10 minutes of wrong directions from my GPS, I finally make it to the district library. After I park my car, I slam the car door in annoyance. I walk up to the entrance and swing the door open.

Once I step foot into that library, I know all hell is about break loose.

It's something a library would look like; a muggy place decorated with bad furniture and cheesy quotes about reading on the walls like "the more you read, the more you learn" or "a book is the greatest gift someone could give you".

There's almost no one here except some elder people and a couple of students studying at the big wooden tables. It's not hard to find Annie considering she's parked on a bean bag, talking next to an old woman. I confront her without hesitation.

"Annie, I need to speak with you."

The second she sees me she sinks down in her seat. Her voice drops to a whisper. "What do you need, Katniss?"

"I need to-"

The elder lady cuts me off. "Honey, is this the monstrous  girl who's being mean to you? Don't worry about her, Ann. She's just jealous because you took her boyfriend from her."

I avert my eyes to the lady with short, dark hair and the grey clothing.  "Excuse me, ma'am, she did not in fact take him away from me. It was his choice to break up with me, not hers."

I give a faux smile and turn back to Annie with folded arms. "Annie?"

"It's okay, Nutz," Annie said to the lady. She stands up and turns back to her. "Let me take care of some business."

I walk outside with Annie in front of the entrance.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I immediately asked. "Why are you even here right now?"

Annie is taken aback. "Excuse me, I wasn't the one who just rudely interrupted someone's conversation."

"Annie, do you even know what happened?" I asked, full of disdain.

"Well you so happened to ruin my conversation with my dear old friend." Annie deadpanned snootily with crossed arms.

"Finnick's in the hospital, Annie!" I exclaimed. I rub my temples with my thumb and index finger.