Linking Arms

Chapter 17

Peeta

"W-What?" I stammered, dubious that I heard Annie's words right.

I turn to a nonplussed-looked Katniss who's just as shocked as I am, probably even more. Unlike Katniss, I try to look more sympathetic to Annie. I'm not saying that I blame Katniss for her reaction; I mean, how would you react if your ex, the one you yourself broke up with, girlfriend who he praised, has broken him to bits and now says she's pregnant?

"When. . . When did you find out," I asked, disguising the tremor in my voice. "How many weeks are you along n-now?"

Annie cups her mug again, trying to find something to do with her hands other than pick at her nubs for fingernails. She takes a long, tedious sip. She gulps. "I-I am four weeks along now."

"And when did you find out?" Katniss intrudes.

". . .The night I broke it off with Finnick," Annie murmurs in reply. She swipes the handle of the mug with her forefinger continuously. "Look, I understand if you don't want to help me, but I just wanted to let you know. . ."

Annie trails off on her words, waiting for Katniss and I's response. We face each other in unison. Katniss narrows her eyes at the kitchen and cocks her head to side, signaling us to talk in private.

"We'll be right back," I say and grab Katniss' hand, dragging her to the kitchen. Katniss gives a horrible faux smile to Annie before getting up from her seat on the couch. I lead her behind the marble countertop and squeeze her hands. I open my mouth to speak, but Katniss quickly intervenes.

"I don't want to help her, Peeta." Katniss states bluntly, shaking her head. "I just. . . I can't deal with her like this."

"I know," I say, nodding my head,"but she's desperate. I'm sure Annie's immediate family would be supporting her, but they're kind of a broken family from what I've heard."

Katniss shakes her head. "Doesn't she have other family around here? Like an aunt or a cousin maybe?"

"She's from District 4," I say,"I doubt she really has anybody nearby."

Katniss takes a deep breath, looking ready to settle our dispute. "Fine."

I give a wide grin to her. I start to lead her out back to the living room.

"But," Katniss interrupted, pausing in her steps,"you owe me more piggyback rides for this, Mellark."

I nod and walk her back to Annie, settling ourselves back into our spots as we left. Annie sets her mug back down on the coffee table. She leans forward. "So?"

"We'll help you," Katniss informs. I'm surprised Katniss is the one talking. She's usually the one to hang back and let me do the work of socializing. "under one condition. We will help you with your appointments, with your midwife, with whatever the hell you need us to do for this baby. . . but you have to tell Finnick about this, on your own, when he wakes up."

Annie swallows a lump in her throat before swallowing it as a whole. A few tears escape her cerulean eyes. She wraps her small frame with her arms. "O-OK."

"Good," Katniss says, nodding her head. She changes the subject of Finnick. "Have you been to a midwife yet?

"Yes," Annie nods. "I actually just went yester--"

Annie's phone beeps. She pauses to check her notifications and her eyes widen. She looks back up at both Katniss and me. "I'm sorry, I have to leave. My mom wants me home, ASAP."