Linking Arms

Chapter 24

Katniss

I don't tell Peeta about my dream the next day. Or the day after that. And the day after that. I don't want to seem like such an untrusting girlfriend to him, so I keep it to myself instead.

Anyway, I've been finishing up on my project on Susan B. Anthony; even she makes me feel like crap. She worked for equality for women, and here I am, doing a project on her for a man, if you consider Cato to be one anyway. He's paying me twenty-five for it, so I guess you could say it's worth it.

"You, okay?" Annie asked me as she came up to me. I'm currently sitting outside on the bleachers with my chin on my elbow and a frown on my face. I look up to her shiny emerald eyes. "I saw you walk out during free period. . . and you looked kind of down."

She carefully sits down next to me, pressing her hands on the metal. Annie's abdomen has been slightly getting bigger each week, so she's starting to buy and wear more baggy clothes thanks to Clove and I.

"To be honest. . . I am kind of down. It may sound stupid, but I haven't really been easing up to Rylie working with Peeta for our history class. We have to make presentations and it's like the universe called Peeta to her or something like that."

Annie chuckles a bit. I pull a face. "What?"

"Katniss," Annie says. "Peeta is head over heals for you. Have you seen the way he looks at you? It's like you're a magnet and the force is so strong that he has to look at you or admire you in some way."

I shake my head. "But what about Rylie?"

"What about Rylie? She's just a rich kid who moved to the wrong side of town. She's nothing to him. I promise. Talk to Peeta, and see for yourself."

My mouth tugs into a grin and I engulf Annie into a big hug. And that's when I knew I wanted to go through with Finnick's plan.

Peeta

"Okay, I think I'm almost done with this slide. . .," I announce to Riley as we're seated in her room. She's stomach-down on her comforter, looking up things about Mary Lyon, while I'm on her dad's laptop finishing up a slide.

"Peeta," Riley breathes and flips over on her bed, propping her elbows up. "I think we need a break. My brain feels like mush."

I laugh and carefully set the laptop to my side. "I agree."

"Snack break?" she suggested, her blue eyes lighting up.

I roll my eyes and laugh. "Fine."

Riley flashes her pearly white teeth at me and jumps off her bed, making her way out the door. I follow her out into the enormous hallway but stop. She gives me a look. "What?"

"I'm a germaphobic," I announce. "I need to wash my hands before snacking, especially after using your dad's laptop."

Riley feigns hurt and pulls a hand to her heart. "You think my dad is some bedraggled Neanderthal?"

I sarcastically laugh. "Hahaha, very funny, so if you'll excuse me, I'm going to wash my hands like a clean person."

She rolls her eyes at me and crosses her arms. "Go ahead, but I'm not waiting for you."