Right by My Side ( PeetaxCato)

Chapter 5-An American in Panem

Peeta

I went up to bed and laid down but I couldn't sleep. I was thinking too much about Cato's visit to the bakery earlier. I was rather happy that one of the most popular kids in school was taking an interest in me, but I was also worried because I knew what preppy people could do. They can use you and when they are done with you, they will make sure they kill your reputation. Or you if they get the chance....

I went to sleep eventually and I woke to my phone going off with text messages.

KATNISS; HEY BOI CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU AT SCHOOL. ENJOYED OUR TALK YESTERDAY. LOVE YOU❤❤

JOHANNA; HEY WE NEED TO TALK. I SAW YOU WITH CATO. SEE YOU AT SCHOOL BOI 😄

CATO; HEY I GOT YOUR NUMBER FROM A FRIEND OF YOURS. CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU IN ART.😉

Okay so the last one was kinda creepy but I was glad I had his number. Just in case I ever needed him for anything.

I met Johanna at the doors and I noticed she had pink-red streaks in her black hair. She had a badass look on her face but then again when did she not?

  She grabbed me by the arm and sat me down on the nearest bench. She didnt look pissed but I didnt know what she was doing.

  "Ok babe talk to me. What happened with Cato?"

  "Honestly nothing happened. He came by to ask me out on a date."
I answered.

"So you're gay? No offense. I love gay people. Im bi myself so I can relate." Johanna said.

  "Yes I am. I told Katniss about it last night. She knows."

"Yeah I got your number from her. So are you gonna go?"

"Go where?" I asked.

"To Mars, Peeta...go out with Cato?" Johanna shot back.

"Yea, I think I will. How did you know I was gay though?" I asked.

  "I just know these things, but remember not everyone is like you and I. There are people here who will torture the life out of you and possibly kill you about it if they ever foud out. So you gotta keep your mouth shut Peeta. Me and Katniss and the rest of us love you for you because we know that you are really sweet and just a totally awesome guy to be around."

  "Thanks, Johanna. You're not too bad yourself."
  "Well just remember I'll kick ass if I have to." she said in a dark tone that scared me somewhat.

"So how did you see us?"

    I was in the boutique across the street. I go there a lot. I saw the way you were looking at him. It looked like you wanted him."

"Johanna I honestly don't know what I'm feeling for him. I just know that he seems like a nice guy. He probably wants to know me better and be a good friend."

"Or maybe his boyfriend..." Johanna said as the bell rang for first period.

  When we got to class, Mr. Abernathy was mumbling in his sleep so we just hung out again. I poked Katniss and she turned around.

  "Hey Kat, I need to talk to you."

"Yea sure, whats up?" Katniss asked.

  "Its about Cato. What's he like?"

"Honestly, I dont know much about him. He's always around his friends and we just stay out of his way."

  "Well, he's only known me two days and he said he wanted to get together Friday."

"Oh my God I'm so jealous of you! We so gotta get you ready for it!"

  We discussed clothes and her new shoes until it was time to go to second period.
  "Hey, Peeta." Cato said as I took a seat next to him.

  "What's up my man?" he said as he gave me a high five.

  "Ready to knock out some art?" he said enthusiastically.

  "I guess" I laughed.

We began working on our projects again under the watchful eye of Ms. Cresta. Annie came in and she waved at me and I waved back...unfortunately I knocked some paint on my leg in the process and Cato chuckled.

  I looked back at Cato and I looked into his eyes, as blue as the ocean. I gazed into them for a short while and realized he was looking into mine in the same way. I then snapped out of it and turned back to my painting with a red face.

Lunch was pretty normal except for Clove giving me an eeire look and a smile from Cato and the tall blonde who was apparently his sister Cashmere. She was pretty and athletic like her blonde. I said hi and she looked genuinely pleased to see me.

   "Cato has told me so much about you" she smiled.

  "You dont know the half of it" Johanna whispered to Madge.

  We all sat down together and I noticed that Cashmere was rejected by the preppy kids and my group of friends accepted her. I wondered why because she seemed like she could have been.

  I noticed Cato sitting with his friends....and I noticed they all seemed disgruntled by the laughs and whispers coming from our table.

  Third was History and I sat with Johanna. I fell asleep though so I dont remember much of it.

Finally the bell rang and I walked to the bakery. I checked the mailbox and I found a letter marked "Peeta" on it. I opened it and I found a note rmthat said as follows;
   
DEAR PEETA,

      I AM WRITING THIS FROM A SECURE PLACE. PLEASE WATCH THE BAKERY WHILE I AM GONE ON IMPORTANT BUSINESS. I HAVE NO CLUE WHEN I WILL BE BACK BUT I NEED YOU TO STAY STRONG. I LOVE YOU SON
                                -DAD

I started to cry silent tears because I was reading between the lines and I knew what had happened.

Cato

I was walking out of the gymnasium at school when I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I looked to see who the caller was and I saw it was Peeta. 'Strange' I thought but I answered it.
   "Hey"

"C-Cato I n-need you right n-now." I heard Peeta sobbing in the background.

  "Peeta whats wrong?" I asked, highly  shocked at his tone of voice.

   "I-I need you t-to come over." was all he could say.

   "I'm on my way." I said as I hung up. I was worried sick by now. Peeta never acted this way before. I wondered if Johanna or Katniss knew what was up. All I knew was he needed me right now and I was headed straight to him. 

Song of the Day; Hold On, We're Going Home by Drake