Panem High- an Everlark Fanfic

Chapter ~3~

It's been a few months since I first met Peeta. It is now November. The weather is horrible and there is already snow and ice on the ground.I walk to Peeta's house on the way too school like I always do. I step inside and he sees me. A smile instantly lights up his face. I smile back and we head out. He says "So what are we doing this weekend?" We almost always hangout every weekend because his mom hates and abuses him, and my parents are almost never home. My mom always wants to get away from here and Plutarch never says no to her. He did say he'd like to be with me and Prim more. I realize I have still not answered Peeta and I say "I'm not sure yet." I suddenly slip on a patch of ice and I grab onto Peeta's coat and his arms go around me. Our bodies and faces are very close. I blush and say "Sorry" He just chuckles and says "It's fine." As we start breaking apart we both slip and land in snow. I fell right on top of Peeta and our lips brushed together.

I feel myself blushing even more and say "I'm sorry I'm a klutz!" He smiles and says "You know Katniss, there are a lot worse things that can happen to you than having a beautiful girl fall on you." I blush even more, partly because of the compliment, and partly because I have also fallen for him. He just doesn't know yet. I climb off of him and get up. We walk to school and find Finnick and Annie making out. Gale comes up to us and says "They've been doing that for like five minutes. It's horrifying. Hey what are you doing tonight and the rest of this weekend Katniss?" Without looking I can tell Peeta has tensed up beside me. Gale and him have never really been the best of friends. I remember when we played 7 minutes in heaven and I was with Peeta. Gale was the only one not laughing or saying anything. I say "I'm actually going to be with Peeta all weekend. You could hang out with us if you want." I really want to just be with Peeta, but it seems rude not to ask. Gale looks kindly at me and cooly at Peeta as he says "That's okay I'll hang out with you some other time Katniss." As he walks by he discretely grabs my butt. I turn around and yell "What the Hell Gale?" Peeta looks concerned and says "What is it Kat? What happened?" I am fuming as I say "That asshole grabbed my butt!" A look of rage washes over Peeta's normally calm features. He takes off in the direction that Gale went. Oh no.

Annie comes over to me at that point and Finnick says "I would offer to kill him for you but Lover Boy seems to have it covered." I run in the direction that Peeta and Gale went. I see Peeta has Gale pinned on the ground. I say "Peeta! It's okay come here, please." He gets off of Gale and walks over to me. He puts an arm around me and says "If you ever touch her again Gale, I swear I will kill you." We walk away and Peeta removes his arm from around me. I look at the ground as I say "Thanks Peeta." He says "Of course Katniss. Tell me if he ever does anything like that again." I hug him and then we go to our lockers. At lunch Gale is nowhere to be seen and I sit a little closer to Peeta than I usually do, our legs pressed together. The rest of the day goes by quickly and I meet Peeta in front of the school. We go to his house first so he can get his stuff. I stay down in the bakery talking to Toby until Peeta comes back down. That's when I get my first glance of his hideous mother. I want to attack her. Peeta walks over to me and says "We should probably go now Katniss." his mom glares at us and says "Where are you going with that slut Peeta?" I see Peeta's face flush red with anger. He spits out "Do not ever call Katniss that again! And if you have to know I am going to her house for the weekend to escape from you!" Her mouth hangs open and Peeta and I make a run for it.

Once we are a safe distance away we slow down and Peeta says "I'm so sorry Katniss." I say "Peeta that's ridiculous. You have nothing to be sorry for. Thank you for standing up for me. Again. God, you don't deserve that Peeta. Has she beaten you lately?" he looks down and nods slightly. We walk into my house and take off our coats and shoes. I say "Can I see?" We go into the living room and he pulls his shirt over his head. At first I'm overwhelmed by his muscular torso and arms and chest. Then I see the large bruise on his side. I say "Oh my God Peeta!" I reach my hand over and gently run my fingers over it. I look up at him with tears in my eyes. I say "I will kill her Peeta. If she ever does this to you again, I swear I will kill her!" He says "Katniss I'm fine. it's okay." His large, warm thumb wipes away the tear that has slid onto my cheek. I pull him close to me in a hug. He kisses my cheek and we break away. I look into his eyes and can't help the slight smile that has crept onto my lips. He says "What are you smiling about silly?" I just chuckle and say "You have beautiful eyes." He smiles and says "If beauty was so funny I would never be able to stop laughing around you." I blush, I can't accept compliments.