The walk through the mall to the cell phone kiosk was fun, but quick. The cell assistant suggested that I should get a new phone so ‘whoever’ was tracking me would no longer be able to track me. When I briefly explained the scenario to the cell assistant, I could tell he was somewhat surprised by the whole story, but as a sales associate he kept his own personal bias to the side and helped me find a new phone.
I ended up going with the iPhone 6. Seeing as I’ve had apple products for the past 6 years why should I change now. The bill was a hurting chunk taken from my bank, but hopefully nothing a couple more nights with tips at the pub that couldn’t fix.
The whole time we was in the cell phone kiosk, Finnick was scanning the place to see if Gale was in sight. I mean, I think we should let Gale off the hook. He did apoligize, through text. But he still did apoligize. Plus, Gale is still going to be to the wedding to if we just avoid him until then it’s going to make things a 100% worse. Maybe I should just talk to Gale. By myself.
Now that places me where I am now.
Sitting inside the mall’s food court with Annie, Fin and Peet. Peeta, I mean.
Annie, Fin and I are commuting around a small round table that fits just four. Finnick on my left, and Annie on my right, leaving the empty space across from me for Peeta who is currently in line at Starbucks getting us all coffees, or whatever people get at Starbucks. I haven’t been one to usually buy from there, I just get my own coffee at home.
His treat he said. How much money do you want to bet that he’s still trying to suck up for slamming on the breaks and me smashing my head in the dashboard? 20, going 40, going 80, going 100? Sold.
From the round table were sitting at I can see Peeta off in a distance underneath the Starbucks sign. He’s wearing a black V-neck t-shirt with khaki pants. The pants shape his legs like you wouldn’t believe, I don’t think I’ve even noticed how muscular his legs are until now. He shifts his weight from leg to leg as he waits for our order, looking very impatient. His t-shirt is tight, but in my opinion I don’t think a t-shirt could be tight enough on him. I continuing scoping him as I meet his face looking back at me between the rushes of the crowd. Great, how long have I been checking him out? No, better question. How long has he noticed me checking him out? He’s smiling, and I can see him laugh and look down as he shuffles his feet. Wow, way to go Katniss. Mellark thinks you’re a creep now. Way to go.
I don’t even have time to blush when I’m snapped back to reality. “Katniss,” Finnick calls my name while waving his hands in my face. I smack his hands out of the way and giggle.
“What?” I snap back at him.
“What are you looking at? What do you see? Is it Gale?”
Man, Finnick worries way too much.
“What? No you fool. Stop worrying about Gale. This mall is huge, we probably would never run into him in here. Besides can we just like not talk about Gale for a minute. I don’t want to think of him.” I look down to my watch that is only covering half of the bruise and toy my thumb over the pertinent black mark
If anyone asks I could pretend that I fell down the stairs, but that would never work because the appearance of the bruise is in an obvious hand grip. I don’t even know where to start when it comes to telling my mother, especially Prim. Prim looks up to Gale as a big brother, I’m sure she would not be very happy if I just stopped hanging out with him and bringing him over to the house without an explanation. But on the other hand I don’t want to tell my younger sister that I was physically abused by Gale.
Gale. Oh Gale. I’m sure there’s a reason why he’s acting like this. I mean I’m sure love could drive a person crazy. Maybe Gale is just being thrown in the dirt. I don’t think this is entirely Gale’s fault. Maybe this is all my fault.
“Let’s not talk about Gale.” The voice startled me, but the owner of the voice placed an iced coffee in front of me on the table. I turn to his face, which is warm and welcoming as always. His smirk only rises on the right side of his face, and his eyes are the same shade of ocean blue as the first day I met him on the way to the bathroom at Annie and Fin’s.
“Iced coffee, my favorite! How did you know?” I say in probably a too excited voice because a couple giggles form from the table as Peeta sits down across from me.
“I just know.” He winks. I giggle back because I honestly don’t know what to say back to that. I’m sure he just guessed and just takes credit for being right. Not another Gale creep.
My mind races every time a word leaves his mouth. I probably just over think everything he says because I don’t truly know who he is, I don’t know his parents, and does he have siblings? Probably things I’ll never find out.
“So Annie. I’m sure you are just so excited for the wedding? It’s only a week away.” Peeta questions her. Well of course it’s exciting, I mean she is a girl. She loves Finnick, and when there’s a wedding it’s all about looking good and having all the attention on the wife.
“Yes, it’s creeping up very fast. But, I’m very excited. Nervous too of course. But I’m sure my maid of honor will be there to pick me up if I fall coming down the aisle.” Annie laughs and turns to me for assurance.
“Of course Annie.” I giggle, my eyes trail off in a different direction. I don’t really want to engage in his conversation, I don’t know how I think about weddings. I’ve never been good with commitment, as you can tell. Commitment scares me.
Apparently not Peeta.
“Finding ‘the-one’ must be an amazing feeling. I sometimes wonder if I’ve ever met her before--” he trails off looking down at his drink.
“I knew Annie was ‘the one’ the second my pair of eyes met hers,” Finnick cuts Peeta off. Fin smiles and grabs Annie’s hand from across the table and toys his finger on her engagement ring that is placed on her left hand. The diamond on the ring is bigger than any diamond I’ve ever laid my eyes on. The ring is beautiful but I can’t help but feel a pang of jealousy hit me.
I can feel the awkwardness when no one is talking, just Annie and Finnick giggling from both sides of the table. My eyes reach Peeta’s, who was already looking at me with the same expression, not knowing what to say next to break the awkward cloud that has come over our table.
I’m terrible in these type of situations. I always come up with the worse thing to say.
“So.. When are we heading back to Annie and Fin’s?” I ask Peeta. He shakes his head and smiles. I shouldn’t have said that, I feel rude now. But Annie and Finnick didn’t hear a word, they’re still gazing in each other’s eyes. Doing that stupid telepathic talking they always do. Creepy.
“We can leave now, Ms. Everdeen.” When my name comes from his voice, it’s like haering my name for the first time all over again. He gets up from the table and walks behind my chair, and pulls my chair out from the table. “Before you, Ms. Everdeen. Your highness.” He points in the direction of the exit.
I giggle. “Wow. Mr. Mellark. You’re really looking for a smack today.” I giggle between sentences trying to keep a straight face and look stern when I talk. “Bow down to me, peasant.” I point to the ground, trying to joke with him.
His eyes light up in shock, but his face softens. Then he bows down on one knee, going with the plan. I continue to giggle, and I can see the same smirk is still formed on his face from earlier today.
“Thank-you.” I laugh and pat him on the head, signalling him he can now rise.
He stands up with his body very close to mine. He looks me dead in the eyes, with a look on his face I don’t think I’ve ever encountered. I can smell the chocolate mint on his breath, I can’t decide if it’s appealing or appalling. It could be an illusion but it feels like his face is coming closer to mine and the space between us is a mere couple of inches.
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Author's Note: Hello everyone!
I can't believe that this story has almost made a thousand reads! So many more reads that I could ever imagine. Thanks so much to each and every one of you! I'm trying to update as often as I can find the time! It's exam week at my University! I'm sure you can all understand.
I apperciate all the votes and comments! I want to know what you think. If you have any ideas that you would like incorporated or thrown out there don't be afraid to comment of message me.
Find any typos or incorrect wording, just let me know. I have not went through my story to critique it yet. However, that will all come with time.
Yours truly,
lmnick