"Over here guys! Smile!" I say, smiling myself at the happy looking family, the father tickling his daughter so she is laughing and the mother is laughing while holding a chubby baby on her hip, I snap the shot and thank them. The ship has barely left and already people want photos to be taken, what was I suppose to expect? Capitol Cruise isn't paying me to have a holiday. This is my other job, photography on this cruise ship when I'm not in the studio doing family or pet photography, I mean I can't complain, two weeks of being paid big bucks just to photography happy families? Who could say no?
I continue walking around, smiling at people enjoying themselves by the pool and others who do different activities set up around the ship. Prim would've loved this... I work and she could have a vacation for free on the most fancy cruise ship in Panem, I can't believe it's been nine years... nine years since the worst time of my life had happened... since that accident, the accident that killed both my sister and father, leaving only me to survive, the drunk driver, it was someone in a senior class in my high school, I couldn't look at them.
I continue photographing to distract myself from those pained memories. I approach the railing and look ahead as Panem gets smaller and smaller, further away from my old life, my boring single life. It's embarrassing to think about, I've only been in one relationship and that whole relationship we had sex exactly four times. He wasn't good at it, apparently because I didn't make any noise when we had sex was an excuse to break up with me, I wasn't heartbreaking about it because he honestly wasn't any good at it, his weird grunts were a turn off and that was in college, freshmen year, really puts things in perspective.
The ocean is so blue, I never realised until now, it's such a beautiful shade of blue, the shade that makes you actually want to swim in it, I smile when I think of the blue eyes that I haven't seen since high school graduation. Is it sad that I still think of my high school crush? I can't help myself... not only was he drop dead gorgeous but it didn't help that he was kind, caring and friendly, I would've talked to him more if it weren't for him being popular and hanging out with Cato Phillips, Glimmer Davis, Clove Ryan and Finnick Odair, Okay Finnick wasn't bad but the others were. Glimmer and Clove made my high school life a living hell, especially whenever Peeta talked to me, it was worse when him and Glimmer started dating which I didn't understand.
Now that was an interesting part of senior year, when the most talented guy in the wrestling team started dating the head cheerleader. Typical stereotypical couple, only difference was that Peeta Mellark was no dickwad, he was the complete opposite which is why I didn't understand why on earth he'd date Glimmer. As expected, they lasted until the end of the Christmas break, could you believe it? Glimmer had a three way with Clove and Cato, who would've known? It was amusing to see Glimmer and Clove avoiding Peeta and Finnick completely, the going away party was by far my favourite day of my teenage life... at the party... kissing Peeta, best night but of course luck would have it that I didn't have his number and I could only afford a BlackBerry Curve 8300, even though it was 2013 and new models were out, I could only afford that one phone, I only just got the latest iPhone last year.
I haven't seen Peeta after that since then and I always thought it'd be awkward to add him on my social media accounts, just be like "hi! It's me! Girl you kissed and don't remember!" I'd rather not embarrass myself more than I already have these coming years. My best friend Gale told me to go for it, he went for it with Darius and they're happy, my other best friend Johanna being her usual self just suggested I bang him and that'll be it which of cause caused both Gale and I to look at her disapprovingly, I know she means well but... I'm not into banging and leaving, not with Peeta Mellark.
+++
"You happy I got you this job, Brainless?" Johanna smirks sitting across from me at the table I'm eating my dinner at, Johanna signed herself to be a cabin crew member which means she'll be here for the next six months, the cruises photographer landed sick at the last minute which is pretty much what landed me this job
"Yeah, I guess. I just can't believe you'll be staying here for the next six months" I reply and she smirks
"I'll send you pictures. Enjoy yourself, Brainless" she says before getting up, I roll my eyes and take another bite of my dinner before going through the photos on my camera, smiling at each one that I pass, it makes me happy seeing others enjoying themselves, families smiling and laughing...
"Katniss Everdeen" My heads snaps up and my eyes widen, his smile directing to me, his blue eyes shining and his slightly red skin, evidence on how much fun he's having
"Peeta Mellark" I reply back, smiling back at him
"Do you mind if I join you?" He asks, I shake my head and he sits across from me, what are the odds?
"Not to sound weird but you look great. Healthier" he says, knowing exactly what he means, because of my mother completely spacing out, we hardly had food left so I looked sickly thin, not exactly attractive
"Thank you. You do too, I mean you look a little different, taller and broader" I reply, did I really tell him that he looks more broader? What the actual hell... to my surprise he chuckles
"Thanks. You seem to be doing well" he says, I hold up my camera
"Doing what I love. I've loved photography si—"
"Since sophomore year, I know" he smiles, I'm a little taken a back... how'd he know that?
"How do you know that exactly?" I ask
"You didn't notice? I pretty much watched you the whole time we shared that class and when you done photography for the school?" He asks
"No... I thought I was the one doing the watching" I admit sheepishly, he chuckles
"I guess we're both blind" he replies, we both stay silent for a couple of seconds before I speak again
"So what are you doing these days?" I ask
"Do you remember how my dad owned his own company? The restaurant Twelve?" He says, I nod in understanding
"Well that's all been given to me. I've been travelling a whole lot, we're branching out to other parts of Panem" he smiles, big and proud
"Wow... that's amazing! None of your brothers got it?" I ask, he too looks a little surprised, at what I'm not sure
"You remember that I have brothers?" Now it's my turn to look surprised, how could I not?
"That time in AP Bio when we were seniors when you complained that they embarrassed you in front of Glimmer Davis? Ryan and Theo right?" I reply and he chuckles
"Right. Yeah well, Ryan wnanted to pursue being a lawyer and Theo... he's not exactly money conscious. He spent four hundred dollars on a small lady bug decoration that he doesn't display. So, me being the most responsible and enjoy it, I agreed to take it from my dad" he explains
"So you're here on vacation?" I ask and he grins
"Somewhat, that food was made by me after all" he says, motioning to my almost empty plate, my eyes widen
"Wow. Well it was delicious" I reply, we don't ask each other if we're here with anyone because frankly I don't think either of us care. He joins me for dessert which is a dish he created himself and it was... heaven. We talked and laughed, recalling old memories of our high school lives, including his relationship with Glimmer which makes us both laugh looking back on it and he tells me that she has a kid now but her parents were more than happy to support her throughout her entire life, she won't be working her life, still a privlidged bitch.
Peeta joins me as I walk around taking more photos of people enjoying themselves, we make conversation as we do and he's great company if I'm being honest. We end up at the railing I was earlier today, we listen to the cruise boat causing the water to make a violent swooshing sound bellow us. I let out a happy sigh, how can a day go from boring to interesting in the space of a couple of hours?
"How's your mom?" He asks, I look forward at the dark nothingness of the hard to see horizon
"She's okay, I guess. She got out of rehab three years ago. She drowns herself in work and I only see her during the holidays. It's like her body is present but her whole self has gone missing" I reply
"She went to rehab?" He asks, a little surprised
"Yeah. She missed my college graduation. I asked her if she'll be there, she told me she'd be cheering the loudest. I got my diploma and I saw her seat empty. I wanted to yell and scream at her but when I found her barely breathing on her living room floor, surrounded by booze, I was scared, for once in my life, I was terrified. I had no choice but to sign the papers for her to be in rehab... I know she hated it, which is partly the reason why she never wants to see me" I admit, I look down to see my hands turning white from gripping the railing so hard, his bigger hand goes over mine
"That's not why, Katniss. You saved her. She's alive because of you" he replies
"That's the thing. She wanted to leave this world, she didn't want to live without Prim and dad. Me being the selfish person I am..." I can't even finish that sentence
"Sorry but I don't believe that. You can't think that it was selfish of you to have your mother alive. That's not selfish. You've lost your little sister and dad, you just don't want to lose your mom. You might not think that but I do and you're far from selfish" he replies, I smile at him a little
"Do you remember that day you and your dad helped me and my dad when our car broke down?" I ask, Peeta smiles
"Yeah"
"After you left, my dad told me that you were the kind of guy he wanted me to be with. Said that you were exactly like your dad, look and personality wise. He didn't know I already had a crush on you though" I finally admit, sneaking a glance to see him smiling at me
"You had a crush on me?" He asks and I nod
"Did you know that I had one on you too?" He asks, my mouth opens slightly
"Your kidding" I say
"Definietly not kidding. I dated Glimmer because I thought you didn't like me. Looking back on it, I hate myself for not asking you then" he sighs, I smile
"It seems like fate wanted us to meet for a reason" I'm saying it before I can stop myself, I'm never like this! I hate saying things like that but when he smiles at me... I suddenly don't regret it. We walk around for a while longer until I feel it getting a little late, like a gentlemen, he walks me to my cabin and to my surprise, kisses my cheek before leaving me with one last smile, my night has been going well, up until I close my eyes and go to sleep.
"You hear this song girls? This is your mama and I's song" Dad happily sings the words to How Deep Is Your Love by the Bee Gees, I look at twelve year old Prim with a bright smile that she returns
"Do you like this song, little duck?" I ask
"Yeah! It's got a nice beat" she giggles, I look to my dad who smiles while still looking at the road ahead, we're all singing the words now, all in sync with the words and tune. We stop at a stop light and we continue singing but it all goes wrong so fast as the speeding four wheel drive heads towards our car
"Katniss!" My dad is covering my body with his as the car collides with ours, my father never letting me go, not even when he dies, he's dead, she's dead and I'm alive... I shouldn't be alive... I should be dead.
+++
The next few days of the cruise job I spend taking photos, seeing Peeta every now and again with of course, Finnick Odair and a red head always by his side. Although, the night is my favourite when I have dinner and dessert with Peeta, just talking and talking, about nothing and everything. Peeta, Finnick and who I've learnt is Annie star in a fair amount of my photos, not many people want photos taken which I understand and pretty much avoid them the entire time hating to be known as that annoying photographer.
Something feels different when Peeta walks me back to my cabin... something in the air. I unlock my door and turn to him, getting ready for the usual kiss on the cheek but instead, his warm lips press against mine, it takes me about five seconds but I kiss back, wrapping my arms around his neck, pulling him inside my room
"Are we really doing this" he mumbles against my lips
"Definietly" I whisper, I shut the door and lock it just for extra privacy and unhook my camera from around my neck and place it on the dresser, I walk back over to Peeta
"If I knew I'd brought condoms on this cruise" he chuckles, I roll my eyes
"Lucky you, I'm on strong birth control. It's never failed me" I reply, he grins and brings our lips to join again, his shirt comes off first and then mine, I lay down on the big bed and he hovers over me, he grinds down against my already sensitive centre and I let out a moan, wow, big difference from when I was in a relationship with my ex-boyfriend, Peeta really knows what he's doing.
His kissing starts slow across my cheek, down my neck, across my chest before he stops where my bra is denying him access. Instead of him asking permission, I unclip the back of it and throw it across the room, my breasts aren't small like they use to be but they're not impressive, at least I don't think so
"Fucking gorgeous" he growls, attacking the mounds, showing each the same amount of attention but while he's doing that I'm taking off my denim shorts, suddenly they're too tight and once they're off Peetas hand trials down until it slips into my panties. He rubs the flesh before putting his finger in me, pumping it in and out, a second, a third, I'm letting out all sorts of noises that I didn't know I made, he kisses lower, over my belly, until he gets to my panties, without breaking eye contact, he slowly drags them down with his teeth until they're long forgotten.
Nothing prepared me when his mouth replaced his fingers, my back arches as his name falls from my lips. His tongue continues until I burst and he brings me to a mind blowing orgasim, first orgasim that wasn't by myself... and it felt way better
"Your turn" I grin, sitting up and turning us so that he's sitting against the headboard, I straddle his lap and rid him of his shorts and boxers, I kiss him, tasting myself as our tongues collide and I'm surprisingly not disgusted by it. I slip my hand under me to grip his dick in my hand, I slowly pump him with my hand, using his pre-cum as a lubricant but I can't help myself and I position myself above his erection and I take him in my mouth, using the techniques that Johanna disturbingly tells me but I can't help but to silently thank her as he groans and moans, he takes out my braid so he can grab a fistful of my hair, I try a little move Johanna does and after doing it a couple times, he spills in my mouth and I swallow every last drop of him, I release him with a grin
"Where'd you learn that?" He asks, like he ran a marathon
"Johanna told me a thing or two. Kind of happy she didn't listen to my protesting" I reply, he flips us so that I'm laying on my back now and I smile, tracing his face
"You really want to do this with me?" He asks and I nod, our lips join again and it's not too long until we're both ready, Peeta doesn't hesitate and enters me all the way, I let out a yell of pleasure, not being use to his length but also loving the pleasure it's giving me
"Keep going Peeta" I groan and he does, it's slow and calm thrusting but as time goes by, his thrusting gets harder, faster and deeper, his hands shield my head from hitting the headboard too hard as he continues his frantic, anamilistic pace, the room fills with each other's groans, moans and screams of pleasure, I finish first with a pleasuring cry and he spills into me not long after, he collapses in the space next to me, both of us panting
"Best... sex... I've ever... had" he pants
"Me... too" I pant back, getting under the covers
"Stay... with me tonight?" I ask as my breathing gets under control
"Always. Tonight and forever if you'll allow me" with a smile and nod, I lay my head on his chest and close my eyes. I had no nightmares that night. And he stayed with me that night and forever, just like he had said.