Chapter 7

Hi everyone! Thank you all for being so patient with this next chapter. I really appreciate it! Thank you for all of the birthday greetings as well! It meant the world to me, and my twenty fifth birthday was wonderful.

Enjoy!

When Peeta asked me if I would come to set with him while he filmed a few reshoots, I thought I would have the amazing luck of being able to hide in his trailer the whole time, but such wishes did not get granted. I've been gifted the presence of none other than Finnick Odair himself. The first hour sitting with him felt like a root canal in terms of enjoyment. He talks a million miles a minute and half of that is him just asking questions about me. I don't respond to his abrasiveness well. The more he is jovial, upbeat, and flirtatious, I just grow to be more distant, quiet, and sullen. I had to force myself to open up just so that he would calm down. Now entering the third hour of having his undivided attention (Really how did he not have more scenes to shoot?) I've grown almost fond of this bronze haired wonder. He hides his genuine caring demeanor and kind personality behind a large, outlandish attitude. I ask him why he portrays himself in such a way.

"We all have walls to keep ourselves safe, Kitty."

"What do you mean?"

"Is there anything you hide away from the rest of the world? Anything you keep under lock and key that you will do anything to protect?" My mind immediately jumps to my family. People know Prim exists, but I won't say anything about her life. I don't think I've ever even mentioned a word about my parents in an interview before. I nod in agreeance to his statement.

"We all have secrets. Learn them and you can control the game. Every move on the board is under your command. Want to know how?"

He has me latched to his bait.

"Shoot."

"I know about the letter." I blanch at his statement and feel myself rapidly pale.

"H-H-How?"

"Not Peeta I promise you. I know Snow. This isn't the first time he has pulled something vile like this. You showed up out of nowhere, and I could only suspect. I cornered Peeta about it around a week after you first came to set. It wasn't hard to get the boy to crack. He doesn't have a lying bone in his body for how good of an actor he is."

"He's done this before?"

"How many women have you seen on my arm during your time in Hollywood, Katniss?"

He's giving me an honest example. I can't honestly give him a number. I couldn't keep track if I tried.

"He probably has a whole stack of letters waiting for me. That's why Annie works for Peeta."

"What does Annie have to do with this?"

He looks at me with the most intense expression I have ever seen him wear.

"I love her, and she loves me. When my contract runs its course I will marry her. No one else could put up with anything that she has to deal with. She loves every used inch of me. I keep her at a distance, but safe, by having her work for Peeta. His publicist is managed under Haymitch. Snow can't touch her as long as she does her job well; which she does of course." My heart aches for the couple. His longing look at Annie, who is on a work phone call across the set, almost hurts to witness. My situation with Peeta is confusing at most, but at least I can't get hurt by being seen with him.

I can't try to compare our two dilemmas. I don't know if I'll ever get to actually be with Peeta after this is all done. I still think I ruined it by getting so drunk at our dinner date. He has been happy and back to his normal self since he drove me home a few days ago, and it's made me feel so much better, but I'm sure he's just acting to be nice. I ruined so much. I'm sure he will never look at me the same way again.

"You good, Katniss? You went away for a minute there." Finnick brings me out of my thoughts.

I jump slightly and my eyes match his gaze. I feel like I owe him something. He trusted me with something huge.

"I like Peeta. I really like him." I whisper so quietly it mixes in with the air and becomes nothing. I feel my body shake slightly. I have never said the words out loud before. My eyes, that are locked with Finnick, are wide and unblinking. It feels like if I keep them open enough it will prove my honesty. Finnick's face turns itself into a cocky smirk.

"I know."

"You what?!"

"I didn't even think you had noticed it yourself. I've seen you around this town and industry for a few years now, Katniss. You look at him in a way I've never seen you pay attention to another human before. You carry around a level of independence that almost borders carelessness. You have a talent for keeping everyone at an arm's length. Who are your best friends here? Do you even have any?" My anger starts to boil as he loses track of what he was originally talking about. "I mean, you look at Peeta something different. You care when he's talking. I'm so happy you let him in. That boy has been through a world of hurt. I'm glad he has someone in his corner."

I'm shocked by his miniature monologue. I'm not the one that cares if people are giving me the time of day. I have fans who clearly have an interest in my music, and anything else I do is purely for my career. I never thought people actually would notice how I am to them. Gale tells me that I have a tendency to be oblivious, but I always thought he was just trying to get on my nerves.

"Didn't think I had it in me to be deep, did you?" His "know it all" demeanor brings me back to the present.

"I learn something new everyday." I bump his side with my shoulder lightly to try and show that we have no bad blood.

He sits with me for the next hour while I have to painstakingly watch Peeta and Cashmere film a serious and intimate scene between one another where Peeta's character, Alexander, is trying to have Cashmere's character, Melanie, run and hide so he can defend them from this otherworldly villian that is coming to defeat them. There are a bunch of tears, passionate cries, and even kisses exchanged between the two and it makes me sick to my stomach that I can clearly see how so many fans would want them to be together. The chemistry they possess is exceptional. The director finally tells the on screen couple that they have wrapped for the day. I meet his eyes and he steps to make his way towards me when Cashmere blocks his walk toward me. She says something to him that from our distance across the set I could never make out, but it must be funny because I can see his eyes light up as he laughs. Her arms wrap a bit too low on his waist to make me feel comfortable. They continue to talk for a few minutes before she moves herself next to him. Her phone is held up in front of their faces as she snaps a few selfies. After the first several she raises up on her toes and gives him a peck on his cheek. My whole body is vibrating and my hands are itching for a bow and arrow just so I can hit something to scare her away.

"Easy, Kitty Kat." I feel Finnick's hand go on my shoulder as if he is sensing my need to pounce.

"Would you like to hear another secret, Katniss?"

"Excuse me?" I bite out. He catches me so out in left field that I turn to him.

He leans in close to my ear. This is the exact moment that Peeta looks back over at me. The little green monster in me is giddy in the worst way in response to how he reacts. He almost has a look on his face like he's imagining things. He quickly moves past Cashmere to approach us.

"Cash is a lesbian."

"WHAT?!" I whisper yell back at him. It took all of my composure to full on scream.

"Snow knows. He won't let her come out because it will ruin her appeal to the male audience. She hasn't told Peeta. Don't worry about her, but keep up appearances." He rushes to finish giving his information and advice right as Peeta intercepts himself into our bubble.

"Hey Peet!" Finnick says casually, as if he had not just had his whole side touching me while he whispered into my ear.

"Peeta." I add curtly. Finnick added me into this little play and now I have a part to act out. Cashmere may not be straight, but now I have to pretend she is.

"Is everything okay?" Peeta asks cautiously.

"Peeta, I understand that you have a relationship with Cashmere, particularly on screen, but you're dating me… How would Snow feel if he sees how close up she is with you?" I mix both me playing a role with my genuine fear. If Snow intentionally mixes her in to add drama, or gets mad at us because we didn't convince him of our love story, our families could be hurt. Prim could be hurt.

"Cash is just doing what she thinks she needs to for our fans I promise. I would never put you in a position like that. I'm with you and you know that." This is the convenient moment I see Finnick saunter off to go talk to no one in particular.

"Coward!" I call after him. In response he just blows me a kiss. I make a huge show in catching it and Peeta almost looks red.

"We are just friends I promise." I reassure him. Friends… that sounds nice. Finnick was actually right. I can use more of those.

"How did you jump to friends?"

"We had a long time to sit, so he asked to know all of my secrets."

"I won't be jealous of Finnick if you don't be jealous of Cashmere."

"But Peeta it's different! You know Finnick's…. You know." I nod my head toward Annie, who just happens to be in the same group with Johanna and Finnick. The angel on my shoulder reminds me that I also know about Cashmere's secret, but the devil reminds me he doesn't so I play it up.

"He told you?!"

"A secret for a secret. It was an even trade."

He takes a moment and takes a few slow breaths. "Okay fine. I understand where Cashmere can come on a little strong. I'm sorry I didn't stop her because that isn't fair to you. I'm so used to her antics at this point I don't even think twice. But I promise to stop her from now on." He puts a hand under my chin so I can't look anywhere besides his startling blue eyes. I look at him and feel instantly more relaxed. I didn't realize how wound up I let myself get over Prim potentially getting hurt.

"Thank you." I reach up a bit so we are at an even height level and give him a reassuring kiss on the lips that everything is okay. His kiss feels almost grateful, like he is thanking me for forgiving him. I'm not naturally a fan of public displays of affection, but the potential of Cashmere seeing us kiss not for a camera makes the little jealous gremlin inside me smile.

He takes the seat that Finnick had previously occupied and we lean in close to one another to talk about his scenes. I inflate his ego slightly with my compliments on his acting ability and the red he gets from embarrassment burns his whole face. He always keeps a hand somewhere on me. He moves from my thigh, to my back, to just holding my hand. He never allows us to not be attached. I like hearing the fondness he has for his character, Alex. His passion for his alter ego reminds me of myself when I get lost in my lyrics and a person can't pull me out until I think the wording is absolutely perfect. I give him my undivided attention as he rambles on about his excitement for all of his fans to see the hard work he has his co stars have put in. I can't help but think that I would love to support him through it all.

"We will have a night where we binge watch the entire first season. I feel like I've already spoiled everything by inviting you to watch today!"

"How come I need to watch when I can happily sit here and have you explain the whole plot to me?"

"That's not nearly as fun, Kat! We can have a full on slumber party. We will get popcorn, candy, a box set of season one and we can even make a fort of blankets, and cuddle while hiding inside." Some of his more subtle meanings aren't lost on me. He laughs at my flushed face.

"Your idea sounds better. Much better." I voice with as much seriousness as I can muster. His eyes darken marginally and he touches my forehead with his.

"It's a date."

"Hey lovebirds!" Our moment is now ruined by none other than Johanna herself.

"How's it going, Jo?" Peeta answers back casually.

"Finny and I were thinking about going to one of those karaoke places, and Annie asked if she can tag along. Would you both be down?" Her tone is the friendliest and most relaxed I've ever heard.

"You realize I sing for a living right? Why would I pay to sing to a machine?" I am half teasing half serious. I haven't gotten at least a bit paid for my singing since I was a child.

"No shit Brainless, but maybe now you might as well actually enjoy singing for once." Jo cracks back.

"We would love to, right babe? It will be fun." Peeta cuts in front of my retort in an attempt to extinguish the fire he can tell is kindling inside me. I enjoy singing! It's given me everything.

Three of the four people in the group are giving my pleading looks to agree. I concede to appease them and the response is roaring excitement.

"Kat we have to duet together!" Finnick nearly squeals.

"Only if I pick the song. You sing no matter what."

"Oh you're so on!"

Both Peeta and Finnick seem so happy I feel my stoick exterior melting.

"Where exactly are we going?" Peeta asks the group.

"I was researching a few karaoke bars while you were finishing your last scene. Downtown LA has a good place." Annie pipes up for the first time.

"Always prepared she is. Sounds perfect Annie." Finnick's compliment turns Annie a deep red. I can almost feel the magnetic pull that is fighting to pull them closer to one another.

"I'll call to reserve a room for tonight at seven." She continues with apparent ease. "Does that work for everyone?" We all utter our agreeance.

Peeta and I say our goodbyes as we go to enter our respective cars to go home for only a couple of hours. Peeta is still covered in sweat and grime from the intensity of his scenes

"Are you sure you're okay going, Katniss? I don't want you to feel pressured."

"It's fine, Peeta. I'm excited to spend time with you." If he is surprised by my admission he doesn't show it.

"Me too." He brings his lips down to give me a chaste peck on the cheek and gives my hand a gentle squeeze. "Save a duet for me."

This chapter took way longer than I originally intended, and I'm so sorry for making you wait for so long! This is good prep for the drama of the next chapter, and I can't wait to share it with you!