Chapter 12

A/N: Hey guys! How you been? I know I haven't updated in a while and I'm sorry... Thank you all for being patient with me and reading my story it means a lot to me :) P.S. My beta has a lot of patience and I love her for that. x)

"Morning Finn!" I said, smiling as I opened my front door. "Not that I'm not happy and all but what are you doing here?" I asked him curiously, leading him into the kitchen for breakfast.

"I came to pick my girlfriend up for school and wish her a good morning," He replied with a grin as I set some toast onto his plate and a glass of orange juice down next to it. He pulls me onto his lap as he continues seriously. "I know, I know: I'm sweet. It's very rare side of me that only comes out for you."

I smirk and kiss his cheek quickly, pulling back just in time to catch a wink from my mom.

"Keep the PDA down, will you?" My mom said. I buried my head into the crook of Finn's neck, my cheeks flaring, and he chuckled.

"Morning, Julia." Finn said and I could hear the grin in his voice.

"Morning, mom..." I mumbled against Finn's throat, and relish in the fact that my breath on his skin caused him to shiver. He doesn't bring it up, but something else entirely.

"Would you mind if I stole Katniss tomorrow around eleven? We're all going to watch The Hangover III. I promise to bring her back before two!" Finn said.

"Of course!"

She agreed quickly.

"Oh! Um... good morning, you guys." I said, surprised after I opened the front door of my house as Finnick, Prim, and I leave for school to see Alex, Sam, and Meg standing there.

"Morning." They mumbled back at the sight of Finn.

"What are you doing here?" I asked confused.

"Well, we came to see if you guys wanted to drive to school with us today... But I see Finnick beat us to it..." Meg explained after gesturing to their car parked behind Finn's.

"That's really nice of you all, but Finn insists on driving me at least three times a week," I started to explain with a smile, knowing he'll interrupt.

"Because it's the right thing to do for my girlfriend!" Yep, just as I thought. "Besides, I like being able to see you before school and having an excuse to stop by your house after." Finn winked at me, grinning, and gave me a quick peck on the lips.

"Ahh. Okay, then... Next time!" Alex grinned as we made our way to our cars.

"See you at school!" I waved them goodbye even though my thoughts were off of them and instead on my boyfriend who was busy holding my door open. I rolled my eyes at his antics. "Such a gentleman."

"Only for you, babe." He waggled his eyebrows at me.

"Kitty Kat! I need your help, it's an emergency!" Clove shouted, running up to our table during lunch.

"Woah... Slow down Clove. What's up?" I asked, worried.

"I need help with making that damn dress for Home Economics! I have no idea what I'm doing..." This, of course, caused laughter to erupt at our table and people glare at us for being rowdy. I suppress the urge to roll my eyes at them and listen to what my friend has to say. "Cinna said I should ask you since you're nearly done."

I smile knowingly and make plans with her to get together tomorrow and work on our dresses together.

"So. Hangover III tomorrow." Cato hinted. Obviously he didn't have much patience because immediately afterwards he nearly shouted, "It's going to be so much fun!"

"Hell, yeah! It's going to epic!" Finn agreed before going back to enjoying his sugar cubes. Honestly, I don't know how he can eat those things plain. Don't they rot your teeth?

"Yeah, I mean Bradley Cooper is so hot." I said, half being serious and half teasing Finn. The girls caught on to what I was doing.

"Oh yeah, that man is fine," Clove sighed.

"Perfect, really," Jo said, leaning her elbows on the table and placing her chin in her hands. We sigh dreamily and all the guys look at us in disbelief. They exchange some glances.

"Oh, really? Better than us?" Cato asked Glimmer, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her onto his lap.

I stare for a moment too long. When did that happen? I look around the table and based off of everyone's facial expression, I'm pretty sure they were thinking the same thing. Marvel is the only brave soul to bring it up, though.

"When did you two... You know... Get together?" He asked, confused.

"A few days ago. We were waiting till we were sure that it was what we wanted before we told you guys," Glimmer admitted, looking a little guilty. We all gave them cheers, but briefly because- I was sure- the men in the group were all still harping on our opinions on what 'hot stuff' really is.

"Anyway... Is he better than us?" Finn asked me, pouting.

Bingo.

"Oh, totally! That man is..." I said pretending that I can't finish my sentence by biting my bottom lip, closing my eyes, and gently shaking my head. I heard the other girls agree. We all liked teasing the guys. When I opened my eyes I felt proud of myself that I actually managed to blush a little that time.

I couldn't help but notice that he and the others looked slightly hurt.

The boys grumble mostly unintelligible phrases along the lines of "he's ugly as fuck," "I dunno what you're talking about," and "my abs are way hotter than his."

Us girls couldn't hold in our snickers for much longer, watching the guys be genuinely jealous of the famous actor.

We all started laughing.

"You guys are so gullible!" Clove gasped. Finnick turned to me abruptly.

"Kat! You promised you wouldn't do that again!" He complained, pulling me to him till my back hit his chest and he pressed his face to my neck.

"No, I didn't. If you remember, I laughed at you and gave you a light kiss. I didn't promise anything." I murmured against him, being sly. His hold on me tightened as he groaned.

"Damn it, you're right..." He grumbled.

The bell rang and we all made our way to Biology.

"Should be as interesting as it always is... There's never a boring hour with Mr. A." A question suddenly popped into my head. "Hey, how is it that we've suddenly got almost all the same classes? I mean, Madge and I have always had a similar program but you guys..." I trailed off.

"We've always had a similar program with you, we just never talked or anything." Jo explained. "Finnick, however..." she sneers at him, "changed his schedule the moment you started dating." Finn blushed a little, so I kissed his cheek in thanks as we entered the familiar classroom.

"Good morning, sexually frustrated young ones! How are you this fine day?" Mr. A said, walking into class behind us. We all groan. "Today we are going to dissect frogs! Whoever wishes to object, raise your hand now or suffer in silence." He said and two hands shot up as a few loud whoops of excitement sounded. A blonde girl, Julie, loved animals to an extreme level. And Julie's best friend Natalie. Mr. A sighed and shook his head. "Every year..." He mumbled. He dismissed the two and started handing out trays. The girls left in a hurry, talking about how they were going to convince Crane to stop the frog dissection, and protest.

I chuckle at the thought of them starting a petition.

"Hey, sweetheart!" Mr. A greeted in that growl of his once he reached me. "You're not horrified to slice open the poor frog, are you?" He asked.

"No sir." I tried not to scoff at him.

"That's why I like you, sweetheart!" He said, grinning, as he continued handing out the different instruments.

I entertained the thought of stabbing the scalpel into my hand or his... Either would do.

"So, tomorrow we all meet at Finn's house around ten and go from there, yeah?" Glimmer asked as we made our way to our last lesson for the day.

"Yeah, sounds good." Finnick grinned.

Just then a realization hit me.

"Dammit! Finn, we didn't do the project!" I gripped his arm.

"Oh, shit!" Finn cussed and face-palmed while our onlookers laugh at us.

"You guys are screwed!" Cato barked.

"Asshole." Finn mumbled as Glimmer hit her man 'round the head.

"Hello everyone! How are you today?" Mr. Beetee asked as we walked into the classroom in one big group.

I think up reasons in my head as to why we hadn't finished our project as the teacher continues to blab about today's lesson. 'Well, sir, before your project we didn't really talk and we figured it would have been better to get to know each other before getting right into the work. And then Finn found out that I was raped and everything went downhill from there and we never got around to it since I was avoiding him.' Yes, that sounded about right. I figured it was best to go with the truth and was preparing to voice this little speech in case Mr. Beetee asked for everyone to turn them in right away when I catch Finnick looking at me strangely.

"Yes?" I whispered, confused.

"You're really over it aren't you?" He said smiling softly. His turquoise eyes looking at me more gently than I've ever seen.

"Over what?" I asked.

"Over the whole rape thing. You talk about it freely now." He explained, his face never changing.

I realize then that I must have been thinking aloud and glance around the room to make sure no one else is staring at me- which they aren't- before answering Finnick.

"I'll never be over it. It scared me. I'll always remember it no matter what. I just realized that there is no use in living in the past and trying to hide it. I've finally won against some of my demons and I don't care what people think of me. So... yeah, I'm over not talking about it, but I'll never truly be over it."

"You're amazing." He breathed after a prolonged silence, with him just looking at me in what seemed at the time like wonder.

"So are you," I winked at him.

"Prim is sleeping at a friend's house tonight so you don't have to pass by her school." I told Finn as I got into his car.

"That's fine. What about your mom?" He asked.

"She's working the late shift. She won't be home until tomorrow afternoon." I said. "Hey, would you like to stay for dinner? I hate being by myself in the house, the silence weighs on me... We could play some games, maybe even watch a movie?"

"Sure, that would be great!" He accepted, nodding.

"Okay, but no funny business!" I jokingly warned him, pointing a finger at his chest.

"Who, me? I would never!" He played along.

"What are we watching?" Finn asked plopping down on my couch as I rummaged around in the fridge in the room over.

"Um, how about... The Avengers?" I called to him with my head inside the door.

"Yes!" He exclaimed happily, and I laughed.

Once I returned with our drinks and some leftovers, I turn off the lights, sit down next to him, and set everything out on the coffee table in front of us- which was also propping up his feet. With him sipping his coke and me sipping my water, we started the movie in the darkness, contentedly snuggled up beside one another. Halfway through the movie, though, the doorbell rang. I looked at Finn, confused, as I reached for the remote to pause it.

"Are we expecting anyone?" Finn asked, just as confused as me.

"Not that I know of..." I mumbled, getting up out of Finns arms to open the door. Finn was right behind me the whole time.

"Hey!" Glimmer shrieked while the rest of the group smiled sheepishly at us.

"Ugh..." I moan almost silently. Finn puts his arm around me and rubs my back up and down. "Not to be rude or anything... but what are you guys doing here?" I asked sharply.

They were all in their pajamas, carrying different stuff. Marvel and Cato had three bags full of food, and Finch and Jo had several DVDs in their arms; Peeta was holding several tubs of ice cream; Madge and Clove were carrying blankets.

"Well, Cato went by Finn's place to see if he wanted to hang out but when he didn't find him, he phoned Finn's parents who told him he was at your house having a movie night. We figured we'd crash it and make it a big sleepover. If that's okay with you..." Glimmer answered.

"Sure thing, guys. Come on in," I said stepping back allowing them room to enter. I put the ice cream in the freezer to keep cold then grabbed bowls and cups and went back into the living room half-heartedly. Truth be told, I was a little disappointed that Finnick and I didn't get our alone-time, but it would be just as fun with everyone else. The coffee table with our empty Tupperware containers that had held the leftovers was moved to the side of the room, making space for the blankets and pillows on the floor. Cato threw a bag at Finn.

"I figured you didn't stop by your place so I grabbed everything a man would need." Cato said grinning and Finn grinned back in thanks.
The two of us dashed upstairs to get changed into pajamas- well, just me actually, since Finn wears just his boxers to bed- but he kept his clothes on to preserve his modesty. We all settled down on the red shaggy rug that covered the whole living room floor under blankets, since it was rather cold. We spent a good hour or two playing games, and proceeded to watch all kinds of movies that ranged from horrors and thrillers to comedies and sappy romances. It was three AM and everyone was passed out on the floor, sharing the few blankets we had. I switched the TV and DVD player off before sitting back down in Finns arms and going to sleep with the sinking feeling that I was forgetting something or someone.

I pushed it away and went to sleep.