Ah, high school, where do I begin. I'm Katniss and I am a teenage mom. No one knows except my family and my best friend, Gale Hawthorne. I was homeschooled for three years after my little Willow was born. I was 15 then. Now I'm going back to school as a senior and Gale has already warned for people to stay away from me like I asked.
Willow's dad never cared about her, in fact he is in jail for abuse. While I was pregnant he would hit me, one day Gale came over and witnessed a hit that might have killed the baby or even me. He defended me and I owe him my life. Gale told me to forget about it. So, I did.
Now, back to my story of how I met someone who changed my life. It was November, a few months after school had started. I already had a reputation, Gale helped me build that.
"Who is that?" I ask Gale during lunch. There was a new guy, he was blonde and built up pretty well.
"Um, I think his name is Peeta, like the bread. He is a prep, not your type."
"You like a prep why can't I?" I ask a little offended at why he was being so rude about it. I know Gale didn't like me like that because he had a major crush on a different girl. Her name was Madge Undersee. She was really pretty, her dad was the mayor though. Gale was trouble sometimes, especially when it came to those he loved.
"Well, fine. Go make out with him. Tell him your secret, let him tell everybody," Gale says sourly.
I shake my head and continue to eat. Gale loved me like a sister even though we weren't related. Gale had been held back a year and ever since my mom kicked me out of the house I had lived with him. I glance back over to the Prep table and notice Madge was looking at Gale. I nudge him.
"What?" He asks grouchily.
"The future Mrs. Gale Hawthorne is looking over at you now either go talk to her or do something."
"I can't just ditch you," He says. I can tell in his voice he was thinking about it.
"Yes, you can. Now, go talk to her," I say smiling at him.
He gets up and goes. No more than two minutes later I see the shadow of someone sitting next to me. I assume it is Gale.
"Gale, did you chicken out again?" I ask then look up. It isn't Gale, it is the new boy. Was his name Peeta? I probably look like an idiot as I sit there, practically gaping at him.
"Actually, I didn't chicken out. I'm Peeta, and you are?" He asks holding out his hand for me to shake.
"Katniss, didn't your friends tell you about me?" I ask, I am in pure shock as he just sits there and acts like he does it every day. He seems relaxed, like he isn't intimidated by me at all.
"Yes, they did tell me, Katniss. I just think you are avoiding people to try and see who is willing to get in. If I'm wrong, tell me, the last think I want to do is be too imposing on such a pretty girl," He says the last sentence with a blush slightly on his neck.
"Well, you are wrong, I don't want people to get to know me."
"I think you are lying," he says with a smirk now played across his lips. I will admit, he is kind of cute.
"Oh, and how do you know if I am lying? How do I know you aren't lying just to get to know me?" I ask in an effort to confuse him.
He looks taken off guard for a moment before recovering and saying, "Clever aren't you. I like that, do you want to hang out some time? As friends of course."
I still probably looked shocked at his confidence, "Fine, Next Friday. I'll meet you at the library."
"See you then," He smiles and leaves.
I walk home from school, and when I open the door to the house I am greeted by a screaming three year old.
"Mommy is home!" She calls through the house as she runs to me. I catch her and laugh as I shut the door. I pay the babysitter with Willow chatting my ear off. "Mommy, let's color!" She begs.
"Oh, alright, mommy will do her homework later. Can you give me a kiss?" I ask her and she kisses my cheek happily. We go and color together as a knock sounds at the door. I get up and go get it. Little did I know, opening that door would lead to a big shock.