Chapter One

"I'm so jealous of you Katniss," Prim whispered in her older sister's ear as she braided her hair. The little 11-year old liked to braid her hair, and even though Katniss knew how to braid her long brown waves herself, she allowed her sister to do it just this once. It was the first day of the 10th grade. A special day to some people. Even if Prim was just starting middle school, she adored the fact that Katniss would actually finish school in two years. Then, that would mean more time with her sister. Katniss, however, dreaded it. She was lucky enough that she survived the first few years, sitting alone at lunch with her friend Madge and not speaking a word unless it was related to her participation grade. But by this time, people start to date and if you don't have a boyfriend you're automatically made fun of. "You get to have your prom and wear a pretty dress and meet with your Prince Charming…"

Katniss's nose crinkled at the second thing Prim had to say. The idea of so was such a repulsive idea for her. She didn't want to have a boyfriend because most of the boys at school will break your heart and leave you shattered. What if she actually fell in love?

"I don't want that Prim," She replied. The little girl pursed her lips in reply, not saying another word. Prim finished with her hair and let the tress go over her shoulder.

"I want everybody to see how pretty it looks," She beamed. Katniss stood up from the wooden chair and walked over to the mirror in her room. Prim could make the best braids. She watched mother plait Katniss's hair herself, and learned from watching. It was one of the many things she was really good at. All Katniss believed she was good at was archery, and she couldn't wait for the summer to come once again to get her hands on a bow and arrow. She would shock all those boys who teased her with her skills. But for now, it's just paper and pencils. Katniss could deal with that, no matter how boring it is.

Katniss thanked Prim for the braid, got her backpack, and left for school.

.

Before she could get to school, she had to stop by the bakery for something to eat. Her mother had given her twenty dollars to purchase anything Mr. Mellark had on sale. Katniss, being the girl she is, didn't buy anything too extravagant. She only bought a loaf of bread, and that was good enough for her. But sometimes, Mr. Mellark gave her an extra loaf for free. She guessed it was because Mr. Mellark and her mother had known each other back then. She looked at her mother's yearbooks and saw his face. That's the only reason for him to do that. And every time she refused the extra loaf, he shook his head and allowed her to have it. At least it was good bread.

This time, however, one of his sons took over the register. He looked like a replica of him, except a bit younger. There was nobody in line, so she guessed she could buy something and leave an hour before school started. Then she could get there earlier than Madge.

"Hi welcome to the Mellark bakery. How may I help you?" The young man had his eyes on the blank counter, fiddling with his fingers. Katniss look over to his name tag and read "Rye". Strange name for anybody else, but ok for a baker's son.

"One loaf of bread please," She demanded as she handed over the money. One loaf was only 2 dollars, but she'd been saving up the change. The young boy went inside the kitchen, and whispered something to his younger brother. The younger boy went deeper into the kitchen so Katniss couldn't see him anymore. She let her eyes wander to the family portrait on the wall. They all seemed to be smiling happily, all except for the mother. Katniss never went in when Mrs. Mellark was around. She's jealous of Mrs. Everdeen, due to the fact she and her husband had dated. And she treats the girls nastily whenever they come by. The girl looked around some more. She realized that was the only picture with her in it. The rest mainly had the boys in them. Smiling and splattering frosting onto their faces.

"Sorry for the long wait miss," Katniss turned around to find Rye there again, with a brown paper bag. "My brother likes to take time when he makes bread,"

"At least mine is quality, Rye!" Called the boy from the other side of the kitchen.

"Yes, and that's why you don't have a girlfriend because all you do is make bread," Rye replied. He rolled his eyes. Katniss left before their argument could continue and went her merry way off to school.

.

Katniss doesn't eat her breakfast until she arrives at school. Sadly for her, Madge was there first, wearing a plain green shirt and jean skirt that went up to her knees.

"What took you so long?" Madge asked, giving her a suspicious look.

"My breakfast," Katniss took the bag out of her backpack and went off to one of the picnic tables. Madge followed suit.

"You know you could get breakfast at my place," Katniss knew about that. Madge was just afraid that if she was late she would end up being teased by the older kids and called names like "loner".

"No it's fine. Just the Mellark boys took over the shop today,"

"Please don't tell me Nickel took over register. I was planning to go there this afternoon to get something for my dad but Nickel's so irresponsible! Last time, he stuffed a fake fish in my croissant,"

"You're sounding more like your father every day," Katniss reached for the loaf inside her bag. She took out of the bread, but her eyes found something else in there also. A cookie with frosting that resembled a rose flower.

"What'cha lookin' at? Madge politely asked as Katniss took out the cookie.

"I didn't even asked for one. Must've been a mistake," Katniss inferred as she took a bite of her loaf.

"Careful! Nickel might've done it!"

"You just want an excuse to eat the cookie," She continued to eat the bread but still stared at the cookie. A loaf is one thing. But a cookie? "Besides. Nickel wasn't even around. Only Rye and his younger brother,"

Katniss shrugged and had a bit of the cookie. It was pretty good, the cookie with right amount of sugar to make a child smile. She couldn't resist and ate the rest of the cookie. She'd have to thank the Mellarks' later.

"Is it good?" Asked Madge innocently. Before Katniss could answer, first period bell had ringed. They both went their separate ways. They wouldn't share a class until two hours from now.

But Katniss really would've wished she shared first period with her.

.

"Good morning class," Mrs. Alledy announced. Everyone had been looking down at their feet. First day was always the hardest. Especially if you're the new kid. Twiddling with her thumbs, Katniss though about how she hated science. She wasn't going to become a scientist. Maybe an archer would do. But what jobs applies to bows and arrows in the 21st century? "Today we get to choose lab partners! They will work with you on every project and class work until the end of the year,"

Before she could continue, the students were already making agreements to be partners. Katniss prayed that she could work alone. It was always awkward around her partner and they ended up doing their work separately.

"No, no. Not like that, kids,"

The students looked up, and Katniss swore that everybody in the classroom had their eyebrows knitted together with a confused look on their faces.

"You get to choose a name from a hat with all your names written on it," The class groaned. Katniss placed her head against the desk and tried to tune out every sound around her. If only Madge were here.

"Ms. Everdeen, why don't you go first?"

The moment she called up the girl's name, she quietly got up from her seat and made her way towards the teacher.

"Can I work alone?" She asked, her eyes planted on the ground.

"No," Katniss gave out a huff of exasperation. She squeezed her eyes shut and let her hand go right to the bottom of the hat. Once she picked out the slip, she shifted her way back to her seat, not bothering to pick up her feet. She didn't hear her partner's names due to the fact that everyone gave out a sigh, thankful it wasn't their name called out. It's not like they hate Katniss—most of them haven't even spoken to her—but because they want to be paired up with someone in the room that they know.

It took a few minutes for everybody to get with their partners, but Katniss didn't move a muscle. She heard heavy footsteps coming her way, but she still looked at her desk.

"Y'know, you might get in trouble if you don't speak to your partner,"

Finally, she lifted her head up to see a pair of brilliant blue eyes staring right at her. His eyes flickered right down to the floor when they locked together, and she couldn't help but notice the pink tinge on his cheeks. "Just saying,"

"Sorry," The moment was evidently very awkward for the two of them. The silence continued on until he took out a red notebook, and opened up to a blank page and started to draw.

She let her eyes flicker to his notebook. "Oh, so you draw?"

The boy shrugged, not looking up to see her grey eyes. "I don't think any of my drawings are all that good…"

He didn't continue because he began to concentrate on his work. In just a matter of minutes he drew that birch tree outside the window left of them. Once he had finished, Katniss looked in awe at his creation.

"You made it look so real, even if you only used pencil," Her drawings weren't even half good. They were just lines and circles and didn't use much creativity and patience when drawing them. "What's your name?"

"Peeta Mellark," He must've been the boy who had gave her the cookie! At least she could thank him now rather than later.

"Weren't you the one that put a cookie in the bag?"

He still doesn't meet her eyes. "It's the first day of school. Got to have something to perk you up,"

She wasn't convinced, but she was fine with his answer.

.

The day seemed like forever, but somehow, her back was against that birch tree Mellark had drawn that very morning. She had to wait for Madge; she made a deal with her that she'd pick her up in the afternoon and drop her off at her house. However, she seemed to take longer than usual. But then she had just remembered; student council had just started that day. She picked up her things after the realization, and let the hot sun beat down on her face. Katniss really wished it would be fall soon. The air would feel crisp and fresh then.

Her stomach started to growl. She hadn't eaten for two hours. Digging into her pocket, she took out the 18 dollars. The bakery's a long walk from here, but at least she could get some sun. Her mother has been complaining about that.

She started her long walk to the bakery.

.

And only one Mellark brother was there.

Thankfully it hadn't been Nickel. He'll just go ahead and play a prank on you. And Rye hadn't been there either. He wasn't as bad as Rye, but he'll occasionally give in to help with his tomfoolery. Only Peeta stood there at the register, looking down and smiling to himself. The bakery was nearly empty, so Katniss went up to the register and slipped him 7dollars.

"Oh! Didn't see you there," His grin somehow got bigger and his eyes glowed even more. He must have been day-dreaming about something that made him happy.

"One loaf of bread please," She whispered. He ran off to the kitchen, leaving her there for a few moments. It took about twenty minutes to come from school to here. And didn't Madge say she was going to get something for her dad?

Right on cue, Madge burst through the door, twiddling with her thumbs. When she looked up she saw Katniss by the register. Madge stood next to her, holding out her wallet. "Four bucks? I thought a loaf was only two,"

"Hey, he gave me the cookie this morning,"

"It was an act of kindness. Accept it,"

"Yeah. But I feel like I have to owe him,"

"It was probably just a simple gift—"

Before she could continue, the brown bag plopped right in front of her. Peeta looked down at the four dollars she gave him. "It's only two,"

"Keep the change,"

"Is this about the cookie?" He asked. "You don't have to give me anything,"

"I feel like I do," She replied. "Little things could do a lot in the future, you know,"

"I can't take your money,"

"Fine then," And she left with her bag of bread. But the rest of the money had still been on the counter