DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters in this fanfic (except for Samwell). All characters belong to Suzanne Collins.
I linger in front of the bakery, not sure about whether I should go in or not. The reaping had come and gone and, to my relief, I wasn't chosen. Not like I would be, compared to those who were. My name couldn't have been in the drawing more than six times, like Gale had said earlier. Then again, Prim Everdeen's name was only in there once. Lucky for her, she had a sister who was more than willing to protect her. Unlike Samwell, the boy chosen.
Katniss. It was just this morning that she and Gale delivered strawberries for my father. Now, she's on a train to the Capitol, where she'll be put in a slaughterhouse with twenty-three other kids. Of course I had taken it roughly. Katniss was the only girl I ever talked to that didn't care for boys or fashion. But seeing Peeta's face when she volunteered for Prim, I knew I wasn't nearly as upset as him.
I immediately darted in line to say goodbye to Katniss, after her family and Gale. I turned for a brief second and there was Peeta, obviously contemplating whether or not to join the line. One glance at Gale, though, and he ducked his head and left. Moments later, I'm called in.
I forget what I'm doing there for a second, but start fumbling around with the pin on my dress. Katniss stares, bewildered. My aunt's pin. My mother had given it to me on the day of my first reaping, one of the few moments where she was lucid enough. Maysilee competed in the Second Quarter Quell and had died there. The golden mockingjay was one of the few mementos my mother had of Maysilee, but she gave it to me anyways.
I hold the pin out to her. "They let you wear one thing from the district in the arena," I say, voice shaking. "One thing to remind you of home." I step closer to her, my voice becoming steadier. "Will you wear it?" Katniss is taken aback.
"Your pin?" Her eyebrows knit in confusion. I nodded quickly before reaching for her.
"Here, I'll put it on your dress." My voice may be steady, but my quavering hands betrayed my nerves as I attached the mockingjay to the dress. "Promise me you'll wear it in the arena, Katniss? Promise?" I looked her in the eyes, afraid she won't answer out of sheer shock.
Slowly, she nods. "Yes." In a moment of unadulterated emotion, I jumped forward, planting a quick peck on her cheek and hugging her with all I have. Then, the Peacekeepers motioned for me to leave. The last thing I saw before the door shut was Katniss curiously peering at the pin.
I returned home and changed out of my dress, which seemed ridiculous now that I thought about it. I pulled on a pair of jeans and a much more casual shirt before setting out again.
Now here I was, standing awkwardly in front of the bakery Peeta's parents owned. With a clench of my hands, I walk in. Luckily, Mr. Mellark is at the counter, not his less-than-perky wife. "Hello, Madge!" I give him the customary smile and greeting before spotting a batch of cupcakes frosted with beautifully detailed sunflowers on top. I ask him how much two would cost and pull out several notes from my pocket. Mr. Mellark boxes the cupcakes up and hands them to me. I then remember my primary reason for coming to the bakery.
"Mr. Mellark, is Peeta here, by any chance?"
He nods and shoots me a knowing smirk before telling me that Peeta would be out soon and could I wait outside for him. I nod again, and thank him for the cupcakes before leaving.
A/N: This could be considered more of a prologue than a first chapter, but I'm posting it as Chapter One to avoid confusion. I have a feeling the first few chapters will be a bit dry, but once the Games start, things will get a lot more interesting.