I see her small newly 14 year old skinny figure peek from behind a tree a blush on her cheeks from being caught by me. I don't know why she's hiding we just went hunting with her for three hours we've got a good load a wild boar, 2 squirrels, and a fat rabbit.
"Gale do you think I can do the trades with the baker all by myself today," Katniss asked me her tone nonchalant, but I could feel in under current to it.
"Uh… I don't think we should split up we always get better offers together," I point out to her. Why would she want to go to the baker's by herself! I bet it's there son Parker, no Peter, ugh I don't know. Lots of guys like her but she has never shown interest before. Does Katniss have a crush! She fidgets uncomfortably from foot to foot.
"I can handle myself Gale," She demands but she doesn't hold her usual steam to the stamen.
"I know you can Catnip, look come on it's not like we have anywhere to be after this. So we can take our time trading with each other." I continue trying to force the reason she wants to go out of her. She mumbles something that sounds like maybe you don't have anywhere to be. I arch my eyebrow
"You've got somewhere to be Katniss?" I ask trying not to show my burning curiosity, and jealousy. She had a heavy blush all over her face, she was looking at the forest floor as though it had suddenly become very interesting. Her feet scuffle around and she rigs her hands,
"Uh your heard that…" was her brilliant response, "We'll yea I need to be back, it's not safe after sundown," She continued trying to cover her slip.
I laughed trying to cover my worry of her trying to cover it up. Whatever it was "You shouldn't lie when you're so bad at it." Her face snapped up her mouth a big oh, I just had to laugh. Her hand s turned to fists, her face red now mad from anger, her eyebrow pushed down closer to her eyes. Suddenly I was lying on the ground and her on top of me from her tackled, we both burst out laughing.
"Okay let's go, if we leave now we can both go everywhere and the place you want to be." I conclude and she scowls.
We first trade at the hob leaving, with medical supplies her mom needs, cloth for Rory's new pants, and shoes for posy, a needle and some more thread for Prim to practice with, with a squirrel for the baker and a rabbit for my family, and a squirrel for hers. When we came to the back door the Baker smiled warmly at Katniss, which she didn't return, but looked at her feet. What was that about, he turned as though surprised to see me.
"What do you got, and how much?" He starred me down from head to toe while asking this.
"Just a squirrel and a loaf of one day or two days old bread." I knew that was pushing it. He nods which surprised me and comes out with a loaf of the old bread this one has walnuts in and hearty crust. I take in and give half to Katniss. I planned on bringing my stuff to my home in the seam., the go to follow Katniss I just had to see what she was doing.
After I got to the Everdeen house I was behind the one small bush they had in there yard by Lady Prim's goats house. I heard Prim begging and begging then someone , my bet is so Katniss gave in. She has that soft spot only for her sister, and sometimes in the woods. When Katniss came out, well… just…. Wow! She was in one of her Mom's old outfits a blue knee length skirt I can only come pair to the sea's I have seen in the arena's for the color and the way it moves. Her top was a blouse It to was a blue, but ne to be seen on a dragoon fly's wings, it too seems, fragile and airy.
She started walking down a path to the village, Odd. She kept walking, and I followed until she was outside the front of the backer's shop. The eldest boy in the family came and opened the door, "Katniss nice of you to come over again." He smiled warmly at her eyes soft. "Thank you," She whispered looking down, but she smile! Smiled of all things, she never does unless around Prim or by me and that's only in the woods! She walked in, what I wouldn't do to know what's going on in ther. For a half and hour I hear laughing and people talking. Then I catch a conversation, I can't tell much on who said what though.
"You must think we live at this bakery."
"Oh yea, we all sleep in ovens, and take turns for the stove top."
I hear my Catnip chuckle I knew it anywhere.
"Okay boys, let's not smother them." The baker scolded
"Yea, Peeta take Katniss on a walk! Why don't we treat her like a queen" The witch screeched
"Uh Peeta, you should really go on a walk." One of the older boys said
"Katniss don't forget to make Peeta give you your jacket, he always whines at the cold." The other teased.
Then I see Katniss walk out of the door walking next to Peeta, as the witch called him. They walked very close almost so close they had to touch, not even holding hands. Yea Katniss having a crush wouldn't change the fact it's going to be awkward. Katniss is reserved, and doesn't feel comfortable with touch.
"Thanks Peeta, I will see you next week." She smiled shyly, and gave him a quick hug. Then walked away in that very moment the only thing I felt was my heart breaking. The flood of memories swamp me, when I had to help her because she broke her leg, the time I saw her cry when she shot herself in the leg, her laugh at the coping mockingjays, her voice when she sings only when she's at her Dad's lake. I was losing her to some town boy with blond hair and blue eyes like Prim.
I walk home and my family is asleep I drag myself into bed and prepare for a very long night.
