We all now it's bound to happen.
I don't like hunting.
My mother loves it, but I prefer baking like my father. However, I needed to leave the house or I'd likely strangle Finn, my little brother. Mom was already upset because I turned his hair purple the other day. She called me by my full name and everything, which she only does when she's about to hit her breaking point: Johanna Rue Primrose Mellark. No one even calls me Johanna anymore. I stole my mother's pearl when I was four and ran down the street with her chasing after me. I accidentally toppled over a drunken Haymitch, which was the only reason my mom caught me.
Twelve years have passed since then, but the scene is permanently etched inside everyone's minds. I have never been able to shake my nickname: Pearl.
I pull back the bow with too much force. I fumble and begin to drop off the tree. If it wasn't for my legs wrapped around the branch I would have hit the ground, but instead find myself upside down, looking at a pair of gray eyes.
"Hello." I say nonchalantly.
He smiles.
"Hello. Do you normally do this?" he asks curiously.
The boy has dark hair and olive skin, reminding of someone I can't quite pinpoint.
"Not really. My mom and brother are the family hunters. My dad's a baker, but he said I had to stop spending so much time at the bakery because he is getting jealous of my skills with the icing." I rant.
He laughs. It's a nice laugh. Familiar and warm.
We wait for a moment in silence.
"Can you help me out?" I finally ask as the blood rushes to my head.
He stammers and grabs me by the waist. I collapse into his arms, putting mine around his neck. I stare at him for a moment.
"So, this bakery... Is it any good?" he asks.
I nod.
"Well, would you mind if we dropped by there?" he asks nervously.
I smile.
"Not at all. But there is one thing."
"What?" the boy questions.
"You need to put me down first."
He blushes and gently places me on my feet. I quickly grab my bow and the few arrows that I had in my quiver. I realize I don't even know the stranger's name, something my dad would no doubt frown upon.
"I'm Johanna Mellark. People call me Pearl." I say, extending my hand for him to shake.
He takes it and I notice his eyes sparkle.
"Well, Pearl, I'm Kal. Kal Hawthorne."
We begin the walk back to town.
"My dad is from District 12 you know. He moved to two when he was young." Kal says.
"Huh. My parents are from twelve. Maybe they knew each other." I say.
Even though my hand is still in his, I don't pull away. He holds it the rest of the way.
Anyone else want to be there when Kal meets Peeta and Katniss?xD