I don't own the Hunger Games, it all belongs to Suzanne Collins.

Authors note at the bottom!

Chapter 1:

The rain pelts down hard as I stare out the window of my bedroom, my homework from the psychology class long forgotten. I'm starting to get lost in my own thoughts again, and that's never a good sign, too much thinking on my part tends to end on a bad note. Sighing, I turn and continue to watch the water pelt down on the side walk, pooling in the small ditch that Prim had dug earlier that day with her friend Rue. My mind is pulling me further into a reverie until I hear a crash from downstairs. I snap my attention away from the puddle. Immediately, I bolt down to find the source of the noise.

As I reach the bottom of the stairs , I peer into the living room and realize my mother isn't in her usual seat in the rocking chair. Cursing, I turn the corner and go into the kitchen and find her standing over a broken plate while my little sister, Prim, is bringing out the broom.

"Mom! What happened?" I sigh as I take one of her hands. There's almost no point in asking her, she's to far gone. It doesn't matter much anyways, because she tunes us out most of the time, lost in her own thoughts. She is usually looking out into nowhere, sitting in her rocking chair. I asked her once why she just doesn't go to her room. I hadn't expected her to answer, but she looked me straight in the eye.

" Mom, why don't you go upstairs and lie down. You'll be more comfortable."

"I can't." I look up at her, shocked that she actually spoke.

"Pardon?"

"I used to sit in this chair, rocking you and prim when you were younger, and your father would sit across from me and sing you lullabies."

I never tried to make her move again, because I understand. She's haunted by what used to be, and sitting there is one of the only ties she has left to our old life. An empty woman, staring at an empty space. My mother has been like this ever since my father was killed in a car crash, which was over eight years ago now. The only time she is actually alert and in tune with the world is when she's at work. She is a pediatric nurse at the Children's hospital. I could never understand how she could care so much for the kids there, but hardly give Prim and I a second glance.

Prim looks up from the broom, and I look into her clear blue eyes, and gives me an explanation for the mess. " She tried to start dinner today, but..." she trails off because she doesn't need to finish the sentence. I know what she was trying to say. Mom tried to be a normal mother but remembered that she and my father used to cook together, and had one of her episodes.

"Oh" was all I manage to say. I rub my temple in frustration. I just needed to get out of here for a few hours. It was too rainy to go hunting, but I could go to the cafe and finish my work.

"Katniss, I can clean up and start cooking, I'll be fine" Prim says and smiles at me. "Go to the cafe and finish your work." I mirror her smile back, Prim's only 12, but sometimes it seems that she is better at dealing with Mom's tune outs than I am, and it's like she can also read my mind sometimes. I don't know what I would do without her.

"Okay, little duck. I'll have my phone on me, call me if you need something. I won't be too late- a couple hours at most." I look over at my mother who has made her way back to her rocking chair and has resumed her usual, glazed over look.

I walk out of the Kitchen and run up the stairs, I shove my books and my laptop in my bag, which happened to be my father's. I also grab the keys, and I make my way back downstairs. I peak into the kitchen. Prim has a pot with some water in it, and she's pulled out her math homework while waiting for it to boil.

I grap my boots and leather jacket. Glancing out the window, I see that it's still raining, and I reach for an umbrella.

"Bye Mom." I call out. Of course, the effort is fruitless, she doesn't respond. I turn back to Prim. " Bye Prim, I love you! And remember, don't answer the door if someone knocks, unless it's the Hawthorne's!" And Prim, with her sweet face and kind eyes, just looks up, rolls her eyes, and smiles at me. She knows the drill.

The rain really is coming down hard. I wonder how long these spring storms are going to last. It's been non- stop rain all week, and I can see the looks on people's faces in our small town, that the weather has been taking a toll on everyone, they're ready for the sun.

Rounding the corner, I make my way down the road, coming close to the intersection and I spot the cafe. A woman named Sae owns it, and she is always coming up with the strangest foods imaginable , but some how she always makes it taste like a gourmet dish.

The town that I live in is called Wells, and there is only about 8,000 people living here. We basically have all of the necessities we need, usually only one of everything. One high school, one mall, we have two hospitals, and a few restaurants scattered here and there. Sae's is my favourite Cafe though. It has a nice atmosphere, it's fairly quiet and my friend Madge Undersee (who is the Mayor's daughter) has a part time job there.

Mom, Prim and I don't technically live in Wells. Were just on the border of the middle of nowhere and the town. It's only a few minutes to actually get to Wells on foot, and it's nice. We're right by a forest so I can hunt there when I need to. Sometimes it's the only thing that keeps me sane.

The door chimes as I open it and I'm greeted by a head of Blonde curls.

"Hey, Katniss!" Madge says brightly to me. "How's it going?"

"Not to bad, I just want this freaking rain to stop." I say.

"Ugh, I know, It's so dreary and I think I'll lose my mind cooped up indoors the whole time." She sighs. " Your table's free, by the way" We both smile when she says my table. It's not technically mine, but no one really sits there anymore because I'm usually occupying it.

"Thanks, Madge. Can I have a cup of chamomile tea when you get a chance?" I say as I make my way over to the plush red chair

I close my laptop and drink the last of my tea. I'm working on an online psychology course over the summer, and the credit will count towards my undergraduate degree.

I've been at university for two years now, and I'll be able to graduate with an honors in Psychology. After exams are over, I spend the spring and summer working , and I take an online course. It works out, so I don't have as many classes during the year, and I don't have to be away from home as much.

The university is an hour drive from Wells, which isn't to far if you're only coming home on the weekend, but I still have to look after Prim.

Madge is done her shift at the cafe and comes to join me at the table, pulling me from my thoughts.

"So did you hear the rumor?" She says. Though I don't have many friends, Madge being the one girl I'm closest to, we never gossip about whats going around town, it reaches everyone's ears fast enough anyways.

"No, did Cato and Marvel get into another brawl at pub?" I joke.

"Katniss, that happens, like, every week, it's not news anymore."

"Okay what is it?"

"I've heard my Dad on the phone with a whole bunch of people, which is odd because that never happens, so little goes on around here- but he's been on the phone and they're going to be shooting the new Peeta Mellark movie here!"

I raise my eyebrow questionably. Peeta Mellark is now Hollywood's new it- boy. He's been numerous films from action, to romantic comedy, to drama. He's actually one of the few actors now a days who can act really well. But what would they be doing coming to little Wells? "Your kidding." I say, because I know Madge will be expecting a response.

"No! I've heard they came in a couple of nights ago and they're starting to scope out locations to film at!"

"Well as long as they don't bother me, it's not that big of a deal." Madge huffed at my stoic attitude.

"C'mon on Katniss, can't you at least pretend to be excited." I shrug my shoulders.

" I Really should get going now Madge. I don't want Prim to be left alone for too long." Madge nods understanding. She turns and peers outside.

"Looks like the rain has let up." I smile, grab my bag and we exchange good byes before she goes to the back to get her car and I push open the front door.

I walk up the path to our house, and I see a truck pulled up in our driveway. Maybe it's Rory Hawthorne stopping by to give us some game, though it would be a miracle if he caught anything in this weather.

Gale, who is Hazelle's oldest son, and also my best friend is gone for the summer, he's doing some fancy exchange program for his International relations degree. I miss him, but he has this amazing opportunity, why should he pass it up?

As I get closer to my house though, I realize that it isn't the Hawthorne's truck that is there, in fact there isn't even one truck, there's three. It has a brand name on it that says Capitol Productions.

In fear, I run the rest of the way up to our house and notice there are people on the Porch. And the only thing going through my mind right now is Prim and Mom. Fuck.

The people notice me and turn around. The one who comes up and greets me has a round, weathered looking face and appears to be in his 40's. He sticks his hand out has I dash up my porch steps. Our cat, Buttercup, starts hissing.

"Plutarch Heavensbee." He says cheerful. "How are you on this... lovely evening?" He adds sarcastically. It's started raining again.

Not wanting to deal with pleasantries, I cut right to the chase. "Who are you guys? And what on earth are you doing on my goddam porch! You've probably frightened my sister!" I'm yelling by the time I finished my sentence. I'm also a little frantic now.

Everyone on the porch has taken a couple of steps back. Good.

I hear a "hmmph!" From the small crowd, and I turn and see a woman with a tailored suit, holding a clipboard and has the strangest pink hair that I've ever seen. Plutarch hears her.

"Now, now, Effie. No need for That. This young lady is just a little surprised that were hear." Surprised? More like furious. "I'm sorry miss, but I didn't quite catch your name."

"Katniss Everdeen." I say, still glaring at him.

"Do you know why all of us are here?" I shake my head. "Well, were part of Capitol Productions, which is a film company. You probably don't know, but we are looking to shoot a film in this town." O the film that Madge was talking about. "Now, I can't tell you the details right now but we are scouting locations to use. Do you mind me asking, how much land do you own?"

I decide to be testy with them "I'm not the owner. But our property has 50 acres" I say.

"Oh! my apologies, can you take us to the owner?" I snort at that. Since none of them appear to be in need of medical attention, my mother won't pay any heed to them.

"My mother can barely bring herself out of bed to speak to me, she won't talk to you, I deal with all the business here." There's an awkward pause between all of us now.

Suddenly, I hear the door creak open, and a little blonde head pops out. "Katniss? What's going on?" Prim squeaks.

"Nothing, Primrose. Can you go back inside, little duck? I'll be in soon."

"I brought cookies out, if anyone wants some!" Of course she did. Even when people were invading our property, Prim offers them cookies. I see her place a tin down on the table, and clicks the door shut behind her. Plutarch clears his throat and turns around to the other people with him.

"Peeta, maybe her cookies are better than yours!" Everyone gives a chuckle. And That's when I notice at the very back, a tall, blonde head with crystal blue eyes, and a round , soft face. Peeta Mellark is on my porch. And he's making his way over to me. I realize he's staring at me expectantly. He must have said something.

"What?" I ask. I hear a couple of people snicker.

His voice is soft and considerate. "Your property is beautiful."

"Thanks." I say, a little pride evident in my voice.

Before my father died, he put everything he had into preserving our 50 acres of forest, and making sure no one touched it. I plan to continue that.

Plutarch pipes up again, distracting me from Peeta. "Miss Everdeen, I hope you realize that if you would allow us to film on your property, we would be out of your way, and we would pay you."

I decide to humor them. "Really? How much?"

" Ten thousand dollars for the 12 weeks we'd be here." Ten thousand? I don't even make five in a summer! " I assure you, we wouldn't do any damage to the forest, and we will not be around your house."

Mom makes enough working at the hospital, but ten thousand dollars could go towards the mortgage, and it would be completely paid off by the end of the summer, or I could use it for school...

And before my brain actually has time to process it, the words are already out of my mouth. "Fine." I say. "But we'll have to make some conditions ."

What am I doing? Am I seriously going to let them use my precious land during the summer? We were falling a little behind on bills but still.

"Of course! Effie, are you getting this down?" I see the pink- haired woman scribbling furiously. " We'll need to scan the rest of your property, perhaps when the sun is actually shining. How does tomorrow at 1:00 PM sound?"

I sigh. " Yes that's fine, and we'll talk about some conditions?'

"Yes, yes! Here's my business card if you need to get in touch! I can tell it will be a pleasure working with you Miss Everdeen!" The crew is now backing up to the truck. I turn to go inside, but I feel a hand on my shoulder. Turning, I realize that it's Peeta Mellark.

"I just want you to know how much I appreciate this, the crew has been having trouble finding a good location and I think this place is Perfect, I couldn't think of anything better. Thank you." I suppose I'll be seeing you tomorrow."

I glare at him, though I know he doesn't really deserve it. But he just smiles at me.

" I suppose I'll be seeing you tomorrow, Katniss." And with that, all the trucks and Peeta Mellark are gone.

He remembered my name. Huh. Maybe not all actors are stuck up air heads. I smile to myself a bit.

Then I remember the situation I've just gotten myself into.

Shit.

Well, there's chapter 1! Did you guys like it? I know it was a bit slow, but I was just trying to introduce some characters and give them some background. The next chapter will be in Peeta's POV. Things will pick up a bit more then. I have the whole story outlined right now, but I'm very accepting to any ideas you guys might have. Feed back is much appreciated!