Chapter One

The Announcement

Today is the day. The day my engagement is announced to all of district twelve. I can see the headlines now, Coal miner's daughter to Wed Mayor Hawthorne's Son. If only the public knew who Gale Hawthorne really was, what he really did to me, but that's a story for another day. As I get up out of bed I hear a loud knocking on my door. My mother opens the door as I face my closet door, sifting through the little clothes I have.

"Good morning sweetie." she says to me as I through a sweater on over the tank top I slept in last night and throw on a pair of jeans.

"Morning Mom." I reply, my voice still groggy from last nights awful sleep.

"Exciting day!" she hollers as she walks down stairs to make breakfast for my father and sister Prim.

I roll my eyes, as if she could ever understand what it's like to have your parents pawn you off to some rich family's abusive son. As I'm walking down stairs I'm wafted with the smell of bacons and eggs cooking on the stoves.

"I'm going out!" I yell as I slip my shoes on and head for the front door.

"You need to be home by twelve o'clock, you hear me!" my father says as he enters the kitchen.

"Fine." I groan.

I head to the forest to meet up with my best friend Peeta Mellark. He and I have been best friends since the second grade, and we have sort of been dating for a little while. But it's just sort of been a secret ever since my father told me I had to marry Gale. I spot Peeta in a clearing of the forest and I run up to him and give him a big hug, trying my hardest not to sob too hard into his shoulder. I feel his hands rub my back.

"Katniss."

"Ya." I say as I wipe away tears.

"I saw the paper this morning."

"Ya." I sniffle.

"I can't believe your father is making you marry him for their own political gain. Who makes their daughter do that?"

His words only make me sob harder. I never want to leave this moment right here, being in Peeta's arms made me feel so safe. Like nothing can ever hurt me again. We hold onto our hug for longer than usual. When I let go he takes my hand and leads me over to a picnic blanket and basket that I'm just now noticing. My eyes start to water. I look at him as one tear falls down my face. He takes his hand and cupping my face, wipes away the tear. He sits on the blanket and I lay on the ground with my head resting on his thigh. I start to drift off as he plays with my hair. As I daydream of the life we could have had, Peeta grabs the bottle of wine he brought in the basket and pours us two glasses. I sit up and he passes me a glass.

"Cheers." he says with a little tremble in his voice.

"Cheers." I reply.

When I'm with Peeta, time just seems to fly. Even though we didn't talk just enjoyed each other's company for as long as we could. Peeta and I ended up falling asleep, only to be awoken by the sound of my phone ringing. It's my father. As I decline his call, I check the time.

"Holy shit!" I say shaking Peeta awake.

"What?" he groans.

"I had to be home ten minutes ago, get your stuff! We need to go." I say rushing to gather my things.

Peeta and I run back to my house. When we get there I start to climb the vines that run up the side of my house, when Peeta grabs my wrist pulling me back down. I turn to face him and before I can say anything he cups my face and presses his lips against mine. We release and I turn away and start climbing, I climbs faster because I know if I look back I'll do something I'll regret.