Hi guys! Before you read there are a few things you should know. This story takes place in a good Panem. One without the Hunger Games, without people being punished for insulting the Capitol, and without people starving to death. You could say this is the Panem after the rebellion. Gale and Katniss' fathers are both still alive and they live happily. Read & Enjoy!

Chapter 1
Spring

"I love her."

"I know."

"And you do to."

"I know." He whispered. The blonde, blue eyed boy looked toward the meadow where three girls were picking dandelions and putting them carefully in a basket. He could hear their giggles and the occasional laugh.

"What are we going to do?" Gale Hawthorn asked.

"You tell me." Peeta Mellark, the youngest son of the District Baker whispered. He picked up a rock near his feet and threw it across over the fence in anger.

"We could just ignore it." Gale said. Peeta nodded sadly.

"And if I can't?" Peeta asked. Gale would have no problem hiding his feelings from the silver eyed girl. Peeta on the other hand . . . it was just slightly harder. Gale didn't answer. He pursed his lips and reached down to throw another rock over the fence.

"Then I'll cut your balls of." Gale joked. Peeta rolled his blue eyes, a smile playing on his lips as he playfully punched the older boy's shoulder.
They stood near the fence that surrounded District 12 for a few more minutes in silence just watching the girl they loved, her sister, and her best friend talk and laugh. Maybe one day the girl with the silver eyes would fall for one of them making the whole decision easier. If she came to love one of them then the other would step back and let them be. That's the conclusion they had silently come to that day.

Three years later

Katniss Everdeen groaned as she stepped out of bed and into the cool winter air. A smile broke out on her lips as she saw the other three sleeping teenagers sprawled on the floor. There was popcorn in Madge Undersee, her best friend, hair. A few pieces of strawberry Licorice were still held tightly by Peeta Mellark's hand and Gale Hawthorn was sprawled across the floor, one foot placed on top of Peeta and one hand in an awkward position under his head. The Television was still on, showing a random part of the movie they had been watching last night.
She thought about waking them up but not before capturing this moment and making several copies. With a giggle she grabbed a pair of heart-shaped sunglasses from Madge's purse and placed them on Gales face carefully so as to not wake him. The heart she and Madge had drawn all over his face when he fell asleep first last night made him seem all the more funny. Next she grabbed one of Madge's tiaras and placed it on top of Peeta's head. She thought it complemented the star and sparkles on his face perfectly. Finally she drew a fake mustache on Madge's face - along with the letters 'LOL' on her forehead - then took several pictures. She would use these against them next time they planned – or did - something she wasn't happy about.

"What – what . . . tired. . ." Madge muttered as she rolled over right into Peeta. Peeta sat up with a start making Gale wake up as his right leg – which was placed on top of Peeta – was suddenly lifted up and then dropped again. Katniss quickly hid the camera in her back pocket.

"Morning." Katniss smiled, stifling a laugh. Peeta, Gale, and Madge exchanged looks. Katniss was hardly ever this happy in the morning.
Madge looked completley unfazed by the sparkles and lipstick drawings on the boy's face but their eyes widen in surprise and laughter as they saw one another. Gale reached up to his eyes where the pink heart-shaped sunglasses were. His eyes widened even more. Peeta reached up to his blonde hair and felt the tiara. They exchanged looks of horror.

"Not again." Peeta groaned. He fell back on the cluster of blankets and food.

"Please tell me you guys used washable marker this time." Gale sighed. Madge and Katniss started laughing. Katniss' eyes meet Madge and she laughed even harder.

"What? Is my make-up messed up?" Madge asked in horror. Peeta and Gale held in their laughter.

"No, you look great." Peeta lied. "Perfect actually."

"But you might want to shave more often Madge." Gale laughed. Katniss bent over, clutching her stomach as she laughed even more. Her hands came together in loud claps as she laughed silently, trying to catch her breath – but whenever she looked at one of her friends she laughed even more.

"What are you guys talking about? Why would I – oh my gosh!" Madge gasped as Peeta lifted a mirror to Madge. "Katniss!" After a few more minutes of this Katniss thought she sounded more like a clapping seal than a laughing human.

"Oh." Katniss sighed as her laughing seized. She rubbed her tummy. "My stomach hurts from laughing so much." Madge glared.

"Just wait until the next movie sleep over – you are going to pay." She grumbled as she walked toward the bathroom to wash off the mustache and whatever else Katniss had drawn on her face while sleeping.

"So. . . Princess Peeta, how did you sleep?" Katniss giggled. "And what about you Mr. Hearthorn?" Gale and Peeta exchanged looks before reaching for a marker. Katniss' eyes widened. Her two best friends then began chasing her around the mayors daughters room, markers and glitter in hand. Madge came out, her forehead red from all of the rubbing, and joined in. Soon the four eighteen year olds had covered one another in glitter, lipstick, and multi colored scented markers.

0o0o0o0o0o0

"Oh, shoot, I'm going to be so late." Madge groaned.

"We all are, Madge." Katniss said as she placed her hair in its usual braid down her back. "Do I still have glitter in my hair?" Madge looked at Katniss dark locks once.

"Nope." she smiled. Katniss sighed and shook her head, trying to get rid of the glitter.

"We're going now!" Gale and Peeta called. They heard the back door to the mayors house slam shut.

"Couldn't they wait?" Madge scowled.

"Nope." Katniss said. "See you at school!" She, too, grabbed her back pack and left. Madge scowled at her image in the mirror. Some best friends she had.

0o0o0o

"They are all idiots. I hate them." Katniss muttered as she followed her friends outside of the cafeteria. Peeta rubbed her back comfortingly.

"Just ignore them, Catnip." Gale smiled. Katniss scowled.

"Don't call me that." She said. Gale laughed causing the other students, both merchant and seam, to turn and stare.

"She always gets grumpy around other people." Peeta explained.

"Obviously." Madge says as she joins the group outside. She gestured the group toward a spot on the grass where they could sit and eat – away from the others stares.

"I find that I'm regretting coming out in public with you guys." Gale says as he takes a bite of the apple. Katniss' eyes meet Gales. He can easily tell her feelings are similar. A few years ago, when they had all first meet they barely let themselves be seen together.
Gale and Katniss were from the Seam and Peeta and Madge were merchants. They didn't mix. That was the unspoken rule in District 12. But after a while Katniss and Madge began to talk during school. At first it was just about school assignments and the weather but soon it became more. Madge brought Peeta into the two girls group and Katniss brought her hunting partner, Gale, accidentally. Madge had meet Gale when he sold strawberries to her father and they had quickly become friends. Gale took longer to like Peeta though. They had decided to keep their friendship on the down-low for a while because of their peers. They would no doubt talk and gossip and say mean things to the four friends. But Peeta had begun to think that it was silly do hide just because people weren't mature enough to deal with the fact that four people from different backgrounds had managed to becoming friends.

"What? Is the dark and handsome Gale embarrassed of hanging out with average looking us?" Peeta joked.

"Yes." Gale smiled. "I mean – no! You guys are great." Peeta faked hurt.

"You know that Festival is coming up. . ." Madge trailed off. She poked at her sandwich. Blue and grey eyes turned to look at the mayor's daughter.

"And…?" Gale asked.

"We should go. . ." Madge trailed off and took a bite of her strawberries.

"I don't think so." Gale said.

"Yeah, I think I might be busy that day anyway." Peeta shrugged. "The Spring Festival is a really busy time for us."

"Actually. . . I was thinking of taking Prim." Katniss said quietly. "We saved up some money."

"You know what - I'll go." Peeta said. Katniss and Madge smiled.

"Won't you be too busy?" Katniss asked.

"Nah, I'll get my brothers to cover for me." Peeta smiled.

"Of course you would. . ." Gale said. He looked up at the sky in order to avoid glaring at the blonde.

"You could take your siblings." Madge suggested. "I'm sure Posy and Rory would love to spend some time with Prim."

"They don't like the festival, Madge." Katniss said.

"Yeah, not everyone's siblings fit in with the merchants." Gale sighed. Then he saw how Peeta moved to sit closer to Katniss. It was an unconscious move. Peeta clearly didn't realize what he was doing and much to Gale's surprise Katniss seemed to move closer to Peeta without actually knowing. It's like they were literally attracted to each other. If one moves then the other shifts to accommodate the other. "I'll go. I'm sure dad will let me." Peeta's eyes locked on him. Gale smiled and Peeta did too. Both smiles were obviously forced.

O0o0o0o0o

Two days later.

"You don't realize what they're doing do you?" Madge asked Katniss as they arrived at Katniss' house. Prim had gone to her room to get ready for the Festival later on.

"Who?" Katniss asked. She unbraided her hair and let it fall down her back in waves.

"Never mind." Madge said. "You look pretty like that. You should wear your hair to the festival." Katniss blushed.

"I'm too lazy to put it back up so I just might." She smiled. "Prim, are you ready?"

"Maybe you should change too." Prim said as she walked out of the bedroom. She had changed into dark jeans, a pink flowery blouse, and pink flats. Her hair was in its usual braids.

"I'm fine." Katniss said. "It's not like we're going to anywhere special."

"The Spring Festival is special, Katniss." Madge said.

"I don't have anything else to wear anyway." Katniss said. "And I am not wearing one of mum's dresses."

"Why not?" Mr. Everdeen asked. Katniss sighed.

"I thought you were at work." Katniss said.

"Decided to come home early, today is the Spring Festival after all." He smiled. Mr. Everdeen was a joyous, calm, broad shouldered, open-minded man. Katniss resembled her father very much the only difference being her slightly lighter skin tone and smaller, more feminine frame.

"But you're not going." She said.

"No," He said. "But that doesn't mean I couldn't take a break." He winked at his daughter and smiled.

"Still, Katniss you should change." Madge said.

"You don't know who might be watching after all." Prim added. At this her father frowned.

"I swear if you run off with either a baker or a miner before you are thirty . . ." He shook his head. Katniss blushed. She shook her head furiously.

"N-no, no baker, no miner – don't worry I –" She turned away and sighed.

"But, daddy, I thought mummy ran off with you when she was seventeen?" Prim said innocently. Now it was Mr. Everdeen's turn to blush.

"Yes, well, those were different times." He coughed as if to clear his throat. "Have fun at the festival." He ducked out the door only to appear again. "Tell Peeta and Gale that I'll be keeping an eye on them." He waved and left. Madge and Prim laughed whilst Katniss just glared.

"Why does everyone think that there is something going on with me and the guys?" She scowled. Prim and Madge just shook their heads. Their friend, however strong and smart, was a little naïve when it came to romance.

0o0o0o00o

The streets were lit up with lights and decorations. Flowers made of paper hanged above their heads as they walked through town. The Elementary school students had spent a week making the flowers. The girls sighed, remembering the times when their school assignments were as simple as making a drawing of a tree or helping to make decorations for the festivals. Now all they got was Algebra and English and History homework – things that were nowhere near fun or exciting.

"There they are!" Madge said. "Peeta! Gale!" The boys smiled and ran to meet them. Peeta instantly hugged Katniss in greeting.

"You let your hair down." He said. "You look beautiful." Katniss smiled. Peeta's complements were no surprise to her. He was the sweetest guy in the District and he could make every girl feel special.

"Yeah, you do." Gale said. But Gale's complements came as a surprise. He was usually the one getting the complements being the most handsome out of the four.

"You know there are other girls here who are waiting for some complements." Madge joked.

"Oh of course – and may I say your hair looks absolutely golden in this light!" Peeta smiled. "But then again you always look lovely." Madge grinned. "And Prim what a nice outfit, you have a great sense of style now if only you could give some of that to your sister."

"I tried, Peeta, but she's stubborn."

"Well, excuse me for not wanting to wear pink puffy dresses and skirts with cats!" Katniss said.

"Hmm, Catnip wearing cats . . . that would be quite a sight." Gale chuckled.

"Stop calling me Catnip! I am not some freaking plant that gets cats high!" Katniss huffed, her mind went to the pictures she had taken a few days back. She wondered if she could use it to blackmail Gale to stop calling her catnip. But maybe she'll just save it for some other time, when it was absolutely necessary.
As they walked Peeta placed his arm on her shoulders but it was a friendly gesture. His arm went around Madge's waist – although her held her waist more loose and carefree than he held Katniss. Still, Gale seemed a little annoyed.

"Gale can you come with me to get some cotton candy?" Prim asked.

"Sure." He said.

"I'll go too!" Madge smiled. She looped her arm through Gale's and pulled him toward the cotton candy station.

"We'll all go." Katniss said.

"No, you two have to go and save us a spot in the line to the Ferris wheel." Madge said. "See you in a few minutes."

Katniss and Peeta stood in line huddling together. It might be spring but the weather had barely warmed up. There was still a need for thick coats and jeans during the night.

"What's taking so long?" Katniss asked. "We're almost to the front of the line." There were only two people in front of them and the Ferris wheel would stop at any moment so the next group could get on. Her sister and the others were nowhere to be seen.

"Guess we'll just have to go on by ourselves." Peeta smiled.

"Won't they get angry?" She asked.

"I doubt it." Peeta said. By now it was their turn to board and Peeta took her hand and led her into the metal box. Just a second after they boarded the door was locked and they were moving. He hear Katniss groan. "Still afraid of heights?" He could never understand how a girl that went into the woods every once in a while, faced man-eating creatures, and skinned fluffy squirrels and animals could be bothered by such a simple thing as heights.

"Yes." She said. She moved to sit on the middle of the metal seat – away from the glass windows.

"Do you remember how we meet at first?" Peeta asked. His blonde head peered down at the crowd.

"Madge brought me to the District Park and you were climbing a tree. You got stuck." Katniss giggled at the memory of a thirteen year old boy screaming from help when he was only a few feet above ground. Peeta's face turned red at the memory. He wasn't the bravest boy back then.

"No, that was the first time we talked. We first met in first grade."

"First grade?" Katniss asked. She tried to think of all the five year old boys she had seen that day but couldn't conjure up anyone that even remotely resembled Peeta.

"I was a little chubbier than, you know." Peeta chuckled. "My father pointed you out in the crowd of five year olds. I remember that you wore your hair in two braids back then and wore dresses more often." Katniss nodded remembering how girly she was when she was in Elementary School. He moved to sit next to her. "We were in Music class and the teacher asked who knew the Valley song, your hand shot right up and your signing was . . . well, It was amazing – but you know that."

"You were the little boy who gave me the dandelion." Katniss giggled. "I remember you, after music class you came up to me – you were really nervous- and said that you my signing was 'pretty' like a dandelion."

"Yes and you told me that dandelions were weeds." Peeta smiled. "You weren't very nice back then."

"Sorry about that." Katniss said. "I was a little annoyed because Prim had been crying a lot back then." Peeta smiled.

"It's all right."

"Dandelions grew to be one of my favorite flowers. There are many uses to them." She smiled. She stood up, slowly, to look out the window. Peeta could see that she was shaking slightly.

"Don't be afraid." He whispered. He moved behind her to watch as she stared out the window. "I'll catch you if you fall." His breath against her neck made a chill run through her body. She turned around only to be pressed back to the wall by Peeta.

"And what if you fall too?" she whispered. He looked down at her, staring at the way her ruby red lips were slightly open just begging for him to bend down and caress them with his.

"Then at least we would fall together." Katniss face turned red but she didn't push him away.

"Peeta. . ." Katniss whispered. He leaned in.

"Peeta?" The door opened to show Gale and madge standing there, there mouths open in an 'o'. Peeta took a quick step back, his face the shade of a tomato. "What are you. . ."

Done! Tell me what you guys think! :)