Disclaimer; I promise I'll only do this once! This was on my mind for a while now, and I figured I'd type it up. So, um, yeah...
"Peeta," My father clasped his hand onto my small five-year-old shoulder, pointing to a girl, "Do you see that girl?"
I nodded, I had seen her around. Dark hair, tied elegantly into two braids. She was skipping away to school in a small red dress. A smile played on her lips, and her happiness gleamed in her storm gray eyes. She was from the Seam, the poor part of town, but she never seemed to care. From time to time, I had seen her walk through the town with her father. Smiling and pushing out a gracious laugh from her pink lips. She always enjoyed looking into the bakery.
"Well, you see, Peeta. I was going to marry her mother, but she fell in-love with a man from the Seam. She loved the way that when he sang, the birds fell silent listening." He smiled, his blue eyes matched my own. His hand gently brushed over my cheek from where mother had hit me.
I nodded again, a loss for words. His singing must have been brilliant. I assumed, that I would like to hear him sing. Although, I was never allowed to venture very far. The Seam, especially, was off limits to me.
"Well," My father got up, grabbing my small hand in his, "Let's get you to school."
The day had gone by with a blur. My mind was reeling over the very first day of school. When we had gotten to music class, I was worried. I couldn't sing even if my life depended on it. So, here I sat staring out of the window. Watching and listening to the birds. Wondering if the girl's father really could make the birds stop to listen.
"Does anyone know the Valley Song?" Our teacher turned to us with a smile gracing her lips, knowing none of us would.
"I do." We all turn to see the girl. Her hand was still up, but she smiled playfully.
"What is your name?" Our teacher gave a soft smile at the girl.
"My name is Katniss, Katniss Everdeen." Katniss gave our teacher a wide grin.
"Care to sing it for us?" Our teacher's eyes dancing with pride.
And she sang. It was like a small heaven opened up, her voice was one of an angel's. I stared at her in shock, knowing very well the rest of us did as well. We listen to her voice prancing upon the notes graciously. Each note delicate and wonderful as the next. It took all of our breaths away as we listened to her sing. I could vaguely hear the birds, or maybe because they had stopped.
"Katniss," The teacher breaths, "That was beautiful."
"Why, thank you." Katniss gave a small smile before sitting down again.
I was watching her, every moment possible. Feeling my heart beat and my blood rush. I fell in love with Katniss Everdeen even if I had never talked to her yet.
Years Later
Katniss stopped wearing dresses. Tying her hair into a loose braid instead of two. We had all heard, Katniss's father was killed in a mining explosion. I never had talked to her. It had been years since she had spoken. Giving everyone a hard glare, I never saw the carefree girl after. She never smiled, it broke my heart to see someone wonderful get broken like that. She stopped wearing colors, sticking to mostly gray, like her eyes. It had been a hard time for everyone. Many children from the Seam had lost family members. It was absolutely dreadful to watch them come in with sorrow eyes and hunched shoulders. I felt dreadful for walking around happy because I still had mine. I knew I shouldn't feel too bad, since it isn't my fault, but seeing all these people I know in pain just weakens me.
"You can't do anything right!" My mother screeched, slapping me across the face. She shoved the burnt bread into my arms, pushed me to throw them at the pigs.
I put my head down against the rain, ripping up the bread to throw the pieces to the pigs. I looked up for a moment to see Katniss was still there. I took the last of the loaves and tossed it to her. I ran inside, chastising myself.
'Why couldn't I just go give it to her? You're a coward, that's why. I know, I know, I wish I just gave it to her instead.'
I guess it didn't matter now, I would give anything for the girl who could stop the birds from singing. She was still that little girl from all those years ago, and I won't give up on her like everyone else did.