Chapter 1

Katniss POV

Screaming from a horrible nightmare, the sun was just coming up. It seemed horrible that while screaming I had such a nightmare that hunted me. Slowly, I got up from my bed and waited for the steps of my sister to come. Seconds later, she comes bursting through the door.

"Katniss are you O.K," my little sister Prim asked.

Nodding I continued to put on my clothes and get ready for school. For eleven year old, she knows how to care. My father died a few months ago and it still affects us. I have been having the dream of when the mines collapse. Even though I was not there I could imagine my Dad talking to Dave Hawthrone, his best friend and then suddenly the canary stops singing. From there my dream takes a turn for the worse. Workers are hurrying to the elevators and my Dad does not make it. Then the earth shakes and starts piling stones on top of my Dad. From there I wake up screaming at least once a week.

As I got ready, I could not help but think what I am going to do. I am fifth-teen, and school is almost over. I do not know whether or not to see if my sister and I can start an herb shop. We are very good with herbs although I have no idea where the money is going to came from.

Saying bye to my sister, I started to walk to school. Twelve had no special school like the other districts. We mostly just go to school, and come out as miners or shop owners. We are known as the weak in Panem but at least we have heart.

Going through town, I passed by the bakery (like I do almost every day) to and notice the cakes. Usually I would mentally say how beautiful they are, but Prim's birthday is in a week. I was lost of thinking of the taste when I saw the baker's son next to me.

I let out I little scream and he put his hands up. Blushing he laughs and says, "Hello Katniss."

Peeta.

Smiling I wave back and turn my attention to the cakes hoping he would leave.

He came closer and turns his attention to the cake I was looking at. It was small with Primroses on it. It looked like a master piece to me; I wonder how much time his father spends on frosting the cakes at this detail.

Peeta whispers in my ear and says, "You know I'm glad somebody appreciates what I do with the cakes."

I looked at him bewildered.

I was about the question him when his brother Ryan comes out and looks at us. Ryan then smiles and exclaims, "Peeta get your hand off her. Don't violate her like that."

I have created a new shade of red, on my face. I look down as Peeta tells his brother to get lost. Ryan then comes closer grabbing my hand and says, "Well I think we need to give a ride to this lovely lady."

Blinking more and more I realizing I was being pulled by Ryan to a Range Rover. Peeta looked confused as he followed not too far behind. Ryan pulled me over to the passenger seat and told Peeta to go to the back seat. He complained but for some reason obliged. Ryan was about to start the car when their other brother Robert walked up to the car. He looked at both his brothers and came out with a devious smile.

"I'm sorry Miss can you go in the back with Pete. Ryan and I have to talk about Peeta's birthday plans."

I did nothing but shrug and said, "I could walk. . ."

"Nonsense. If you don't get into the car we will all be late," Ryan says.

Sighing I slid out of the passenger seat and went into the back with Peeta. He gave me a small smile and turned his gaze to the window. Ryan and Robert were fighting on whether to take him to a strip club or have a party. Peeta was mainly staring out the window like there was a gold mine somewhere. That was when I realized how well defined Peeta was. He had the biceps, abs, and chest you could see in detail in his shirt.

"Katniss!"

I was pulled back to reality when Robert squeezed my thigh and I squealed. Peeta finally turned his attention back to me.

Robert quickly pulled back his hand. Peeta and Robert shared a heated glance while I clap my hands snapping them back to reality.

"So what were you asking?"

"We were hoping," Ryan chimed in. "That if you can help us plan a party for Peeta. He is turning eighteen you know."

"Yeah," I said making Peeta whence. I turn to him saying, "You and Prim have the same birthday!"

Peeta blinded me with his smile. I had to look at the imaginary gold mine outside or else he would see me blush.

Peeta POV

Why are my brothers being such idiots! I feel like I'm about to explode. I have had a crush on Katniss every since I saw her when she just turned five. My birthday was in October but her birthday was on Christmas. I was seven when her and her father came in singing holiday songs into the bakery. My father greeted them and but had to tell them the shop is closed. Katniss came around and said, "It's my birthday!"

My father automatically melted. He was soft hearted and he always wanted a little girl yet he was left with three boys. He bended down and tickled her saying, "Well then I have to make a cake. What would you like?"

"Chocolate," she said.

Her father then took out some money when my father said, "No. It's my gift to you and your daughter! Merry Christmas!"

My father came to the back where I happen to be frosting a chocolate cake. He told me to go ahead and give it to the customers and if the man gives him money give it to his daughter. Nodding, I quickly packed up the cake and came out to find the most adorable girl. She ran behind the counter and came in front of me. She had a huge smile on her face that lit up my whole world. I passed the cake to her father and told her to hang on for a second. I took a sugar cooking that was soft and had green and red icing. Her and her father had a confused look on her face until I took out the icing and dotted it on her face. Her father laughed while Katniss took the cookie and stuffed the rest on my face. She smiled and said, "Merry Christmas Peeta!"

To her, I just smiled and said, "Happy Birthday Katniss."

Her father tried to slip me a twenty but when he turned his back I gave it to Katniss and told her to give it to her father when they get home. She nodded and looked back to see her father was walking out the door, with his back turned. She went on her toes and gave me a kiss on the cheek. She pulled away when he father saw us. I blushed a deep red while Katniss ran to her father. He gave me a small smile and shouted, "Merry Christmas!"

I think she does not remember but I don't mind. It was a nice but my eight year old mind did not know my brothers will hold on to it to this day. Snapping back to reality, I heard Katniss squeal and looked at Roberts hand on her knee. Robert was the middle child and knew how to push my buttons. Ryan and Katniss had to break the tension. When Katniss told me Prim and I had the same birthday I smiled. She immediately looked away making me worried. Did I upset her?

Ryan and Robert dropped us off to school and said to Katniss, "Come by later! We have to ask you a favor."

I stood there with his eyes staring at the car pulling away. What were they hiding? I knew they were doing party playing so I hope they don't go insane.

Katniss and I stared at each other wondering what to do next. She broke the silence by asking, "So are you excited to finally turn eighteen."

Smiling, I nodded and said, "So how old is Prim going to be?"

At that moment Katniss's face lit like on that day ten years ago. She started to go on about how her and her grandfather Haymitch wanted to plan a party but then she realized my birthday party.

"Oh, maybe I could run between parties. I don't know. . ."

"You don't have to do that. You have to be there for your little sister so why don't I just come to Prim's," I compromised.

Blushing, she said, "But your party is probably going to be better."

The bell rang, making us jump. We both ended up laughing and saying our goodbyes.

While going to first period, I found it hard to understand any part of Pre-Calculus. I hated math with a passion but my father and I made a deal that I would own the bakery right after graduation if my grades are in order. Now all I can think about was Katniss. I first met her when it was the first day of school. My piano teacher wanted me and other student to assist the choir teacher so I went to the class only to find Katniss singing. Looking around, I saw the birds stop and listen while time freeze. I was so caught up in the moment, that it took the teacher three times asking, "May I help you?"

Blushing, I told her my purpose for being here and the whole class got excited. The teacher told everyone to pair up with a piano student. The little kids mainly went to my friends Marvel and Cato, so I went directly to Katniss. She was sitting by herself in the back of the room, playing with her fingers. I tapped her shoulders and asked for her partnership. A smile that can brighten up the world came upon her face. From then we were friends. We were close until I went into middle school. We never made any play dates or anything but she was still the girl that captured my heart.

I still play piano which is why third period is my second favorite class other than art class. Our piano teacher is from the Capitol and his name is Cinna. He makes us look like beginners even though most of us have been playing piano ever since we began school. He said today we get a surprise. When I walked into the classroom there was a person at each piano.

"Come in class. What I wanted to do was to recreate the projects that you did in elementary school. For the rest of school year we will be working with a handful of 's advance choir. For today, just get to know your partner."

The class started to talk loudly as I went to my piano. I guess my partner was late so I softly played the piano. The music was like background music so everyone talked quietly. As I finished playing the notes, looked up to find Katniss smiling down at me.