I just moved here about a week ago, I have no friends at all. I like it better this way, no trust and no expectations. As school began on my first day I made myself isolated, away from everyone, no doubt that the rumors would soon start. At lunch I did notice a boy though, he was watching me with his intense blue eyes. He looked curious, how could I blame him, I never fully understood myself either.

I tore my gaze away from his and put up a wall, to make sure I wouldn't think twice about this boy with the blue eyes. I notice that he continues to stare at me, maybe in admiration now, I tug my jacket closer around me and look down at my lap. All of his friends must be looking at me now.

I live on the poor side of town, which people so conveniently nicknamed the seam. As I walk home with my sister Prim I hear footsteps behind us. I glance around just in time to catch the blue eyed boy turning around to walk the other way, toward the rich neighborhood. I keep walking until we get home.

Our mother has recently gotten a job as a nurse and works the night shift. She is never home anymore, it seems, as I raise my sister alone. Ever since our father died our mother has never been the same. I don't trust love.

He died about five years ago when I wore two braids instead of one. He would always joke with me about how only little girls should wear two braids, ladies should wear one. I would always counter with something along the lines of, but I don't want to be a lady, I want to be just like you! He would laugh and tell me to cut my hair like his but I would run away, up to the small room Prim and I shared so he wouldn't cut it.


Winter was coming on, I could feel the cold breeze fly in from the window as I sat staring out of it.

"Prim!" I call, "Dinner time!"

I hear her groan from upstairs. I never really could cook, I took after dad. He just brought home the meat and mom would always cook, Prim would sometimes help but she normally came to play with me and dad.

As we eat the soup that I made I hear a knock come from the front door, "Were you expecting someone?" I ask Prim as I head to the window.

"No," She says curiously, "Were you?" She wiggles her eyebrows and I laugh a little then look out the window.

I see the blue eyed boy at the door. How does he know where I live?

"Prim, stay here." I walk to the door and open it. I take in his looks.

Blonde hair, it has small ringlets in it, it is the same shade as Prim's. He has an easy smile on his lips and his blazing blue eyes are trying to catch mine as my ice cold stare shoots across his face. He glances down after a minute of silence and so do I.

"Um, sorry to bother you, I just thought I would bring you and your family a welcome to the city gift," He says as he extends his arm out to show me a box in his hand. I reach out to take it, slowly and unsure if this is a prank or not.

"Thanks," I say before closing the door and having to catch my breath. I set the box on the table in front of Prim and I.

"What is it?" She questions picking it up and beginning to open it.

I shrug and take our bowls back into the kitchen. I hear Prim squeal and laugh as I come back inside the dining room. I see four cupcakes in the box, they were decorated for winter and were very pretty. I couldn't help but take the golden cake that Prim was offering and sink my teeth into it. It was perfect.

That night I had a nightmare, like normal. I could feel the heat on the back of my neck and I began to thrash. I felt the hand cup over my mouth, as I opened my eyes I saw Prim looking afraid as another man pulled the trigger.

I sit up afraid, I run to Prim's room to see her fast asleep and I hear her soft snores every once and a while. I go to shower before school, after which I pull on my skinny jeans and my slightly oversized, dark green tee shirt. My hunting boots come next along with the hunting jacket and signature braid. I go to make breakfast.


I see Prim's fat cat, buttercup, laying on the table. I roll my eyes and go to eat on the couch instead, knowing if I could kill that cat I would. Ever since he followed Prim and I home from the school yard two years ago she has never let me harm that cat in any way. It really sucks.

Once we are both ready, I walk Prim to her school, just up the hill from mine. I head to school early since I have nothing better to do. I notice blue eyed boy leaning up against his car talking to someone in the car next to his.

I have to walk past him to get inside, and I have to thank him for the treat last night too. I can't let it just go unnoticed. It wouldn't be so hard to thank him if he weren't talking to someone else. I walk cautiously closer to him and his car, I notice that he is talking to a different girl and I figure he must be dating her or something.

I get closer and my heart begins to hammer inside of my chest. I don't know why for sure but it might have something to do with how nice he is. I tap his shoulder as a rush of things go through my head. I shut the door in his face last night. I don't even know his name! Why do I feel so sick and yet so amazing around him?

He turns his head and smiles, "Hello, there," He says like I'm a little kid.

I glance to the girl in the car quickly then back to him. "I just came to thank you for those cupcakes last night," I say quietly.

"You are very welcome, I'm Peeta by the way," He says with the easy smile.

"Katniss," I say before starting to walk away.

I hear him say, "Bye Delly," Before chasing after me. Wait, Chasing after me?! I stop and turn around to see him catching up to me, still smiling. I feel a small blush creeping up my cheeks so, I do my fantastic trick of wiping the emotion from my face before looking back up at him.

"So, Katniss, how do you like it here so far?" He asks as I feel the back of his hand brush up against mine.

"It's okay."

"Well, why don't you stop by my family's bakery tonight? It'll be on the house."

I smile at him and silently curse at myself. "Sure," I finally say.

"Great. You know you and your sister could come right after school with me if you want," He says happily and I feel my heart begin to race, maybe having a friend won't be so bad.

"Okay," I say again. He must feel the wall I built up around me because he carefully avoids asking me questions.