A Taste of the Forbidden Fruit

Prologue

Untouchable! That was how Katniss felt about him. And as time passed by, the word forbidden took on different meaning when it came to Peeta Snow. Initially, he was taboo, something that was downright condescending to even discuss in private conversation. Then, when she finally took the initiative to interact with him, albeit for dubious reasons, there was a web of lies that resulted in a physical and emotional barrier between the two. But now, as another's arms were wrapped around his waist in the most scandalous manner possible, she desired what was no longer hers.

Katniss led a fairly mundane life, a high school student with a stay at home mother who doted on her daughters. Her father worked for the police department in the little town of Caprice, Florida. Her sister, Prim, was about to finish fifth grade.

But Katniss, herself, was not mundane, though. She was the epitome of strength, ethics, and honesty. Everyone felt empowered by her presence, and everyone trusted her to be fair and levelheaded. That was why she amassed a number of good friends and earned the trust of all the teachers at school. When it came down to it, Katniss was the pillar upon which others relied on, good-natured, strong-willed, and honest.

And there definitely was a need for inner strength in Caprice. Something sinister was happening within the city limits. Everyone could feel it, but no one could put their finger on it. The evil that was permeating Caprice was felt resonating through Eastside High, where Katniss had been a student for two years. It was most noted I the administration at Eastside High. Principal Snow was a man of great cynicism, disdain and hostility. Ever since he had accepted the position of principal of Eastside High, the school had plummeted in its rankings. Less resources were being utilized for education and diverted towards other private endeavors that were suspected to be affiliated in some way or other to Snow. The vice principal Effie Trinket was little more than a puppet who walked around making trifle statements that appealed to few. The teachers were bemoaning the state of what used to be a strong and reputable school.

Added to the fact that, strange things were happening in Caprice. Mayor Plutarch Heavensbee, a good friend of Snow, was unnecessarily chirpy and happy, despite the worsening state of their city. The resources for the needy were dwindling. The private sector seemed to become richer. The hierarchy within the city seemed to be accentuated by the arrogant attitudes of those who had plenty.

And this was the conundrum that was Peeta Snow, the son of the now infamous Principal Snow. Despite his wealthy and higher upbringing, he went to Eastside High instead of private school like many of the other wealthy children from the private sector. But even though he attended Eastside High, he received certain "privileges" that distinguished him from the rest of the student body. He was excused from Physical Education. He rarely deigned to talk the other students. He took study hall in Effie Trinket's office, most likely for the air conditioning and the more luxurious seating, if the students had to venture a guess.

And the students and teachers loathed him for those above reasons. While Katniss tried to remain unbiased, she eventually fell into the same thought process. But thinking that Peeta was privileged was different from acting upon that perception. And Katniss felt that if she did not act upon it, then there was no harm done. So if Peeta Snow desired isolation, then who was she to burst his bubble. No action, no harm.

Chapter 1

"Katniss!" Her best friend Gale waved at her. He was sitting on the bleachers surrounded by girls. Typical. Katniss smiled and waved back. But the girls that sat around him were not unknown to Katniss. Of the four girls, she recognized Delly and Madge. They had migrated through the same grade levels since elementary school, and through thick and thin, they had been at each others' side.

"Hey," Katniss greeted. "Should you guys be getting ready for class?"

Gale laughed. "Yes, yes. Catip, we wanted to ask you what your plans were for this weekend? School dance coming up!"

Katniss rolled her eyes at her nickname. "I was going to help my mom out at the church. You know, urgent matters like feeding the underprivileged!"

Gale sighed. "Figures. One of these days, I will have to get you to do something for yourself."

Delly nodded in agreement. "Katniss, you honestly deserve it."

Katniss smiled. "One day," she agreed. "But not this weekend."

Madge playfully hit her on her shoulder. "I am pretty sure the unfortunate denizens of Caprice will be in a better place for what you do. Maybe next dance?"

Katniss laughed. The conversation always ended like that. "Next dance."

"And then you will go as my date?" a voice startled the group from behind. Finnick O'dair, senior extraordinaire walked flamboyantly towards Katniss and her friends. Being Captain of the basketball team only secured his rank as most desired male at Eastside High. He plopped easily on the bleachers.

Katniss shook her head, but smiled nonetheless. Finnick was a hoot. While he lacked seriousness, he made up for it in fervent admiration. Whoever Finnick chose to defend, he would defend till the very end. It was a trait that allowed him to easily cross over into Katniss' circle of friends and feel at home.

The friends continued their banter until the bell rang, signaling the end of their chitchat. First period. Biology. The girls rushed towards class, with Gale at the helm. So rushed were they that they failed to slow down until they ran right into Peeta Snow. Papers flew all over the place, mostly, Peeta's work. Of course, Peeta did not attend their Biology class. He was placed in advanced Physics so even though he was the same age, he was placed in the classes meant for seniors.

"Sorry!" Katniss spoke earnestly while she picked up his work. She did not fail to notice that her friends simply stood there unwilling to help. Peeta did not say much as he retrieved his papers. Katniss returned the last sheet of paper when she could not help but admire the beautiful handwriting. Peeta retrieved the last of his work and nodded. "Yeah, okay," before moving on without so much as a "Thank you."

"Jerk!" Whitney, one of the other girls called, knowingly at a decibel level easily heard by Peeta, who ignored her remark.

Katniss continued, refusing to let the incident affect her. There were more important things in life to think about than a boy's mannerisms, or lack of it. As her friends continued, Madge added, "It's a shame that he is so like his father. Honestly, he is pretty good-looking on the outside. Could give Gale and Finn a run for their money."

Katrina, the fourth girl of the group snorted. "Believe me, no boy, no matter how gorgeous they look, will be enticing with that kind of bearing."

Delly laughed. "So you admit that he looks gorgeous."

Katrina shrugged. "Believe me, it's the total package, though he may be good for a little shagging, nothing more emotionally involved though."

Katniss let out a sigh. She wondered when the hormones were going to shut off. Hopefully, hormones do not tell the entire story of teenage-dom.

Gale made the last jab. "Seriously, does he realize how despicable his father is? It seems like he is going around almost carrying it like a badge of honor. I guess you call that a lacking in self-awareness."

Katniss continued. The negative, even if infrequent, discussions about Peeta Snow were irking her. Surely there were more important things in life. "We'll be late to class. Come on."

As if her day could not possibly get worse, Katniss had to endure endless talks about pairings at the school dance and other mundane gossip. The teachers seemed to be getting grumpier as the year progressed as evidenced by more inane homework that probably did not assist with their education. For example, her English homework consisted of noting the types of commercials on television and explaining the social impact in a two page English essay.

Katniss was starting to wonder whether school was worth it. She came home to an even grumpier father. "Bad day at work?" her mother inquired.

Katniss' father, Chief Everdeen grumbled. "Such a bunch of bureaucratic monsters. They are cutting funds to our department. Less regulations, they say. No need for police to roam the streets. Caprice has the lowest crime rate of any city in Florida. BS! They are bribing the media into putting the homicide stories in the background and writing only stories about how Caprice is flourishing. Just the other day, the poor little lady at the end of the street was stripped of her home because she could not pay her loans. The poor woman had a stroke, and now, fine lot she is in. What is this world coming to?"

Her father's emotional outburst captured Katniss' attention. She rarely saw her father this worked up about anything at work. "That Heavensbee is just a criminal! How are we letting him run the show?"

Chief Everdeen finally focused his gaze on Katniss. "You steer clear of Snow and Trinket at your school. The less time spent with them, the better. They are all in this lot together with Heavensbee. None of this happened two years ago. They all came at the same time. It's almost like a conspiracy. They are up to no good. They are connected, although I cannot figure out how or why! But they are all a bad lot. They are stirring up badness in this town, I tell you. And I don't want you to get hurt because I think their next target will be me!"

Katniss raised her head in surprise. "You think they will go after you personally? You have nothing to fear."

Chief Everdeen shook his had sadly. "Katniss, you cannot be too idealistic about these sorts of things. I am pretty sure that if I have not done anything out of line, they will find a way to oust me. I am fighting Heavensbee every day I get the chance, but somehow, he is chipping away support for the Police Department. I am getting on their tails about whatever illegal activity they are promoting, and it is making them hostile. Problem is, I don't have a goddamn grasp on them. They hide their tail well and I cannot dish out anything. I mean, how can a principal of a school practically live in a mansion as if he is a businessman with private assets? There is something seriously wrong about that! "

Katniss thought for a moment. "Can I help?"

"NO!" Chief Everdeen screamed unexpectedly. "You are not going to get involved. If anything, I am telling you this to discourage any thought of meddling into this. I want you to be aware so you can steer clear of the whole lot!"

Katniss silenced, but the thought did not die. It saddened her to see her father so frustrated and distraught. After dinner and homework, she went into a restless sleep.

"Seriously? Your father is being personally attacked?" Gale spoke none too softly.

Katniss shushed him. "I can't sit still about this. I don't know how, but I have got to help him. He is my father, and I hate the fact that he is being bullied by people with an egregious cause!"

"I don't know, Katniss. It seems dangerous," Madge shook her head.

"If all your father says is true, then they are doing something illegal and can hurt you!" Delly added.

"They already hurt me!" Katniss spoke in frustration. "They hurt my father."

Only Finnick remained silent. Katniss gazed at him. "Well?"

Finnick broke out of his pensiveness. "You could look at it from a different angle. Besides, does not Snow's son go to this school? Easy access. You can dig out some dirt through Peeta Snow. Then there is no direct interaction with Principal Snow, Trinket or Heavensbee."

Gale shook his head. "No, Katniss. I don't like the thought of you trying to interact with that guy. He does not appear to be someone that is oblivious."

Madge shook her head. "Really Gale? Were you not the one that said that Peeta Snow lacked self-awareness? Maybe he is simply that brainless and that Katniss can work her way into his little inane secrets."

Finnick shook his head. "I mean, Heavensbee and Snow could easily hurt Chief Everdeen through Katniss. We may have no choice. We need a link, we need some dirt, and the easiest way to get it is through Peeta Snow. We can all chip in!"

"No!" Katniss responded. "He will sense something. Let me do it alone. It will seem more natural."

"But Katniss, how are you going to do it? How are you going to get Peeta Snow to talk to you?" Delly asked.

Katniss frowned. "Run into him and knock his books out of his hands again? Seemed natural the other day! "

Gale laughed. "I did not know you had a sneaky bone in your body."

Katniss remained firm. "When it comes to my family, I think I would be willing to do more, if it means protecting them."

It was after lunch when Katniss got her chance. Peeta Snow was distracted as he rushed to his next class, which Katniss, to her disbelief, surmised that it must be Art based on his direction. She bolted forward, taking advantage of his distracted state and knocked him to the ground. Funny, she did not think she made a huge impact, but he winced as if in pain as the wind was knocked out of him. Just as it had the other day, papers flew everywhere. This time, they were not physics homework, but instead sketches and paintings.

"Sorry!" she rushed forward and started to pick up the artwork. To her genuine surprise, the work was actually beautiful. She knew exactly what to say next. "These are beautiful."

The boy stared incredulously at her. The golden blond hair and the wide blue eyes were set in what appeared to be a shocked expression. But he quickly collected himself and retrieved his artwork. "Thanks," he spoke quietly before continuing his trajectory towards art class.

But Katniss was determined. She still had another work of his, a painting of a beautiful landscape with a lone tree in the middle with flowers and leaves she did not recognize. It was beautiful, yet melancholic, and it made her almost cry looking at it. "You forgot another one," Katniss spoke, capturing Peeta's attention once more.

The boy turned around, and interestingly enough, Katniss saw no arrogance or nonchalance about his facial features. If anything, there was an uncertainty in the way he moved that suggested he was gauging whether to pursue a conversation with her or not.

Realizing her chance, Katniss spoke again. "Is this an actual place? It must be very peaceful there."

Was it her imagination, or did Peeta's face sadden immediately as she said that. But he quickly recovered. "I think anyone sitting under that tree would be at peace," he spoke vaguely.

For some reason, his words were haunting. Katniss was starting to wonder if this was such a good idea, falsely befriending Peeta Snow. But thoughts of her father resurfaced and she pushed ahead. "Is it a place in Caprice? I have never seen it."

Peeta bit his lip, almost in an attempt to not answer the question. But perhaps, some semblance of gallantry won out and he answered. "No. It is nowhere near here. I remember visiting the tree as a child. I don't know if it exists anymore."

Wow. That was the most that probably anyone has every heard come out of his mouth. And it did not require much effort either. "So you painted from memory?" Katniss chanced.

Peeta gazed at Katniss, the intensity of his eyes unnerving Katniss. Was he trying to gauge her intentions? Likely, since he was doing a good job of making sure she felt uncomfortable. His eyes bored into her. And finally, his eyes lost their pensiveness, as if he had made a decision. "It was the only surviving tree in the forest fire. It was amazing, actually. "

Katniss was speechless. She did not realize that there was a soul to the evil Principal's son. Seeing as Katniss had not much else to say, Peeta placed the painting in his arms and turned away. "Thank you, Katniss."

It was only when he had disappeared behind the classroom door that she had realized that he had called her by her name, even though she had never introduced herself formally to him. Perhaps, he was much less oblivious than anyone was led to believe.