Chapter 1: Take That Bet

District 11 University is beautiful in early May. The cornstalks from bumper crops are beginning to gain in height. There is a healthy supply of food for everyone. And I adore being a student as I stroll about the sun-kissed, brick-red pathways and near the end of my junior year of undergrad.

My name is Katniss Everdeen. I am 21 years old. I am a part of Sigma Eu sorority. My boyfriend, Cato Ludwig, is captain of the football team. Life is idyllic.

I have plenty of friends, and people have said that everyone on campus wants to be my friend, it seems. And I welcome everyone, regardless of what kind of baggage or life history they might bring with them.

That includes the young man whom I see coming out of Mitchell Hall, the main academic building on campus. He has blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes. His name is Peeta Mellark, and he is a sentimental favorite here. Although for me, I have known him in our native District 12, the neighboring district over, since we were both five years old. I know why he is so favored: he has special needs. Nobody quite knows what his diagnosis is, but I have heard rumors that he has PDD-NOS, which stands for Pervasive Development Disorder Not Otherwise Specified. A doctor's fancy way of saying that he's on the Spectrum, they just don't know where. He might have some Asperger-like tendencies, some Autism. It's just a big mix.

His parents died years ago, leaving his middle brother, Rye, to take care of the family. The oldest son, Leven, is clearly Autistic. But Peeta always seemed to be trapped between the two worlds that his brothers each inhabited, one normal, the other... special. The Mellarks worked hard to get Peeta into this university, and though it is not local, Peeta gets plenty of help from Student Services and other members of the administration.

Peeta now sees me and waves. "Hi, Katniss. Guess what? I just finished my exam for Poly. Sci. 222 - Student and Local Government!" He says it all very detailed and his cadence is a little slower than most other people. But his beaming smile and bubbly personality are infectious.

"Good job!" I give him a hug. "You're last one, right?"

"Yup!"

"Rest easy, now, and start packing! Have a great summer!"

Then I go into the building to take my last exam.

Later, the exam is out of my head, and I am packing up my room in Sigma Eu sorority. The other girls are flitting about, trying to shut down the house. They are also whispering and sharing in the latest gossip.

"Did you see Peeta Mellark this morning?"

"Yes, he said he finished his last exam!"

"How has he stayed three years here?"

"Oh, I think it's great! That child is precious!"

"Sure - preciously not all there!" Some of the girls laugh.

"If he barely knows his way around Mitchell Hall, I bet he doesn't know his way around a bed!" Cashmere Ritchson, our President, muses. "Why, I bet he's still a virgin, and will be until graduation. For life!"

"You don't know that," I find myself saying quietly, annoyed that Cashmere would make fun of anyone like that. Cashmere stares at me, then dramatically gasps.

"Why, girls! How adorable! I think our dear sister knows more of Peeta Mellark's sex life than she is letting on! Have you,,,,, been with him, Katniss, dear? I bet not!"

"I'll take that bet," I find myself saying, hoping it will get Cashmere to shut her big fat mouth. But it only makes my hole deeper. Cashmere grin triumphantly.

"All right, Katniss. I'll make you a deal: if, by the end of the summer, you have slept with Peeta, we will all be honor-bound to elect you President of the sorority. If not, you have to publicly break up with Cato at the Homecoming Game!"

I stare around at my sorority sisters. I don't want to look like a coward, but I also don't want to hurt my friend. But I am trapped like a rat. So I give the only answer I can give: "Done."

Cashmere smiles sweetly. Sickly sweet. "Oh, and Katniss dear: you need to provide proof. Stained panties, something like that. And have a great summer!"

As an RA, it is my job to patrol all the dormitories and make sure everyone is checked out at the end of each semester. Everyone seems to have already left, except for Peeta Mellark, standing out in the hallway with all the stuff from his room piled up around him.

"Rye coming to get you?" I ask.

"With Leven in tow. But it takes a couple of hours for him to drive to District 11 University. And there's traffic."

I frown. I actually have room to spare in my car. "Maybe I can take you. I'll be driving through the night. My treat."

Peeta nods eagerly, beaming, and places a call on his cell phone. Handing me the receiver, I speak to Rye and let him know I will be bringing Peeta home. I help Peeta load his stuff into the back of my van. And, with him riding shotgun, we take off for the border with District 12 and our home beyond.