Chapter One: The Forbidden Friendship
My name is Princess Katniss. I am 10 years old. I am the Princess of Panem. My father, the King, and I are on our way to see my best friend, Peeta. Well we were on our to the bakery deep in the village. The Mellark Bakery is the best in all of Panem so we get treats there even though it is within the village.
My parents tell me not to go into the village without them because they think it is dangerous. I never understood why though. Whenever I went out with them nothing bad would ever happen. They warn me of kidnappers, and thieves, but I don't think anyone in the village is that cruel.
Peeta and I have been friends ever since I can remember. Even though I am a princess, he is my only friend who is my age. There is a boy names Gale who is the prince of another kingdom, but I never really liked him. Peeta and I are not allowed to be best friends according to my mother. I am a princess and he is 'just the bakers son'. But I think that is really mean of her to say, she doesn't even know him.
Even though my mother says I cant be friends with Peeta, Dad always takes me to the bakery with him so we can have a play date. He thinks I should have a friend from the village to show my people I don't think I'm better then anyone. So that is what we are doing today. We are gonna go down to the bakery and instead of going to archery class, Peeta and I are having a longer play date then usual.
I am first to walk into the bakery with Daddy close behind me. I look around and I don't see Peeta anywhere. I walk up to the couture and see Mr. Mellark. So I ask him " Mr. Mellark, do you know where Peeta is I am here for a 'secret' play date." I say with a smile because I cant wait to see my best friend and it isn't a secret to anyone but mother.
"Well I'm not quite sure at the moment..." He keeps looking behind me and smiling so I decide to turn around to see Peeta who jumps at my and say "BOO!" I jump and both of us, and our dads start laughing. Once I collect myself from my laughter I run up and hug Peet, causing him to fall over and we both just hug each other on the ground laughing.
"Ready for our 'secret' play date Peet? Today will be longer then usual because I am skipping archery practice!" He looks at me with his big happy sea blue eyes that soon turn happy once he understands what that mean "YOU MEAN WE GET TO HANG OUT FOR THREE HOURS?!" He practically screams with joy. We usually only get 15-30 minutes. "YEAH! What should we do?" He looks at me and then puts his fingers to his chin and pretends to stroke his imaginary beard. I join along and we ponder and ponder...
"I KNOW! I KNOW!" he says jumping up with excitement. "What?!" I ask because he looks at me with a smile so big I'm afraid his lips with rip apart. "I could bake some cheese buns for you!" "But then what will I do?" I ask because I don't know how and watching him sounds boring. He looks at me and smiles wider, which I didn't think was possible, and squeals "I could teach you!" And once the words are said, a smile I can only imagine to be just as wide as his grows on my own face.
"You know there mt favorite!" I giggle and he nods "That's why I wanted to do it! So you can make them yourself and eat them all the time!" I think about it "But then why would I come over here?" I can tell he didn't think about that. After about 30 seconds his lips break into an evil smile and he whispers "You can pretend you cant!" And then come over here and help!" I smile and hug him again. "You are the best But I could never make them as good as you!" "I'm sure you could if you practiced!"
So went into the kitchen and got the supplies. I followed him and washed my hands, once everything was out so did he. And he showed me how to kneed the dough and then mix in the cheese and shape it. I took one and shaped it into a heart and carved a 'P' on the top while he wasnt looking. He turned around and I smoothly placed it on the plan. He must have been distracted because he didn't even notice. He put the pan in the oven and set a timer.
While they were baking we sat down and talked. "Whats your favorite color?" He asked me in the middle of our catching up. "Green?/!" we said at the same time. His was a question and mine was a statement. We he smiled, "Whats yours?" I asked because I had no idea... "Orange" He said laughing at the guilty look on my face for not knowing his... I smile and laughed with him. "I knew that" I said with laughter and a little embarrassment. After he smiled at me, shook his head, and looked at the floor, we heard the timer go off. We went over to the oven and he pulled them out and placed them on the stove.
He saw the one I had made for him and a huge smile grew on his face. I blushed, and walked closer to hug him. We hugged and I could smell the delicious smell of him that was a mix of baked goods. He always smelled like that. I guess when you have baked for your whole life that will happen. He smiles into the hug and says in my ear "thank you" I look up at him and simply say "Of course" And flash another smile.