1. Something More

I kneel down to check the tracks of the animal I am hunting in the woods. It's a deer, I can tell that by the hoof prints. As I stand up to continue the hunt I hear footsteps behind me. The footsteps are so quiet they can only come from one who has spent their life in the woods.

Peeta, I think.

Peeta is the one person I can trust with my life. The first time we met, I was only 12, him being 14, and I was checking out one of his intricately carved spears that I came across one cold dreary day after my father's death in the mines.

After his death, every day seemed cold and dreary. Like there was no point in trying to survive. But there was. I had to keep going to keep my mother and Prim alive. I had to. My father would have wanted that.

But that day in the forest, the day I met Peeta changed my life in ways that I wouldn't have even been able to imagine. As I picked up the spear that day, examining the craftiness of the design, I heard a voice behind me,

"Stealing is punishable by death, you know."

When I heard this, I whipped around, expecting a Peacekeeper, but only finding a young man, only a couple years older. He was handsome too. Ashy blonde hair, glittering blue eyes, and a strong build. He looked angry, but I could tell he wouldn't really hurt me- or I hoped.

"I wasn't stealing", I replied, "I was just looking at your spear. Did you make it? It's beautiful."

When I mentioned it, the anger faded from his eyes, and caution replaced it. "My father made it. Before…." He couldn't finish, and the pain I saw was clear- his father had died in the same mine explosion as my father.

I tried changing the subject. "What's your name?" I ask. He looks away to clear the pain and looks back with a forced smile. It's a beautiful smile, so calm. "Peeta. Yours?" he replies. I smile back at him. It is the first time since father's death that I have. "I'm Katniss."

Peeta starts laughing wildly, and then looks at me mischievously. "Well, it's nice to meet you Cat Piss. I hope we can be friends." I glare at him and he just winks and walks over to me. He can easily see the small bow and sheath of arrows my father made.

He ogles. "May I?" He asks, reaching for them. I nod and say, "Sure. Just remember, stealing is punishable by death." He laughs and looks over them, asking questions. And just like that, we had an unspoken promise to one another- 'You watch my back, I'll watch yours'. Ever since we have been inseparable. Best friends. Always looking out for the other, and helping take care of their families.


As I turn around to see who is walking towards me, a bag of candies lands by my feet. I look up, and Peeta is watching me with laughter dancing in his eyes. I smile at him and pick up the candy. "How much did these cost you, Peeta?"

He walks over carrying three squirrels and a turkey. "Just two rabbits," he replies. "I think the shopkeeper at the candy shop is being nicer today, considering the occasion…" He trails off and looks at me. Then I remember.

Today is the day of the reaping. The annual drawing of the names for the Hunger Games. It happens every year, and every year I hate it more. I only reply, "Oh yeah, the reaping." He laughs and comes over to hug me. Peeta and I are very close.

The first time I realized I loved him was when he carried me home when I almost drowned in the lake. He picked me up in his arms, and looked so worried and so caring, I knew he was the one for me. Only about a month ago did he tell me how he felt about me. That he loved me too. And more than in the friend way. We became a couple right away, and are more inseparable than before.

As he hugs me, he whispers in my ear, "I love you Katniss." I look up at him.

"I love you too Peeta. And if either one of us gets picked, I promise to take care of your family."

Peeta leans closer. "I know you will Katniss. And I will do the same for you. Always."

Peeta then does the unimaginable. He leans down and kisses me on the lips. It's the first time we have ever shared a kiss. Of course, I always dreamed of kissing Peeta, but we never have. The kiss is in every way as magical as I thought it would be.

We stand there, embracing and sharing wonderful kisses until we break apart and Peeta takes my hand, smiles, and says, "I love you. Always. Now let's go get ready for the reaping." I stop him from walking further, and stand on my tiptoes to kiss him again.


a/n: i live for your reviews. so, pretty please with a cherry on top? :)