Destiny - The Heart of a Baker, Soul of the Hunter

Summary: Peeta Mellark, the baker's son saved Katniss Everdeen's life at the age of eleven when he threw the burnt bread one rainy day. She never thanked him let alone acknowledged his existence. She hated owing him but knew there would come a day when she would repay him. Little did she realize that she would make a mistake that would bound her life to his forever. AU Hunger Games, OOC Everlark

AN: Special thanks to [Nenaah, Tea4e, Mspriss523, Matainer, LACR,32sheshe, Indiana1985, Elricsister, .Everlark, WhosJazzy, IcyPinkLemonade, safayi, and guests] All your reviews and comments meant a lot to me. I'm horrible to responding back but do appreciate the comments. I'm not ignoring you guys. I'm pleased that you enjoyed reading, 'The Weary Heart.' It was definitely a labor of love and I too miss them. I debated whether I should write a post epilogue story of their lives in the future. However, I'm in the process of writing two Everlark stories at the moment and I'm pretty excited about them. Please excuse any errors you may find since writing and reading is what I do for a living and sometimes, I don't catch that kind of stuff on my own work. Hunger Games belong to Suzanne Collins and I merely hijack a few characters for purely recreational purposes.

Katniss POV ––

The morning sun grazed my face warming my cool skin. I felt comfort wearing my father's hunting jacket. The arms too long and the length reached past my hips. I loved it regardless it dwarfing me. I looked forward to this day as winter passed and the first sign of spring permeated the air. The smell of leaves, dirt and pine filled my nostrils giving me a heady feeling. With the last of the snow melting, the forest was alive with birds, insects and beasts of all sizes. It felt good to be outside amongst nature after a long, cold winter. It felt good to be alive.

A noise startled me from my concentration as I trailed after a large stag. My hand tightened around the bow, an arrow nestled between my fingertips. I had been searching for him ever since he caught my eye during the early winter season, but as the weather worsened he fled to warmer environment. Now with spring in the air, he had returned. He was majestic and beautiful, probably 400 lbs. with thick dark brown fur and antlers that jutted from his head. My thoughts jumbled as to whether I should hunt him down for food; his carcass useful for leather and meals to last my family for a couple of weeks. I'm at war with myself. He belonged in the forest to roam wild and free but my need to feed my family must come first. Right?

I wished Gale were with me to share this rare moment. But that was now the case since he had been avoiding me for more than a week. Ever since we had our last argument that had him stomping away from me angry and embarrassed, I haven't seen him since then.

Flashback –– one week earlier

"Gale, damnit," I shoved him hard placing both hands on his shoulders. His proximity startled and frightened me. I had never been afraid of Gale by his height or physicality. But when his strong arms wrapped around me tight against my waist I knew what he had attempted to do as his lips made contact to the side of my head his cold wet lips grazed my cheek. "What the hell do you think you're doing?"

He stumbled backwards, his face red from embarrassment and anger. "What do you think I was doing?" he sneered back. He took a step forward as I stepped back from him. "I wanted to kiss you."

"Have you been drinking?" I smelled alcohol on his breath even from a distance. His eyes were unfocused and his movement unsteady.

"Fuck, yes," he returned, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "I had to if I was going to ask you something very important." I shook my head side to side. Gale drank whenever he lacked courage to do or say something. 'Dutch courage' he once admitted. It was a saying back in the Dark Days. He showed up in the last reaping, drunk and pissed. He gathered if he was going to be reaped he might as well enjoy the last night he had in District 12 with his buddies. If the Peacekeepers found out, what could they do? Kill him; flog him? He was dead within weeks in the arena. No one but Haymitch Abernathy had survived the Hunger Games in the last 73 years. It was inevitable.

"Katniss, you know how I feel about you," he started.

"No, no, no. I told you, Gale. I told you never to ask me…I don't think of you that way."

"You never even gave me a chance." He took another uneven step towards me. "How would you know you didn't like it if you hadn't tried? You said no even before I could ask."

"I've been telling you since I turned 12 that I never want to get married. Or fall in love. And kissing me won't make me change my mind." Six years he has tried to convince me. Six years of his attempt to make me want him the way he wanted me. I'm stubborn but not stupid. In between the times he tried to court me, I knew of his trips to the Slag Heap. The rumors of girls he slept with both Seam and Merchant. I didn't want to acknowledge it or be a part of it. Dating led to kissing. Kissing led to sex and marriage. And marriage was something I never wanted for myself. No one could ever make me change my mind. Falling in love with someone was the last thing I wanted.

I knew what love did to a person. When my father almost died from a mining accident, my mother was crushed. He was so devastated both physically and mentally that the incident cause Prim and I to lose both parents; my father through his accident and mother by emotionally abandoning us. She was a mess and mostly concentrated on taking care of my father. I took the burden of becoming mother and caretaker to Prim. I love my sister and what my mother did to us was unforgiveable. I could never to that to a child. Hence, no love or marriage means no children.

"Katniss," he whined stumbling on his feet with arms towards me. His hair was askew and clothes rumpled. There was a pink bruise on his neck. I narrowed my eyes.

"Did you just come from the Slag Heap?" I accused him. He had the decency to look ashamed or embarrassed for being discovered. "Really, Gale. You were messing with someone in the Slag Heap and then you come looking for me, drunk? That's real romantic." I was disgusted with his behavior.

"I needed a drink to fucking talk to you," he bellowed. This was what made people behave like when their in love. They become irrational, stupid and too emotional. Love blinded you to reality. There was no happy ending to being in love. You love someone they die and they took a part of you with them. Your children are taken away from you from starvation or the games. It wasn't worth the risk for that kind of pain.

"Does the girl you're fucking know of your intentions?" What girl in her right mind would want to risk her heart that way with a guy who just wanted her for physical gratification? How can Gale claim to love me yet sleep with other girls? Love was irrational.

"She's…she's…she's not the problem. You are," he sighed in resignation.

"I'm the problem?"

"Yes, if you would just open your mind to the possibility that––"

"I told you time and time again that I don't see or think of you that way. How many times do I have to repeat myself?" This was a bone of contention with us. He wanted me but I would never be the person he wanted. I'm not wired for it.

"You would change your mind if you would just let me…court you. Take you on a date."

"Okay, so you think by taking out me on a date I would change me my mind? You would what, woo me? Seduce me into changing my mind?"

"Yes." It was simple for Gale. I'm a girl, he's a boy and that explained everything. We were interlocking pieces of the male and female dynamic that led to love, marriage and children. What he doesn't realize that I wanted no part of it. The Capitol and President Snow already took a portion of my life dividing the Seam and the Merchants. I hated the politics and social barriers he encouraged. The Merchants thrived while the Seam struggled to make ends meet. I didn't want to add the complications of love and marriage in my life. It wasn't worth it.

Marriage and children was what he controlled with the games and the reaping. It was population control. I wasn't about to marry anyone let alone fall in love. I'd rather die from starvation than a broken heart. Snow won't control or take anymore from me. If I had nothing to give than I have nothing to lose. My family especially Prim was my sole concern and priority.

"You're too uptight, Catnip." His voice was soft and low "You know what you need?" I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. Had he not realized that I'm not that kind of girl? I didn't dream of fairytales, planning my wedding or a toasting. I didn't write out a boy's name attached to mine on the edges of my notebook in school. No one will posses me like that.

"Oh please enlighten me," I said with as much sarcasm I could muster. Unfortunately Gale was too drunk to recognize it and thought I was giving him permission. One thing he knew about me, no one can make me do anything I didn't want to do. I'm stubborn that way.

"You just need a bit of encouragement and let yourself go for once to get a taste of what I can offer."

"And what are you offering me?"

"You need to get laid." I blinked a few times wondering if I heard him right. He took a couple of steps toward me. His face hovered over mine that I had to look up to engage our eyes. "I bet that a good seeing to would make you change your mind about marriage." He leaned over to my ear; his soft, warm breath tickled my earlobe. I shivered. "I can teach a lot of things. Sex is pretty incredible if done right. I'll do right by you, Katniss. I want to be your first."

I reached over and placed hand on his cheek. Just as I knew he was about to kiss me again. I pulled back and slapped his face hard that my hand stung from impact. My slap left a red mark on his sensitive skin. Gale looked surprised and angry. I scowled back in disgust as I shuddered again at his proximity. I felt smothered and uneasy. What happened to the boy I grew up with that helped me provide for my family? Who was in front of me trying to seduce me? Offering sex as a prize or reward.

"You're a bitch," Gale seethed in anger. "You're on your own, Katniss." He took off with a hand on his bruised cheek. He turned his head, "One day, you're going to fall in love, Katniss. Someone who you least expect; I hope he breaks your heart." My anger grew. I wiped the tears that brimmed my eyes with the back of my hand. I refused to cry and be emotional as I watched my friendship with Gale diminish. He didn't look back as I called out to him. That was the last I saw of him.

End of flashback ––

I sighed at the memory. The look of sadness mixed with anger and something else I didn't recognize. I guess I couldn't blame him. Gale Hawthorne had been my childhood friend since the age of 13. His father was killed during a mining accident. I was lucky. My father was badly injured causing him to lose his job due to his disability. He had lost his right leg and arm after the rescuers pulled him out of the debris after the explosion.

Months after the accident, we struggled to get food on the table. No one would hire my father let alone keep his job at the mines. I was grateful that he survived but realized he was our only provider. So at the age 12 after begging my father for months, he finally agreed to let me hunt and use snares for food without him. Gale who was a year older than me had come along since was still too young to work in the mines. After months of his recovery my father finally revealed to me to the spot where he hid his bow and arrows. His disability would hinder him from hunting as his aim was affected with the fake arm he was provided. My father survived but his spirit was broken. He wasn't the same after the accident. As for my mother she became aloof and cold towards Prim and me. We became a burden. Whatever happiness we had died when my father lost his will, his pride shattered, as he couldn't provide for us any longer. I took up the mantle as the hunter and provider for our family. His accident changed our dynamic forever. We were broken.

I turned my head as I caught a glint of gold at the corner of my eye. Curious, I listened for any sound to help me track it. The noise of leaves and branches breaking distracted me from the stag. I turned back to the stag revealing that I lost sight of him. He was probably out of my reach by now. Disheartened, I discovered and tracked a pair of footprints on the ground; they were human shoe prints imbedded on the floor. The sun broke from the horizon. It was time for me to return home before I'm spotted at the fence but the sight of someone in the forest peaked my curiosity. No one but Gale and I ventured into the forest. It was forbidden but if caught, punishment was a whipping or shot in the head from 20 paces as your arms and legs are bound to a post. It depended on the severity of the 'crime' committed, which determined your fate.

I was a mere five yards behind the stranger who had disturbed my hunt. I couldn't tell if it was male or female since the stranger had covered its' head with a dark green hood. I couldn't tell if he or she was taller than me as it was hunched over a bush. It was quiet as mouse as it looked around and picked at leaves and berries amongst the bushes, tucking his haul in a dark brown woolen bag. A small pale hand pulled at a bush staining its' fingers as it yanked red berries from the plant. I was so engrossed at its' presence that I stamped onto a branch startling him or her. He quickly turned his head as I could only see a white pale nose underneath the hood. He spotted me.

He took off, his long draped coat flapped in the wind as I gave chase. He ran with the grace of a deer, fast, graceful and agile. Not wanting to alert any Peacekeepers who may be in the vicinity, I ran after him as he dodged me behind trees and bushes. He was fast that I lost him as he ducked under the fence and scurried off between the Seam and Merchant boundaries.

Out of breath, I cursed to myself realizing that I had brought my bow and arrow with me.

"Shit, Dad is going to kill me." I snuck to the back of my home hiding my bow and quiver underneath my house behind bushes.

It was a general rule to leave my equipment in the woods hidden under a fallen tree incase Peacekeepers arrived in the Seam searching homes for contraband. The time I spent chasing after him or her ruined my morning. School would start within half an hour and I still had yet to return home in time to dress properly and walk Prim to school.

I cleaned my shoes on the doormat that desperately needed a cleaning. Food, water and clothing were scarce in my home. Hunting was my only option and I came back empty handed.

"Katniss," my father greeted me as I entered into our two-bedroom home. He sat on an old, worn out armchair that he found thrown into the district's dumpsite. It was dingy, broken-down and needed to be reupholstered; a project that my mother had failed to finish. Our neighbor, Hazelle Hawthorne offered to reupholster the ugly thing in exchange for services, but my mother refused.

Our house was decorated with a mishmash of mixed furniture that was close to thirty years old. Prim and I shared a room and a bed that had once been my mother's as a child. It was the only remnant and souvenir she had brought to the Seam when she married my father. For falling in love and marrying a Seam boy, her family disowned her. She had not been in contact with them since.

"What did I tell you about…" He looked around as if someone was paying attention to us, "…going 'out' this morning?" He had a thick wool blanket wrapped around him, his right leg pant pinned up to the knee. I never disobeyed my father but after weeks of staying indoors I was going out of my mind. The only thing that calmed me was walking in the woods. I love him dearly but my state of mind overrode his paranoia and concern.

"I know that you're careful but there's a possibility that there might be an inspection in District in the next few days." Every few weeks there was an inspection when the Peacekeepers would go through the Seam and Merchant houses. It was random and unscheduled as they entered and shifted through the homes and businesses searching for evidence of 'contraband.' Somehow my father would get information when they would come. Also, there were rumors of a rebellion forming against Snow and the Capitol. It was just rumors and conjecture but President Snow wasn't taking any chances. Hence every couple of weeks Peacekeepers raided District 12 residents, both Merchant and Seam.

"Daddy, I saw him today?" I expressed hoping to distract him. I didn't want him to worry about me. I was careful and discreet. "He came back." He couldn't go hunting anymore. His limbs tired easily and the poorly made prosthesis strained his endurance and stamina.

"Yeah?" I nodded my head as I leaned down and kissed his warm forehead. He was rubbing his upper right arm. He sighed in melancholy. "I wished I was there with you to have seen it." I held back sob back as I too wished he were there with me. He took my hand into his. "Listen, you, your sister and your mother mean the world to me. I don't know what I would do if…Snow is sending more Peacekeepers in District 12. You need to be really, really careful, Katniss."

My eyes grew wide. "I know that things have been very difficult these past few weeks, but I'd rather starve than have something bad happen to you. Understand?" Even today I came back empty handed, but it was what I expected. The weather kept the animals away until today. "Your safety is important to me. If you get caught…"

"I won't Dad," I promised him. "I'm being careful."

He was scared for me but I was willing to risk it. It was bad enough that food was scarce in the Seam. The frozen winter kept most of the animals away or they were hibernating. We were lucky if we had two complete meals for the day. But somehow, my father managed to scrounge food for us. Every couple of days he'd leave the house and returned at the end of the day with a loaf of bread, cheese and protein. How he managed? I never dared to ask. I was too busy being grateful and fed to ponder. One day he came home with a goat, which Prim named Lady. She provided us milk that was rare in the Seam.

"Listen, I know that it's been difficult for you these past few weeks but, when I tell you not to go out, I mean it. Katniss. There are things that are going around in the District. Things I can't tell you, but please listen to me. Your life…our lives depend on it."

He was never the parent that disciplined us but if at all. It was my mother's job to keep us in line. My father spoiled us as best he could but disciplining us was something he rarely did. "If you get caught, you know what the repercussions will be." I nodded my head, feeling a knot formed in my chest. "Your actions affect everyone, Katniss. Not just you, everyone you love. Remember that." He was scolding me without any anger in his tone.

"Katniss," my mother called out from the kitchen. "Get Prim ready or else you'll both be late for school." I left my father without another word. I turned back to look at him, he was despondent and unhappy, but there was nothing I could do for him as he stared back at the cold fireplace.

I opened my bedroom door to find the room empty, the bed made. I changed my clothes quickly to a pair of clean pants and shirt. "Prim?" There was only one bathroom with a large tub that connected our to room to my parents. During winter the pipes froze and we had to heat up water in the fireplace for hot water. We were lucky than most since other homes didn't having plumbing. I knocked on the bathroom door and pressed my ear on the wood panel. "Prim, don't take too long."

"Okay, Katniss," Prim's voice penetrated through the door. "I'll be out in ten minutes." The toilet flushed and the tap was turned on. My little sister Primrose was 14 with long golden blond hair and blue eyes. She resembled my mother while I took after my father with dark hair and gray eyes. Prim matched him in personality. They were gentle, good natured and sweet and like my mother I was sullen and quiet. I may look like my father but I was far from his personality. It was ironic.

I found my mother in the kitchen wrapping two loaves of bread with cheese and a puny apple for our lunch. Two canteens accompanied the meal in our small lunch sack. There was a look of disapproval on my mother's face as I entered the room. "Did your father have a good talk with you?" she asked without preamble. Unlike my father, my mother was stern and was not liberal in her affections with Prim and me. As my father lavished us with praise and love, she limited her affections in rare moments. The only time I've ever seen her easy and free was with my father. Even then it was doled out in small batches and hardly ever in front of us. But behind closed doors that was different.

At night when I couldn't sleep, I would hear them as the rhythmic pattern of their headboard struck the wall in their bedroom.

The first time I caught them having sex it scared me. I wandered in the wood shack where my father kept his tools and mining equipment. They were dressed but their lower bodies where close together, her dressed hiked up in back while his pants rested on his hips. I could never forget the look on both their faces with my father's arm wrapped around her squeezing her breast in one hand while the other disappeared under her skirt. I was six years old the first time I saw them after waking up from my nap and finding the house empty. I had thought they abandoned Prim and me who was then two years old at the time.

I ran off as my mother screamed thinking that my father had hurt her. Her strained voice echoed in my head. They found me in the closet in tears, in fetal position and scared of my father. They realized that I had caught them in what Victor Haymitch Abernathy would say in 'flagrante delicto.' It took a while for my parents to convince me that my father wasn't hurting my mother. That what they did together was normal in a loving relationship between men and women, especially married people. As I grew older I realized what they were doing. Sex didn't seem all that wonderful to me with the groping, moaning and sweaty bodies.

I had always admired my parent's relationship. Their stormy courtship and marriage scandalized both families. Neither family acknowledged each other even when Prim and I was born. It didn't matter that their relationship was based on love. My father's family would have benefitted marrying my mother but her family denounced and forbade her to work in the Merchant forever. Trained as a healer from birth, she did the best she could with what she learned on her own. Love didn't conquer all if you were Seam born even with half Merchant blood. The physical distinction of blond, blue eyed Merchants and dark haired, gray-eyed Seam was evident. It's not to say that many blond hair children were born amongst the Seam and visa versa. It happened quite frequently as much as anyone would deny it.

Breakfast was paltry with oatmeal that consisted of more water and goat's milk than oats with dried cranberries. Oma Heinz, the old lady next door to us made dried food to make ends meet. She dried everything from meat, to fruits and vegetables. She had a regular supply in her home. How she managed to collect them, I never asked. In exchange for herbal medicine with my mother, Oma traded her herbs and dried fruit. I ate half my oatmeal and gave the rest to Prim. She needed it more than me.

Before leaving my father called out to us. "Katniss, please come straight home. Don't go out in the woods today after school." I nodded my head as I followed Prim out.

The walk to school was 20 minutes long. The path forced Seam children to walk directly through the Merchant town if we wanted to make it in time. That was the only time Seam children were expected to be there. Adults were allowed to shop but children forbidden to play with each other. Along the way I spotted few female classmates hovering and whispering to each other sparing a long side look at our direction. I ignored their sneers and glares as usual. Prim reached out and grabbed my hand. I smiled back at her for assurance.

At school both Merchant and Seam girls bragged losing their virginity in the Slag Heap. It was a common and known fact of life since anyone could be reaped as early at the age of twelve. You were lucky if you survive it let alone starve from poverty. I had just survived my reaping age when I turned 18 last May. Gale was a year before. And, because of this, he had assumed that I was agreeable to the prospect of marriage as it was expected. It was what happened as soon as our classmates and friends past their reaping age. Prim had survived the last 3 reapings and she had three years left. I knew that Gale frequented the Heap. It was really none of my business but I was tainted by his salacious actions by default since he and I hung out together when he was in school. It was why it was automatically assumed that we would wed once I reached 18.

The social divide for District 12 was controlled by contractual marriages amongst the Merchants and Seam. It was not common to marry for love. No one dared to marry outside his or her social class. Seam married Seam as Merchants married Merchants. If they crossed, Merchants automatically disowned any Merchant marrying a Seam. In District 11 where their main industry was farming. The day laborers worked for the rich landowners and producers. It was the same for other districts as well. It was structured that way since the Snow family took over Panem for the last two centuries to control the population. The Games were created by Cornelius Snow's father, Barnabus Grandville Snow as means to weed out the weak amongst the strong districts. Most victors came from 1 or 2.

The smell of bread and cinnamon permeated the air. Every morning during our walk Prim and I would pass the Mellark Bakery and just like clockwork, their youngest son appeared at the door, book and duffel bag in hand running towards school. There were three Mellark boys, Graham, Rye and Peeta. Graham married Sonja Edgewood, the Butcher's daughter. Rye, the middle son was engaged to Delly Cartwright, District's 12 Chief Geologist's daughter.

And then there was 16 year-old Peeta, the true and talented baker amongst the sons. He wasn't as tall or built like his two older brothers who were broad shoulders and stocky. Peeta was medium height, lanky but lean. I watched his curly blond hair disappear into the schoolyard as we fast approached the building. I'll never forget the Boy with the Bread who saved me that day. I had just turned 11 when young pink face, 9 year-old Peeta threw the two loaves of burnt bread to me. Since then, I haven't thanked or acknowledged his kind gesture, even when he turned up the next day in school with a bruise on his cheek. I was horrified and ashamed at my lack of courage to face him.

Every now and then I would catch him staring at me whether we were in class or during lunch. I felt uneasy and uncomfortable with his big baby blue eyes causing me to shiver. He unnerved me, as anyone has never done before. Even though he was two years younger than me he was placed in some of my classes. So avoiding him was close to impossible.

Not only was he gorgeous...I mean good looking for a Merchant townie he was smart to boot. He was placed one grade ahead of his class since he excelled in his courses. Thus, though he was a grade lower than me, he was advanced enough to attend a few of my classes.

I understood why both Merchant and Seam girls found him attractive with his wavy blond hair that glittered under the sun, his crystal blue eyes that twinkled under his hypnotic gaze and the pronounced dimple on his cheeks when he smiled.

"Katniss?" Prim's voice interrupted my train of thought of the blond, blue-eyed boy who saved me. "Can we stop by Mellark's after school?"

"Huh, what?" Startled, I turned to her, "Why?" Her cheeks turned pink as her eyes stared downward. She couldn't have known who I was thinking about or was I too obvious that I started at him. "Prim?"

"Um…Daddy gave me money to buy some cookies." She paused for a second. "For Posy." My brow lifted in surprise. "Did you forget that we're having dinner with the Hawthorne's tonight? It's Posy's birthday today." Oh shit, I forgot. My argument with Gale caused me to forget. Which meant tonight I'd be confronting him.

"Of course, Prim." I shuddered at the awkwardness that was bound to be apparent between Gale and me. Hopefully, he cooled off and we can be in the same room together without any of our family noticing us acting weird.

School was boring as ever. I couldn't wait for school to be over as I will be graduating by the end of spring. I made no plans for my future when it pertained to work. Women were not allowed in the mines and if I had no other talent or vocation, marriage was the solution or obvious option. I couldn't follow my mother's path in medicine or healing for I had no stomach for it. I lacked the patience, care or fortitude that Prim possessed. I have five months to make a decision of what I'll do. I'm just too happy for school to be over for me to think about it for now.

Even though I'm pleased to leave that chapter in my life, my concern was for Prim. I'm relieved but anxious since I will be leaving her alone. She has many friends by her but the thought of me not being there for her, scares me. Every break and lunch hour I gazed at her direction where she clustered with her small group of friends. She was safe with them but every once in a while a mean Merchant girl would harass them, especially Sylvie Gathers. She had never bother Prim before. But lately, Sylvie had been upfront with her hostility with Prim and I never knew why. Prim has been quiet about the whole situation, telling me she could handle Sylvie on her own. It was clear that something was going on between them.

I bit into my apple as I kept my eye on my little sister. Sitting under a large tree, my lunch companion consisted of Madge Undersee, the daughter of District 12's mayor. How our relationship developed was still a mystery to me considering she is a Merchant townie. Her beautiful golden blond hair and blue eyes was a contrast to me. Last year we were forced to be partners in a school project and since then we developed a friendship I had never expected to form or last, but it did. It was because of Madge that a few Merchant girls have left me alone. No one messed with Madge.

I threw the apple core beside me as I snuck a look towards the end of schoolyard and spied on him. In the midst of the sea of blond hair there he sat by himself, arms resting on the lunch table with his head down. His hand was in a flurry as his pencil danced upon a drawing pad. He was so concentrated on his drawing, his eyes centered on the pad that he never noticed the gaggle of girls sitting at a table beside him openly gawking and whispering to each other.

Suddenly he looked up and caught my eye. I looked away hoping that he didn't notice me staring at him. "Katniss are you alright?" Madge asked in concern. "You looked flushed all of a sudden."

I cleared my throat. "It's hot today," I mumbled under my breath as I waved my hand in front of my face.

"Huh?" She looked puzzled as she considered we sat under a tree away from the sun. Before she could interrogate me the school bell rang. I was saved by the bell so to speak so I quickly grabbed my lunch bag, books and headed toward my next class. "See you tomorrow," Madge yelled. Unfortunately my next class I had also included Peeta. He sat two rows away from me and in the center of the room. I lowered my head as he walked past me hoping that my blush subsided. Two classes later, school ended for the day.

As we walked out the building Prim reminded me that she wanted to stop by the Mellark Bakery. My hands were sweaty as I grew nervous with each step I took. To my surprise, Prim headed behind the bakery and made us wait at the corner of the building. "Prim, what are you doing?"

"Shhh," she replied back. My anxiety and aggravation grew as five minutes passed. "Prim?" The alley was clear and empty. I looked around making sure that no one saw us. I formulated an explanation incase we were discovered. I hoped that Mrs. Mellark would not find us hovering behind the building when the back door opened slowly. To my relief, a short hair blond head peeked around the door. It was Peeta. I gasped in surprise at his appearance. His hair curled at the tips, a white apron around his waist with pink coloring smeared on the cloth. His hands were white with flour and dough. He wore a white t-shirt, which he filled in with lean muscles from shoulders to his forearms. He looked overheated probably due to the ovens. The sweat cast a pink glow on his fair skin. A knot formed in my throat as he walked toward us with a Mellark paper bag in his hand.

"Hey, Prim," he greeted us. His blue eyes shone accompanied with a goofy smile on his face. "Hi, Katniss." I blushed, flustered and nervous by his presence. "Thank you for…for meeting m..me…here," he stuttered. His face reddened as he looked back at the back door. "My mo…mother is upstairs for the day so…"

"Here," Prim said as she took a step towards him and extended her hand with a few coins on her palm.

"Oh, no Prim," he returned as he closed her fingers to form a fist. "It's…it's on me." He smiled at her, his dimples dug into his cheeks. I wanted to…touch them? His smile though it was directed at Prim, it annoyed me. I don't know why, but the gesture rankled me. "You're m…my friend."

"We're paying for it," I said, my teeth clenched together as I took the coins from Prim's hands. I walked over and picked up his hand to give him the coins. He jumped back as if I shocked him. "Here, take it." Peeta shook his head and stepped back.

"I want Prim to hav..ha…have it. I don't want your mmon…money." He said, his words soft. His head was down but his eyes upward his blue orbs hidden behind his ridiculously long brown lashes. His upper teeth chewed on his lower lip. I stared at him for a second too long mesmerized by his blue eyes. Was it blue with a tinge of purple?

"Katniss?" Prim inquired at my hesitation. Peeta pulled his hands behind his back. I had to resist…

I was embarrassed and speechless, anger fueled my resolve as I threw the coins at his chest. Peeta gasped in surprise and a look of hurt formed on his face. He watched the coins bounce on the ground as they scattered around his feet.

"Katniss," Prim voiced with a hint of shock in her tone. "He was only––"

"I don't care."

"No, I waa…want you to have it with no––" Peeta continued as bent over and picked up the coins.

"We're not a charity case."

"I didn't, sa…say you were," Peeta returned. He blinked a few times as his left hand rubbed the back of his neck. The muscles on his upper arms and forearms bulged. I flinched as my heart beat on my chest hard as though I could barely breath; my mouth was dry. "I only wanted t..to…"

"Come on Prim." I grabbed her hand. "Let's go." Embarrassed at my behavior I steeled my nerves as I turned my head to look back to see Peeta's shoulders drooped, his head down and his hands inside his pockets.

"Damnit, damnit, damnit," I repeated to myself in shame as I choked down pockets of saliva in my throat. I walked away from the Boy with the Bread. Why can't he leave me alone? Why does his presence make me feel as though my body is on fire and I couldn't think straight whenever he's around me? When will I ever stop owing him?

AN: Thank you for your interest in reading Destiny. I hoped you enjoyed it. Reviews or comments would be greatly appreciated. I don't know if I'll be able to update as I did with my last story. Work and promoting my brother's book has kept me rather busy and this time of the year is hectic for me. I'll post as often as I can. Have a great weekend.