As a child, I never spent much time indoors. The way the air blew about, and the trees danced in its wake gave me bursts of energy.
However, under my new living arrangements, the times for dancing trees and billowing winds were clearly over. They had been replaced by street lights and the smell of exhaust. This did not suit me, but given the opportunities that this new setting has provided, how could I complain?
My name is Katniss Everdeen, and I have travelled to the city to fulfill my dreams. The very dreams that had been blooming since my first hunting trip.
I was going to school to explore the occupations concerning outdoor education. This way, I could teach others of the mysterious depths of the forests. By choosing this major, I would never have to leave my sanctuary, and I could finally become one with the ways of the trees, and of the winds, and of the inhabitants of such habitats. Or so I thought.
When I chose this major, I expected a surplus of field work in the large expanses of Primrose Prairie, or the woods surrounding it. What I was received was a cramped dorm in the city, far from any form of nature. And now here I am, just me, a suitcase of my belongings, and my passion for the outdoors with no outdoors to explore.
As I stared at the small cot and trunk that were meant to mimic a home, I decided that I need not be pessimistic, and that I should make the best of the situation. So I began to unpack the few clothes and tokens that I had brought from my home in Abernathy, Wyoming.
I filled the small trunk nearly to the brim, and placed the photos of my family on the table next to my cot. The picture was taken nearly 7 years ago. It depicts a scene of joy. A couple stare adoringly into each other's eyes, while balancing two girls in between them. Oh how I longed for this joyous scene to exist once more. But things have changed, and the happiness I had once felt no longer exists.
As I was entrapped amidst my thoughts, a figure entered the dormitory. I turned to see who would join me in the small room, and was pleased to see a small women with pale hair and a bright smile.
"Hi! My name is Madge Undersee, it's very nice to meet you!"
I smiled at the greeting, extending my hand to meet hers in a firm handshake.
"Hello, I'm Katniss," I said.
Not seconds after the words left my mouth, a moan emitted from my stomach. I looked up in embarrassment as Madge let out a burst of laughter.
"How about we feed the monster in your stomach?" Madge offered graciously.
I accepted her offer wholeheartedly, wondering how I had not noticed my intense hunger until now.
Madge and I left the dorm together, exchanging small conversation. Madge, being a sophomore rather than I freshman like me, exclaim her approval for a local bakery near campus. By the time we arrived outside of the shop, I had heard praise for not only the pastries, but for the boy running the cash register as well. As we entered the shop, I could see why.
Behind the counter stood an attractive boy no older than me. He ran the register with boyish clumsiness, greeting his customers with an inviting grin, even as he spilled their change all around the bakery floor. The thing that stood out the most were his eyes, glowing blue orbs framed by blonde curls. Much like his lips, his eyes smiled, giving me a warm feeling in the deepest part of my stomach.
"What can I do for you?" I could hardly hear his voice over the sound of my own thoughts.
I did not realize that we had approached the front of the line until his bright blue eyes engrossed my being. In order to spare my dignity, I looked to Madge and asked her to order the best dish on the menu. She ordered a large batch of cheese buns, and as an afterthought, I decided to order a steamy cup of hot chocolate, as well.
Madge escorted me to a nearby booth, and began chatting about the googly eyes I was making at baker manning the front register.
"Katniss close your mouth before it catches flies!" Madge joked from across the table.
"I wasn't staring! He just had something in his teeth is all," I lied with a smile.
"I don't think you need to defend yourself, it looks like he is checking you out too!" Madge replied with a gesture.
I looked across the shop to the register, and sure enough, the baker looked at me unabashedly. Our eyes locked, and he broke his glance, moving towards the kitchen to retrieve our orders. He returned a few moments later, balancing a mug and a plate of cheese buns in his hands.
He smiled as he neared our table, looking at me with intensity. In fact, his stare was so focused that he did not notice his untied shoelace. He did not notice until it tripped him, that is. As he plummeted to the ground, the contents of his hands were sent flying, and the mug of chocolate liquid splattered across my body.
And as the scorching liquid stained my white sweater, I realized that the heat of the hot chocolate was nothing compared to the anger boiling through my veins.