It has been about another week and I somehow keep running into Peeta, literally. On the second Friday of me being at the famous D12 high school, I was stuck in a small fantasy of mine because of my lack of sleep the night before I walked straight into Peeta. He, of course, helped me up and chuckled lightly, perhaps in an effort to make me feel better.

"Are you alright, Katniss?" He asks softly, not letting go of my hand even though I was already standing up.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I say before glancing to the girl I vaguely remember him calling Delly. She was giving me a look, no doubt from running into her boyfriend. I guessed they were dating last week when they hugged in the school parking lot.

I tug my hand away from his gently and try to calm my surprisingly rapid heartbeat. I notice his group of friends who are giving us a strange look before I start walking away, I hated so much attention.

This week was homecoming week, so picture everyone in the school participating in spirit week then that one new girl who doesn't. Yep, that new girl was me. I would never be caught dead in these school colors, I will stick to my classic outfit.

The next day at lunch I feel his eyes before I see them, his blue orbs are fixed on me as I take my seat at the empty table I normally sat at. (One thing I quickly learned of this city is that, it should be referred to as a town given how low the population was. There were plenty of empty tables for me to choose from.) I glance up once I feel them, I shake my head slightly, telling myself to just ignore him. That is until he stands up and starts walking over to me.

I try my hardest to ignore him as he walks over, never once glancing back to his friends, who have not noticed his absence yet. He sits next to me and has an easy smile played across his lips.

"What do you want?" I ask not being afraid to sound annoyed.

"To ask you out," He says without hesitation.

I give him a scowl, "Not interested. Plus, you shouldn't be cheating on your girlfriend."

"My what?" He looks at me confused and I notice how cute he actually looks. Snap out of it, Katniss!

"Delly, I think that is her name anyway, I thought she was your girlfriend. She sure acts like it."

He laughs, "Katniss, we are just friends. Now, would you like to go to homecoming with me?"

I shake my head no.

"Why not?" He asks as I try to avoid his eyes.

"I don't do homecoming or anything like it. It is just an embarrassment."


Flashback

It was freshman year at Maze High school, I was so excited for my first dance, I had a nice dress (never actually worn one before and it is surprisingly… roomy) and a boyfriend. I can barely remember his name now, so let's just call him Dan.

Dan invited me and I was having a good time until his ex-girlfriend decided to drop the contents of a punch bowl on my head. That was the first time I had cried since my dad had died.


"Fine, how about we go out then? I just want to get to know you," He says desperately. That crosses a line for me, no one needs to know me, they wouldn't understand.

I scowl at him, he gives me a face that could break any girl's heart, sadly, even mine.

"Fine, but I chose everything. Homecoming night, I need to be home by eleven and we can go get pizza. Got it?" I say not looking up from my tray.

"I could kiss you right now," he whispers with a wide smile on his face.

"You do and the date is off, no kissing on the date either, by the way you are paying too," I say with a small smile tugging at my lips. This boy is contagious.


Before I know it, it is homecoming night, right after school. Prim and I both had been saving enough money for her to get a nice dress. As I help my sister get ready, I notice how much more beautiful she is than I am. I am sure that I am the one learning from her.

Prim has our mother's hair and eyes along with the gift of healing, meanwhile, I can't be in the same room as blood or vomit without vomiting myself. Prim always looks stunning while I hang back in darker clothes trying to hide from people. I never told her about my date, but she knows I am going out tonight. She never questions which is odd.

"Hey, little duck, is something wrong?" I ask as I curl her hair.

"No, it is just that there is this boy, he is charming and cute, but I don't know if he likes me."

"Prim, I am sure he does, what is his name?"

"Rory Hawthorne, he has a brother named Gale who is in your grade, do you know him?"

Gale is another one of those people who sit at an empty table, I think he might hate everyone.

"Yeah, I know him. What is his brother like?"

"Well, like I said he is charming and cute, along with smart, funny, mysterious, and intriguing."

I smile as her eyes go wide on the last word. Soon, she is all done and I walk her to the high school, she was a freshman this year and I just hope what happened to me doesn't happen to her too.

I see Peeta in the parking lot waiting against his car so I walk up to him.

His smile is huge, it is like he just won the lottery, but instead of a fantastic prize he gets me.

"Do you mind coming inside with me for a minute? I have to get my wallet back from one of my friends," He says and I nod in agreement.

I don't notice when he hands the tickets to the teacher at the table but I do notice when he leads me into the cafeteria and takes both of my hands. Next I notice his suit he has on, I am dressed in what I wore to school that day and I can't help but curse.

He laughs and whispers in my ear, "Dance with me? One dance and then we will go."

I nod, giving in when I felt his hot breath on my neck and ear. He moves my arms to where they are resting on his shoulders and he moves his to the middle of my back. My mind seems to forget who I am as I lean forward and rest my head on my shoulder.

"You can move your hands down a little," I whisper. Katniss! Stop! You barely know this guy!

I don't snap out of it, instead I ignore the voice in my head. I hear the song end and I slowly lift my head.

"Ready to go now?" He asks smiling and looking satisfied. I nod smiling a little. We make it to the pizza place and we order a pizza.

"So, tell me about yourself," He tries. I feel oddly out of character today so why not tell him.

"My favorite color is dark green," I offer with a small smile before taking a bite of food.

"Mine is sunset orange, and I want to consider us friends… is that okay?"

I nod and blush a little but as quick as the blush came it went away. It was going to be a long night.