Peeta

With the freezing morning air seeping through my windows, it was rather hard to get out of my warm blanket. The view outside my window was pure white, presumably from the snowfall overnight. I had to open the shop at 8 o'clock, so I at least had time to prepare myself some breakfast. As I poured myself a bowl of dry cereal, I noticed the pine trees outside the window, covered in snow. It was a Capitol tradition to cut down a pine tree and bring it home, only to wrap it in colorful lights and place a shining star right on top. Maybe I could get started on it after I close the bakery.

I finished up my cereal before getting up, slipping on my black work boots. I wore a thick coat to keep me warm against the chilly outdoors. I took the container of Christmas cookies I baked last night before leaving my warm home for the day.

The walk into town was quick. Thanks to the generosity of our new president, I was able to regain the bakery back as 12 was reconstructed. Colorful lights decorated the street lamps, and children wore beanies with pom-poms on their heads. It made me glad to see a Panem living in peace.

Slipping my hand into my pocket, I pulled out my keys and unlocked the back door of the bakery. The bakery was still cold inside, but once I start preheating the oven, it wouldn't be so cold anymore. I turned on the lights, and the first thing I did was place the Christmas cookies under the heated display case for the customers to see when they walk in. I then turned on the string of Christmas lights that lined the walls up at the ceiling. Up on the walls were sparkly holiday crafts I put together. Since the sales of the bakery go up during the holidays, it makes sense to put effort into attracting more customers with a colorful design.

Once the clock struck 8, I flipped the "closed" sign to show "open." I finished prepping dough that would last me for a couple of hours, so I simply waited for customers to come. It wasn't long until I heard the ringing of the bell hung above the door, signaling the arrival of a customer. Thankfully, it was a familiar face. "Mrs. Keller! Good morning!" I called out with enthusiasm.

"Good morning to you as well, Peeta." She walked inside, holding her daughter's hand. "Enjoying the decorations, like always."

"Thanks! It keeps spirits up in here." I said with a smile. Mrs. Keller was one of my usual customers who usually bought something for herself and her daughter before bringing her to school. From her thick posh accent, it was apparent that she was a Capitol native who migrated to 12 after the reformation of Panem. She wore one of those fur coats that weren't made from real fur, but were still an image of above-average wealth.

"Oh, these cookies are just beautiful!" I heard her exclaim once the holiday cookies in the display case caught her eye. I tried not to smile too much as I watched her admire my work. "Which one do you want, dear?" She asked her daughter, looking down at the small child and awaiting her response. With a cheerful smile, the girl silently pointed at the cookie shaped like a snowflake. Her mother nodded in response before making eye contact with me and pointing out the same snowflake cookies. "I'll take two of these. And a cup of coffee for myself, please."

"Of course." I happily took the cookies out from the display case and placed them in a paper bag before pouring the hot coffee into a cup. It's moments like these that make me appreciate my job, and make all the hard work worth it. She then paid for her items before thanking me and leaving for her day. I collected the coins in my hand, but all I could focus on was how the little girl's face lit up once she took her first bite of the cookie. I don't know how to describe it, but I felt very Christmassy.

Once the mother and daughter left, I placed the coins the register before going back to prepping dough. Moments later, I heard the door open once more accompanied by the sound of the bell. I wiped my hands, hoping that it was another familiar customer. In this case, I think being taken by surprise was an understatement. The tall brown-haired hunter made his way into the bakery with a leather satchel worn across his body. His name was Gale, and I knew far too much about him and his past. He used to be my squadmate during the war of the Capitol, and I've never seen him until now. I didn't even know how to greet him after all these years. I stood frozen in shock as he casually approached me. He went up to the counter and opened his satchel, shuffling through it.

"Just give me a loaf for it." He said casually. It sort of ticked me off how he didn't even acknowledge me despite the fact that he's known me for a long time, but again, he doesn't live in 12 anymore. We've only talked for a few times at most, after all. But, a loaf of bread for what? My question was suddenly answered once I saw what he pulled out of his bag: The rotting carcass of a squirrel. The smell was unbearable, and I feared it would contaminate the sweet scent of the bakery. I made a disgusted face, but still tried to keep my cool.

"Sorry. Loaves are three pounds each." I said softly as I looked down at the floor. I knew for a fact that Gale wasn't the type of person to take "no" as an answer, but it was simply the store policy. I needed to make money in order to live. I looked back at the taller man, who simply greeted me with a stern glare.

"Peeta. Just give me the loaf! I didn't wake up early to hunt for nothing." He said, holding the dead squirrel by its tail. I swear I could have seen the maggots eating it up already. The way he spoke to me was very intimidating, but there was no way I was accepting the remains of a rodent.

"I'm sorry. What am I gonna do with th-"

"Your dad used to always take my game in exchange for bread! Don't you remember? I always used to come here. I practically fed your damn self!" Gale belted out at me. I was too shocked to even comprehend what he really meant. I looked at the dead squirrel that he had now placed on the countertop, blocking my view of the cookies. I let out one more sigh before attempting to defend myself.

"Gale...My dad died. My family's gone. Don't you remember?" I shot him a slightly irritated look, yet at the same time, I wanted to see if it was possible to generate sympathy from him. "All I'm asking for is three pounds. I'll even bake it fresh for you." My look turned into a half-smile as I began to walk off towards the oven, but that only made things worse. He slammed his palm down onto the counter in order to get my attention.

"I have a family to feed! What's more to ask?!" He barked out once more. I could tell that Gale was a person full of pride, and that his ego outweighed the muscle. I was fed up already. It was bad enough that he left to District 2 on a horrible note. I took an already-prepared loaf of bread sitting on the cooling rack. Wrapping it with parchment paper, I then went up to the counter across from Gale and placed the loaf in front of him, looking him sarcastically smug in the eye.

"Merry Christmas." Without another word, I left the loaf on the counter and turned away. I went straight into the kitchen and closed the door behind me. I sat with my head buried in my arms, waiting to hear the ringing of the bell above the door again