Hello lovelies! I decided that since that first chapter was reaaaaaally short I would go ahead and update so that you could give a better opinion ;)

Also, Keep in mind that this chapter AS WELL AS the next chapter are flashback chapters. I decided to split the flashback up just to make this whole experience last a little longer ;)

Enjoy!

Flashback

I clutched my wool coat tighter around me as a shiver shook my spine. It is so unbearably cold. I look at my train ticket. 'Lower class' is printed across the bottom. I sigh. Being of the lower class means that instead of the heated passenger cars, where travelers were shielded from the elements, I was in a storage car. Exposed to the cold. But it is all my family could afford. They sent me to this strange place for a better life. I looked out of one of the open slats in the train car and instead of the beautiful mountains and cliffs of the Italian shoreline I saw the flat plains of Kansas and had to fight back my tears. I decided to take my mind off of my homesickness by going over my mother's instructions again. Take a boat to the harbor in New York. Take the train to Dwyer, Kansas. Find old family friends Cinna and Portia Benvenuto. Have them take me to my new employer, Gale Hawethorne.

I came from a family of fisherman. We had always thrived in the rich waters off the coast of Italy. But in that past year my father, uncles, and brothers have came back nearly empty handed on almost every fishing trip. So when the Benvenuto's sent word that a respectful man in their community had lost his wife and was looking for someone to help run his household I insisted that I go. I wanted to be able to help my family, so I immediately sent word that I would be there as soon as possible. I was scared, but I would be strong for my loved ones.

The train lurched to a halt, and I suddenly realized that it was nearly dark out, and I had no idea how to find the Benvenuto's. I scrambled to my feet and stumbled off of the train just as the engineer was placing my trunk on the platform. I smiled at the man and nodded a thank you. He tipped his hat and walked back to the front of the train, leaving me alone in a sea of people.

I had done my best to learn some English before coming here, but had only succeded in learning a few phrases such as 'yes' 'no' 'please' and 'thank you'. Simply the basics. So there I was, desperately searching for someone to help me. I walked up to a man and tried my best to convey my question to him, "Please…Where….Benvenuto's?"

He simply scoffed and pushed me aside.

Next I walked up to a couple and once again tried my hardest to make sense of my question. "Please. Please. Were….Benvenuto's?"

They apologized and walked past me.

I sighed in defeat and sat down on my trunk.

I felt the sting of tears welling up in my eyes and for the first time I let them spill over.

I jumped when I heard someone clear their voice behind me. I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes and turned to see a man with dirty blonde hair and a scraggy beard.

"You must be Miss Everdeen." I nodded and offered my hand as I was told was customary here. He stared at it for a moment and reluctantly shook it. He seemed…odd, almost like he'd had no interaction with a human being in quite some time.

I gave a tentative smile, "Katniss."

"My name is Haymich, Haymich Abernathy. The Benvenuto's told me you would be arriving soon. Ill be your transport to them." He made no attempt to smile as he led me to a wooden buggy with two rust colored horses in front of it. I glanced from the buggy, back to him a few times. I hoped he would catch the hint soon. There was no way I could get into the buggy without making a fool of myself, and I had no earthly idea how to ask. He glared at me for a second. "Listen sweetheart, in case you haven't noticed I'm not to good at this whole gentleman thing, so if you could just help yourself, that would be great." I just stared blankly at him. I had no idea what he was saying. After a moment he huffed and walked over to help me. With me safely in the buggy he went to retrieve my trunk. Once he had my trunk secure he hoped up beside me and took hold of the reigns. I smiled shyly at him as he put the buggy into motion. Before no time we pulled up to a large wooden house. I barely get out of the buggy before I was being gripped tightly in a hug. I pulled away to see a woman with hair like a ravens feathers in tight ringlets and eyes that sparkled like the ocean. I assumed this was Portia.

"Cio! Come siete! Oh sei bella!" (Hello! How are you! Oh you are beautiful!) her words were rushed and her smile was genuine. I couldn't help but smile as she led me into the house. Her words comforted me. To know that someone here could speak my native tongue was absolutely indescribable.

Cinna quickly unloaded my trunk and thanked Mr. Abernathy who simply grunted and drove away. The couple introduced me to their daughter, Effie. She was a lovely you lady. Six years old and looked just like her father, sandy hair, green eyes, olive skin. Cinna and Portia wasted no time getting to know me and making sure I got to know them. Later in the night I Portia insisted I get some rest. I assured her I was fine to stay up and talk, but she wouldn't take no for answer. She showed me to my room for the night. She hugged me tightly and wished me a goodnights sleep so that I could be ready for a long day tomorrow.

She shut the door and I sat on the feather bed, my stomach was in knots as I thought about the next day. I wasn't exactly sure what my job would entail, but from the description given to me by Portia I would be somewhat of a live in nanny and maid. The maid portion of my job did not intimidate me the least. It was the nanny portion that made me nervous. I'd never cared for children that weren't family before. Besides I wasn't even sure how many children he had! For all I knew he had 20 little ones running ramped! And what if the children didn't like me? What about the language barrier between us?

I tossed and turned as the questions flitted through my mind until I finally became so exhausted I drifted into a light sleep.

When I awakened the next morning I was surprised to find a washtub in my room with a small bar of soap and a fresh towel on the end of my bed. On top of the towel was a note:

Pensiero si potrebbe desiderare di lavarsi.

-Portia

(Thought you might want to wash)

I smiled and shed my night gown and proceeded to run a brush through my deep brown locks before sinking into the tub. I sighed as the warm water relaxed my sore muscles. I quickly washed, paying special attention to my hair, and got out of the tub. I dried myself and dressed in a crisp baby blue dress and navy petticoat. I brushed my hair dry and braided it down the back.

Breakfast was wonderful. Portia taught me to make biscuits and gravy, and it was delicious. But all too soon Cinna told me it was time to be going. I sighed and hugged Portia and Effie before following Cinna to the buggy waiting outside with my trunk already secured into the back. He helped me step up onto the buggy and I sat on the bench waiting for him. He told his family goodbye and we began our way towards the Hawethorne household.

Everything was quiet upon our arrival. When I reached the door I saw a small girl with auburn colored hair. She looked at me with fearful eyes that made my heart break. I smiled at her and said hello. She ran away and came back towing a tall muscled man. He just stood there staring at me. His eyes were cold and his face was made of harsh sharp lines. Cinna brought my trunk to the front door and greeted the man before me. Gale. My employer. My heart sank along with my hopes of having a happy experience

Cinna pulled me to the side and gave me a tight hug and spoke to me in hushed Italian, "You take care of yourself. You always had a fire in your eyes when you were younger, and I still see it there today. Do not let that fire extinguish. Best of luck to you my girl on fire." Cinna apologized to Gale for having to leave so quickly but promised to stop by in a few days to check on how things were going. Once Cinna was gone Gale turned abruptly and gestured for me to follow. We stopped once we reached the small kitchen.

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