Chapter Two

"Hey Peeta," a sweet voice called out. "Ready to go to school?"

Katniss. Peeta would recognise that lovely voice anywhere. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw her walk into the kitchen where Peeta was currently kneading some bread. "Soon!" He blushed a little when he thought about the dream he'd had last night. It was only a simple one where himself and Katniss walked into the woods, hand in hand, and had a picnic. He woke up shortly after she leant over and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek, then gave him the brightest of smiles and leaned into his side. It was not a particularly embarrassing dream, but it was one of many he'd been having recently which found Katniss being his girlfriend. The more embarrassing part was how much he actually enjoyed these simple dreams, and how much his mood would improve after having one. He hasn't actually told Katniss about them, nor is he planning to. Even if he wanted to, he feared that she would see how much he enjoyed them, which was not an option. Even though they were best friends, he would not like to test their friendship by telling her about the dreams – who knew how she would react? She would probably freak out – possibly not even talk to him. Oh no, their friendship was worth more to him than that.

He has now enjoyed a friendship with Katniss since the first day of school, which was a few years ago. They have gone through many, many highs and lows, including her father's death, which happened a couple of years back. It was a horrible time for both himself and Katniss – sure, he hadn't known Mr. Everdeen as well as Katniss, but he'd treated Peeta almost like a second son in the time he had known him, and his death had made an impact on him too. But Katniss had taken the sudden departure particularly hard – not only had she lost her father, she'd lost her mother to depression shortly after. Peeta and his father tried to help out as best as they could – at least making sure there was always some food to eat, but despite it all, it forced Katniss to grow up too early, as the responsibility of looking after her sister, Prim, fell down to her. It broke Peeta's heart to watch this happen without him being able to help her more, but it has made Katniss into a stronger woman.

Peeta and Katniss regularly went into the woods to get food there, too. He had once tried hunting for game with Katniss, but after several frustrating trips where Katniss complained that he walked so loudly he scared away all game within a mile's radius, they decided it'd be better if he foraged berries and other edible plants whilst Katniss hunted for game. Either way, it worked out for them, and they would meet at the end and pile all of their food and split it. Generally, Peeta only took some of the berries and perhaps a squirrel or two for his father, and left everything else for Katniss to trade, either with people at the hob, peacekeepers, or people from town.

Sometimes, in the woods, Peeta would stop what he was doing to just simply watch Katniss hunt. He'd always found her beautiful and captivating, and often recalls the first time he'd ever seen her, and he knows deep down that nothing has changed from the little boy who'd gotten sweaty palms and nervous over the girl with the beautiful voice. When Katniss hunts, she looks completely free and happy, which is something he rarely saw in her after her father died.

Peeta realised he'd zoned out whilst Katniss was talking to him when all what he saw was a hand wave in front of his face. "Hello, earth to Peeta?" she said, "Anyone in there?"

When Peeta turned around to her, he saw a smile on her face, and couldn't help but smile back and think of how beautiful she was when she smiled. "What's up?"

"I've been talking to you for five minutes and you've been in your own little world! What were you thinking about?" She smirked. "Was it Delly? I could see you blushing a little."

"Katniss... for the last time, I don't like Delly that way."

"She's awfully pretty and you two seemed pretty cosy in the library the other day..." I swatted at her, and she jumped back, a teasing smile on her face. "Peeta and Delly..."

"We were working on a project... and she sure is pretty, but I know far prettier girls." Peeta smiled to himself.

"Oh?" Katniss poked Peeta in the ribs, just like the way they would when they were kids. "Like who?"

"Unfortunately...If I told you, I'd have to kill you." Peeta replied, poking her back, covering her in a little flour.

She scrunched up her face a little as she wiped it off her top. "Fine!" She sulked a little. "Are you ready yet?"

Peeta nodded as he put the loaves of bread in the oven, called out to his dad to keep an eye on them, took off his apron then picked up his school bag.

He'd fallen in love with Katniss from the moment he'd first ever laid eyes on her, and nothing had ever changed. He still got the butterflies in his stomach when they'd brush hands. Whenever she wasn't around, he was constantly thinking about her (apparently even now in his dreams). Whenever he saw her, his mood instantly lightened. He couldn't imagine his life without Katniss in it. Whenever there was a reaping, he was stood there the entire time, hoping with all of his might that Katniss' name would not be drawn. Which had worked up until now, but unfortunately, their 5th reaping was coming up tomorrow.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Katniss said, looking at him a little concerned.

"I was just thinking about Reaping Day actually." Peeta replied. Oh, how he hoped it would not be Katniss' name drawn. If her name was drawn, there would be very little he could do, unless he volunteered as the male tribute – which Katniss wouldn't like anyway. They'd made a pact a couple of years back, that if Katniss' name ever got drawn, Peeta would make sure Prim was cared for. Which he couldn't do, if he volunteered.

Katniss' expression darkened. "It's Prim's first tomorrow. She keeps having nightmares."

Peeta had completely forgotten that it was Prim's first Reaping Day tomorrow - she was 12 now. "Don't worry, Katniss. It's her first year – her name will only be in there once. She wont get picked." When her worried expression didn't fade, he gave her a tight hug. "She wont, I promise."

Peeta could feel Katniss gripping to his back. "I know...I know. It's just that...Well, Prim is Prim. Her name shouldn't be in there at all. She's too pure, too innocent... too young." Peeta felt her sigh then withdraw from their hug. "I just wish that sometimes we could all escape. Just one day disappear into the woods and never come back. You, me, Prim, perhaps we could take my mother along..."

"Well, you know what would happen then... If we got caught, we'd either be killed or worse, have our tongues cut out. You know about the Avoxes, Katniss."

"If we got caught. We could do it, me and you."

"Yes, we could. What about Prim and your mother?"

She sighed and we started walking again with a far away expression on her face. "Yeah, true. It would be great though, wouldn't it? If we could just live in the woods..."

Peeta remembers the free and happy Katniss he sees when they go to the woods and he can't help but agree with her.