Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins does.

Ch: 2 Partners

Peeta's POV:

I woke up to my alarm. Another amazing day in the life of me. I thought sarcastically. I got up and went to my bathroom. I opened the cabinet under my sink and took out my razor. One for each of them: my dad, Rye, and Wheat. It was December 10th. Three cuts on each wrist. It's been six years since they died. I now had a total of eighteen cuts, nine on each wrist. I took out some gauze and wrapped it around my wrist. After I brushed my teeth, I got dressed in a pair of black jeans, a blue t-shirt, and my black hoodie to cover my scars. When I was dressed, I left my house and walked to school.

I was at my locker getting my books out for Math and Biology when my friends came over to me.

"Hey Peeta."

I tried to put on my best smile and turned around to see my friends Marvel, Cato, and Gale along with their girlfriends Glimmer, Clove, and Madge respectively.

"Hey guys. What's up?"

I got a couple of nothing much and everything's fine.

"So Peeta, are you coming to the football game," Gale asked.

I really wanted to go to the game. Our team had miraculously made it to state, but I doubt that my mom would let me go. She barely lets me leave the house. I thought bitterly.

"I can't. I have to work at the bakery." I lied. I didn't want them to know about my mom.

We had workers tonight to help prep food tonight. We were expecting to be busy enough because of the game.

"But Peeta, you have to go. It's the state championship," Madge begged, "I'm surprised that we made it to state since our team sucks."

"Yeah Peeta, this may be the only time that our team may make it to state," Clove added.

Glimmer, Clove, and Madge all gave me the puppy eyes. I was going to regret saying this, but I wanted them to stop.

"Alright, alright, I'll go just stop it with the puppy eyes."

They cheered. Now I just have to find out how to sneak out of the house without mom finding out. The bell rang; letting us know that class would start soon.

"See you all at lunch."

"Bye Peeta. See you then."

We headed off to our classes.

Katniss's POV:

I woke up to my little sister jumping up and down on me.

"Katniss, wake up or we're gonna be late to school."

"Alright, I'm up; I'm up."

I got dressed and ready for school. I went downstairs to eat breakfast.

"Good morning mom."

When I sat down at the table, my mom placed a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me.

"Good morning sweetheart. Eat up. You and Prim have to leave in ten minutes."

"Okay mom."

We quickly ate our food and got in my car. When we got to school, I told Prim that I would meet her in front of the school so we could go home.

"See ya later, Little Duck."

"Bye Katniss. See you after school."

I went to my locker to meet up with my best friend Johanna.

"Hey brainless, what took you so long?"

"I had to drop off my sister. Calm down, Johanna." I told her as I was getting my books for Biology and History.

I had barely closed my locker when Jo started dragging me to Biology.

"Jo, slow down. Why are you in such a hurry?!"

"I want to sit in the back."

I rolled my eyes at Johanna. When we got to Biology, Johanna rushed me into the back corner of the classroom.

"Come on, brainless. I don't have all day."

"Well, I could go faster if you stopped pushing me."

Johanna just ignored me and kept pushing me until we got to the back.

"There I stopped pushing you."

"I wanted you to stop pushing me earlier."

"Too late for that brainless."

We sat down, waiting for class to start. We talked about what we did over the weekend.

"So are you finally going to ask him out?"

I felt my face flush. She didn't have to say his name because I already knew who she was taking about.

"What are you crazy? You know I can't."

"Well, why not? I know that you've had a crush on him since 1st grade."

"You know why Jo."

I was about to say more when he walked into the room. The guy that I've had a crush on since first grade, Peeta Mellark. I've never actually talked to him before, but I know a lot about him. He's nice and polite to everyone he meets and helps everyone that he can. I know that his favorite color is sunset orange. He likes to bake, play guitar, and is an amazing artist. His birthday is June 26. He double knots his shoelaces. He works at the local bakery that his mom owns. He's also never had a girlfriend yet. He also hasn't seemed as happy as he used to be before high school. His smile doesn't reach his eyes anymore, and he seems sadder.I'm not a stalker, just a really curious and observant girl.

I was snapped out of my thoughts when Jo snapped her fingers in front of my face.

"I know that you don't have a brain, brainless; but I didn't think your head would be that empty."

I swatted her hand away.

"I was thinking Jo. I do have a brain up here, despite what you think."

"Well I don't care what you think. Now pay attention class is starting."

Right when she said that, our teacher walked in. I sat forward trying to pay attention to what our teacher was saying, but I kept thinking about Peeta and if I would ever be able to ask him out.

(Last Period of School)

Peeta's POV:

I was heading to art class. Art was the only thing I actually looked forward to in school. I was drawing the sun setting over the ocean in my sketch book. I was almost done with the sketch when I ran into someone.

"Ow!"

"Oh shit. I'm so sorry. I wasn't paying attention."

"Don't worry I'm all right."

She looked up at me, and I saw what she looked like. She had grey eyes, dark hair, and a slender build. She was wearing a forest green t-shirt, jeans, and converse. I held my hand out for her to take. Her face flushed; but she took it, and I pulled her up.

"Thank you."

"You're welcome…" I trailed off, hoping that she would fill in her name.

"Katniss, Katniss Everdeen."

"Yeah, uh, sorry for running into you," I apologized again.

"No, it's my fault. I wasn't paying attention," she said.

I swear I saw her cheeks redden a little bit. I wonder why.

"If that's the case, then it's my fault, too. I was sketching."

"What were you sketching?"

"It was just a sunset."

I showed her the sketch.

"This is really beautiful, Peeta."

I felt blood rush to my cheeks.

"Thanks."

"Are you heading to Art?"

"Yeah, Art with Effie Trinket. What about you?"

"Same as you actually."

"I didn't know that you were in my class."

"That's alright." Katniss shrugged her shoulders. "I usually sit in the back."

"Do you want to walk to class together?"

That felt really awkward to ask.

"Sure, Peeta."

We walked to Effie Trinket's class in silence. It wasn't an awkward silence, but a comfortable silence. It was nice. When we got to Ms. Trinket's class, I sat down in the front; while Katniss sat in the back. After everyone got to class Ms. Trinket started the class. Effie Trinket was a really peppy lady in her mid-thirty's who was obsessed with manners. She wore a different colored wig every week over her white hair. Whenever something setback anything on her schedule, she freaks. It's pretty funny actually. She also says, "We have a big, big, big day." Every day.

"We have a big, big, big day." The whole class groaned in response. "We are going to do a project with partners. I have already picked out your partners, so don't bother picking."

The class let out another groan. She started reading through the list of names. I zoned out until I heard my name.

"Peeta Mellark and Katniss Everdeen."