I didn't think things like the social hierarchy mattered in a world where the value of money was completely disregarded and it was more than obvious that if you hated one person you had more than the means to make them 'go away'. I wonder if that's why Clove seemed so indifferent. Was she like me, pissed off at the world because her parents try to buy her love? Or was she like Gale, indifferent because of how much power has gotten into his head?

Stop it Peeta, put an end to those bad thoughts. Now is not the time to mentally abuse Gale (who is probably somewhere in District twelve probably getting it hot and heavy with some guy on the diving team).

"So you should know by now that the Olympics give off a high popularity mark." Foxface settled herself in her arm chair, and instinctively I did the same.

We were in the library and heavens above it was amazing in here! So many books, I seriously doubt anyone knew just how many there actually were. Chairs, much like the one I was sitting in, were full and plump cushioned as well as numerous despite the low number of students. The tables were round and placed here and there strategically away from one another to offer privacy which I thought was incredibly thoughtful of the faculty.

I tentatively listened to Foxface as she broke it down for me; how systems worked and how peace was achieved and maintained.

"Number one rule twelve, No messing up with the hierarchy or the social groups. Everyone will get their chance to appear during filming for propos during the elimination. If you truly wanna be in the Olympics because you honest to God want to pursue that sport, you become a Career. But if you're in it for the pros and getting filmed as well as having your face broadcasted all over the world then you do your best to be in the final five."

Huh, so there was a sort of agreement between the students and the Careers? I wonder how you do that though, become a Career I mean. Supposedly there was some sort of initiation but I bet the Careers shift every four years since they have to graduate eventually.

"Number two. You sign up for one arena and one arena only. Give your everything towards your specialty. Attempting to throw yourself into two competitions is suicidal seeing as not only will you be competing neck and neck with the rest of the student body, you'll also find yourself against the twelve sister schools if you win against the Careers."

Don't be a show off or bite of more than you can chew. Well that was easy enough to remember.

"Number three; respect the decisions made. If teachers think that you are not qualified for the sport then you don't play. You don't breathe a word against it and just lay low and let whoever it was chosen to lead the Capitol to victory and you do your damned hardest to support them."

I'm pretty sure only someone obsessed with a certain sport would dare compete despite several teachers denying him the privilege to do so. Foxface caught my confused face but it wasn't her who saved my mind from an impending headache.

"It's usually a rule meant for the Careers. We're bound to follow the rules as well." I looked up; Marvel Florence. This guy keeps showing up everywhere.

Presently, I gave Marvel a one over glance taking in everything I'd seen from a distance. His eyes were a lot more green than I thought and his hair really did have a splashed mix of black and blonde giving me the impression of some dye. Maybe it was done self handedly. It would explain the odd and weird result.

My observation of Marvel's hair was cut off when he extended a hand for me to take.

"Marvel Florence." He smiled warmly.

"Peeta Mellark." I handed my palm over and his grip tightened, then he jerked me up and off of my seat. I stumbled and had to look up to see his eyes since I barely brushed by his cheeks. He tightened his grip even more and I not being one to really back down, retaliated, holding onto him a bit harder.

"Nice hold and a firm grip." He seemed impressed. Marvel turned to Foxface, a smile gracing his features, his emerald eyes lighting up. "Is he competing against me?"

"Not really sure yet." Foxface drawled out, looking extremely bored. "I'm hoping he'll play with Clove but if you think he'd be a fair fight then by all means, convince him. Better yet, why not ask him since he's, after all, right there in front of you."

"What about it Peeta?"" Marvel's gaze moved back to me and I felt myself inwardly freeze from the intensity of the green of his eyes. Up close it was a happy looking color of lime mixed with brown. Most definitely pretty and tantalizing.

It took me a full minute to realize he was talking to me. Oh shit. I couldn't figure out how to respond and I'm pretty sure he realized just how spacey and so not with him during the conversation I was.

"Already picking off the worthy fighters Marvel?" The green gaze went away- thank heavens~- and Marvel's attention crept to the new comer. It was the platinum blonde guy. "I'd think you'd give them at least a day before deeming them worthless. I mean, the Olympics isn't until Friday. Cut the new meat some slack!"

I watched with a loud heart as he tugged Marvel forward and gave him a smacking kiss on the cheek. Oh wow. That is so ironic. Girls would drop dead for a guy like Marvel or platinum blonde and here they were, so incredibly touchy feely and yes maybe they only have such a comfortable approach towards kisses and hugs because they've developed the bromantic relationship level but chances are is that they both swing that way. Poor depressed fan girls. I envy you the slightest.

"Hello to you too, Cato." Foxface, who I hope wasn't one of them, breathed out and was notably ignored. She didn't seem to bothered so I gather it happens on a regular basis.

My eyes drifted back to the blonde, Cato Maice, who I had not gotten the pleasure of meeting or seeing earlier really took my breath away. Considering the fact that he'd also given Marvel a kiss on the cheek truly further proves my theory of him being my kind of guy.

Whoa Peeta, you sound somewhat like Sharpay Evans. Down. Though this could be overlooked seeing as Cato was buff and had baby blue eyes that shone under the library fairy lights. He had that platinum hair I didn't have (yes, I repeatedly note this because both my brothers have this color and I am somewhat envious because it makes me seem like I'm adopted) and he was a good head taller than me which pissed me off as well as made me smile all at the same time.

"If you're planning on going against Marvie over here, best you think again Blondie." I felt an arm warp around my shoulders and glanced up only to be stunned by baby blue.

"Umm..." did he just call me Blondie? "Peeta."

Cato's face scrunched up adorably. "Are you hungry?"

"What?" I glanced around, it didn't seem like lunch time yet. Foxface seemed like she wanted to laugh and Marvel had either gained the ability to turn invisible or decided to skip and disappeared to do something else.

"You said pita." Cato brought my focus back to him. "Do you want bread or what? I bet the cafeteria has better pastries or something though."

Oh... Foxface lost it and burst out laughing. I bet my next good night's rest that all the blood in my body's rushed up to my face and it made Cato grin this absolutely adorable grin that made me feel like grape jelly. I wonder how does one smile like he's at the top of the world when he's made an absolute fool of himself.

"Peeta's his name dumb ass!" Foxface finally let out between her giggles. I gave her my bestest glare which made her laugh even more and I let out an air of frustration.

"Oh." Cato tossed his head back a bit before getting out a laugh of his own, his cheeks slightly red. I guess he was a bit embarrassed. "My bad. Thought you missed breakfast and was hungry."

A small laugh came out of my own mouth and Cato grinned a bit more.

"Much better." He let out, ruffling my hair. "The Capitol isn't as bad as it seems at first Peeta bread. Perhaps you just need some time to get used to all this competitive energy."

With a final ruffle of my hair, he waltzed away. I glanced back at Foxface who was smiling too happily before looking back at where Cato had gone, a bit surprised to see Marvel materialize out of nowhere (Damn, Harry Potter must have given him the invincibility cloak) then they both went out of sight (through a door this time though, and I made sure to watch their exit).

"Well, well, well." Foxface let out a small chuckle. "Isn't this an interesting sort of evens."

I turned back to her and sat back down on the fluffy chair. I sent her gleeful look a doubtful face to which she simply shrugged and let out a sigh in reply.

"Ah twelve." She giggled out which made me think she was simply deranged. "You stir such promising trouble."

I let out a frustrated sigh at her vexing words before glancing around when several people started to clear out. Guess my free period's run out. I grabbed my bag before giving Foxface a salute. "Thanks for that."

"My pleasure." She called out, unaffected by my apparent rush to leave. "Have fun in English with Glimmer and Caelum!"

I didn't really think too deep into what he said and shuffled on forward. We all looked abnormally the same in our uniforms. A sea of gray and black and blue. It wasn't like this is District twelve where I was free to wear my cargo pants and long sleeved shirts. The beret Gale gave me as an anniversary present sitting on top of my head. I miss that... and God, it's only been two weeks since I last hear or saw him, but I missed the idiot too.

He and I didn't really fall out. We've been friend since we were five, sitting in the sandbox where preparatory students were allowed to play in after nap time and when the sun would hide behind the clouds. Up until high school, Gale was my best friend. When I came out to my class when I was twelve, he stood up for me and when I was thirteen, managed to get the entire school to respect me. Not that District twelve entertained bullying of any sort, but at least no one made verbal comments on it anymore.

When I turned fifteen, Gale managed to make me fall in love with him. Or I think that was me being an idiot and misreading his friendliness for moves that were nothing but innocent. Course he was my best friend and he humored me up to the point where he'd taken a number of my firsts. First kiss, first date, first lingering touches.

Basically all the firsts that called matter, including my first heart break. Gale had cheated on me, and it's not like I haven't forgiven him for it yet- I truly have forgiven him. It didn't take no more than two months of me resisting him and his advances.

"Peeta we need to talk!" It was all it took for me to get out of there before the tears started to fall. It had been two months of keeping them at bay while avoiding Gale altogether. He seemed determined to apologize though and all I could do was keep running.

I didn't want to face him. Who knew how fast I'd crumple up like unwanted paper? I bet I'd break the world record and go down in five seconds flat.

"Peeta please!" Hands flew and I found my wrists caught in a strong grip. I tried to pull back, relentlessly, tugging at the firms holds but believe me- believe me- it was no easy feat. Most definitely not an easy feat.

"Just let go of me Gale!" Had that been my voice? It sounded so high, and sounded so shrill. "You cheated on me!"

"I know and I can explain!" More tugging, an even harsher pulling and I fell into a warm embrace. I did not want to be there. It sucked feeling so comfortable and protected in such a traitorous embrace. "I slept with Torren."

Again... was that me that gave that strangled cry? Was it my voice that broke when he repeatedly said that as if smacking me in the face? Actually, I'd rather he went with the physical abuse. I didn't want to hear him say it anymore. Dammit, I just wanted to smack my head against the wall until Torren Flurry no longer existed in the world.

"Please listen." One hand moved to stroke through my hair and I couldn't move away. The embrace was too familiar! This was Gale! My Gale... "I couldn't force you into sleeping with me Peeta. I was upset. I was upset and I needed release and I wasn't going to get it from you. I couldn't do it to you so I turned to someone who I couldn't care less about because I just needed release. No strings attached, no good mornings the following day. Nothing."

Of course I appreciated that. He was thinking of me, or at least some small part of him which hadn't been thinking with his dick, was thinking of me and instead of raping me or possibly convincing me to do it with him (which he can, believe me- he has the power) he sought the relief from someone else.

Maybe it wasn't because I wasn't good enough, but it might have been that too. I mean, Gale hadn't started out as gay and I bet that I lacked a lot in the boob department too but he'd told me he wanted to try it. So that doubt got kicked out of my mind faster than my cupcakes running out during the annual District twelve acquaintance party.

I think maybe Gale and I weren't meant to last for forever. He was my best friend, is my best friend... and as I settled down for English in another one of the Capitol's simple chairs that were gathered around the seemingly simple table to await whatever lesson the professor chose, I accept the fact that that's all Gale will be to me.

Thank you to my two reviewers (Little Miss Innocent Liar, indyartboy)! And so we have it, Peeta's trying to let go of everything that ties him to District twelve and next chapter we get to talk to Glimmer and Caelum. I sought after Cato's happy side because his darker side will come in later.

Thoughts?