A/N: If you're thinking, Hey, I felt like I've read this before, it's probably because you have. I stopped writing this story like a year ago because I was so busy. I deleted the first version I had, though. The first three chapters are mainly the same as the first version, but I'm adding and deleting a few deets here and there. I think in the first version, Peeta and Prim were planning on making Katniss enter their school talent show or something. But I felt like if I wrote something that had a talent show in it, it'd be too clichéand common, so… yeah. Oh, and sorry for any grammar mistakes, misspelled words, etc., and also Suzanne Collins owns Katniss and Peeta and all dem other awesome potatoes.
KATNISS
After yesterday's eye interaction (I don't know what to call it, so that's what I'm sticking with), I've been looking forward to seeing the boy with the bread.
Right now I am hunting. We're running low on food, so I'm planning on getting some squirrels to trade with the wealthier people in my area…
And Peeta, I realize, is part of those wealthy people.
But that doesn't matter… right?
Sighing, I jump off a tree and duck under the wiring of the electric fence that was currently off.
I walk to the mayor's house and trade with his daughter, Madge. Then, I go to Greasy Sae, a well-known lady from the Hob. The Hob is our black market, and it's the way I get supplies for my family. We trade, and finally, I decide to go the baker's house.
And the baker's son is…
Peeta.
I take a deep breath and ring the doorbell.
No one answers the door.
I ring the doorbell again, but no one answers it.
I sigh and start walking home.
It's okay, I think. At least you didn't get to embarrass yourself. But some part of me is wishing that someone (hopefully Peeta) had opened the door.
I look up at the sky and notice the gray clouds that are forming above. I keep walking, praying that it wouldn't rain. I don't know what I would do in the rain: dance or cry.
Soon though, I feel a drop of rain on my face. I try to walk faster; the urge to dance and cry is starting to slow me down.
The rain is coming down faster now, and I keep my head down so no one passing by can see the tears that were threatening to fall.
THUNK.
"Ow!" I say, putting my hand to my forehead.
"I'm so sor— Katniss?" A person says, and I look up into the eyes that have been on my mind since yesterday.
"Peeta?" I ask.
"What're you doing out here in the rain?" he asks. "Get under the umbrella, you'll get sick." he demands.
I do as he says and answer his question with a statement. "You know, I could ask you the same question," I say, raising an eyebrow.
He looks at me and laughs. "You're right," he replies. He takes in my appearance and notices my hunting bag. "Were you trading?"
"Yes," I answer. "I was going to trade with your father, but no one opened the door when I rang the doorbell."
"Well, we can trade now," he says. "If you want to, I mean," he quickly adds, and I find myself getting lost in his eyes.
"Sure," I mumble, as a blush creeps onto my face. Did he notice me staring at him?
"C'mon," he says with a smile.
I follow him to his house, and give him the squirrel when we reach his house.
"Here's your squirrel," I say.
As he takes the squirrel, his hands brush mine, and I feel a spark.
His smile grows even wider, and he welcomes me inside.
"Are you sure?" I ask. I've heard rumors of how his mother didn't like kids from the Seam, which is a nickname for where I live.
"Yeah, of course. No one except us is here." he says, and I end up blushing again.
"So, uh, where 's your family?" I ask stupidly.
"They're at Delly's house, they won't be here for another hour." Peeta answers.
"Oh," I reply. People say that Delly's family and Peeta's family are very close friends. I didn't realize how close they were until now. Does this mean that Peeta and Delly have a relationship?
Why would I care if Peeta had a girlfriend? I'm really over thinking this.
"Over thinking what?" Peeta asks.
Did I say that out loud?
"Uh, I was over thinking… actually, wondering—" I pause. What am I wondering about? "I was wondering what you're going to give me, because, you know, we're trading." I finish blabbering.
Peeta doesn't seem to notice how awkward feel. "I was thinking about giving you some of these cookies." He puts a box of cookies on the counter, and I gasp.
"Those are the cookies—" I begin to say, but Peeta interrupts me.
"That Prim looks at whenever she passes our bakery?"
I nod, speechless.
"Yeah, I've noticed how she looks at these. But someone," he says, pointing at me, "always pulls her away."
"Only because we have to get home," I say, defending myself.
He laughs, but suddenly stops. "Every time you pass the bakery, you have to go home?" he asks in a soft voice.
My mouth is suddenly dry. "I— I have to. Or else she'll just stand there and look…" I trail off, and notice how close we are to each other.
From here, I can see how the blue in his eyes darkens as it nears the pupil.
"Look at…?" he says in a low voice, and it's clear that we're not talking about Prim anymore.
I try to speak, but no words are coming out.
When I don't respond, Peeta grabs my shoulders. "Katniss, I—"
He's cut off by the sound of footsteps and we both freeze.
I want to turn and look at who is there so badly, but the bewildered expression on Peeta's face tells me not to.
Please don't be her, please don't be her, I repeat in my head.
Finally, after what seemed like years, Peeta says one word.
"Mom?"