This chapter is a little longer then the previous. I promise as the story progresses the chapters will get longer and better! Thank you to everyone who reviewed the last chapter and told me their opinions! This is my first fanfiction that I've shared with people and it makes me want to write more hearing that you guys love it! Keep reviewing and telling me your opinions! Enjoy this chapter!

FOREWARNING: It might take me a while to upload the next chapter. I have so much school work that needs to get done, but every time i get a chance i will update! But please don't leave me! I love everyone who reads my stories :)

Chapter 2

The next day at lunch I finally decide to confront Katniss about yesterday. I walk over to her usual table and stare at her, all words lost. When she finally notices my presents, she looks up from her book and gives me a questioning look.

"Hi. C-can I sit here?" She nods her head and I take the seat across from her. She goes back to reading her book as I start to stare at her once again. She has a black eye from the punch yesterday that is prominent on her face. It leaves me with guilt knowing that I couldn't get to her before the punch to defend her. I suddenly realize that I'm still staring at her and look towards my usual table at lunch for a distraction. Delly sits there with her friend talking and eating. She turns her head in my direction and gives me a reassuring smile. My cheeks turn red and I quickly look away from her. I clear my throat and Katniss looks up from her book to give me another questioning look. "Look," I begin. "About yesterday-"

Katniss quickly cuts me off and says, "I've been meaning to thank you. I don't know anyone who would stand up for me." I stare at her in shock as I realize that Katniss Everdeen is actually talking to me.

"You don't need to thank me. They were stupid for hurting you."

"I'm not just thanking you for yesterday though. I'm also thanking you for when you took that beating for me so many years ago. And for giving me the burnt bread. Why did you do it?"

"Because no one should have to suffer like you do. And if those guys ever hurt you again, let me know so I can beat them up," I say with a smile. She smiles back at me and we become silent again until the bell rings. I get to my feet and look at Katniss. "Well, I guess I'll see you around." I turn around to leave, but there is something else I want to say to Katniss before I leave. I turn around to face her and stare into her eyes. "By the way, I would take a beating for you any day." Satisfied, I turn around and walk to class with a smile on my face.

Later after school, as I walk outside I notice Katniss walking by herself and quicken my pace to catch up to her. "Hey, can I walk you home?"

"Um, I'm actually not heading home right now," she says with an uncomfortable look on her face.

"Well, where are going then?"

"Can you keep a secret?" I nod my head in confusion. "I'm going into the woods to hunt. My family can't afford food so I go hunting for it."

There are many things I know about Katniss, but this is not one of them. I knew her family couldn't afford food, but I never considered how they were surviving without it. I'm suddenly terrified by the thought of Katniss in the woods outside the district hunting animals. If I couldn't protect her from the punch the other day, then I can make it up by going with her to the woods.

"Mind if I join you?" She looks at me like I'm crazy, but she nods anyways. We walk in silence for the rest of the way to the fence surrounding district 12. When we finally reach it, we step under it and into the woods. I've never been outside district 12 before, but I love the feel of it. I feel like I'm free. Like I can breath for the first time in my life. The woods are so full of life. Birds fly freely above our heads humming to an unfamiliar tune. The trees sway in the wind, letting its colored leaves fall to the ground below my feet. The sun shines through the tress leaving a ray of light and illumination the forest to life. I turn to find Katniss smiling at me. I smile back at her and continue to take in my surroundings.

"Beautiful, isn't it?"

"I've never seen anything so full of life. It's magnificent."

"Well, I'm going to go a little bit further into the woods to hunt, so if you want to stay then wait here." I nod as she turns and walks away.

It feels like only minutes before she returns with a hunting bag full of dead animals. She sees me staring at the bag and turns to leave again.

"Where are you going?"

"I have to skin the animals, but you look uncomfortable so I'll go somewhere else to skin them."

"I'm not uncomfortable. Stay."

"Okay." She walks over to me and sits down on the ground next to me. She pulls the first animal out and starts skinning it. I watch her with interest. The way she concentrates on skinning the animals amazes me. Her hands so steady and careful as she works. Her usual blank expression is replaced with intensity. I don't realize that my mouth is slightly open as I watch her until she looks up at me. I quickly close my mouth and turn my head the other way to hide the redness in my cheeks. When she goes back to skinning I turn my head towards her again.

"You must be a good hunter if you caught so many animals in such a short amount of time. Maybe one day you can teach me how to hunt and skin animals."

"You want to learn to hunt?" Katniss asks puzzled.

"Yeah, it looks fun." I reply with a small shrug and smile.

"Fine. Meet me here on Sunday and we can hunt together."

"Sounds like a plan." We are silent until she finishes skinning all the animals and she gets up from the ground.

"It's getting late. I should start heading back home."

"I can walk you home." I say and get up from the ground. She nods her head and we head out of the woods and into the Seam. When we reach her house we stop and I turn to look at her. I'm about to say goodnight when she kisses me on the cheek. Her lips against mine send an electric current through my body, leaving me wanting more.

"Thank you for staying with me tonight. It feels good having a friend to spend time with." And with that she walks away from me and into her house, leaving me paralyzed and speechless.