Quick author's note. Please feel free to critique. As I have said before, this is very new to me, so I be happy to hear some. Thank you so much to those of you who have read, reviewed, favorited and followed. I do not have a Beta, so if anyone is interested, let me know!

Chapter Three

"What?" Peeta remembered the conversation. He hadn't been sure that he heard his brother correctly. "Katniss Everdeen. You know who that is right? I seem to remember her name coming up a couple times over the last 19 years." Rye said with a smirk. "She asked if you were here today." Peeta was about to throw a rude gesture his brother's way, but realized that Rye wasn't joking. "She did?" "That's what Pops said, ask him."

Now, she had asked for him again. That was the second time in a week. Peeta normally felt like he was shackled to the bakery even though he enjoyed the work. It figures that one of the few times he wasn't there, the girl of his dreams happened to stop by and ask to see him… again. Just his luck he thought. He wondered what she might want but couldn't come up with any idea. He had been so shocked that she had come to his mother's funeral that he had been speechless and awkwardly thrust his hand at her to shake. Then she'd hugged him and that was all she wrote. He'd been on a whirlwind of emotions since his mother had passed away, but Katniss had unleashed a whole new set. He realized in that moment, that she cared about him. He wasn't sure why, but she had tried to comfort him. A person doesn't do that if they don't care, he thought. His whole life he had wanted to know what it would be like to be close to her and now he knew. The whole experience had felt overwhelming for him. It had felt intimate and emotionally charged. He couldn't fight the tears that had come to his eyes. She had no idea how much it meant to him that she had come. He had to tell her. He had to say something… finally. He wanted to be close to her again.

Peeta had tried to keep an eye out for her, well he always did, but now that he knew she had been asking for him, he tried to be extra visible. He even volunteered to help erect the stage for the festival because anyone going anywhere in Twelve had to pass through the square. He would definitely see her, he thought. Nope. Lots of hard, sweaty work and no Katniss, until he got home. "Your girlfriend came by again," Rye said. "You've got to be kidding me. What did she say?" Rye waggled his eyebrows and batted his eyelashes, speaking in his high pitched affectation of a girl voice, "Oh Peeeta! I just realized that I luuuuuuuv you." Peeta flicked his brother off and started up the stairs to shower before heading back to the square. "You're such a hottie! Let's make squirrel babies!" "Shut up ass hole!" He could still hear Rye laughing as he closed the bathroom door.

Katniss checked her reflection in the mirror. Although she normally wouldn't care, she wanted to look nice tonight. Prim and her mom were dressing up too, after all, and she didn't want to stick out like a shabby, sore thumb. She examined herself. She had pulled her hair up. Her long slender neck looked too thin she thought and as she began taking the hair pins out Prim walked into the bathroom. "What are you doing? Don't take it down! You look great!" "I don't know," Katniss said as she looked at what Prim was wearing. "You look very nice though." "So do you. Leave your hair up. None of the boys will know what hit them," and with that Prim left the room. "Fine, but that's NOT why I'm pinning it back up!" Katniss, smiling to herself, shoved a few pins back in place and followed.

Later that evening, music and laughter filled town square. The Harvest Festival was something Katniss looked forward to all year. It was one of the few times that the dreary town seemed filled with happiness. Friends and neighbors, seam and town alike, all joined in the festivities. There were so many things to keep the mind occupied and entertained.

The beautiful day had turned into a cloudy afternoon, but it still felt nice outside. By the time Katniss, Prim and her mom made it to the festival, the crisp air was perfect for the bonfires and lit cressets around the square. Katniss loved everything about the festival. The smell of burning fires coupled with the sweet scent of candied apples, roasted corn and all sorts of baked and grilled things made her mouth water. The lights hung low over the stage and the area in front that had been cleared for dancing cast a warm glow over the town square. Games and music, singing and laughter all combined to make the evening nothing short of magical.

Katniss realized that she had been looking for him, Peeta. The thought annoyed her a bit, but that didn't stop her from feeling disappointed. She had not seen him, anywhere. Besides, what would she say? The Harvest Festival wasn't exactly the best time to bring up his mother's funeral. For the hundredth time she told herself to put Peeta out of her mind. "KATNISS!" She turned her head toward her sister with wide eyes. "That was the third time I called your name," said Prim shaking her head and laughing at her older sister. "I wanted to get some cider. Mom, Mrs. Hawthorne and Posy want some too. Will you help me bring them back to the table?" Katniss agreed and she and Prim worked their way through the crowd.

That's when she saw him. He was standing with one of their old schoolmates by the apple cider booth eating something that looked like crepes. Crap. She felt her entire body flush with heat. Now that she was faced with actually speaking to him she found the thought rather frightening. She knew what she wanted to say to him, but this was definitely not the time. She wondered if she could possibly make it to the counter and away with the drinks without him seeing her. She just wouldn't look in his direction. Maybe his father and brother hadn't told him that she had been asking for him. She and Prim placed their order. "Are you alright" Prim asked. "You look a little flushed." "I'm fine." "Isn't that Peeta Mellark over there?" "What? Peeta? Is he looking over here," Katniss asked without turning around. "No, he's not" Prim smiled. Katniss chanced a glance over at him. He was looking right at her and Prim. She yanked her head back around. "Prim!" Prim smiled and chuckled a bit. Thankfully, the vendor walked back to them and handed the apple ciders across the counter. Prim grabbed two and asked if Katniss could manage the others. She took the drinks. When she turned she saw that both Peeta and his friend were still looking in their direction. She avoided eye contact and began following Prim back towards their table. Prim stopped without warning and Katniss ran right into her back, spilling all three of the drinks she was carrying. "Prim!" "I'm sorry! I thought we might need napkins. I didn't know you were so close behind me," she said laughing. "Are you alright?" "Well, now we definitely need them!" Katniss laughed. Sure her face was beet red. "I'm fine. Just go give those drinks to mom and come back to help me please." She looked down at herself. Luckily, although her hands and forearms were covered in sticky and hot apple cider, her dress had been missed. She chanced a glance over at Peeta to see if he had seen the spectacle and to her mortification, he was looking at her… still, with a bemused smile on his face. She grimaced and shrugged her shoulders then bent down to pick up the now empty cups, arms dripping with the cider. She felt a hand touch her shoulder and looked up to see Peeta with a wet cloth which he handed to her "Thank you," she said. Mentally begging the earth to open up and swallow her now, please. "That was pretty funny," he said. "I'm glad my misfortune amuses you." He bent down to pick up the now empty cups as she used the wet cloth to rid herself of the apple cider that still dripped from her hands. "It was like watching in slow motion. I saw it getting ready to happen, but there was nothing I could do." His face still alight with mirth. "Here" he said reaching out a hand to take the cloth from Katniss. "Let's get you some more drinks." She followed him back to the counter where the vendor was also grinning at the incident, but ready with three fresh ciders. "Geez! How many people saw that happen?" "Oh, just the entire district." Prim had returned. "Thanks Prim. That makes me feel loads better." "That's what I'm here for," said Prim smiling a too innocent smile and nodding hello to Peeta. Katniss turned to take the drinks. "Are you sure you can manage this," Peeta asked. His eyes twinkling with mirth. Katniss couldn't help but laugh. "Yes. I'll try my best." She was sure she had looked ridiculous but what could she do about that now? "Thanks for your help Peeta." "Any time" then he turned and headed back to his friend.

"Oh my GOD!" "I wish you could have seen your face," Prim laughed. "I am soooo sorry. I honestly didn't know you were that close behind me." Katniss buried her face in her hands, laughing too. "Peeta was really nice to help though," Prim said. "Cute too." Katniss looked at her sister who was watching her with bright eyes; but just at that moment some of Prim's friends walked up and the conversation ended.

As time passed more and more people made their way to the dance floor. Katniss joined in and found herself in the center as a slow song began. People around her paired off and Katniss was headed back in the direction of her table when someone stepped in front of her. Peeta extended his hand to her. "Dance with me," he asked. "Please." Katniss looked up at him. His his face was a bit flushed, probably from dancing so much, she thought. Why did he want to dance with her? Hadn't he seen how clumsy she was? She was still embarrassed, but this was her moment wasn't it? Perhaps she could apologize for upsetting him and thank him, finally, for the bread he had given her so long ago. He was asking something of her, and she would not refuse him. She took a deep breath and his hand as they made their way back to the center of the floor.

Katniss felt her heart rate increase. Peeta placed a hand on her waist and took her other hand in his own. She noticed how tall he was. Felt how solid he was. He was wearing brown pants with a brown vest over a white shirt and his sleeves were rolled up the lower part of his arms. Prim was right. In the warm glow of the low lights, he was a rather dazzling sight. She struggled to think of something to say, but it was Peeta who spoke first. "I'm sorry that I keep missing you at the bakery. I've been told that you were looking for me. I didn't know if I should be happy to hear it or terrified." The last comment confused her. "Terrified? Why?" "Sharp shooter Katniss Everdeen, District Twelve's favorite hunter… looking for you… you're right, not terrifying at all." They both laughed. "Peeta you are at least a foot taller than me. I'm pretty sure you could take me." He looked at her with exasperation and his voice shot up an octave. "Not if you shot an arrow at me from 50 yards away! I wouldn't stand a chance!" She laughed again and just like that Peeta had put her at ease.

They swayed to the music for a bit and then he said, "So, you found me." He looked at her expectantly. She hesitated. They were so focused on each other that neither had noticed that the wind had picked up or the first drops of rain. A crack of thunder however, got everyone's attention, and the people on the dance floor ran for cover. Peeta grabbed Katniss's hand and they took off at a run. They were half way across the green when the few drops of rain turned into a downpour. Laughing and running, she had no idea where they were going but she followed Peeta down a side street where they found the shelter of an awning. Lightening split the sky again followed by a loud crack of thunder. Katniss jumped at the sound and Peeta pulled her further under the awning. Laughing she looked at Peeta and wondered if she looked as drenched as he did. "Getting your hands wet from spilling a few drinks not looking so bad right now, huh?" "Not at all." It didn't look like the rain was going to let up any time soon and now there was no one else close enough to hear her conversation. Shielded by the rain the moment felt right and she finally found the nerve to voice what she had wanted to for so long. "I wanted to apologize to you Peeta. That's why I have been asking for you" His smile faded a bit and he looked confused, "for what?" "I was afraid that I upset you, at your mother's funeral, somehow." His smile was gone and he watched her, waiting for her to continue. "I don't know. You seemed… composed… I guess, until you saw me. I know that you thanked me for being there, but afterwards I couldn't shake the thought, so I wanted to apologize and to let you know that I didn't come to upset you, even more." She couldn't tell what Peeta was thinking. Watching her the way he was, but she continued. "Also, I wanted to thank you, finally, for the bread." She let out a breath that she had been holding and waited.

Peeta was dumfounded. He didn't really know what he had been expecting her to say, but that was most definitely not it. He couldn't believe how this evening had turned out. Thunder rumbled again. He looked at the ground amazed at how much this woman in front of him could affect his emotions. He knew she was waiting for a response of some kind. "So you came to make things even? Is that what you mean?" "Yes, no, well not when you put it like that," she said. Her gray eyes searched his for understanding.

He let out a breath. "Katniss, you didn't upset me." He couldn't look at her. "I was just overwhelmed with everything. I never would have expected to see you there. It was so difficult for me and to know that you cared, regardless of the reasoning behind it, meant a great deal to me. He could feel his face flushing, but he wanted to be honest with her, now that they were speaking to each other. As for the bread, you don't need to thank me for that." "Yes I do." He started to protest, but she stopped him. "You saved us Peeta. I know I should have thanked you right away, but I didn't know how and I was embarrassed." "You know I think about that moment a lot, how I threw that bread at you. I should have gone to you. I should have just gone out in the rain."

She laughed. She couldn't help it. Had he really felt guilty about that all this time, she wondered. "First of all, you didn't throw it AT me; you threw it TO me. I meant it when I said that you saved us. I could have cared less how you gave me the bread. I had been digging through your trashcans Peeta, a little rain and dirt was nothing to me and that bread was everything to me." She shivered. Suddenly cold. The night had darkened and with the passage of the storm a chilly wind blew behind it. She didn't know why she had opened up so fully to Peeta. It was not like her but once she had started, the words tumbled out. "You're cold," he said. "Let's get you home."

She had protested, saying that there was no need for him to walk her all the way back to the house but he had insisted. Just to give him "peace of mind" he had said. The square had cleared and the streets were cold and dark. The walk with Peeta, however, was anything but. She found that she enjoyed his company. He was boyish and talkative and she began to understand why he had been so popular in school. She always knew he was well liked, but being with him one on one gave her a new perspective. She forgot how cold it was even though they were both still wearing damp clothes, she laughed more than she had in days. The walk went by faster than ever and as she hopped up the steps to her front door, he stopped at the bottom. She turned around, assuming he had followed her up. "Would you like to come in and warm up a bit before you walk back?" "Nah, that's alright. I'll be okay," and with that he took a few steps backwards towards the road. "See ya," he said. "See ya," she replied. She watched him walk away and just as she turned to open the front door, he called after her. "Hey Katniss!" "Yeah?" "Thanks for the dance." He flashed her a grin and was gone.

"Did he kiss you?" "What? Prim! No. All he did was walk me home." "After you danced with him," Prim said. "Slooow danced with him and you were both looking all gooogly eyed at each other." Katniss had climbed into bed after she had dried her hair to find Prim still awake in the room they shared. "What are you talking about? No one was googly eyed. We danced, got caught in the storm, hid from the rain and he walked me home. End of story," Katniss said. "Whatever you say," Prim answered. "Peeta Mellark is really hot though, you have to admit that." "What do you know of guys being hot?" "Katniss I'm not a child anymore besides all the girls in my year think he is." "I'm not having this conversation with my LITTLE sister. Go to sleep!" Prim laughed and turned over but Katniss could still see the smile rising on her sister's cheeks. "What does googly eyed even mean anyways," Katniss asked then, "Don't answer that!" Prim shook with silent laughter. Katniss turned out the light.

Peeta took his time walking home. Even though he was cold and damp. He wanted to remember everything that had happened. When he finally came through the back door at the bakery though, three smiling faces greeted him. "Well? When's the wedding?" "Shut up," Peeta replied but he couldn't stop the grin that spread across his face. "Tell us what happened!" Delly, Rye and his best friend Griffin who had witnessed the cider incident, all stood around the island in the kitchen. As he looked at them he realized that these three knew, better than anyone else in the world, how much this night had meant to him. His crush on Katniss, if he could even call it that anymore, was very well known to them. He laughed and shook his head; still a bit in disbelief. He told them everything. How fast his heart pounded when he had asked her to dance with him and how he was sure she would hear it. He told them about getting caught in the storm and how the two had opened up to each other a bit. He didn't tell them the details of Katniss's story, just that it felt like a conversation that had been waiting years to come into the light. Odd in the intimacy of the moment for two people who really didn't know each other. He had felt a familiarity with her that had surprised him and he wondered if she had felt it too. Delly had squealed quite a bit and Rye and Griffin gave him a hard time, but as Peeta climbed into bed that night his heart felt lighter than it had in years.

He hadn't been able to sleep. He just kept thinking about Katniss and what they had said to each other. He had no idea what would happen the next time he saw her, but now he had hope. When they had graduated from their last year of school he had tried to let go of Katniss and what he told himself over and over again was nothing but a school boy crush. He realized now how unsuccessful he had been. He wanted to see her again.