Hello! I'm of all thanks to THGgoddess4ever, because she rocks and she read this her elbow had a rough time,so all the best for her.
Thanks for the those who reviewed and favorited this means a lot to ,here it goes.


"Cleary my mom doesn't care that her daughters are sleeping." thought Katniss as she rolled off of her bed sighing. The sound of the vacuum cleaner rang loudly in her ears. She looked at the bed next to her own. Prim, whose head was hidden behind a pillow, was mumbling under her breath. Buttercup was sleeping without a problem next to Prim. Katniss jumped off her bed and walked to the living room.

"Mom!'' she yelled trying to be heard over the noise. Mrs Everdeen looked at her and turned off the evil piece of machinery responsible for the noise.

"What, sweetie?'' she asked as if nothing was wrong.

"We were sleeping, it is only 10 am.'' Katniss said angrily.

Mrs Everdeen dismissed her daughter's anger, "So, that means that you are both up and ready to help me clean the rest of the house and the garden.''

Katniss didn't have time to say no because of the stare her mother was aiming at her. She rubbed her forehead and walked back to her room. She flopped down in her bed, telling her mom's plans to Prim.

"What?! Katniss, you should have just stayed in bed!'' Prim yelled, raising her head from the pillow. Buttercup even hissed at her for good measure.

"C'mon girls, I'm making pancakes and toast. The backyard is waiting for us!'' said her mom merrily, opening the door and looking oddly happy for a Saturday morning; both girls groaned inwardly.


Two hours later, Katniss was finishing up picking up leaves when she felt something hit her on the head. She turned around and saw Gale smiling at her. She rolled her eyes, picked up the foam ball and stood up to meet him. Gale's house was just two houses down from Katniss'. They both lived in the Seam, which was closer to the mines and farther from downtown area. Katniss loved the Seam; it was quieter and smaller than the town. Her dad's family had lived in the same house Katniss lived in now; she couldn't even think about leaving the house her dad had once lived in, it was as if he was always around.

"What's Catnip doing in the bushes?'' Gale mocked as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Mom decided that today is cleaning day. She just assumed Prim and I want to help, she didn't even ask if we did or not.'' Gale chuckled for a second as Katniss tossed the ball back to him. Katniss looked at him carefully, "Are you ok Gale? You look worried.'' Gale frowned and let out a deep sigh. Katniss knew him too well, even if their relationship wasn't the same they still were friends.

Gale sighed again, "I went to see Peeta today and coach Boggs was there too.'' Katniss nodded for him to continue and motioned to sit down on the steps of the Everdeen house. "The thing is that I'm the new quarterback.'' Gale said half-heartedly.

"I thought that you wanted to be the quarterback.'' Katniss asked surprised by his lack of enthusiasm. Since they were kids Gale's dreams revolved around the football field and being the quarterback.

"Yeah but not this way. I was close to being the quarterback, but we all knew Peeta was a better player so it was better for the team if he was quarterback...This morning he was crushed Kat, it was like he was like empty.'' Gale said, squeezing the small ball in his hand.

"Gale, don't feel bad; you weren't the one who injured Peeta.'' Katniss said taking the ball from his hand.

"I know, but his scholarship might be mine now, because they were watching us both, so...he might lose his scholarship to me.'' Gale said solemnly. Katniss made an 'ooh' sound.

"So what about Peeta; he just loses his scholarship?''Katniss asked. Gale nodded his head, ashamed of himself.

"Is Peeta at his house?'' she asked, desperately trying to change the subject. Gale nodded, but the air was still tense. They stayed silent for a few minutes watching the neighbor across the street wash his car. She hated when things were left unsaid. She wanted to ask so much about Peeta, about Gale's scholarship, about what Delly had said yesterday but she couldn't find the words to.

"You should go to see him; he always asks about you.'' Gale said, smiling. Katniss blushed and Gale laughed out loud, "something going on with Baker Boy?'' Katniss shook her head and punched him lightly in the arm.

"Shut up, Gale.'' Katniss said as she blushed.

Gale patted her on the head, "I just want you to be happy, you know, find someone'' he said, sobering. Katniss looked at him, her friend. They were friends no matter what, right?

"You know, Delly said something that got me thinking.'' Her voice was barely a whisper and she was looking at the ground. She told him about the (according to Delly) almost confession and how Peeta asked her mom about her. Gale smiled warmly at her and Katniss frowned. They both knew the truth behind those words, Katniss was confused. Peeta Mellark was everything a nice young man should be but what Katniss couldn't see was why he had noticed her. She was shy, didn't go to parties and didn't have many friends. Everyone knew her, but it was because she was the Everdeen's daughter and Primrose's sister.

"Katniss, you have no idea the effect you have on people.'' Gale said looking intensely at her, "Peeta is a really nice guy. I'm not saying that you should marry him, but at least get know him better. He's going to have a lot of free time now. Give him a chance.''

Katniss sighed deeply, rubbing her forehead. "Was this easy for you and Madge?'' Katniss asked, watching as Gale stood up.

He looked at her and put his hand in his pockets. "Well, I felt like shit when we first hooked up because all I could think was about you,'' Katniss looked down, feeling bad, "but then I realized that sometimes you have to leave your comfort zone and do things that scare the shit out of you. And eventually you realize that they were worth it. Madge is worth it.'' Gale said, smiling a bit.

Katniss looked at him in shock. "You grew up Gale, you've turned into a fine man." Katniss said, standing up as well.

He hugged her briefly. "I really want what's best for you Catnip.'' Gale said patting her head like she was a little child. She smiled, thankful for having this boy in her life.

The front door opened and Prim stepped outside with a garbage bag. "Hey Gale, where's Roy?''Prim asked quickly.

Gale frowned. "Hello Primrose, I'm fine, thank you for asking. How are you? My dear brother is at our house, feel free to stop by." Gale mocked. Prim smiled, patted his arm and left to go over to the Hawthorne's house.

"They have been spending a lot of time together.'' Katniss said, frowning.

Gale watched Prim's figure entering his house. "Well, they are best friends, right'' Gale explained walking backwards. The sound of a horn made him turn around and Madge's car appeared on the side of the road. She rolled down the window and waved to Katniss. Katniss threw the ball back to Gale. "Remember what I told you!'' he yelled before entering the car. Katniss sighed and went back inside her house.

Her mom was peeling potatoes near the kitchen sink. Katniss remember her mom's depression after her husband's death. She couldn't even move. It was as if death itself was within Mrs. Everdeen. It was the night after she locked herself in the bathroom and a crying Katniss ran to the Hawthorne's house yelling for help that she started to heal, at a painfully slow rate. Katniss knew that sometimes love was a double edge sword. It was a great thing but it also could destroy you. But if she never gave love a try she would never know. And besides, everyone kept saying that Peeta liked her, but she hasn't heard the actual words come from Peeta. Maybe she was building a castle in the air based only on what others have told her.

She spent all of lunch time and the entire time she was getting ready for work thinking. Damn she was confused, but Gale was right. Sometimes it was worth it to do scary things. And a Saturday was a good day to start doing them, right?


"Sweetheart, care to explain me why the running shorts are in the ball alley?'' Haymitch asked; his voice scared Katniss and made her fall from the ladder, landing on her back. She shielded her face with her hands as a wave of boxing gloves falls on her. Haymitch looks at her, still lying in the floor.

"Sorry, Haymitch'' Katniss apologized, looking at the long lights in the ceiling. Haymitch's head appeared out of nowhere and looked at her quizzically.

"Are you all right? You look weird.'' Haymitch said frowning. He offered her a hand and helped her to get on her feet.

"Yeah, just worried about... uhhh, stuff." Katniss explained, vaguely, picking the gloves. Haymitch looked at her and then started to pick up the gloves as well. He made an 'hmmm' sound.

"You can go home early if you want'' Haymitch offered, looking at her. Katniss looked back at him and then checked her watch. She nodded and left to go to the bathroom to change into her regular clothes. She looked at herself in the mirror, braiding her hair. Once she was ready, she searched for the headphones in her backpack pocket and when she found them she put them in the front pocket of her jeans.

"Ok, I'm off. '' Katniss said. Haymitch was helping a fat man with golf sticks; he winked at her and rolled his eyes when the man looked over at her. She waved, smiling gratefully for having a boss like Haymitch.


Ten minutes later she was in the parking lot in front of the Mellark's Bakery. She decided she would give Peeta back the headphones and then go buy the peas and the meat for the stew she had promised Prim for dinner. 'The perfect excuse to leave' a nagging voice said in her head. It didn't surprise her that the voice sounded like Prim. But she did need to go to the grocery store; her mom was working in the night shift, so it was her turn to cook dinner.

She reached the bakery quickly. She sighed and opened the door. Luckily, Mr Mellark was in front of the store, writing something on a piece of paper. Peeta's mom scared the shit out of her and asking her to see her son would be a million times more difficult than talking to Peeta's father.

"Katniss! What brings you here?'' he asked in a friendly voice, setting down the pencil. Katniss noticed he was doing calculations. She cleared her throat and took at step forward to the counter, feeling very shy all of the sudden.

"Peeta forgot his headphones in my truck and I wanted to give them back to him." she explained, in a small voice, finding it very hard to keep eye contact with Mr. Mellark. His eyes were just like Peeta's.

He smiled. "I could give them to him…'' he started and Katniss panicked. She wanted to see Peeta. Prim and Gale's voices muttered 'don't be a chicken' in her head. "Or maybe you could go upstairs, he could use some company.'' he smiled at her warmly. Katniss nodded and he showed her to the back of the bakery's kitchen. A small door led to the house.

He opened the front door for her. The house was very warm. Katniss walked through the living room. There was a very comfortable looking couch and a big TV. She really curious about the photos on the wall, but she didn't want to looked like an ogler.

"Peet's room is the last one on the right.'' he said, pointing to the stairs and she smiled at the nickname. "He's in his room.'' Katniss nodded and thanked him.

She climbed the stairs slowly, suddenly feeling like an intruder. When she reached the second floor she noticed the light shining from underneath the last door. She looked to her right and smiled when she saw a picture of a very young Peeta covered in flour.

When she reached the last door, she took one last breath to steady herself before opening the door. Peeta was sitting in a chair, with his right ankle in a cast that went up the length of his calf resting on the bed. There was a book open in his lap, but he was looking out the window, with a grave expression. His eyes were red and a bit swollen. Katniss kicked herself mentally; it was too soon to visit him. It also surprised her to see Peeta not smiling; in her mind he was always smiling. 'But he might want to hear music, right?' She knocked softly on the doorframe.

Peeta opened his mouth and frowned, not wanting to have visitors, but his heart almost stopped when he saw Katniss Everdeen standing in his doorway, drumming her fingers on her thigh as she looked at him.

He just sat there staring at her, with his mouth open like a fish. She smiled weakly and took his headphones out of her jean pockets. He closed his mouth and smiled at her.

"Hey.'' he greeted her. Katniss Everdeen was in his room. Cleary those painkillers were stronger that he thought.

"I brought you your headphones.'' she said still standing in the doorway.

"Thank you Katniss, come in." Peeta said after pinching himself mentally. He looked at her and smiled. She smiled and entered his room nervously. The walls were painted a beautiful shade of blue. There was a small, single bed situated right next to the window, a bookcase, a desk with a closed laptop and a tray with two plates and an empty glass. Above the desk there was a huge painting of a meadow.

"That's really beautiful," Katniss said pointing at the painting, "did you do it?''

Peeta nodded. She sat down on his bed and handed him the headphones. He set them down on his desk, grabbed the tray and offered it to her, "Cookies? Cheese buns? I think my dad believes that flour and butter are the answer to everything."

Katniss smiled and took the cheese bun to her mouth... If heaven was made of cheese, she wanted to die.

"This is really good." she said in a low voice, swallowing the last bite. Peeta was looking at her, still not believing she was actually there, in his room, to see if he was okay. She felt self conscious under his gaze and blushed. He took a cookie; he was a bit shaky.

"Are you still in pain?" she asked, pointing at his cast.

Peeta shook his head. "Not really, I have pain medicine to help with the pain but I still can't put all my weight on it. My mom went to go get me some crutches." he explained, looking at his cast. It was all white except for a message from Delly, written in large bright orange letters. Katniss pointed at it with a smile playing on her lips.

Peeta smiled, "Delly stopped by this morning to make sure I knew how good of a friend she is." Delly's words echoed in Peeta's mind as Katniss nodded. A silence settled between them. "You can sign it if you want to?" offered Peeta, desperate to make her stay longer. He grabbed a cup full of markers, pens, pencils and brushes and handed it to her so she could choose a colour. She picked a green marker and wrote in small, neat letters 'Get well soon. Katniss.' Peeta's heart was about to burst as he read her message.

"If I knew how to draw I would, but I don't think you want a crappy drawing on your cast." Katniss said sheepishly.

"It's okay, you can draw whatever you want."Peeta said a little too quickly. Katniss looked at him and he blushed, "I mean this thing is going to be in my ankle for at least four months, so...'' Nice point Mellark. Katniss chuckled to herself and said under her breath something along the lines of 'don't complain.'

"Don't look." Katniss said as she looked for more markers in the cup Peeta had set out. Peeta laughed and put a hand over his eyes. Katniss made a crappy house with a tree and what may or may not be a car. When she finished she looked closely at Peeta. He was really blonde, even his stubble was very fair. His shoulders were strong and his arms were really muscular. He was smiling.

"What are drawing?'' he asked when he realized that she had stopped. Katniss jumped in surprise.

"A masterpiece; it took so long because there is a before and after in this drawing." she said in a solemn voice, not really believing she was behaving like this. She wasn't the kind of girl who fools around and cracks jokes with people she barely knows, like Peeta, but everything with him just felt natural. He had this calm presence that made her want to be there with him.

Peeta removed his hand from his eyes with a wide grin and looked down at his cast.

"Wow." he said looking at the drawing; she really was a crappy drawer. It looked like a drawing a five year old drew it but he loved it anyways. "When I have this cast removed, I'm gonna ask them if I can keep the part you drew. I can almost feel the millions this piece of modern art is worth." he said seriously.

Katniss laughed out loud and hid her face in her hands. Peeta chuckled. "Thanks Katniss, I really like it." he said honestly. She lifted her face out of her hands, smiling a bit. She looked at the cast again and his leg resting on the bed and sobered up.

"I'm really sorry about your ankle Peeta." she said sadly. Peeta shrugged his shoulders, defeated, "and I guess I should also thank you." Confusion washed over Peeta's face.

Katniss sighed, "I don't know if you remember, but a few years ago you punched Cato in the nose because he insulted Prim and called us Seam trash. Your mom was really mad and was yelling at you and the next day you had a bruise. I never said thank you because what you did meant a lot...those were crappy days." Katniss said everything very fast while looking at an imaginary point above Peeta's forehead. He looked at her in awe. His heart was beating really fast, and in the boldest move of his life, his hand found her slightly shaky hand.

"For you, I would do it a thousand more times." he said looking into her eyes, with such honesty that Katniss forgot how to breathe. She cleared her throat and smiled weakly. Peeta dropped her hand, not knowing what to say. She was about to open her mouth when they heard Peeta's mom yelling from the bottom of the stairs. They heard steps and Mr. Mellark opened the door with a pair of clutches in hand; he smiled at them.

"I should go." Katniss said softly, standing up.

"That's okay Katniss, I was just giving these to Peeta and now I'm leaving; sorry if I interrupted.'' he smiled.

"Still, It's late and I need to stop by the grocery store before it closes." she explains to both of the Mellark men. Peeta nodded and grabbed his crutches. With his father's help, he reached the bottom of the stairs.

On the first floor Mrs. Mellark was sitting down at the table with a steaming cup of tea. She frowned slightly when she saw a very shy Katniss walking behind Mr. Mellark.

"Mom, this is Katniss. Katniss, meet my mom." Peeta introduced them nervously. They shook hands and exchanged pleasantries.

"Katniss, I've never heard Peeta talk about you before." Mrs Mellark said. She was a bit taller than Katniss, her hair was blonde like Peeta's but it was very well combed. Her eyes were blue, but colder than Peeta's; they lacked the warmness that her husband and son had. Katniss wasn't sure if Mrs. Mellark remembered that Peeta had punched Cato to protect her and Prim.

"She's a friend from school; we don't share many classes." Peeta explained. Katniss nodded and with a shy goodbye made her way to the door with Peeta following closely behind her on his crutches. She opened the front door quickly, eager to get away from Mrs. Mellark.

"Thanks for visiting me Katniss, it really meant a lot to me." Peeta said in a low voice. Katniss noticed Mrs. Mellark watching them, that is until her phone started to ring and she went off to answer the call.

"Anytime Peeta." she said as she stepped outside, zipping her jacket. She waved goodbye and looked back at Peeta who stood there, smiling at her with a goofy smile on his face. "Go inside, it's cold." Katniss whispered. Peeta chuckled and closed the door softly behind him as he made his way inside.

Katniss walked to the grocery store with a dumb smile on her face. She regretted not saying thank you to Peeta before. He clearly wore his heart on his sleeve. They could have been very good friends, or maybe something more. Katniss thought as she put a bag of frozen peas in her cart. She bought ice cream too since today had been a really good day. At least she knew now that Peeta considered her a friend and that was a really good thing.


The store was getting ready to close by the time Katniss was ready to pay. She left the place hastily; a grumpy employee was holding open the door, the closed sign hanging off of it.

She set the bags next to her and was getting ready to start the engine when she heard two people yelling, something being thrown and broken, and the sound of a slamming door. She sat there momentarily looking for something but the darkness made it difficult to see anything. She started the engine and began driving slowly towards her house when she suddenly saw a flash of something white.

"Peeta." she whispered to herself when she recognised the white object as a cast. Peeta was limping down the street quickly without his crutches. Katniss sped up to catch up with him and rolled down the window as she neared him, calling his name. He turned to look at her surprised to see her. He had an angry red bruise on his left cheek and his eye was almost swollen shut. They heard a woman yelling from the distance.

This time Katniss didn't hesitate. She would help Peeta Mellark.


Let me introduce you to my friend the cliffhanger.

I'll try to update soon. Next chapter will have this words: stew, hugs, crutches, ,maybe not bears

Bye!