Wow, Katniss is really surprising me tonight. I've liked her for such a long time, but didn't know more than most people do about her. Yeah, her dad died a few years ago, if she's not with her younger sister, she's with Gale or Madge, and she helps her mom out a lot. But I never knew that she came to see me at matches or remembered that my family owns a bakery. It doesn't matter though really; we're here now, standing in a park, having just shared our first kiss. I had played and replayed the daydream in my head for so long that I didn't think I'd ever do it. But I finally did and it was so much better than I imagined.

"Not that I really want to, but shouldn't I be getting you home soon?" I ask Katniss, still standing in front of her, my lips continuing to tingle from touching hers.

A lazy smile comes to her deep pink lips and she answers, "Yeah, I guess we should go."

I don't even think about it, but grab her hand and hold it in mine. At first she looks down at our hands together and then entwines her fingers with mine, the smile still on her face. "Tonight isn't anything like I thought it would be. I figured we were just going to talk about what colors we might wear and who would drive or something."

She laughs, "It's not like I planned any of this, Peeta. I'm just as surprised as you were when I kissed you back. Not to say that I didn't enjoy that though."

"Definitely not. Did you tell your mom yet that I asked you to Homecoming?"

"Did you tell yours?" She sure does like to shift the topic back to me.

I shake my head, "No, she was pretty much waiting to leave when we got there. She gave me an order for Saturday and then left."

"Well, if my mom's still awake, I'll tell her, otherwise it'll be tomorrow night." Katniss looks down at or hands again, "So, I guess this means we're dating?"

"Only if you want it to. I mean, I'd like to be your boy-friend, but…."

"Peeta, I was being sarcastic. Of course I want to be dating you. Like I said, you weren't the only watching and I think I've earned at least something more than a dance from you." She explains, still smiling. My face is hurting from how much I've smiled tonight and it's the best kind of pain to be in.

I feel the heat rise on my face again. "Right. Well, then, I guess I have plenty to tell my parents tomorrow night."

"Yeah, no shit, my mom's probably going to freak out." She claims as we turn down a street lit with small houses. I forgot that they had moved not too long after Katniss' dad died because her mom couldn't afford the bigger house anymore.

"Why would she freak out?" I'm curious if this is good or bad.

"Well, seeing as the only guy she's ever known me to even hang out with is Gale, she'll be surprised that not only am I actually going to Homecoming this year, but I have a boy-friend too. It may just be too much for her to handle." Katniss comes to a stop before a thin two-story house. I can't tell what color it's supposed to be because it's so dark out, but there is a small garden in front and fall decorations on the porch. "Well, this is me. I hope you have a safe walk back home, I feel kind of guilty you walking me this late."

"Why? I live like three blocks that way?" I assure her, pointing to my right.

"That close, really? I always thought you lived further away for some reason."

"Yeah, a lot of people think we live really close to the bakery usually. Some thought we lived in the apartment above it." I tell her as we walk up her front steps. The air is fragrant with the fall flowers on their porch.

"There's an apartment up there?" She asks as she fishes her keys out of her pocket. I hadn't noticed, but she wasn't carrying a purse or anything like most girls do at our school. The porch light is soft, casting a warm glow on Katniss' already tan skin.

I nod, "My mom and dad lived there before they had us. Well, they had Jack there, but got a bigger place when she got pregnant again." I scratch my head, not really knowing what to do with my hands as she fiddles with her keys. Then I continue to talk about nothing important. "My dad stays there overnight sometimes when we get a lot of special orders, mainly during the holidays."

Katniss nods her dark head. "That makes sense. Well, thank you for walking me home, Peeta. I'll see you at school tomorrow?"

I take a step closer, "Of course. If you want, I can come over and walk you to school in the morning."

She smiles and takes a step closer as well. "That's sweet, but I have to take Prim to school first and doesn't Bran drive you anyway?"

I frown but nod, "Yeah, he does. Then I'll see you at school."

I take that last step between us and give her a soft kiss. That electricity hits me again and by the look on her face when I pull back, she's felt it again too. She turns and unlocks the door, giving me a small wave good-bye before shutting it.

I wait until I hit the bottom step before I literally jump for joy. Luckily no one is there to see me, because I'm sure they'd laugh at my stupidity. I was happy enough when she said yes to Homecoming but now we're actually dating! My day can't get any better than this.

When I get home about ten minutes later, I'm surprised to find my dad awake. But he's got all of his bills and checkbooks spread out over the dining room table and I understand. He'll be teaching me the accounting soon since Jack had been doing it before he left for college. Without looking up from his bills and calculator, my father says,

"Bran said you had some good news today."

I lean over one of the dining room chairs, my smile probably wider than it ought to be. "Yeah, I'm going to Homecoming with Katniss Everdeen."

He looks up from over the rims of his glasses, his blue eyes tired but still warm. He smiles, "Congratulations, Peeta, I know you've liked her for a long time now."

"Yeah and," I start to walk away from him to go to my room upstairs, "she's agreed to be my girl-friend."

A/N - I'm having a lot of fun writing from this perspective, something totally new for me! Hope you all are enjoying!