A/N: I'd like to thank my BFF, BS, for the phrase that Prim used in the last chapter "Oh My Glob". Now guys don't forget to review! I like to hear your thoughts, likes, and dislikes. There is no such thing as a stupid review or a bad one (unless it's filled with evil fruit loop ninjas!)

Disclaimer: I don't own Hunger Games or the characters! If I did, I'd be blowing my money at BAM right now.

"Everdeen, run faster! I've seen a baby crawl faster than you!" Coach Abernathy yells, waving his clipboard in the air.

I roll my eyes as I quicken my pace, staying ahead of everybody else.

"What did I tell you? Push! I wanna see you sweat!" Coach cried out.

I hear a couple of girls giggle behind me. I give myself that extra push and I feel myself break through the "barrier". The "barrier" is that point after you've ran for so long, that you've broken past your body's limit and it feels like you could run forever. I can't even tell if my legs are still attached, they feel foreign as they pound against the track field. Sweat pours down my face and I'm forced to squint after my eyes start to sting. My throat starts to burn as I gasp for more air.

The finish line is getting closer and closer. The only thing that keeps me going is my thirst for some ice, cold water.

"Look out!" Someone screams.

I can't even process this tad bit of information, my mind is focused solely on that white line.

-BAM-

Something hard collides with my head. I'm knocked down onto the wet grass. I reach out to touch my head. It's wet, but that could just be from my sweat. Well shit, that hurt. I flicker my eyes close, tired of seeing stars.

"What the hell?" Coach yells. I frown; his voice is ten times louder than normal, which is saying something.

"Did anybody get hurt? The new kid has a hell of a swing!" a man yells back at Coach.

I roll over and throw up my lunch, my head and stomach reeling.

"Has anybody got hurt? Hell Fucking Yes! Your new guy just injured my star runner!" Coach exclaims angrily.

I feel hands all over me. "Katniss, are you okay? Oh my! Gale! Come help!" Madge calls out.

I reach over and put my hand over her mouth. "Shh!" I mumble.

I feel her smile behind my hand and I return it.

"You always get into these types of situations, Katnip. What am I going to do with you?" Gale questions coming to kneel beside me.

I turn and smile up at him. "Would you buy me a helmet?"

He bursts out in laughter and pulls me up. I wobble a bit, but I manage to stand upright.

"You ok, Everdeen?" Coach asks, standing next to the Baseball Coach and a group of students.

I wave him off and begin to start a slow jog to that damned line. I pass it and did a fist pump in the air. I turn to gaze back at Coach, who is smiling at me.

"My time?" I plead.

He sighs. "You know it doesn't count anymore."

I frown. "My time?" I ask more aggressively.

"You had five minutes and ten seconds." He replies.

"Hell Yes! I beat the school record by a minute!" I call out.

"That was before you were knocked down. Your time now is seven minutes and twenty seconds." He continues.

"What the hell? Where's the kid that hit that damned ass ball?" I demand, searching for a guilty face.

Madge points to a lone student standing near my Coach. I squint to see who it is. I'm almost surprised to see that it's Peeta.

I lunge to tackle him, but Gale wraps his arms around my waist and pulls me against his chest. I kick my legs and struggle to get free.

"Let me at him!" I demand, wanting his blood to be spilt.

I had worked all summer long on attempting to beat the school's shortest mile time and to find out that I had it in my grasp….I need some justice!

"Calm down. I'm sure that the principal would disapprove of that wholeheartedly." Coach says. "Now, boy, apologize to the angry lady that wants to kill you before young Hawthorne loses his grip." Coach instructs Peeta.

"Katniss, I am so sorry! I had no clue that the ball would travel that far and at that speed!" Peeta explains frantically, but I don't give a rat's ass.

I elbow Gale and he drops me. I dash towards Peeta and pull back my fist.

"If you even try to do that then I will tell Effie about this!" Madge screams.

I stop and turn to face her. I give her one of my best glares and stomp off. No matter how much I want vengeance, I don't want to deal with Aunt Effie about the improper use of a lady's hands or something of that nature.

"Everdeen! That's enough of practice for today! You'd better go to that club of yours!" Coach suggests, bringing a smile back onto my lips.

I jog towards the practice field and I'm happy to see all the other members already shooting at the different targets.

"Captain! We placed your bow on the bench!" One of my teammates calls out.

I nod in gratitude. I jog over and wipe the sweat off of my face. I grab the nearest water bottle and chug it like there is no tomorrow. I had almost forgotten about how thirsty I was. I grab my usual bow and arrows.

"Has everybody warmed up?" I question.

A loud chorus of "Yes!" fills the field and I grin in response.

"Good! Today we'll be attempting to hit the targets from a greater distance than usual." I instruct them.

I help set up the targets. We've got a whole range of them; we've got the normal sized bull's eye and then odds ones varying in sizes. There is even a cute deer target that many of the hunters in the group like to use.

We spend the next hour or so trying to beat each other by hitting from farther distances and using the smaller targets. I started the club in my freshmen year of high school and I've never regretted it. All of the members are serious about archery and really want to improve their ability, I really feel like I'm at home with them or rather that I belong with other people. It's more that I don't feel too crazy compared to the others.

"Yo! Katnip, I'm taking Madge home. Want a ride?" Gale calls from the other side of the field.

I smile and wave. "Sure!"

I turn to the group and tell them a few tips and then disband the group. I race over to where Gale is.

"Where's Madge?" I ask, looking around for her.

"Ah, she headed up to the car already. She wanted to get it started so that the air conditioner could be up and running by the time we get there." He explains as we head down the field onto the paved trail leading to the parking lot.

"Ah! You gotta keep her now!" I exclaim, happily! Nothing beats entering a car when it's blowing up a storm, particularly when it's as hot as it is right now.

"Like you'd stop me from doing it?" Gale chuckles.

"I wouldn't stop you! I'd just steal her for myself." I clarify.

"I didn't think you went that way Katnip!" Gale smirks at me.

I grin. "You couldn't find anybody else that would be that considerate! I'd make her mine just so that I'd never have to face a thousand degree vehicle again!" I declare loudly.

"Is that all it takes? Why haven't you said so before?" a husky male voice drips out.

I snap my head in the direction of that silky, familiar face. I'm faced with the baseball star, Finnick, who is standing by the gate that opens to the cars. I grin and sprint over to him. He pulls me into a hug and I return it happily.

"Sweetheart, you could never turn on the car like my Madge does." I reply, grinning from ear to ear.

Finnick places his hand over his hand and swoons. "That hurts me, babe. Truly it does."

Gale walks over to us and slaps Finnick's hand in greeting. "My girlfriend can't be beat!"

"Whatcha still here for?" I ask curious.

Finnick laughs. "I showed that new kid where the parking lot."

Gale frowns. "The one that hit that stray ball at Katniss?"

"The same one." Finnick confirms.

I squeeze my nails into the palm of my hands. "Really? Is he too dumb to find it himself with all the signs putting to it?"

Finnick frowns. "Are you okay? You're never this angry!"

Gale agrees with him quickly. "I know that you're pissed about not beating the record, but normally you are more forgiving towards others. What's different with this Pita?"

"It's Peeta!" I remark, though I'm not sure why I did.

Gale squints. "Why do you care?"

"Who said I did?" I pout, brushing past him.

"Don't be like that Katniss! We've just curious!" Finnick enlightens.

I ignore them both and head to Gale's old red pick-up truck. I really don't know why I care about Peeta. I mean, I used to have this huge crush on him when we were kids, but I thought that I had moved on from that. Well until I saw him again. But it was only physical! Sure, I'm only attracted to his body! That's it! Nothing more! Nope!

….Then why does my heart ache? Why do I want to go run and cry after finding out that I mean nothing to him? All I'm good for is my body. That's it. I'm nothing.

I walk towards the car and see Madge in the passenger seat in the front. I wave and hop into the back.

"Hey! How was practice? How's the head?" Madge begins to question me.

"Practice was the same, it went well today. My head is A-Okay." I rattle off.

"That's good! Coach was worried that you'd have to take a break to recover." Madge recalls.

I snort. "We both know that he'd never let me have a breather, let alone a break from practice."

Madge clicks her tongue. "Now that's not true. Coach treats you like his own daughter!"

I burst out into laughter. "I'd hate to be his daughter then! I'd be dead by the end of the week."

Madge sighs but drops the subject. "Want to go to a small dance this weekend? Gale asked me to go, but we both know that he'll end up in corner, moaning about having to dance."

I rest my head against the window. "Maybe. I'll have to check with the parental unit first."

Madge smiles. "I can't see if one of our guy friends wants to join, just in case Gale does decide to dance for once."

I shrug in reply. I really don't care if I'm a third wheel or anything. I've been the wheel for the past two years; it's grown on me considerably.

"I will! Just watch me!" Madge exclaims, determined.

"You will what?" Gale asks as he climbs into the truck.

I smirk and gaze upon my best friend. "She'll be mine is what she's saying."

Gale chuckles as Madge looks confused. "Whatcha talking about Kat?"

I reach my hand over her seat and give her a small hug. "I'm just talking about our secret affair is all. You've just officially decided to let everyone know that we're together!"

Madge giggles, finally understanding the joke. "Sure, sure. I don't think that you could handle me though!"

"I don't know, baby. I'm great at handling things." I say slowly, wording everything just right to display my innuendo.

Gale and Madge laugh as I recline back in my seat. Gale starts the truck and plows off in a rush.

"Slow down! I'd like to keep my liver inside my body for once!" Madge calls out, plastered to her seat.

"Nope, gotta get you girls home before anyone gets worried." Gale explains.

I roll my eyes. "Nobody actually worries, except about your sexuality."

Madge tries to hit me, but I dodge it. "That's my man that you're talking about!"

"One day, you both will announce to everyone that you're both gay. I've just allowed myself to prepare for the inevitable." I joke.

"The day that happens is the day that Finnick cuts off his penis. Everybody knows that Madge and I screw around like bunnies on a hormonal overdose." Gale reveals.

"Hey! Don't tell her about such personal things!" Madge blushes.

"Oh, come one, babe! I know you secretly like it." Gale winks at her.

"Eyes on the road, Gale. I can't die leaving Prim alone with Aunt Effie." I remind him.

Gale proceeds to flick me off, but focuses more on the road. Madge turns up the radio station and music floods through the vehicle. I drum my fingers along with the music.

Gale pulls into my drive. I thank him and get out.

"Whose car is that?" Gale asks, leaning out the window.

I turn to stare at the blue car in the garage. I shrug and jog to the front door. I turn to wave Gale and Madge off and then I enter the house.

"Katniss, is that you darling?" Aunt Effie asks loudly from the other room.

"Yes ma'am." I reply shortly.

"Please join me in the living room!" She requests.

I groan softly but walk down the hall to get to the said room.

Aunt Effie is lying down on the sofa, reading a magazine. She looks up when I enter and smiles brightly.

"How was school and practice?" She asks quickly.

"Fine, I guess. Some boy hit a ball at my head though." I tell her.

She sits up and comes over to inspect my head. "Are you okay?"

I nod. She smiles. "Good then. I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Really? What?" I ask kindly.

"Well, I've invited the Mellarks to dinner tonight. I hoped that you'd cook spaghetti for it." She explains, sitting back down.

I sigh. "Sure, if that's your wish."

"It certainly is." She replies with a bigger smile.

"Why are you obsessed with that family, if you don't mind me asking?" I question.

Aunt Effie grabs her magazine and continues to answer. "I just think that you need to be more social with others. Prim and I are very active with the community, but you'd rather spend the day alone in the woods."

I frown. "I'm active. I'm the school's archery captain and I'm also on track and cross country. I also hang out with my friends, daily."

Aunt Effie grunts. "Darling, all the sports that you're in are solitary ones. I know that you're not anti-social but you don't try to make new friends."

I roll my eyes.

"Now when the Mellarks come over, please be on your best behavior and remember your manners." Aunt Effie remarks, opening her magazine.

I nod and leave, heading for my room. I really didn't want to see Peeta, let alone cook for him and his family. I was just so frustrated! He made me so confused! I want to kill him and kiss him at the same time! Why couldn't he have been ugly? It would be so much easier to ignore him.

I enter my room and jump onto my bed. I shove my face into my pillow and scream for a moment. Why didn't he return my feelings? Why I am just a body? Tears prickle behind my eyes, but I force them back. I won't cry over a boy.

I remember all the times that Peeta and I shared when we were younger, though one event seems stuck in my mind; the first day that I met him.

Flashback:

"Mommy, I don't wanna go to school!" I cried out as I walked alongside my mother to the big red building that was to be my school for the next few years.

My mother smiled as she swept me up into her arms. I laughed out in delight, hugging her neck. My mother was very beautiful with her golden blonde hair that was down in a braid filled with flowers that Prim picked for her. Her face was always smiling and happiness oozed out of her skin.

"I think that you'll enjoy your time here." She suggested as she tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear.

"What if I don't make any friends?" I asked nervously,

My mother hugged me closer to her thin, frail body. "That's not possible. Just be yourself and you'll be fine."

I closed my eyes and let her carry me to the front of the school. She bent down to let me go. We stood there together for so long, just staring at each other's faces.

"My baby is growing up!" She exclaimed, pulling me in for a hug that I quickly returned.

"Ivy, is that you?" an older man asked, coming up to us.

Mom turned and smiled at him. "Hey, Rye! Are you bringing Peeta to school to?"

The man, Rye, nodded and smiled back at her. "Yep! It's his first day; I didn't want to miss it! Is that Katniss?"

Mom nodded and brought me closer to Rye. "Sweetie, this is Mr. Mellark. He owns the bakery across from our house."

I stared at the tall man in wonder. He chuckled and pulled a young boy from behind him as well. "This is my boy, Peeta. Peeta, this is Katniss and Ivy Everdeen."

The boy looked to be my age. He looked exactly like my sister Prim, except his eyes were a deep blue that reminded me of the sea. I'd never seen the sea before but my dad showed me a picture of one in a book.

The boy came forward and reached for my hand. I accepted his and we shook hands. "It's nice to meet you Kat-t-n"

"You can call me Kat." I tell him softly. He smiles in return and I blush. I decided there and then that I wanted to make Peeta Mellark smile everyday as long as I lived. His smile was better than mom's. It made butterflies flip flop in my stomach.

"Well, we'll see you both after school! Be safe." Our parents tell us as they head back home together.

I continued to look at Peeta and his brilliant smile.

"Did you know that our parents were gonna get married?" Peeta announced suddenly.

I crinkled my head in confusion. "What? Really?"

"Yep! My daddy told me that your mommy left him because she fell in love with a man that could make the birds stop by singing." Peeta explained.

"Wow!" I replied, not sure what else to say.

"Want me to tell you a secret?" Peeta whispered.

I nodded eagerly.

"I'm glad that she didn't marry my daddy." He stated.

"Why?" I asked. My eyes were wide.

Peeta smiled again and declared. "Because I like you."

I didn't have time to respond. Peeta grasped my hand and pulled me into the school, where we spent our childhood being friends.

End of Flashback

I groan at the memory. Ever since I'd re-met Peeta, these types of memories flooded my brain. I wonder why I'd forgotten these important pieces of my past. I almost wish that I could go back to those innocent days where we were friends (even though I always wanted more) and there wasn't this drama where I lusted after him, hardcore like this.

I wish that I only had that innocent want to be with him. Hormones were the worst part of being a teenager, they screwed you over and made you wanna screw hot old guy friends that only wanted sex. What. The. Hell. Body. I wish I could just die rather than face Peeta again.

The bad thing is that I'm not sure that I'll be able to control myself around him here.

Well, there is a worse thing. I'm not sure if I'll want to kill him more….or ravish him.

Damn Hormones.

A/N: Next chapter I will be doing some more PxK smuttiness and reveal more of Peeta's feelings and junk! Review your thoughts!