Hello everyone,

It feels like forever since I've updated, but I've finally did. This chapter was pretty fun to write, and it does provide a little more background to Katniss. Also Prim is introduced. I just hope you like it and a heads up. This / to mean a start and end of text messages .

I do not own the Hunger Games

Katniss POV

Present Day

I wake up feeling groggy from the night before, and my thoughts seamlessly revert to Peeta. Peeta, the man who makes me turn into a schoolgirl with a crush whenever he's around. Peeta was not what I was expecting of an up and coming boxer. Truthfully, I thought he would be an egotistical, arrogant jerk, but he was funny, charming, and considerate, which makes it harder not to be attracted to him. It would have been so much easier if he was a jerk so I could ignore the feelings I have around him, but then there was that kiss. It was chaste by most standards, but the wetness I felt between my legs could have easily escalated into more since the kiss sure did have the same effect on him. Then I realized what I was doing and who I was doing it with so I quickly went into my room for a semi-restless night. I knew deep down nothing will come out of being with Peeta; more than likely I would be another notch on his bedpost and I refused to be that. I gave a heavy sigh and started getting ready for the day.

After taking a shower and brushing my teeth, I decided to check my phone. I received a few text messages one from Gale and Prim each then there was one from a number I've never seen before. I decided to read the ones from Gale and Prim first. Gale's just said he'll be in Philly around two, which I replied with a "great." Prim's was asking to see if I wanted to hang out soon since she knew I was in town so I immediately texted her back saying we should meet up soon. Then there was the text from the unknown number, I hesitantly opened the message not expecting who or what texted me. /Sorry about last night. Are we still having the interview tonight? – Peeta/. I immediately texted back /Of course just tell me when and where - K/. I chastised myself for sound for sounding desperate, but when I put my phone down to braid my hair it instantly vibrates alerting me I have a text. I open it to see it's from Peeta.

/Is it okay I take you to the place? - P/. Even against my better judgment I responded /Sure just tell me the time - K/. He again immediately responds /Is 7:00 alright? - P/. I waited about a minute to respond /Yeah 7:00 is fine - K/. /Great see you at 7:00 - P/. I can't help the smile that appears on my face after texting Peeta and knowing I will see him tonight. Again I have to chastise myself for acting like a schoolgirl since it's not like we're going on a date. I finish getting dressed into a pair of black, skinny jeans and a plain, forest green t-shirt, and text Prim to see where we should meet up at.

I end up waiting for Prim at a Starbucks near her campus since she was finishing up a paper she's been working on. As I was waiting in line to order my coffee, suddenly an excited shriek fills the store. "Katniss," that was when I see a flurry of blonde hair and the recognizable baby blue eyes. "Little Duck," I exclaimed. Then Prim got me into a bone crushing hug. "It feels like I haven't seen you forever," exclaimed Prim while hugging me. "I know," I agreed. Then I finally get a good look at Prim, she's now slightly taller than me and she's wearing a Temple hoodie with blue jeans while her hair is in a messy bun.

We eventually settle down to get our drinks and sit at a table near the window. "So what you've been up to," I asked while watching the people strolling along the window. "Oh nothing just being swamped with homework and papers," explained Prim. "Any boys," I questioned cheekily. Even though I'm not really boy crazy like Prim, it's a subject she surely loves to talk about. "No," she replied while blushing with a faraway look in her eyes. Oh I know that look, I thought.

"So who do you have a crush on," I questioned, using my journalist voice. "No one," she quickly answered. "Yes you do. I know that look Little Duck," I stated matter-of-factly. "Ugh you need to stop calling me that and it's Rory," she exclaimed. "Still," I asked. Prim and Rory are like Gale and I since they've been best friends for years, but, unlike Gale and I, Prim and Rory have been crushing on each other for a long time. They're just too blind to see it themselves.

"I know. It's just that we've been spending a lot more time together," she explained. "And I've been on a few dates, but they never stir up the same feelings I have for Rory," she added. "Why don't you just ask him out then," I conceded. "Because I don't want to ruin our friendship," exclaimed Prim. "And look at you and Gale," she added abruptly.

"What about Gale and I,"I asked curiously. "Isn't it obvious," said Prim matter-of-factly. I nodded my head no like I don't have a clue what she's talking about. Prim sighs and says," Gale has been crushing on you for years now."

"No he hasn't," I argued. "Yes he has. You're just oblivious to boys, and I can't believe you even dated in the past," she commented. I give a slight glare at her then we sit in awkward silence until I said, "Even if Gale does like me." Prim tries to interrupt me, but I gave her my usual scowl to make her stay quiet. "It shouldn't affect you asking out Rory," I continued. Prim tries to interrupt again, but I quickly finish, "It's obvious Rory likes you back. It's just that one of you two need to grow a pair and finally asked the other out." Prim doesn't comments on my brashness, but she quietly asked, "Do you think he really likes me?"

"Of course he does. I saw it when he first laid eyes on you and I'm the one that supposed to be oblivious to boys," I said honestly. This earns me a small laugh from Prim, which puts a smile on my face. "Just promise me that you and Rory will give it a shot, but not until I leave since you're mine then," I said. Prim gives me a smile while nodding her head, and then we sit in comfortable silence.

"So what you've been up to," asked Prim to break the silence. "You know the usual just writing articles and reporting stuff, but I do have an interview for the paper tonight," I answered. "Oh with who," asked Prim with rapt attention. "Just some boxer named Peeta Mellark," I try to say nonchalantly. "Peeta 'Stinger' Mellark," shouted Prim, which made a few people give us curious glances.

"Yeah," I replied in a tone to keep it down, which Prim seems to pick up on. "So you know who he is," I asked curiously. "Well yeah since Rory and I sometimes watch boxing at a student bar together after a stressful week, and he's probably the hottest boxer ever," she replied dreamily. I raise an eyebrow at her about what she just said since it kind of proves my point about Rory and her, which causes her to blush.

"So have you met him yet? Is he as hot in person as he is on the TV," questioned Prom incessantly. "Yeah I've met him," I answered while hiding an involuntary smile. "So," she pressed. "Well he is hotter in person than on TV, and he's also funny, charming, and nice," I said while not noticing I was blushing. "Why are you blushing Kat? Did something happen between you and Peeta," asked Prim with a sly grin. I try to ignore her questions, but she gives me the pouty face with the puppy eyes that always makes me cave into her whim.

"We kissed last night," I spilled out. Prim gives out a girly shriek and commands, "You have to give me the details." I know it's a loss cause trying to keep something from Prim so I spilled what happened between Peeta and me yesterday. I tell her about waiting then running into him after the fight to set up the interview. Then figuring out that we were staying at the same hotel and how we shared a few drinks and talked to one another for quite a while. I finally finish with the kiss and the texts he sent me this morning.

"It's totally obvious he likes you," said Prim once I finished talking. "No he doesn't. Why would his text say he was sorry about last night and I would probably be another notch on his bedpost," I argued. "Well he probably thought he stepped out of line since you did said you just abruptly left him and by the way you were describing him he sounded like a perfect gentleman," retorted Prim. "Well it could had been an act," I argued half-heartily. Prim just gives me are you serious look and says matter-of-factly, "Well it sounds like you're going on a date with him tonight rather than an interview."

"Well it's not a date," I said firmly. "Well we should get you something to wear for your interview tonight," said Prim with a wink. I acquiesced to Prim's idea since I knew she would end up making me get something so we to different shops to find me something to wear. It took about a few hours to find me something to wear since with our constant disapprovals of each other's selections and having a break for lunch. I end up with a light orange dress that slightly resembles the sunset orange that Peeta likes with modest neckline that has a flowing skirt that barely reaches the top of my knees. I can't believe I subconsciously chose Peeta's favorite color, but it was a nice dress and I was just tired of looking for something to wear.

Prim and I still hung out after finding the dress, but then it was getting close to 7:00 so we separated promising we will see each other tomorrow. I arrived at the hotel in a rush since it was 6:30 and I needed time to freshen up, again I have to remind myself it's not a date, but it doesn't stop me from rushing to my room. I barely notice Gale when I go into the bathroom, and start taking a shower. While freshening up after the shower, I hear a knock on the bathroom door. "So why are you in such a hurry," asked Gale through the door. "Just getting ready for the interview with Peeta," I replied while slipping on the dress. "Sounds like you're getting ready for a date than an interview," Gale joked. Good thing Gale can't see my blush right now since he will sure give me shit for it, I thought.

"Nah it's only an interview," I said while deciding if I should do something with my hair. Then I hear a knock on the room's door. "I got it," stated Gale. I decide to just leave my hair down so as I'm walking to the door while putting on some black flats, I hear Peeta and Gale greet each other enthusiastically. Once I get into Gale's and Peeta's line of sight, their greetings abruptly stops. Gale stares at me wide eyed while Peeta's jaw goes slightly slack.

"Wow you look great Catnip," commented Gale. "She sure does," said Peeta. This causes Gale to glare at Peeta which Peeta immediately returns. I quickly diffuse the situation by grabbing Peeta's arm and saying, "We shouldn't be late for what you planned for tonight."

"You're right, well bye Gale hope to see you again," said Peeta while sticking his hand out. "Likewise," replied Gale, ignoring Peeta's out stretched hand. Peeta just ignores Gale's rudeness and starts leading me to the elevators. I managed to shoot Gale a scowl before he's out of my sight. When the elevator closed Peeta says, "I think tonight going to be interesting." This causes my stomach to flip, which makes me remind myself this is not a date again, but oh god someone help me.

To be continued

Author's Note:

Again I will like to have someone who knows about Philly or Pennsylvania in general. I also might take a while on updating sometimes since I have to share the computer I use with my family and I don't want them to know I write fanfiction.