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Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games.

Chapter 3

Peeta POV

"Well, well. Look at you two doing the walk of shame."

I laugh when the words come out of Finnick's mouth and I look over at Katniss who has blushed a deep red. I feel myself blush as well. I look at Finnick and smile but our hand holding is kind of obvious that things escalated rather quickly.

"I don't know what you're talking about man." I say. Finnick rolls his eyes and pulls Annie's chair back to escort her back to the dorm.

"Play stupid Mellark, whatever. Have fun at lunch. The portobello panini was great! We'll let you two sit in this weird awkwardness now. See you later. Bye Katniss", he says. "Bye Finnick, Annie", Katniss says and waves to them.

I hold a chair out for her and she sits down. You have to order inside and then sit where you want. "Any idea what you'd like Katniss? I'll go order for us", I ask.

She thinks about it for s second. "I'll try that portobello panini Finnick mentioned and a small unsweetened iced tea, no lemon, four splenda. Thanks."

"Four splenda? Holy shit Katniss." I laugh. That's a lot of sweetener for the amount she's drinking.

Katniss smiles. "Everything I drink is light and sweet, just like me. You should see me with the creamer in my coffee." She smiles and blushes again when she's done.

"Light and sweet, huh? That you are Katniss. I'll have to remember that." I give her a quick peck on the cheek and head inside the cafe to order our lunch. They're very fast here, you'd swear they were psychic the way they knew what I wanted and prepped so quickly. I gather some napkins and straws and meet Katniss at the table.

Katniss shakes up the iced tea and takes a deep sip. My skin crawls as I see the sugar pooling at the bottom. Katniss laughs at me. "It's very good ya know. Why don't you try it before you judge." She hands me the container and I take a small sip. "It's not bad, but it's not my cup of tea. No pun intended." We dig into our panini, we both got the same thing on account of Finnick's recommendation.

We pretty much eat in silence, glancing at each other and smiling in between. Katniss looks amazing. She's just glowing. I've never been affected by a girl like this. Never been so hot for a girl that I was all over her in a matter of minutes. In my defense, I've never had a girl go for me that way too. It was wild, crazy, spontaneous and absolutely thrilling. Now I have a decision to make.

I'm either going to date her or I'm not. And that would be on the assumption that she wants to date me. Never mind the fact that it would be awkward seeing her when she lives down the hall and her roommate is dating my roommate. I'm genuinely interested in and attracted to this girl. This woman.

Now I have to woo her enough to be more than sexually interested in me. What to do, what to do...

We've both finished our sandwiches and the time is now or never. The ball is in my court. I clear my throat and run my hand through my hair. I look into her gray eyes and give it a shot.

"So, um Katniss, I think today was rather unexpected. Don't you?" I say.

Katniss shifts nervously in her seat and blushes. "Ya think? I didn't see that one coming." We both laugh at her unexpected innuendo and it kind of breaks the ice.

Here goes. "I, ah, think that I'd really like to see you. I mean, I know that I want to see you. I guess what I'm trying to say is that I really like you." There, I said it.

Katniss smiles and looks down at her sandals. "I like you too Peeta. But don't you think we skipped a couple of steps? We don't know anything about each other."

I nod. "True, very true. Um, how about we do one of those speed dating things? Like we fire off a lot of questions in a short period of time and just try to get to know each other quickly. Total honesty though, no bullshitting." I suggest. Katniss nods in agreement. "You go first Peeta. Ask away."

P:Favorite color? Mine is orange, like the sunset.

K: Green. How do you take your coffee? You already know how I like mine.

P: cream, no sugar. Um, where are you from? I'm from NYC.

K: Waterbury, Connecticut. How old are you? I'm nineteen.

P: Me too. Do you have a job? I help out at my parents bakery sometimes.

K: I do. I research antiques for potential buyers. It's kind of an online job and I also go to antique shops and fairs too. It's interesting. Do you have a car? I don't.

P: No, but I have a motorcycle. I have a driver and I often use the subway to get around. Have you ever been on a motorcycle? I could take you some time.

K: I'd like that. Family?

P: I have my parents, two brothers. You?

K: My mother, sister and brother Gale. He's here in the city too. Dad passed away seven years ago.

P: Sorry to hear that. Geez, I don't know what to say.

K: Don't worry about it. It was a long time ago. Lighter topic. Allergies? Diseases?

P: None. You?

K:Nope. Major?

P: Business Management. Getting ready to take over the family business in a few years. You?

K: Music. I hadn't planned on majoring in music but it was kind of out of my hands.

P: Music? Do you play?

K: I sing.

P: Will you sing for me sometime?

K: Possibly. Depends on the mood I'm in. I'm very sensitive about my singing and I'm petrified of standing up in front of people to perform. I do love everything else about it though.

P: Okay, good to know. I'm gonna change the topic here a bit and get a few things out in the open. Is that okay? (Katniss nods). So, upstairs before, that was really your first time?

K: Way to go making this awkward Peeta! (covers face and blushes) Yes, that was my first time.

P: Why? Have you dated other guys before?

K: Um, not really. I've been asked out but nobody ever appealed to me like you did. I can't explain it.

P: You don't have to. I was there. It happened to me too. Just for the record, I've dated girls but I've only been with three and none of them were virgins. Not to get all weird or anything, but this almost felt like it was my first time too. I can't explain it.

K: Really? That's sweet of you to say.

P: I mean it. You feel okay?

K: A little sore but otherwise I feel great. You?

P: I feel amazing. I could stare at you all day ya know.

K: I could stare at you too. Um, think we should head back?

P: Only if I can hold your hand.

K: Peeta, you can hold more than that...

I think I turn ten shades of red as I help her out of her chair, throw our trash away and then enclose her hand in mine for the short walk back to the dorm. The elevator ride is charged with electricity and when we reach our floor, there's a tie on my doorknob. I look at Katniss and she smiles a sultry little grin. "Guess we can always go hang out in my room", she suggests.

I crash my lips to hers and pick her up and she encircles her legs around my waist as I head to her room. She's so focused on me that she can barely get the key in the knob. When the door gives way, I once again kick it shut.

I simply cannot get enough of her.

Katniss POV

Peeta spends the majority of the night in bed with me. We order a pizza and he doesn't head to his room until around ten o'clock. I can't get over the way that I feel. When he leaves, I head into my bathroom to shower. I flick on the light and then gaze at myself in the mirror. I don't think I look all that different, but I feel different. I feel like a woman now. Like I've crossed some imaginary bridge and reached something better.

I turn on the water and wash myself clean. I towel dry, braid my hair and dress in my pajamas.

Annie isn't back yet and I have no idea when/if she is. Not that it matters, I only met her today. I need to talk to someone, a girl. Oh my god, I should call Johanna.

I pull out my cell phone and notice that I have like six missed calls and several additional text messages from both Gale and Johanna. I call Johann's cell phone and wait patiently as it rings. On the fourth ring, Johanna finally picks up.

"Katniss Everdeen! Where the hell have you been? We called you so many times today! What in the hell have you been doing that you were too fucking busy to call us back?", she yells. I'm silent. I have no idea how to tell her. "Well? I'm waiting Katniss and it better be good!"

I sigh and take a deep breath. "I lost my virginity."

"Holy fucking shit! We dropped you off like eight hours ago! Are you kidding me?" I can hear Gale come running out of the bedroom. "What happened?", he asks. "Katniss did the dirty deed, that's why she didn't call us back!" Johanna tells him.

Gale takes her phone from her. "Catnip, am I hearing this right?" he asks.

I'm suddenly embarrassed. "Yes, Gale. It's true."

Gales sighs. "I'm gonna put Jo back on the phone. I've got to go process all of this. You're like my sister. I think I'm having a stroke. Here's Jo." He hands the phone back.

"Details you hussy. What's his name?"

"Peeta Mellark." I answer.

"No fucking way! You did not bag Peeta Mellark on your first fucking day at college with him! How did you meet him?" she asks. I explain how his room is down the hall and that our roommates are dating.

"So how soon after you met did you end up in bed?" she asks.

"I don't know. Maybe ten minutes." I respond.

"Jesus Katniss! I'm pretty easy and it still took Gale a couple of dates to get in my pants! I feel like I'm your mother right now. Have I not taught you anything since you've been here? Ten minutes? That has to be a record." I hear Gale in the background begging Johanna to shoot him.

"I know it happened fast but when we met it was just like the air was charged Jo. We shook hands and it was like I caught fire. I've just never felt that way before. Then after wards we had lunch and spent the whole day and half the night together. It felt so real and normal. Like I've known him forever. He just left a half an hour ago." I explain.

"You know Katniss, you sound like you like him. Do you?" Johanna asks.

"I think I do Jo. I mean he's handsome and funny. He's got the brightest blue eyes. The pictures didn't do him any justice. He treats me so well so far. He's very kind and charming. It's really hard not to like him. And my god, the sex. There's just a spark between us. I don't think it would feel like that with anyone else. I can't explain it." I tingle just thinking about him.

"Well Katniss. He sounds amazing and I'm really happy for you. But you do realize you have a problem, right?" she says.

"What's that?" I asks, oblivious.

"He's a job Katniss. You need to get your head out of the clouds and take this seriously. Peeta Mellark is the job you're on. You need to be able to walk away from this when all is said and done. You understand?" Johanna explains.

I gulp and feel my heart quicken. I've been so overwhelmed with meeting Peeta and everything that happened this afternoon that the job completely escaped my mind. I don't know how I let this happen.

Five minutes ago I felt normal. Like a nineteen year old young woman in college, on the verge of love, on the verge of womanhood, should feel.

Now I just feel cold.

I mumble about having to go and I hang up with Johanna quickly and sit there for a while holding my pillow. I can smell Peeta on it and it soothes me. I wish he was here.

Two minutes later there's a knock on my door. I get up to open it and find Peeta standing there with two coffees and a bag that looks like it's got some sort of pastry in it. I immediately feel better looking into his deep blue eyes and give him a bright smile.

He smiles back at me. "Light and sweet. Just like you."

I pull him by his shirt and crash my lips to his.

A/N: Setting up the conflicts. There will be several coming in this story! REVIEW and ALERT!

Oh, great new fic out on FFN. "The Farmer's Daughter" by rayreis14.