Chapter 4

Anton's POV

The summer is hot and sultry – much more so than it ever is in Four. But thankfully, it passes relatively quickly.

Mrs. Mellark and I eventually work out a system. Every Saturday morning, we meet at the edge of the woods, just beyond the perimeter of Twelve's now-defunct electrical fence. Then, we spend the day hunting and fishing. Overtime, we become more refined at each other's skills. With my now-refurbished homemade bow, I can soon shoot down birds and smaller animals as well as my new teacher. I still struggle with bigger beasts like deer, though. Nevertheless, Mrs. Mellark and I are able to work together to bring down a few. Meanwhile, she has begun to get the hang of catching fish – she even snags a large bass one afternoon. On the whole, she has discovered fishing to be very therapeutic; telling me it has helped her discover new parts of herself, like patience.

So this is where we find ourselves one autumn afternoon, sitting by Mr. Everdeen's lake with our poles, waiting for the fish to bite. In the peaceful silence, I gather the courage to ask her what has been on my mind for some time now.

"When did you first meet your husband? What was he like – Peeta?"

I see a wistful smile break onto Katniss's face. She pauses in answering to check her line. "I first met Peeta when I was twelve. I was struggling to feed my mother and my little sister. One day, I found myself on my knees in despair near the back door of his family's bakery. Peeta burned a loaf of bread on purpose and took a beating from his mother just to give it to me."

I blink in astonishment. "Wow. He must have loved you already then."

Katniss laughs – a rare, joyous sound. "Oh, he did. Only problem was he acted too much like a darn gentleman to tell me. He fell in love with me when we were in kindergarten, when he heard me singing." She shrugs. "But we never crossed paths again until we were reaped for our first Games."

For the briefest instant, darkness comes across her stormy grey eyes, but then it is gone. I change the subject.

"Did you fall in love with him right away?"

"No." She shakes her head, before another rueful smile appears. "He crept up on me. Through it all, my husband was brave, loyal, handsome. And amazingly selfless – the most selfless person I've ever known." She takes a sudden interest in the water.

"I can't even imagine – losing someone like that. You must miss him a lot," I admit.

She huffs as she reels in her line. "Yes, especially now, when I have yet another District function to attend." As the Mockingjay, she is required to be at many district events. The Fall Harvest Ball, which she has already griped to me about on more than one outing, is no exception. "We used to always go together, and now I won't have him to rely on to get through the damn thing."

I can see a thought strike her, and she turns to me. "Anton, can I ask….?" She stops and scowls. There it is again – that annoyance at having to be dependent on someone else that I have come to know so well. I chuckle.

"It's OK to ask for help, you know," I tease.

She exhales loudly. "Fine. I have a favor to ask you: would you mind accompanying me to the Fall Harvest Ball?"

I blink in surprise, before brushing my immediate thoughts away. This isn't a date – she's just in a bind and needs someone to go with. I know enough about Mrs. Mellark to know that, with few exceptions and I now being one of them, she is usually uncomfortable in having to project social skills.

I nod with a genuine smile. "I'd be happy to."

She nods once, happy that that's checked off her list. "Good." She glances at the sky. "We'd better make our trade in town. We at least have some game to take back." We head back to the District and make our sale, before parting ways at the entrance to Victor's Village.

"The ball is Friday. Pick me up at seven. And wear something pretty!" Katniss hollers the last as she breaks into a jog up the path, where hungry children and a no doubt cranky father figure await.

"You too!" I call to her retreating form.