A/N: First of all, sorry for the delay, tons of things are happening these past few days, one of those being the prompt for Everlark week that I did.
Second, thank you guys so much for the reviews, and I know that summer is over, but that won't interfere here.

I wasn't pleased with the way Katniss was turning out here, it was getting way too OOC for me, hope that things get back on track now. And there are so many characters in this chapter!

"Who are you?" she doesn't respond, just keep staring right back at me. The foggy mirror from our bathroom is blurring the background, the exception being the path that I cleared with my bare hand. I can see that we share similar traits such as the same hair, same skin, same eyes, the entire body. But I don't recognize her, this free spirited girl that goes out with a handsome boy that she barely knows, that has a normal relationship with her mother, that has two good jobs and helps her little sister to learn how to ride a bike.

Maybe I stayed back home with Gale and no one bothered in telling me…

He was ecstatic in talking with me last night. Returning his call was the first thing that I did after Prim told me about his attempt of contact. Just hearing his voice made all the nostalgia hit me like a punch, tears gathered but I did not allow any of them to come out.

Gale talked about how much Posy missed me, how Hazelle longed for a good talk with my mother and how the members of the archery club at school were devastated about my departure. Despite all of that, summer was good to him too, he got a new job – something to do with logistic – and he also got his first car, actually restored his first car, an old GTO that once belonged to his late father.

I couldn't help but smile with his news, but deep down I knew something within was off. Years of companionship helped us to know each other better than anyone.

"Gale, what's wrong?" my voice came with the usual certainty that his presence provided me.

When he hesitated in answering me back my nerves tensed, "It's nothing, Katniss…" if there was something that we both knew was that if he called me by my name something was wrong, realizing his mistake he corrected himself, "Actually there is something,"

I sighed, the last time that I heard him like this was at our farewell.

"I miss you," those three simple words almost made me crumble, and the tears came back with full force, demanding twice the effort to not let them escape.

My words betrayed me, "Good bye, Gale," and the phone was back to its base unit.

Again, she just keeps staring at me, looking more closely now there are subtle differences, physically ones. My olive skin seems more tanned, my dark hair is in a brighter shade of brown, my cheeks are not so hallow as before. Maybe I have to accept that I have changed. I did moved on, and the old Katniss was left behind, maybe for good.

I leave the bathroom and the cool air hits me, the summer in this town is definitely hard to predict, some days are too hot, while as others are pleasant enough. The latter being the case today. I search for a plain shirt that I used a couple a days ago and a pair of sweat pants, and not really looking forward to lace my shoes I pick a pair of rubber flip-flops that mother received from one of her patients.

The morning shift at The Hob was pretty uneventful, consisting in Sae muttering about how things are slow for this time of the month, she decided to free us early and Lavinia and I were more than grateful to her for doing so. The only activity in my agenda was Cinna, who would probably question me about my date. Honestly, I don't think that I would handle another round of questions about Peeta. Mother and Prim teamed up at lunch, and I became their target.

"Here," she slams a small package in the table, making Prim and I wince in response, "No more, 'I lost track of time' and 'He is just a friend'" I stare at my lap, embarrassed with my awful excuses for coming late and not telling that I was out and about with a boy. It was never an issue before, when I was hanging out with Gale, but when she told me that she watched me kissing Peeta – in the cheek, for the record – she lost it.

I end up hearing a two hour long speech about teenage pregnancy, STD's and how to take things slow with boys, the dread that coursed through my veins when she almost brought 'the talk' of how babies are born was extreme. The dread however was replaced by shame when I had to declare that I was still a virgin…

"Open it," she says through gritted teeth, my eyes flick to hers, only confirm my assumption, she is pissed. No matter how angry she is, I'm glad that I could disrupt her natural calm, mom being angry means that she cares about us. She nods towards the small box and I see that is a cell phone, a cheap and basic one, but a cell phone nonetheless.

I open it and take the small device in my hands; it's nothing too fancy or flashy. Its jet black with a medium size screen and glassy keyboard, a tiny camera located behind with the logo of the Asiatic company.

"Thanks, mom," my voice coming weak and almost frail, I'm walking on eggshells around her. I turn the thing on and wait a few minutes until the digital menu pops, setting my preferences and time is pretty quick and the entire interface is very intuitive.

"The man in the store said that was perfect for people who are clueless about this stuff, he has set these 'apps' or whatever, he said that they are pretty trendy with teenagers," mother explains somewhat shy, if there is a trait that we share is our ignorance with technology. It took her two months to get used to her electric toothbrush.

Prim looks over to take a peek at my new phone, "Oh, you have the WhatsApp, and Facebook and Twitter are already installed, neat!" she squeals, somewhere during our lifetimes Prim learned some new dialect, because I didn't comprehended a thing that she just said, "Here let me get the Instagram and Skype," she snatches the phone from my hands, and I go back to my pancakes.

"So, I'll be at the hospital until midnight, there are two minor operations scheduled for tonight, there is food on the fridge and I'm leaving money so you can buy a pizza for dinner," she takes her coat and gives me and Prim a last look before saying goodbye and a warning about having boys at home. We hear the engine starting and the, now, common sound of our car making its way out of the garage.

Prim nearly jumps at me, "So, tell me everything!"

"W-What are you talking about?" my feigned ignorance muffled with the half chewed beef in my mouth.

"I'm talking about Peeta! I swear, when he showed up in that bike I almost fainted," my eyes widen and I choke, when did my thirteen year old sister started to show interest in boys? "But I gotta say, just a kiss on the cheek? What are you, nine?"

"Prim! What the heck?! Have you ever kissed a boy?" so, yeah, I did tried to change the subject with this lame line, still, I hoped that it worked, and sincerely hoped for a negative answer from her part too.

She rolls her eyes, "It's kinda late for that now," she says nonchalantly and my heart sinks. My little duck's innocence… "Don't you try to get away from this, so how was your date?"

I sigh; "It was fun…" my voice trails off.

"Fun…" she echoes.

"Fine! It was nearly perfection, he is a true gentleman, and he is very funny and easy-going and yes I did get scared in the end, so I just… I didn't… I couldn't kiss him, because…"

"Because you never kissed anyone," she finishes for me. I'm dumbfounded, everyone back in our old town thought that Gale and I were more than friends, he even hinted wanting something more than friendship, however I never considered following that path. Due this, no one ever bothered to ask me things like that, to the outsiders Gale and I were a couple, and frankly I never cared for such mistake.

Yet, something about Peeta was different; I was starting to consider him a friend, but not only a friend, not like Gale…

"Look, we just had a good time and besides, I barely know him, we have been here for like what? Two weeks? I mean, yeah he is funny, and handsome, and polite, but still… and maybe he is not looking for a romantic relationship, and I may not even be his type..."

"Katniss," she interrupts me, "You're rambling,"

"Sorry…" I mumble.

She shrugs, a grin playing on her lips, "It's cute, your first real crush, I say real because that thing of yours with Gale was just sad,"

"Sad? How come?" true curiosity coating my words.

She looks at me with a tiredly expression, "Look, we all know how oblivious you can be," I wonder who the we in this sentence is, "But back then, Gale kept looking at you in this… way," I tilt my head to the side, "Well, if you didn't figure this one out, there is no hope for human kind,"

I search for any signs of a sudden change in Gale's dichotomy with me. He acted strangely in my last days in our previous home, saying how much he cared for me, and how he wished things were different, and… there was something more…

"I'm sorry if I am not sharp and sassy as you," she laughs at me, "It's just that I don't know how to act with Peeta,"

"Be yourself; it shouldn't be so hard," she says matter-of-factly, "He is different though," her tone changing, a little more serious.

She has no idea of what happened, all those years ago, and yet she can tell that there is something about him.

"However, if there is a thing you should be sorry is for not having scored last night,"

"Prim!" she is saved by the bell, literally, "Are you expecting someone?" she shakes her head with a nervous look, "Maybe mom forgot something,"

"She has the keys," she remarks, our brows furrow in synchrony and I dare to spy through the peephole.

"Madge?" I open the door surprised. She has a nervous look, and I can't tear my gaze from her dress, which has a very adorable sailor collar, white neckerchief and pleated skirt, "Come in," I blurt out when she keeps fidgeting with her tie at our front door.

She takes tentative steps and make her way to our living room, Prim appears and waves at her, "Hi, are you Katniss's friend?"

"Yes, you must be her sister," her voice is shaking, almost literally.

Prim beams at her, "Yep, I'm Primrose, but everyone calls me Prim, nice to meet you," they shake hands and Madge blushes a little.

"I'm Madge," she responds timidly, I decide to barge in and see what she wants.

"So, what brings you to our humble home?" she seems eager for some reason.

She pulls a slip of paper from one of her pockets, "This is an invitation, my father keeps saying that I need to be more… social,"

I decide to read aloud, "Pool Party, this Saturday at 4:00p.m. at the Undersee's – No kids allowed," I stare blankly at her and she just shrugs.

"Johanna and Finnick are organizing, they pretty much invited everyone, but I wanted to invite you personally," her frankness startling me a bit, "I don't know why, but I feel at ease around you,"

I smile at her, "Me too, maybe it's because you, on contrary of some people, like to wear clothes," we laugh at the hinted mention of Johanna and she says her good-bye, but not before dropping a new.

"Oh, before I forget, he will be there too," she winks and makes her way under the morning sun.

Maybe I can stop by to see how the party is going…

"Let me get this straight… you kissed him in the cheek?" the astonishment in his voice palpable, Venia watches with a stunned expression on face, "Is that correct?"

I nod at him, for some reason the indignation coming from Cinna is almost reproachful, "I got nervous," but he was no longer interest in listening to me, he was back to his sketch book and I felt completely helpless, "What are you doing?"

"A bathing suit of course," he grins at me and all the help that I need is being imprinted in that sketch book, or at least is that what he thinks, "I rather see an employee of mine wearing a unique look that some avulse white swimsuit," the blush was inevitable, "Oh, you do have a white swimsuit," yeah, my face was an open book to him.

"It's the only one that I have, and is a two piece suit," he grimaces, probably minimalist wasn't in his plans for what it seemed, "But feel free to design something elaborate, I just have to remind you that it will end up underwater," I reply nonchalantly.

"Getting inside the pool is the least that you can do…" it felt like a sarcastic remark about my date…

My shift at boutique ends and I make my way back home under the twilight and with a brand new swimming suit in a bag. I take my time to sightsee around, explore new places that I hadn't the time to know, like the butchery – a nice piece of venison displayed in the front – and the local television studio, a huge outdoor with Caesar Flickerman, the channel's news anchor with pearly white smile, located above the entrance.

I see the school for the first time. It's a surprisingly big edification with red bricks walls and concrete corners, the town' flag hanging near the entrance, at the side of the school many types of court are situated, such as the tennis and volleyball courts, there is also a big swimming pool next to them, and I assume that where the second of home of Finnick is.

Midway through the school length I started to hear some shouts and yells, on the other side of the building exists a basketball court and boys were playing at it, Peeta happened to be one of them.

"Lights out, dude!" Marvel screams to Cato, who took a risk and launched the orange ball for a-three-point chance. Thresh was unable to stop the ball, and that was something, his massive body was more athletic that I could have imagined, his big arms nearly blocking the ball, but it was useless, Cato was too good for him and they scored.

"Yeah!" Clove and Marvel cheered in unison, exchanging high-fives with Cato, what was when they noticed me watching them.

"Yo! Katniss, what's up?" Thresh boomed from his position, his voice was firm and sounded like he was by my side, in reality he was dozens of feet away from me, "Do you play?" he twirled the orange ball with his index finger, the inquisition never leaving his eyes. Peeta and Delly who were next to him watched attentively and even Cato who was catching his breath took time to hear my answer.

"I'm good enough," it was all that they needed.

"Great, go say thanks to your saver, Dells," the girl was flushed and sweating badly, her tee shirt was soaked and she made her way to the bleachers, Madge handing her water and Johanna saying something about how lazy the girl was, "It's a three-on-three, you, me and Peeta against Cato, Marvel and lil'Clove," the girl huffed at the prefix.

"It's going to be fun," Peeta said while he approached me, his usual smile plastered in his face. He was a wreck, skin flushed, his tank top of the Mockingjays – probably the school team – was soaking wet, but he was still looking handsome, his large black shorts and worn out orange sneakers made me feel at ease with my own attire.

Being in a light baseball tee with grey sleeves and denim shorts, along with my blue sneakers wasn't the most appropriate basketball outfit, but it was not like I was going to play the nationals.

Well, Cato and Thresh would beg to differ. They were battling for every point, letting out roars and shouts, I was probably the only one frightened by their commitment, because Peeta came to my side after a point where Cato scored and screamed, hand hammering against his chest in a pride outburst.

"They are always like this," he said, and I did my best to focus on his words instead of the intoxicating smell of his sweat, "Cato used to be the leader of the Tracker Jackers, they are rivals with the Mockingjays, and Thresh happens to be the leader of the Mockingjays," he laughed.

I nodded, "How many teams are around here?"

We laughed together, "That's about it, I promise," and then Thresh started yelling at us, making Clove and Marvel laugh at our distress, only to be yelled by Cato. We were all victims from those two titans.

Madge, Johanna and Delly were soon joined by Finnick and Thom – the two of them oblivious to the war happening on court, and both of them holding paper bags.

The brief moment of contemplation was broke when Thresh shoved the ball in my direction and all my natural reflexes paid off when I swiftly took grasp of it and lunged at Marvel, who surprised by my speed fell backwards, I took opportunity to impress them and finish this game.

I leapt and only the sound of the metal basket bouncing registered on my mind. When I landed my feet only remained for a few seconds on the ground, because suddenly Peeta was holding be me by the waist and everyone else was clapping, "You're amazing!" his voice more exciting than the slam dunk that I just did.

"Dang, the chick is good!" Thresh barked, taking me by the waist and hoisting me over his shoulders, it was very high by the way. Aside from the other team everyone was ecstatic, maybe with the move, maybe with the end of the match, I was happy with both.

"Nice move," Cato muttered next to me before plopping down next to Madge on the bleachers.

Finnick whistled loud, taking our attention, "I say for all of us to go to Mellarks and celebrate Katniss debut at our school!" they all cheered in unison this time, including Marvel and Clove. Peeta only shook his head and he took my hand while we made our way to his family bakery. I was about to question his antics, but the bright smile that he shot at me were enough to stop any questions.

My heart was hammering really loud against my ribcage.

"You better be home by ten," her voice serious.

"Okay, mom, anything else?" my voice tired.

"…maybe some bread…?"

"Tell Katniss to bring a cupcake!" Prim chirps in, she was probably worried about me.

"Uh, that's right, bring two red velvet cupcakes," I can actually hear their collective sigh.

I groan, "Fine,"

Click.

"Your mother?" Peeta says, he doesn't ask about the cell phone but the curiosity in his eyes is clear, noticing that we are a few feet away from the rest of the party I decide to share some news with him.

"Yeah, she got a little too protective after our date," my face heating up at the final word, "Now she wants to know where I am and with who I'm with all the time, it's like having a tracker planted in my arm," the heavy sigh escaping my lips.

"Bummer, I just hope that it wasn't because of me," he is clearly concerned, I wonder if he wants to get on the good side of my mother. Maybe I want to get on the good side of Mrs. Mellark, or maybe I want her to get on my good side.

"Actually, part of it is your fault," Peeta turns his head with a worried look, "She was watching us last night, and… well, she saw when I kissed you," my cheeks are on fire and I can't even look at him.

"That was barely a kiss! She can't be serious about it," he says a bit worked up, and I can't help but notice the way he refers to our kiss – an exasperated and hopeful tone hidden underneath all indignation.

The bakery comes into view and Peeta and I are the first to enter, I loosen my hold of his hand by his grip tightens, and he doesn't provide any further explanation and I don't question his actions either. His father welcomes us, a huge smile on his lips when he sees everyone walking behind us.

"Peeta, you should have said that you were going to bring a party with you," Mr. Mellark eyes ours linked hands, and he smiles seems get brighter, "and I see that you're friends with miss Everdeen, that's nice," and maybe is the way that the word friends comes out, but I shy away from his gaze and Peeta squeezes my hand.

"We are going to the backyard, okay?" Peeta asks eagerly and he barely waits to his father to nod to tug me, making our way through the bakery's kitchen and straight to the backyard. During our walk I spot the stairs that probably lead to the bedrooms. I also see Luchie and two other employees working over the ovens, he waves at me but I barely have the time to answer.

The backyard is huge and the grass seems greener somehow, there is a small apple tree on the center and Peeta leads me to a big wooden table, Finnick and Thom spread the goods inside the paper bags all over it. Dozens of chips, sodas, sweets and other groceries are displayed and arranged over a very cliché checkered cloth, Madge sat beside me and Cato next to her, across the table Johanna, Finnick and Thom made themselves comfortable, Marvel and Clove were sited in a bench, talking animatedly. Peeta, Thresh and Delly were talking while heading to inside the house.

"Have you met Peeta's mother?" Madge asks, I stare at her, not really sure if my next statement would sound sincere.

"No," and it wasn't a real lie, I never met her, but I did saw her once…

"Let's wind this up!" Thresh boomed from the doorway, an old boombox over his shoulder, "Who's in for a round of dices?" behind him was Delly and Peeta holding some cups probably filled with dices. Peeta slipped to my other side and Delly sat with Thresh in some plastic chairs.

Things started to heat up at the table, after some rounds getting used to the game I was invincible, Johanna would glare me and Finnick groan when I predict correctly their hands and Cato and Thresh were beyond frustration – those two have serious issues with competition.

"Okay, since none us seems to be able to defeat Katniss, I suggest some other game," Thom huffed, everyone nodding in agreement, and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Don't get too cocky, it was beginners luck," Johanna growled, and Peeta nudged me with his elbow, we grinned at her remark and I could see challenge glimmering in her eyes, "Very well, let's play some poker," she grabbed her bag and started to scrambled until a pack of cards was found.

Finnick swiftly shuffled the cards and distributed between us, except for Madge and Delly who didn't know how to play poker. Honestly, I'm no player, but I know the rules, Gale loved to play cards with me, maybe because he always won.

Things turned for the worse, I kept loosing – instead of money we were betting the cookies that Mr. Mellark made for us – and by the looks I would eat none of those, "I'm out," I shoved my cards aside "Me too," Thom chirped and we joined Madge and Delly, who gave me reassuring smiles

Cato, Thresh and Johanna were fierce and reckless, leaving to Peeta and Finnick to gamble with charm and bluffs, "They are so lost," Marvel declared from his position next to us, "Cato and Thresh, and by the looks Johanna is going to fall too,"

I wasn't seeing what he was seeing, because both Cato and Thresh had confident looks on their faces, Johanna had her brows creased in concentration but her stakes were high. Finnick was looking a bit bored and Peeta was wearing a curious smirk. When the cards were drawn I understood Marvel's prevision. Peeta finished them with a straight flush, and they all seemed crushed groaning in unison.

"Well, that was fun, but I don't think I want cookies, so… go for them," and they cookies were left at the table except for one that he grabbed for me, the one with more chocolate dips that I was secretly craving for, "You're a terrible liar," he said while handing me the cookie.

"Am I really that bad?"

"Never gamble at cards, you will lose to your last coin," he laughs and receives a scowl in return, "But you do have the best intuition, Johanna never loses when playing dices," it's a clear try in mollify me and I decide to allow it, but only because the cookie was amazing.

Definitely a filler chapter, but I really want to take an inside in how popular and friendly Peeta can be, it gives a nice contrast to Katniss antisocial trait.