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Chapter Six

Katniss had just finished pouring water into the coffee pot when there was a knock on the door. She looked up at the clock to see it was seven on the nose. She answered it and found Peeta standing on the other side with his hands behind his back. "You're exactly on time."

He shrugged. "I'm an early riser. And I show up everywhere exactly when I say I'm going to. Sometimes before." He pulled a storage container from behind his back. "Fresh donuts."

She looked from the box to his face. "Did you make those?"

He nodded. "I did."

She waved him inside. "When you said donuts, I thought you were going to go to a shop."

He shook his head. "I love making donuts. Hi, Prim."

Prim stopped in her tracks with a brush halfway through her hair. "Hey, Mr. Mellark." She pulled the brush the rest of the way through her hair and stood awkwardly.

Katniss jumped in, "I just turned the coffee pot on."

"Fantastic!" Peeta said, following her into the kitchen. "I didn't sleep much last night." He admitted as she took out three cups from the cabinet above the coffee maker. "I was trying to decide what kind of donuts to make. And trying to come up with ways to spend time with you before Friday."

Katniss sat a cup in front of him. "Do you take milk or sugar?"

"Just a little milk, please." He opened the container and held it out to Prim. "Help yourself."

She reached in and took one as Katniss sat the sugar bowl in front of her with a cup of coffee. "You know me so well." She said as she started dumping several spoonfuls of the sugar into her cup.

"You like to drink coffee flavored syrup?" Peeta asked with a smirk before he took a bite of donut.

She shrugged. "I don't like strong coffee."

Katniss shook her head. "She's a bit of a wimp."

Peeta asked, "And how do you drink yours? Black?"

"Teaspoon of sugar and just a touch of milk." She bit into a donut and her eyes went wide. "These are better than the deli at the grocery store."

"They were made with love." As soon as the words left his mouth he started to blush. "I mean, made especially for you. Not mass produced."

Prim giggled. "Mr. Mellark, you love Katniss."

Peeta laughed nervously. "Well, I don't know that yet."

"Just smitten, then?" Prim asked with a giggle.

Katniss kicked her under the table.

"Ouch!" Prim gasped.

Peeta chuckled. "Yeah, I am smitten." He looked to Prim. "And I also was thinking, this thing with Katniss is just starting, but I hope to be around quite a bit and I hope you two can come to my place some. So, Prim, when we're not in school or at a school function, I would feel more comfortable if you would call me Peeta. But at school, definitely Mr. Mellark."

Prim smiled like she had just been let in on a big secret. "Sure...Peeta." She giggled. Then she started singing, "Peeta and Katniss sittin' in a tree—"

"Prim." Katniss warned.

"Sorry." Prim said, contrite.

There was an awkward silence as everyone finished their donuts.

Katniss Broke it as she reached into the container for another. "So what ideas did you have?"

Peeta blinked several times. He'd been watching her and hadn't heard her question. "About?"

"Trying to get more time before Friday." She explained.

"Oh." He chuckled. "Um, I could bring you breakfast another day. Maybe take you to breakfast. Or, I could bring dessert later another night."

"Sounds like you have the week planned." Katniss said softly.

"We don't have to do any of it. But I will make dinner Friday."

"At your place." Prim said. "And I will have plans."

Katniss kicked her again.

"That's child abuse." Prim told her.

A cloud crossed over Peeta's face, but he shook it off quickly. "I'd love to have you over to my place, Katniss."

She nodded. "I'd like that, too."

"So what are you bringing us tomorrow?" Prim asked.

"That'll be a surprise." Peeta said. He winked at Katniss and Prim started giggling. "But I promise nothing too fancy."

"I hope not." Katniss said. "We're not fancy around here when it comes to breakfast."

"We're not fancy around here when it comes to anything." Prim pointed out.

Peeta chuckled. He looked at his watch. "I need to get to work. I usually open up my classroom early so kids can study in there." He looked to Prim. "Or if some certain students like to paint before school."

Prim shrugged. "I don't have a great place to paint around here."

"We can fix something up if you really want." Katniss assured her.

She stood. "I'm fine. Better go get my things."

The others watched her leave. Peeta finished his coffee. "Have a good day at work."

"You too." She followed him to the door. They stood there a moment. She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to his cheek.

He smiled. "I know I just met you, but I really like you."

"I really like you, too."

He finally left. Katniss watched out the window as Peeta's Jeep made its way out to the road.

"Katniss has a boyfriend." Prim sang.

Katniss chuckled. "Not a boyfriend."

"Not yet. But he is a guy that is smitten with you." Prim giggled. "So when do you go in again?"

"Noon to seven. You'll have to fend for yourself for supper tonight."

"I'll cook for you." Prim offered. "I'm almost an adult. I should start taking more responsibility."

"There are a few things around here. Don't burn the house down." She followed Prim out the door. "Make good choices."

Her sister laughed. "Okay."

She took out her phone and dialed Gale. "You busy today?"

"Just dropped Madge off at work. Heading to my job. Why?"

Katniss looked up at the clock. "Getting a late start. Are you giving the trees time to sleep in?"

"Very funny." He said dryly. "We're starting a new spot today and the supervisor said not to come in until eight. It's a little swampy. They want to give it another look before we let trucks back there. Anyway, how was the date last night? You said you'd call."

"I know I did. Sorry." She sat down on the couch and recounted the evening. "And then he brought us donuts this morning. Homemade ones, Gale. His dad owned a bakery, so he knows some stuff."

Gale chuckled. "That ought to satisfy your sweet tooth."

"Yeah, it ought to. Gale, I really like him." She said the last softly.

She could hear the smile in her friend's voice when he said, "Sounds like it. I'm happy for you."

"So how are things with you and Madge? We don't get much chance to talk at work."

"We're good. I think I'm going to propose soon."

Katniss laughed. "Finally? Are you going to do something big or just pop the question?"

"I don't think she'll want anything overly involved. I'll just make her dinner and give her a ring. Which reminds me, will you help me look for one? They all start looking the same after a while. I need a woman's opinion."

"I'm not really into jewelry."

"But you do know what looks good and what Madge likes. Please?"

"Sure." She thought a moment. "Are you planning on doing it soon because I work late every day this week. And I work Saturday opening to noon. We could go that afternoon if you want."

"Okay, sure. Saturday afternoon." He sighed. "Time for work. Have a good day."

"You too." She hung up and reclined on the couch. She really did like Peeta. And she hoped that this was the start of something great.

Her phone went off with a text. She smiled when she saw Peeta's name pop up on the screen. "I just wanted to send you a message to say that I hope you have a good day at work."

She replied, "I hope the same for you."

"Finnick just came in and asked me about the date. He said Annie wanted to know, but I know he's the one who was more curious. Lol"

"lol. My friend Gale was just asking. But I called him first to gush about you."

She got up and started cleaning up the kitchen as she waited for his reply. It took a while as he must have been busy with his class.

"You never told me much about Gale." His response said.

She thought a moment and said, "He's a great friend. Very supportive. There were a few times I was struggling with Prim and he stepped in to help. Especially right after my mom's suicide."

"I'm glad you had someone." He replied.

She smiled to herself. "Yeah, I don't know how I would have made it without him and my uncle."

"Oh, an uncle. You didn't mention an uncle. Is he scary? Should I be worried I'll get my ass kicked if I piss you off?"

Katniss laughed. "I think you might. Just don't break my heart."

Peeta's next text didn't come for a while. She had folded an entire load of clothes and put them away when her phone finally buzzed. "I don't plan on it."

She grinned. He liked her. He really did. And she was falling more and more in love with him. Not that she would dare call it love just yet. This was just the beginning. "I have to get ready for work."

"I should probably focus on my work."

"Yeah, that's kind of important."

He asked after a long break, "Can I bring you dessert tonight?"

"What if I bring you something? Tell me where you live."

"You shouldn't trouble yourself."

She sat in her car and said, "You put yourself to a lot of trouble for donuts this morning. Now, send me your address."

He sent it along and said, "But you really don't need to."

"I'm going to anyway. See you later." She drove to work and spent the entire day trying to figure out what to bring to Peeta.

"Do you have a condom?" Prim asked as Katniss gathered her coat by the front door.

Katniss gave her sister an incredulous look. "Prim, for crying out loud, I just started dating the guy."

"Yeah, but this is the third time you're seeing him. And it counts as a date. Don't you know the three date rule? And you should also know that the guy isn't the only one responsible for safe sex practices. You told me that."

Katniss chuckled. She kissed her sister's forehead. "Don't stay up too late." She picked up a box beside the door filled with Madge's best apple turnovers made especially for Katniss. She arrived at Peeta's apartment a short time later. She knocked on the door and waited.

Peeta opened it a moment later with a smile. "Please, come in." He stepped aside.

"My friend Madge works in the deli and she makes really great apple turnovers." She held out the box.

"Oh, fantastic." He took the box as she shed her coat and hung it by the door. He led her into the kitchen area just beyond the living room. "I'll give you the nickel tour." He said, playing on her offer from the day before. "This is the kitchen." He pointed, "That's the living room/dining room." He led her across the small room to a door. "And this is my bedroom, bathroom's through there." He turned. "This is my place."

"It's cute." She said.

He chuckled. "It's tiny. But it's all I really need."

"I like it."

He motioned for her to have a seat and went into the kitchen. "I'll stick these in the oven to warm them a bit and we can talk." He put the pastries on a pan and walked around the island that separated the rooms.

She noticed he was limping. "Are you okay?"

He shrugged. "Just been up and about too long."

"Is there anything I can do?"

He shook his head. "I'll be fine." He sat down and watched her a moment. "It was a lawnmower accident."

"What was?"

"The leg." Peeta said. "I was ten. I was mowing up a hill and I lost my grip and it came down on my shin. Tore it up pretty badly and they couldn't repair it."

Katniss nodded. "I'm sorry to hear that."

He shrugged. "It's been my life."

"Yeah." She said softly.

They sat awkwardly for a while until the timer went off in the kitchen. He got up and hurried in there as she watched. He sat a plate in front of her with a fork. "What would you like to drink? I have milk, water?"

"Milk, please?"

He brought her a glass and sat down with his own plate and glass of milk. He took a bite and nodded. "Delicious."

"I'll make sure to tell Madge you said so." She said with a smile.

"I may have a run for my money." He said.

"You may."

They ate in silence. Katniss sat her plate aside with several bites left while Peeta continued.

"So when did you decide you wanted to be a teacher?" She asked.

He smiled. "I knew I wanted to be a professional artist, but I wasn't sure how. And then I realized if I was able to teach future artists, I could show off my talent as well. And I knew it would also give me a chance to encourage and help kids who might need it. I had a bit of a rough childhood and there were some really great teachers in my life, especially high school, who helped me make it through."

"Rough how?" She asked softly.

He shook his head. "That will be for another day. I don't want to get into it tonight. It's kind of late for something like that."

She watched him a moment and then nodded. "I understand."

"There's a lot I want to tell you, Katniss. I want to tell you everything, things even Finnick and Annie don't know. But I don't want to scare you away."

"I get that." She placed her hand on his knee. "You tell me when you're ready."

He patted her hand. "Thank you."

She looked at the clock. "It's kind of late. I should go. I bet you have things to grade."

He shook his head and clasped her hand. "You don't have to run off."

She turned her hand over and squeezed. "I know."

He leaned closer and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.

She smiled and returned the kiss. "I have to go." She stood. "I like your place."

"You're welcome back any time." He followed her to the door. "Thanks for the turnovers. Tell your friend Madge we'll have to have some sort of competition."

"I will." Katniss chuckled. "Madge is dating my friend Gale, by the way. If you and she have baking competitions and Gale and I are constantly trying to figure out who is the better archer, we'll be those couples no one wants to be around."

Peeta laughed. "Well, a little friendly competition is good every once in a while. It keeps people on their toes."

She nodded. "You don't have to bring breakfast in the morning." She pulled her coat back on.

"Okay."

"I mean, it's nice and I appreciate it, but don't feel like it's an obligation."

He grinned and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. "It's not an obligation, it's a really good excuse to see you. And you make really good coffee."

She laughed and stepped out the door. "Then I'll see you in the morning."

"Seven?"

She nodded. "Seven." She watched him a moment and then turned and walked out of the apartment with a bounce in her step.