Eva bounced down the steps of the Granary, munching on a handful of salted sunflower seeds.

Under one arm she clutched the parcel that held the week's grain and flour and under the other was a basket containing fresh baked goods from the Mellark bakery, a carton of skim milk and fresh greens from the grocer. Like everything else, District 12 was given whatever no one else wanted, such as skim milk and wilting vegetables.

Everyone knew that the best of the best always went straight to the Capitol.

Eva didn't mind too much; after all, she always had whatever she really needed, and she'd never known a life other than the one she lived. She'd never tasted delicacies or experienced finery, she didn't know what she was missing, and it was best that way.

She popped another sunflower seed into her mouth as she walked on, heading to the butcher's for one last stop before heading home.

It wasn't far, as before long Eva was walking up the butcher's front steps, glancing through the large front window as she approached.

Looking inside, she caught a glimpse of Eben Jaxin, the butcher's son, tangled in the arms of a young girl. Eva couldn't see her face from behind, and she felt her cheeks flush as she realized she'd just caught them in a rather compromising situation.

She turned to leave, already thinking of an excuse to tell her father for coming home without any meat.

"Hello?" Eben called out, his voice rasping and husky.

Eva froze and turned hesitantly in her tracks, calling back weakly to him.

"It's just me Eben, my father sent me for the groceries and I'm stopping by for some cold cuts."

Eben appeared at the door then, gesturing her inside as he combed back his hair with his hands, unable to hide the blush of shame that was coloring his cheeks.

As Eva stepped inside she noticed the girl he'd been with was her age, and in her class at school. Mara West was one of the prettiest girls Eva knew and it was rare that she walked home from school alone; there was always some boy willing to accompany her.

"Hello Eva," she greeted; no friendliness in her voice, just annoyance.

Eva nodded in response, turning her gave then to Eben who stood behind the shop counter, scurrying around, looking for his apron and hairnet.

"Just the usual please Eben."

Eben nodded furiously, heading to the back room to retrieve Eva's order, leaving Eva and Mara in the front room alone.

Eva kept her eyes on her hands, glancing nervously over at Mara who stood, leaning against the counter as she tried to tidy her tangled, chestnut hair. Mara looked over at Eva, her eyes narrowing and Eva's gaze quickly flickered back to her hands, picking idly at her finger nails.

Mara had always made her nervous, and Eva couldn't think of a single person in District 12 that she'd least like to be left alone with other than Mara West.

Mara was an orphan. She'd been taken in by her grandparent's years before after her parents had died in the same epidemic that Eva's brother had succumbed to. Just like Eva's father, Mara hated the Seam. Mara's grandmother had died the year before and Eva guessed that from the number of times her father had been to see Mara's grandfather in the past few months that his time on earth was soon coming to an end. Eva almost felt bad for Mara; her life was lonely, no wonder she looked to so many boys to fill her emptiness.

"So," said Mara, breaking the uncomfortable silence with her disdainful tone.

"I hear you and Wade are pretty friendly, are you two an item?"

Eva was stunned, her mouth opening to protest when Mara spoke again.

"Oh come on Eva, don't try and deny it, we can all tell you're together."

"No!" Eva sputtered, suddenly annoyed that someone had finally said it out loud.

It was one thing for people to gossip about her and Wade behind closed doors, but it was an entirely different thing when they came right out and said it to Eva's face. She wasn't sure quite how to respond.

"We're just friends, we've been friends since we were children – that's all."

She hoped Mara would leave it at that, but Mara pressed on.

"Just curious is all; don't get so uptight, I'm just taking an interest in my cousin's wellbeing."

It dawned on her then that she'd forgotten Mara and Wade were distant cousins, separated by several generations. It wasn't surprising, almost everyone in District 12 was related to each other on one level or another, and even marriages between distant relatives wasn't uncommon.

Eva didn't dignify Mara with an answer, choosing to ignore her comment. Craning her neck to glance into the back room, Eva wished that Eben would return soon.

Her wish was granted, and Eva sighed in relief, paying him quickly for the cold cuts before scurrying out the door and bounding down the steps as fast as she could go.

She was so focused on getting as far away from Mara as she could that she didn't watch were she was going. One moment she was running down the street, and the next she was sprawled on her face, groceries scattered around her.

The fall had knocked the wind out of her, and when a hand grabbed her arm, gently pulling her to her feet, Eva found she was having even more trouble catching her breath.

Gasping, Eva pushed her mussed hair out of her wide, startled eyes as she realized she was looking up into the face of none other than Phoenix Everdeen.

"Are you alright?" His face was full of surprise, but as he looked at her, a slow smile crept onto his features.

"It's you!"

Eva found herself nodding, once again unable to form words – everything she'd wanted to say was suddenly robbed from her mind.

Phoenix bent over then, grabbing her basket in one hand and filling it with its spilled contents with the other. Eva crouched down next to him, grabbing a handful of vegetables and the bag of cold cuts, all the while scrambling for something to say to him.

"I'm very sorry," said Phoenix. "But I think your milk is history."

Eva looked down at the ground, standing up as she noticed the shattered glass bottle and the white liquid seeping into the brown earth beneath her.

"It's alright," she finally said.

"It's not the end of the world I guess."

He was still smiling, and Eva noted the way his entire face lit up as he handed the brown wicker basket back to her.

She accepted it; giving him a smile in return that she hoped was as wonderful as his own.

"I'd been wondering if I was going to see you around sometime – clumsy girl like you, you left quite an impression on me."

Eva caught the grin in his voice, and blushed slightly as he teased her.

"You sure you're alright?" He question, the smile leaving his face and being replaced by a slight frown.

She nodded quickly, laughing, hoping to dispel his concern.

"I'm alright, really, after all, being as clumsy as you say I am, I'm used to these kinds of falls."

He laughed then, and Eva couldn't help but think that his laugh was almost more wonderful a sound than his voice.

"I wish I could repay you for the milk." He said, handing her the last slightly bruised tomato.

"No, don't be silly, it was just an accident, and I should have been watching where I was going."

Phoenix shrugged.

"Fair enough," he said good naturedly, pausing for a moment before continuing.

"Could I - I mean, would you mind if I walked you home?"

Eva nodded, maybe a little too quickly and smiled once again.

"Of course."

Taking her basket from her, Phoenix and Eva started out, walking in the direction of her house.

"I didn't think I'd see you again you know." Phoenix said.

"I didn't either." Eva responded.

After the initial shock of meeting Phoenix in the street had worn off, Eva was shocked at how freely they conversed. All her nervousness was falling away, and after only a few moments, she felt like she'd known him for years; she didn't even think of what her father might say if he saw the two fof them together. She found herself wondering suddenly if he felt the same way.

"You know Eva, you really did surprise me out there in the Meadow that night – what where you doing out there."

There was no accusation in his tone and Eva found it easy just to tell him the truth, no lies, no half-truths – it was liberating.

"I just like to get away sometimes – clear my head."

Never once did he question her, and as they walked on, unconsciously taking the more secluded paths, Eva found herself falling more and more for this Seam boy every second.

They talked of little things, not of school or home or the mines or even the Games; little things, like how beautiful the weather had been this year and how Eva had always loved the sight of the delicate evening primrose flower.

Phoenix was easygoing and charming, so unquestionably good, that when he asked her to meet him in the Meadow that night, Eva immediately accepted.

They parted ways then, just before coming upon her house, and as she watched him run off towards the market, Eva found that she couldn't even try to hide the smile that was spreading brightly across her face.

"He remembered me." She whispered softly.

And turning slowly, hope filling up her soul, Eva walked dreamily up the steps and into her home.


So, she's finally getting to know the singing boy - what do you think, any guesses about where the story will go? If any of you have read my other HG story, you may have recognized Mara... Anyway, let me know what you think!