I didn't think I was going to be this nervous when I was rehearsing what to say to Katniss. But right now, my hands can't seem to stop sweating or shaking.

I look at the clock for the third time since I got to the library to find that she's 10 minutes late. She's never late. Did something happen to her? Did she forget we had tutoring today? No, she couldn't. It's Tuesday, we always have tutoring on Tuesdays she knows that.

I play with my hands as a sign of desperation. What is wrong with me? I remember the first time I had to come to the library for my first session, I wasn't so excited about the tutoring and I didn't even know who my tutor was, that wasn't very thrilling either. Then I found Katniss was my tutor and I wasn't sure how everything was going to turn out.

Now I'm anxious waiting for her; I want her to get here already, but at the same time I don't. It's all so frustrating!

I'm becoming desperate when I finally spot her at the front door. She's trying to catch her breath, so I suppose she came running and the thought makes me smile. She looks at me and I see her cheeks are pink, which is maybe because of the running but I can't help thinking that maybe, just maybe it's because of me.

She starts walking in my direction and I get more nervous. This is it, Mellark. I think to myself. You can do this!

"Sorry for being late, I had this thing and I thought I could be here on time. Sorry." She says apologetically and I become curious as what this "thing" is. But I put that thought aside and smile at her.

"It's ok. I've been late before, so it's only fair."

She smiles shyly at me too. And that's the only think I needed to encourage me. I have to ask her now.

"Listen there's this thing on Friday…" I frown. It has never been difficult for me to talk to someone. I really need some help.

"The first game of the season?" This comes as a shock I didn't know she knows about the game.

"Yeah, how do you know?" I look at her oddly and she only chuckles.

"Maybe you didn't know this, but I go to the same school as you do so…" She shrugs and it's my turn to chuckle.

"Thanks for the breaking news. But what I meant is I didn't know you knew about the game."

"That's all people talk in school. I don't think anyone doesn't know about it."

"You're right. I was…I was thinking if…" I don't know why this is so difficult.

I take a deep breath so I can start over again, but she interrupts me.

"It's fine. We can postpone the session, it's ok if you want to go to the game."

She's misunderstanding everything. "No, no, no, no…. That's not what I was trying to say. Well yes, but no. Sort of…"

She looks confused and I don't blame her.

"Sorry Peeta, I'm not following you."

"I was thinking, if you want to of course, if it's ok to have the tutoring earlier like last week and then… you know… we can go to the game. If you want"

She stares at me but I can't read her expression.

"We will meet Finn and Annie there, we always go together to see Finn play."

She still doesn't say a word and that only makes my hands sweat more.

"You're asking me to go to the game with you?" I try to speak, but my vocal cords don't seem to function. So I only nod.

"And your friends are ok with that?"

I'm finally able to talk, I just hope my voice don't reveal how nervous I am. "Yeah, they want to meet you."

She looks at me suspiciously. And I think about what I just said, I mean, it's not a lie but it's not completely true.

"They want to meet me? Why?"

"I've talked them about you… the tutoring, I mean." It's as if she wants to make things difficult for me on purpose.

"Well, yeah I think I have to ask my parents first. I don't want Prim to be alone, so I'll have to check with them first."

I can't help the smile that appears on my face. She didn't say yes, but she didn't say no either.

"Yeah, yes… yes ok." I think she's trying hard not to smile, but she lowers her head so I'm not quite sure.

Me, on the other hand, I can't stop grinning and I don't want to. There's a chance she is going with me… I mean us. Maybe I should warn her about Finnick. But if I do she's going to think I'm assuming she is going; besides I don't want to scare her with Finn. No, I should wait. Yeah, that's better.

"Should we start or…?" I can see she's now half smiling. I guess that's something.

"Yes. Sure."

She pulls out her books and we start to study.

The two hours pass too quickly for my liking, so when we leave the library I make sure to make small talk, ask her about her weekend and classes. To my surprise she talks to me back just as easily and we finish our conversation when we get to her car without any awkward silence.

I'm really glad we can finally talk like we are friends. But that didn't make my nervousness ceased. I just hope she didn't notice how edgy I was the past two hours.

We say our goodbyes and as soon as she gets into her car I walk to mine, but I don't get in. I just stand there watching her leave the school parking lot.

I think about all of the things we could do on Friday if Katniss does come to the game with us. There's usually an after party, but Finn, Ann and me never go. We have this tradition to go to Finnick's dad restaurant where we eat junk food and milkshakes until it's time to close.

I know I don't know a lot about Katniss, but I don't think she would like to go to the party, so I really hope she's ok with our tradition.

Even when I already talked to her I still feel nervous. I don't know why. I just really hope her parents say yes and she can come to the game with us. I'll probably be even more nervous and anxious than I am now, but I want to spend time with her and not just ask her questions and then get to study. I want to know more about her, I want her to get to know me and Finn and Annie.

I start to laugh at myself, a nervous laugh. I have never been like this before. Whatever I thought I felt for Delly it is not the same. Yes, I always was nervous when I saw her or when I try to say Hi to her. But with Katniss is different, we started talking thanks to the tutoring sessions and at first I wasn't bothered to talk to her it was just that she's just not a talkative person so we didn't get along well. But when we started to get to know each other better, I realized the kind of person she is. She cares about her family so much; you can easily tell about the way she talks about them, she's nice, unselfish, shy and quiet but with a good heart. And so much more that I want to know.

I don't even know what to do with myself, or Katniss.

I sigh; I guess I have a call to do.

I speed up to get to my house faster.

I lie in my bed with my phone on hand and I stare at the ceiling.

I know I need some kind of help here. But thinking you're feeling something is different than talk to someone about what you are feeling, it makes it more real.

I dial my friend's number. And I wait. I don't even know how I'm going to explain myself or what I'm going to say exactly.

"Hey Peet, what's up?" I hear the smooth tone of Annie's voice and I feel better already.

I know I should have spoken to Finn first. But he's going to tell me that I'm just confused because Katniss is helping me and that I have no feelings towards her whatsoever. Annie on the other hand, with her feminine and understanding side, is going to help me to figure out whatever this is.

"Hey Ann, nothing just, um, I just get home from tutoring."

"Oh, how was it?"

"Ok, I guess. Ummm..." Great! Now I can't even talk to my best friend.

"But that's not what you wanted to talk about, right?"

"How is that you can read my mind so easily Annie?"

"Mm...I'm just gifted. Speak up, Mellark. What's in that head of yours?"

"That's the thing. I'm not even sure anymore."

"Of course you are. If you weren't, we wouldn't be speaking right now." Why am I complicating things? I should just tell her.

"I spoke to Delly yesterday." She takes a moment before she speaks again.

"That's cool. I suppose you invited her to the game?"

"No, I didn't."

"And that's because..." I think about it. Why didn't I ask her? Yeah maybe I didn't want to go out with her as more than friends, but I could have told her my plans so we could all go together. But the truth is, I didn't want us all go together. I want Katniss to go. Now the question is, I want to go with her as more than friends or friends only?

"I think you know why, Ann."

"Oh, I know Peet, but I want you to tell me." I rub my face with my hand.

"Why are you making this harder on me?" She laughs.

"You're the one making this difficult, Peeta. You call me for an advice; first tell me what's wrong."

"I maybe, um, have been, you know, thinking about Katniss lately." I can feel myself blush; I cover my face with my free hand even when I know Annie can't see me. I expect her to laugh again, but she doesn't. She must be smiling at least.

"That's how you call your problem?" Yes she's definitely smiling, maybe even trying not to laugh at me.

"Ok I like her, ok! Ugggh is that what you wanted to hear?!" I can now hear her laugh. And now I'm getting mad.

"I don't see why you find this funny Cresta."

"I'm sorry Peeta. But really, how long did it take you to realize that?"

"If you already knew why didn't you say something? How did you notice anyway? "

"I had my doubts when you started speaking to Delly and you didn't show any sign of anxiety or, you know stuff like before. Then I knew when you talked about her in the cafeteria, you should've seen your face. You were different."

"How was I different?"

"You had this goofy smile on your face. And you blushed at moments, remembering something about her, I guess."

"Why didn't you say something?"

"It wasn't my story to tell. You had to realize how you felt for yourself."

"Does Finnick know?"

"He knows, but he prefers to ignore it."

"Why? What is wrong in me liking Katniss?"

"Peeta, I don't want you to take this in the wrong way. There's nothing bad in you liking her. But you have been in the tutoring for two weeks with her and you have already changed, in a good way don't get me wrong. You stopped caring about what Delly thinks; you're more concentrate on the bakery and your studies. And that's good. But we kind of miss you, Finn more than I do, of course." We both chuckle at her last statement. Because we know it's true. It's not that Annie doesn't care about me like Finn, but Finn and I have been best friends since kindergarten. "He's just jealous of Katniss, but he's too proud to admit it."

"Annie I'm really sorry. I feel like a complete idiot." I really do. When they spoke to me in the cafeteria I didn't think things were this bad between us. I'll have to change that.

"Don't be Peeta. All of this time you have been chasing Delly you weren't nearly as happy as you are now. Katniss does something to you. She makes you happy. And we're happy if you're happy." She's right, Katniss has this effect on people -on me- and she doesn't realize it. Well I didn't either, but now I can see it clearly.

"Yeah you're right. I'm always kind of excited for the next session so I can see her."

"See! I bet you're smiling right now." I am, but I don't say anything.

"What do I do now?"

"I think you should talk to both of them. And tell them how you feel about her."

"But what if she doesn't like me?" God! Did I just sound like a 13 year old? She laughs at me and I can't help to join her.

"You are seriously blind Peeta!" She sighs. "But that's not my story to tell either. You just have to tell her. Did you invite her to the game?"

"Yeah, it was awful, but I did it."

"Great! You'll see when Finnick gets to know her, he'll like her." She says confidently.

"It looks like you like her already."

"I like whoever makes you happy Peeta. Finnick too, but you know him, he's just stubborn. Besides, she looks like a nice person."

"She is, you're gonna like her, I promise."

"I know. Peeta, can I ask you something?"

"Of course Ann."

"What was it that made your feelings towards Delly change?"

I've been thinking about this. What made me realize that my feelings towards Delly were only friendly? Why now? Maybe it is that I haven't feel like this before. I don't know what Katniss does to me. I just know I want to be with her all the time. And know everything about her. But with Delly I had this idea that we should be perfect for each other, because we knew each other so well, we were childhood friends but I didn't think about it until we grew apart. But that was it. I had the idea that we should be together. I was just too stubborn to realize that I like her but just as friends. Now we're not as good friends as we were before but I do care about her and appreciate her friendship.

"Maybe my feelings never changed; I wanted to see things that weren't there."

"And Katniss had to come to your rescue to make you realize how you truly felt?" She says mockingly.

"Ha Ha, very funny; maybe I would have realize it eventually, but I am glad that Katniss helped me a little."

"Hey! What about me? I solved all of your problems."

"Oh that's because you're gifted Miss Cresta." We both laugh. "No; but seriously, thanks Annie. I don't know what I would do without you."

"I know I'm that awesome. You're welcome kid, any time."

"I think that's another thing I should thank Finnick for. If it weren't for his creepy obsession over you we wouldn't be friends." We burst out laughing.

"You're right, we must be thankful for his stalking behavior." We keep laughing until the room become silent.

"Well Peet, it was good to talk to you. But my mother is calling me to dinner so I have to leave you."

"Ok, Ann. Thanks again."

"Don't mention it. Good night."

"Good night Ann."

I arrive to school earlier than usual. My plan today is talk to Finnick first. I know what Annie told me is true. I have known Finnick almost all my life and if there's something bothering him and that damages his pride he won't say anything about it.

I should have realized about it sooner. I'm supposed to be his best friend, but apparently I'm not good at such thing lately, and I'm ashamed for it.

I park my car and go straight to the school, but before I enter I see this extravagant woman picking some papers of the floor and I immediately know who it is.

"Miss Trinket let me help you with that." Our literature teacher looks up and gives me a bright smile.

"Thank you very much Peeta. I'm carrying more paperwork than I normally do." She says with her exaggerated accent.

I help her pick up her stuff and we head to her office.

"I saw you didn't sign for this year welcoming committee."

"Yes, it's my senior year and I have lots of study to do and I wanted more time to myself, but surprisingly I'm not having any."

"I'm sorry to hear that. But you know everything will turn out right. You are a clever and talented student."

"Thanks Miss Trinket, I appreciate that."

"You're welcome Peeta. Of course I can't deny our murals and our boards are not as beautiful as last year's were. We miss your art."

I try not to laugh at her. Even when she's always encouraging us to express our art, she always wants a certain way to do the stuff at the committee. She is a very polite woman, but when something isn't done the way she wants or at the time she needs it, she becomes a little hysterical.

"I think the boards look great this year, but thanks again Miss Trinket."

"You're such a sweet and polite young man."

We arrive to her office and I put her stuff on her desktop."

"Thanks again Peeta."

"It's not a problem Miss Trinket."

"Well you have to get going and start studying and I have to start with our new student's paperwork, who arrives next week, I have a lot to do." She picks a folder and checks it. "Look at the coincidence, our new student is in the same grade as you Peeta!" She exclaims cheerful. Now that I think about it I'm surprise she's not our cheerleading team coach. "I hope you give a warm welcoming to our new student even when you're not on the committee anymore. I expect nothing less of you Peeta."

"I will Miss Trinket. Now if you excuse me, I have to get going." I smile politely at her.

"Of course, of course. We have a big, big, big day ahead of us."

I leave her office smiling. Miss Trinket just made my day. Now I'm not so nervous to talk to Finnick. I just need to find him before the class starts.


pumpkinking5: Thanks a lot for the review and yes you are right Delly and Katniss talking wasn't coincidence, but we will find out about that later. I explain a little about Finnick's feelings but we will get the talk between him and Peeta the next chapter. I hope you enjoy this chapter!

Guest: I'm always excited when I get a review and yours made my week so here's the next chapter and I hope you like it. Thanks for the review.

Thanks again for reading and I hope you enjoyed the chapter, see you next week(: