A/N: Thank you again for the wonderful reviews!

I was awoken the morning of the Forth by loud bangs echoing throughout the house. Prim clutched to me and let out a frightened scream.

"It's just the cannons girls," Papa's voice reassured us from below, "They're lighting them off for the Forth."

The morning chores were rushed through, than Mama packed plates and forks enough for us and tucked some fresh milk in with the basket of food that she had prepared the night before. Mama had said that Prim and I could wear our church dresses for the day, as long as we were very careful, so my blue dress was freshly washed and pressed.

"Oh," Prim squealed as she got her dress on, "It feels just like a holiday!"

"It is a holiday, goose, it's the Forth of July!"

The cannons kept booming as we made our way to town. Papa said that it'd be best if we walked into town, instead of bringing the wagon, the horses would be more comfortable at home than if they were hitched up in town all day. The sun was bright and there was a nice breeze, it was going to be a lovely day. As we came over the hill we could see that everyone seemed to be out on the streets of town.

"Looks like they got some firecrackers in also," Papa said and pointed out some small boys who were running around throwing firecrackers to the ground, they'd go off with a crackling sound and the boys would burst into whoops of laughter.

"Oh, Papa, could we get some of those?" Prim asked.

"That'd be a waste of money, Prim. Buying something to just make some noise," Mama said sensibly from next to Papa.

"It'll be fun enough watching," I told her when her face fell in disappointment.

Walking into town, I suddenly felt shy, there were so many people here, it looks as if everyone from the area was in town today, several families that I had never seen before.

"There's the lemonade, girls, if you want to get settled I'll go over an get us some," Papa told us.

Mama, Prim and I went over close to the church where other ladies and children were sitting with their blankets laid out. A few slabs of wood were laid out across two tree stumps where everyone had been placing their food they had brought. Mama added ours to the selection and we choose a nice shady spot to lay our blanket.

Papa came back with two cups of lemonade, "They had dozens of lemons and the water is fresh and cold from Abernathy's hotel."

Papa and Mama shared a cup and Prim and I shared the other. It was sweet, cold and good.

"Oh, there's the Hawthornes," Prim said and pointed down the road.

"Don't point, Prim," Mama said.

The Hawthorne family came up and took a spot next to us, Mrs. Hawthorne sat next to Mama, she kept a squirming Posy on her lap as they talked.

Prim was telling Rory everything she had seen so far and was talking about the lemonade when Gale came up next to me.

"Hi."

"Hi," I answered, awkwardness hung in the air. This was silly, it was Gale, I had known him for as long as I could remember. I decided to try to make conversation like we used to, hoping that it would help us go back to how we used to be, "I can't wait to see the horse races."

"Yeah, we saw Odairs horses as we came in, they're bound to win. Papa says that I can race next year."

"I wish I could race."

"It'd be too dangerous," Gale said quickly.

I scoffed.

"Katniss!" I heard Madge call.

She came hurrying over, "Come on, they are getting the horses ready for the race, come and see… They're all so pretty."

"May I?" I asked Mama and Papa.

"Would you like to come, Gale?" I heard Madge ask.

Papa said that I could go, Mama reminded me that they'd be eating before the races.

Mr. Hawthorne said that Gale could go but not to be a bother to the horses or riders.

"It is so exciting, everyone has been out since dawn!" Madge was gushing. I felt a twinge of jealousy that I had to stay home to finish my chores before being able to see all the excitement, living in town was so much different from living on the farm.

There was a crowd standing behind the fence where young men were standing brushing and getting their horses ready, there were several grown men standing in the crowd watching just as same as the children were.

The horses were pawing the ground, anxious to start, their coats were gleaming in the sunlight and their manes had been given extra care.

"Oh, look at those Morgans," I said and pointed, to excited to care how unladylike or rude it was, to two beautiful chestnut color Morgan horses standing with their owners on the outskirts of the crowd.

"That's Odair's horses," A man said gruffly from behind me, he then turned to another man next to him, "I reckon that's the young Odair with him. Kid was practically born on horseback."

Papa had done business with the Odairs, they had a large cattle farm a few miles west of us.

"There's Thom Paylor with his horse," Madge said. Thom just securing his saddle in place on his black and white horse, the saddle look strangely small.

"I've never seen a saddle like that before," I said aloud.

I nearly jumped when Peeta said from in front of me, "It's a new one, just in from the east."

There had been so many people I hadn't noticed him leaning against the fence a few feet from me next to the Marv Anderson. I tried to think of something to say but my mind was blank.

"I imagine they're a lot lighter," Madge said when I wasn't responding.

"It takes more than a fancy saddle to be a good rider," Gale said sulkily. Peeta looked over at him, then turned back around to watch the horses some more.

If Madge weren't in between us, I probably would have kicked him in the shins, he could be so rude.

The men around us started placing bets and I pulled Madge away, knowing that Mama wouldn't want me around people gambling. I saw Annie and Lillian Leevy a few yards away and we went to meet with them.

We chatting about all the things going on, Madge said that the reading of the Declaration of Independence was going to be read near dusk.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Peeta and Marv Anderson come out of the crowd by the fence, I could tell that Peeta was looking at me, I felt my cheeks flush and my stomach flutter. They stepped up next to us just as Madge was talking about how the cannons would be set off again after the reading was over.

"I heard that they actually got fireworks and will be setting them off when the sun sets," Marv said, joining our conversation.

Madge said that she had seen fireworks once when she was younger, no one else had ever seen them before. There were so many exciting things planned for the day it was hard to pick which one I was looking forward to most.

"I should be getting back to Mama and Papa," I said after talking for a while.

"Will you be able to watch the race with me?" Madge asked.

I told her that I would have to check with Mama and Papa first.

"We should get a group together," Madge said looking at me and her eyes flicked towards Peeta and then back to me, "We can all watch it together."

I heard everyone agreeing as I returned to Mama and Papa. After we ate, I sat and listened to Mama and Papa talk to Mr. and Mrs. Hawthorne. When they announced that the races would be started, I asked if I might go and meet up with Madge. They said that I might but not to go to the other side of the tracks where the horses would be racing.

Most of the spectators were on the town side of the tracks, the lucky first few to arrive got a spot on the train station platform. The designated track's starting and finish line would be on the other side of the tracks right by the station. I found Madge close to the station, I slowed my pace slightly when I saw that Peeta was already there along with a few others. I stepped up next to Madge and she greeted me.

"Is Gale coming with you?" She asked.

"I didn't ask," I answered slowly.

"Oh," then Madge shrugged, "Just wondering."

Mr. Paylor called to the riders to line up. I noticed Peeta, trying to be inconspicuous, as he moved next to me. Everyone in the crowd was pressing to get a better view, it was because of this that Peeta was standing closer to me than he ever had, practically touching.

"Which do you think is going to win?" He asked, leaning down slightly so he could be heard above the noise.

His closeness made it hard for me to think.

"Oh, I don't know," I said, wishing I could think of something clever, "I suppose one of the Odairs, theirs looks the fastest."

"I'm sure Thom would be crushed to hear that, after spending all that money on the new saddle."

I fidget with the edge of my sleeve, "I'm sorry about what Gale said earlier."

Peeta shook his head, "Don't worry about it." He gave me a smile.

"Gale can sometimes be…" I trail off, trying to think of what I could say.

"I know," Peeta said, "I get it."

I felt his hand against mine as he spoke, I felt all my insides fluttering while the rest of me froze, I felt his fingers brush against my palm before he slowly grasped on to my hand with his. His warm hand encased mine and sent Goosebumps up and around my neck, despite the ninety degree heat. I tilted my head slightly and caught his gaze, his blue eyes held onto mine, it was as if I forgot how to breathe and I wished that he wouldn't let go. He gave me a shy smile as he gave my hand a squeeze, I couldn't help but return the smile.

A loud bang rang out over the crowd, followed by a roar of cheering and shouting. Peeta and I both jumped slightly and dropped each others hands.

I tried to catch my breath and return my attention to the race. Madge was practically jumping with excitement next to me. I heard people talking about the Odair Morgans. By the time I was able to focus on the race they were half way around the designated track.

"Thom is doing well, look, he's in forth, going for third," Madge said grabbing my elbow and pointing.

Everyone around us was talking about the Odair's horse that taking on a good lead.

"It's that Odair horse that's going to win it, is that Almanzo's or the boy?"

"Looks like it's the son."

The young Mr. Odair finished a full horses length ahead of Thom Paylor.

Everyone clapped and cheered.

Mr. Paylor, announced in a loud voice, "The winner is, Finnick Odair!"

I heard a few of the young women murmur together as the young Odair rode past, I heard one giggle, he flashed them a smile, either enjoying their attention or at least amused by it.

"Come on, let's get out of the crowd," Madge said, as some of the men around us started talking about money either lost or won during the race.

The next race was the buggy race and it would take a while for everyone to get set up for that.

A few of the school kids found their way to the school yard. A few men were setting some long benches along side the east side of the school, that was where the dance was going to be after the reading of the Declaration. The school kids started playing their games on the west side, careful to stay out of the way of the men setting up for the dance. A game of tag started, a few young girls had joined the boys, I wish that I could join them. A girl who wore long skirts and her hair up should never run around or act childish. Instead I sat on the steps of the school with Madge and Annie. I heard Madge give a small groan as Delly and Clove came over to stand with us.

"Isn't this just such an exciting day," Delly said in an overly cherry voice, "I was so excited to wear my new dress. I just picked it up from Mr. Kravitz on Tuesday."

Her dress did look very fine, her blonde hair was in perfectly wound ringlets and covered with a small pink hat.

The other girls and I sat and listened to her talk about her new dress and the new hat that Mr. Kravitz himself had picked to go with the dress.

"I've always felt sorry for those people who will never be able to own a dress like this," She said with an overly dramatic sigh, when no one answered her, she primly sat down smoothing her skirt.

"Your brother did very well, Clove," Delly said.

"He's bound to be disappointed, he was hoping to win for Maggie Wells. But coming in second to Finnick Odair isn't anything to be ashamed off."

"Oh, he is so handsome. I heard it's just him and his Dad out there," Delly told us, speaking of Finnick Odair, "I don't know what happened to his Mother, but they rarely come into town.".

Clove and Delly continue talking (gossiping) about Finnick Odair, trying to guess his age and if he's sweet on anyone.

I see Prim standing with Venia nearby and use that as my excuse to get away from Delly Cartwright.

"Wasn't that race so exciting, Katniss," Prim says as soon as I stop next to her.

I agree that it was and then listen to both of them gushing over the pretty horses.

"I can't wait to have a boy race for me," Venia said. I was assuming that they were referring to Thom racing for Maggie Wells.

They both had day dreamy looks in the face, I wondered if they often got day-dreamy like this together, Prim was silly enough on her own.

"I'm going to go and get a drink, do you want to come?" I asked.

"No, thank you," Prim said.

"Of course she doesn't, Rory is right there," Venia said, giving a not so subtle nod towards where Rory Hawthorne was sitting with a small group of boys that had taken a break from tag and were sitting a few yards away and then she burst into laughter as Prim turned pink but was giggling also.

I narrowed my eyes in disapproval but didn't say anything. I walked over to the town well and joined the short line of people waiting to take a drink.

"Hi." Came Peeta's voice from next to me. He stood there holding a cup.

"Hi."

"I got some lemonade if you want it… Just got it."

"Oh," I said, somewhat taken aback, "Thank you."

I took the cup from him and stepped out of the line.

"Do you want to find some shade?"

I nodded, then bit the inside of my cheek, where did he mean when he said "shade", surely it wouldn't be far.

We walked quietly for a while, walking along the fronts of the stores.

"I wonder what the fireworks will be like tonight," I said, wanting to get a conversation started.

"It'll be great fun! I heard that Abernathy volunteered to be in charge of them…

"I know Madge is nervous about reciting."

Peeta looked down as we walked, when he didn't say anything for a moment I started worrying that I had done something.

"Ar-are you going to be at the dance?" He suddenly asked.

"Yes… well, I think so. We'll have to go back to do the evening chores, but I think we're coming back. I know that Prim's eager to see the fireworks."

Peeta then motioned over to a tree in between the church and the tailors shop. There were a few people mulling around by the church yard, it didn't seem secluded enough to be "unsupervised" as Mama would say. Plenty of adults around, plus it was close to the church.

We sat in silence for a little while, we had a distant but clear of the horses and buggies that were getting ready for the next race.

"If you do come back… Could I have a dance?"

"Yes," I said shyly.

"Could I have more than one?" He asked, sounding much like a boy asking for a bigger slice of pie.

I couldn't help but laugh, "That depends on how good of a dancer you are."

He looked at me and his blue eyes seemed to twinkle, "For you, I'll be the best."

The way he said it made my heart thump in my chest. When I saw his hand reach across the grass towards my own, I met his gaze right as he took my hand.

"I'd do anything for you, Katniss."

My mind feels likes its racing but I can't grasp a thought, let alone think of something to say to that. I pull my hand away from his, look away and scold, "Peeta Mellark, you shouldn't say such things."

He doesn't say anything right away, I started feeling nervous, worrying that he thought I was unappreciative (because it really was such a nice thing for him to say), still looking at my hands, now clasped in my lap, I said, "I mean, well… It's not that I don't like to hear such things… but, I mean, you shouldn't talk like that to me, yet… Papa wouldn't let us be friends if he knew you were talking so."

I chanced a look at him, he was already looking at me. As soon as I met his gaze, he gave me a cheeky grin and the look in his blue eyes made my heart skip a beat.

"I'll just have to wait then."

I have to look away so he doesn't see my amusement with his cheekiness, I don't want him to think that I encourage this type of behavior.

To turn his attention elsewhere, I say, "It looks like the buggy race will be starting soon."

He leaned back on his elbows, "I think it'd be better to watch from here."

"Don't be silly, you can't even see the finish line from here."

"Not as crowded though. We could figure out who won later."

"Peeta Mellark," I saw sharply

I heard him chuckle as he jumped up and offered his hand to help me up, as he pulled me to standing he said, "You look pretty when you scold."

I dropped his hand and took a few steps away from him, "I don't want to have to tell Papa on you."

I tilted my head up slightly and started walking towards the train station to watch the next race, when I heard Peeta hurrying after me a few seconds later I slowed my pace until he was next to me.

"When do you leave for school?" I ask, I knew that it was either next week or the week after.

"Next Monday," His tone was flat.

"And you're taking the train?" I asked.

He nodded.

"That will be exciting, I've never be on the train before. I don't know if I'd be excited or scared to be going so fast. It will be so lovely getting to meet so many people," I feel like I'm rambling, I kept trying to be happy that he was getting to go to high school, but I can't help but feel sad that he's going, he'll get to have so many experiences and met lots of new people, probably lots of pretty girls too.

"Katniss," Peeta says softly, I pause and wait for him to continue, but instead I hear him give a groan, "Of course he shows up now."

I look up and see Gale striding towards us.

Even without looking at Peeta I can tell he tensed up.

"Be nice," I say to him.

"OK," He says, turning to me with a smile and I can hear the humor in his voice as he adds, "If you say so."

Gale stops in front of us.

"Your Papa sent me to look for you," He said and sent Peeta a hard look.

"We were just by the church," I told him.

Gale seemed more intent on staring down Peeta than telling me what Papa had wanted, Peeta was no better, his eyes weren't twinkling like they did when he looked at me sometimes, they seemed hard, but he did manage to keep his face in a neutral expression. I cleared my throat and neither took notice. Annoyed by their ridiculous behavior I stepped around Gale and kept walking towards the station, Papa was bound to be near there for the race.

I saw him talking to Mr. Hawthorne and Pastor Heavensbee.

"There you are Little Bird, going to be going home soon to tend to the animals. Want to get back in time for the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Mama and Prim are going to be staying, would you mind keeping your ol' Papa company?"

I smiled and agreed.

"Do you mind if we miss the buggy race?"

When I said that I didn't mind we started the walk home, I spied Peeta standing a few yards a way and gave him a small smile.

"So your Mama and I were talking to Miss. Twill," Papa started.

I looked over at him, I hope that there was no trouble with Prim, I'm sure her and Venia could be quite the pair as desk partners.

"She has a sister in Nebraska City, Miss. Twill was telling us that her sister sometimes lets rooms out to female high school students."

I felt excitement start bubbling up inside me but I tried to stay calm, surely Papa is just making conversation.

"That sounds very economical," I said.

"Yes, a very nice way to make extra income," Papa said, by the way his beard twitched I could tell that he was smiling. But he didn't say anything else.

We walked along in silence, Papa was still smiling but didn't say anything further.

"Was there anything else about Miss. Twill's sister?"

"Oh, well that all depends," Papa said and stopped and turned to face me, "Do you really want to go to high school?"

A/N: So... Who would be interested in a double update today?