Chapter 11
It was a little strange, the amount of time I spent thinking about him. I tended not to go boy-crazy. In fact, I tried to avoid it altogether. But this was different.
"Mathematics can be extremely important in offense and defence, so I expect our strategy trainees to be at least competent with some advanced mathematical skills, as well as having communication, language, geography and history skills as well. Everly? Are you listening?"
Normally these subjects would hold my undying attention, but I was having trouble focusing. To me, Ms. Jefferson's words seemed lost in transit, turning and flipping themselves in my head until they either get eaten by a more pressing and weighty thought, or tossed around so much that they no longer seemed to make sense, just a jumble of random letters flying this way and that. And clearly this had shown on my face.
"If you want proper training, you will have to LISTEN, Miss Jacobsen."
"I'm sorry," I mentally shook myself, attempting (yet ultimately failing) to rid thoughts of bright blue eyes from my brain. "I'll listen I swear."
Ms. Jeffers nodded, clearly forgiving, and continued her speech. Obligingly, I wrote notes, still not quite processing what figures my pen was forming.
….
The cafeteria was crowded as ever, but I managed to find my way towards our usual table. London already had her food, and had managed to wolf down half of the meal in rapid succession.
"Hey," She looked up at my words and smiled.
"Hey! You better get your food, it's gonna run out super-fast!"
"Almost as fast as your running, I'd say." said a grinning Christina, plonking on a chair next to wear I'd dumped my stuff.
"I'll run for it then." I smiled and walked off.
Upon reaching the food trays (which were piled in lop-sided mountains), I pulled one off the top, balancing it on my palm while I stilled the wobbling stack. Now holding the tray in both hands, I span towards the kitchen. And almost dropped it.
My green eyes were instantly and suddenly drawn to the bright blue ones exactly opposite me, smiling and kneading bread next to other cooks around him.
Now that I think about it, my response to his recurrence was actually very irrational. It's not like he would just bump into me once and I'd never see him again, especially in a community like this. In fact, my response seemed almost overly girly, which is slightly embarrassing as well.
I walked up to the self-serve, and just as I arrived he looked up and spotted me. He reddened slightly, (or was it just the lighting?) and raised his hand.
"I'm so sorry I didn't introduce myself before." He apologised.
"No, it's ok," I smiled at him, "I'm Everly-Grace."
"Peeta Mellark."
He shook my hand, warm but strong, while looking at me.
"I better get back to work, I'm sorry,"
"Of course! I'll leave you to it."
He turned back to his bread dough, and I couldn't help smiling at our awkward conversation. At least now I knew his name.