Petra watched him from her spot at the front of her dad's store. His steps were steady despite the heavy load he carried, a dead deer, on his shoulders. His gaze was fixed ahead of him as he made his way to Bozado's Butchery. The people who saw him coming parted or stepped aside to let him through.

Levi Ackerman.

District 12's only survivor of the Hunger Games. Everyone knew him. People either feared him or respected him, the majority being the former. What else is to be expected when they'd watched him be reaped at only thirteen years, brutally kill several of the others and emerge as the Victor. Petra couldn't remember the 57th Hunger Games, she was only three at the time.

Peacekeepers stood a few feet away. One of them started forward when they saw the dead deer, probably to arrest him since hunting was illegal, but their partner grabbed them, shaking their head.

Even the Peacekeepers didn't mess with Levi.

Petra watched him until he disappeared into the store, the heat in her cheeks evident. Her crush on him was stupid, childish but she couldn't help but admire him. They'd learned about the Hunger Games in school and when they studied about District's 12 past Victors, Levi being the second, she grew to respect him. Then one day he came into the store, his ten year old cousin by his side. She was stacking the canned fish on the shelf when the stool she stood on shifted. She would have broken her arm if he hadn't caught her. Staring into his grey eyes as he held her, her fourteen year old heart was stolen.

And here she was four years later, watching him like a creep through the window.

Petra sighed, lightly hitting her forehead on the glass.

"Stupid, stupid, stupid."

"PETRA!"

The youngest jumped, turning around to see her father watching her with an amused tilt of his head.

"Sorry dad," she said, embarrassed.

"Watching your Prince Charming, eh?"

There wasn't a day she regretted more than the day she told her father she really admired Levi.

"Dad, please," she moaned, heading to manage the counter so he could go for his lunch break.

Mr. Ral laughed and he walked towards the back. "Fine but don't faint when he comes in here and speaks to you."

"THAT WAS ONE TIME!"

Every Wednesday, Levi would take meat to the butcher then stop by her dad's store to get some supplies. Petra never understood why he still hunted when he was probably the richest person in the town. His cousin, Mikasa, was usually with him but since she hadn't seen her with Levi when he was heading to sell, she was probably with Armin and Eren.

Those three were practically joined at the hip. A strange thing since they lived in different parts of the District.

"Excuse me," an angry voice spoke. Petra cursed, she was daydreaming again.

"I am so so-"The words died on her lips. Levi stood in front of her, a selection of toiletries in his arms, his familiar scowl aimed at her.

Shit, she could feel her cheeks flush.

"S-Sorry," she stammered out, quickly ringing up his total. Their hands touched when he handed over the money and Petra nearly dropped it.

Levi scowled at her, "Are you okay Petra?"

No. "Yes," she squeaked out before clearing her voice. "Sorry, yes I'm okay. Just worried about the reaping next week."

It wasn't a complete lie. The Reaping for the 73rd Hunger Games was happening at the beginning of the next week and Petra was still qualified for the Reaping.

"It's your last year though right?" Levi asked as he stared at her.

Petra nodded, surprised he knew. She was eighteen. Once this one passed, she'd be cleared for life. Having survived six years without being reaped, she had nothing to worry about. Still, her heart raced each time she thought about it.

She glanced outside as though expecting to be grabbed. The two Peacekeepers were still positioned where she last saw them. Their white uniform reflected off the sunlight, making it difficult to stare at them for long. Petra couldn't help but feel like they were watching the store.

Levi nodded curtly, grabbed his bag and packed away his items.

"No good luck?" Petra joked, a painful lump in her throat.

Levi sighed.

"Petra, the odds are never in our favour."

He walked out leaving Petra feeling uncertain.

The rest of the week was a blur of a repetitive schedule: wake up, work, eat, sleep. The atmosphere was tense as the week grew to a close but not as tense as the morning of the Reaping. People were dressed in their best clothes, parents held on to their children with tight grips as they neared the stage. The younger kids were crying as they walked while the older kids moved in quiet acceptance. Her father's hand was tight around hers.

"You'll be okay. This is the last one."

Petra wasn't sure if he was trying to reassure her or himself but she welcomed the soft spoken words.

He kissed her forehead and she dropped his hand.

"I'll see you at home."

Petra nodded, fighting off the tears that stung her eyes. She took a deep breath and took her position with the rest of her classmates whom she hadn't seen since school closed.

Levi stood on the podium. His cold eyes scanning the crowd before him. His eyes stopped at a spot near the front and tilting her head, Petra spotted Mikasa. It was hard not to. With her bright red scarf, a sharp contrast to the dull dress she and everyone else wore, she stood out.

Hange Zoe stepped onto the podium. Her bright clothes were even more noticeable. It was a clash of green, blue, brown and was that purple? The Mayor started off as usual, telling the history of the country before listing the previous victors. It wasn't long before Hange was brought forward.

"Happy Hunger Games and may the odds be ever in your favour."

Petra couldn't help but look at Levi, his words echoed back to her. Petra,the odds are never in our favour. It seemed he thought the same because his eyes found hers in the crowd before looking away.

Hange stepped forward between the two glass balls and reached for the pile with the boys' names in it.

"Olou Bozado."

There was a silence before the butcher's son took the steps forward, moving to stand beside Hange. Petra felt sick. Oluo was a friend. They were close, at least as close as neighbouring business owners who had kids in the same year could be. They'd played together as kids. Chasing each other in their father's stores before they both got kicked out and they ended up at the Hob.

Petra was so focused on studying Oluo that she didn't notice she was being stared at until the girl next to her shoved her elbow into her ribs.

Petra snapped back into focus only to hear a name ring clear in the spaces between the crowd.

"Petra Ral."