The Pairing

Chapter 1

The ride home from the train station had me nervous and a little afraid. This past summer had been breathtaking for me, because I got to spend it in Europe. I'd saved up for four years to spend one summer overseas to see the world, and now that I've seen it, I was going home to get married to Gale Hawthorne. I should explain; my name is Katniss Everdeen and I'm from District 12 of the country of Panem. Gale and I are the best of friends, but in the country of Panem, every 3 years the Pairing happens. After the fall of President Snow and his utilitarian government and the civil war, Panem became a republic, with a new constitution, judicial system and parliament. However, just like any other new country, there were problems; one in particular consisted of an uneven distribution of women post Panem civil war. Areas, like my home district of District 12, were completely rebuilt and repopulated with mostly men looking for a fresh start and willing to rebuild, made their way to District 12. Ironically, many women avoided District 12 due to the state of ruins and reconstruction.

My parents met during what people call, The Shuffle. My mother had stayed a while in District 2 during the war, but she moved back to District 12, with her brother and victor of the 74th Hunger Games, Haymitch Abernathy, once the war was over. My father had moved from District 4 to District 12, looking for a new life, and so he took a job in construction to help rebuild the area and later he took a job at the medical plant that became the new largest source of income in District 12.

Uncle Haymitch said it was love at first song; my father's singing voice is simply magical. The birds, particularly mockingjays, would actually fall silent and listen to him sing. Once they married, I came along a few years later and my parents named me Katniss, continuing the tradition of my mother's family for naming females after flora and fauna. My sister lucked out in the name department with Primrose. The name suited her since she is a carbon copy of my mother, but I'm getting off track.

The civil war was only a little over 20 years ago and Panem is still in flux in some areas; in this case, population. The solution presented was to have The Pairing; young men between 21 to 25 are paired with young women between 18 and 21. This new government was definitely several steps up from before, but it definitely wasn't perfect. Young men were encouraged to travel and meet suitable young women to help mix up the gene pool as well as adding to the female population of Panem; however, many young men simply could not afford to travel from Panem to other parts of the world and Panem did not want to lose what little female population it did have. Even in District 12, there were only 25 young women to be paired, including me. Then again, from what my mother has told me, District 12 has never had a large population to begin with. The Pairing is lottery based, but if a young woman and a young man have an understanding, the young man may request to be paired with a specific young woman and the vast majority of the time, the request is granted. To be fair, this new government is simply looking for an increase in population, so granting pairing requests isn't unreasonable. You show up to the ceremony and you just wait to have your name called with your intended, have a toasting that same week and then settle down to married life.

I knew I was taking the easy way out, but I also knew Gale would be a good choice for me, because he would be an excellent provider. I wasn't kidding myself; I really don't have romantic feelings for Gale and I guess we probably would've ended up together in the end, Pairing or not. I'm not the prettiest girl, and I'm too slim for most men. I didn't really want to think about the fact that I was settling, because this just made things easier.

There was only one other boy I found attractive and I knew I didn't have a chance with him, so I never entertained the thought. His mother hated me and he's never really talked to me at all, which always bugged me, because I would catch him staring at me constantly. The golden boy with the deep blue eyes and pleasing smile and handsome face. The strong musclebound popular boy that everyone liked, especially the other girls in town. This boy made me feel things just looking at him, made me feel things deep in my body I didn't want to exam closer, but it didn't matter because as I said before, Gale was a safe bet.

"How was Europe?" Prim asked excitedly when she saw me exit the train station. My parents hugged me tightly.

"It was amazing! Will you help me put a scrapbook together? I took so many pictures. Did you get my post cards?" I asked, hugging my sister. I missed her very much while I was in Europe. We were walking out to our car, while Prim peppered me with comments and questions.

"Of course! I loved the postcards and I can't want to see your pictures. Do you think Gale would mind me coming over to help you put your scrapbook together?"

"Why would he mind?" I asked incredulously.

"I just thought with you two being newlyweds and all…" Prim replied, blushing furiously. I could be pretty clueless, but even I knew what my sister meant and unfortunately, the thought of being with Gale like that didn't sit well with me.

"It will be quite a while before that happens, Little Duck." I said and Prim looked confused but then went on.

"What was your favorite city to visit?"

"Honestly…"

"Paris, right?" Prim asked.

"No, actually, it was Venice and then London." I knew I was being predictable.

"Katniss? Are you nervous about the Pairing?" Prim asked and I got the impression, this was the actual conversation she wanted. I avoided looking at the rearview mirror, to avoid my mother's gaze.

"Yes and no. I mean, I'm pretty sure Gale has arranged everything. He's even picked out the house that will be given to us." I answered, thinking about the house Gale picked out. I wasn't crazy about the house or the location, but as I said, Gale would be a good provider. The house I liked was in a nicer but often overlooked area of what was once the merchant section of town. The yard was nice and large, it could hold a small farm and it is close to the forest and not far from Uncle Haymitch's house in Victors Village. The farmhouse was pretty, dark blue in color, with big windows and it looked light, airy and spaceous, with plenty of room for a garden. I remember showing it to Gale once, and he just laughed and said the house he picked was better and would suit our needs. When I saw the large, Victorian house – at least I think that's what the style of the house is called – I wasn't impressed. I think Gale believes it looks like wealth, and maybe it does, but I'm not a fan.

I took every opportunity to walk past that empty farmhouse everyday for the past year, up until my trip to Europe. It was a house that was built specifically for the Pairing, just like the Victorian house Gale liked. Since he put in the request to be paired with me, he also placed a request for said Victorian house.

"Katniss?" Prim said, waving her hand in front of my face. I came out of my reverie. I ventured a look at the rearview mirror and my mother was studying my reflection.

"Yes?"

"Why are you nervous about the Pairing?"

"Because, things between and me and Gale will change, and I'm not exactly ready for that to happen just yet. At the same time, its Gale, so I'm sure everything will be fine." I answered. That unsettling feeling that swirled around in my stomach happened again, at the thought of being married to Gale. Perhaps it was just bride nerves. Prim looked at me for a long time, as if she were studying me, trying to figure out a puzzle. I looked again at the rearview mirror and my mother looked back with concern etched on her face.

"What's wrong, Prim?" I asked, suddenly unnerved by my younger sister.

"I hope I like who I marry when the Pairing happens to me." Prim answered.

"I like Gale." I replied defensively. I ventured a look at the rearview mirror again and my mother looked back at me, questioningly.

"Yeah, you do like Gale, you two are friends, of course you like Gale." Prim replied. I knew I was missing something, but I didn't want to look or think too deeply. My mother wasn't saying anything either. The rest of the ride home was silent.

pmpmpmpmpmpm

The next day, I got up early and unpacked. I was jetlagged and I just didn't get much sleep with the Pairing weighing so heavily on my mind.

Today is going to be a big big big day! At least That's what Aunt Effie said just as I was shoving my suitcase in the closet.

"You must be so tired after your trip." She spoke.

"I am tired, but I don't have time to be tired, I have a lot to do today."

"Which is why I'm here. The first thing we have to do is go to the consulate and have your travel tracker removed." Aunt Effie said.

Yeah, young women that travel overseas prior to a Pairing, have to have trackers injected into their bodies. Since I have somewhat of a choice in who I was marrying, this didn't bother me so much. That's how the day started, with the tracker removal, and lots of shopping. Being jetlagged and shopping with Aunt Effie was a new type of torture. I was dragged from one shop to the next to prepare a wardrobe for my new married life. I didn't think it could get worse, until she dragged me in the spa where she insisted, I get a manicure and a pedicure. The place was packed with many of the other girls that were due to be paired.

"Katniss!" Delly Cartwright waved at me from across the shop. I went over to join her at the pedicure chairs while Aunt Effie ordered my manicure and pedicure.

"Hey Delly, how are you?" I asked, sliding into the heated massage chair next to her. I was actually relieved and happy to see Delly.

"Nervous. Who do you think you'll be paired with tomorrow?" She asked. Did I mention that Gale and I never told anyone outside of our families about the request?

"I have no idea." I replied as I looked over nail polish colors. I found that if I pretended to do something while lying, I could usually get away with it.

"There are two guys I would consider myself lucky to be paired with." Delly replied in her friendly manner. Ok Delly, I'll play along.

"Who?" I asked.

"Well, Thom McNamara would be lovely to go home with. I think we could make a good team. He's tall and handsome and playful. Plus he's so very hardworking." Delly replied, thoughtfully.

"Who would be your second choice?" I asked, dunking my feet into the warm water. I actually closed my eyes and started to relax a little.

"Peeta Mellark." Delly sighed. My eyes flew open on hearing the name of the golden boy and I felt a tingling in my nipples and a strange slow languorous heat, like warm honey, swirling in my lower belly. There was no relaxing now.

"Really?" I asked, successfully without the squeak in my voice.

"Katniss, you have to have noticed how dreamy he looks. Those muscles, jawline and smile, those eyes. He even smells delicious! I'll never forget the way his body looked when we all went to the gym meet to support District 12 High School in the national championship. That routine he did with the rings and the parallel bars, oh my. Can you imagine him making love to you for the rest of your life?" Delly asked. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, forcibly willing the vision of a shirtless golden boy out of my head.

"I try not to dwell on the Pairing too much." Was the only thing I could think to say without drawing attention to myself. I changed the subject, because I didn't have time to dwell on young men I would never have. All too soon, the manicure and pedicure were finished and Aunt Effie took me back home. Finally, at home where I can rest, or so I thought.

"Katniss, we really need to talk to you." My parents. Was I ever going to get any sleep?

"Please tell me this isn't about the Pairing." I stated.

"Of course, this is about the Pairing. I don't want to send you to another man's house without some sort of idea about how you feel and what you think." My father, Jonathan Everdeen, had not just a way with song, but with words. I plopped down on the sofa, grateful to be seated and resting.

"I'm marrying Gale, I'll be alright." I replied.

"I suppose you will. I'm not crazy about this Pairing business, but I must say that Gale is as fine a young man. My piece of advice to you is to make sure you communicate with each, discuss and plan things together. Solve problems together, learn to trust each other." My father said. I wasn't sure how to respond or what to think. I communicated just fine, but Gale wouldn't listen if he felt his ideas were better, like his choice of house and where we should live.

"I've laid out a dress for you for the Pairing." My mother said quietly. Rose Everdeen was a great beauty, to be fair, my mother is still beautiful, but the war took a bit of a toll on her. I can't imagine being a medic during a war, but I digress. I sighed deeply and dragged myself from the sofa and headed to my room. I let out a small gasp, when I saw the pale blue dress on my bed, my mother's dress, the one I had always admired. It was a bit old fashioned, but I always thought that dress was beautiful. I turned and saw my mother standing in the doorway.

"Are you sure you want me to wear this?" I asked gingerly. I picked up the dress and held it against the front of my body and looked at myself in the mirror. I sighed at the reflection that looked back at me.

"Yes, I'm sure I want you to wear this dress." My mother answered, coming up behind me. Her smile was wide and mirth filled, almost like she was laughing.

"Katniss, you shouldn't be so hard on yourself. You're beautiful and you don't see it. I knew what you were thinking and you will look lovely in this dress. Come down to dinner, I've made your favorite lamb stew." With that, my mother left my room and headed down to the kitchen. I put the dress away and headed to the kitchen. Prim was setting the table and I sat down suddenly, realizing this would be the last dinner I have with my family before the Pairing. Dinner went quickly, all to quickly for me, and before I knew it, I was in bed and falling asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

Kekekekekekeke

The morning of The Pairing dawned breathtakingly beautiful, a soft sun without a cloud in the sky and a gentle breeze.

"Katniss, time to get up and shower. I'll have breakfast ready for you when you've finished." Mom said coming into my room and pulling the curtain back from my window. The thought of breakfast turned my stomach. All too suddenly, I was dreading The Pairing and there was nothing I could do about it. I showered and then headed back to my room to decide what to do with my hair.

"Katniss, let me do your hair today." My mother stated. I turned to look at her and she had this look I couldn't describe on her face, and I knew that I had to let her. She definitely wasn't planning on styling my hair in its usual braid, that was for sure. Instead, she succeeded in an intricate braided style that surprised me. My head felt a little heavy, but I liked the affect, it was deceptively simple, which made me happy. I wouldn't stand out too much. I slipped on simple black low heels and passed on breakfast. The knot in my stomach just wouldn't go away.

All too soon, all of us were piled in our family car, headed for town square where The Pairing would be announced. Huge screens were erected and there was a partitioned area for the young women and the young men. There would definitely be more men left over, in which case, if there were available young women from any of the other remaining districts, these men would then be paired with them. The young women would then be sent to District 12 to start a new life. The knot in my stomach increased in size and nausea threatened to move in. My parents parked the car and I got out and headed straight to the women's partitioned area. I didn't want to look at my parents or Prim right now. The sign-in table had already had a considerable line on the men's side, it didn't take long for the women to register. The officials pricked my finger, taking a blood sample and scanning my name. I took several deep breaths, to keep the faint feeling of dizziness at bay and headed for the partitioned area. I found a seat next Delly and I was grateful.

"Katniss, are you ok? You're quite pale; did you have something to eat this morning?" Delly asked, taking hold of my hand.

"Honestly, I'm just so nervous and I'm dreading the worst." I replied in a hushed voice.

"Here, suck on this." Delly replied, reaching in her pocket and handing me a lemon hard candy. I took the candy and I was surprised that I was a little relieved.

"Thank you, Delly." I said, still holding her hand. I decided right then and there, I would develop a deeper friendship with Delly after all this was said and done. I glanced over at the men's partition and noticed many had filed in. Registration had to be close to ending. I saw Gale and he smiled and waved over at me, I gave a faint smile and a wave.

"Gale is awfully bold. He waves at you as if he's already promised to you. Katniss, if you're paired with Gale, so many girls will be fit to be tied. Their jealousy will know no bounds." Delly remarked. I was so fascinated with this comment that the knot in my stomach lessened somewhat.

"How do you mean, Delly?" I asked. I was thoroughly confused.

"Katniss, everyone knows Gale Hawthorne likes you, he makes it no secret." She answered. I was completely dumbfounded.

"Delly, you've got it all wrong. Gale and I and just friends and hunting partners."

"Well, all these years you two have been hunting clearly has made an impression on him. I'm not sure when he started liking you, but it's been about a year, at least." She explained. I was still speechless.

"Katniss, you had to have known. I thought that's why The Pairing would be particularly difficult for you." Delly went on to say.

"Oh Delly, I really had no idea. I see Gale as only my friend, almost like a brother, nothing more." I explained, and I knew at once that I wouldn't be happy paired with Gale. Dread reared its ugly head full force. I looked up again and saw the golden boy looking at me, steadily. I was able to forget Gale very briefly, because the look on the golden boy's face wasn't his usual look, there was something in his eyes, an intent or desire? I wasn't quite sure, but the look was intense. Before I could dwell on it any further, Mayor Crane took to the podium at the center of the stage.

"Welcome to the the eighth Pairing of Panem! May the odds be ever in your favor!" He announced with a wide smile. He couldn't be more excited; I wish I could say I felt the same.

"This year, District 12 have twenty-five young ladies available and thirty-eight young men. As you all know, the lottery is drawn at random and I will begin with our young ladies." Mayor Crane explained while heading over to a table containing a glass bowl with little pieces of paper inside on the women's side. He reached in a pulled out the first name.

"Lucy Gray Baird!" Mayor Crane announced as Lucy got up to go on stage. Her beautiful curly dark hair hanging down her back and blowing gently in the breeze. She looked just as nervous as I felt. Mayor Crane then headed over to the men's side, where another table with a glass bowl filled with little pieces of paper and pulled out a name.

"Billy Taupe Clade!" Crane announced. Me and Delly discreetly looked over at Mayfair Lipp, she looked devasted.

"That isn't going to end well." Delly whispered to me. I could only nod in agreement. Everyone knew that Mayfair wanted Billy and now he would be with Lucy Baird, the girl he really wanted. How Lucy felt about Billy was a complete mystery. Billy tried not to look completely thrilled at being paired with Lucy as he walked across the stage to stand next to her.

"Now, for the ladies." Mayor Cane said, clearly enjoying himself. Heading back to the women's side, Crane pulled out another card and announced, "Delilah Cartwright!".

I had to let go of Delly's hand and watch her take the stage. Was it me, or had Delly lost weight? That's when it dawned on me, she was truly nervous, and after seeing Billy and Lucy paired up, the full weight of what all this could mean hit me full force. I was so lost in thought that I almost missed who Delly was paired with. To my relief, she was paired with Thom McNamara. He looked just as pleased to be with Delly as she looked to be with him. The new couple moved to the side where Lucy and Billy stood.

"The next lady to be paired," Mayor Crane said into the microphone as he pulled out another name. "Katniss Everdeen!" I almost forgot to go up on stage. My heart hammered in my chest and I didn't know why. I finally gained the stage and felt slightly disoriented. I looked over to where Mayor Crane was headed towards the men's glass bowel, when, was it a trick of the light or did the mayor pick up a folded piece of paper the was discreetly next to the bowel. He crumpled the paper in his palm and then plunged his hand into the bowel. He then pretended to pull out the crumpled piece, opened it up and started to the read the name. So, this was it, me and Gale for life and then Mayor Crane announced, "Peeta Mellark!"

My head snapped up and my eyes went wide. I scanned the crown of young men looking for Gale's face, it didn't take long to find, because he looked just as stunned as I was. I then looked over to the golden boy, making his way to stand beside me on stage. He looked pleased, as he smiled down at me. I gave a nervous smile in return and took a deep breath to calm my nerves, but that was a mistake, because all I could smell was Peeta and Delly was right, he did smell delicious. My nipples began to tingle and the slow, languid heat rippled through my lower belly and went lower still. What was he doing to me? My head snapped back to attention as Mayor Crane called Madge Undersee and Gale Hawthorne as the next paired couple. I didn't dare to look at Gale straight on, but I knew he looked thoroughly confused. I couldn't focus on the rest of The Pairing, because I was too stunned to know how to react. The remaining thirteen young men were detained while the 25 new couples departed the town square and headed to the town hall building to register as couples and to plan the various toasting ceremonies that would happen over the next several days.

My parents were first to meet up with me and Peeta. Me and Peeta. The knots in my stomach were gone, but I felt as if the bottom just dropped out. Peeta's name was on the outside of the lottery bowl, so it had to be a mistake, and if it was a mistake, I would have to be a fool to draw attention to it. Clearly, requesting a pairing wasn't as easy as we had been led to believe. There was no sense in trying to figure it out now, but I knew I would have to revisit what happened at The Pairing at some point.

"Congratulations!" Prim ran up to us first, giving me a big hug and shyly hugging Peeta as well.

My father congratulated us and pumped Peeta's hand enthusiastically. Was it me, or did my father look ecstatic that Peeta was paired with me? My mother pulled me into a long embrace and whispered in my ear, "I'm glad you're paired with Peeta Mellark." Again, I was all astonishment.

"When should we plan your toasting?" Prim asked.

"We have to register and receive our house assignment first." Peeta replied. His voice had a low timber and was kind and gentle. The languid heat blatantly pooled in between my legs. I fought not to squirm.

"Yes, we would need a house to have a toasting." I said nervously. We walked over to the town hall and stood in line for marriage registration when Peeta's family came up to greet us.

"Congratulations you two. Katniss, I have to say, I am pleased you will be my new daughter-in-law." Mr. Mellark said with a wide smile.

"Congratulations." Was all Mrs. Mellark could manage. Yep, his mother still hates me. Peeta's brothers, Bannock and Rusk rushed over with their wives to congratulate us as well. All too soon, we were next to register. We filled out paperwork, there was another blood sample and then we filled out more paperwork to receive our house, we were then given keys and a deed. Then everything was notarized and signed.

"Where is our house located?" I asked, happy I would not be living in the Victorian monstrosity, but nervous about where we would live.

Peeta opened up the dead and housing paperwork and read; "Number 24 Tribute Ave." My heart stopped in my chest, because that was my farmhouse! Peeta looked over at me, studying my face, and I could swear he had a very small smile on his face. Once again, I had to know what had happened on this Pairing Day, because something was definitely off, and not in a bad way.

"Let's head over and see this house." Mrs. Mellark of all people said, which surprised me. I opted to ride with my parents and Prim, just to get my bearings. All too soon, we had pulled up to my farmhouse with the huge yard that could hold a small farm.

"Oh Katniss, this house is lovely, and you have several acres of space." Mom said,

"Yes, this place suits you, I think." My father said planting a kiss on my forehead. The Mellarks hadn't arrived yet.

"I gotta say, I prefer Alfred Mellark's boy to Gale. I know Gale is your friend, Katniss, but I just don't think he would've suited you very well." My father said. I was surprised by his admission, but at the same time, this could explain why my parents never really talked about the pairing, especially when it was assumed I would be paired with Gale. A few minutes later, the Mellarks arrived and Peeta, having the keys, opened the wider than usual front door and we all walked in. The farmhouse was beautiful inside as well, with so much potential. The rooms were spacious and the kitchen was a dream. The living and dining areas were partially open and full of light from the windows. As we walked through, Mrs. Mellark looked more and more sour faced. I didn't care, but it was still unnerving.

Peeta walked over to me, shyly but with that smile that was loaded with unspoken words and secrets. He looked just a little too happy to be with me.

"Katniss, I know we don't really know each other, but now that we're married, I thought perhaps we can take things very slowly, and really get to know each other. So, how about you go home and be with your family until we plan our toasting. Here's your set of keys to the house, you can come and start planning how you want to set things up, and here's my bank card, feel free to buy whatever you feel you'll need to make this a home." Peeta said, pressing my keys and his bank card into my palm. My mouth fell open in surprised. He had to be kidding, but as I looked in his eyes, I saw that he wasn't.

"O…Okay." I sputtered in response. "When did you want to have the toasting?" I asked.

"Let's see, today is Friday, so why don't we have our toasting on the following Friday. I'll bring the bread." He said with a smile and a slight blush. I smiled back and looked at the floor, hoping my blush wasn't so obvious. We all left the farmhouse and headed back to our respective homes. It was a long day, and it was almost dinner time at this point. My mother had warmed up some leftovers and I was not upset. I went to bed soon after dinner, the nerves of the day had finally caught up with me and I was suddenly exhausted. For the third night in a row, I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow, but this time, I dreamed of Peeta Mellark, the golden boy.