Chapter 2

Peeta:

We pulled up to my family home and we all filed out of the car, my father was still smiling, but my mother, well she wasn't thrilled with how The Pairing had turned out.

"What were the chances you would end up with that Everdeen girl?" She said out loud to no one in particular. My father and I exchanged glances. My mother hoped and prayed I wouldn't be paired with Katniss, because she's jealous of Mrs. Everdeen and she never quite got over the fact that my father had initially pursued Mrs. Everdeen when they were young teenagers. That was in the past and couldn't be helped, besides I needed to focus on my toasting. My upcoming toasting to Katniss Everdeen, er Mellark. I smiled and started thinking about many of the events that led up to today's pairing results.

On my first day of second grade, my dad pointed Katniss out to me, explaining that she was the little girl of his high school crush. Looking back now, I've often wondered if my dad still had a crush on Mrs. Everdeen. I remember thinking Katniss was pretty and I liked her hair in two braids and she seemed to have a small secret smile on her face. Being in the second grade, I remember thinking Katniss is pretty for a kindergartener. Later that day, my class was outside enjoying recess, when suddenly a few students just stopped playing and fell silent, then all the students quieted down even the birds had fallen silent. Then I heard it, this pretty singing voice, the girl was young, but man could she sing. I went to the window and there was Katniss, singing the Valley Song and everything changed, it was as if something shifted inside me, in a very good way.

I was never the same after that day, and I watched her walk home every day after that. I could always talk to girls, but she was the only one I could never get the nerve to speak to and it didn't help she always caught me staring at her. I couldn't help myself! The older we got, the more Katniss changed from pretty girl to beautiful young woman and she has no clue how beautiful she is; her dark luxurious hair, those stormy gray eyes that just look right through you, her full lips and lithe body, what was not to like. Many boys in town wanted her, but gave her a wide berth, because she regularly walked about town with her bow, arrows and some dead animal she had hunted and was off trading. Hunting and trading took guts and Katniss was good at both, and she earned the respect of many people around her.

Now I'm not going to pretend to be a completely innocent guy, I've dated a few girls, maybe even slept with a few… I'm not going to feed you that tired line of how "a man has needs", I had sex because I wanted to. The only thing is, it was never fully satisfying, because I wasn't with the one girl I actually liked and wanted to have sex with; you guessed it, Katniss Everdeen. Well... there was this other girl I really liked, so much so that my mother was hopeful I would forget about Katniss. Let's just say, I found out what happens when you call another girl's name (Katniss), out at the crucial moment during sex. I don't even remember Glimmer pushing me off of her, I just remember thinking I've never seen anyone get dressed so fast. I felt terrible and tried to apologize for what happened, and even more mortifying is, when she dumped me, not only did I expect it, I didn't care. I was just sorry for what happened during sex.

Needless to say, when my mother discovered that my relationship with Glimmer ended, she was furious and she actually punched me in the face. I had quite the time trying to explain that one at school, because she left me with a black eye. That was also the day I decided that I would submit paper work to be considered as a spouse to Katniss prior to The Pairing. I didn't see the point in having meaningless relationships with other girls if I knew exactly who I wanted.

I started working every free moment I had to save money and find ways to invest in other businesses, even if it was small. I was barely 17, and I knew because my birthday was late in the year, just like in school, I would have to wait an extra year for my name to be placed in the The Pairing lottery, I would be 21 by then. I had a plan in place, I just hoped I could accomplish most of it in four years. I talked to my dad, because I knew he would understand and I had to recruit help.

"Peeta, what you're planning to do will take a lot of hard work and discipline. You have a talent for baking and pastry decorating that is truly impressive. How about you work a few midnight shifts at the bakery to help speed special orders along, and I'll pay you a little extra. Don't tell your mother about the extra pay, she'll have a fit." My dad said.

"What exactly will she be upset about? The money or Katniss?" I asked. My dad was thoughtful.

"It's a toss up at this point." That was the reply I was given. I still don't understand how my parents are still married, but hey, they make it work.

I also started odd jobs, usually requiring moving and heavy lifting, simple home repairs, and painting. There was even a community program for young people to help elderly or invalided people around their homes. This usually involved cleaning some seriously filthy homes, or doing mountains of laundry, or yard work in yards that hadn't seen a spade or hedge clippers in what looked like eons. All that for a stipend, but I didn't complain, because I made some good friends and connections, plus it seemed to help these people feel good. When investing in small businesses became a possibility, I consulted with my father, and while I made myself as financially ready as possible, I knew I needed help in getting to know Katniss.

I had literally become too busy to even speak to Katniss, so outside of the occasional hello and how are you, and very surface conversation, I was simply too tired to be nervous. It also didn't help that we were in different grades at school and different social circles. I knew I needed help in this area and my help came unexpectedly, from an unexpected person; Thom McNamara, one of Gale Hawthorne's best friends.

Gale Hawthorne, best friend and hunting partner to Katniss Everdeen. This is the same Gale Hawthorne I had spent several years being insanely jealous of, because not only did he have close proximity to Katniss, he liked Katniss and actually seemed to have a reason to like her… because he actually knew her. Or so I thought.

It was a late autumn Saturday night, bon fire night; I was hanging out with a few friends and Thom was there as well. He was, as usual, talking about his crush on Delly Cartwright. It always surprised me when Thom talked about Delly, because she was just Delly to me. Blonde and a little chubby, friendly and positive… yeah. Delly did nothing for me, but if I was paired with her at The Pairing, I could make it work. The trouble is, I didn't want to make it work. Then Thom asked me an unexpected question.

"So, Peeta, you plan on having an actual conversation with Katniss at some point?" I was completely taken aback. I just stared at Thom in disbelief.

"What are you talking about?" I was a bit alarmed, but also confused, because I hadn't recalled at any time discussing my thoughts or feelings on Katniss Everdeen outside of my family, specifically my father and brothers.

"Don't do that. It's obvious to anyone that's paying attention, how you feel about Katniss. You've always liked her, not that I blame you, she's great." Thom replied with a knowing smile. I felt a blush creep up over my face.

"I don't think I've made much of an impression on her, I can't even seem to talk to her." I found myself confessing before I could stop. "Besides, she seems pretty happy with Hawthorne." I tried not to sound bitter.

Thom laughed long and loud, practically wiping tears from his eyes. When he could finally breathe, "Man, you do not have to worry about Hawthorne, he doesn't have a chance in hell. The sad part is, he doesn't even realize it. Katniss sees him as a brother, the thing about that is, I'm pretty sure, she doesn't realize that's how she sees him either."

"Wait, I don't understand. Katniss doesn't like Hawthorne?" I asked.

"Not even close and Gale is so into his own ideas and plans, that he hasn't picked up on it either. Plus, to be fair, Gale doesn't really listen to Katniss and even though they're friends, he doesn't know her like he should, considering the amount of time they spend together. If you don't believe me, just pay attention to how they interact, even better, if you're ever in earshot of one of their conversations, listen to it, its obvious that all the feelings are one-sided. Gale thinks he has a chance with Katniss, because he's never really had to actually try to get a girl to like him. He's a lot like you, the women just fall at his feet." Thom replied.

"Women do not fall at my feet. Besides, isn't Hawthorne one of your best friends?" I asked.

"Sure, and I've told him to his face he doesn't have a chance with Katniss, at least not on her own accord. Look, instead of staring at her like a lovesick puppy, really start paying attention to her, what she gravitates to, what she avoids. You'll learn a lot, its kinda creepy, but you'll still learn a lot. I mean is can't hurt, since you can't seem to bring yourself to speak to her beyond, hi or how are you. Why is that, by the way?" Thom asked. I told him about my nervousness, I told him about Glimmer. Again, another long peel of laughter.

"Well, shit! How long ago was that?"

"A little over a year ago. I guess I get a little embarrassed because I know I called out her name during sex with another girl. Honestly, I haven't really been able to talk to Katniss, ever since the first time I heard her sing. Her singing is like nothing I've ever heard before, and she just gets better and better." I told Thom. He nodded in agreement.

"So, why are you helping me?" I asked.

"Because Katniss likes you… a lot." Thom replied simply, taking a drink from his bottle of cider. I spit out the cider I was drinking. Thom laughed again.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I asked. I was completely shocked.

"Katniss likes you. She stares at you almost as much as you stare at her, except you only catch her at it once in a while, and almost no one else really catches her staring at you at all. The look on her face when she's staring at you… let's just say she never looks at Gale that way. I swear at gymnastics nationals, I thought we were going to have revive her after your pommel horse routine and let's not even talk about how she just stared and stared during your rings routine. Her sister, Primrose, had to give her a small shove just to snap her back to reality." Thom explained, and I just sat there in disbelief. The thought of Katniss liking me never crossed my mind and I never considered it a possibility. The girls I dated, the few I slept with, I did so, never thinking that the one I wanted could or would want me as well.

"But… but she never talks to me." Was all I could say. Thom just sat there and looked at me.

"Seriously, you're leading with that?" He had a point.

"I guess I'm just shocked, it never occurred to me that Katniss liked me."

"Let me ask you this; why have you been working like a mad man for the past, what, 18 months?" Thom asked. I braced myself for his response when I told him.

"Because I want to submit paperwork to arrange to marry Katniss before The Pairing." Thom just stared.

"That's difficult to accomplish, first off, you will probably need to talk to her to do that. Second, it will depend on how many young women are available across Panem. You could always get her pregnant, but those marriages are sometimes harder to handle. Plus, that's something girls do in districts 1,2 and 4, the more cosmopolitan districts always seem to have to grant marriages before The Pairing. Here, the girls are hoping to shuttle off to those districts and even The Capitol, although, I think there won't be too many young women available when we're entered into the lottery." Thom pointed out.

"I don't want to get Katniss pregnant, not like that. I'm not thrilled about The Pairing, but I have to do something."

"Get to know her more. You may want to find out how the whole process of how that application works. They usually make you wait until The Pairing to announce any understandings between a couple, prior to the lottery. So, perhaps you need to develop an understanding with Katniss." Thom suggested. I just didn't realize that that understanding would only go so far as furtive glances and looks at each other, with occasional glares from Gale Hawthorne.

kekekekekekekeke

"When are you going to move into your house?" My mother asked. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"By the end of the week, I would like to be moved in by the night before my toasting." I answered.

"What will you be doing the rest of the week?" Mom asked.

"Working, while Katniss decorates and purchases furniture and things for our home." I replied. Our home, the thrill that ran through me at that thought couldn't be described.

"You're going to let her decorate that house!?" Mom screeched in disbelief.

"Yes, because its our house and will be our home. I want her to make it as comfortable for her as possible." I replied. I turned and walked up stairs to my bedroom. I didn't want my mother ruining today for me, especially considering everything I had to do to get Katniss. I thought back, remembering all the little details from before, while I started packing up my room.

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I took everything Thom told me into consideration on bon fire night. The next day, presented my first opportunity; Katniss hunted on Sunday, and at some point, during that afternoon, she would stop by the back of the bakery and trade with my father.

"Dad, would you mind if I make the trade with Katniss today?" I asked him. Was it me, or did my voice tremble slightly when I asked. My dad stared at me for a long moment, with a knowing smile on his face. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

"Sure, Peeta. Give Katniss whatever she wants, that's what I usually do. Don't tell her, she'll be disappointed." Dad said. I just grinned in response.

"Why does Katniss hunt anyway?" I asked

"A few years back, her father was extremely sick, his sickness went on for a few years and she wanted to help her family since his income was no longer reliable. There was assistance from the medical plant, but the plant still relatively new here in district 12 so there wasn't a lot they could give the Everdeens. Lance had already taught Katniss to hunt, he felt like the skill would come in handy, turns out he was right. It was believed Lance wouldn't make it, but he recovered, slowly but surely. I guess Katniss continues to hunt, because she likes it." My dad finished. I tucked that fact in the back of my mind.

Our family bakery was only open for a few hours on Sunday, just long enough for locals to purchase some loaves and then close for the day. Katniss usually arrived right before closing time, and today was no exception. While dad distracted mom, I went to answer the knock at the back door, and there was Katniss with turkey in tow. I have to say, I was impressed, a little intimidated but impressed.

She stared at me first, like she was dazed or shocked. I could understand, I never answered the back door for trading before today.

"Hi, Peeta, is your dad home?" She asked. Was it me, or did she seem to squirm just a little bit? Her hair was little wild, and her face, though serious, was as beautiful as ever.

"Yeah, but he's helping my mother with something. He told me to trade with you this afternoon."

"Oh. Well, I have a turkey for him. I promised him one the next time I was able." Katniss said looking at me, then behind me, like she was still looking for my dad.

"Great, what would you like to trade?" I asked. I didn't know what to say, but I was just glad to actually talk about anything besides, hi and how are you.

"A couple loaves of bread would be nice." She answered.

"Sure, I'll go a grab them for you now." I answered with a smile. I turned away from the door and decided to give her the raisin nut bread. It was a nice hearty bread and very good, I also grabbed a wheat loaf. Then I grabbed a few cookies for her sister, Primrose liked our cookies, and then suddenly, I remembered that Katniss liked cheese buns. I packed a half dozen, pleased that I had made some this morning. I thought back to what Thom said, as I packed everything up; pay attention to her, if you can't speak. I guess I had been paying closer attention than I thought. I quickly took the package back to Katniss, she took the brown paper bag and handed over the turkey.

"Thank you." I said, laying the turkey a cloth on the side table next to the back door.

"Hey, I only asked for two loaves!" Katniss said suddenly, looking startled and what looked like the beginnings of anger.

"Yes, but you also gave us an entire turkey, a few cookies for your sister and cheese buns for you seems fair to me." I answered and found I was smiling, and looking into those stormy gray eyes and getting lost. She stood there for a minute, like she was stunned and I saw a small blush start to make its way across her cheeks.

"Oh. Thank you, I have to go." Katniss then rushed off down the alley towards the Hob or her house, I was never quite sure. I stood there in the backdoor frame, grinning like an idiot, because I was pretty sure Thom was right, I think Katniss does like me… well, at least has a crush on me.

kekekekekeke

A few months later, I had graduated from District 12 high, and continued with my plan to prepare for The Pairing. I went to town hall to get an arranged marriage application and of course to find out how the process works. I had taken over trading with Katniss on Sundays, and we had a developed a light friendship. I still hadn't had the courage to ask her out on a date yet, but at least we had moved to slightly more interesting conversations.

"Morning Mr. Latier, how are you?" I asked when I stepped up to the registration window.

"Hello Peeta. I'm doing well, I'll be happier when Effie returns from lunch and I can return to my office." Beetee Latier explained. I chuckled in response.

"How can I help you today?" Beetee asked.

"I would like an arranged marriage application please."

"Oh? Well! Who's the lucky lady?" Beetee asked, smiling a genuine smile.

"Hopefully, Katniss Everdeen." I told him. His face fell.

"Um, and application has already been turned in with Katniss Everdeen's name attached to it." I felt my stomach drop in grave disappointment.

"Who turned in the application?" I asked before I could stop myself. That information was confidential and not disclosed to the rest of the public until The Pairing. Unexpectedly, Beetee casually pulled out a small slip of paper and wrote a name down. I took the slip, read the name and became more depressed. Gale Hawthorne's name jumped up from the slip.

"If it makes you feel any better, he's not really popular in this office." Beetee said unexpectedly.

"Wait, huh? What are you talking about? Why would it matter whether he was liked in this office or not?" I pointed to the slip of paper while asking. There was a reason Beetee wrote down Gale's name, so I made a point of not saying it out loud.

"That's because applications like this should be taken seriously and he isn't serious about the young woman in question. He's been spotted several times making out with other girls, and yet he insists on taking a truly good girl as his wife. Typical." I was at a loss for words.

"What does Katniss think?" I whispered.

"Honestly, I think this would be a marriage of convenience for her. I've never really seen her with him outside of hunting, and certainly nothing as intimate as others have seen when he's with other young ladies." I stood there dumbfounded, and I'm not quite sure what the look on my face registered, but I noticed that Beetee looked like he felt sorry for me.

"To be fair, the paperwork has not been approved just yet." I blinked in response.

"I don't understand."

"Marriage of convenience paperwork can be turned in, but it doesn't mean that it will be approved. Come back in one hour, we need to finish this discussion in my office." Beetee said. I nodded and then left, because I had not idea what needed to be discussed further if Katniss was supposed to marry Gale.