Chapter 5

"Hey Sweetheart, wake up, come now, I need some help." Katniss opens her eyes slowly, to see Haymitch standing at the side of her bed. Her bedside clock reads 3:00 am.

"What's wrong?" She sits up, rubbing sleep from her eyes.

"Effie called said some of the cattle got loose and they're in her front yard. We need to go get them rounded up before they cause any damage. You know how much pride she has in her flower garden. We'll never hear the end of it if her prized pansies get trampled."

"Yeah you're right. I'll be right down." Katniss yawns. She quickly jumps out of bed, and pulls on a blue plaid shirt, blue jeans, and her work boots. She braids her hair and grabs her hat. She rushes down the stairs and out to the barn.

Uncle Haymitch is saddled up and pondering where the cattle may have gotten loose when she enters the barn. Arrow is already saddled up for her. She smiles in thanks and swings up into the saddle. They quickly trot out of the barn and head to Effie Trinket's property about 5 miles to the east.

They reach Effie's property and see five of their cows in her yard grazing in the green grass. Effie stands behind the screen door keeping watch. She puts her hands on her hips and glares as they approach.

"Haymitch Abernathy, I am holding you responsible for this. You probably forgot to close a gate in your rush to grab a drink. Now your cows are disturbing my sleep." Effie reprimands in a high voice.

Katniss circles Arrow around to two of the cows and starts herding them back up the road. "Yah, Yah, get on up the road now."

"Don't get your knickers in twist, darling. We'll have the cattle out of your hair in a jiffy. Then you can resume your beauty sleep." Haymitch tells her gruffly. He leads his horse, Sully, around the side of Effie's house where a lone cow stands. He grabs his rope from his saddle, lassos the cow, and pulls him after his horse to where Katniss has the other two.

"We're really sorry about this, Effie. We regret to have caused you any distress. We think they slipped out of a weak spot in the back fence. We'll get that fixed as soon as we get them rounded up and back on the farm." Katniss apologizes thickly to appease the woman.

Effie softens. "Well that's alright, dear. These things happen. Would you like some hot chocolate?"

"No thank you, Ma'am. I appreciate the offer. I hope you have a better morning, Ms. Trinket." She says as she tips her hat at her. Katniss turns her horse spots the last two cows standing together. She herds them towards the others.

Haymitch and Katniss slowly herd the cattle back to the farm. Prim sits on a stool in the goat pen milking her goat Lady. When she hears their approach she quickly finishes up and goes to open the corral gate.

Once the cattle are all safely inside the corral, they unsaddle the horses, cool them down, and let them loose in a separate corral with plenty of hay and water. Then Haymitch goes to get barbed wire and tools so they can fix the weak spot in the back fence. They load it all up in the truck and ride the fence line.

They find the weak spot in the fence about two-thirds down the line. The posts are still sound. So, they just take down old the weak wire and then stretch the new wire out tightly and attach it to the posts. It takes about two hours to get the fence properly fixed up.

Once they get back to the house, Katniss quickly showers and dresses for school. She wears a flower print blouse, black jeans, and black ankle boots. An outfit Cinna had gifted her. She and Prim quickly eat the eggs and bacon that mama prepared for them and rush to the car. Katniss drops off Prim and makes it to the high school with 5 minutes to spare.

She runs to her homeroom class and makes it to her seat by the time the final bell rings to begin class. She breathes in deeply to catch her breath.

"What has you in a such a frenzy this morning?" Madge whispers as Mr. Crane starts announcements.

"We had some cattle get loose last night and I had to help round them up and fix the fence this morning. It put me behind schedule."

"Yikes, you've really had a busy morning. I commend you for still coming to class."

Katniss shrugs. "I just do what needs doing. That means a lot of early mornings. That's what you get with farm life, but I love it. I couldn't imagine living anywhere else."

"Ladies, if you're done chatting, we'd like to begin the lesson." Mr. Crane chastises.

"Sorry, Mr. Crane." They chorus.

Peeta breathes a sigh of relief when he sees her at lunch. "I was worried when you were so late this morning. What was going on?"

"Five cows got over a weak spot in the back fence last night and wandered into Effie Trinket's yard. We had to go get them at 3 am. Then we spent the morning repairing the fence, so it threw off the whole morning. Prim was late to her class and I barely got to mine on time." Katniss tells the gang.

"Haymitch should have called. Rory and I would have lent a hand." Gale says

"Me and Haymitch had it under control but thank you for the offer. If more than five had got loose we definitely would have called."

"Well the offer stands anytime you need help I'll be there no questions asked."

"Oh shoot." Katniss sighs. "I forgot to pack a lunch." She looks forlornly in her empty lunch bag.

Peeta simply slides her half his sandwich, apple slices, and a carton of milk. Katniss looks at him in wonder. She kisses his cheek and picks up the turkey sandwich.

"This reminds me of when we were five and I forgot my lunch. You shared half your sandwich with me then too." Katniss says after she finishes eating.

"I remember. I was happy to do it because it gave me a chance to finally talk to you. I was a goner for you even then. With your beautiful song voice, your red plaid dress, and your hair in two braids instead of one."

"That's so sweet. Baby Peeta had a crush on me." Katniss teases.

"Don't pretend like you didn't like me too. I caught you sneaking glances at me plenty of times. That's why we're dating now. It was a mutual crush."

"That's right. You got me and now we're in love." She leans over for a kiss.

"Ok lovebirds. Enough with the cheesiness. Some of us are trying to eat." Johanna rolls her eyes and bites into a chicken leg.