2012
Katniss: I have 50 boxes of cake mix, we need to start making cakes ASAP.
Johanna: I think you got the wrong number, but count me in!
Katniss: this isn't Johanna?
Johanna: nope, what's your name?
Katniss: she must've given me the wrong number.. what a-
Unknown: did you meet her at a bar or something?
Katniss: oh my gosh, no! I'm a girl.
Katniss: I mean, I'm a straight girl.
Unknown: oh nice, I'm a straight guy ;) jk, I'm still down to help out with the cake tho..
Katniss: so...
Katniss: your name is?
Unknown: oh sorry! I'm Peeta.
Katniss: Peeta? Are you serious?
Peeta: mhm, I know it's a stupid name.
Katniss: no, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to be rude or anything..
Katniss: I mean, like I didn't know if that was just a fake name bc we haven't met or
Katniss: not that you should give me a fake name or anything but like
Katniss: so the cake? I'll stop talking now.
Peeta: right, haha
Katniss: oh btw where do you live? There might be logistic issues..
Peeta: I live in Pittsburgh.
Katniss: really? Oh that makes sense, the area code and all..
Peeta: you live here too?
Katniss: just outside. Wanna come make cake?
Peeta: just tell me where:)
"Hi, Katniss?" I opened the door to a stocky, blonde guy who looked around my age.
"Yeah, you must be Peeta?"
"Yup, I'm here for the cake." He said seriously, and I let him in with a smile.
"Good, because my sister will be home in a few hours and I want the cakes for her bake sale done by then. And I'm a terrible baker, nor do I like it."
"You don't like baking?" He inquired.
"No, I hate it. Like I love eating baked goods, and I assume that it isn't half bad if you're at least a decent baker, but..." I trailed off.
"Well lucky for you, my dad owned a bakery when I was growing up, I've made more cakes than Hostess." I grinned, heading into our small kitchen that looked straight out of the 90s.
"Well there's the mix, and I pulled out the other ingredients, just tell me what to do." I said, rolling up my sleeves.
"Okay, um... do you have a stand up mixer?" I looked at him quizzically. "That's fine, we just need a handheld electric mixer then." I pulled the mixer out of the drawer next to the sink, putting it into Peeta's big hands.
"And a spatula, and a few measuring cups-" he listed off all of the tools we would need, using what I'd already given him to start things going. I've never seen someone move so fast and confidently in someone else's kitchen. After he got the batter into the pans and in the oven, he leaned against the counter and I sat next to the sink on the counter opposite him.
"So, school bake sale or?" He inquired.
"No, animal shelter bake sale. She's one of those animal people that just never stops... she spends all her free time there, wants to be a vet... and all animals she's ever encountered love her."
"Oh, yeah. I have a friend like that."
"Yeah, I honestly don't know what to do with her." I laugh, my smile lingering for a moment as I thought of my baby sister. Well, I guess not such a baby anymore. I'm nearly 18 and she just turned 15. I'm a general B student and she's a straight A. I'm the silent stand offish one and she's the exuberant lovable one. And that's exactly as it should be.
"So how old are you?" I finally ask, my curiosity getting the better of me.
"I'm 17, I'm turning 18 in a couple months. You?"
"17." I tell him, not mentioning the fact that I'm at least a month older. He smiles.
"You're older than me, huh?" I chuckle.
"Probably a month, my birthday is March 24."
"I'm May 16, so yeah, only a couple months. Yours is coming up though. You doing anything special?"
"Probably not, Prim, my sister, might want me to take the day off, but other than that nothing."
"Really? That sounds... un-18th birthday. That's a milestone."
"Yeah, I know. I don't really like celebrating my birthday though."
"Why?" He asked, raising his blonde eyebrows.
"I-" I stopped myself. "I just don't, too much attention, you know? That's not me-" the oven timer went off, interrupting my awkward ramble. After sticking a toothpick into the center and resetting the timer, Peeta retook his stance against the counter.
"So what about you, any big plans?" I ask him, hoping he doesn't ask about my birthday again.