So I've been asked to continue this since it's apparently too short. :) I will be extending it at least one more chapter. The ending was too rushed, so we'll see what happens when I 'un-rush' it! My problem is my attention span for Everlark is too short, also. I have an idea, want to write it as quick as possible because 20 others pop into my head (and what if someone else has the same idea and gets there before me?)and I get over excited. Then I get bored with what I'm writing and impatient to finish it and move on, already. If you want to read more, please review or PM me to let me know. Thanks to ct522 and bubblegum1425 for working with me and putting up with my constant communication. They're the best!

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Really? I thought when you didn't answer that was a sure no and I had lost you. So when do you want to meet?

Katniss considered Dandelion's query for most of the class period, settling on something she felt was compromising, yet safe.

May? Graduation?

It wasn't that far away, only two months, but maybe this would be the happy medium to the apprehension and elation she felt. That way if it had been better left undone, at least she would be leaving and it would all be over. It's not like they would have continued this through college, anyway. It was bound to end at some point.

May? That's kind of a long time. I've wanted to ask you since before Christmas. I was sorta hoping for Friday. :)

Katniss felt like she needed to voice a few of her concerns. Maybe he felt the same way.

That's only two days away. I really like how things are right now. I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious to know you, but I don't want to ruin what we've had all year. Aren't you worried at all that things will become uncomfortable between us? You're just the only friend I have.

There. She felt infinitely better having shared with Dandelion what their meeting could potentially damage. Now she just needed to see if he felt the same and how they would handle it.

I like how things are, too, but I think they can be better. I don't believe I'm your only friend. I bet you have plenty. And I don't think I could ever not like you. You have been a bright spot when I've needed it, and I can't even tell you what it has meant to me every time you encouraged my drawings. You're the only one who has. If Friday is too close, what about Monday? You set the terms and I'll follow your lead.

Monday at least gave her the weekend to fret over their meeting. She could always back out. Even though standing him up would be horrible, she could apologize profusely with more notes later. He would understand, wouldn't he? And was she really the only person to notice and praise his talent? He either didn't draw for anyone else, or his friends were blind as bats in the noon sunlight.

Monday sounds better. Can't say I'm not nervous, but sooner could be good, right? I mean, I guess if we decide we like each other then we can stay friends? When is your lunch period? Draw me a picture of what you're looking at right now… you haven't sketched me anything since the sunset. I miss seeing through your eyes.

Thursday Katniss made a beeline for Lit class, eager to find what Dandelion had left for her. She had to wait a few anxious minutes for class to begin so she could hide her eyes in her textbook, pretending to read while studying the drawing. She easily located the neatly folded paper, resting where every one before it had been left, her eyes falling upon the script he had left.

I have first lunch. You? Here is the drawing you asked for. Hope you like it. :)

Their desk was next to the windows in the classroom, so she was not surprised to find the scene beyond the room's weathered window panes. They shared a perfect view of the rolling hills behind the school, just beginning to become lush with a thick carpet of bright green grass. There was a large, lone oak tree at the back of the property, the trunk so fat seven students would have to link hands to encircle it. That was the tree Katniss sat beneath during her lunch period every day.

While she had been expecting this particular sketch, she had not been expecting the girlish figure resting in the shade of the gnarly old oak, a brown paper lunch sack lying next to her. The figure was slim, and could have been any number of female students on their lunch break, except for one determining trait - a braid falling carelessly over the girl's shoulder. Her shoulder. Her braid.

He had seen her. He had drawn her. Was this his way of telling her he already knew who she was? Katniss suddenly felt as if she were prey, in a wide open field in the middle of the day, the hunter carefully concealed behind the woods she so desperately needed as shelter. Her eyes darted around the room, but common sense told her it couldn't be anyone in here if they had drawn her out there.

The drawing in itself was magnificent, but she couldn't shake the unease that he had known all along who she was, and she had been oblivious, too preoccupied with getting through the year and moving on to notice anyone else.

After recalling the events that had led them here, Katniss calmed her irrational fears, choosing to dwell on the fact that it was too coincidental for the stalker scenario. She had been the one to find the first sketch of the dandelion, and there was no way he could have known on the first day of school that they would share the same desk. But there was only one way to find out for sure if he had, in fact, found out who she was.

I have third lunch, so that's a no-go. Maybe before school Monday? It's a beautiful drawing, as always. What I like about it is that we see the same thing. Except, for the girl under the tree. Do you know who she is?

Thank you. You make me want to draw more and not care if anyone thinks I'm wasting my time. As for the girl, I have never met her, but I've seen her eat lunch there everyday, weather permitting. I've wanted to talk to her, but I never see her anywhere other than when I'm in here. She reminds me of you, though… something I feel like I can count on to be there. That probably sounds strange, but I think I would miss her if she decided to eat somewhere else. Monday morning sounds good to me. Where? Here's my number to let me know, or in case you change your mind. Please don't . :)

Katniss exhaled. She had been unconsciously looking over her shoulder since she saw the drawing yesterday. She had even gone so far as to double check the locks on the two story window to her bedroom before falling into bed, completely and hopelessly alert to every creak and groan of her old house.

There was no point in leaving a reply, since they would be face to face before he received it on Monday during her lunch period. Katniss folded the drawing back up into the shape she found it, and tucked it safely into the zippered pouch of her book bag. Now that she actually had a way to communicate with him during the weekends, she wasn't sure she wanted to.

Sunday morning rolled around and Katniss was wide awake at the break of dawn with the apprehension of what tomorrow would bring. She both dreaded and relished thoughts of it.

After lunch, she pulled the sketch with his number out of her book bag, where she had purposely left it in an effort to avert the restlessness that was settling on her now. She dragged her phone out from under her pillow and slowly typed in the numbers Dandelion had given her.

Katniss - Hey. It's me.

She wondered if he would know. She laid her phone down only to have it buzz as soon as she let go.

Dandelion - Hey, you. We still on for tomorrow morning?

Katniss thought hard and long enough to earn another text when he hadn't received a reply.

Dandelion - You there? If this makes you uncomfortable we don't have to do it. I'll be content to just trade notes back and forth. :)

Katniss - No, no, we can do it. I think I need to see you.

He may take it completely different than how she meant it, but she really did want to be able to identify him if, by some crazy chance, he knew her already.

Dandelion - Oh, good! I was getting nervous that I scared you off.

Katniss - Not completely. :) Still have the butterflies, but yeah, I'll be there.

She thought about where they would meet, thinking about the oak tree, but deeming it too private if things went awry or became inappropriate.

Katniss - How about on the front steps, 7:30?

She knew most of the teachers were at the school by then, and right out front should provide plenty of publicity should her worst fears become reality.

Dandelion - I'll be there. Can't wait. See you tomorrow.

Dandelion - Finally. :)

Katniss - :)

Katniss took a nap that afternoon, knowing that she would not slumber later that night. She woke earlier than normal after only a couple hours sleep, surprised she slept at all. Her nerves were on high alert, providing her weary body with enough adrenaline to fool it into thinking she had been asleep for days.

Katniss meandered up the walkway to the school, pausing every few feet to survey the area. There were more students arriving than she anticipated and now she wondered how she would pick him out of the crowd. She may have to text him to find him.

Glancing toward the front stoop leading up to the dark brown double doors, she knew she need not look further. There was her Dandelion, holding a dandelion. He had yet to spot her, her small frame easily hidden behind many of the larger students milling around the courtyard, so she took the opportunity to study him. His stocky, medium build was attractively displayed in a fitted dark green sweater, sleeves pushed to mid-arm, and slightly loose khaki cargo pants.

She cautiously closed the distance, wanting him to know who she was but feeling inadequate at the same time. She took solace in the fact that he had told her they would be friends no matter what, and he had even drawn her. That must count for something.

When her eyes met his, she knew she had found a new favorite color, orange and green be damned. Neither the brightest sky, nor the lowest mood could hold a candle to the blue she saw in his eyes. They widened enough, probably at the recognition that she was the elusive girl in his drawing, and she could tell he hadn't slept much either from the little red lines trailing the whites of his eyes.

Katniss ascended the few steps to stand in front of him, unable to pull her eyes away from his, not having the desire to anyway.

"Dandelion?" she asked, knowing the answer already.

"I'm usually called Peeta," he said, blinking for the first time since they locked gazes. He smiled an adorable, slightly crooked smile, and her insides tumbled around, feeling like they were vying for dominance.

"Well, Peeta, I'm Katniss," she offered, shocked that she could find any words in front of someone so intimidatingly handsome. Had she known this was the person she had been trading notes with all along, she would have suggested they meet months ago.

"It's you," he said disbelievingly. "I can't believe it's you."

"When I saw your drawing of me by the tree, I was pretty freaked out. I thought that maybe you already knew and, that maybe…"

"I was following you?" Peeta questioned, his eyes gleaming with amusement.

"Well, kind of… yeah," Katniss said embarrassingly. "I think it's pretty safe to assume you weren't, since you look like a deer in headlights right now." Katniss expelled a small laugh, mocking herself.

"I'm definitely surprised. It's a good surprise, though. A great one, actually." Peeta's assertion gives rise to goosebumps on Katniss's olive flesh. "Can I walk you to class?" he asks.

"Sure," Katniss responds calmly, trying not to reveal the giddiness she's feeling. He wants to keep talking to her, and be seen with her. Why did she ever not want this?

It was a short walk to her first period room, and they didn't manage one word spoken between them. The silence was completely uncomfortable, but in a different way than what she thought it would be. She knew she was attracted to Peeta, and she thought she sensed the same from him. She could feel his eyes on her every now and then, but when she became brave enough to look at him, his eyes had moved forward.

When they parted ways Katniss glanced back as she entered the doorway, finding Peeta doing the same as he headed in the opposite direction. He almost ran head first into the dumb jock that had read aloud on her first day, seeming so focused on getting a last glimpse of her. The guy, whose name Katniss had yet to learn, caught Peeta by the shoulders before there was a collision and snarled at him about watching where he was going.

The next four periods flew by, Katniss never comprehending an audible word from her teachers as her mind was clearly engaged with thoughts of Peeta. She grabbed her lunch sack out of her locker and began to walk in the direction of the big oak. She halted, remembering that she now had an audience, or at least now she knew she had one. He had been there all the time.

It was a beautiful day, and deciding she still wanted to spend it outdoors, she took up residence on one of the benches outside of the lunchroom. Her phone vibrated a few minutes later. She had a feeling who it was.

Peeta - You're usually at the oak by now. Did I run you away from your spot?

How should she answer this? She couldn't deny that It was kind of uncomfortable now to go out there alone, knowing he would be watching her from their window. She decided to play it cool, like she had something to do.

Katniss - I just had to run a quick errand. I'm headed out there now.

Katniss inhaled a deep breath, packing her lunch back up and strolling toward the big tree. She kept her gaze away from the window, even though she could feel his eyes on her the whole way. Her body burned with awkwardness. She was thankful for the distance between the school and the tree, hiding her severe blush from Peeta.

She felt another vibration as she sat down in her usual shady place.

Peeta - There you are… :)

Katniss blushed on top of her already profuse blush, turning her face a shade of red reserved only for the tips of red-hot flames. She dared to look over to the window, where she could see his blond hair and the shape of his face. She had never cared to look that way before, instead content to view the surrounding landscape that provided her mind with something peaceful and natural, a distinct contrast to the loud hallways and stark white classrooms. She could see him, and his movements, but not make out the blue of his eyes, or the white of his teeth from the smile the emoticon in the text message ensured was on his face.

She waved at him, earning a wave in return. She could barely make it out because of his limited ability for exaggerated movements in Trinkie's class, but it still made her smile.

Peeta - You're smile is beautiful, you know…

Katniss - Who said I was smiling? You can't see from there…

Peeta - I've been watching you from this distance every day for 7 months and I haven't seen your face look like that once.

Peeta - I meant that in the non-creepiest way.

Katniss - Good to know. What can I expect in class today?

Peeta - a drawing of your smile. :)

Katniss was sure her skin would forever be this shameful shade of red from all the compliments Peeta had bestowed on her just since this morning.

Katniss - You better pay attention or you might fail the chapter review on Friday. :)

Peeta - You may have to vacate the area for me to do that. :) I can't believe I'm actually texting you while you're sitting under the tree, and I drew you the exact picture I'm looking at right now, and the whole time it was you. It just blows my mind.

Katniss and Peeta messaged back and forth a few more times before Peeta finally decided, making sure she knew it was against his will, to pay attention to the instruction Trinkie was giving.

True to his word, when Katniss arrived in Lit class, there was another drawing awaiting her perusal. It was her, she knew by her trademark braid, the way Peeta must have seen her this morning when they met for the first time, except it wasn't really her. It must have been a dream likeness because she had never seen this image staring back at her in the bathroom mirror.

Katniss discreetly pulled her phone out and shot off a text to Peeta.

Katniss - another stunning piece. is this supposed to be me? I'm not so sure, you were facing the sun when we met this morning.

Peeta - Thank you for the first compliment, the second was less encouraging. :)

Katniss - I didn't mean it like that! The girl on the paper is pretty, that's all. I'm sure you must be exaggerating.

Peeta - Absolutely not. Did I exaggerate any of my other sketches, or were they all dead on?

Katniss - I guess I would have to say they were all correct and unexaggerated.

Peeta - So you agree my track record supports the fact that I drew you exactly as you are?

Katniss - Sure, okay. Where are you now?

Katniss hoped her new direction would change the subject.

Peeta - Study hall, not studying. You wanna meet up later?

Katniss - I have to get started on this essay for Lit. It looks like it's gonna be a beast.

Peeta - Wanna write it together?

She did want to write it with him. She could think of nothing else today besides being near him, the thought of his hypnotic eyes reeling her in. Katniss had no idea how much actual writing she would get done with Peeta in the same room, since the knowledge of him on the same campus had thrown her for a complete loop, five of her eight teachers questioning her attention's whereabouts today.

Katniss - Yeah, your place or mine?

Peeta - Yours is better than mine. My mom's not one for company… can I give you a ride?

Katniss - Yes, you can. I'll meet you on the front stoop in thirty minutes.

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Reviews are much appreciated, even if you think this is boring. :) I'm on tumblr as peetabreadgirl. I posted a fun drabble there about K/P hiding in a closet, exchanging a little dirty talk for some eavesdroppers. Fun stuff to write! Come check it out and let me know what you think!

Until next chapter, thank you for the reads, follows and faves, Pbg