and may the odds be ever in your favor.
peeta
( dandelion blaze )
disclaimer: not mine.
dreaming, pt. one
...
You, of course, notice the change right away. Katniss has always been closed off, but now... now she is even more so than before. She keeps her eyes on the ground as she walks, doesn't acknowledge anyone's presence, and answers the teacher's questions in an annoyed and angry voice, as though she can't understand why in the world they would bother her while she's just sitting in her desk, minding her own business.
You're considering approaching her about it, asking what's wrong, when you hear the news. You didn't dare ask anyone about it, that would tip people off that you're interested in her. No, you hear about it through the school gossip.
Some silly girl who undoubtedly fancies you is sitting with you at lunchtime, telling you about something or other, and you're just tuning her out, as you usually do with all of the other girls. You're staring at Katniss, who's eating lunch alone, shoulders hunched forward, as though she's trying to make herself as small as possible.
"... so, that's all I told him, and that was the end of that. Anyway, did you hear about that Katniss girl?"
You're paying attention now. You snap up and turn toward the girl, Kyra. "What about Katniss?"
Kyra leans forward and starts to whisper, "Her father died in that mine accident yesterday. People are saying that she's done for now. She and her sister'll be in the community home by the end of the month."
"What? Well, what about her mom, what is she doing about it?"
"People are saying that her mom checked out. She's in shock." You wonder where exactly Kyra got this information, but you don't question it. You're too busy thinking. "Anyway," Kyra continues, "They're holding a ceremony this afternoon, after school. I think Katniss gets a medal, because she's the oldest in her family."
Then Kyra gets up and bids you goodbye, but you stay seated, unable to take your eyes off of Katniss.
Poor Katniss. This can't be happening to her. How can it be happening to her? Can't you help her?
You wish with all of your heart that you could fix it. You'd do anything to make her happy again.