"Did she talk about me?"

"Not really…"

"Did you bring me up?"

"Aren't you acting a little bit desperate?"

"I don't care. She has been my crush for God knows how long. I can't help but want her."

"You are like a puppy…a menacing looking puppy though."

"Good clean up."

The moment Thresh was done with football practice, he called me to see how the ride home with Peeta and Delly went. Apparently I was still on duty to hook Delly and Thresh up. Thresh was dead serious about me becoming friends with Delly. She was nice and all but Delly hung around Peeta a lot…and Peeta didn't seem to really like me all that much. In fact, it was like I was intruding into their space, which I didn't want.

The conversation turned to me asking about Glimmer's birthday bash. Thresh didn't want to go because of obvious reasons and I didn't either. However, if Thresh didn't show his face for at least five minutes, all hell would break loose at the school and social ladder.

"You know you would have to wear a dress right? Cargo pants and a simple t-shirt isn't going to cut it." Thresh told me over the phone. I was at a lost. I never wore a dress. Even when my father died I didn't even wear one. I hated my body. I wasn't Elle Magazine Front cover material like the rest of the girls in the town. I was the type of girl you found in a L.L. Bean catalog: Long brown hair always in a braid, my legs had a lot of muscle on them because of exercising, tan skin because of being outdoors all the time, normal bust, and just all round average. I wasn't short nor was I very tall either. My face had never seen or heard of the word "make-up" before making it extremely foreign to it. My whole being was born to be in a L.L. Bean catalog while Glimmer was born to be on that stupid show Top Model that my sister always watches.

"I really don't want to wear one and you know that." I finally told him. I heard Thresh chuckling on the other end.

"Stubborn."

"Well that's why we get along because you are just the same."

"Whatever. So tell me about how Peeta was. He is pretty nice isn't he?"

I would agree on him being nice, but that was just about all she wrote. "Yeah he is okay."

"Okay? Katniss, his family owns one of the largest bakery chains in the US."

"What do you want me to say? That he was oozing with money and that his pores smelled of it too?"

"No because that's just weird."

"Then what?"

"Well it's obvious that he likes you."

It was my turn to laugh. There was no way in the world that guy liked me. He barely spoke to me and didn't even want to take me home originally. I was the last person he would ever like.

"Not possible."

"Katniss, that guy has had a thing for you ever since you came to this small town."

"That doesn't mean anything. He could barely be in my orphan-like presents."

"But he did drive you home right? Did he ask for directions? What about Delly teasing him? Because she does that a lot whenever he is looking at you."

Thresh was going too far off the handle for me at the moment. I couldn't deal with all of this nonsense.

Making a quick excuse about how Prim was home and she needed me, I quickly hung up and walked over to my desk so that I could start on my homework. Thresh was seeing and hearing things. There was no way that a Mellark would even know I exist. I kept a low profile the best that I could. I mean yeah I was the best friend of the most popular football player at our school and town, but even then, people pretend like I don't exist and ignore me.

After two hours of math and history, I took a break and headed downstairs to find something to eat. Effie was on the phone with a client while her top designer and best friend Cinna sat at the dinning room table sipping on some tea and playing with his iPad. Cinna is the calmest designer on Effie's design team. He is really talented and has his own shop here and there but he loves working for Effie. He is never over the top in person but the clothes he makes really stand out. While Effie wore outrages clothes, Cinna opted for calm and simple outfits. A simple button up shirt with a deep v-neck and leather pants were usually his outfit of choice. Plus he always wore calming colors, nothing loud which I always liked.

He spotted me in the kitchen and waved for me to come over. After grabbing a bagel, I walked over to the dinning room and sat next to him. He took a sip of tea before he spoke.

"So what's new in the world of high school."

"Nothing really. The same."

"Come on Firefly. Give me some life and tell me about what you kids are up to."

I laughed. "No I'm serious. It's all the same. Nothing new…not really."

"Something happen. Spill."

"This popular girl Glimmer who is Thresh's ex is throwing a huge party and Thresh needs to go. Social reasons. But he wants me to go as well and I don't know if I can do that."

"Why not? A party would be good for you to meet new friends and just have some fun."

"I just…it's a semi-formal event. I need a dress…and I hate dresses."

"Maybe I can help fix that. You know I can always make you shine with my designs. Will you trust me?"

Of course I trust Cinna. He was the only person who understood my style and choices. He was calm unlike Effie who threaten to throw away my combat boots if I didn't buy at least one skirt.

"Of course I do." I sincerely said.

"Give me about four days and I will have a special outfit for you to wear."

"SOOOOOO, what are we talking about? Fill. Me. In." Effie rushed over to the table so that she could be included. She always loved to hear about what I was doing especially socially.

"Firefly here was invited to a party by some girl named…Glimmer, right?" he explained.

Effie snorted. She knew about Glimmer and her family. And she also despised them. "That spoiled girl? Heavens, that girl is just too much for me. And why would you name your child Glimmer in the first place?"

"Who would name their child Effie?" Cinna teased. Effie was not pleased.

"Don't you have work to do?"

"I have a special project for Katniss otherwise I was invited here to talk about the Founders' Ball with you. Remember?"

Effie quickly lighten up and started clapping her hands. She had been picked by the mayor of Panem to hold a special fashion show for the Founders' Ball, which is a huge event in our town. Panem was founded in 1855 by five sailors who had little to no money. They were able to build up the town by selling bread, fish, clocks, coal, and meat. Soon our town became a huge place for trading and the rest is history. Many people moved to Panem to vacation after the Civil War while others decided to make the area their permanent home. Boring story I know. I should know the rest of the history in detail, but I barely pay attention when they teach it.

Not too long after Effie's little dance, Prim and Rue came home. They both walked straight to the kitchen where Prim started to cook dinner. She was the best cook in the house and she made it her duty to cook for all of us so that we wouldn't starve. Which I'm always grateful for since I just burn everything and Effie just orders take-out for all of us.

The rest of the night was uneventful. Effie and Cinna talked business while Rue and Prim gossiped about everything. I was enjoying some quiet time until Rue asked me a question.

"So I heard Glimmer is having a party. Are you going?" she asked me.

"Sadly I am." I started stabbing me broccoli.

"You are? Oh my God! Katniss what are you wearing? Are you going with Thresh or are you going with someone else? I can't believe this!" Prim was overly excited and I couldn't help but smile. Cinna started to tell Rue and Prim about his design ideas and Effie started talking about make-up palates. As they got excited about the party, I decided to head out and take a walk. I can't be around people talking about make-up and fashion for too long. There is only so much I can take.

I decided to walk up to Upper 12 Place where there was a beautiful park. This park had to be about a ten minute walk from Effie's home but it was just so beautiful. No one comes here in favor of the park in Capital Square. Coal Park, as many people call it, it very small and has a small water fountain where people throw pennies into. It's peaceful and quiet, something I'm a fan of. When Prim and I first moved here, I found Coal Park similar to a park that was back home. I loved it so much. It was like I had a piece of home with me.

I found a bench close to the fountain and sat down to relax. Soon I found myself falling a sleep until something wet licked my hand. Jumping, my eyes flew open and soon I was locking eyes with Peeta Mellark.

"Sorry, Luke doesn't know the word stop." He was pulling his Sheep Dog away from me.

"It's fine. It just…surprised me."

He laughed. "Well that's Luke for you. Mind if we join you? It's rare that we get company in this park."

Join me? I wasn't very sure about that. He didn't seem to like me earlier but now he was playing nice. I would be mean if I said no and then he would hate me more. I gestured to the space next to me and Peeta grinned. He took up the empty space next to me and raised a finger up to his dog who sat down in front of him.

"Why Luke?" I asked.

"He is named after Luke Skywalker. My brothers and I just love that character." We sat in silence for a few minutes before Peeta decided to continue the conversation. "So what do you think about Glimmer's party? Delly is excited. She dragged me dress shopping today."

"Delly seems nice. How long have you two been dating?"

"Ew," he made a face. "Hell no, not even close to it. We never even thought about it."

"It's just that you two seem so close."

"Yeah because we basically grew up together. We have been best friends since we were five." Luke barked and jumped up to come over to bother me. Peeta tried to pull him away but I didn't mind. Luke was a sweet dog.

"Sounds like me and Gale…except…"

"Except what?"

"It's a long story."

"But you want to talk about it." He stated. I didn't want to talk to Peeta, a guy I was sure hated me just hours before about my Gale drama. Especially since I'm not sure if there is any drama to begin with.

"You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to you know."

I smiled and then looked down at Luke, who decided that my knee made a nice chin rest.

"How are you liking Panem?" he inquired.

"Different. I miss Kansas City though."

"Panem is usually a shock to those who haven't lived here forever. Trust me."

My pocket started buzzing and Luke started to growl. I pulled my phone out and saw that it was Prim wondering where I was.

"Sorry, but…"

"Yeah it's fine. I should get back. I open the bakery tomorrow anyway."

I got up and started to walk back to Effie's house when Peeta called for me.

"If you want one, I can hold off something for you tomorrow morning. If you want that is."

Peeta wasn't too bad after all. I smiled and told him to save me a Cheese bun. The last thing I saw before heading back was him flashing me a huge smile.