Hi! Thank you so much for all the great feedback for last chapter, it means a lot! So, I'm back for my second chapter, I hope that you enjoy this chapter as much or more than the last one!

ii. Protective

Peeta always had a big heart, and everyone at school knew it. That's why nobody was all that shocked when he protected Opal Murphy from bullies one day at school.

It was difficult being a twelve year old in district twelve, every child of the district knew that all too well. It was the age that most children began to truly understand the hardship that the Capitol provided them with. They were beginning to fully understand that food was scarce and everything had to be earned by each individual person.

Peeta had to deal with this a little less than some others – as his family owned a bakery, therefore, food wasn't as much of a worry for him as it was for others (that fact was reinforced when he gave Katniss Everdeen a piece of bread, on one cold, rainy evening). Part of him almost felt guilty sometimes that he was more fortunate than others – he knew that he should be happy that he always had some food on the table, but it made him felt bad that while he could always have a burnt piece of bread, others had absolutely nothing.

This is why, looking back on it, he thinks that he chose to go down that path on that specific winter day. The day had begun normal enough. He had his morning classes (most of which were spent daydreaming about a certain black-haired girl). It was at lunchtime, when his day began to take a turn from the usual.

He was about to take a bite of his charred piece of bread, when he heard a wail from across the room. It was a high-pitched scream, and it alerted Peeta's ears immediately. He looked across the room, where he spotted Opal Murphy – a short, dusty brown haired girl - getting lifted off of the ground by the collar by Arthur Holt – a large, muscular boy.

"What was it again that you just asked me?" Arthur mocked, "Was it for a piece of my lunch?"

"P-please, stop!" Opal pleaded, trying to kick Arthur in the thigh, "I didn't know that you would care so much! My family just didn't have enough food to give me lunch today and I'm starving…" Opal's family was having a really hard time – they barely had anything, and none of her family members knew how to hunt or anything that could bring in a good source of food.

"Doesn't matter," he said, looking down on her, "You don't ever ask me for lunch, poor girl."

Peeta couldn't stand watching the poor girl struggle any longer. Before he could think everything completely through, he ran up to the two of them and punched Arthur right in the nose. The loud "smack!" echoed throughout the room, and all Peeta could do was look down at his bright red, throbbing hand.

"What did you just do, baker boy?" Arthur called out, rubbing his nose with the hand that was previously gripping Opal's white shirt. Arthur was known as the bully of Peeta's class. He had his clan, and they all picked on the kids they thought were 'below' them – generally people who had less money. He never really seemed to get the point that most of the district was starving to death.

"I protected that girl from creeps like you!" Peeta yelled, kicking Arthur right in the knee. He couldn't recall ever being this violent, but it felt right. All Opal ever asked for was a piece of food, and instead of just saying no, he had to hurt her. It just wasn't right in Peeta's book.

"Peeta!" Opal yelled once Arthur began to walk away, "Thank you!" she toppled him into a large hug, and he stumbled backwards as a result.

"Peeta Mellak!" One of his teachers called out, as she scurried into the room, "What just went on here? Did you just kick Arthur Holt?"

"Yes," Peeta said, lowering his face. He couldn't lie; it was just something he was never really able to do. He wasn't used to getting in trouble because adults generally adored him (he figured one of the reasons was because he couldn't lie).

"Peeta, please follow me," the teacher said, scowling. She grabbed him by the wrist, and began to pull him out of the room.

Peeta began to walk to keep up with her, when he remembered something. "Opal?" he asked. She whirled around, "You can have my lunch." Her face illuminated immediately at the prospect of food. So even with the punishment Peeta received, he was still happy that he successfully protected Opal Murphy from the bully, Arthur Holt.

I realize that this chapter is short. This one just has a short story with it, sorry! I'll try to make the next one longer! Please review!