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There's a pause for several seconds. Annie's face is frozen into a sort of smile and Finnick's jaw drops. "Um," Finnick finally says. "Come again?"

I smile widely, remembering the uniquely gorgeous color of Katniss's eyes. "You heard me," I say. "We had another one of those 'bring a friend' events at church tonight, and Delly brought this girl with her, she works at the Community Center. And you guys, I swear that God brought her to church so I could meet her! She's beautiful, and funny, and she likes my cheese buns, and...". My voice trails off at the look on Finnick's face. "What? I thought you'd be happy for me?"

Finnick clears his throat before replying. "We are happy for you, Peeta. But I will admit I'm a little surprised. I mean, you just met her tonight? Do you even know anything about her?"

I feel my brow furrowing. "I know she likes Arrow. And hot chocolate and cheese buns. And she's an archery teacher at the Community Center and she lives with her uncle." My voice speeds up as frustration mounts. "But why does any of that matter? I really think that God planned for me to meet her tonight!"

There's another few seconds of pause as Finnick narrows his eyes. "Did Cassandra say something to you again today?" The look on my face must give me away. "You know how she is, Peeta! How many times have I told you not to pay attention when she says stuff like that?"

I shake my head, causing the phone in my hand to jiggle. "She would've come to church regardless if Cassandra had said anything or not, so that doesn't matter. Finnick, I really like this girl. I think... I think I could love her."

Finnick holds his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay buddy. But please, please, please! Please be careful, okay? I mean, have you even had a date since you started school?"

I glare at him through my phone screen. "Why does that matter?" I snap. "And if you must know, I have been on a few dates-"

"No," Finnick interrupts. "Study groups, and seeing superhero movies with said study groups don't count. Have you been on a single date, meaning alone with a girl, since you started school?"

"No," I grumble. "You know how busy I am."

"Yes, I know how busy you are," Finnick says. "And I also know that you haven't let go of what Glimmer did to you. You haven't yet forgiven her, or yourself, for what happened."

"How do you know?" I say, the frustration boiling over. "You can't read my mind. And you're hundreds of miles away!"

Finnick sighs. "Because I know you, Peeta. I know you're still carrying around that bitterness within you. And I don't like having to be the one to tell you stuff like this, you know that. But if I don't, then who will? And what kind of mentor would I be if I didn't?"

In the background I can hear the sound of their son crying. Annie sighs and starts to get up from the couch. "We are happy for you, Peeta. But please, guard your heart until you know for sure about her. Okay? It's never a good idea to rush God's plan for yourself."

I wait until Annie's gone before continuing. "I'm not trying to rush anything," I say to Finnick. "But you know no one will hire me if I don't at least have a girlfriend, and I only have this school year left."

Finnick looks down, pinching the bridge of his nose with his fingers. "But you can't let that consume you," he says quietly. "I mean, what if this girl turns out to be just like Glimmer? What if she breaks your heart? Are you at least sure that she doesn't already have a boyfriend?"

I feel my lower lip start to shake. "She doesn't look anything like Glimmer," I say petulantly. "She couldn't be more opposite of Glimmer if she tried. And I'm almost certain that she doesn't have a boyfriend already."

"All right," Finnick says. "When are you planning on seeing her again?"

"She's coming to the evening service tomorrow," I say, running my hand though my hair. "After that, I'm not sure."

Finnick smiles. "Well, you work in a coffee shop. Invite her for coffee! If she enjoys the service tomorrow, ask her if she'd like to come and check out your small group next Friday. Just please, don't try to rush things, okay? Don't go proposing to her after your first kiss."

I lean back on the futon and scrub at my eyes. "You know me better than that, Finnick. You know I don't even like coffee. That stuff is vile."

Just then Annie reappears in the picture, holding their son Finn. "Finn wanted to say hi to you," she says, pointing at the screen. Then she turns to look at her husband. "And you get the next shift."

"Hi Peeeeeeta," Finn says, curling his little hand into a wave at the screen. "My mouf hurst."

"Aww, I'm sorry 'bout that, little guy," I say. He really is a cute little thing. "I'm sure your mommy and daddy will help you though, okay? You just try and be brave."

"My will," Finn says, rubbing his eyes.

"We'd better go then," Finnick says. "But Peeta, please know that Annie and I are both praying for you. And if this girl..."

"Katniss," I say, enjoying the way her name rolls off my tongue. "Katniss Everdeen."

"If this girl Katniss is meant for you, then it will happen as it should," Finnick finishes. "So try and remember that."

"I will."

"Okay. Then we'll talk again soon. And good luck on your exam Monday."

"Thanks. Goodbye," I say as the screen fades to black.

I lay back with my eyes closed for a few minutes before getting up and plugging my phone into the charger. I pick up my laptop again, but find after a few useless minutes that I still can't concentrate on my class work, so I decide to watch a movie. Even though I'm not really on speaking terms with my family, I still use my parents' Amazon Prime account to watch TV sometimes, and Delly and Thom have given me digital copies of most of the Marvel movies. I double click on The Avengers and try to lose myself in the movie. But not even the smart-talking Tony Stark or the cool shot of Hawkeye jumping backwards off that building can distract me from thinking about how in the world Katniss managed to weave her hair into the complicated-looking braid that she wore.

I have to admit. I'm a goner.

I wake up stiff and sore the next morning after a fitful sleep. Maybe I should've taken the moped back to church yesterday evening. I massage the stump of my left leg a little before attaching my prosthesis and throwing on my clothes. After a couple pieces of bread with some strawberry jam, I stuff all my dirty clothes into my huge backpack along with my computer and grab my helmet, double-checking to make sure I have some dollar bills to change for quarters once I get to the laundromat.

Luckily the laundromat isn't too busy when I arrive. Delly and Thom invite me over to Thom's house sometimes on Sunday afternoons to watch football, and they always insist that I bring my laundry along, so I really only use the laundromat about once a month or so. I manage to get some decent studying done while I'm waiting for my three loads to finish. Darn if the Aramaic language isn't difficult to memorize.

Once the clothes are done I take extra care folding everything, hoping to not have to wear a wrinkled shirt tonight for church since I don't own an iron. My mind wanders a bit to my conversation with Finnick and Annie while I fold. What does Finnick know about my situation? He and Annie were already married by the time they graduated from college, and they started their work as hospital chaplains only a week later. I was one of their first patients.

"But Katniss is nothing like Glimmer," I mumble to myself. "And Delly's never done anything athletic before, so why would she sign up for archery lessons if it wasn't so she could introduce me to Katniss?" No. The odds of Katniss and I meeting on our own are too astronomical to consider. This is God's plan. He meant for Katniss to come to church, to meet me.

Once all the folding's done I pack up my stuff and head back to my apartment, grabbing some hot chocolate from the coffee shop before putting my clothes away and queuing up the Ravens game on my computer. Delly and Thom are in town today, looking at florists for their wedding since the Redskins don't play until tonight. I wonder if Katniss likes football. Most people around here are Redskins fans, but there's a few of us who cheer for the Ravens. I personally can't stand the Redskins, but I never say that too loudly around Thom.

I'm pacing back and forth in the church atrium at 5:30 when Delly, Thom, and Katniss walk through the doors. Thom immediately veers off, heading for the control room to make sure everything's set up for tonight's service. Delly is carrying a massive bouquet of pink and white roses that she starts passing out to everyone, explaining that the florist she and Thom chose that afternoon gave them the flowers as a gift. Katniss is wearing what looks to be the same jeans and boots as last night with a dark red top, with her beautiful brown hair woven into its elaborate braid. She's carrying a small, brown leather messenger bag over her shoulder that matches her boots.

"Peeta!" Delly exclaims to me once they're close enough, before I can even say hello. "Would you like a rose? The florist gave us so many!"

"Nah, that's okay," I say. "But thank you anyway." I have no need for a rose, and I've never liked the smell of them anyway. Too cloy, too perfumey, or something like that. "Hello Katniss! It's so nice to see you again!"

Katniss looks up at me. "Hello, Peeta," she says politely. She remembered my name!

"Katniss?" Delly asks, holding out the roses. "What color would you like?"

Katniss's hand fumbles with the strap of her bag. "Oh, no thank you. I don't need one."

"Oh. Okay," Delly says, taken a little aback. "Well, then I'll just pass the rest of these out and be right back." Katniss and I both watch her leave, then turn to look at each other.

I clear my throat nervously. "Um, would you like another cheese bun? I think there's a few left in the cafe."

Katniss pulls on her bag's strap. "I brought money with me so I could get another one tonight. It was good!"

I feel my face flush as I smile. "Oh, I'm so glad you liked them! I'd love to get you one-"

"I can get it," she says, moving away from me and towards the cafe line.

"Ah, okay," I mumble as I hurry to catch up with her. I stand behind her in the line, taking the time while waiting to study the graceful slope of her neck, and again trying to figure out her complicated braid. Katniss purchases the very last cheese bun, so I settle for one of the frosted mountain cookies and some peppermint tea, as the cafe has also sold out of hot chocolate.

We're standing off to the side of the cafe enjoying our snacks when I notice the band carrying their various instruments across the atrium. Delly comes rushing over to us, all but two of her roses gone and a look on panic on her face.

"Pastor Dale wants us to set up in the main auditorium," she says, gasping. "He says we're gonna run out of seats otherwise."

"Oh wow!" I exclaim. I've never heard of our Sunday night service being that busy. "Do you need any help setting up?"

"No, no," she says. "But I think Thom's gonna have a heart attack, and I'm gonna need to work the second camera again." She turns to Katniss. "I'm so sorry, Katniss! We've never had this many people for Sunday night service!"

Katniss nods. "It's okay."

"You're sure you don't mind sitting with Peeta again?" she asks.

Katniss looks at me with a soft smile that manages to make the toes on my good foot tingle. "No, I don't mind."

"Oh thank you!" Delly says as she rushes off.

"The Sunday evening service usually has a lower attendance, so it's held in the secondary auditorium," I tell her. "But I wish they wouldn't have waited until ten minutes before service time to make the decision to change auditoriums! Poor Thom!"

"Thom said he was the production designer for the church?" Katniss asks between bites of cheese bun. "What exactly does that mean?"

"Basically it means that he's in charge of the settings for the lights and sound, and he also calls for the camera angles. He sets up in the control room."

"Hmm," Katniss says. "So he never just watches the service? He's always in the control room?"

I take a gulp of my tea before responding, nearly scalding my tongue. "No," I wheeze as I clear my throat. "There's a couple of other people that rotate in the control room. But he's in charge of scheduling the serve team members, and pretty much hangs out by the sound booth on the weekends when he's not in the control room. He wants to work for a television studio after he graduates from college."

Katniss looks confused. "But he said he's going to the Bible college? Doesn't that mean you need to work at a church once you're done?"

I smile and shake my head. "No. That's actually a common misconception about Bible college. You can major in all sorts of things where Thom and I go. I'm majoring in Discipleship and Christian Ministries, but Thom's majoring in Computer Science, and learning Production Design in an additional certificate program."

"Oh," she says. "So what do you want to do once you graduate?"

I take another sip of my tea, relieved that it's cooled down a little. "I, um, I would love to be a Teen Pastor." Katniss raises her eyebrows. "There's so much junk that teens have to deal with nowadays, and so many of them are unhappy, or don't have the proper support system at home or at school. I want to help them. I want them to know that they aren't alone. I want to be someone that they can come to for help, not just with church, but with anything they need help with. And hopefully, teach them about the love of Jesus at the same time."

Katniss looks down, fidgeting with her bag. "That sounds nice," she says quietly.

Thom manages to get the cameras, sound booth, and lighting set up just as the two-minute countdown clock begins. Katniss takes the last bite of her cheese bun as we make our way into the auditorium, settling into seats a few rows up from where we sat last night. Red-headed Darius takes center stage as the band starts up with You'll Never Be Alone.

I'm the streetlights that guide you home

I'll be the GPS when you've lost your phone

I'll be the song that's rocking in your headphones

I'll show you the signs, to let you know

You'll never be alone

Pastor Thresh steps forward, dressed in one of the green chicken t-shirts. The entire congregation starts whooping and yelling as he raises his microphone to his lips. Katniss even joins in the clapping.

Hey!

Let me start it off by saying this

You mean everything to me nothing I wouldn't risk

Every single second and moment that passes by

I think about ya and I really want you to know that

There's something more out there

Something that will hold you very tight when you're scared

Cos I know when times get tough and it starts to feel rough

It can feel like everything's crashin' down on ya.

So when it seems like every road you're on has hit a dead end

There is hope

Let me show...

"This is one of the first Christian songs I ever listened to," I say over the music. "My mentor gave me this CD the first time I met him."

Katniss nods, only a flicker of the look of shock on her face tonight.

Sometimes the path to choose

Is right in front of you

You just have to let go

The band works through Speak Life and Fix My Eyes before turning the stage back over to Pastor Dale. His message is similar to the one he gave last night, but more geared to teenagers and young adults. He uses more slang, more relatable examples, and in general holds the attention of the entire room like only he can. Having a teenage son himself helps with that. Mrs. Hammond homeschools their four children, ranging in age from six to fifteen, but on any given Sunday you'll find Jacob Hammond riding his skateboard up to the church from their house ten minutes away. He also serves in the church cafe on Sunday mornings, and their 12-year old daughter helps to lead worship in the Kids Church.

Delly makes a beeline for us once the service is over, asking Katniss if she enjoyed herself and making other idle small talk. I'm just standing there, enjoying the sound of Katniss's beautiful voice when I see Cassandra and Thresh walking towards us. Oh no, I think. Please don't let Cassandra say anything to embarrass Katniss!

"Well, well!" Cassandra says as she and Thresh arrive. Cassandra turns directly to Katniss. "I recognize you from last night! I'm Cassandra, and this is my husband, Thresh. And you are?"

Katniss gulps before answering. "I'm Katniss," she says. "I came here with Delly last night."

"And tonight again, I see!" Cassandra says. "So, what did you think of the services? And did you know that Peeta here leads one of our small groups?"

"I only met Katniss last night," I break in, already annoyed with how pushy Cassandra is acting. "I haven't had a chance to tell her my life story yet."

"She really enjoyed the music though, right Katniss?" Delly pipes up, with Thresh immediately perking up. "She commented on the way home last night about it."

Katniss blushes and looks away. "Yes," she mumbles. "The music is nice. I'm not used to hearing church music like that."

"Katniss told us that she can sing!" Delly says. I inwardly cringe. Somehow I highly doubt Katniss wanted that information broadcasted.

"Well, you should try out for the band!" Cassandra exclaims. "We really need another singer! We've been trying to find another female lead so I can start up a Prayer Te-"

"Maybe we should just let Katniss visit a couple more times, hmm? Before we throw her into serving," Thresh cuts in, shooting a look at his wife. He turns to Katniss with a smile. "We don't want to scare her away, do we?"

I smile in relief at Thresh as he and Cassandra say a quick goodbye, with him practically dragging his wife out of the auditorium. He really does have the patience of a saint sometimes.

"Well," Thom says after a few seconds. "I need to double check that everything's shut down in the control room right quick, then we can be heading out."

"I'll come with you," Delly says, turning around and winking at me as she and Thom head back to the control room. I look at Katniss, who's picking at her fingernails, her face still bright pink.

"I'm really sorry if Cassandra embarrassed you," I say. "She's, um, a very interesting person, but sometimes she forgets to mind her own business."

Katniss looks up at me, her beautiful grey eyes searching my face. "That's okay," she says. Then she clears her throat. "What did she mean, about you leading a small group? I remember you mentioning that last night too."

Warmth immediately floods my body at the mere thought that she might be looking to spend more time with me. "Um," I stammer. "I lead a small group on Friday evenings, in the coffee shop where I work, and live." Katniss looks at me quizzically. "I mean, I live over the coffee shop. There's a little apartment above it. That's where I live." I rake my hand through my hair. "But anyway, the small groups meet once a week to discuss Pastor Dale's messages in more detail. Since he spoke on Ruth this weekend, we'll be discussing the book of Ruth during the small group."

"Oh," Katniss says, going back to picking at her fingernails.

"Do you, um, have a Bible?" I ask. "Cause if you don't, I have one I can give you. It's a study Bible, so there's notes and explanations of things next to the verses."

Katniss looks back at me. "Okay. Thank you."

I feel my face break out into a wide grin. "Great! So, would you want to come to my small group? I'm sure Delly and Thom could pick you up again."

Katniss shakes her head, causing a stab of pain to pierce my chest. "No, I don't need them to pick me up. My uncle told me this morning that I could use his truck when I need it, as long as I pay for the gas."

"Oh!" I squeak, feeling a sheen of sweat breaking out over my forehead. "That's great! Um, so then, will you come?"

Katniss smiles. "Yeah, I'll try it out."

I fight back the urge to jump up and down. "Wonderful! And maybe, I don't know, if you wanted to come a little early, we could maybe, um, get some hot chocolate before the group starts? Or, or coffee, if you like coffee better."

"I don't like coffee," Katniss says, sending another stab of pain through my chest. "But I did like the hot chocolate I had last night."

"Ah," I gasp. "So, then you'll come? I'd um, love to get to know you better, if you'll allow it."

Katniss stares at me for a few more seconds before smiling. "Okay," she says. "I'll allow it."

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Song References:

You'll Never Be Alone by Capital Kings

Speak Life by TobyMac

Fix My Eyes by For King and Country

All of the songs in my story are available in iTunes and on YouTube.

Please let me know what you think! I really appreciate reviews!