I sit on the large rock cliff looking over the rolling hills and mountains where green trees that were slowly changing to different hues of yellow and red covered the area. Taking in the beauty of the scenery that was changing due to fall coming, I pull my knees closer to my body and rest my chin on them.

This was the one place where I could feel completely relaxed and not have to keep up the charade of fearless unbreakable Katniss. The girl who is expected to keep not only her life on track along but her mother and baby sisters as well, out here I could just be- "Catnip" I hear his strong steady voice interrupt my thoughts.

I don't bother to turn around I know who it is even without the horrible nickname. He is the only one who comes here, other than me. This was our unspoken official hangout, we usually meet here most mornings either to hunt or to just relax. He takes a seat next to me, "Sorry I'm a little behind schedule Rory woke up and insisted that I take him with me."

I allow a small smile in Gales' direction thinking about the youngest male Hawthorne. Rory was the same age as Prim and they had been friends ever since they started school, he also idolized his eldest brother he wanted nothing more than to be exactly like Gale. Rory had the same look as all of us seam children, dark hair, dark eyes, and olive skin.

"Well eventually he will need to come out and learn, and what better teachers are there then you and me." I tell him and went to pull out some berries I had picked on the way to our spot. "Here" I mumble and hold a handful out to him.

He smiled his most charming smile that had girls from both the seam and town melting to nothing more than a pool of gooeyness. It had no effect on me however; Gale and I were hunting partners, nothing more.

"Not bad for an hour." I say proudly, we had gotten four squirrels a rabbit and a few stray strawberries. "Not bad at all Catnip. Our families shall be feasting yet." I look at him and smile sadly, seam families will never end up feasting there was just not enough money or food for it.

At least not at the moment.

Panem was still trying to recover ever since President Snow was assassinated 22 years ago ending his reign of terror and cruelty. Twenty-two years of Snow's supporters trying to fight for the miserable world they created.

About 5 years ago things finally made a turn for the better and things started changing in Panem slowly but surely. The first major change was the barricades separating the districts were removed, and we were finally able to travel freely, not that any of us did it, it was too big of a change and I think some people were untrusting of it.

Our first stop back in town was the Hob so we could sell or possibly trade the rabbit to Greasy Sae, who gave us a fair price for it and sent us on our way after only minimal gossip. The next stop was the Mayor's house; both he and his daughter had a love for fresh strawberries.

I knocked on the back door and nod my head to Madge. "Good morning, is your father in?" I ask. "No, he is attending to Capitol business," She tells me and then glances down to the strawberries, "he asked me to take care of it today; we don't have anything to trade so here is some cash." She tells me and it's broken down so Gale and I could split it evenly. I grin at her and say "I'll see ya at school." She smiles back and closes the door.

Madge would be considered my only 'town' friend; she isn't as quiet as me, and she certainly has more friends than me, but she's one of those genuine people who see the good in everyone. She also tries to avoid gossip and drama that's why we always try to pair up in class and eat lunch together, at least until this year. Our grade and Gale's grade get to share lunch so she alternates between us and her other friends.

Once that trade is complete we move to the one I dread every week, not because Mr. Mellark is a mean or unfair man, unlike his bitch of a wife, but because of his son Peeta.

Four years ago when my family and I were in a bad spot, I had resorted to digging through the townspeople's trash cans desperate to find something, ANYTHING to feed my sister and myself. I had given up hope on my mother's behalf, if she felt the need to shut down and forget her children then I'd be damned if I'd think of her.

That's when Peeta Mellark not only saved mine and my sister's life, but gave me the drive and hope that I needed to make things right in my family and provide for them from what my father had taught me.

I came out of my thoughts and I realized I was standing in the back side of the bakery with Gale having already made the trade. I glanced down at the different types of bread that Mr. Mellark had given us for the four puny squirrels. "This is much too much in trade for these squirrels." I hear myself say.

"Oh nonsense!" he replies and continues to speak but as I look over to the boy in the corner of the room I find his ice blue eyes that most people in the town have and I felt my heart race. I haven't spoken to him since that night, would he be mad that I've yet to thank him? Probably, I've felt his eyes on me the past four years waiting patiently for me to acknowledge his simple act of kindness.

I quickly drop my eyes ashamed, when someone does something life changing like that for you, you thank them and try your best to pay them back when the time is needed. I've done neither, instead I've avoided him. I had tried to keep tabs on him from Madge but she isn't one to gossip and tell things that aren't her place to pass on and it's not like I could all of a sudden take an interest in the baker's son.

Suddenly the room is closing in on me, suffocating me with my cowardice. I vow to have enough courage to thank Peeta Mellark for what he has done for me.

I walk into history class with Madge and we take our seats quietly. Madge sits directly behind me, and Peeta sits in the same row as Madge two seats left of her. If I lean on my right arm I can easily make it look like I'm following the text in the book but really, I study Peeta. Same thing I do every day since that morning years ago.

The way his blonde hair falls into wavy curls on his forehead and how he is constantly doodling on the pages of his notebooks. Is he any good with his doodles? I find myself thinking and my eyes move up from his hands to his arms and the light blonde hair that rests there covering his muscles, then up to his broad shoulders that are covered by a white button up shirt, then to his neck chin and lips. My eyes linger there for a little too long and when I realize this I suddenly glance up to those ice blue eyes hoping he hasn't noticed my examination of his body.

Anger

That's all I see in those piercing eyes of his, I feel the blood rush to my face and l feel confused. Did he see me staring and it made him angry? I wouldn't doubt it, after all I do owe Peeta my life and I've yet to acknowledge his existence, only to see me staring him down in the middle of class.

At the end of day bell I rush to put my books in my locker and then hurry out to the old oak tree which was the unofficial meeting spot for my family and Gale's. I smile slightly as I see Rory talking very animatedly to Prim who seemed completely mesmerized by the boy.

As I approach them Gale smiles at me and places an arm around my shoulders, "ahh, young love. Beautiful isn't it catnip?"

I roll my eyes and shove his arm from me, "stop teasing them" I scold him noting the blushes that crept up on both Rory and Prims face. I wink at the two of them and turn to Vick, the middle brother at the age of 14 he was overly moody and crabby all the time. "Can we just go" he demands and takes off leading the rest of us towards the seam.

I glance over my shoulder and spot Peeta and Madge walking towards their homes in town. Tomorrow would be the day that I thank Peeta Mellark for his kindness towards me. I had to do something before he files a report on me to the peacekeepers for stalking him.