February 5th, 2012

A/N: Okay so this one is short but I had to write it before I went to bed. It's been floating around in my head for some time. :)

It isn't hard for me to spy on my son and his friend as I work in the kitchen. They sit at the kitchen table, their heads bent together studying a book she brought to show him. She points out details on the drawings and tells him the benefits of this plant or the edibleness of that one. It also isn't hard for me to see his enthrallment with this girl.

Katniss Everdeen.

I'm familiar with her family, but just barely. Her father was killed in the same mining accident as my husband. Her mother is a wonderful caring women who works magic with herbs and plants, healing folks in the Seam who cannot afford the more expensive apothecaries in town. Now I see where she gets her stock of plants.

I watch her daughter and my son as I slice wild onions for my stew. Gale is not so much as looking at the pages as he is staring at her. If Katniss notices, she is gracious enough to let his open adoration continue as if unnoticed. I frown, considering the word. Adoration might be a little strong. He's only fifteen, she just turned thirteen.

"This is the plant I was named for," she says, flipping the page.

"I thought your name was Catnip?" Gale quips.

I do not understand the story behind her nickname, but I catch her petulant stare, which my son returns with a goofy grin. She can't hold her frown for long. The corners of her mouth twitch slightly and she ducks her head to hide the smile that blossoms across her face. I can appreciate my son's fascination for this intelligent beautiful strong girl. Her sister is openly acknowledged as one of the sweetest girls in the Seam, but I see the draw in her older sister as well.

Gale's face breaks out into an exuberant smile when she fixes her gaze on him. My own grin grows knowingly. I recognize that excitement on his face, the glow in his eyes.

"That's gonna be permanent, isn't it?" she asks.

"If you want it to be," Gale replies.

Katniss presses her lips together, thinking. Her head nods slightly, either accepting this revelation or approving it, and turns back to the book. Gale keeps his attention on her.

I spy for a few minutes longer, trying to keep the smile off of my face in case one of them should notice. I needn't worry. It's as if I don't exist to them.

~Fin