I watched her go home today.
And yesterday.
And the day before that.
And basically everyday for the past three years.
Her hair was in a single braid, swinging back and forth as she marched her way slowly into town alone. The simple detail about her was completely mesmerizing to me. Almost as much as her smile or her eyes – the two things I've drawn more times than I care to admit.
There's a drawer in my desk at home that completely filled with sketches of her, and I know that it's creepy, but I can't stop.
I have an obsession with her.
According to Prim.
She teases me about my fascination of Katniss Everdeen constantly. She doesn't know about the bread she gave us or the hope she gave me, and I feel it is easier that way. Less explanations – less confrontations. So when she sees me stare after Katniss, with what she calls "unfathomable longing," she immediately assumes I'm hopelessly crushing after the Baker's Daughter.
In a way, I am, but it's different than most crushes.
Most of the time, when I guy gets a crush on a girl, those feelings aren't accompanied by guilt or having the need to repay the girl.
So I leave it alone, and I don't talk to her.
I wish I could talk to her though – and Prim does, too. She bugs me about it most days, demanding an explanation.
"We're from different parts of town, Prim. Her family would never allow her to date a Seam boy."
Prim's nose wrinkles with distaste and shakes her head. "Parents can't stop true love, Peeta. Haven't you ever read Romeo and Juliet?"
I chuckled and fluff her hair, "I have – and you know how it ends?"
She nods. "They get married."
"Yes," I say. "But they die because their parents won't let them be together."
Prim's eyes widen in horror.
"I didn't know that!" she cries, clamping her hands over her ears. "That's horrible!"
"It's love," I joke, but her eyes narrow at me so I stop talking and walk her home – stealing glances at Katniss over my shoulder to make sure she hasn't tripped or –
"Peeta," Prim's voice breaks my worrying.
"Yes?"
"You're being creepy."
My face turns read, but I have to laugh.
I was being creepy.
Later that night I just happen to walk by the bakery, thinking that maybe a late night trade is in order.
I step inside into the warmth, Mrs. Everdeen seeing me and immediately barking at me.
"I just want to trade," I hold up a brick of goat cheese and a string of squirrels, proving my intentions.
She rolls her eyes before ducking into the kitchen out of sight.
"Katniss, that Mellark boy wants to trade," she scoffs.
"Be right there!" I hear Katniss shout in a strained voice. It's only seconds until she's in view, looking beautiful with her face partially covered in what appears to be flour. "How can I help you, Mr. Mellark?" she sounds so formal, I chuckle.
"I want to make a deal," I say, flinging the squirrels and cheese onto the counter. She smiles down at the objects before her and nods.
"Sounds good to me."
These are the only interactions Katniss Everdeen and I ever get. I purposely come down here way more than necessary, scoping out bread that I have to intention of buying just to see her – maybe even talk.
But she's always in the back with her father – her mother giving me menacing glares and wanting to know why I'm there.
She knows that I never buy anything.
I wave goodbye to Katniss, a small smile on my face as I head out, kicking myself for not saying more.
I could have thanked her.
I still haven't, and I hate myself for that. It's not that the bread was embarrassing to me – that I had to be fed for free by practically strangers – it was just that I felt embarrassed about not doing it sooner.
I wondered if I'd ever get the chance.
I can dream, though.
And I do, I dream of a world untainted with Games and war – a place where I can live happily with my family. I can see Prim smiling in the sun – not crying from hunger. I can see my father – holding my mother, beaming, and alive. My mother is no longer a zombie.
And a place where I can sit and talk with Katniss Everdeen that's not the bakery. A place where I can ask her what her favorite color is, ask about her dreams and her fears, find out what her middle name is –
But it's just a dream.
I know it's short :P The next one is longer, I promise!
Peeta was 12 in the last chapter and Katniss was 11.
In this chapter, Peeta and Katniss are both 15.
Next chapter is the Reaping – Peeta is 17 and Katniss is 16 (just to clear up any confusion)
I like Reviews like Peeta likes "trading" with Katniss...;D
