Disclaimer: Remember, I just write this for fun. I don't own any rights what so ever; the hunger games and all its characters are property of Suzanne Collins. Also, the idea of an exclusive high school with a gang of four boys ruling it, is from the manga Boys over Flowers, or Hana Yori Dango.

Katniss closed her eyes, sighing delightfully from the chair she had positioned in front of her open bedroom window. A blurry September sun shone its warm beams on her already coloured cheeks, while a gentle breeze entered her room, carrying the smell of freshly baked cake. And on top of all that was the lovely voice of Danny O'Donoghue, singing in the background. Ah. Really, this was how life should be. No worries, no nasty classmates with posh attitudes to deal with, and best off all, no Cato. It was like a dream, only this was real.

It was just a shame it had to end though. Tomorrow. Tomorrow she had to go back again. It was not something she wanted, but she had stalled long enough now, almost three days, so she had no other choice. Hopefully, the craziness had quieted down a bit. But she didn't count on it, considering her last clash with Cato. But I'll make sure you will regret this. Big time. She couldn't help but shiver. Suddenly, it seemed a lot colder in the room. Standing up, she closed the window. That freak had been here. In her mothers own living room. Her home.

A soft tap on her bedroom door cut trough her dark thoughts, claiming her attention. Peeking over her shoulder to face her visitor, she saw Peeta standing in the door frame, his body mostly hidden by the wooden door in front of him. Her worries about Cato were immediately forgotten, taken away by this pleasant surprise. She'd only seen him after the incident, in company of Annie. 'Hey.'

'Hey,' he greeted her back with a shy smile on his face; it made him absolutely adorable. 'Your mother told me you where in here. Mind if I come in?'

She shook her head. 'Of course not silly.' Grinning from ear to ear, she gestured him to come further, and so he did, closing the door behind him.

'So, how are you doing today?' he informed. 'Still having trouble with that ankle of yours?'

Again, she shook her head. 'Nope. Actually, I haven't felt any pain since yesterday evening. And look at this.'

It had been her attention to show him how easy she could walk again, just closing the last few feet that separated them, but she wasn't even halfway before she tripped over an empty soft drink bottle. Her feet lost all grip on the ground, and she tumbled forward as her hands desperately searched for something that could prevent her fall.

He was with her in a heartbeat, catching her in his arms while she instinctively clutched at his shirt to regain her balance.

'As graceful as a gazelle, I'm sure,' he laughed, helping her back on her feet.

She was blushing heavily, cursing herself because of her clumsiness. If he hadn't been so fast, she would have smacked on the floor like a ripe apple. Now how graceful was that?

'More like a drunken gazelle if you'll ask me. So I guess I can forget a career on the catwalk then, huh?' Smiling sheepishly, she tried to give herself a pose. She didn't even realise she was still holding on to him.

He didn't mind. He just chuckled in respond as he tightened his own grip on her waist. 'I'm afraid so. But maybe you could consider a job at the circus instead?'

She raised a brow, then snorted. 'What, as one of the other monkeys you mean? Thanks. I'll keep that in mind.' Still laughing, she lowered her hands, taking a step back to create some space between them. He reluctantly let her go.

'So tell me, why this unexpected visit? Not that you hear me complaining. It's nice to see you again.'

'Well, it's nice to see you too. Although I'd hoped to see you a lot sooner.' He brought his hand to his neck, rubbing it as he continued: 'So, no more pain huh? That's good news.'

She just nodded. 'Yeah.' Turning her back to him, she slandered over to her bed, then sat down on the mattress. 'It's just a shame that it also means I'll have to go back to school tomorrow.'

He didn't respond right away, just sat down beside her as he studied her face. 'Well, after what happened at the caf, I guess it's only normal that you're not exactly thrilled about that.' He hesitated. 'You still don't want to talk about it?'

She shrugged. 'There isn't much to tell.' She reached over for her pillow, hugging it tightly against her chest. 'I'm just acting silly, that's all.'

He didn't agree. 'Katniss, you don't have to pretend it's not a big deal. Most people would have been traumatized by the way they've treated you. ' He sighed. 'Look, I know about the intranet, about that stupid list. It's all people can talk about now a days.'

The tiny smile that'd still lingered on her lips now faded completely as she looked up from the pillow, her eyes wide with horror. So he knew? Newsflash Everdeen, of course he knows. What did you think, that you could keep it a secret from him? 'Is.. Is that so?' She bit her lip, suddenly feeling very uncomfortable. 'And? Do…do you believe any-'

'Not a single word of it,' he said firmly, cutting her off before she could even finish her question; hell, he even seemed a bit pissed that she had to ask him that. Her smile returned rapidly as she felt a pang of relieve. 'Thank you. I think you're one of the few.'

'Hey, that's nonsense, and you know it. Come on. Every kid with a brain knows it's just a bunch of bull.' He sighed again. 'Any idea who could be behind that prank?'

Yeah. But I couldn't tell you. After all, you're his friend. She shook her head. 'I'm sorry, but I don't. It's not that I had many friends at school, but as far as I know, I didn't have many enemies either. Not until now that is.'

He nodded, although he could tell from her body language that she was still not truly honest to him. He didn't like it, but he didn't want to push the subject too far. Not now at least. So he decided just to let it rest. 'Okay, if you say so.'

He stood up again, walking over to her stereo where Danny just started his song about a man who can't be moved. 'Good song. The script, isn't it?'

She nodded quickly, grateful for the bone he'd thrown her. 'You know them?'

Inspecting the cover that lay on the table beside the stereo, he answered: 'Yeah. Great band. I like their new song…how is it called again?'

'Hall of Fame, with will. .'

He smiled, casting a shy look at her before he turned his attention back to the cover again. 'Right.'

Okay Mellark, stop being such a wuss. You've turned around the bush quite enough already. Just do where you came for and be done with it! He cleared his throat. 'Say Katniss, do you by any chance have plans for tomorrow night?'

She blinked in surprise. 'No. Why?'

'Well, I was wondering if you would like to go out with me then.'

Waiting in anticipation for her answer, he forced himself to meet her eyes, hoping he wasn't blushing. Why didn't she respond? O no, she wasn't going to tell him no, now was she?

The reason she didn't react right away was simple; she couldn't. She felt way to perplexed to utter even a single word. This could not be happening. Peeta Mellark, one of the Richies, was asking her out? No way!

'You mean…like a date?' she asked, just making sure she understood him correctly.

He nodded, trying to act casual even though his heart was pounding in his chest. 'Yeah, like a date. We could go to the movies or something.'

A shy smile curled her lips. 'Okay.'

He gulped, suddenly feeling happy and nervous at the same time. 'Okay?'

She nodded. 'Okay, I'll go out with you.'