Dearest Reader,

This is my first story on this website! And my first Hunger Games one at that! I will try to update as much as possible, but I will also be updating my other stories on another website.

This story is an AU. This is before and during Hunger Games. In this story, Peeta went up to Katniss to talk to her after the day he gave her bread. They became very close. Gale and Katniss' relationship is still in tact, though, so do not fret. Please enjoy and leave reviews (preferably ones that are not rude, as I have experienced those on the other website). Also, I will only leave ONE disclaimer at the beginning of this story.

-MW

Disclaimer: I am not Suzanne Collins, so I own basically nothing!

Chapter One

I walk through my school by myself. I don't like it. Normally, Madge is by my side, but she would be coming in a little later than usual; since it's the week before the Reaping, she is helping her father prepare for the festivities. The one's that townies get to attend. No person from the Seam ever went. Gale, Prim, and I have only been able to go because of the popularity I gained after I became friends with Peeta.

I find him waiting at my locker. Smiling widely, I practically skip to his side. I've had a crush on him since he was 13. Okay, that's a lie. I've loved him since then. I had been 12 when I learned that I liked him. I could never tell him, though; it would be too embarrassing. The thing is, I can't marry him. I've heard his dreams: get married, have kids. Stuff that I'm not willing to do. Especially with this government.

"Hey there, Katniss," he says when I finally get to him. I blush as butterflies fill my stomach.

"Hi, Peeta," I respond. He looks nervous. I raise an eyebrow. "Are you okay? You seem… nervous." He laughs and scratches the back of his head. It's one of his nervous tendencies. I bite my lower lip.

"I kind of am," he says. "You see… there's this girl I really like… and I was… going to ask her out today…" My heart drops to my knees and tears come to my eyes. I blink rapidly to clear them.

"Oh… I, uh, need to go." He gives me a questioning look as I start walking past him. He grabs onto my hand and the butterflies return. I swallow and turn back to him, my eyes not leaving the ground.

"Kay…" he says softly, using his free hand to lift my face. The butterflies get worse when he uses his pet name for me (I have no idea why he calls it a pet name). The tears are about to fall and he smiles softly. I feel something in his hand tickling my chin. He removes his hand to show a small, yellow weed in his hand. A dandelion. I look back into his eyes, confused. He smiles before leaning in and kissing me gently.

This is my first kiss. Ever. And it's with the boy I love. I feel a warm sensation building throughout me as I close my eyes. The butterflies are taking control of my stomach. It is a short, sweet kiss. He pulls back very slowly. His smile is back on his face and his eyes are closed. I blink in surprise. His eyes open and he looks at me with his bright blue orbs.

"… Peeta… "

"I've liked you for a long time, Kay. Will you go out with me?" I smile and look down a little bit. I could date him. But if it goes any farther than that… well, one step at a time. This would be my first boyfriend. I look up at him again. He's holding the dandelion out to me. My smile widens and I take it from him.

"I would love to." He smiles and we intertwine fingers. The hallway is starting to get crowded as more people enter the school.

"Hey, guys," someone says. We turn to see Delly Cartwright, Madge, Gale, James Lawrence, and Ashton Reynolds walking towards us. Gale is not in a good mood. Peeta smiles and looks at our friends before turning back to me and tucking the dandelion into my hair. Ash jumps on Peeta and gives him a knuckle sandwich while the rest of the group laughs.

"Dude! Why are you two holding hands?" Ash asks. Everyone else shakes his or her heads: only Ash would be that oblivious. The bell rings and we go to class. Since Gale is the oldest, he leaves to go to the senior classrooms. We sit in the front so that we could get to lunch faster.

My good mood hasn't phased by the time lunch rolls around. As we get in line to get food, Gale rejoins us. He seems to be in a sour mood. I grab a tray and Peeta puts his hand on my lower back. I smile at him and wait for the lady behind the counter to give me food. This is what happens every year the week before the Reaping: all students get to eat. It's to ensure that everybody gets their fill of food before going into the Hunger Games. I lead the group to our normal spot and sit next to Peeta, who wraps his arm around my waist. Gale glares at him and eats quickly. When he's done, he leaves without a word. I sigh and get up.

"I'll be back," I tell them. I find Gale in the hallway, stalking away.

"Gale!" He stops and clenches his fists. I sigh. "Whatever is making you angry, please stop. I don't want my big brother to be angry at me for being happy." He sighs, turns to look at me with an odd expression, and then turns back around and leaves. Before he reaches the end of the hall, I hear something that sours my mood. It's so soft I almost miss it.

"Goodbye, Catnip."