With all her strength, Rosemary heaved the heavy pan of sweet rolls out of the cooling where they had been sitting for the last twenty minutes after their stint in the oven. She inched around Rye, who was carefully checking the status of the next batch, and set them on the decorating counter in front of Peeta. Peeta grinned up at her, hands covered in powdered sugar as he tapped the sifter over the tray he was finishing up.

"There you go, Peeta," Rosemary smiled back at the eleven-year-old. "It's this and then another batch."

"And then school," Rye added, rolling his eyes as he donned some hand covers and scooped the last tray from the oven, hurrying over to the cooling rack. "I hate Monday mornings."

The three Mellark siblings had to wake up before the sun even rose on Mondays. Since their sweet rolls were the most popular product sold at their family's bakery, they made them from the moment they woke up until twenty minutes before school started. They would arrive at school covered in flour, cinnamon, and powdered sugar, fresh burns on their hands; Rosemary had been made fun of more than a couple times by Aggy, a popular girl in her year, because of it.

"Me too," Peeta agreed.

Rosemary didn't care for Mondays, either, but there was no point complaining about it. Their mother was a harsh woman—often times the three of them called her Warden behind her back—and she hated when one of them complained about something. Rye was their mother's favorite, so unfortunately, Rosemary and Peeta took the brunt of her ire.

Speaking of…

"Rosemary!" her mother trilled from the front counter, where she was setting up for the day. "I need those rolls."

"Coming, Mother!"

Peeta quickly finished sifting the powdered sugar on the last roll and moved onto the tray that Rosemary had brought over, allowing her to grab the tray and leave the kitchen with a roll of her eyes. She pushed the swinging door that separated the kitchen from the shop and hurried over to the counter near the glass case where they showcased their sweet rolls, muffins, and other sweat breads.

"Honestly, I don't know what you three do in there that takes so long," Mrs. Mellark huffed, practically ripping the tray from her grasp. "How long until the others are done?"

"There are two more. I'll go back and help Peeta with the rest."

"I don't want you leaving until they're done," Mrs. Mellark told her before dismissing her with a disinterested wave of her hand.

"Yes, Mother."

Rosemary hurried back into the kitchen, making sure the door was closed before she started grumbling under her breath. She grabbed two extra sifters from their utensil cabinet and handed one to Rye.

"We can't leave for school until the rolls are done," she told her brothers.

Rye and Peeta scowled. The three of them got to work and within ten minutes, they finished up both large trays of sweet rolls and sent them out to their mother. They had little time to get washed up before heading to school.

"What do you have going on in class today, Peeta?" Rosemary wondered as she and her brother traveled through the gray streets of District Twelve to get to school.

The school housed children from age six to seventeen, each of them separated into different age groups. That meant that none of them were in the same classes; Rosemary was Class Fourteen while Rye was in Class Sixteen, Peeta was in Class Eleven. The building was only a few streets away from the square, which meant they didn't have far to walk.

"We're starting the Hunger Games unit," Peeta declared unhappily.

"It's that time of year," Rye sighed, exchanging a sullen look with Rosemary.

Years ago, long before Rosemary or any of her recent ancestors were born, there had been many disasters. Droughts, storms, fires, and floods were so catastrophic, a place once called North America had been all but destroyed. Panem was created then. The Capitol, large and luxurious as it was, was in the center, surrounded by thirteen districts. There was peace for a while, but then came the Dark Days where the districts rebelled against the Capitol. Twelve districts were defeated and Thirteen was destroyed. With the end of the rebellion, came the Treaty of Treason. Many laws were put forth to make sure Panem and its citizens would live in peace but the largest creation of the treaty was the Hunger Games.

The Hunger Games were created as punishment for the uprising against the Capitol. Each of the districts, One through Twelve, provide one girl and one boy to participate. The boy and girl were called tributes and they would be between the ages of twelve and eighteen. The twenty-four tributes are imprisoned in a large outdoor arena that could hold anything from a burning desert to a frozen tundra. Over the following weeks, the competitors fight to the death—the last tribute standing was declared the winner.

The 69th Annual Hunger Games was only six days away. On Sunday, just after noon, the Reaping would be held. Two teenagers' names would be called and carted away to the Capitol, where they would most likely die. District Twelve wasn't known for creating victors. There was only two in their history, only one of which was alive—he was a drunk in his early thirties named Haymitch Abernathy.

"The Hunger Games scare me," Peeta mumbled.

His comment brought Rosemary out of her thoughts surrounding the Games. She wrapped an arm around her little brother's shoulders and gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't you worry about the Games, Peeta. You're safe."

"For now," Peeta frowned, knowing that the next year his safety wasn't guaranteed.

"What happened to our brother, Rose?" Rye asked his sister, almost mockingly. "The Peeta I know isn't such a pessimist."

Rosemary giggled and despite himself, Peeta laughed. Just as they came upon the entrance of school, he nudged Rye in the side, making the oldest Mellark groan in nonexistent pain.

"If you want to do any damage, you're gonna have to start heaving flour around like me," Rye teased Peeta, holding out his arm and flexing so his impressive bicep stood out. "I barely felt a thing."

"All right, all right," Rosemary sighed, hiding her amused smile in order to reign in her brothers. "We should get to class."

Peeta and Rye agreed with her so the three of them split up and headed to the separate hallways that housed their classes. Rosemary headed to the west side of the building and up a floor, entering the Class Fourteen area. She shed her thin jacket in the little cubby she was allowed and set the week-old muffin she brought for lunch on the small shelf above it.

Around her, her classmates were chatting with their tablemates and pulling out their workbooks, ready to get started. Rosemary took a seat at her table in the middle and slid her workbook from the bottom of the desk. Like Peeta, the unit for her class this week was the Hunger Games.

"Whew," she heard her tablemate sigh in relief as she slid into her seat only a minute before the bell rang. "I almost didn't make it."

"And wouldn't that be a shame," Rosemary laughed, turning to the brunette beside her.

Kline Cartwright was a tall and ditsy klutz, but she was one of Rosemary's favorite people in the world. Kline's family owned the shoe shop only two down from the Mellark Bakery, so it was no surprise that she and Kline became fast friends. The brunette wasn't shy like Rosemary was, so when they were old enough to be able to play together, she marched right up to the bakery and asked Mr. Mellark if Rosemary could play tag with her. Luckily, Mr. Mellark wasn't harsh like his wife, so he called for his daughter with a smile, allowing her to end her chores and go play.

Rosemary and Kline had been almost inseparable since then. Their families were quite close, too. Mr. Mellark would sometimes play cards with Mr. Cartwright, and Delly, Kline's younger sister, was Peeta's age.

Kline rolled her eyes. "You know you would be miserable without me, Rosie. Besides, you wouldn't be able to survive this horrible week if I wasn't by your side."

Rosemary quickly pinched Kline's arm, shushing her before her big mouth could get them in trouble. Like Rosemary, Kline wasn't a fan of the Games. Unlike Rosemary, Kline wasn't afraid to speak her mind. It didn't help that she was a loudmouth and didn't know how to whisper.

"Kline!"

"Right, right," Kline nodded, almost unbothered. "Shutting up now."

The bell rang and their teacher, Mr. Umtrik, entered the room. "Good morning," he set his shabby briefcase on his desk and opened it, pulling out his planner. "This week, we're starting the Hunger Games unit. Can anyone tell me the origins of the Games?"

Several hands went up at once, though none of them were very enthusiastic. Despite the fact that the Hunger Games was a huge event in the Capitol and an honor in the Career districts, District Twelve had never been a fan. They just did as they were told so they could survive.

"Otis, how about you?" Mr. Umtrik pointed at one of the taller boys in the back.

As Otis answered Mr. Umtrik's question, Rosemary sighed inaudibly and opened her workbook, turning to this week's unit.

"Can you believe Tish did that?" Kline guffawed as she and Rosemary walked close together, a couple of feet ahead of Delly, Peeta, and Rye. The five of them were headed home after a long day of school, with even more work to be done once they made it to the square.

"No, I can't," Rosemary shook her head, her cheeks warming up. "She's brave."

"Or stupid," Kline shrugged. "Asking the mayor's son on a date? Come on, Rosie. Baylor's the hottest guy in Class Sixteen."

"Tish is pretty," she tried to defend her classmate.

"You're too nice sometimes," Kline shook her head and grinned at her. "So, I'm thinking of letting my mom cut my hair. What do you think?"

Rosemary hummed thoughtfully, looking over her best friend's chestnut locks. "How short?"

"Here," Kline gestured to her shoulder. "so it won't get in the way when I'm working."

Having grown up in the apartment over her family's shoe store, Kline was quite talented at making shoes, even at the age of fourteen. Her father let her make a couple of pairs every month so she could hone her skills.

"I think it would be pretty," Rosemary smiled at her. "I wish Mother would cut my hair. It's getting too long."

It was true; her honey blonde hair was now at the small of her back. It was hard to take care of, especially when she was working. The braids that she would normally toss her hair into took time, so she usually had to get up even earlier than her brothers to make sure her hair wouldn't be in the food they sold.

"Maybe you can come over soon and my mom can cut it," Kline said hopefully, a slight scowl on her face. It was no secret that she didn't like Mrs. Mellark. She wasn't even sure anyone did—even Mr. Mellark avoided her.

"Maybe," Rosemary mused as they got closer to Mellark's Bakery. "I'll see you tomorrow, Kline."

"See you tomorrow!" Kline waved at her before waving at Peeta and Rye and skipping away with Delly.

The three Mellark siblings entered their bakery, immediately taking a whiff of the familiar and mouthwatering scent of bread baking in the oven. The smell of bread always seemed like home to Rosemary and that would probably never change.

"Peeta, I want you watching the ovens!" their mother barked, breaking the small bit of peace that came over them. "Rosemary, you're at the register. Rye, your father wants to see you in the office."

Rosemary and her brothers shared an exhausted look and went to start their duties. Slipping behind the counter, Rosemary pulled a beige apron over her head and tied the strings around her waist. She took her place behind the cash register and started to wait for any customers that would come in.

Hours went by as Rosemary spent her time behind the counter. There had been many customers come in, enchanted by the mouth-watering smells wafting from the store. A couple of customers bought the cakes that were showcased in the case by the window; both cakes were decorated by Peeta and Rosemary, who were the artists of the family.

The sun had set and night had fallen, allowing Rosemary to close up shop. She carefully took the tray from the cash register and locked it before leaving the counter and entering her dad's office.

"Hello, darling," Mr. Mellark greeted her with a soft, yet tired, smile. He was leaned over his desk, his cheek resting against his palm while he pointed something in the inventory books to Rye.

"Hi, Daddy," Rosemary chirped, handing the cash tray to her father, who would count their profits for the day. "How was your day?"

"Tiring, but eventful," Mr. Mellark reported. "I made those cookies today. I snuck you a few."

When he winked at her, Rosemary couldn't help but smile broadly at him. Rosemary was the apple of her father's eye and he was her hero. Mr. Mellark loved all three of his children equally, but he spoiled Rosemary, which was something that annoyed Mrs. Mellark to no end. They had a special connection, which stemmed from their gentle and soft-spoken personalities.

Rosemary wandered over to the special drawer in the china cabinet on the far wall of the office, pulling it open to see her spoils. Her father always left her treats in this same drawer and despite her mother's constant search, she had never quite found the hiding place. She plucked the small paper bag from within the drawer, smiling happily when she saw that the cookies were cinnamon sugar, her favorite. She bit into one of the cookies and happily handed another over to Rye and thanked her with a huge grin.

It wasn't often that the Mellarks got to eat the products they sold at their bakery. It was important that customers were getting the very best of what they offered, which meant that the family mostly ate products that weren't sold within the week or ones they couldn't sell. They were one of the fortunate families in District Twelve, so Rosemary never complained. She knew she was privileged when so many other families weren't.

Rosemary had just finished her cookie when she heard her mother start screaming.

"You stupid boy! Can't you even watch the bread without screwing it up?"

Mr. Mellark sighed. "Rose, could you fetch your mother for me?"

Rosemary nodded silently and left the office, making her way back to the kitchens. When she entered, a tray of burned bread was haphazardly laid on decorating counter and Peeta was huddled up against the counter that housed the sink, their mother leaning over him.

There was a sharp smack against Peeta's right cheek. Rosemary felt her cheeks warm as she leaped forward, horrified. "Mother!"

A harsh sting appeared on her one of her own cheeks, just under her eye. She flinched away from her mother's hand but was able to grab Peeta, slinking in front of him so she would take the brunt of their mother's anger.

"Stupid, both of you," Mrs. Mellark spat at them, backing away from them with a glower. "Feed the burnt bread to the pigs, boy. You—"she pointed at Rosemary. "are going to help him bake a new batch. You won't be leaving until there are perfect loaves to replace these."

Rosemary nodded shakily. "Yes, ma'am."

Mrs. Mellark scowled at her youngest children and swept out of the room, slamming the door behind her. Rosemary whirled around, eyeing Peeta to see if he had any other injuries.

"Are you all right?" she worried, reaching up to brush a thumb across the welt forming under Peeta's eye; Peeta flinched away and she sighed, "Sorry."

"I'm fine, Rose," Peeta said weekly, inching away from her so he could pick up the ruined loaves of bread. "Are you okay?"

"I'm okay," Rosemary crossed her arms over her chest. "Peeta, you never burn the bread. What happened?"

Peeta looked at the floor, his gaze timid. His cheeks started to redden, so Rosemary knew that it was something that embarrassed him. "Do you remember that girl?" he asked her. "the one I talk about sometimes?"

"Katniss Everdeen," she recalled instantly. Of course she remembered the girl; Peeta had a huge crush on her and unfortunately, her father had recently passed in the mine explosion. "What about her?"

"She's in the rain and she looks hungry," Peeta told her quietly. "Mother yelled at her for looking through the trash cans.

Rosemary understood instantly. Peeta had always been a kind and generous soul and he looked out for the people he cared about. There was no doubt in her mind that Peeta burnt the bread on purpose, knowing that he'd have to feed it to the pigs. It would give him a chance to give the bread to Katniss instead.

She had seen the girl around the schoolyard lately. She was looking rather sickly.

"I see," she nodded, a smile playing at the corner of her lips. "Well, go on, then."

Peeta smiled when she nodded at the back door, which led to the alley behind the bakery where their pigs were enclosed inside a fragile fence with their trash cans only a few feet away. He was gone for only a minute or so but Rosemary used that time to start rolling another batch of pre-made dough. When he came back in the kitchen, Peeta was soaked but happy.