A/N: I'm gonna post lyrics of a song that I feel goes well with the chapter every chapter. The rights of the song go to the singer and not me. Hope you enjoy! I'll post the next chapter once I get five reviews!

Chapter 1 Peeta POV

"Closed off from love
I didn't need the pain
Once or twice was enough
And it was all in vain
Time starts to pass
Before you know it you're frozen

But something happened
For the very first time with you
My heart melts into the ground
Found something true
And everyone's looking round
Thinking I'm going crazy

But I don't care what they say
I'm in love with you"

Bleeding Love-Leona Lewis.

I roll the dough against the board, using more force each time. Soon enough the dough gets thinner, and thinner, each time I roll. It soon gets thin enough, where it can't be used.

My mother walks into the bakery, and looks over at my work. She frowns at me, and strikes me on the head with her hand.

"Stupid boy," my mother mutters. My mother never seems to be satisfied with anything, her only exception is perfection

She goes back upstairs, and yells at my brothers, Rye, and Jonah.

My father walks down to the bakery, gives me a sympathetic smile, and goes to work on making the pastries.

I have no idea how my father deals with my mother. She's rude, controlling, and abusive towards him, whereas my father is kind, and loving towards her. My father once told me that she wasn't always like this; she used to be caring, and happy, but honestly there is no way I can imagine her any what different.

I continue working in the bakery with my father in silence. My father constantly tells me that I have talent, and that he hopes that I will walk in his footsteps and continue running the family business. But, I have no desire to take on the business right now, there's only one thing I want, only one thing that will keep my heart going, her.

We work for another two hours, and at nine thirty, I head to the room I share with my brothers, and get ready for the reaping. I dress in black pants, a white full sleeve collared shirt, and a red tie.

Once I finished getting ready, I head downstairs where I see the rest of my family. My mother looks me up and down, and rests her eyes on my hair, "Fix your hair," she barks at me.

I obey, and quickly run a comb through my hair.

I meet my family downstairs, again, and together we walk the short distance to the square. I stand in the sixteen year old section, Rye stands in the eighteen year old section, and Jonah, being 20, stands in the audience along with my mother, and father.

Mayor Undersee begins his speech, about the history of Panem, especially focusing on the rebellion. I don't listen to his speech, but instead I focus my eyes on Katniss. She's dressed in a soft blue dress that goes to her knees, and matching shoes. She looks stunning, and beautiful, I can't take my eyes off her. Her exquisite grey eyes are alert and attentive, her gorgeous brown hair is done intricately in a braid, and her olive skin is glowing, and flawless.

Effie Trinket, our pink haired escort, walks on stage with her dangerously high heels and says to the crowd in her capitol accent, "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor!"

She walks to the big bowl with the girls names in it, and squeals, "Ladies first!"

She reaches into the bowl, and pulls out a slip of paper, "Primrose Everdeen," she announces. It's not Katniss, it's her sister, her little twelve year old sister. Primrose's blue eyes go wide, and she fearfully walks toward the stage.

I see Katniss, looking as determined as ever, she opens her mouth, "I-" she begins. But, before she can finish her best friend Gale stops her, his hand covers her mouth, and he gives her a hug. She stands their firmly, she doesn't return the hug, and she sends a death glare to Gale.

Effie, unaware of the squabble going on between Katniss, and Gale, struts over to the boys bowl, and pulls out a name, "Peeta Mellark," she announces.

I'm picked, I'm this year's tribute, I'm fighting against Katniss's sister, I'm gonna die.

I walk to the stage, hiding my fear, but before I can take the steps up the stage, someone volunteers. "I volunteer," a voice says, it comes from Gale, Katniss's best friend.

I look over to Katniss, and I see her fighting back tears. Both her sister and her best friend are sent into the games, poor Katniss. The one girl I have ever set my eyes on is broken, empty, lost. It breaks my heart to see her like this.

The mayor quickly recites the Treaty of Treason, and then motions for the new tributes to shake hands. Primrose and Gale are led to the Justice Building by peacekeepers to say their goodbyes.

I see Katniss running to the Justice Building to say goodbye to Primrose, and Gale, I shadow her, and go to the building to say my goodbyes.

I see Gale first, he looks puzzled to see me here, "Gale, I just wanted to say thanks for volunteering," I thank.

He nods his head in understanding, "I didn't volunteer for you, I volunteered to help Prim, and Katniss," he says coldly.

I leave the room, and head over to Primrose's room. Primrose and I have never spoken, her looks don't remind of Katniss, but her actions do.

I enter Primrose's room, and put a warm smile on my face I introduce myself to her, "Hi Primrose, I know you don't know me, but-," I begin.

She quickly stops me, "Call me Prim," she says sweetly.

I continue "Prim, I'm in love with your sister," I whisper.

Her little blue eyes open wider in awe, "Oh my, what do you love about her?" she asks me.

"Everything, her determination, her personality, her strength, her eyes, her hair, her skin, everything," I reply.

"Can you do me a favor?" Prim asks me.

"Anything," I reply solemnly.

She inhales deeply, and begins softly crying, "Make her happy," she tells me.

"I will," I reply.

I give Prim a quick hug, which she in return gives me a peck on the cheek.

"Good luck," I tell her.

I leave the Justice Building, and begin quietly walking to the bakery alone, immersed in my own thoughts.

Every thought that crosses my mind is about Katniss, being with her and being without her. All I want to do is to keep her happy, determined, and a survivor.

I arrive at the bakery, and immediately yelled at, "Where have you been? We have to bake cakes, cookies, and pastries," my mother screeches.

I don't object, and quickly begin working on making the cookies. I roll out the dough, and use funky cookie cutters to give the cookies a cool shape. Finally, I stick the cookies in the oven, and I'm done.

Finally finished, I go upstairs and lay on my bed.

My father comes to my room, and hands me a bag of cookies, "Give them to Katniss, these are her favorite," he says.

I smile in thanks, and I quickly pull on a jacket, and begin the short walk to the Seam.

My father has always known I like Katniss. Whenever he would drop me to school, he would always see my eyes find her, and stare at her in amazement.

I remember, when I was five years old on my first day of school, my father pointed to her and he said, "You see that girl, I wanted to marry her mother." Ever since that day where he pointed her out dressed in a red dress, I was in love with her.

I arrive outside Katniss's house, and take a deep breath. I raise my hand and knock twice against the wooden door.

Katniss answers the door, and looks at me expectantly with her puffy red eyes, "Yes?" she asks me.