A/N: So… this is an OC/Peeta two-shot. I word it that way because it's still in canon with the Hunger Games. I own Linna, but nothing else you might recognize.

I wait, rope and people caging me in. I can't help but find Peeta, his blond hair and blue eyes shimmering in the sun.

My name is Linna Annep. I am sixteen, and I am in love with Peeta Mellark. I work in his father's bakery to help my six younger siblings and my father. I live in District 12, in the Seam, and face starvation almost every day.

I zone out as I always do, until just before the reaping starts. Effie Trinket reaches into the glass ball, plucks out a name, reads: "Primrose Everdeen!"

I wince. Prim is as dear to me as my own siblings, though I doubt she knows me as much more than a neighbor. Then a girl, painfully familiar, steps forward and volunteers. A flood of memories rushes through me as I recognize Katniss Everdeen.

/*\

I notice a poor, thin girl through the window and point her out to Peeta. Moments later, he burns the bread, is slapped by his mother, tosses the bread to the girl. And I recognize her. Katniss, who lives a few houses down from me. I know she has just lost her father, but I have just lost my mother. I am in need of that bread just as much as she is. More, with seven mouths to feed, not including my own. I have not eaten for five days, giving all my food to the littlest ones. I want to break down; instead, I caress the dough I am working on. I am painfully thin, the fact hidden by my loose apron. I know Peeta likes me, but as no more than a coworker, maybe even a friend. Not enough to give me bread. I cannot help when a single, silent tear slips down my face. /Not good enough./

/*\

I talk to Peeta; he is having trouble figuring out what to do. "There's this girl I know- I really like her. I just can't figure out how to talk to her."

My heart soars. Could he be talking about me? Feel the way I do? "Just go up to her and say hi. She'll be more than happy to talk."

Peeta's face lifts. "Great! Thanks, Linna!" he turns away from me and walks to Katniss.

I can feel my heart shatter. Still giving food to my siblings, now sadder than I have ever been before, I want to curl up and die. Leave the unfeeling world. The only reason I don't is my brothers and sisters. By now, my father does nothing; he is a dead weight, but I still feed him. I sit at a lone table, bury my head in my arms, and cry.

/*\

Peeta is a good friend to me- nothing more, nothing less. He knows nothing about my living conditions, about how I am lucky to get a slice of bread once in three days.

One time, I am so undernourished and ill that I cannot come to work. Peeta misses a day of school to come visit, and takes me to Katniss's mother. She scolds me, saying that I need to eat. I tell her that with seven other mouths to feed, I don't have anything left for me.

Peeta is quiet the whole time. I don't know if it's because of pity or anger or whatever else it could be. Finally, Katniss's mother gives me a cup of broth. "Drink slowly," she warns.

It's all I can do not to drain it in one gulp. Instead, it's gone in three. I am content for a minute, and then my stomach heaves. I run outside and Peeta follows; I vomit up a clear bile, and Peeta holds my hair back. Finally, with nothing else to give, my stomach settles and I stand. I immediately feel dizzy; Peeta steadies me, his grip strong. "You're so thin," he murmurs.

"You're so strong," I reply softly. Unexpected to both of us, I hug him. "Thank you," I whisper.

Mrs. Everdeen comes out with another cup of broth. Having learned my lesson, I take small sips until the cup is drained; my stomach flutters, but nothing comes up. She tells Peeta to take me home; Katniss will deliver another cup of broth when she gets back from school.

School. Something I have long since given up on, devoting my days entirely to the bakery. Peeta walks me home, says goodbye, and leaves. I feel as though a part of me has left too.

/*\

Prim is taken away from Katniss; Effie moves onto the boys. The name she calls sends an icy splinter into my heart. "Peeta Mellark!"

He looks around, confused. I try to catch his eyes, but they are fixed on Katniss. He slowly walks up to the stage, and it is all I can do to keep myself from volunteering. But what good would a bakery girl be in the Hunger Games? Plus, my brothers and sisters would starve. So will Prim, I think. I won't let that happen. I will give the meager share I get to her.

They are taken to a room to receive visitors; I make my way up there quickly. "Let me see Peeta!" I demand.

A Peacekeeper shrugs. "Five minutes."

I run in and stop a foot away from Peeta. He looks so calm! That in itself makes me start to cry. Then I remember: I will most likely lose the boy I love. I just sob harder.

Peeta hugs me. "Don't cry, Linna. It's alright."

I take a look at him and put a hand in my pocket. I pull out what I have been working on for two years: a wooden, carved sun, hanging on a thin rope. "Here," I manage. "Take this. They let you have a district token. Know that…" I bite my lip. "We're all rooting for you."

He slowly takes it. "Thank you, Linna."

Before I can stop myself, I hug Peeta again, and he hugs me back. "I love you," I say. "Not just as a friend." I wait for his response.

He breaks away. "Linna, I- I never knew."

"I know. After I helped you that one day, when you walked over to Katniss…" I bite my lip. "I knew. I've been trying to tell you all these years."

Peeta looks at me, his gaze mournful. "Oh, Linna, I… I don't know what to say. I… I already love someone."

The last bit of hope I have carried with me for so long shatters, and I wish I had volunteered. I would have an excuse for suicide then. "Katniss," I say softly. "Tell her I'm feeding Prim, will you?"

He nods, then his eyes widen. "Not if you're starving yourself. You can't!"

I shrug. "I've done it before." Peeta looks like he's about to make a biting retort when the Peacekeepers enter the room. "Time's up," one grunts.

I hug Peeta and won't let go; he embraces me one last time. The finally have to pull us apart and carry me out. I scream, "Peeta! Peeta! Stay alive!"

I am dumped outside the room; the door closes, and he is gone.