5 year old Peeta's pov

Following my father farther north than I've ever been in our district we come into view of a very run down building, more so than our very own home. The road has even turned black, all of the houses are much smaller than those near the shops, and they are almost as dark as the street. I remember my mother's harsh words, "I still cannot believe the school is still in the same spot! All of those seam rats are building their nasty nests they try to call homes near it. It may as well be on the other side of the district!" Father uses his very large hands to push through the wooden doors into the old tattered school and after walking through the semi large cafeteria and around a few hallways we come to a stop to wait in a line for year one, my grade, before heading into a classroom. I crane my neck up staring at my tall dad, and receive a warm smile.

"I'm very proud of you, my son." he stoops down and looks me in the eye, "You're growing up so fast, faster than I can stop you."

I smile proudly, finally able to go to school, the next step being a big kid, maybe I can finally use the ovens, start learning what temperature to bake at, how long to leave the dough in, I am getting very good at putting the icing on the cakes though! "I'm a big kid now!"

His smile broadens, "Yes, yes you are." He kisses me on the forehead and looks through the crowd of people and it seems something has caught his eye. I'm about to ask about it before he points to someone, "See that little girl right there?" I have to peer over a bunch of heads on my tippy toes to see a head of black hair in two braids and a flash of a red plaid dress before the sights hidden from my view. "I wanted to marry her mother." Dad proceeds, looking up at him confused, why? "But she ran off with a coal miner instead."

"Why would she do that if she could've had you?" Who wouldn't want to be with my dad? He is so nice and he's the best baker in town! Although Mother is one of a kind, it would be almost unimaginable to not have her in our lives… But… maybe a different mother wouldn't hurt us…

He smiles once again before looking at the little girl and the man next to her, "Because, when he sings, even the birds stop to listen."

Wow he must have a very good voice to have the birds listen to him…

We make our way to the front of the line and my father gives me a hug, "I love you. You have fun on your first day, make some friends. If that little girl is as sweet as her mother is then I know you won't regret being nice to her. Do what I couldn't son."

"Love you too, Dad. And okay! I will!" Not exactly understanding what he meant, I feel like the excitement is going to burst through me, the Bakery is fun and cakes are entertaining but being able to have another place to go than just Delis is going to be so fun!

Entering the room I now see the face of the girl. Her hair is so very dark, much darker than my own very light hair, and even her skin is darker than my own, she seems so perfect and she is so pretty. Standing still for just a moment, there's a flicker of cowardice and fear that ignites within me but I push it aside and I muster all my courage and walk straight up to her. "Hello!"

Her smile is so sweet it feels like my insides are going to melt, "Hi." Her voice is soft, and kind, listening to it is almost better than her smile.

"You're very beautiful." I blurt. Why should I not tell her though? I'm already talking I might as well be honest. Besides, she should be told that everyday.

She blushes, an adorable red. Gosh, I want to see that everyday, "Thank you." she replies and after a pause says, "You're very handsome too." I didn't think it would be possible but my grin is even bigger.

"Do you want to be friends?" I ask hoping beyond hoping.

"I would love that." She laughs and it sounds like music.

I take my seat next to her and a lady starts talking, I try and listen, I really do but I'm just too occupied by this beautiful girl and that's when I realize I don't even know her name. And she doesn't know mine!

I turn to her and shove my hand out and whisper, "I'm Peeta."

She takes my hand and I can't help but love the warm tingling it gives off, "Katniss Everdeen."

We turn our attention back to the teacher. She goes on for a while about introducing herself and how we need to behave, and how we'll be here for the next twelve years and we'll soon become experts on coal? It's only later she asks us who knows the valley song. Katniss's hand shoots straight up, with all the confidence in the world. The lady's name turned out to be Mrs Laster but she brings a stool forward and beckons Katniss towards it. If Katniss's singing is anything like her voice or laugh or what father tells me about her own dad then it must be amazing. My thoughts die out immediately when her soft, sweet, voice begins.

Deep in the meadow, under the willow

A bed of grass, a soft green pillow

Wow.

Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes

And when again they open, the sun will rise

She has the most beautiful voice in the entire world.

Here it's safe, here it's warm

Here the daisies guard you from every harm

I didn't think a voice like this existed.

Here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you

Deep in the meadow, hidden far away

A cloak of leaves, a moonbeam ray

Forget your woes and let your troubles lay

When again it's morning, they'll wash away

Everything is quiet. Even the birds chirping outside the window have hushed.

Here it's safe, here it's warm

And here the daisies guard you from every harm

And here your dreams are sweet and tomorrow brings them true

Here is the place where I love you

Here is the place where I love you

I will love this girl forever.