13 years ago

We file into Mrs Smith class on our first day of kindergarten. A boy is already there. He has ashy blond hair and fair skin. Definitely a merchant. It looks like it's two kids per table and I notice all the other merchants kids are avoiding him.

Well, since he's in the last row by the window I go, plop down on the seat next to him and introduce myself. I stick out my hand, just like my daddy showed me.

"Hi, I'm Katniss Everdeen" I say.

The boy looks at me like I have two heads. Wide beautiful blue eyes, mouth slightly opened in surprise.

"Wow, your eyes are so blue and even prettier then Prim's. She's my sister." I tell him.

My mom always tells me 'Katniss you need to stop and think before you do or say something inappropriate'. But seeing as she's not here I reach out, grab his hand without permission and shake it.

"What? Are you mute or something? Cat got your tongue?" He looks down at our hands and lightly caress my knuckles with his thumb. It sends a little jolt of electricity up my arm. I wonder if he feels it too. He gives it a squeeze and reluctantly lets it go. Looks down at the table.

"P-Peeta Mellark" he mumbles.

I hear a gasp from across the room and we both look up. All the merchants kids are staring at us.

"You're not supposed to talk to him" saids a merchant girl sitting in the front row, with a face like a pinched bird. I look at Peeta and he's looking down at the table again. His cheeks are turning pink.

"He's an 'abnormal' or what we in town call a 'freak'. He's missing his left leg" bird face continues. That's when I notice the two little crutches under our table. A single tear slide down his face and my heart hurts for him.

Oh hell. I just messed up his first day of school by bringing him this unwanted attention.

My gaze returns to the girl and I can see a few kids from the Seam look at each other, as if all hell is going to break loose. I've never been someone who likes to be told what to do and since I have no filter. The seam kids know bird face is going down.

"Oh yeah, if that's the case then why are you talking to me, 'freak'. I can see from all the way over here that your head is to big for your body, your left eye is bigger then the right and your nose is way off center" I say harshly.

All the kids in class turn to stare at her. Her eyes go wide as some of them start nodding in agreement. My observations are pretty spot on. She burst into tears and runs out the door.

No one likes to be labeled 'abnormal'. It's a fear we all have. Some of us might look normal on the outside but if we are found to be infertile when we turn eighteen, it's all downhill from there.

I'm messed up for saying that to her. Hell, I might be 'abnormal' too. I can skim through a book and recite it back to you without missing a word. My mom calls it a photographic memory. As far as I know, I'm the only person who can do that. But the capital only cares about the physical deformities, infertility and those who are mentally slow. They don't care about a smart-ass five year old with an above average intelligence.

The bell finally rings and the teacher walks in with a sniffling bird face. As Mrs Smith starts to take roll. I turn to look at Peeta. I see his hands are under the table. I reach out taking one and weave our fingers together. He looks at me and I give him a warm encouraging smile. His face shows that surprised expression again, as if he can't believe his luck. To have someone really notice him but in a positive way.

I decided from that day on that Peeta Mellark and I are going to be the best of friends.