13 years ago

Peeta and I move through the cafeteria heading toward an empty table. All eyes are on us. It's going to take some time for them to get used to seeing us together. I also know that what happened this morning in class is going to happen again. And sure enough I notice a scowling Leevy and Hilda making their way to our table.

Leevy with her hands on her hips glares at Peeta. Turns to me and said "Glenda's right, my mom told me we need to stay away from anyone that's 'abnormal'."

I roll my eyes. She's just saying that because she's mad. I was supposed to sit with them during lunch. I see her mom talking to 'abnormal' people all the time.

I keep my voice low so only the four of us can hear. "Hmm" I tap my chin and say "You know Leevy, now that I think about it, eating dirt isn't normal." She forgot that I know all her her secrets.

"I don't eat dirt" she whispers. I raise an eyebrow at her. "Fine, but don't come crying to me when you get in trouble." She storms off with Hilda in toe.

I shrug and tell Peeta "My mom said that eating dirt is a sign of iron deficiency."

"Maybe they're right Katniss" Peeta saids with a sigh.

"I don't care what they say. It's not illegal Peeta." He still looks unsure so I quickly change the subject.

"My daddy said I'm a natural born swimmer. Something about being a fish in a previous life." I say. "I told him he was being silly."

"You can swim?" Peeta said with an awed look on he face. So I tell him all about being in the woods but I made him pinky swear not to tell.

After lunch we head over to music assembly. We take one of the tables by the open window. It sits 6 to a table so we are joined by Gale, Thom, Hilda and Leevy. I introduce them to Peeta and they all tell him "Hi" even Leevy though she does it with a scowl. I glare at her and she just grins at me and shrugs. We never stay mad for long.

I turn to Gale "Why were you late to class today."

"Mom was throwing up his morning" he said. We all groan. "I know yuck."

"You missed Katniss telling off that one merchant girl, Glenda." Thom tells him.

"Really Catnip, on your first day" Gale saids shaking his head.

"She was talking bad about Peeta" Hilda pipes in. "Cause of his leg."

Gale rolls he's eyes. "Big deal, Ripper from the hob is missing an arm" he said. We live in the seam so we're used to see people with missing body parts due to mining accidents.

"Arlo too" adds Thom.

"Yes, but they lost theirs" Leevy said. She turns to look at Peeta "You were born like that, right?"

With his face downcast, Peeta just nods.

"Makes no difference. Haymitch saids all that 'abnormal' bull is just capital garbage" said Gale.

"Gale, not here" I say. We all look around to make sure nobody heard him. He mouth 'sorry'.

While Mrs Jones rambles on about music notes and song lyrics, Peeta and I play thumb war under the table.

Mrs Jones claps her hands "Ok class, who here can sing the Valley Song" hey that's my jam I raise my hand as high as I can. She calls me up front and has me stand on a step stool. I take a deep breath just like my daddy taught me and

Down in the valley, the valley so low,
Hang your head over, hear the winds blow.
Hear the winds blow, dear, hear the winds blow.
Hang your head over, hear the winds blow...

When I finish I go back to my seat and I'm surprised by the look on Peeta's face. His blue eyes are twinkling and he has a big smile on his face that makes me blush. I give him a playful glare.

"That was beautiful, Katniss. I swear even the birds outside stopped to listen." Peeta tells me.

"Oh please, they only do that for my dad" I say.

"They do it for you too" Peeta saids. I just smile and shake my head.

After school we head to the brick fence where all the parents are waiting. I see my mom holding little Prim and talking to a merchant man I don't know. It's slow going with Peeta and his crutches but I don't want to run up ahead without him. Gale and Thom race by us yelling "bye Peeta, later Katniss." I notice a lot of the merchant parents are make disapproving faces.

"Mom this is my friend, Peeta!"

"Dad this is Katniss"

We say at the same time. "Nice to meet you, Peeta" mom saids.

"Hello Katniss" Peeta dads saids as he picks Peeta up and tucks his crutches under his arm. He must me strong. He looks a little surprised when Hilda walks by saying bye to Peeta and me. Still he has a small smile on his face.

"Peeta this is my baby sister Prim" she stuffs her hand in her mouth and blows bubbles.

As we make our way home I hear my mom say. "You know Graham there's really no way to be subtle about this and I hope I'm not overstepping. But James is good at wood work and people from the seam go to him when they need a prosthetic made. So incase your interested, I can also help out since he'll need to learn how to use it"

"Yes dad, please" Peeta saids.

So our parents start making arrangements to meet up this weekend. I look up at Peeta and we just smile at each other. It's going to be a fun play date.