The Boy On Fire

I

"Um Hi"

You say nervously while rubbing the back of your neck.

"Sorry, did I scare you?"

He chuckles a little before rubbing his head sheepishly.

"I wasn't expecting any customers right now, so when I heard the door, I got... startled..."

He gives you a small shrug and a quick smile.

"Well, anyway. You're here. Do you need something?"

"Yeah im just looking for some pastries. What do you have?"

You ask while studying the boy in front of you.

"Well, we have... rye bread, honeyed oatmeal bread, pumpkin bread in the shape of little pumpkins, cinnamon rolls..."

He motions to a rack of croissants and sourdough bread, along with various loaves of bread.

"Anything else you need?"

The young man asks, looking at you curiously. He tilts his head, his tired-looking eyes gazing straight into yours.

"Ooo that pumpkin bread sounds nice."

You say eyeing the little orange pumpkins shaped breads.

"Oh, really?" He smiles at you warmly. "I actually made those myself."

The boy leans up against the counter.

"Say, are you new in District Twelve?"

He runs a hand through his blonde hair before leaning even more against the wooden counter.

"No I've lived here my whole life but I just kinda keep to my self if you get what I mean"

"Ah,"

he nods, understanding.

"Yeah, that makes sense."

He leans forward, placing his elbows on the counter and his chin in his intertwined fingers.

"So, what's your name?"

He tilts his head, his dark brown eyes sparkling and his tired smile still remaining.

"I'm y/n! And you are?"

You ask looking into the eyes of the boy in front of you.

For a moment, his eyes sparkle in a way that you can't describe, as if you're the only two people in the room.

"Call me Peeta,"

he answers after a pause.

"Hey, do you mind if I ask your age?"

He glances at you for a moment with a small, boyish smile.

"I'm 16"

You say with a smile on your face.

"Hey, me too!"

He grins at you, his eyes glinting in a way you can't quite describe and it's starting to leave you speechless. He runs a hand through his blonde hair.

"You say you don't usually come in here?"

He glances in the direction of the door.

"Do you live near here?"

He gives a curious, tired smile. His eyes seem to study you curiously, scanning up and down your figure.

"No I live on the other side of town but I decided to go on a walk and I couldn't help coming towards the smell of fresh bread"

You say with a smile on your face.

"Ah, that's funny."

He chuckles a little, his cheeks pink.

"Bread was always my specialty. Well, not to brag."

His tired eyes sparkle, running over your figure with a slight smile that's almost flirtatious.

"It was always my dream to own a bakery... I'm still working on it, but I've pretty much nailed it with the bread."

His cheeks are a cute, rosy blush. His eyes are also studying you curiously.He leans slightly forward on the counter and running a hand through his hair. His eyes continue to sparkle in a way you're beginning to be obsessed with. With the pink-blushed cheeks and that charming smile, he looks absolutely adorable.

"I'm usually working in here by myself. Can I ask you to do me a favor?"

He glances at you, his tired eyes staring at you.

"Sure as long as it's nothing too weird"

You say jokingly.

"Oh, it's not!"

He smiles at you, his cheeks slightly pink. His tired eyes meet yours and you can't help but get lost in them.

"Would you... be willing to stay in the bakery with me until it gets dark outside?"

His eyes are gleaming, his smile still remaining. He tilts his head slightly as his tired eyes dart back and forth from yours to his bread.

"You see, I... I don't ever have company here. Especially company as... cute as you."

His smile widens, his eyes gleaming like the stars under the blanket of the night sky. He runs a hand through his blonde hair, his cheeks beginning to turn pink.

"You... you think im cute?"

You flusteredly say.
His cheeks go completely pink as he nods. He looks away, embarrassed.

"Well, I mean, you're kind of... well, a lot nicer to look at than most people in District Twelve... and your eyes..."

His eyes are on yours again, those tired eyes sparkling once more.

You start to look deeply into his eyes as he stumbles on his words.

After a moment, Peeta leans forward onto his elbows, his eyes still twinkling as the pink in his cheeks spreads more, making his face a rosy hue. Then, to your surprise, he grabs your hands. His touch is light, delicate, and soft. You can feel the warmth of his hand transfer to yours and he smiles at you.

He brings his face close to yours, so close your lips are just an inch apart. His eyes are focused on your lips.

His lips touch yours and it's almost as if electricity goes through your body, making you shiver slightly. His lips are soft and sweet, and his eyes are glued to yours. He leans forward and your bodies are as close together as they can be, his fingers interlaced with yours as he runs the other hand up and down your spine.

Time slowly ticks away while both of you are frozen in this moment. Then, your lips slowly part and you breathe in, your breath mingling with his...