The Boy with the Bread; Peeta's Perspective

It was a cold, rainy day, I remember. I was cooking in the bakery with my parents. The smell of warm, fresh bread filled the whole shop and leaked out of the half opened back door. It was then that I heard the noise. My mother dashed out the door. I could hear something, or someone.

When my mother cam back in, it was then that I saw her. I knew who it was, the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. Katniss Everdeen. Whenever she sings in music class everyone, including the birds, stop to listen to the beautiful melodies that she can create. I can see her coward over by the apple tree.

I walk past the oven and ever so slightly, hit it. My mother sees what I have done. She is furious. Two good loaves fall and become instantly burnt. She is screaming at me, then without warning, she slaps me hard across the face. My mother grabs the scorching loaves and orders me to feed them to the pigs.

As soon as the door opens, she looks at me. I pretend not to notice. After I break off a few pieces, I throw the loaves at her. Then I go back into the bakery. That's how I'll always remember her.

The next day I see her in the hallway and as soon as we make eye contact, I turn away. I know she saw me, but I don't know what I should say. I knew right then that just like my father, I was a goner. Over the next few years, I tried and tried to talk to her, but after so many years, it seems as if it'll never happen.

That is until the reaping of the 74th Hunger Games.

I don't sleep much the night before. I know its stupid, but I'm still nervous about the reaping today. I hear a loud knock on the back door. My father must answer it. Its only him and me awake right now. I get dressed and decide to head down to the bakery.

"Hey, son."

"Good morning, Dad."

"You're up early."

"I know. I couldn't sleep, and then I heard the door."

"Oh, I'm sorry. That was just Gale. He brought us a squirrel."

"To eat after the reaping? Or now?"

"How about we eat it now."

My father skins the squirrel and fries it up for us. We feast before my mother and brothers awake. Soon after they wake, my mother tells me to bathe and get dressed.

I wash in our small tub and dress in my hand-me-down reaping day outfit. A blue denim shirt and kakis. This year will be my first reaping without my brothers. They made it through all seven years, and hopefully so can I.

After I dress, my family and I head for the square. They go off to the side while I take my place three rows from the front. I am mixed with other 16 year old males from District 12. I find her. She is wearing a blue dress with her hair beautifully braided. My eyes find the stage next, but only after they finish studying her.

There are Peacekeepers and camera crews everywhere. There are also three chairs on the stage. One is filled by Mayor Undersee. Another by Effie Trinket, the District 12 escort. The other chair is empty, but it should be filled by the town drunk who is also the lone remaining District 12 victor, Haymitch Abernathy.