The Sex Games

Chapter 3

I walk around, drenched in rain, and freezing cold. I look around for food, trying to feed me and Prim, since our mother left a couple days ago. I stagger over to the rich part of town, and look through all the displays, full of cakes and good food. My mouth waters just looking at it, and my stomach growls, reminding me I haven't eaten in days.

I see people start to look out their windows, so I quickly hide behind a tree. I lean against it, and rub my head with my rough fingers. I suddenly become dizzy, and fall on my knees. I cry out, because I'm so hungry.

All of a sudden, the door to the bakery opens, and a young boy, maybe 14 years old, my age, comes out with loafs of bread. I hear someone yelling from the inside of the bakery. "You stupid boy! I told you next to burn the damn bread in the oven!" I see a plump lady come out also, and smack the boy on the side of the head.

"Now get rid of em!! Throw em out. If you want to become as successful as your father, you must do it right, Peeta!" I watch her slam the door, leaving him outside. Peeta... his face and name are familiar... maybe from school.

I watch him start to throw the loafs of bread into a big dumpster. Bread by bread, he throws them. Then, a loaf of bread flies my way. Then another. And another. I look at the bread at my feet, then back at him. He looks at me in the eyes, nods his head, and goes back inside the bakery. As soon as he's gone, I quickly grab the bread, and dash off, making my way back to the house, to feed me and Prim. As I'm running, and thank Peeta, screaming from the top of my lungs, even through he can't hear me. "Thank you Peeta..... THANK YOU PEETA!"
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"Katniss, Katniss! Wake up!" I'm startled by someone shaking my shoulders.

"W-what is it?" I quickly sit up on my bed, and surprisingly fell wide awake. When my eyes come to focus, I see Peeta, standing right next to my bed.

"I heard you yelling my name."

My brain struggles to process what he said. Then I remember... the dream, a flashback from 2 years ago.

"I did?" My voice shaking. He nods. "Are you ok?" His voice is full of concern.

"Yes.... I think so." My palms are drenched in sweat, and I'm nervous, for some reason.

We stay there, silent for a couple moments. I realize that I'm not going to go back to sleep.

"Do you want to... stay and talk?" I ask Peeta quietly. He looks at me, a bit surprised, but nods his head.

I sit up all the way, crossing my legs, to make room for Peeta. He sits down next to me, his legs hanging off the edge of the bed.

"Are you nervous?" Peeta asks me.

My heart rate starts to increase again, and I hope it isn't noticeable. "Yes...." I whisper.

"I think everyone is." I nod as he continues. "No one wants to have their most intimate moment in display for all to see."

"I hate the games." I say a little louder. "And how come they had to pick Prim? She only had her name in the bucket once, how could she had gotten picked? How..." Tears start to roll down my eyes, thinking about little Prim.

Peeta hesitates, but leans his hand out, and wipes my tears away with his thumb, just like Gale did. I stiffen a little.

I guess Peeta senses it, because he quickly pulls his hand away, and puts them on his lap. "Let's talk about something, other than.... the games."

I sniff and nod my head, thankful for the change. Then I remembered my dream. "Why did you help me?" Peeta looks at me with confusion. "Why did you throw me the bread?"