My Peeta Mellark

Familiar Stranger

CLUNK, CLUNK, CLUNK!

I shoot to a sitting up position faster than my head can handle. When I attempt to hurry downstairs I trip over my suit case and flop to the ground. 

Knock, Knock, Knock! The sound comes again. It's my darn door. I don't care enough to look in my mirror before I start sprinting to the door, "I'm coming!," I yell to the entrance. I put my hair in a messy ponytail so I don't look like Simba from The Lion King. 

I grab the doorknob expecting the mail man or a pastor or one of my nosy neighbors, but when the door swings open I see an unfamiliar face. The, not to get detailed, most attractive face I've ever seen. The tall, medium built guy with dazzling, kind blue eyes and gray-ish blond hair almost makes me forget to be polite. 

"Hello. Can I help you?" I ask. He turns to me, making eye contact and seems to be slightly embarrassed. I remember my pajama's and blush. I wish I had a bathrobe or something, but instead I'm standing with soft, snowflake pants and a white shirt. 

"Hi. Umm, I'm sorry to ask this, but can you help me? I'm a little lost?" He says, smiling, a bit bashful. 

"Sure. Where are you headed?" I reply, trying to ignore how perfect his smile is. Stop it, I order myself.

"I'm looking for the collage?" He says pulling out a brochure. I look at it and my eyes widen. My collage! Adri and I moved up here from out home town to go to collage and be near the airport. Suddenly the most stupid idea comes to mind. 

"Oh yes, I attend there, too. What time do you need to register?" I say. I am way too pleased we go to school together. 

"Around 10:15." He says. I look at my clock and think. It's  9:45 so I have time to get ready and show him there.

 Or you could give him directions, stupid! my head reminds me, but I ignore it.  My stupid idea comes into play... 

"Ok. It's hard to describe the roads so I could show you if you want?" I suggest. I can see the idea of me driving in my pajama's to school to give a complete stranger directions run through his head. 

"No! Not in these!" I indicate to my clothes completely awkward and embarrassed, "I'm asking if you'll wait for me to change then I can show you to the school." 

I expect him to  sprint back to his car away from the crazy lady, but instead he laughs. His laugh. It's full and amazing, I could listen to it forever. 

"Yeah, sure. Sounds good." He says, still chuckling. 

"Alright, well, come in." I saw opening the door widely for him. He hesitated then walked in as I direct him to the living room. I tell him to make himself at home before I head to my room. 

As I speedily struggle to get presentable I begin to think logically. I just let a complete stranger in my house while I'm changing. Idiot, Idiot, Idiot! I settle with a pair of blue jeans and an orange tank top with a brown cardigan. I organize my frizzy, curly hair into a hight ponytail and quickly rub on some makeup and a layer of mascara.  

Before I leave the room I try to find my copy of The Hunger Games, but it's gone. I decide to finish my search later.

*** 

"Do you want any coffee or tea?" I ask him, beginning to be cautious. The water is already boiling. 

"Tea, if you have it," He says. 

"Sugar?" 

"No, thanks." 

"I'm Jane, by the way." I blurt, introducing myself.

"I'm Peter, nice to meet you." 

"Nice to meet ya Peter." 

"Peeta." He says. I look at him, confused. 

"My name is Peeta. Not Peter." 

"Oh... Like the book?" 

"What book?" he asks. I'm about to go total fangirl. He doesn't know about The Hunger Games?!How? I decide to let it slide because his crooked smile makes me forgive him.

I get my coffee prepared and put it in a thermos and his tea into another thermos. I hand it to him and we head out of the door. He somehow convinces me to ride in his car. I pretend it has nothing to do with how attractive he is. Idiot!