Our Life After

Lizzie's First Day

*Katniss's POV*

Johanna and her family have lived in District 12 for three years now. Lizzie and Catherine have become really good friends, which is good, because Lizzie is worried she won't know anyone at school today.

That's right, it's her first day of school. She's five years old now, so she's in Kindergarten now.

The day started with Lizzie running in me and Peeta's room at 5:30 and jumping on our bed. She wanted breakfast, and you simply cannot reason with a 5 year old. So we got up, I made coffee (which I really hated and only drank when it was necessary, and today it was necessary) and Peeta made breakfast for all of us.

"Are you excited, sweetheart?" Peeta asked over a breakfast of blueberry muffins with blueberry oatmeal. Blueberries are Lizzie's favorite.

"I guess. But what if I don't know anyone? What if no one wants to be my friend? Who will I sit with at lunch? What if I'm not smart enough? What about the teachers? They might not like me!"

So I responded with an answer to each question, just to poke fun at her a little. "You'll know Catherine. You can make lots of friends if you just talk to people. You can sit with Catherine and your other new friends at lunch. You will surely be smart enough, no doubt. And the teachers will like you if you are a good little girl and do your work"

I finish with a wink, and Lizzie giggles.

"Okay mommy."

Haymitch came over at about 7:30, Peeta gave him two muffins to eat, and he sat on the couch and talked to Lizzie, calling her nothing but Lizard. I hated that name.

After Lizzie dressed, I braided her hair similar to my own, and we walked out the door at 8:00. School started at 8:30, and Lizzie wanted plenty of time to make friends.

We walked, and Lizzie did enough talking for the whole group. When we got there, she turned round and hugged my legs. I squatted down and hugged her.

"Mommy, you really think I'll do well?"

"Of course, now run along, I love you, and I'll see you after school."

She turned to walk away but Peeta scooped her up ans swung her in a circle. Then he gave her a hug and kiss, and let her off.

Haymitch just waved and yelled, "See ya later, Lizard!"

She turned around and giggled, waving back to the three of us. After she was a safe from seeing us, I slapped Haymitch's arm.

"What?" He demanded.

"Will you stop calling her that!"

"Sorry, sweetheart. The name stuck when she was born. Too late to change it now."

I just stared at him before taking Peeta's hand and turning to walk home. I wasn't mad at Haymitch, I just wish he didn't call her that.

When we got home, I waited and waited for 3:30 to come so we could go get Lizzie. It was boring without her there. I sat on the couch and after about 20 minutes ended up on my back with a leg over the back of the couch, my hair dangling over the edge onto the floor and Peeta drawing me.

I must've fallen asleep, because the next thing I know, Peeta's shaking me, saying, "Let's go pick her up."