Cookie hearts <3 Ree/Fearless

I put my book down again and debate asking if I the customer wants anything. However, they like everyone else who walks in is probably just looking. I sit still and try to maintain a friendly face. It's better than sulking behind the cover of a little kid's book at any rate.

I watch the girl's face a little anxiously, wondering if she liked the foods or not. Evidently she did. She had this wistful sort of expression on her face that I recognized immediately. Yes she certainly isn't here to buy. Just to look and smell and wish.

Whenever someone really poor and hungry comes in to look I always feel like I should give them something free. Sometimes I even do when they're particularly hungry or unhappy. And sometimes, I admit, when it's a good looking guy.

Not that I'm hoping to marry one of them or something. None of them probably note me for anything but nice, and I like my home here. Nonetheless I have fantasies that I try and repress because I know they'll never come true and they'll just bring disappointment.

I'm snapped back to reality when my customer says "Hello."

I smile at her warmly. She looks like a nice girl. Maybe I'll give her a cookie or something. Better not to, though. Flour is expensive. "Hello. How may I help you?"

I note the axes and knives sticking out of her backpack. She must be a lumberjack like mostly everyone in the district. Her hands, like every other lumberjack's hands are callused from gripping the wooden handles all day. And the knives? I can't think of an explanation for that except she likes assassinating people (which I find unlikely) or she uses them to chop down trees (which I also find unlikely). Whatever the reason is, it's her own reason and I should pry. Unless of course she does like to assassinate people in which case I would have to tell the peacekeepers. Or at any rate, I would certainly not give her a free cookie.

As I survey her I notice she's surveying me back. My distinct discomfort at that realization is only lengthened by her next speech.

"Not an ordinary customer, eh?" she said. After this I didn't catch much that made sense. Let's see... She's here just because, and I expect people to come in here not to buy. Well, that's true enough, I suppose. And now it was a shame I had a bakery, hm? Spend money on the materials so that no one can buy them. She asks me a string of questions that are half related... and not related at the same time.

I pause, unsure of what to say in return. Always think before you talk. Once words come out of your mouth you can't press the undo button no matter how much you wish you could.

"I'm Delphine," I say, smiling a little icily. "And I bake things because I enjoy it and also because the people who can afford it, at least, can enjoy it also. It's not a complete waste of time, or, actually, money."

I stop and take a breath. Deal with one thing at a time. I'm not sure how I feel about this girl. I can't say I find this girl very flattering or exactly (from lack of better word) nice, but I don't know if I'm offended by her or not. What she said could be taken in many different ways from mean to flirtatious. I'll just stay neutral.

"I'm sorry to say though, I don't have any more chances to throw my life away. You see, I'm too old to go into the Games now," I say shrugging. "My skill? Well, baking. I know I'm not very impressive, but I enjoy my life."

That pretty much sums me up. No special talents, just an average person with an average life. And I've learned to accept that and enjoy life the way it was made. I don't understand all this rebel hate towards the capitol. It's not worth it. This is the way life is. I'm not saying don't change anything, I'm just saying don't hate them when you don't plan to do anything. If you are courageous enough (or stupid enough) to do something, then just do it without all the high feelings. Hate and strong emotions just get you into trouble.