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“Yes, frosting. The final defense of the dying.”

Peeta is a baker's son, which makes him wealthier and better fed than most people in District 12, the main source of Panem's coal supply. He has two unnamed older brothers and two parents, all of whom die in the fire bombing of District 12 by the Capitol after a rebellious act during the Quarter Quell. Peeta also attends school with Katniss Everdeen. When Peeta is chosen for the Games, Katniss recalls that he once saved her life by giving her bread when she was 11. At that time, Katniss and her little sister were starving because her father had recently died in a mine explosion and her mother had become paralyzed by depression. Peeta surreptitiously burned two loaves of bread, receiving a beating from his mother for doing so, in order that the loaves would be discarded. He then gave them to Katniss, saving her life and giving her hope that she would be able to feed her family. Katniss never talked to Peeta until the Games because even though they went to the same school, Peeta hung out with a different crowd of people while Katniss stayed off by herself. She was also uncomfortable about the debt she owed Peeta due to his assistance. Peeta loved Katniss since he was five and heard her sing in front of the class.