October Trees

Chapter 1

As my train goes down the East Coast, headed straight for Atlanta, Georgia, the tightness in my chest intensifies. I used to live in a very small town before I moved to New York. It has been ten years since I have been back to my hometown. Ten years since my mother passed away and my father resigned from being the mayor.

I was eighteen when we moved and I haven't looked back since.

Our town was divided despite the size of it. There were the rich people who lived in Town, like me, and the poor people who lived in the Seam, like my friend, Katniss Everdeen. Although, my family was rich and my father was the mayor, I never felt truly accepted. The other Town kids would only speak to me so their parents could get on my father's good side, and the Seam kids despised me for my huge house and endless supply of pretty dresses. I never cared about any of that though and I still don't.

When my mother died, everything changed. It was like I had some sort of disease. People avoided me like the plague - all except the Everdeens. Katniss was my friend from school, we'd sit next to each other at lunch and pair up at gym. She was my closest friend and still is, and I didn't care that she was from the Seam and that she had to wear her mother's hand-me-downs whilst I got brand new dresses every week from posh shops in Atlanta. She didn't care either. When my mother died we became even closer. She became my best friend and was like a sister to me. I'd go over to her house regularly and have dinner with her and her sister, Primrose.

Mrs Everdeen was never there though. She was still recovering from her husband's death which happened in the mines when Katniss was only eleven. Katniss resented her mother for neglecting her and Prim. Katniss was left to become the adult figure and provide for the family. I helped out as much as I could and joined them for dinner or would pick up Prim from school when Katniss was working.

Prim was four years younger than us and to this day I still think of her as little Primrose Everdeen with her plaited blonde hair and a skip in her step. So it was a complete and utter shock when I received an invitation to her wedding.

Prim was getting married – and she wanted me to play the piano for her at the wedding.

When my father and I first moved to New York City, I had hoped to go to a good music school and become a professional pianist. But dreams fade and I decided to be a teacher instead. I haven't played the piano in years, but it isn't something you just forget.

And I couldn't say no.

So here I am, on a train to Atlanta, where I'll get picked up by Katniss and be taken to the huge plantation where they're having the wedding. It'll be beautiful apart from the one person I am dreading to see.

Gale Hawthorne will be the best man since his brother, Rory, is the groom. I remember when I first opened the invite and saw in beautiful handwriting that Primrose Everdeen was marrying Rory Hawthorne. I smiled until I reread his second name. Hawthorne? And then it clicked. Prim was marrying the brother of the guy who despised me. He used to tease me and call me by my surname. He was friends with Katniss as well, which made it even more annoying. Sometimes I'd be over at her house and Gale would come over, make a snide comment and stomp back out of the house cursing about why I couldn't just stay in Town.

Katniss always told me that he didn't mean it, that he was just angry because his father had died in the same mine explosion as her's leaving his family dirt poor with the responsibility of 'Man of the House' falling heavily on Gale's shoulders. That didn't mean he didn't hurt me though. And that wasn't even the worst part.

I had this super huge crush on him ever since I first saw him back when I was a freshman in high school. Sitting on the train just now, I take the opportunity to pray that Gale is no longer incredibly handsome. He is two years older than me, so when he had finished school he went to work in the mines. I remember seeing him walking about covered in soot and sweat. Far too appealing. I would blush and run off.

It's been ten years… he must be fat and bald by now. I hope.

I fall in and out of sleep for the rest of the journey. There's a man snoring across the aisle from me and every so often he snorts and wakes himself up, and me too. I stick my earphones in my ears and relax, listening to the soothing voice of Ron Pope. I drift off peacefully.

When I wake up, a shrill voice comes out of the overhead speakers, "We are now approaching Atlanta. Please remember to take all luggage and items with you."

I rub my eyes, trying to get the sleep out of them. Outside the train, we've just entered the suburbs. I grab my handbag and go to the bathroom to freshen up. I comb my tangled hair and brush my teeth before washing my face and reapplying my makeup. I smile at my reflection, trying to give myself some encouragement. Everything will be fine, Madge.

I go back to my seat and heave my suitcase to the train door as we pull up at the station's platform. It's a big step down from the train and the old man in front of me helps me get my bags down. I say my thanks and turn to see where Katniss is.

My brows furrow. I can't see her.

Did I give her the right time? I check my watch. The train arrived on time.

I look around some more and my eyes settle on cold grey eyes that are staring back at me. Please no, I plead, fuck!

My feet stay planted on the ground but the eyes move towards me. The top of my head only comes up to his shoulders and I suddenly feel like an ant. He could probably crush me like an ant too.

He takes my suitcase and grunts, "C'mon, Undersee, I've not got all day."

I narrow my eyes and watch as he turns his back and makes his way through the crowd. I have nothing to do but follow the incredibly annoying – the incredibly hot, Gale Hawthorne.