Disclaimer: Disclaiming means that I have no claim to the Hunger Games, which I don't. FML. But Fanfiction is deadly too!
Set during the first Games.
Interviewers are constantly hassling Gale for an interview with Katniss Everdeen's 'cousin'. Three-shot.
The Interview.
"If they think there is so much of a chance that I will smile and tell the Capitol what a fantastic job they are doing and how this year's Games are the best yet, they are seriously stupid!"
Mum and I argue over and over about this. But I will not give in. No way am I doing an interview for the Capitol. I'd rather eat my foot.
"But, it might give Katniss a boost of confidence to know that you have faith in her."
"She knows I have faith in her. Hell, that girl's been surviving since the day she was born. The Games are hardly different."
"Yes but think of how happy she'll be when she comes back and sees how confident you were in her."
"How confident 'her cousin' was in her, you mean."
"I'm sorry about that, love. But it doesn't really matter, I mean, it might be for the best."
"Well, if you're expecting me to say that I've always wanted a cousin, I'm about to disappoint you."
She does her tutting thing and walks over to Posy to help her with the meagre piece of homework she has. I bite my lip.
"I'm going to the Hob." I say. She looks worried.
"I'm not sure if it's safe."
"The Hob? Mum, I've been going there since I was thirteen..."
"I mean nowadays. With all these Capitol interviewers. Someone might follow you."
"But then I can't even go..."
"Go hunting. Yes, love."
I roll my eyes.
"If I give them the dumb interview, will they leave us alone?"
"Yes. I think you're the last person they need."
I stand up.
"Fine. I'll walk around the square aimlessly until one of them rubs two brain cells together to figure out who I am."
She laughs slightly.
I grab my jacket and walk out the door. I just want to get this over with but one of the reasons I don't want to do this is because I know they won't ask me about Katniss' intelligence, or her shooting ability or her strategic achievements. They'll want me to talk about him.
I walk slowly towards the square, my feet getting cold. Not literally. Of course, the idiots are all there, parading their Capitol designed clothes and freakish looking skin in front of everyone who passes them. Then I hear a shout. I walk towards the one who has recognised me.
"You're Gale Hawthorne! I'm Dron. I'm a journalist." His voice oozes with pride as if he expects me to go 'oh' and 'ah' at his accomplishments that mean nothing to mean.
"Hello." I say awkwardly because this man with his yellow-ish tinted skin is freaking me out.
"Sorry to trouble you son, but could I get an interview?"
I really, really, really want to say no. I want him to leave but he won't unless I give him my interview so I shrug.
"Sure. Here?" I ask but he shakes his head.
"Sorry but I don't want them stealing my material. Could we head back to yours? We shouldn't be too long. We want an interview with your mother as well if that's okay?"
I don't want to promise anything but my mother is too polite to turn someone down like I can so I agree.
He follows me eagerly back to my house. His camera intrigues me slightly that you could capture someone forever with a button but I don't say anything. I am going to give the impression that every moment that makes me part of the games pains me and I hope he will take the hint.
My mother opens the door suddenly.
"Gale, I thought..."
"I found one." I say and I introduce her to Dron. She is too polite and I don't want her to be too hospitable but this guy doesn't actually annoy me as much as he should. Posy is still in the room when we walk in and the sight of this large yellow man frightens her and she squeals. I try very hard to contain my laughter.
My mother is her usual self, offering tea but he refuses. I can tell that he understands that we are not very wealthy.
She seats us opposite each other on our small table and he takes out a small device that he calls a camcorder.
He positions it clearly on top of our mantelpiece so you can clearly see my face and my expression.
"Now, I'm just going to ask you a few simple questions okay?" I nod.
"Okay. Three, two, one. Hello, my dear audience, my name is Dron and I am here with cousin of Katniss Everdeen, Gale Hawthorne!" He turns the camera on me. I don't smile.
"So, Gale, how do you think your cousin is doing?"
I pause because my mother has entered the room, probably to make sure that I'm not swearing at the camera.
"Em, I think she's doing really well. Top eight, she's managing to cure P...him as well as keep them both alive so I think that thats' a win in its self."
"It sure is! Now did you always have such an unwavering friendship with your cousin?"
"Yeah, I guess you could say we've always been close. We spend most days going out hun..."
My mother coughs loudly.
"Most days going out to...talk and things so yeah, we've always been close."
"Well, if Katniss Everdeen wins, I'm sure you will have a lot to talk about! So, Gale, what was your first reaction when your other cousin Primrose was reaped?"
I don't know how to answer that. I mean, Katniss and I have always considered ourselves as a big family. She always treated Rory and Posy and Vick like her own siblings and I was the same with Prim.
"I was...scared for her. Primrose is only twelve. Her chances would not have been as high as Katniss' are."
"Yes but you were still very upset when Katniss volunteered?"
"Yes but I knew she'd do it. She's very protective about her sister."
Dron gives me a nod of approval before starting again.
"So, what is your opinion of Peeta Mellark?"
"I think he's a dic..."
"Gale." My mother's voice is low and warning.
"I don't really know him." That is the answer I settle on.
"Yes, but how do you feel about your cousin's romance with him?"
I shrug, trying not to show how much I hate this guy for asking me that.
"Her choice. I wouldn't have bagged him as her type but they seem to be...have connected."
To be honest, I wanted to shout at this guy that if Peeta made it home, I would break every bone in his body but I calm myself, telling myself that Peeta will most likely die.
"Yes, they do seem to have connected as you put it. What did you think about their costumes? They certainly made a splash with the sponsors with that."
"Yeah. I think...I think she looked beautiful."
"She did indeed. Now is there any last thing you want to say to your cousin if she wins?"
I think about it for a bit. What would I say to Katniss if she wins? I hate your boyfriend wouldn't really be suitable.
"I'm so proud of you, Catnip. I really am and I...I...we're having a huge party when you come back."
Mum puts her hand on my shoulder. She knows what I wanted to say. She's known how I feel about her since I knew.
"Okay, well thank you Gale Hawthorne and best of luck in the future!"
Best of luck. With what?
Thank you for reading. I think I'll make this a three-shot. The next chapter will be Katniss seeing his interview. Hope you liked it!
LF xoxo
