The Hunger Games characters do not belong to me. All right goes to Suzanne Collins.

The story of "The Proposal" belongs to Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures

Eleven years earlier

It started out has a fine and beautiful day, towards the end of the day it was raining dogs and cats. She had gone hunting with her Dad the morning, but somehow all the creatures decided to stay in that day. She had just finished a cello recital and her family had taken her out to her favourite restaurant. It was called the Hob, a semi-high class restaurant that offered McDonalds imitation burgers to haute couture delicacies. She had ordered her favourite: lamb stew with dried plums, tasty cheese buns and a Shirley Temple. Her family and friends would always tease her because no matter what was on the menu or if the chef had a special he wanted people to taste, she always order the same thing. It began has a pleasant evening with fun and chuckle but the weather took a turn for the worse by the time dessert arrived. The Everdeen's opted to have their dessert wrapped up so they could enjoy it when they got home in front of their fireplace. Going out of the restaurant he decided to make a dash to their car and the loser had to make everyone hot cocoa. Primrose or Prim as she liked to be called got to the car first followed by her parents with Katniss bringing up the rear.

"No fair" she cried out» Mom and Prim are tracks stars"

"Yes" replied her father "But we're stealthier."

Laughing they went it the car and buckled up. They exited the parking lot while Mr. Everdeen turned on the radio. Katniss and Nigel favourite song was playing not only did she inherited her looks but she also inherited his voice and musical ability and love of nature.

'"Open your eyes,

Look up to the skies and see,

I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy,

Because I'm easy come, easy go,

Little high, little low,

Anyway the wind blows doesn't really matter to me, to me.'"

It was their song "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, it had great harmony and various degrees of musical styling which they often fought her sister and mom were somewhat tone deaf but hummed along with the family.

As they came across the intersection they slowed to a stop, change the song and exited the intersection. Suddenly out of nowhere a truck drove straight through them hitting the car on the right side, just where her sister was seated. On impact her father slammed on the brakes but with the rain they started hydroplaning. He hit a massive oak tree head on killing him on impact. And just like that in the space of thirteen seconds Katniss Everdeen's life was changed, forever.

...

She woke up in the hospital with a start.

"I'm late" she thought "school's starting soon. I got to wake up Prim. Did mom had a night shift or is she home now? Why didn't she wake me up? What is going on?"

She started opening her eyes when she suddenly heard a very steady beeping noise. She froze and wondered if her mom changed her alarm clock?

Opening her eyes she saw white sterile walls. Turning her head, she saw a whole bunch of machines and wires. Lifting her hand she saw some of them going through and around her. Seeing all those wires, she started panicking and the beeping noise increased. An instant later, a young nurse with locks of red hair came in thru the door. She started soothing her but all Katniss could think was she was trying to hurt her. Without a choice the nurse induce to sleep.

...

For a couple hours she drifted in and out of her slumber. Each time she resurfaced she got a clearer picture of where she was. She finally realised after a while that she was in a hospital room. On one side of the bed there were flowers and cards and teddy bears on the other side there was machines beeping and IV's hanging.

...

The fifth time she woke up, her best friend Gale was staring down at her. Their families had been friends ever since the Everdeen's had moved Twelve Trees thirteen years ago. He was a loyal and trusted friend, but also her hunting partner; those were hard to find. Gale looked just like her, jet black hair and steel cut grey eyes. When they were younger they used to tell people they were twins. And even now, in their teenage years, they were almost mirrors of each other.

"Hey Catnip, how are you feeling?"

"Thirsty"

"Here, have some water"

"Where are Mom and Dad?"

"Katniss..."

"Gale"

She hated that voice. The one he used whenever something bad happened or when he would put some animal out of their misery when they hunted.

No she thought it can't be. There just in the other room and they will come and see me soon. After I'm released Dad and I will go hunting, we will bring back the biggest game possible and Mum and Prim will cook it and we'll have a feast.

"They're gone. Your dad passed away on the spot your mom was barely conscious when she was brought in, but went into a coma when she learned your father was dead."

"How long have I been here?"

"Eleven days, you just started waking up today. They called us in since my family is next of kin."

That's what she thought too. Dad was an only child and his parents passed away a couple months after my parents wedding. My Mum had an older brother and sister but they had disowned her for marrying someone beneath her social status. Her parents own a various pharmacies around the province and were making the big bucks. They expected her to marry someone like the Cranes who were big in the Canadian entertainment industry. But instead she followed her heart and the voice of a wonderful man and left the province to marry him.

"What about Prim?" she asked.

"Prim's..." Taking a breath he continued "She succumbed to her injuries a few hours after arriving at the hospital. They could not get her stabilize. She needed much more than what the hospital here could give her.

She turned away, even though she knew she shouldn't blame him, Gale the news bearer became Gale the one who played a part in their deaths.

"Catnip" he whispered.

"Go away Gale. I... I just need time to process all this."

"OK"

And with that said he left.

After Gale left she pondered over her predicament. She was all alone she realized with no one else in the world. Everyone that she was sure she loved was gone.

Over the course of the weeks she learned more and more about her family's death and somehow the guy who ran them down was drunk and came out without a scratch. He was sentenced to twenty years in prison for drunk driving, driving without a valid permit and manslaughter. She also underwent serious therapy, both for physical and for her mental state. She had suffered from numerous breaks: her left leg had a clean break, she had five bruised ribs and her pointer and middle finger was broken. She also had some nerve damage. At best she would have about 80 to 90% mobility in those two fingers. When she heard that she cursed the nurses, the doctors, the driver and God.

Her psychiatrist was a tall and thin man with tiny glasses resting on the bridge of his nose. His name was Arnold Aurelius. He was a middle aged and had various degrees all hanging on the wall behind his desk. She was required to attend two sessions with him each week, but all she did was stare at the wall and all he did was make various robotic-like comments such as " I think it will be better next time won't it" or " You can fed yourself now, how does that feel?" But all Katniss did was look at him and scowl. She did not want to talk about her 'feelings' nor did her think he understood the pain she was in nor how does it feel to slowly but at the same time lose all the members of your family.

Once she was stable, she was let out for her family's funeral organised by the Hawthorne's. It was small with about twenty people in attendance and they were mostly coworkers and a few neighbours. The pastor talked about the kindness of Primrose, the healing hands of her mother and Nigel's willingness to always help someone. He said that this family was a diligent, willing and hardworking folks who loved vehemently. Thayer always had you're back.

Katniss listened intently to the service but refused to shed any tears. She had decided a while ago that it was for the weak so was love. Her mother barely lasted a month after she knew of her husband's death beefier sinking into a deep depression that eventually leads to her death. No, she was not going to be like her mother she was stronger than that.

After the funeral, a small luncheon, organized by a ladies group was served. The visitors lingered a while and talk among themselves at how brave Katniss was, how strong she was, how her family was good, how Primrose had a promising career has a doctor . Soon after the conversation turned to how would Katniss live? Who would she live with and what were her options? Katniss didn't voice it but she had been planning for a while now. She would live with the Hawthorne's, get her GED, sell the family house and with that money move elsewhere to start a brand new life. She played along and said yes, she would be staying at the Hawthorne's, yes she would finish school, yes she stilled planned on going to college and pursue a music/education degree.

As the day was ending, people started filling out and each person said the same thing «if you ever need something, just call me."! She smiled politely but knew she would never do that. Once everyone left, she set the wheels in motion and over the course of few weeks her plan was set.

She continued her physical therapy and started seeing her therapist. Seeing that she made the effort to get better, he soon cut her sessions from twice a week to once then finally to every other week. With more time on her hand she plowed through the online classes and finished the rest of her grade eleven in record time. She then proceeded to finish her grade Twelve in little less than six months. She also kept her promise and packed away her former childhood home and only kept a few personal belongings such has her father's hunting jacket and bow, her mother's plant and health book and her sister's favourite stuffed animal which she had named Buttercup. Never once had she she'd a year while going through her family stuffed. For herself she personally kept a few clothes and most her and her family's favorite books.

...

It took longer than expected but eleven months after her family's funeral, she set out into the world and the tender age of seventeen. She had gotten emancipated along the way and was free so spread her wings. When she told Hazelle about her plan to leave, the whole family begged her to stay. Gale even offered to marry her.

« You know you don't have to leave. This is as much my home as it is yours. Katniss if you're so willing I would like to marry you. "

« What?" she sputtered "why would you want to do that? »?

« Because I think we would be good together and good hunting partners are hard to find. And ever since your family arrived here, I've fallen in love with you. »

She was touched that he wanted to marry her, but in all honesty she didn't want to be married to anyone even someone has pleasant, good-looking and hardworking has Gale Hawthorne.

"I'm sorry" she said "but Gale I love you but as a brother. I love all your family the same, even annoying Vick. I just can't fathom the idea of marrying you. »

Gale looked devastated, but no amount of convincing neither pleading nor cajoling would persuade that stubborn mind of hers. So on sunny winter day at the end of January, Katniss Everdeen hopped on a plane toward New York City with as a new person with different dreams. She had already bought a two-bedroom condo over-looking Central Park, her stuff and been sent away two weeks previously and would be there by the time she arrived. She waved good-by to her surrogate family promising to call, knowing in her heart that she would never. Once installed in New York, she got herself a reminder of who she was and of the people she loved the most: a yellow evening primrose, a blue nigella flower and a white lily.

Thank you taking the time to read. I am new to fanfic having never written one myself. This is my first multi-chapter fic so your comments are appreciate. Review and Follow!