Authour's Note: **REPOST** For all of you who have been faithfully following, reviewing and waiting, I'm so sorry for being MIA on this story. I knew it needed to be more thoroughly edited, so I finally did it. For new readers, thank you for taking a look and hopefully enjoy. I do not own The Hunger Games or it's characters.
Katniss age 17
2013
"Prim, are you almost ready?" I yell up the stairs.
I tried going hunting with Gale, early this morning to calm my nerves. We only got a few rabbits and pheasant. I left my little sister's clothes out, but I don't know if she put them on.
She comes down fully dressed in one of my old yellow dresses. And to my surprise, she has her hair done up in a very pretty, braided bun to the side with little flowers pinned in.
"Look at you, little duck! You look beautiful! But who..."
"I did her hair. She did her makeup, not too shabby for a hand-me down." My mother says coming down the stairs.
"Good morning Katniss.'' Mom greets me.
"Oh! I didn't know you... are you going to the wedding?" I ask
"Yes, of course. Haymitch is an old friend. And your Aunt Effie..."
"Is like a sister, I know. I just wasn't sure." I finish for her knowing it's hard to talk about it.
My mother's older brother Herb was a very handsome man. He had blond hair and crystal blue eyes like my mom. Uncle Herb wanted to be an actor. As siblings, they were very close until he moved to New York to pursue his career. He quickly met and married Effie Trinket, a game show hostess. His new wife's job was there, so he didn't get to visit home very often. Ten years ago, he died of Lymphoma. Mom was heartbroken.
Effie remained close to us, and single, until she came for my father's funeral three years ago and met my mom's long time friend and widower, Haymitch Abernathy. He's an ex Marine and, the only living heir to the Ben Soulsby, Gold Rush and Sawmill fortune. People say the Gulf War "messed him up" causing him to drink, a lot. But he loves my Aunt Effie, so I'm trying not to dislike him.
"I laid out something for you too. It's the blue dress I wore... on your father and I's first date." Mom says.
"Thanks mom. Prim, Rory and Rue are going to be there. Stop texting and eat something." I scold.
"Okaaay." She whines but puts the phone down.
"Love you." I kiss Prim's forehead and go up to get ready.
My mom puts my hair, which is usually in an easy side braid, into a similar hairstyle to Prim's. To say I need convenience is an understatement, because I have a ton of responsibility for a 17 year old.
My father, Hunter Everdeen, died 3 years ago in a work accident. He was working at the Saw Mill here in Soulsbyville, Tuolumne County, in Northern California. Population 2,215. It's a tiny town that I for one sometimes hate. But I do love my woods. I live, not even 5 miles away from Stanislaus National Forest. I'm a senior at Soulsbyville Union High School. I live in a small two bedroom house with my mom, and my baby sister Primrose, who somehow turned 13 without me realizing it.
My mom, Iris, is a nurse. She has to work constantly because, after my dad passed, mom kind of checked out for a while and bills piled up for almost a year. I started hunting for real. Not just for archery practice, but to help keep food on the table. Thank goodness for Aunt Effie sending money from New York. Also, Hazelle, Gale's mom, for helping Prim and I get to school, stay clothed, and helping with cooking and cleaning.
Truthfully, the whole town really pulled together after the Saw Mill blew up. It was a real tragedy. 150 people were killed. Even more out of work for months and in this economy, we nearly starved. We had to use food stamps and ask for rides everywhere. But I swore, I would get us off welfare and today, we have an old car and Prim and I have a cell phone. No one knows, but I also have a little rainy day fund that maybe Prim can use to go to college. She is so smart and wants to be a doctor.
My mom looks at me with tears in her eyes and says, "Now you look beautiful too."
"I wish I looked like you." Prim says from her perch on a chair.
"Oh no, little duck. I wish I looked like you." I argue.
I'll never understand why I find the blond hair and sky blue eyes of my little sister the most beautiful features. Especially when my favorite person in the world, was my dad and he looked nothing like that. He had olive skin; dark brown hair and grey eyes just like mine. He was very tall. I guess opposites attracted. Since, Mom has pale skin. She is also on the shorter side at only 5'5". Prim looks like she will be tall. She's already a couple inches taller than mom, at only 13. While I'm half an inch shorter than mom and have been since I was 12.
Gale and his family look like me too. Gale's dad, Bear Hawthorne and Gale's uncle Forest Hawthorne looked like they could've been my dad's biological brothers. They were all best friends in high school. Gale's dad and uncle died in the same explosion as my dad, leaving Hazelle Hawthorne with four kids. Gale is 18 and has two younger brothers, Rory who's 13 and Vic is 11. He also has a baby sister, Posey who is 6 now.
"I have to work tonight. Can Gale give you a ride home from the wedding?" My mom asks.
"Oooh! Can I spend the night at Rue's then?" Prim asks me. "You know, I love to when mom works overnight."
"And you know, I miss you when you're gone and the house is so empty." I counter.
But she gives a little pout. I know she's done all her homework and we're on a two week break from school. So I tell her yes and she runs upstairs to pack, so she can leave with Rue's family from the wedding. I don't know how that family does it with Thresh, who's my age, Rue who's 13, and four other younger ones. They still always invite more kids over. I mean sure they live on an apple orchard, but they can't just eat applesauce all day.
"Do you dislike Prim spending the night away while I'm gone, because you still have nightmares?" My mom asks.
"Its fine, I'm FINE!" I snap.
"I could ask Dr. Snow to prescribe you-"
"Don't mom. I hate your boss." I cut her off.
That wretched old man.
"He said he tried to help you after… your father passed-"
"Like he helped you? What he "prescribed" you kept you like a zombie for almost a year mom! I'm still practically raising Prim because we don't know if you'll just stop functioning. I should be on the teen-mom show. Only I didn't actually get pregnant." I burst.
"I'm sorry Katniss. I know it's been hard on you. It's been hard on all of us. But if you could give me some trust, I'll prove to you things are getting better." Her tears make me feel bad.
I know my father's death devastated her. She loved him so deeply. But so did I.
"Don't cry, just don't. Prim will see you and your makeup looks really pretty. It's... okay." I pull her in for a hug.
Prim comes barreling downstairs.
At the wedding reception, Prim sits at the kids table with Rue, Rory, Vic, Posey and some other children. Crazy enough, I'm at the table with the wedding party. When we arrived early to help, Aunt Effie was close to crying. We found out one of her bridesmaids wasn't able to catch her flight. So, last minute, since I was her size, I am a fill in. I hate people staring at me. It feels so awkward being in the limelight. But I couldn't say no.
Effie introduced me to Cinna and Portia. They are a couple that used to work in the television industry with her, in from New York. Now they're big important clothing and hair designers. Cinna designed our dresses, the groomsmen suits, and of course the groom's tux. Not to mention, the most breathtaking wedding gown. Effie's colors are silver and lavender. My dress is light purple, sparkly, strapless, and poufs out from the waist. The skirt hem stops just below my knees in front, but down to my lower calves, in the back. It's gorgeous! But, I'm in heels, which I despise.
Portia did my makeup and told me my hair was perfect as is and even adjusted the other bridesmaids' hair to be like mine. I had to call my mom in to teach her the style. It made her feel special. Cinna asked me if I'd ever modeled, which made me feel special.
They told me not to worry. Effie told me how grateful she was to me. I felt nauseous thinking that I could fall in front of a bunch of people. I was especially self-conscious about having to be partnered with some random guy. Then I saw HE was my groomsman.
Peeta Mellark.
It's been 3 years. I almost fell walking up the aisle, but he held me steady. I couldn't even look him in the eyes. Not until during the ceremony when we were standing on either side of the bride and groom.
I looked from Haymitch's face during his vows to the blond locks, two men behind the groom and he gave me a small smile. Seeing those beautiful ocean eyes just like Prim's made my heart flutter. He is still the cutest boy I've ever met.
I wondered if he remembered me. Or if his memories of me were as fond as mine were of him. I smiled back. Then when we followed the procession back after the other couples, I couldn't believe he was here and of all people, I got paired with him. He's older, taller and bigger then when I last saw him.
We were in school together and went to the same summer camp for years. But he moved away right after my father died. I wondered what happened to him.
I missed him.
Iris Tyme age 17
1992
"Iris, I think I love you. No, I know I do. I have for some time."
"Oh Bo, I have to tell you something and I hope you'll be able to forgive me." I say, pulling my hands from his.
I was hoping to have the conversation later, but I can't just let Boule confess his love for me. On my front porch no less. Not after...
"What do you mean? I'll always forgive you anything, love." He says so sweetly.
I knew Bo liked me and had for a long time. He's such a sweet guy and he's been my friend for, forever.
Marigold and Maysilee Donner are my best friends. Maysilee and Haymitch Abernathy are engaged. Marigold is dating Harris Undersea. Haymitch and Harris are Bo's best friends, so I guess it just made sense for us to be together. But we've only been on two dates. I don't feel like I love him. I care about Bo.
Could Bo really love me?
Oh, why did I go to that party? My mom told me not to go and I went anyway. I had to meet Hunter Everdeen.
He's the most handsome man I'd ever seen and he would've stay just that, until his band played, and he sang. Even birds would stop to listen to Hunter's sweet soothing voice. That night, it was like he was singing just for me. I fell for that man in one night. Just like that. I'm in love.
"Boule, I... I can't see you anymore. But I care about you and I want to stay friends." I blurt out.
"Iris... I, but I... did I do something wrong?" He asks, eyes pleading with me to tell him what he can fix.
"NO! Bo, you did nothing wrong. I am... I have..." I stumble looking everywhere but his eyes.
"I just want you to be happy... so I guess if you will be happier apart..." He tells me.
"We have the same friends and we'll still see each other a lot..." I offer.
"It's someone else? Isn't it? You've met someone?" He asks.
I can't lie to him. The girls were there and they will tell Harris and Haymitch about Hunter soon enough.
"Yes."
He hugs me tight and just before he lets go, he kisses me. Passionately. I'm so shocked at Bo Mellark, who's usually so timid, that I just let him.
Then he pulls back and says, "Goodbye Iris." with tears in his eyes.
"Goodbye."