Hey guys! This is a new story, so I hope you like it!
A special thanks to Jacking. Peetas. Style. for helping me, giving me a HUGE amount of advice on this story, and creating the title.
I walk into the bakery, hearing the wooden floors creak as I step in, feeling the warm air coming from the ovens. I flutter my hand over my right back pocket to make sure my old leather wallet is still there. Sure enough, it is. I walk over to the baker's son, Peeta Mellark, famous in this town for his bright blue eyes that you can't find anywhere else. I scan the pastries and breads they have.
"Can I have a dozen red velvet cupcakes, please?" I ask, pointing to the cupcakes. He nods and silently grabs a box and begins inserting the cupcakes in.
The cupcakes are for a friend's going away party. My boyfriend, in fact. My only friend. Gale Hawthorne. He's going to war.
Since we were in sophomore year, all Gale could talk about was enlisting into the army. Fighting for his country, he said. I told him he was crazy. After all, he wanted to join right after high school ended. He's spent his whole life in school, preparing to be something amazing, but decides to be a soldier instead, throwing his life away. Not that Gale couldn't be a soldier, I'm sure he'd be able to be on the front lines. He's tall, muscular, good with weapons. Everything you'd want in a guy winning the Medal of Honor.
"Is that all?" Peeta asks, breaking my thought. I quickly nod and hand him twenty dollars. But he shakes his head and hands it back. I raise an eyebrow. "I know about your friend.. Consider it a goodbye present."
"Thank you," I mumble, fiddling with my wallet, trying not to look into his eyes. Girls say that they mesmerize you; enchant you. I know a lot of girls like him, but what's not to like about the bakery's son? He's a stocky build and medium height with bright blue eyes and ashy blonde hair that falls in waves over his forehead. Gorgeous, but no girl can ever seem to catch up with the sociable Peeta Mellark. He's always talking to girls, but never seems romantically interested, as girls say. Caught up on a girl he'll never catch, I hear through rumors.
"Oh, and uh, Katniss?" He asks, looking into my eyes hopefully, "Do you think you could uh, meet at the airport and meet me at Gate B sixteen tomorrow?" Why would he want me to see him there? It's the same gate Gale will be going through tomorrow, so why not? I nod. "Thanks," he gives me a shy smile.
"Well, meet you there," I say softly as I walk out of the bakery and back to the busy sidewalk.
Why would Peeta Mellark, of all people, want me to meet him at the same gate Gale will be flying through? Why would he be flying to Iraq? He's not going into the war, is he? Why doesn't he want someone like Glimmer, or Cashmere, the girls who always fawn over him, to give him one last goodbye? Or is this just one huge get together with all the popular people? I'd get left out for sure.
I continue questioning Peeta Mellark's purpose and what he's doing in Iraq until I finally reach the small shack that is my house. I sigh as I open the door to find Hazelle, Gale's mom, and my mom cleaning and cooking.
Prim has Posy, Gale's little sister, sitting on the couch, playing with old dolls, covered in homemade clothing that Prim and I had made when we were much younger, now passed onto Posy. Posy giggles as Prim changes her doll into another outfit.
Vick and Rory chase each other around the house, Rory distracted by watching Prim laugh with Posy. It's no secret that Rory has a bit of a crush on my sister, not something I completely approve of, but if anyone should be happy, it's Prim.
Finally, Gale arrives, bringing a couple of his other friends, Thom and some of his other friends who have been put into the same group as Gale has in the army. Thom gives me a good-natured hug before walking over to Prim, sliding his arms under her armpits and hugging her, spinning her around. Rory stands behind all of us, a look of jealousy on his face as Prim is hugged. I can't help but laugh. Gale quirks an eyebrow, but I give him a tell you later look and he just gives me a smile and a small kiss.
"So Gale, you ready for the army?" My mother asks.
He gives my mother a wide grin before responding, "More ready than I'll ever be. Let's just hope I don't go crying off when we get to the base!" His friends laugh loudly, nearly breaking my eardrums. Not in Gale and I's ten years of being friends, or dating have I ever seen him cry, much less be sad. He usually stays either emotionless, angry, or just teases me.
Soon enough, the future soldiers are drinking everything from tequila to gin to white liquor, all picked up from Haymitch's liquor store and bar. I doubt that the old drunk even cared when they bought the ten cases of alcohol. Everyone is laughing, talking, generally having a good time.
Gale wraps his arm around my shoulder, yelling, "Having fun, Catnip?" I laugh at him as he stumbles on both his words and feet. I nod and he walks over to his friends, whispering something before they all begin to sing old folk songs that we learn in elementary school. We all join in at the end, singing the Valley Song.
By the end of the party, everyone is full of either alcohol or food and exhausted. Prim and I begin waving to people who begin to leave, holding plastic boxes full of leftover food we insisted they keep for their family.
"Well that was quite a party, wasn't it Catnip?" Gale laughs, still drunk. I sit on the couch with him, trying not to notice Prim and Rory hugging a little too tightly.
"Oh, definitely," I respond, nodding. I take a sip of Gale's red solo cup sitting on the light wooden table filled with trash. I wrinkle my nose when I realize what it is. Vodka and orange juice.
"Catnip can't handle it?" Gale teases, punching my arm lightly in a joking manner. I roll my eyes and set the cup back down to the only available space on the table.
"Whatever, Soldier Hawthorne," I reply. He laughs and puts his arm around me, squeezing me uncomfortably. Gale and I aren't much for physical contact, even when we're dating. I think the most physical contact we've ever had is kissing. Small kisses, no making out or anything. But then again, he's drunk. I only pray that he doesn't get drunk anytime in the future.
We continue to joke and laugh about old times, trying to distract ourselves from tomorrow. But soon enough, it's three in the morning and Gale's mother insists that they have to go home.
"I've for a surprise for you tomorrow, Katniss!" Gale yells as the door closes. Prim grins mischievously, but I decide to ignore it. I've had enough for one night.
OxO
"Flight 1028 to Baghdad, Iraq leaving in ten minutes, please go to Gate B sixteen for take off," The intercom says. I breathe in and out quickly. Gale, Gale, Gale. Why is he so stupid? Why did he have to join the army? I'm losing my only friend, my best friend! I should have convinced him more. I should have tried when I could. But now he's leaving. For good.
Gale sits proudly, anxiously, in his seat. He wears the uniform well though. I see a man with a duffle bag, much like Gale's, walking around, looking for a seat. I know those blonde curls anywhere. Peeta Mellark, of course. I bite my tongue. He's going into the army.
I sit there silently, not even trying to talk to Gale, avoiding any eye contact. I couldn't utter a word if I tried. Every time he says something, I shoot it down with silence. Prim gives me a look, but then I start avoiding her too.
"Flight 1028 to Baghdad, Iraq is now ready. Passengers please walk to Gate B sixteen to board the plane," the intercom says. Now I regret my quietness. I should have talked to Gale, calmed him down. But by the looks of him, he looks excited. I still haven't spoken to Peeta Mellark.
"Gale, I want to wish you good luck. Remember, you'll do great. I know that. You are better than all of them. Remember what our fathers taught you before.." I trail off, but I have to continue my speech. "Look, you're my best friend, my boyfriend, and don't you forget that, alright? I promise to write you as soon as I get home. I'll write you every week, you just write back, alright? Please be safe, please, please.." I begin to sob. Gale's features soften as he pulls me into another hug, my head in his chest.
"Catnip, trust me, we'll win this war. As long as they have me, of course. I'll write you back.. I promise. Just don't get yourself in trouble, alright Everdeen?" Gale smiles. How can he be smiling at a time like this?
"Alright, Hawthorne," I manage to give him a sad smile.
"Oh, Katniss, I forgot to tell you!" Gale exclaims, sounding relieved that he remembered.
"What?"
"Look, I wanted to tell you in case I.. You know.. Well anyways, I wanted to tell you that I loved you okay? No matter what, I'll always love you. Remember that, alright? Here," Gale says, pulling out a diamond ring. I have nothing to say. It's so quick. Too sudden. "Katniss, marry me when I get back. I'll give you time. Tell me what you want to do when you write me!" And all of a sudden, he's gone. I stand alone.
Peeta Mellark. My last mission.
He stands in the back of the line, his plane ticket in his right hand, duffle bag strap on his left shoulder. Although I doubt he's ever done any real shooting or anything, he's strong. He looks good in his uniform. Handsome.
You're dating Gale.
"Peeta!" I yell, grabbing his attention. He looks up from his phone and his eyes light up as I run up to him.
"Katniss? You really came here to say goodbye? I didn't really think you would.. Thanks," he mumbles.
"Why did you want me to come here? We've haven't talked since we were younger," I say, biting my lip.
Right after my dad died and my mom completely checked out on us, I want to add. But I don't.
"Why me?" I ask curiously. He gives me a shy smile before answering.
"I don't know.. You're just, uh, I um.. like you.. But I'm going to die here anyways, so it doesn't really matter if you liked me back, now would it?" Peeta says, blushing. He looks down and fiddles with his phone case, taking the silicone case on and off. Nervous habit, I suppose.
Peeta Mellark does not like me. I'm probably getting punk'd right about now. In any second, cameras will come popping out from behind the seats and I'll feel embarrassed.
"I'll write you," is my only answer.
"That would be great," he answers, "Now I know that you don't know me, but trust me Katniss.. If I do come back, can you just.. Please tell me how you feel and don't lie. It's alright if you don't like me back. I can face rejection," he says. I begin to cry again, and I hug him. "And I know you're dating Gale too, so I'm sorry.. But in case you guys don't work out, just talk to me.."
"Last call for Flight 1028 in Baghdad, Iraq," the intercom says. I break the hug, and give him a huge kiss on the cheek, regretting it immediately.
Thanks, stupid brain.
"Bye Katniss," he waves, smiling sadly. Tears begin to stream down my cheeks as I watch the doors close. I watch the airplane fly away from the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, trying to hold in my tears.
OxO
"So what was that all about with Mellark's son?" My mother asks, giving me a smile. Lately my mom has been trying to have girl talk with me, smiling and laughing at anything I say even when it's not really that funny. But the neglecting can't be just forgotten about completely.
"Nothing really," I mumble, picking at the mashed potatoes, trying to avoid any future conversation involving the boy with the bread.
"Oh, please! Don't pretend like we didn't see you with him!" Prim exclaims, jamming her fork into the table, successfully sticking it through the wood. I roll my eyes and take the fork out of the table and replace it with a new one.
"I was just giving him a quick goodbye, since he was leaving and I knew him," I mutter, still not in the mood. I stick a mouthful of Greasy Sae's mystery meat, which I picked up after we left the airport. Prim still doesn't look satisfied with my answer, and surprisingly, not even my mom.
"Does Katniss have feelings for Peeta Mellark?" My mom teases.
"No," I reply gruffly, "I'm dating Gale, did you not get that?" We continue eating in silence, but Prim still manages to give me some teasing glances.
As I get ready for bed and get into the covers with Prim I have questions for myself.
Peeta or Gale?
Rebirth or destruction is the real question.
So how did you guys like the first chapter? Any suggestions? Thanks for reading, please review!