"Gale?"
I'm tossed out of my mind and into reality; snatched away by the hard grasp of her voice. I look up, my eyebrows arched, to face Delly. She stands infront of me, holding loosely a tray of the sludge we're forced to eat here in 13, with her lips curved upwards in the faintest trace of a smile.
My first reaction is to question that grin. It's unnerving, I think. But I swallow it, knowing what had happened the last time I had spoken in a way like that. My stomach churns when I even think of it; when I think of how she - Madge - is gone now, and how I had never had the chance to seek forgiveness. I push that thought away. This is Delly standing in front of me now, anyways, not her.
"What is it, Delly?" I choke out. My voice is unusually cold, and, for a slight second, she almost looks hurt. I brush my hair back then try again, calmer this time. "I mean, what's up?"
"I was just wondering if I could sit with you, but if you're busy, I ca -"
"No," I sound more desperate than I am. Or maybe I am desperate for someone to talk to, or someone to be with. Maybe I just don't want to be alone anymore. But does anyone? "No, it's fine."
I close my notebooks and push them aside as Delly takes the seat opposite me. I've never really spoken to her - she usually hung around with Peeta and his lot - but I'd seen her when I went to school. I remember her always being so happy and bubbly, and how completely different she was to Katniss. I remember not liking her on the spot, because of this, but now I find myself doubting it. Maybe what I need is someone to give me hope.
"So, how do you like it here?" I ask, the few moments silence we had fallen into finally irritating me.
She looks up from her plate of food and shrugs, still smiling but barely. "Oh, well, it's alright. Better than, well, nothing..."
I nod, understanding what she means: better than District 12.
"I guess," I say. "Have you seen Katniss yet?"
Delly shakes her head. "No, not yet. How's she holding up?"
"She's alright. But the Games have definitely..."
"Changed her?" Delly finishes with drawn eyebrows. "Well, I just can't wait to see Peeta again."
I intentionally catch her eye. She looks crestfallen for once, and I feel bad even though it's not my fault. Before the Games she and Peeta had been close friends, I'm sure, but once he came back he must have been different. Like how Katniss came back changed. For once, I think I have something in common with Delly - we've both lost our best friends to the Capitol.
"Look, I -"
She cuts me off as she clambers to her feet, gliding towards me. I don't question her antics, but my mind is racing: what does she think she's doing? I follow her movements until she's right behind me, where I can't see her and can't turn, and her long, blonde hair is brushing against my shoulders.
I feel warm as she wraps her arms around me and squeezes tight, and I feel something I've never felt before. Not even when I was with Katniss, when I kissed her. This is weird, like a whole new feeling has blossomed in the pit of my stomach - a feeling that's been nestled amongst the rest of them for years until now.
She presses her lips to the top of my head then whispers gently. "We'll manage, though."
Then, at some point, she releases me, grabs her tray, and vanishes amongst the monotonous gray-and-white 13 citizens. But I stay planted in my seat, my jaw unhinged, questioning all of my own previous thoughts.
