Notes before you continue the story.
Gale has a British accent
Katniss has a southern accent.
Peeta has an Irish accent.
It is 1926 so excuse the racism in later chapters. And of course I don't own Hunger Games.
CHAPTER 1: The Windy City
April 26th 1926
I couldn't help but sigh as I stared out of the large glass window gazing upon our new home. Chicago. Prim and I were growing restless and numb from our 15 hour train ride from the banks of the Mississippi, watching our world grow smaller and smaller in the distance. Momma couldn't stand looking at the house any longer. That is after she regained her sanity from when papa passed. She had found a job as a nurse at Panem Memorial hospital and now we were moving from our quaint little town in the south to the great north; the epicenter of commerce and transportation. The damn windy city.
"Oh! Katniss isn't that just the cat's meow?!" I looked over at my sister Prim as she squished her lil face up against the glass; her eyes glimmering at the smoggy cement and steel forest. My nose scrunched at her newfound city slang and I wondered how our views could be as different as the color of our hair. I thumbed my braid with a small sigh. Prim had long blond locks with bright blue eyes and fair skin while I however had dull brown hair, olive sun tanned skin and grey eyes. I took after our papa while she took after our momma. Then again, it was probably for the best in the big city if she fit in looking like a starlet. I pulled on the hem of my sunday best as it scratched against my skin uncomfortably and my corselette was starting to pinch in places the sun don't shine. I wasn't used to all the frills and bows but momma had sent us two dresses for the train ride and said we had to look all fancy like. Prim of course loved the modern woman look. I however just needed a pair of pants, even if all them good southern church folk yapped my ears strait off and told me I was going to hell.
"I guess so little duck, but ya need ta stop fogging up the windows. We're almost there." Prim sat back down in her seat with a small blush of embarrassment. She shook her head lightly and I held my laugh.
"Who's gonna to pick us up at the train station?" That was a good question. The last I had heard from momma was that she had made it safely her friend's house, the Mellarks two weeks ago. She had met up with Gale a couple days ago, whom had moved there two years ago. She was pretty good within the last two weeks to keep up with us on what was happening with her. Momma was finally working and better. She no longer faded into the abyss of her own mind since she had people to take care of now. We had to make due within the two weeks she left us alone in Mississippi but I did the hunting and Prim for the most part cooked till we got everything squared away for our move. Momma called yesterday and she had mentioned that she would find someone to pick us up, but that was 24 hours ago and there was no way to know except leaving it as a surprise. I hated surprises.
"I don't know little duck. It may be the Mellarks or Gale. I guess we'll see when we get there." I gave her a forced reassuring smile to ease her tension.
"You really need to stop calling me little duck. It's getting embarrassing." Prim sighed as she twirled her blond locks around her finger. I smiled at her defiance with a little of my own. I leaned in close and scrunched my nose like a hog trying to keep down the smile that was tugging on my lips.
"Never." I replied as I stuck out my tongue at her in which she responded in kind. A few folks next to us gave us a glare that could freeze the flames from hell but I didn't care.
"Final destination, New Union Station." The conductor called out as he made his way to the front of the train. I looked outside the window at the city of Chicago with a final sigh.
"Come on Prim lets get our bags." She nodded with newfound energy that I was just lacking.
"I can't wait to see the station. You know it was just built just a year ago ain't that just swell?" I rolled my eyes at her excitement. Behind her back of course.
"Yeah, just swell." My voice oozed with sarcasm. She turned back around and pursed her lips at me. Her eyes narrowing as she stared at me with conviction.
"Might as well make the most of it. We're already here." She was right. There was nothing I could do about it now. I nodded back to her as her lips curled into a sly smile.
"How'd ya get so smart?" I asked as I patted her hair tenderly. She scoffed back at me and I couldn't help but laugh. Maybe I needed to loosen up but I sure was going to miss them trees.
I whistled as I looked up inside Union station, I know, it was probably the worst thing to do as a girl but, oh hell, it was just... huge. I knew Prim's eyes mimicked mine, wide with wonder, though she was more lady like about it and kept her trap shut. Prim grabbed the edge of the bow on my dress and tugged lightly. I looked over at her breaking away from the trance of the glass ceiling.
"Come on lets get out and see the city!" She held her bags and pointed to the large set of glittering marble stairs between the large two columns into another set of glass that lead to the outside. These city folk sure love their glass it seems. I nodded as she grabbed my hand and pulled me up the stairs and through the doors into the bright light. "WOW." Prim gushed. I had to agree wordlessly. The city was a lot bigger than I had thought and so much more than our little town in the seam of Mississippi. The air however smelled like shit though. I scrunched my nose as the foul smell permeated into my bones.
"Well, ain't this a sight for sore eyes. Catnip in a dress who knew even you could get all dolled up." A dark voice called out to me and even though it had been two years I knew that voice, even if he had more of a city slang over his British accent to it now. One Prim was so fascinated on picking up as of late. I really shouldn't have let her listen to all them radio shows. I rolled my eyes with exaggeration and glared at Gale. He stood there hands in his pockets with a wide smile over his scruffy chiseled features. His brown hair peaking from under his cap and his grey eyes sparkled like the stars, I had to admit the fella looked pretty sheik now, or so the northerners would say.
"Ain't you lookin' all spiffy like. Looks like the city life sits well with ya." I couldn't help to be a little sore that he left, even though it was wrong of me. His papa and mine were in the war together and we were neighbors. Well, as neighbors as you could be in the country but we had grown up together. We were damn close for the longest till Gale's family had moved two years ago after his papa died with mine in the mine blast. Said he had to take care of them and his uncle had told him there was better money in Chicago right now. Gale just shrugged his shoulders with a wide smile. He had learned to roll whatever I said off his shoulders, probably for the best.
"God I missed you. Most dolls here are dumb dora flappers or those with higher agendas, like being gold diggers. No spice you know?" I could feel a faint blush rise to my cheeks as he said he missed me. I coughed a little as I saw Prim eye me with a sly wink. She was 14 going on 20 that brain of hers. He looked over at Prim and nodded with a small wink. "Well I'll be. Prim, ain't you just growing up to be just the bee's knees." Prim gave her award winning smile and curtsied. My brow raised like something fierce at his words and my hand raised into a fist.
"You start eyeing on Prim and it'll be strait to the kisser Gale." I threatened. Granted, it was all talk since I knew Gale only saw Prim as his sister. He chuckled heartily at my threat knowing it was all bark with no bite.
"Ok ladies lets get you to your new... home." I couldn't help but notice as Gale's tone fell flat at the word home through clenched teeth. He obviously didn't like that we were going to stay with the Mellark's, though I didn't have the slightest clue on why. Gale grabbed our bags prying them from my fingers.
"No, Gale..." Gale cut me off with a small 'tsk as he ignored my protests.
"Now what kinda gentleman would I be if I forced two ladies to carry their own bags." He asked as he closed the back door after Prim had took her seat. He opened my door and smiled.
"Gentleman my ass, I ain't weak Gale."
"I know."
"But..." Gale shot me a look that screamed 'Really it's done let it go.' I rolled my eyes and the small creeping smile on his face meant he knew he had just won. I sighed as I climbed up, sat in the front seat and closed the door behind me before Gale could. He chuckled at my small act of defiance.
"It's good to see you again Catnip." Gale stated as he leaned in on the car door and stared at me with a small smile and a sparkle in his grey eyes. I could feel the tips of my ears heat up from his tone.
"Ugh, please just for all that is holy please stop." Prim called out from the back seat I couldn't see her face but I was sure that she was rolling her eyes. Gale's cheeks spotted pink as he shifted his gaze in embarrassment. Not like I was any better than he, I could probably fry and egg off the heat radiating from my face. He lifted his finger to say something but just shook his head, lowered his hand, and walked to the other side into the drivers seat. He started the car, shifted the gear and with a small jerk we were on our way to our new home.
Prim oohed and ahhed behind us as she gawked at the buildings that passed but in the front seat there was just dead, awkward silence between me and Gale.
"So, how're the family?" I asked trying to ease the awkward silence that had formed.
"All copacetic. Mother and the ankle biters are fine but the bread and butter ain't nothing to sing about. Me being a bobbie n all, but it gets the job done. Our uncle owns an inn down in Cicero so he helps out when he can." He shrugged a little. "I keep them fed and happy, it's all I can do. What about you? Still hunting?" Gale glanced over at me before he looked back to the road. I laughed as I turned in my seat and looked at him square.
"I was, though it's about as useless as a boar hog's tit now that we're here in the city." Gale shook his head as a small smirk played on his lips.
"Just a bit. Although, if you were really interested and asked nicely all lady like I could drive you out to the forest for a good hunting trip." My eyes widened as he said the magic words.
"You better not be fibbin' Gale." Gale laughed heartily as he continued to focus on the road.
"You know I'm not one to beat my gums and get myself in trouble raising your hopes and all." I nodded at his comment since I knew his tick. Gale's eye twitched usually when the boy lied. It's not so obvious to other people but I've known him for a while now. That is unless he had gotten better over the past two years or so. I gave him my brightest smiles to show my appreciation. It was nice seeing him after all this time.
"Ugh, I'm still here." Prim groaned as she waved her hand in front of my face to remind us we weren't alone. I rolled my eyes It wasn't like Gale thought of me that way anyways, we'd known each other too long and his type always seemed to be the blond doe eyed type. We drove around yapping it up about the good ole times for about ten minutes when I looked over at at Gale, the smile that had tugged on his lips was long gone and replaced with a clenched jaw and tense white knuckles. I looked to see where his eyes had fallen and it was on a large, wide 2 1/2 story brick house with pointed peaks. "Ooh that place is just ritzy." Prim twilled her voice oozing with excitement.
"Yeah that's the Mellark's house." Gale spat at the name as if a fly flew into his mouth.
"Gale..." Before I could finish Gale turned to me with a forced smile and I pursed my lips. I always knew when he was upset and I sure as hell knew he didn't want Prim to see.
"It's all berries Catnip." He turned around and genuinely smiled at Prim. " 'Ey Pimmy, lets go get your bags and get you all settled in." Prim shook her head to the point I almost thought that lil thing would snap right off. I felt Gale wrap his fingers and held on to my wrist giving it a small squeeze. He wanted to talk just not in front of Prim. He quickly dropped his grasp and climbed out the car, opened the doors for me and Prim with a wide toothy smile.
Prim jumped out with a skip in her step to the small white rose bushes at the front of the house and leaned in with a deep longing sniff. She seemed so at peace. I shook my head and climbed out of the car ignoring Gale's extended hand with a small huff. I wasn't used to being treated all lady like especially not from the boy who used to tug on my hair and went hunting with.
I heard the door open as my focus was drawn over to two men whom were making their way out of the house with smiles plastered on their faces. Their blond hairs were slicked back as they strolled down their prim and proper walkway in their fancy three piece suits. The older of the two men held out his hand and grasped Gale's with a firm shake.
"Mornin' Officer Hawthorne, So great to see you again. So great." The older gentleman's Irish accent wasn't thick as molasses it was almost similar to momma's in the way she talked. It was kind of nice. Gale nodded his head with a wide genuine smile. I looked over at Gale and back at the older man. It had seemed that Gale wasn't too fond of the house earlier but he seemed all fine and dandy with this older gentleman. That was Gale for you though hot as coals one minute cool as ice the next.
"Good to see you too Mr. Mellark. I've got two packages to drop off." I stuck my tongue out at Gale and he just responded with tug on his lips as he forced down his smile.
Mr. Mellark seemed genuinely nice though it was still an oddity for me. He had opened up his home to not just one person who was his childhood friend but to her daughters as well. I wasn't used to all this kindness from strangers i'd never met before. What if he decides to kick us out later? What if he's actually really mean and just playing nice because Gale's a cop? All these worries that I had pushed into the back of my head came bubbling over with a new found conniption. I needed to figure out a way to pay him back... make myself useful so he couldn't kick us out, at least till we can stand on our own two feet. I looked up and noticed Mr Mellark staring at me with a smile from ear to ear.
"Well I'll be. You must be Katniss. I hadn't seen you since ye were a wee ol lass." He gestured his hand as he pointed out my height when he last remembered me when I was about the heigh of his kneecaps it seemed. Though i'm sure that was off since the man was tall and going any lower seemed to make the whole gesture a bit too awkward. My brows knitted in confusion. I don't remember ever meeting Mr. Mellark, and you think I would with how animated the man was. He chuckled a bit and I was sure he could clearly read the confusion on my face. I was always told I could never play poker aside from the 'It's a man's game' argument. "Well, I don't blame you for not remembering me lassie, but I have to say you are growing up to be a fine lady." My eyes drift down to the little white roses. I know I shouldn't feel bad for not remembering them, but I do.
"Sorry..." I looked back up to see Mr. Mellark smile and shake his head telling me it was fine. He looked over towards Prim and his smile got wider if that was even possible.
"And you must be Primrose. Your mother's been chin wagging about you non stop. You look just like her." A quick glimpse of remembrance passed his bright blue eyes and left just a quickly. He seemed a little sad but as quick as it came it left like the wind. Mr. Mellark clapped his hands together loudly as he had forgotten something and had just remembered it. The younger man next to him rolled his bright blue eyes as he ran his fingers through his slicked back blond hair. I heard the Mellark's had 3 sons and if I had to guess looking at the resemblance this was one of them.
"Danny, Danny Mellark. The middle child, the doctor, and all that jazz. Good to meet you." Danny held out his hand and I took it giving a firm quick shake.
"Likewise." Danny and Mr. Mellark laughed heartily and my cheeks dipped red. I know I wasn't lady like but they didn't have to laugh about it.
"I'm liking ye already. I think we'll get along just fine." Mr. Mellark gave me a light pat on the back as he grabbed Prim and my bags. "Now, shall I show ye lasses to yer rooms now?" Prim nodded happily while I shook my head lightly.
"Thank you but I wanted to talk with Gale a lil longer... Is that ok?" I felt stupid asking them for permission. The Mellark's both looked at each other and laughed again as they turned and walked back into the house with Prim in tow. Mr. Mellark stopped at the doorway and turned ever so slightly to us.
"No need to be formal with us lass, and Gale if you'd be so kind after ye talk with the girl come by the study." I wanted to question why but he had already left and closed the door behind him. I looked at Gale questioningly. He just looked back down and shook his head.
"I really wish you weren't living here." He sighed as he rubbed the bridge of his nose and rubbed it gently.
"Are they bad people?"
"They aren't bad people, hell I work for them... just a bad connections." My brow raised at his comment from what I remembered momma had said they were upstanding citizens so why was Gale so worried. Gale caught on to my worry and sighed again. "Catnip, You're living with THE Jimmy Mellark." I don't know what he's insinuating was it supposed to mean something to me?
"And?" I egged on. He leaned in next to my ear and I could feel his warm breath caress my ear.
"Kitty Kat, He's the mob." My eyes shot open as I stared at him with disbelief. Mr. Mellark. This sweet, animated, happy go lucky Mr. Mellark was in the mob?! And we were living with them?! How the hell did momma let this happen? I could always grab Prim and run but we wouldn't know where too and momma seemed pretty happy here. She seemed alive here compared to back home. My mind kept rambling on playing out the worst scenarios possible. The world ripped itself from under my feet and everything around me was spinning in circles like I had one too many shines. "Don't go hightailing off just yet. I'm not done talking." Gale groaned. I hated the fact that Gale knew me well enough that my instincts in emotional matters was always running. It takes a minute but it finally registers what he had just said. My head snapped back to look at him almost twisting itself off as my brows knitted together.
"You work for them? I thought you're a cop!" I hissed making sure to keep my voice down but it was really really hard to not scream at the top of my lungs.
"Look, he's a good guy, real good. He takes care of everyone in town and is in with Mayor Undersee. Hell, he even goes to the Temperance meetings and those wet noses love him there." Gale scratched the back of his ear with another sigh, he seemed full of those today, like a bag of hot air. "I owe em Catnip, he and his sons help feed the family twice over and lets me buy them what they want not just what they need." I crossed my arms tightly as I wished he didn't even tell me any of this but he just continued. "It's just, he runs a few gambling joints in the city and Peeta mostly runs the bakeries now, but he also runs the Winter Rose, a speak over near Wrigley field. All I and a few others have to just keep the other bobbies away from him and we're square." Gale shrugged his shoulders he didn't particularity seemed embarrassed by what he had just told me either.
"So not the killin' type is what you sayin' Gale?" He nods a little as he scrunches his brows I guess he has to think about it a bit which worries me a lot. If it was just gambling and boozing I'm fine with that it wasn't like we didn't have loads of that where i'm from, Hell I had to gamble my kills just to get other types of food at times, but I just didn't want Prim in that.
"I really shouldn't have told you that, and you have to keep a lid on it, but fuck, it bothers me to bits that you'll be living with them and not me." His grey eyes bore into mine like pools of silver, his cheeks were tinting red with his words. I could feel my ears sizzle but he didn't let me even get a quip in before he straitened up like a wash board and made his way into the house like his ass was on fire. Leaving me in the front lawn gaping like a catfish. I was so absorbed in the details of what just transpired that I didn't notice a thing until a small tap on my shoulder scared the be-Jesus outta me back into reality. I turned right around and was left staring strait into clear sky blue eyes.
"I'm guessing you are Katniss?" The guy asked his lips curled in a toothy smile and I could feel myself blush. Damn these pretty city folk and he smelled like fresh baked bread. I shook my head lightly I didn't have time for gushing over a boy. I gave him a quick once over and by the looks of him he had to be a Mellark. His blond hair unlike his brother's and fathers was parted to the side with a small swoop at the peak while the sides were slicked back. It was a nice look and he just filled his three piece black suit nicely. All topped off with a blue tie that matched his eyes. His smile deepened and I came to the realization that I hadn't said a single word for a few minutes now.
"U-uh yeah, Katniss Everdeen... um... which Mellark are you?" He chuckled, although I could see a quick flash of sadness in his eyes that were quickly replaced with something that made my face blush. I don't know what is happening to me I don't usually go around blushing at whatever pretty boys say or do. I mentally nodded my head as I came to a single conclusion. It wasn't me it was the city air that was doing this to me.
"Peeta, Peeta Mellark at your service."
AN: ok so hope you enjoyed the first chapter. Yeah, I know its so last minute when she meets Peeta but I thought it'd be a good time to stop the chapter there. I know it's short sorry. I'll make sure the next one's longer. Please leave me reviews if you like it. Thanks!
Also Katniss is 18, Gale is 21, and Peeta is 19, Prim is 14
Btw I really do need a beta reader if anyone's interested.
History lessons 101
Union station was built in 1925 and it was called the New Union Station for a while.
Yes all trains lead to Chicago it was actually in Chicago where our North American time zones were figured out because of the trains.
Valentino was a popular italian actor before his death in the fall of 1926. That is actually where the term "Sheik" came from the character he played in his movies.
Don't get me wrong movies are still silent with the exception of a few "disk tracked audios" but still silent it was not until 1927 was when talkies were starting to rise in the bigger cities and took off in 1928.
There was really no drinking age limit since it was illegal at the time anyways... so yeah it was only after the prohibition ended that the legal age in most states were 21.
