Chapter 2
It's a two and a half hour drive to our hometown. That means two and a half hours of sitting in a car, in an uncomfortable silence with Gale Hawthorne.
"So," I say, attempting at conversation. "Where's Katniss?"
"Something came up that she had to take care of."
He's focused on his driving, obviously not interested in me. I ask, "Is everything alright?" I hope something hasn't gone wrong.
Gale sighs, "How should I know?"
I roll my eyes. Gosh, what is his problem? We've been in his truck five minutes and he's already snapping at me. How can I survive a full weekend?
His truck is old and I feel terribly out of place. I can't help but stress about the current state of my suitcase that Gale threw into the back with no care what so ever. I swear I saw an uncapped oilcan and a dirty sheet just waiting to get their paws on my belongings. Not to mention the mud that lies on the floor.
Gale seems to sense my uneasiness and smiles. There is no music on and the tension is getting too much for me. "Can you put the radio on?"
His brows furrow. You would think I had asked some deeply personal question.
"Never mind…"
"Oh! Look at all the trees!" the leaves have turned the most beautiful shade of orange and they flank the car on both sides. "Don't you just love –" but I'm cut off mid-sentence.
"Listen, I really have no interest in talking to you. I'm here to drive you to the house and that's it. I didn't sign up to be your personal driver so let's just keep quiet and get this over with."
I am sure I look as if I'm catching flies with my mouth hanging open. How dare he! I can't help the words that tumble out of my mouth next. "You, Gale Hawthorne, are the rudest person I have ever had the displeasure to meet!"
To my surprise he looks slightly taken aback. Aha! Not so shy now, am I?
He looks so tense; he shrugs his shoulders to loosen them up. "Then we'll have no problem staying away from each other then, will we?" He says it rather stiffly and I can't help feeling elated that I was the cause of his discomfort.
I huff and cross my arms, rage boiling in me.
What is wrong with me? How could I ever be attracted to Gale Hawthorne? He is the biggest asshole on the planet. He makes my blood boil, but damn it, he is just so fucking hot. It doesn't help that he has his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbows and the thick muscle of his arm is on show. There's a little bit of sweat on his tan skin – probably there out of frustration at me.
My eyes trail down his forearm to his hand resting on the bottom of the steering wheel. He has big hands. I wonder what they'd feel like touching me…
Wait a second, did he not just tell me five minutes ago that he had no interest in talking to me? Never mind him putting his hands on my body. I shouldn't be thinking these thoughts. He pretty much just insulted me and here I am thinking about what it'd be like to be naked with Gale Hawthorne.
Naked!? Where am I coming up with this stuff?
I decide to shut my eyes and I take a deep breath. The long train ride has made me feel groggy and if shutting my eyes means I don't have to look at Gale then I won't complain. I feel myself slowly drifting off to sleep to the sound of the dodgy engine.
I am jostled awake when we pull up the old gravely road that leads to the house where the wedding party will be staying this weekend. It is simply idyllic. The trees have turned orange and crispy like the ones from before. I keep my thoughts on the scene outside to myself this time not wanting to receive some snappy comment about how Big City Girls know nothing when it comes to the change of season. I could prove him wrong of course. New York is beautiful any time of year, but I don't voice my opinion. I will not make this weekend any harder for me than it already is.
It's about five minutes before we are able to see the house. It's beautifully white with old pillars supporting the elaborate roof; it's so clean and elegant. If I could be a house, I'd want to be this house.
There are cars parked outside. I see Katniss' trusty station wagon that she's had for as long as I can remember. It brings a smile to my face knowing that I will finally get to see my best friend after so many years.
I see her step out the house, followed by Peeta Mellark – she told me they're dating. I wasn't surprised at all. Peeta's family owned the bakery in town and he'd always make sure Katniss got the prettiest cake. Sometimes I'd catch him looking at her with such longing. I knew they were meant for each other and I am so happy that Katniss finally found what was right in front of her.
As soon as Gale stops the car, I climb out and Katniss and I rush into each other's arms. It's been far too long and it's such a comfort to be held in an embrace with your closest friend. "Madge!" she squeals, and I have to giggle at her. She was never one for squealing and I have to take note to thank Peeta for finally bringing her out of her shell.
"I'm so sorry I couldn't be there to pick you up. Something came up. I trust Gale got you all right?"
I look over at Gale who has dumped my suitcase on the floor by his truck and is striding over to us in all his brooding glory.
I roll my eyes, "Gale was simply wonderful," I tease, narrowing my eyes at the grey-eyed man next to me.
Katniss notices my tone and her eyebrows crease.
"Your belongings, Undersee." Gale gestures over to the heap of my travel things. "Successfully delivered as I said I would," and he holds out his hand.
My mouth drops open as Peeta dishes out a fifty dollar bill for Gale. "You had to pay him to pick me up?" I exclaim, not knowing whether to be annoyed at Peeta and Katniss or Gale. I choose Gale.
"Only way, Undersee" he gives me a smirk.
"Gale," Katniss' tone is harsh.
"Catnip?" Gale chimes back in the same tone.
Luckily, Peeta interrupts before anything can happen, "I'll get your things, Madge. Why don't you girls go on inside and get some coffee and Gale and I can go do some guy stuff?"
Katniss' face instantly lights up and she takes hold of my hand. "Perfect idea!"
"What guy stuff would I want to do with you, Mellark?" Gale mutters as Katniss pulls me up the steps of the grand house. I can't hear the rest of the conversation, but I trust Peeta to make sure my things are safe.
"Sorry about Gale," Katniss says, leading me to the kitchen at the back of the house. It really is just as beautiful inside as it is outside. "I think he's just a little mad because his little bro is getting hitched first."
I chuckle softly, Rory and Prim have always been sweethearts, even I'm jealous of what they have and I'm not around them 24/7 like Gale is.
"This place really is gorgeous, Katniss." I smile, looking around at the high ceilings. Crystal chandeliers decorate the tall rooms. Everything looks clean and pure yet still has the comforting air to make you feel at home. "It's a thousand times better than how you described it over the phone."
"Words really don't do it justice, do they?"
I sit down at the kitchen table as Katniss makes the coffee. "I can't believe Haymitch left it to us. I swear that man was full of surprises."
"Do you miss him?" I ask, not knowing whether to go there or not. Haymitch was Katniss' mother's cousin. They were all really close. This used to be his house, but he passed away not too long ago and left the house to the Everdeens.
"Yes, but I'm coping." She sets the tea down and we leave the conversation there.
I take a sip of the coffee – it efti the house, long ago and he oms. Everything looks clean and pure yet still has the comfroting s just how I like it. "This is perfect," I smile, letting the caffeine do its job.
"How was the trip?"
"Long," I groan, "really want to take a shower."
"Well, it's going to have to wait a little while…" I sense some sort of hesitation in her voice. She has that little frown back on her tanned face and I know she's going to ask me something big.
"What is it?" I bite my lip suddenly very nervous.
Katniss looks down into her cup of coffee and nibbles on a piece of shortbread. "You know how I said something came up?" she looks up at me now, and I nod in reply. She continues, "Well, one of Prim's other bridesmaids was skiing last weekend and broke her leg."
"Oh gosh, that's awful!" Poor girl!
"I know, right? And well I know you were going to be playing the piano, and we'd still love for you to do that, but…"
I know where this is going.
"It would be a really great help if you could step in. Only if you want to?" Katniss uses the puppy dog eyes, a trait I know she has borrowed from Prim in hopes of coercing me.
And what can I say? It works!
"Of course, I'll step in, Katniss. You and Prim are like sisters to me."
We smile affectionately at each other and she takes my hand over the table, "Good, because you may not like this part."
My face falls. "What is it?"
And then she drops the bomb, "You're going to have to dance with Gale."
A/N: hey, sorry this took so long to update. I've had a really busy few weeks. Thank you for the reviews and follows, it's lovely to know people are reading :) I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I felt like I needed to liven Katniss up a bit, it is her sister's wedding after all, so I've kind of made her into a happier person. I'll try to update as soon as I can! Please keep reading and reviewing! :D