A/N: Sorry to whomever is reading this for the long update. Classes have been killer. I have most of this story written, but it's in a bunch of pieces here and there. I'm having to connect them all together, so that's what I've been working on.
Okay, so I have no idea if the school kids of District 12 get a summer vacation (probably not), but dang it I'm giving them one. They deserve it. lol. So, that's why everyone is able to wander around.
Bear with me through a couple of "getting to know you" chapters. The meat of the story comes in a in a little bit. I'm trying to lay a little bit of foreshadowing in these chapters, though, to pass the time.
Hope you like 'em :D
The sun is beaming today, but there is still a decent breeze. I trek down the street to the Victor's Village. My hair is tied back out of my face and to get it off of my neck. My sandals, denim shorts and lavender tank-top aren't even doing much for the heat, but it should cool down by the evening, if I even intend on staying out that long. I brought a gray cardigan sweater anyway, just in case. My father was gone by time I woke up, but he left a note for me on the table:
Remember, I don't want you inside today.
- Love, Dad
So, I'm going to the only other place I know to go to, despite Katniss' absence. I don't know why. I just feel a need for familiarity. I need to be back in the place where I had so many good memories, hoping that it will ease the sadness. The Village is dead, though. It makes sense that it would be. Of the twelve houses lined on the street only three of them have occupants. But now, only one of them has life. I knock on the front door. After a few moments, Mrs. Everdeen answers.
"Oh, Madge," she says as she hugs me, "It's so nice to see you."
"And you, Mrs. Everdeen. I came by to say 'hello.' Are you busy right now?"
"No, not at all. Come in."
I follow her through the house to the living room. I was wrong. Coming here doesn't spark any happy memories. On the contrary, it's more like the happy memories make me even more miserable. Katniss has only been gone for one day, and there's already a hole in the house. Mrs. Everdeen had opted not clean up after the preparations for the reaping, and I don't blame her. The brush she used for Katniss' hair still sits on the table. I can't stop looking at it as I take a seat on the sofa. After offering me refreshments, which I deny, she sits down on a chair. Her smile is definitely painted on to hide sadness. She asks me quick questions about me and my family.
"Is your mother doing well?"
"She's fine, I suppose. The headaches aren't as bad today."
"That's good. Do send her my best wishes."
Then she goes on about how she cooked stewed turkey last night and how Mr. Mellark brought by some bread loaves and some cookies for Prim on his way to pick things up from Peeta's house. It's hard to deny the awkwardness in the conversation. We both know what the other wants to talk about, but neither of us want to say anything about it. Her hand shook slightly as she brushed some dust off of the coffee table. Silence. Then, Prim walks in. She is carrying two bags and a heavy heart. Mrs. Everdeen goes up and grabs the bags from her.
"Hi, Madge." Her little voice is so dismal that it's hard to return a smile, but I try anyway.
"Hello. How are you doing today?"
"I'm okay." Without another word she puts the bags of food on the ground and runs upstairs.
"She'll be fine, Madge," Mrs. Everdeen says, as if she's trying to convince herself of it, too. "Did you see all of those Victors chosen?"
"Oh, I didn't watch it." More like I couldn't. I don't know how she was able to.
"We did. It was very odd," she begins, shaking her head in disbelief, "You're so used to seeing young people going up there, but it was everyone. There are quite a few people around my age and much older. Katniss and Peeta are easily the youngest in the bunch. Well, there's Johanna… um… I can't quite remember her last name right now; the girl from District 7 a few years ago. She and Finnick Odair are fairly young, as well."
"Finnick Odair?" I'm nearly floored at hearing that Finnick Odair was chosen. He's certainly the most popular of the Victors, especially amongst the women of the Capitol. He is indescribably attractive, so I would've thought that all of Panem would rally to keep him out of the Quell. I sorely underestimated President Snow. He doesn't even care about what the people of the Capitol would want. Everyone was fair game.
"Yes, it's… sad really. Everybody thought that the Victors were safe for life. I…" Her voice breaks off.
"My parents said that you are both welcome at our house anytime. We would love to have you."
"Thank you, very much," she says as she clutches my hand.
I stay for a bit longer, but being in Katniss' house is really getting to me. So, after a couple of uplifting hugs, I am town-bound. I scan the shops thinking of which one would pique my interest. Shoes? No, I don't feel the need for any. I don't plan on doing much walking, so the shoes I have will suit me just fine. Dresses? Hm, not particularly. Bakery? No, absolutely no the bakery. I make my way towards the ribbons shop. It's something to pass the time, I suppose.
As I sift through the ribbons for a while, I feel eyes staring me down. I don't turn around, but I hear the sound of whispers. A set of footsteps approach me. I feel a light tap on my shoulder. I don't know who I was expecting, but when I turn around I'm greeted with the arrogant grin of one guy and the awkward grin of another. I sigh in disappointment. Les Wollwood and Myron Milford prop themselves up against the table on either side of me. They're both in my year at school. They rarely speak to me except to ask a question about a class assignment. When we were younger we were forced to play together by our parents. Well, I was forced. Myron, who is slightly on the heavier side, isn't as much of a bother, but Les, whose family owns a repair shop, is always a headache to hear speaking. If he isn't going on about himself he is attempting to woo you with his looks which, because of his awful personality, are mediocre at best. I feel horrible saying so, but it's true. Les' golden hair is slicked back and shimmers in the light. He towers over me with his fit frame, as he picks up a set of ribbons in front of me.
"These are very pretty, Madge," he says with a snobbish tone, "You should definitely get them."
"I'm just looking today, Les, but thank you. I'll think about them" I smile, trying to end the conversation before it starts.
"How are you enjoying the break? Haven't seen you in a while."
"I'm doing well. I'm just keeping to myself around the house. That's all."
"I'm sorry about your friend," Myron says halfheartedly. I smile and nod in his direction.
"Oh that's right, the Everdeen girl," Les says, not even really paying attention, "That must've been pretty bad, huh?"
"It is, and unfortunately it's not something that I wish to rehash," I snap.
"My apologies," he replies insincerely, "She really was a pretty thing, despite being from the Seam."
"Excuse me?" My blood is beginning to boil.
"No harm meant, Madge. All I'm saying is that she cleaned up nicely considering how she should've looked."
"You're ridiculous, Les," I say, throwing down my handful of ribbons, "And, you're talking about her like she's dead. She's still alive!"
"But, have you seen the Career Victors? I'm not sure how long anyone can last against them in the arena. Someone her size usually gets taken out on the first day," he chuckles.
I shove him roughly into the ribbons table and glare at him. He looks genuinely confused by my anger as I storm out of the store. I wish I could turn around and hit him, but I don't want to cause any more of a scene. How dare he even think to utter those words to anyone, especially to me? In school, he never even said one word to Katniss. He hardly even said four words to me. I'd seen him talking to Peeta every now and then, but Peeta never seemed to show much interest in a friendship with him. I see why.
As I walk through the section of merchants' houses, I see all of the people in the buildings smiling and laughing. They feed their bouncy young children with toothy grins. The boys flirt with the giggly girls, who want nothing more than their attention. People joke loudly with each other or buy food and oil to cook full dinners for their families tonight. They live without worries; without any care. Even growing up amongst them, I don't feel that connection with most of them.
I've always had to worry about the health of my mother, many times having to take care of her myself on her worst days. I've spent many nights making a dinner that I will eat by myself, because my father is working and my mother isn't well. If I was lucky, Maeve, a kind young woman from the Seam that my father hired to help me and mother out, would stay long enough to join me. But, since she is pregnant now, I don't even see much of her anymore. Katniss would sometimes come over, too, but I would opt for dinner at her home instead. It was much fuller than mine house. Contrary to popular belief, I've had struggles. Certainly not on the level of anyone in the Seam but more than many people over here; somewhere in the middle. Perhaps that's why I latched on to Katniss. She learned how to work through her hardships, while the girls in my parts wouldn't know a thing of the sort.
It's always hurt me to see how cruelly people from either side of District 12 treat each other. Such a clever and vindictive way that the Capitol has kept us separate. We can't have people coming together and rebelling now, can we? Katniss never treats me different, and I never thought of her differently either. But, it's others who don't understand the wrongs of the discrimination. It's Mrs. Mellark, who has come to my father's house numerous times complaining about the "filthy, disgusting Seam trash" that comes "snooping" by her home. For all she knew they could just be walking back home, but she wouldn't care. It's the boy who ridiculed me so harshly for not having what he felt like was enough name slips in the reapings pool. Gale.
Suddenly I feel bad for comparing him to Mrs. Mellark. He's not like her at all. His hatred doesn't come from elitism but rather from awful life experiences.
After hours of wandering, I walk back to my house. My father should be content enough with the length of my excursion that he'll allow me to stay inside tomorrow. When I creep the door open quietly, I'm surprised to see that he is already home, but he's not alone. Two young male Peacekeepers are seated in the living room talking with him.
"What exactly did they say to warrant…" He stops himself and catches my gaze, as do the others. Without even greeting me or allowing me to speak, he quickly says, "Madge, will you give us a minute alone?"
I don't question him. He doesn't look like he in the mood for questioning. His face is stone cold, and even through his glasses I can see the angry glint in his eyes. I walk up the stairs just as I'm told, but I take a seat near the top of the steps and listen in. There is certainly concern in their voices.
"So, what was said," my father begins.
"There was a small group of them," one voice grumbled, "One man started to yell something about the mines being used as oppression. He didn't try to hide his words at all. Then three others joined in; two men and a woman. They went on about things needing to change and the need to overcome."
"The other miners tried not to pay them attention, and the disruptors were promptly arrested."
"Did they ever say that they intended on rebelling or simply that they were overworked and needed to stand up for themselves, because that is true." My father seems to be trying to confuse them by softening the meaning of the miners' words. It must be working because the Peacekeepers take a moment to respond.
"Well, Mayor Undersee, those words can be taken as inciting a revolt, so we had to take the necessary precautions."
"But, Thease, they never said that they were trying to rebel, so they were arrested for no real reason other than how some people might have taken it." Of course, Thease Withgott. He is a new Peacekeeper, but he is from the District. He's only a few years older than me and very much inexperienced.
"Yes… I mean no. It was for a good reason." Yes, definitely confused.
"I believe that without evidence of intent, you can't charge them for inciting anything."
"With all due respect, sir," the second man says, "this is the third incident in the mines that we've had in the past week. We can't afford to take things lightly anymore. They seem to be up to something, so we must remain alert."
The third? I had no idea there were that many arrests recently.
"Well, I can't criticize you for following orders and doing your jobs. As always, I greatly appreciate you both giving me this information."
"You are the mayor," Thease says, "You should have a right to know."
The men leave shortly after, and my father moves about down stairs. I stand up to inconspicuously go to my room, but dad knows me better than that.
"There's no use leaving now. You've heard everything already." He appears at the base of the stairs.
"I'm sorry for listening," I say, "But, it seemed as if there was a problem."
"There is, as you know, but it's nothing to concern yourself with. Those two give me information that is withheld from me by Head Peacekeeper Thread."
"Why doesn't he want you to know anything?'
"I don't know, Madge. I've stopped trying to understand why anything that's done around here is done anymore."
"So, who were the miners," I ask warily. The last thing that Katniss needs to learn of when she returns is that Gale was one of the people arrested.
"It's no one that you would know from school or anything. They were much older than you, at least in their mid-thirties." I breathe a sigh of relief, but I feel awful for them anyway.
"I didn't know that there were that many threats of revolts." Is he finally going to tell me what I already know of his efforts?
"What did I tell you," he smiles, "It's nothing for you to worry about. How did your day go?"
"It was fine. I went to see the Everdeens. They're doing all right. Then, I went into town and ran into some kids from school."
"Anyone I know?"
"Les Wollwood and Myron Milford," I groan, "That's all."
"You don't sound too excited about that."
"I don't really know them very well anymore anyway, so I wasn't expecting to enjoy their company."
"Maybe you should try talking to kids that you actually like then or at least that you know," he laughs.
He's right again. I hadn't given my original plan since yesterday. It seems like quite a ridiculous idea. He works entirely too much and rarely speaks to me without Katniss anyway. But, wouldn't he feel a little alone with her gone, too? At the very least I could open up the door. I don't allow myself too much hopefulness, but I am just enough to do it.
All right, tomorrow.