Hey guys! So, so, so sorry for the long wait. I have been really stressed out lately. I was in a play,and I had a big trip to Spain, and I had my eighth grade graduation last week. Plus, I have worked on my other story, and I would love for you to check it out :) But since it's summer now I will be writing more. Count on another update by the end of the week. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter! Don't forget to review.
After breakfast I get dressed in shorts and a T-shirt to go to the beach. When I return downstairs I see that Annie has packed us a picnic basket with sandwiches and drinks.
"Thanks," I say.
She nods, "Have fun. Maybe this will get your mind off things."
"I hope so," I say with a soft smile.
Finn comes bounding into the room, "When are we leaving?" he asks me, eyes bright with excitement.
"Right now," I say fondly.
"Yay!" he is out the door before I can say another word.
Annie laughs and shoos me out.
I have to admit going to the beach was a good idea to get my mind off things. Finn and I played the entire morning. We went swimming, built sand castles, and hunted for shells. Everything was going well, until we sat down to eat lunch.
At first it was pretty quiet but suddenly Finn asks a question I wasn't ready for, "Do you know where my dad is Auntie Katniss?" The way he says it, so sweet and innocent, makes me want to cry. But I can't. That would leave to some tricky questions.
I don't know how I should answer. Does he know he died or does he think he just went away? I don't know what Annie has told him. I decide to play it safe, "That's not for me to tell you Finn," I say carefully.
"But you did know him right?" Finn asks hopefully.
I nod, "Yes."
"Was he nice?" Finn asks curiously.
I chuckle softly, "Yes. He was an amazing person but some bad things happened to him." I say.
"What happened to him?" Finn asks.
"I can't tell you. Only your mom can tell you that." I say.
"Did he love me?" Finn asks. His eyes are sad.
"Finn, your dad loved you very much and he is sorry he didn't get to spend more time with you." I say. Tears are starting to fill my eyes but I brush them away before Finn can see them, "We need to head home," I say, trying to change the subject. "Come on, pack up your stuff."
When we get home I immediately go to my room. I need to snap out of this. I can't live my life broken, running from anything that might hurt me. I need to get my life back together.
I run downstairs, "Annie!"
"What is it Katniss?" she looks concerned.
"Thank you so much for letting me stay with you but its time for me to go." I say
"Are you sure?"she asks.
I nod, "I need to get my life back together and hiding out here isn't going to do me much good."
She smiles softly at me, "Good for you Katniss."
I give her a hug, "Thank you Annie. For everything." Then I say goodbye to Finn.
"Why are you going Auntie Katniss?" he asks sadly.
"I need to go back home Finn. The people there miss me. But I promise I'll come back to visit soon okay?"
He nods and gives me a big hug. I pack up my clothes quickly and head down to the train station. I manage to get on a train to District 12 just before it pulls out of the station. I am sitting on the train when I realize I forgot to call Peeta. I laugh to myself. I wonder what he will think when I walk through the door. I see District 4 disappear through the window. I just want things to go back to normal when I get home. But I know that's not possible. Not after what happened. I can feel my eyes closing and I drift off to sleep.
The next thing I know the train is lurching to a halt. At first I am surprised we have made it back to District 12 so quickly but then I realize that we are just in District 7 for a fuel stop. Suddenly I remember my promise to Peeta, to tell someone about the incident. Who can I tell? I don't want someone like Annie who will comfort me and feel sorry for me. I need someone who will share my anger towards Gale and urge me to go back and face him. Then it hits me- Johanna. I quickly get off the train and give the conductor my ticket.
"I won't be getting back on," I say quickly and take off before he can say another word.
I walk through town, planning on asking where Johanna lives. I forgot what District 7 looked like on the Victory Tour. It's actually really pretty compared to District 12. Especially since it was refurbished after the war. There are lush trees everywhere that hide the smoke from the lumber factories that still exist. But lumber isn't the only thing in the District anymore. They have a town square with shops, a school, even a bakery. I smile, briefly reminded of Peeta. Lost in thought I bump into someone.
"Sorry-" I start to apologize then see a familiar head of spiky brown hair and large brown eyes, "Johanna?" I ask.
"Katniss?" she says, shocked, "What are you doing here?"
"I needed to talk to you," I say.
"About what?" she laughs. Then she sees the look on my face and turns serious, "Come on. Let's go back to my house."
Her house is small and enclosed within the trees. There is a large wrap-around porch, and it looks welcoming and inviting, the opposite of what I would expect from Johanna.
"This is beautiful," I whisper, "Why did you build it back here?"
She shrugs, "I wanted to get away from all the people I guess. It's nice to be able to hear myself think, you know?"
I nod, completely understanding. We walk inside and sit down in the living room. She disappear into the kitchen and comes back with a tray of sandwiches.
"What did you need to talk to me about?" she asks, taking a bite of the sandwich.
"Gale tried to rape me," I blurt out before I can change my mind.
She almost chokes on the sandwich, "What!" she yells, coughing.
I just nod softly, "He would have gotten away with it too if Peeta didn't save me."
"That bastard," Johanna snarls, "What did you do to him? Please say you killed him."
I laugh and shake my head, "I...ran away. To District 4."
"Are you serious?" Johanna sighs, "You're stronger than that Katniss. You've been in the Hunger Games twice! You've killed people tougher than that pansy."
I laugh. This is why I wanted to tell Johanna. She won't throw me a pity party or ask for details, she'll tell to get off my butt and get my act together.
"I'm actually headed back to District 12 now." I say.
"Good," Johanna says, "If you leave it will just show him that he won. If you go back, he will know you're strong and he can't hurt you." I smile. For tough girl like Johanna, she can have her moments.
"Thanks," I say, "I promised Peeta I would tell someone and now I have," I say.
"Why wouldn't you want to tell people?" Johanna asks, "If you need support, you'll have it. Then you'll have a whole group around you who hates that piece of crap." There is a pause, "SO when are you headed back?" Johanna asks.
"As soon as I can I guess." I say shrugging.
"The next train out of here doesn't leave until tomorrow but you can stay here if you want."
"Thanks Johanna," I say, but I'm not just talking about the invite to stay with her.
She nods, understanding what I'm trying to say without words.
I head upstairs and collapse on the bed in the guest room. I'm actually glad I got that off my chest. Without realizing it, I built up a wall around me that I wouldn't allow anyone to penetrate. But I am starting to let that wall down. Johanna made me realize that I need my friends in my life to support me. The more people I tell, the more support and love I will have. This is what Peeta has tried to tell me all along. I smile, thinking about Peeta. He will be happy I told someone. The last thing I think before falling asleep is that I can't wait to see the look on his face when I get home.
Whew! Finally, I'm getting another chapter out. I'm not sure that chapter was my best but don't worry, the chapters will get better. I have a couple interesting things planned for this story and I'm excited to see what you think! Please review and don't forget to check out my other story, Expect the Unexpected