A/N: So let´s continue with my not so liked story as it seems. Maybe you first need to read in with it, so I hope that more people will start liking it =)

Thanks SingingmySong and the guest for your review, you are pushing me to keep up with this and of course again a big thanks to my beta IWriteStuffWithWordsInIt; the long wait really is worth it! ;)

Chapter 2

Gale's POV

The celebration after the marriage service was enjoyable and relaxed as long as I didn't have to face my father. I could catch up with a few of my relatives whom I hadn't seen for a long time, with Katniss in tow. To our surprise, many of them recognized her as my little best friend from the past, and were delighted about the fact that we were still that close after so many years. My mother walked around with a worry line on her forehead, and I assumed it was because of the encounter with my father. Katniss was chattering with my cousin Anne right now, so I excused myself and followed my mom outside.

"Mom?" I caught up with her, "are you alright?"

She stopped walking and turned around, smiling at me.

"Of course I'm alright, hunny. How couldn't I be? All my kids are here and your sister is finally marrying the love of her life. I am really happy," she let out, stroking over my cheek.

"Are you sure, mom? Because you seem a little distracted by something," I replied, studying her expression. She looked much older and somehow more labile than when I last saw her in March.

"I'm alright darling, really! You should go and celebrate with your sister. She's so happy you came," my mom answered, eyes shining.

"Okay, but you know that if there's something wrong you can tell me, right?" I added and she nodded, giving me a quick hug.

"Let's go back inside. You shouldn't leave Katniss by herself," she started when we walked back inside the hall, "you know how Uncle Tom behaves around pretty girls when he's drunk." I smiled and gave her a peck on the cheek before I set off on a search for my best friend.

She was still standing with Anne, laughing about something. I was glad that she was having fun, because after meeting with my dad I had a bad conscience about bringing her with me.

"There you are," she said happily, noticing me, "I already looked for you."

"I was talking to my mom," I replied, putting my hands in my pockets.

"Did I miss something interesting?" At this question both girls started laughing again, and I guessed that I had been the topic before.

"Ah, so you were laughing at my expense? That's nice," I played hurt and immediately Katniss put her arm around my hip.

"No we weren't," she said very quickly, winking at my cousin.

"Let me guess, you were talking about that one embarrassing moment where my pants fell down in public," I guessed, glancing down at Katniss, sticking at my side. She tried to suppress it with all her might but then started to roar with laughter, Anne joining in.

"I told you your pants were way too big," Katniss started, "but you insisted that all the cool guys were wearing it like that," she explained and I couldn't help grinning.

"In my defence, I was a pubescent 15 year old guy in a bad boys' gang," I explained to them, Katniss still grinning widely.

"You mean the gang that threw you out after this embarrassing incident?" she added sheepishly and I gave her a defiant look.

"Thank you for reminding me. It still hurts, you know?" I played mad, pushing her away from me. My cousin laughed and shook her head.

"You two haven't changed at all. I think th-" She was interrupted when some guy I didn't know started speaking into the microphone on stage.

"Can you please all take your seats so we can start with the speeches, beginning with a lovely song from my humble self," he announced and I guessed that he was Darcy's brother-in-law, since he looked exactly like the groom. We walked towards a table in the front and sat down, facing the stage.

"Who is this?" Katniss asked Anne, who was sitting opposite from us.

"It's the groom's brother and he's still single!" she added and winked at my best friend, who shrugged nonchalantly.

"So, my dear bride and my lovely groom, this is for you," the 'single' guy continued, bursting into a slow song. Katniss and Anne were all ears, gazing at him dreamily, but I just rolled my eyes. I glanced at my sister who was snuggling against her freshly-baked husband, beaming with joy. At least she didn't have to live with my parents any more, so primarily I was glad that she was far away from my father now.

After the guy finally finished singing, there were more songs and speeches coming up. It wasn't exactly boring, but I got tired of listening and started closing my eyes when I heard my name over the loudspeaker.

"Gale, where are you sitting?" My sister asked, searching for me in the dimmed hall. "I want to hear a speech from you," she added, already tipsy.

I groaned inwardly, receiving an encouraging smile from Katniss as I stood up to take the microphone from Darcy's hands. I didn't prepare a speech, so I just stood there, looking at my sister to get an idea. She smiled, playfully begging me to say something nice.

"Well, Darcy, my inspiring and talented sister," I started and she giggled. "How cheeky of you to call me up on stage when you know how great I am at making speeches," I added, receiving a laugh here and there.

"What can I say?" I continued, ruminative, glancing at my best friend, who was sitting like a cat on a hot tin roof, waiting for me to start.

"I'm really happy for you, Darcy. I guess you found the right one, sitting there, beaming with joy. I hope you will never lose your joyfulness," I coughed slightly, making my sister giggle again, "but don't forget your little brother here, and know that if you ever need something, just call and I'll be there one week later," I continued, making the guests laugh. "So, that's the end of my grandiose speech. I love you." Putting the microphone back in the stand, I walked up to my beautiful sister and gave her a warm hug.

"I love you too," she said, tousling my hair.

The guests started clapping when I went back to my table. As I sat down, my dad suddenly staggered to the stage, grabbing the microphone. He was already drunk, and having problems keeping his balance. I tensed up, expecting the worst and Katniss gave me an uncertain look.

"Well, well, well. Wasn't that a nice speech from my wonderful son?" he spoke in a slurred voice, pointing at me.

"Look at him, sitting there with his girl, who is apparently only his 'best friend'," he continued and laughed. Katniss looked down at her hands, playing with the ring on her finger I gave her two years ago.

"Darcy," my father turned around to my sister, "you know that I love you, right? And I am sooo happy that you're getting married and that you've managed your life this well, unlike your ungrateful brother," he added and Katniss put her hand on my arm, keeping me on my chair. My father was one word away from a fist in his face from his 'ungrateful son'.

"I'm not finished!" he suddenly yelled while my mom got on the stage to pull him down.

"Theresa, I said I'm not finished yet!" he repeated himself, pushing my mom away harshly. I had already stood up when Jeremy ran up to the stage, grabbing my father's arm and pulling him down. My cousin was stronger and dragged my dad outside, with another man helping him. Ashamed, I rested my head in my hands, trying to figure out what to do, when I noticed Katniss standing up. I thought she was maybe going to the bathroom, but soon I heard her voice over the loudspeakers.

"Hey there ," she let out shyly and I lifted my head, only to see her standing barefoot on the stage, searching for the right words to say.

"Ahm, I hope you liked our little play right there," she started and a few guests laughed, unsure if she was saying the truth. Turning her face to Darcy, she smiled bravely.

"This is really funny, but I guess you are one of the people that I have known the longest, Darcy," she said, and my sister smiled.

"Ahm, do you remember the time before Gale had his growth spurt and you were our rescue for everything? You were so tall compared to us, and every time your parents were out of the house you'd help us get the cookie box from the top shelf." More people started laughing and I was amazed by the fact that Katniss had handled the situation so well. My sister nodded and smiled happily.

"And remember the time when your mom noticed that there were cookies missing and she was mad at you because she knew that we couldn't reach it? We didn't want you to get in trouble, so we lied and told your parents that we got them without your help," she made a pause, glancing at me and I smiled at her.

"Your mom challenged us to show them how we got the cookies and Gale immediately made a leg-up for me, and in the end I fell down and hit my head on the table. I still feel the after-effects of this," she joked, pointing at her head and getting the audience in fits.

"The point is, that you were like an older sister for me at that time, and although I was mostly hanging around with Gale, you were always a great and trustful friend. I am really happy for you and hope that you will never change this great attitude of yours," she finished, receiving an applause from Darcy and the guests.

As Katniss sat back at our table I wrapped my arm around the back of her chair, leaning my head in to hers.

"Thank you," I whispered and she turned her head, smiling at me. At that moment as our faces were just inches away from each other, I swore that she was the most important person in my life.

"That was incredible Katniss, everyone forgot about my stupid uncle," Anne said as the band started playing and the newlyweds rose from their chairs for a dance. Other couples joined in with them and I needed a break.

"I'm going to get some fresh air," I said, standing up.

"I'll come with you," Katniss replied, putting her high heels back on.

"Gosh, these shoes are killing me," she added, "I definitely would have fallen down on stage with these on."

Once she was done, she grabbed her purse and we left through the exit. I hoped that we wouldn't encounter my drunk father outside, because I was really mad at him and didn't want to start a fight at my sister's wedding. His little speech earlier had already given this celebration a bad aftertaste.

Side by side we were walking down the street, passing the church and the parking lot. It was already dark, and a brisk wind had sprung up. I had my jacket with me and put it on my best friend's shoulder, as she was only wearing a strapless dress.

"Thanks," she let out, snuggling herself into my side as I put my arm around her.

"We should set off for home soon, I'm getting tired," I said, and my best friend nodded as we headed for the park.

"I could drive while you sleep in the back," she suggested, but I feared that Jeremy sitting at the passenger seat while she was driving would cause an accident because of their quarrelling. As if she could read my thoughts, she started shaking her head.

"No wait, I take it back. I don't think that's a good idea with Jeremy in the passenger seat," she added, and I grinned.

"That was exactly my thought." We stopped at a park bench that was dimly lit by a lantern and sat down, falling quiet.

"Are you alright?" Katniss broke the silence after a while, pulling my jacket tighter around herself.

"Yes Catnip, I just needed to get out, breathe some fresh air," I replied, leaning back.

"I'm happy for my sister, but I'll also be happy to get back home." Katniss crossed her legs, looking at me. I saw it in her eyes that she wanted to talk about the incident with my father, but I didn't even want to think about it. She bit her lip, not knowing if she should ask or not, and I had to laugh about the fact that I knew exactly what was going on in her head right now.

"Why are you laughing at me?" she asked, hitting my arm. I shook my head.

"Gale, tell me," she demanded, pulling at my shirt. I grinned but suddenly noticed a man walking towards us. I didn't recognize him and hoped that it was not my father.

"Excuse me, young people," an older man said as he stopped right in front of us. Katniss hadn't seen him coming and was startled, letting out a cry.

"I'm sorry, I didn't want to scare you, young lady," the gray-haired man apologized, scratching his head. Katniss moved closer towards me, watching the old man with big eyes.

"I was just taking a late walk when I saw you sitting here," the man explained, "and I just thought you should know that this bench is newly painted." Before I knew it, Katniss was jumping off hysterically, trying to look at her back side. I started laughing when I noticed a white stripe over her butt.

"Why are you sitting there laughing? Stand up," she squealed, pulling me up. I was sure that I had the same white stripe on my backside but I didn´t care at all and even started laughing harder at Katniss' downcast air.

The old man was already walking away, surely thinking I was some crazy maniac.

"Thank you for telling us!" I yelled after him and only then did I notice a small "Wet paint!" sign stuck to the park bench.

"Your butt is all white!" Katniss let out, before turning around to show me her backside.

"Is it bad?" she asked me, making me laugh again.

"Let's put it this way, if we need a crosswalk right now, you could lie down and be one," I replied with a laugh. Turning around, she watched me, acting flabbergasted.

"Are you serious? Is it that visible?" I couldn't help myself but start laughing again, even harder now.

"Stop laughing, Gale! I can't go back in there with my backside looking like a zebra!" she let out, but then her expression suddenly changed and she started to laugh as well, even crouching down. The whole day was upside down and all of it didn't matter any more because we were finally ourselves again, laughing till the tears were running down our cheeks.

A/N: If you read it and want to read more than let me know so I will be more motivated to write the next chapters.. Hope you like it ;)