I came to school the next day happily. I had just started to make a new friend, a big deal for me, being super shy. Seeing Gale in the hallway, I bounce over and gave him a great big bear hug. He is surprised at first, but seeing it's me, he smiles and hugs me back.
"So how was your first day of school, Catnip?"
"It was really fun. Except for the actual learning part," I say, laughing. He laughs too, until we see Principal Snow walking towards us. We immediately let go of each other, walking in silence until he passes.
Principal Snow is an older man with white hair and a permanent frown on his face. He has gray, snakelike eyes that lash out at their next victim. He always smells like roses, and I swear that I smell the faintest hint of blood too, but I can't be sure. Principal Snow is known for sending students to detention simply because he caught them smiling in the hallway. I couldn't imagine what he would do if he found out that we were laughing. Luckily, Principal Snow has no control of our lunch break so we can laugh and talk all we want to.
Gale and I are both tense when he walks by, and when he leaves, we say a quick goodbye then abruptly turn and go. I walk into my history class right when the bell rings and sit down next to Madge.
"Where were you?" she whispers.
"With Gale. But the Evil Snowman walked by," I whisper back. The "Evil Snowman" is our nickname for Principal Snow.
"With Gale? Aw...," she says, making hearts with her hands.
"Oh, shut up. You know were just friends."
"Miss Everdeen, since you're so chatty today, perhaps you'd like to answer my question? What was the old job of District 5?" Ms. Trinket asks in her high screeching voice that could only be from the flamboyant capitol.
"Um...," Crap. I can't remember. District 5, the...I've got it! "The old job of District 5 was power and electricity!"
"Very good, Katniss. Now if you would please stop talking. So here is..." She keeps teaching her lesson as I look over at Peeta. He's looking at me again. I smile at him and he smiles back, flustered and embarrassed. He turns away. When he turns back, it's my turn to be caught staring. He makes a silly face, making me laugh.
"What is so funny?" asks Ms. Trinket.
"Um nothing. Just remembered something from yesterday."
"Well stop distracting the class!"
"Yes, Ms. Trinket." When she turns around again, I roll my eyes, making him smile. I smile back, happy.
"Okay, class dismissed! Remember to do Section 1A in your textbook!" As I walk out the door I wave bye to Peeta. He waves back, smiling. All I can think right now is Yay!
At lunchtime I find my friends and sit with them, pulling out my lunch. I finally decide to tell them about Peeta.
"Hey guys. So I met this guy yesterday." Gale suddenly tenses up, avoiding my gaze. "I mean, were just friends, of course." Gale eases up a little, but still avoids meeting my eyes.
"Good for you, making new friends on the first day of school!" replies Finnick, holding hands with Johanna. They recently started dating and are a happy couple. Just then, Peeta walks by. I wave to him and he waves back, smiling.
"Oh, there he is!" I say, gesturing towards him. I look around at my friends. Johanna and Finnick not paying attention, talking quietly to each other, Madge looking at Peeta with a strange expression. Gale is picking at his food with a stern expression on his face. He couldn't be jealous...could he? When he looks up and realizes I've been looking at him, I turn my head, embarrassed. But also confused. I mean, were more like brother and sister than like boyfriend and girlfriend. At least, that's what I thought.
There's a looming silence among our table, the only sound being Finnick and Johanna mumbling. We sit there, eating in silence, until lunch is over. We walk wordlessly back to our classes, and when I arrive at class I let out a sigh. Could it get any more awkward?
After school I go to Gale's locker to apologize. When I get there he immediately starts talking.
"I am so sorry, Katniss. I shouldn't have acted the way I did, and it only made things a lot worse. Obviously you and Peeta are only friends, if even that. I mean, you've only known each other for less than a whole day. And obviously if you're friends with him then I will be too. I was acting immature and I apologize." I definitely wasn't expecting that, getting ready to apologize myself.
"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have gotten so excited. I just have a hard time making new friends and so I was really happy when I met him," I plead.
"So are we good now?"
"Definitely," I say, smiling. We walk out together, heading home. As were walking out he puts his arm around my shoulders. I put my arm around his back.
We walk home together and say bye, and I walk into my house. My 7th grade sister Prim and her friend Rue are home. I wave hi to them and head to my room. I sit down, still pondering the idea of Gale being jealous of Peeta. Does he like me?
I start on my math homework to distract me. But that doesn't stop me from thinking about it. Were Peeta and I really "just friends"? As Gale stated, we have only known each other for less than a day. We were even more acquaintances than friends. But then why would Gale be jealous?
I just continue to do my math homework and try to forget everything. Eventually I pop on my headphones and play my favorite song in the world, Safe and Sound by Taylor Swift. It's so sad but somehow I feel like I can relate to it. I try to melt into the sad music and block out the world.