Hey! I'm so so sorry, but I have had a hectic time. On to the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games
Effie looks like a child on Christmas day. "Goodness, two volunteers in one reaping! How exciting! Now, what is your name?" Gale replies, "Gale Hawthorne." "Alright Gale, stand by Katniss here..." She moves Gale next to me. "Now, shake hands."
As I look up to meet Gale's eyes, I know that something has changed. His eyes are desperate, a look I've never seen on Gale's face. I start to extend my hand, but Gale has other ideas. He extends his arm too, but in a different direction. He captures my waist, and pulls me to him. Instead of the tributes shaking hands this year, they are hugging. My arms find their way around his neck, and when we break apart, we stand in a position almost natural to us. Gale has one arm around my waist, and my head tilts down to rest on his shoulder. Effie just gapes. She obviously was not expecting that. Mayor Undersee begins to read his speech, and Gale and I just stand there, wrapped up in each other.
"Gale..." I hiss, "What was that for?"
"What?"
"Volunteering! We had a deal! Now who will take care of Prim?"
"I have to protect you too, Katniss."
At this point, Mayor Undersee has finished his speech, and Effie is back at the podium. "Let's give a huge round of applause for our District 12 tributes!"
Nobody claps. Nobody moves a muscle. Suddenly, I see Peeta in the crowd, and he's raising his hand to his lips, then extending his arm in the traditional District 12 salute. Soon others in the crowd pick up on his movement, and mimic it. My eyes well up with tears. The salute is only used in times of great respect, and it seems that suddenly, everybody loves Gale and I. The peacekeepers march off stage and into the Justice Building, where they separate us. I'm led into a room with plush furniture, and am told to wait for my first visitor. Soon, the door glides open to reveal my mother and Prim.
Prim rushes at me, sobbing. "Katniss, you can't die, you can't!"
I pull her into my arms, saying, "Prim, don't worry, I'll come back."
"You don't know that Katniss! And what about Gale?"
"I don't know, but Prim, I'm so sorry. Gale was supposed to be here to take care of you."
At this, instead of her face dropping, Prim's face brightens and she giggles. "But, Katniss," she says, "Gale has to take care of you! Don't worry about us, we can live for the few months you'll be gone!" I give her and my mother one last hug, then they are whisked away.
My next visitor is surprising. Madge, the mayor's daughter walks in.
She moves quickly, pulling me into a tight hug. As we're embracing, she begins whispering fast and furious in my ear. "Katniss, I have to talk quick, the rooms are bugged. There's a rebellion starting. Almost all the districts are in. This Hunger Games is going to be different. Most of the tributes are in on it. You've got to work together this Hunger Games. Haymitch will tell you more. But, I wanted to give you this." She leans back and shows me her hand. In her palm is a golden pin. "This can be your district token. It's a Mockingjay." Mockingjays are like a slap in the capitol's face. They created Jabberjay's during the first rebellion, to spy on the rebels. They could listen to conversations, and mimic the human sounds to tell the Capitol what rebels were planning. When the rebels found out, they started feeding the Capitol lies. The Capitol abandoned the Jabberjays and left them to die. But the Jabberjay's bred with mockingbirds to create Mockingjay's. They don't talk anymore, but they mimic music beautifully. As soon as I realize this I look up at Madge, who has a rebellious glint in her eye. "Goodbye, Katniss. And good luck."
After she leaves, the peacekeepers come and lead me to the train station, where I am reunited with Gale. We board the train together, and as soon as they leave I start talking.
"Did Madge come to see you?" I ask.
"No," he replies. "But Peeta did."
"What!"
"He said he'd keep Prim and your mother fed. And my family too." Gale looks exasperated.
"What's that look for? He's doing it because he's a nice guy. It's not like charity or anything."
"You don't know why he's doing it, Katniss? Isn't it obvious?" Gale's got a weird expression on his face. It's almost, like, jealousy?
"No Gale, I have absolutely no clue why Peeta is going to do that for us, but I do know it's a good piece of luck. Since you're not going to be there to take care of them, somebody has to." I know I've said the wrong thing as soon as a look of hurt flashes across Gale's face.
"No, wait, Gale," I backpedal furiously, then stop, realizing I am digging myself into this hole, which keeps getting bigger and bigger.
Gale turns on his heel and stalks out of the compartment. "Gale!" I react a moment too late, and I can't keep him from sliding out the door. "Gale, wait!" I run after him, but Gale's steady hunter's tread carries him down the aisle and out of sight. I had wanted to talk to him about what Madge had said.
As I stand there contemplating what to do, I hear the click of high heels behind me. Effie Trinket is clicking her way down the aisle. She smiles brightly when she sees me. "Katniss! I'm so glad I've found you! Here's a schedule for your time on the train. Where's Gale?"
I try not to look to guilty as I point in the opposite direction. "He went that way."
"Dinner in half an hour, Katniss. Don't be late!"
I know it's short and very very overdue, but I will make it up to you, I promise!
~MusicIsHarmony