Chapter 4
Why am I so bothered by Gale loving someone else? I love Peeta. I will always love Peeta, but there is this small part of me screaming for Gale. This part of me only came after I saw him today. I have been thinking for all these years negatively about Gale. But now, after hunting, scheming and joking around, I realized how much I missed him. Looking at Clodine and Gale makes me mad. Gale and I were never like this, our relationship never had romance other than those few kisses between the Hunger Games and the rebellion. Maybe that's why we never worked out. We are too alike. Being together is like too much fire and Peeta and Clodine controls our fire. I have to stop having these small desires for him. It has been 20 years. He loves Clodine. I love Peeta. We both have loving kids and nothing can change now. Do I want this to change? Do I regret not choosing Gale? This is exactly what Peeta was worried about when he heard that I am keeping in touch with Gale again. I can't let him worry. Although I might love Gale a bit, I will always love Peeta more.
After dinner, which wasn't as awkward as lunch, we said bye to their family and letting them know that they can come over while Damion and Lilac go to the festival. Gale gives me a wink before leaving, telling me that we are still with the plan. Peeta and I decide to ask the kids what they think about Gale's kids.
"So Cole…how do you like Celsie and Belle? It seems you three are getting a long well." I ask. I am really interested into what he says. He has never interacted so much with a girl in his life.
"There are cool. You know what? Celsie told me that she likes me…a lot!" Cole says. I think he is confused on what to do. Peeta should really have the talk with him. He's 12!
"Good job son. Say thank you to your beautiful mother, for giving you amazing beauty." He winks at me. I love him so much. I go up and hug him and kiss him and say: "You know he got it from you. But, you're sweet." He smiles and says "I know." and kisses me again. I hit him in a playful way and he chuckles.
"Doesn't seem disgusting talking and kissing girls now, does it?" Lilac says in a mocking tone and again Cole gives her another nasty look and walks away. As I see him walk away, I can see him turning a bit red from embarrassment.
"How are things going between you and Damion, it seems like you two are getting along." Peeta asks in the most innocent way. I can't believe he can lie so well.
"Things are going well. He is very nice." She says in a serious tone but you can see her face brighten up when she heard his name. She becomes as red as a tomato.
"That's good. Well, you better prepare for the festival tomorrow. I have this perfect dress I wore many years ago that will be perfect for you. Don't worry; this dress is still in style." I say. I want to give her one of my dresses from the Capitol from when I was 16 years old. A dress Cinna made.
"Okay Mom, let's go now. I don't want to be rushing tomorrow." She says while grabbing my hand and dragging me upstairs to her room. I mouth "HELP ME!" to Peeta but he simply laughs as I get pulled away.
…
Lilac loved the dress I suggested and we planned everything tomorrow. The summer festival is actually a very formal festival. Boys will come in suits and girls will come in elegant dresses. I was never able to go to this festival because I didn't have the money or anything elegant to wear. Peeta says he went once, with Delly and it was nice but it was too much for him. He also says you would only want to go if you are going with someone you love. The funny thing is that the partners get to share a room together, which I find very odd because usually they would separate the males and females. Our plan was to put cameras in the room they are staying in, and see what they will be up too. I know, it's mean but we parents need some fun out of our teenage children.
It's almost 1 o'clock. Gale said he and his family will come in about an hour. Lilac already started to get ready. It's weird seeing my kids grow up. Just a week ago, Cole was making gagging noises when he sees someone kiss but now he is starting to like a girl. What's even weirder is that it is Gale's daughter. Lilac is becoming more independent and obviously more intimate…with Gale's son. What would happen if one day, Damion and Lilac would get married? Or have kids? Nothing can be weirder for me.
I must have been lost in my thoughts because it has already been an hour and I can hear the doorbell ring. I get up from the couch and open the door to see Gale and Damion. Damion was wearing a nice white suite with a black dress shirt and a white tie. He looked so handsome. It isn't even funny how much he is like Gale. If this kid had grey eyes, I would think this was Gale from the past. I complimented Damion and let them come inside. I can see Damion holding a beautiful blue corsage. He is such a gentleman.
"Um…where's Lilac?" His eyes were full of love. Whenever he talks about her or sees her, he gives the same look Peeta gives me.
"I think she is still getting ready—"
"You know how girls can be Damion." Gale says while trying to find a comfortable position on the couch.
"Boys aren't that easy to handle either…" I say, sticking my tongue out at Gale.
"Katniss, we're not that bad." This didn't come out of Gale's mouth, Peeta was walking towards me; smirking.
As I was about to say a comeback, we hear footsteps. All at once, we look up. We see Lilac. Wow, that dress looks even better on her. The light orange dress that goes up to her mid-thigh. This dress was skin tight and strapless, she looked amazing. I can see that not only did Damion's mouth drop, but also Peeta and Gale's. I couldn't help but laugh.
"You look beautiful honey. You remind me so much like your mother." Peeta says and then he looks at me. Knowing that this was the dress I wore when he took me out for dinner and then proposed to me.
"I…um…I…got this…for…you…" Damion says while placing the corsage on her wrist.
"Thanks." Lilac says while blushing.
"Shall we go, then?" Damion says, relieved that he didn't stutter again.
"Sure."
They smile at each other and left. I am starting to feel that we shouldn't do this prank. This might be something that they think about forever. I guess, it is too late to regret my choices.