Interlude I: Hung Up

Disclaimer: Anything you recognize is not mine.

"Now and then I think of all the times you screwed me over,
But had me believing it was always something that I'd done.
But I don't wanna live that way,
Reading into every word you say.
You said that you could let it go,
And I wouldn't catch you hung up on somebody that you used to know."

-Gotye ft. Kimbra, Somebody That I Used to Know

The feeling in her chest wasn't entirely foreign. Katniss hadn't been the kind of girl to fantasize about her wedding day, but as a teenager she did allow one dream to break through.

A sophomore at the Holy Trinity School, she hoped to attend prom on the arm of the most popular boy in school. What happened then was completely predictable: that popular senior asked his head cheerleader girlfriend and together, the pretty couple took home Prom King and Queen.

But fate was a curious thing and in seven days, Katniss would call that boy her husband. If that doesn't merit a few giggles, I don't know what does!

"Gale!" God, she practically sung his name, bounding up the stairs with a spring in every step. "Gale, she'll be here any second!"

"Gale? You up here?" No reply came.

Determined to be thorough in her search, Katniss walked down the hall toward the room Gale had claimed for the week. The door was slightly ajar, and the shadow cast on the wall was that of a man pacing the floor.

"...what you wanted." Intrigued, she kept her hand from knocking. "I want you to be here. " Pause. "Yes, it would make me happy! We're friends, aren't we? Come to the wedding. Please." There was a sigh followed by the beeping sound of buttons. Gale was dialing a number. Dialing, as in, not on his contacts list.

"Something wrong?" Finally, Katniss knocked, pretending to have heard nothing. "You look upset, is it work?"

Gale's frown transformed into a familiar smile, one reserved solely for her. "Finn's having trouble getting a client to sign the agreement we drew up. Says he might not be here on time."

Katniss pressed a kiss to his cheek, thankful that her heels made up for some of the height difference. "I'm sure it'll work out. Isn't Finn supposed to be some sort of charm speaker? I wouldn't worry about it."

He pretended to be lost in thought, wrapping his arms around her waist and pulling her close. "Worry about what?"

"I think you're forgetting something, love." She brought her arms around his neck, wanting to stay and continue their flirting, knowing it wouldn't be so. "Someone, actually. A certain cousin of yours..."

"What time is it?" His eyes went wide, panicked as he ran toward the nearest window.

Gale's room on the third floor provided a perfect view of the circular driveway. Katniss pushed the semi- sheer curtains to the side and watched as a shiny black car made its way to the house.

"Let's go say hi." I want to see the fear in her eyes.

She couldn't hear what they were saying, but the new arrivals were caught up in what appeared to be an argument. A brunette crossed her arms in defiance and a blond refused to shy away.

"Clove!"

It was almost sad to have Gale interrupt, but alas, this was his cousin. She could have come see you sooner, Gale. She doesn't care as much as you think. If any woman could outrank Katniss in Gale's heart, it was her. But no, the bride-to-be did not envy this girl.

"Put me down! Jesus, are you trying to give me a heart attack?"

Clove Kentwell hadn't changed a bit. Same black hair, same hazel eyes. Same freckles splattered across the bridge of her nose. Her looks were a mercy; monsters had an advantage when they masqueraded as innocents.

"It's too hot to stand out in the driveway all day. Inside, everyone. There's iced tea in the drawing room." Alma expressed little interest in her daughter and Katniss was nearly inclined to pity the young brunette.

"Wait, we have to get some introductions out of the way first. Clo, this is-"

"Gale, be serious. How could I not remember her, we spent four years in school together!" Katniss stepped past her fiancé, enveloping her former classmate in a hug. She could hear it, laughter ringing in her ears. And she could see her, a girl frantically batting flames out of her hair.

"Clove, I'm so happy you could make it."

"I wouldn't want to miss this, Katniss. Nothing in the world could stop me from being here."

Generic, but it proved they were on the same page. Katniss' silver gaze fell upon a tall blond awkwardly standing to the side. Looks kinda like Peeta. Not as handsome, though. Okay, maybe...nope, not even close. Nope.

"Gale Hawthorne." He stretched out his hand, smiling at the stranger. "Clo's cousin."

"Yeah, she talks about you a lot." The blond was oblivious as he shook hands with the man wordlessly threatening to tear him apart the second Clove so much as frowned in his presence. "Cato."

"He's a friend, Gale. Don't get any ideas." Clove warned. Katniss, however, didn't miss the way Cato tensed at the word 'friend'.

"I'm Katniss." She shook hands with him too, smiling elegantly to conceal a smirk at the sight of Clove gritting her teeth. "Clove and I went to school together, I don't know how much you've heard about that."

Katniss finished with an airy laugh, letting her fiancé wrap his arm around her waist. She knew Clove wouldn't have mentioned her in detail, if at all. Gale himself was in the dark when it came to specifics. That's how she wanted to keep it, because after all, this wasn't his war to win.

"For heaven's sake! Boggs, get the luggage to the guest house!" Alma's annoyed voice managed to cut through the tension.

"Wha-no!" Clove quickly shifted from fury to poorly masked desperation. "I just stopped by to see Gale, we have rooms reserved at the hotel, mother."

The older woman sighed irritably. "Clove, must you always start trouble? If it's privacy you want, the guest house will serve."

"All the guests are staying at the hotel." The freckled girl challenged.

"My sister and I are staying with my uncle." Katniss leaned into Gale, aware of the negative effect it would have on his beloved cousin. "So are a couple of my bridesmaids and a close friend. They're family and family always gets a few perks."

"She's right, Clo." Gale supported his fiancée.

The hazel eyed girl looked crestfallen, no doubt thinking Gale had betrayed her. "It's too late to call and cancel. I'd hate to be rude."

Katniss was overcome with the desire to slap her. Summoning strength she didn't know she possessed, she managed to be civil. Welcoming, even. "Don't worry about it. Let me call, that way you and Cato here can get settled." You aren't getting away that easily, honey.

"Wonderful, thank you, Katniss." Alma didn't hide her exasperation as she took her up on the offer. Her daughter's wishes went unheard. "Brunch is in half an hour. Boggs, the suitcases, if you don't mind."

The older woman marched inside her house without sparing them another glance. Alma was a beast and only someone like Clove would deserve having her as a mother. Katniss put up with her only to please Gale, since Alma was in fact his aunt.

"It's really nice of you to do this, Kat, but really not necessary." Clove resumed her protests, this time earning odd looks from Gale and her blond 'friend'.

"No big deal." Katniss insisted. "We have a lot of catching up to do, anyway."

This week would end in a victory sweeter than any iced tea Alma Coin's cooks could offer.

Okay, so this wasn't Cato or Clove. I'm adding these breaks so you guys get different views of the same events. Plus, there may be a secondary plot in there somewhere...

(Everlark? Who knows!)

Many thanks to readers, reviewers, followers, favoriters, y'all make my day! :D