Chapter 4

Grandmother Troubles

I placed my com on and my tracker on my ankle as I started the ten minute walk back towards camp. It took my five minutes seeing I was hurrying. I walk back into command and heard Katniss speak. I take my spot next to my grandmother after I got concerned looks from others.

"Agreed. So, on-screen, Gale can simply be portrayed as a fellow rebel. Is that all right?" She asked. Katniss stared at her as she repeated herself. "For Gale. Will that be sufficient?"

"We can always work him in as your cousin," says Fulvia.

"We're not cousins," Gale and Katniss say together.

"Well your sure don't act like it," I said rolling my eyes.

"Right, but we should probably keep that up for appearances' sake on camera," says Plutarch. "Off camera, he's all yours. Anything else?"

"We should include Lexi in this. Remember she was pretending to be a cousin as well," Fulvia added.

"Whatever," I said raising my hands. Katniss hadn't said anything but I know Gale was watching me.

"No form of punishment will be inflicted," Katniss said at last. I opened my mouth to say something but Katniss cut me off. "The same goes for the other captured tributes, Johanna and Enobaria."

"No," My grandmother said flatly. I stayed silent.

"Yes," Katniss shot back. "It's not their fault you abandoned them in the arena. Who knows what the Capitol's doing to them?"

"They'll be tried with other war criminals and treated as the tribunal sees fit," she says.

"Grandma," I warned.

"They'll be granted immunity!" Katniss shouted, her voice full and resonant. "You will personally pledge this in front of the entire population of District Thirteen and the remainder of Twelve. Soon. Today. It will be recorded for future generations. You will hold yourself and your government responsible for their safety, or you'll find yourself another Mockingjay!"

"Fine," I said. My grandmother glared at me. "We accept your most gracious offer Soldier Everdeen." Katniss stared at me and I merely looked back.

"Call a national security assembly during Reflection today," Grandmother orders. "I'll make the announcement then. Is there anything left on your list, Katniss?"

"I kill Snow," She says. I nod my head and started to leave the room.

"Alexia Jane, get over here," My Grandmother said. I turned and look at her.

"Make up your mind!" I yelled. "It is either you don't want me near them," I paused pointing to Gale and Katniss, "Or you make me spend my time with them!" Everyone seemed shocking but I wasn't done. "All you ever have done is control my life! Ever since I got here, it has been Alexia do this, Alexia do that and I am sick of it! Stop being the over-protective and selfish person who thinks they own my life! You don't!" I took a breath glaring at her. I looked at everyone else and saw them watching me carefully. My grandmother took a breath and went to say something but I cut her off. "Find someone else to be your slave. I am done following your orders," I said turning on my hells and walking out. I kept walking till I was at the weapons department. I typed in my code and put my bow away but kept my hunting knife hidden in my shoe. I walked to my next class and sat down. Gale soon walked in and took his seat but I crossed my arms. I wasn't in the talking mood. "Save it for someone who cares," I whispered to him. The teacher walk in and I tuned out because I didn't want to listen to bomb stuff.

After the lesson was done, I walked to lunch. I stood in line and got my food. I turned and saw Posy running towards me. She always strangely seemed to calm me down when I was in a mood. I put my tray on a table and bent down stretching my arms out. She ran into them and I stood up turning her around. I smiled.

"Lexi, are you okay?" She asked me as I balanced my tray in one hand while also balancing her on my hand and hip. I arrived at her table and put her down.

"Just peachy," I said as I went to leave.

"Can you eat with us?" Posy asked me. I turned and saw Prim's eyes on me.

"Why not. It isn't as if I defied my grandmother," I said sitting down. I smiled at Posy as Gale sat next to me.

"Surprised to see you here," He said.

"Just making the old bat crankier than ever," I said as I continued to eat.

"Lexi," He said. I looked up at him and saw him looking at me. I raised an eyebrow at him as he continued to eat. "Is it true that she was controlling your life?" He asked me.

"Yes," I said as Katniss joined us.

"Well hello Miss Avoiding Us," She said to me giving me a look.

"Katniss," Gale warned.

"Oh no, cough it up," I said. We glared at each other before Katniss started to laugh. I couldn't contain my laughter anymore and I started to laugh as well. Gale shook his head at us.

"Soldier Jane!" I heard a voice call. It was James. I swore inside my head as I turned to look at him.

"Get an upgrade?" I asked nodding to his com. He nodded. "Why?" I asked him.

"Because someone resigned."

"Guilty!" I said throwing him my com. "Send my regards to President Coin," I said turning back to my meal. James nodded and walks off as I saw Gale smiling at me. Butterflies appeared in my stomach as I looked down to hide my blush.

"Welcome back Lexi," Katniss said to me giving me a smile.

"Good to be home," I said.

"We have to go see Beetee after. Apparently he wants all three of us," Gale said. I nodded and saw a smile still on his lips.

FOCUS!

It's just too hard to. I realize I am still looking at him and look away.

"Let's go," I said leaving my tray on the table. Time to be rebellious.