I saw the tall figure hunched over one of the tables the minute I entered the cafeteria for breakfast.
"Gale," I cried as I ran over with my tray of grey porridge and hard bread. "Gale!" He got up and hugged me. I hadn't seen him since the day he told me that I was in District Thirteen, a few weeks ago. He has been working in Thirteen's military since he got here with almost no time for recovery.
"Hey Catnip." he said. I relaxed into his embrace, calmed by the strength of his arms wrapped around me and the steady beating of his heart against my ear.
We sat down for breakfast.
"Thank you," I said after a few moments, "for saving my mother and Prim." He nodded slightly over his meager bowl of porridge. Then he sighed, rubbed the strain from his eyes with a tired hand and turned to me. "They're planning on sending you back." he says slowly, "I tried to tell them that you wouldn't be ready for it but I have no say in President Coin's decisions. But seeing as you are their prospective mockingjay, I believe you have the right to - "
"No, I want to see it for myself."