Hello fellow HG lovers! I want to say thank you to all the people who followed/favorite/reviewed! And a note to the guest reviewer who called Peeta and Katniss jerks for the last chapter, it was planned that way and hope this chapter makes up for it. Please follow/review/favorite they mean so much to me!
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Chapter 10, What Did We Do To Him?
By the time we get done with what we are doing we realize that Gale's interview is over, done with. We can still see it again but we will have to re watch all the other interviews as well, and for Gale it's the least we can do. So we sit there on opposite ends of the couch in Peeta's living room, not speaking a word to each other. I am ashamed.
When Gale's interview comes on Peeta looks at me, his eyes begging me to come to him, that he needs my support. I give in by moving closer and giving him my hand. I see our other District Twelve tribute sweep off the stage and Gale walk on, wearing an obviously fake smile to someone who knows him. The crowd cheers and I hold Peeta's hand tighter. Caesar laughs and asks him to sit down.
"Welcome to the Capitol Mr. Hawthorne! How are you liking it?" asks Caesar.
"Well, it's very colorful, a lot different from back home?" answers Gale.
"I would bet, we have a lot fewer mines here," he says before laughing at his own joke. "Now you are a strong, handsome young chap, have a good chance of winning wouldn't you say?"
"I sure hope so" says Gale.
"If you do get home who would you be going home to?" asks Caesar.
"I have my mother, two brothers and little sister," says Gale. As I see him say this can only imagine what those four must have felt watching him all made up for the cameras.
"Ah, what about the boy you volunteered for?" Gale tries to hide the flash of pain that shoots across his face, but I see it all too well, and I give Peeta's hand a squeeze, knowing what has to be coming up.
"Well the boy I volunteered for is my best friend and like a brother to me, and I would do for him what I would do for any of my own brothers," Gale finishes.
"What about a girl, a looker like you has to have someone waiting for you?" I can barely watch but I know I owe this much and so much more to Gale to keep watching.
"I guess you could say there is a girl back home for me. I tried to ask her out once but she turned me down"
"How terrible, tell you what, you win this thing and she will have to take you"
"Winning wont help in my case Caesar"
"Why ever not?"
"She is madly in love with my best friend and finally realized it" Peeta turns to me and has a new look on his face, one of deep love and deep sorrow. A strange mix of emotion I hope he never has to feel again. I lay my head on his chest needing the strength only he can provide, knowing exactly what I'm going through. He holds me close and gives me a light squeeze.
"That's too bad, well the best of luck to you. Gale Hawthorne of District Twelve" says Caesar as he stands up and motions to Gale. Gale stands, a slight edge to his face, trying to hide his emotions I'm guessing. He smiles and exits the stage and Caesar gives a final send off, wising this years crop of tributes the best of luck. The television goes on to a documentary about District 13 and Peeta turns it off. When he does I look up to him and he wipes a silent tear from my cheek. I hold him close and whisper to him "Don't ever leave me"
He whispers back close to my ear so even I can barley hear it
"Always"