Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games Franchise, all original ideas, characters, and places are property of Suzanne Collins and Lionsgate Films. I'm just a fan who wanted to take the original story in another direction.
...
"Katniss? What are you doing here?" Vick asks me. I start to wonder if he knows about the fight Gale and I had? No, that's impossible. Gale doesn't talk to his eleven-year-old brother about his personal issues, especially those regarding me.
"Is Gale home?" I ask. Vick responds by simply shaking his head. "Do you know where he went?" I ask. He says he doesn't know. Defeated, I give him the coins and the berries, and leave, on the look out for Gale. My first instinct tells me he's at the Hob.
...
I arrive at the hob, and notice that there aren't many people around. Probably still at work.
I don't see Gale at Sae's station, nor do I see him at any of our usual trade spots. I make my way out, defeated. Before I can exit the black market, I catch a tall, male figure at Ripper's station. For a second I think it may be Gale, but he doesn't drink.
Crash! I hear a loud crash coming from Ripper's station. No doubt a drunkard who's had too much to drink. I turn around to leave, until someone calls out my name.
"Catnip?" The voice slurs. I feel a shudder go through my spine, and I see Gale, on the floor, surrounded by empty bottles of white liquor.
I think of walking away, leaving him to fend for himself but I just can't bring myself to do it. No matter how mad I may be at him, I would never leave him when he needs my help. Just because I'll still help him doesn't mean I need to be nice.
I walk over angrily to my drunken best friend, still on the floor desperately trying to get up on his own. How much did he drink? How much did it cost him? The only people who go to Ripper that aren't drunks are people looking to get alcohol for special occasions, like weddings or retirement parties.
I get to Gale, who looks pathetic. He reeks of alcohol and his clothes are all dirty. I sigh and grab his arm and pull him up hard and brutally. It doesn't take a lot of strength because he's so drunk he doesn't care. He stumbles around, trying to regain the strength to stand autonomously.
"Hey Catnip." He slurs. He reeks of alcohol and my nose crinkles. I look over at the table he was at and I count many bottles. How on earth did he pay for that?
"Did did he pay you?" I ask Ripper.
"No. Haymitch Abernathy did. He's fine dear." She tells me with a smile. How generous of him, I think. Gale starts laughing and rambling to himself obnoxiously. I roll my eyes, and apologize to Ripper. She just laughs.
I grab Gale, forcing his arm over my shoulder. As we walk, I'm basically dragging him along with me, which is very frustrating.
The second we get out to the Hob, Gale abruptly stops and to my horror, he pukes all over the ground, and some of it gets on me. I let out an involuntary shriek, disgusted by what just happened.
Before I can get mad or even tell him how disgusting he is, he pukes again, at the same spot. God, if I keep watching him, I might puke too.
Unsure of what to do, I try and hide the vomit under some leaves. It doesn't hide the smell but at least you can't see it. I sigh, and turn to Gale, who's laughing and hiccupping. Part of me starts to regret helping nice.
"So you're a drunk now?" I tell him coldly. He pouts.
"Why are you always judging me Catnip?" He slurs. I'd almost feel bad for him if he wasn't so inebriated. I've got very little patience for Gale at the moment and I don't need to hear his sob story about me judging me judging him for being a man whore.
I pull his arms over my shoulder, ignoring his comment. I can feel his hot breathe down my shoulder. Normally, I'd feel some type of way. But right now I just witnessed him making a complete fool out of himself and that's not something I'm attracted too. I walk fast on purpose, just to spite him.
"Not too fast Catnip!" He tells me unintelligibly.
"That really sucks for you huh?" I tease. This upsets him and he tries to break free, but I grab him by the collar of his shirt and he stops resisting.
"I've had it up to here with you right now. So if you don't shut up in the next five seconds I'm leaving you here and you can rot here all night for all I care." Of course I don't mean it, but it works and Gale stops squirming. I let go of his collar, and he loses balance and almost falls before I grab him. This is going to be a long walk home.
...
Once in the square, we get loads of funny looks. I bet we look classy. I think to myself. I try as best as I can to block out the people and concentrate on getting Gale home.
The rest of the walk goes way smoother than it started. Gale doesn't say anything, simply hiccupping and occasionally laughing or puking.
We finally get to his house and I promptly open the door, surprising the Hawthorne household. Everyone's at the dinner, enjoying from what I can tell are the leftover squirrel stew from reaping day.
Vick and Rory look at each other, obviously confused but they just ignore it and continue eating.
"Mommy is Gale ok? He looks sick and icky..." Posy asks her, concerned for her brother's state. None of us are sure how to answer, and Vick simply tells her that he'll be fine.
Hazelle gets up and helps me put Gale to his room, no doubt wanting to scold him for his idiocy.
I open the door to Gale's room and we plop him on the bed. I can't help but feel uneasy being in here, considering what happened last time.
"You have no shame! It's barely six thirty!" Hazelle says to Gale. Gale simply shrugs and lays down the bed.
"Mother I'm fine, honestly, I'm not even that drunk." Spoken like a true drunkard. I wonder if Haymitch Abernathy taught him that line?
She shoots him an angry look, and leaves to join her sober kids for dinner. I'm about to do the same, but I decide to help put Gale's boots off. I need to be considerate, at least. I don't think Hazelle would appreciate washing a muddy bed.
Gale seems to be asleep. I plant a kiss on his forehead and head out the door.
"Catnip?" I turn my head, and sigh.
"Yes?" I answer. He looks disoriented at first, and then sees me.
"Do you love me?"
The comment takes me by surprise, and I'm unsure of what to say.