A/N - Hello my readers, I hope this sunday is treating you well! Here is Chapter 11! I LOVE this Chapter for some odd reason. I like Peeta's parts in this. This will most likely be Peeta's last appearance. This is about Gale and katniss. But I couldn't leave him out, I am Team Peeta you know! It's I think my longest Chapter yet. I hope so. It took me my longest ever to write this one. I do hope you enjoy. I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to write and add last night. But it's here now. Most likely, but not certain you could see Chapter 12 up awhile later. But I'm not sure. If not, defiantly tomorrow! Enjoy lovies, Please, Please PLEASE tell me what you think? - Macayla
I wake to a loud clap of thunder. There goes hunting today. I can see out the small, rusted window from the bed. Black. It must be a thunder storm. I look over to see Posy, arms hanging off the bed. But the snoring finally stopped. I nudge her..
"Come on, Posy. Get up. Time for school." Sadly, I have school too. She doesn't move. I decide to leave her. And lay here for a few more minutes. After a minute or two, I hear commotion downstairs, and foot steps coming up the creaky stairs. I see Gale's head emerge. I had almost, surprisingly forgot about our conversation last night. Is he going to want an answer today? Am I sure I didn't just dream it? No, I know I didn't, not by the way Gale is looking at me.
"Good morning, ladies." Says Gale while walking over the Posy's side of the bed.. But keeping his eyes lock on mine.
I smile.
I see Gale has something in his hands. It looks to be a spray bottle filled with a little water. He points it at Posy, right in the face. And presses the trigger. I can't help but burst of laughing when Posy shoots up out of the bed. But she's not mad. Gale see's me laughing..
"Hey! It's the only way to wake her!" He says with a sly, almost evil brotherly grin. She's a heavy sleeper!
Posy walks over to the dresser that has her school clothes Gale laid out the night before, grabs them, and walks into the tiny bathroom off of the room. Shutting the door behind her.
"Alright.." Says Gale, walking over to my side of the bed. "Your turn!" He says. Right as I'm about to open my mouth to protest no.. He squirts me. Right in the face.
"Stop it Gale!" I say. I'm mad.. But he squirts me again. I fling out of bed, probably faster then Posy. Almost crashing into him. He has yet another sly, evil grin on his face. And I'm about slap him on the shoulder when we are both a wear of how close we are. Our chest's practically touching. He stops grinning. We are standing there, staring into each others eyes. But why is it so awkward to be this close to each other now? We use to rustle (that's why he's always been like a big brother to me), pinning each other to the ground. Being as close to each other as you can get. But I'm guessing it's awkward after our conversation last night.
He very quickly backs away.. Then burst out laughing.
"It's not funny, Gale!" I say while walking over to my bag, sitting in a chair by the window. I want to laugh, but I'm still mad. I grab some clothes out. Another pair of jeans and a black, plain, thick tank top (I'll put my fathers hunting jacket on when I leave), and fresh undergarments. I turn around, about to go into the bathroom when I remember Posy's still in there. Gale is still there, staring at me. Not laughing anymore, but he still has the evil grin. I scowl.
"Sorry, Catnip. Just messing with you." He says. He's acting like our conversation last night never happened. Good.
I put my clothes on the bed and grab the rubber band from the nightstand and start braiding my hair in it's usual side braid. Gale takes a seat on the edge of the bed, watching me start to braid my hair.
"You should leave your hair down. It's pretty." He say's with a smile. I've never heard him compliment me like that before.
"Since when have you cared?" I ask. Why I'm I being rude and feeling offended? He just complimented me.
"Since you might become my girlfriend." He says with a devilish smile. All the air comes out of my lungs for a split second. So if I become his 'girlfriend' he wants me to wear my hair down for him? What a pig! He must see immediately the anger in my face. He very quickly adds, "I'm just joking with you Catnip. I love you braid." I want to slap him. Hard.
"Don't you have your brothers to help get ready?" I say. Angered and harsh. Good. I want him to know I'm mad.
"No. They think their 'men'." Says Gale laughing. I don't laugh.
Just then Posy opens the door.
"Can someone help me brush my teeth?" She asks. Gale looks at me.
"I'm glad to know someone still needs me." He says flashing a smile. He walks in. "I'll close the door, you can change now." He says.
Once the door is closed I quickly slip out of my night clothes and into my jeans and tank top. I neatly fold my pajamas to save them for tonight again and place them on top of my bag.
I walk down the stairs to see Rory and Vick sitting at the table eating some leftover strawberry jam my mother left. As my feet hit the leveled floor, Rory quickly gets up from his chair, strides over to me, standing next to me and says..
"Well hello there my, ah, fair beauty!" He says with a wink.
"Your crazy." I say. And he is. I'm not really sure where his humor comes from. Gale, Hazel and Vick doesn't have much of it. Posy does a little. It must be from their father.
As I'm lighting the fire in the burner to warm some of the still leftover tea, Vick comes and puts his empty bowl into the sink. As he's walking back I see a little note taped to his back that reads 'I'm an Idiot. Kick me if you agree' written out in sloppy hand writing. Rory's handwriting. I would laugh if it wasn't for Gale now standing in the kitchen. I want him to see and know I'm still mad.
After warming the tea for the others I go back upstairs to grab my school bag and my hunting jacket and boots. I decide to grab my old, faded brown hat to tuck my braid into so it won't get wet from the rain.
After a short breakfast. We are off to school (picking up Prim in the process), leaving Gale and Posy to do the days chores. We sprint, no run to the school to try to avoid the pouring down rain. We get there just in time. I'm hoping this day will go by fast…
And fast it does. Since we got out a few minutes early, my grade, I decide to go through all my old papers and junk in my locker. After several minutes of maneuvering the old rusted away lock, I finally get it open. I use it almost every time I'm at school. But the lock always seems to grow new rust overnight. Over half of the students don't even use their lockers since their so rusted away. I set my bag down on the floor and start to make a neat pile of trash. Mostly old papers, but I through in a couple of old textbooks that I'm almost certain the school doesn't even use anymore.
While I'm shifting through all the papers, I see a neatly folded one. All the way in the back. I stand on my tip toes. Arms fully extended. But I just can't reach it. I wish I had one of the lower lockers. I practically have my head in the locker. My fingers are just grazing the piece of paper when I hear a friendly, warm voice behind me-
"Would you like some help?"
The sudden unknown voice scares me a little and I jump. Hitting my head on the locker. I cuss under my breath.
I turn around to see him. Standing there. The bakers son.
"I.. ah.. Uh.." I stutter "Yes, please." I finally get out. I step aside and watch him. He's tall, not as tall as Gale. But a little taller then me. He's broad shouldered. Like his father.
"There you go!" He says. Handing me what I was after. I've never seen someone smile as big as him.
"Thank you." I say. Letting out a quick, almost unnoticeable grin.
"Your most certainly welcome!" He says. He walks back over to the group of merchant kids. The wealthier kids. I watch him as he disappears out the front doors with the group of people.
I shake my head and look at the piece of paper. It has a date on the front. 2 weeks before my fathers death. I carefully open it. As though it might shred to a million pieces. It's a note. In beautiful, delicate handwriting. I start to read..
"My dearest daughter,
I knew I wanted to be a father ever since I was young…"
I stop reading. The note is from my father. I want to finish reading it. But not here. I carefully fold it back up and stick it in my bag. I'll read it when no ones around. I don't like for people to see me cry…
I hear the old, off tuned school bell ring. Indicating school is out. For the other grades. I quickly collect Rory, Vick and Prim and we head off to home. Thankfully the rain stopped. Although it's still cloudy.
As we are walking through the school yard, I see him. Again. He's still with his group of friends. Sitting on one of the swings. Starring at me. I catch his friendly smile. But I don't return it. I shouldn't be so rude.
After dropping Prim off and checking on my mother. We head back home. Again, I'm the last to enter. Closing the door behind me. I see Gale and Posy. Folding clean clothes at the table.
"Hey Rory?" He says. "Your in charge. Katniss and I have to go hunting. We won't be gone long." Rory shakes his head.
Gale looks at me, at though asking if that's ok. But I was planning on going hunting anyway. So I just give him a quick smile. I want him to know I'm still mad.
After putting my bag down and putting away my hat, since it stopped raining. I go back downstairs and join Gale in the kitchen. He's just finishing putting on his boots.
"Ready?" He asks while standing up. I nod my head and we are out the door.
It's just a short walk to the woods. After we crawl under the fence, we are walking through the meadow. Approaching the woods when I can feel his eyes on me..
I prepare myself for the conversation to come…