Rebirth
Author Note: I'M BACK! I'm sooo sorry I had been away from this story for so long, school this year was a very time consuming. However the important thing is I'm done with school and I'm back. Thank you to my other readers to reviewed this while it was on hold and also to those who favorite this too. Thanks guys! Now onto the story!
*I don't own the Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins does*
Okay obviously you guys already know I switch back and forth from Katniss's to Rue's Pov. Alright guys, chapter Eleven is here, finally! It's pretty long too.
Chapter Elven
Let me go home
I've had my run
Baby, I'm done
I gotta go home
Let me go home
It will all be all right
I'll be home tonight
I'm coming back home
-Home by Michael Buble
Katniss Pov
I sigh, heaving myself out of the bed; it didn't matter now that I was up. I had another nightmare and I couldn't go back to sleep. I had actually thought I was doing well but once in a while the nightmares always came back. The telephone's ringing knocks me out of my thoughts and with no other option but to get it I head downstairs where the telephone was still ringing. I grab the receiver and say "Hello"
"Hello, Ms. Katniss Everdeen." I hear the capitol lady voice say "We have a special message from President Paylor. Press one to hear the message directly or Press two, so it can be sent to you"
What could President Paylor want? It couldn't be that important, there was no uprising. I would have heard of them, directly. Yawning I press two
"Thank you for your choice. A letter will be sent to you shortly."
I walk back upstairs quietly, hoping not wake Rue. She had barely said anything to me while we visited Gale. The walk there and back was an awkward silence.
Flashback (Thursday Evening)
"I'm glad you came over" Gale smiles picking up the remaining toys off the floor and putting them back in a box.
It was Thursday evening and I had decided it would be great to see Gale and his family before they went back to District 2.
"It's no big deal" I say as my eyes cast over the various photos of Gale and his new family, they range from Gale and Phoebe to his three kids Cyrus, Orion and Madge. I was a bit jealous of how he had gotten over me and made a family, the same with Peeta but here I was; still single and lonely. It was okay at least I had Rue by my side. Even if I love her and she doesn't love me back.
Phoebe walked in with their middle age child Orion in tow and took a seat next to Gale. Phoebe was an attractive woman with an oval shaped face framed by long copper pin straight hair and pretty light green eyes. I couldn't help but feel longing as I looked at the couple. I only hope to have something close to what they have someday.
At the moment Rue was playing with Madge who was the youngest. Madge was the spitting image of our Madge Undersee with her blonde ringlets and soft blue eyes. It only brought back many more memories of the past. Rue who was acting strange this whole day seemed to act more normal now; as if whatever affected her was gone.
Madge started whimpering and crying, Phoebe picks her up "I think someone is sleepy" she smiles disappearing into the hall. Gale nods and picks up Orion following her. "I'll be right back Katniss" he replies over his shoulder
Take your time, it's not like I have anything to do or having romance issues! I thought, out of boredom I decided to played with my blouse buttons waiting for Gale to return.
Cyrus the oldest of the three who sat down next to Rue. He was a mix of Gale and Phoebe with copper colored hair and steely grey eyes. He smiles warmly at her and says something to make her laugh.
"Would you like to go see the flowers out in the yard?" he asked
"Sure" Rue replied "We'll be back Katniss" she called laughing at something Cyrus said
Why is everyone leaving me? Do I have a disease or something? As I kept thinking of different reasons Gale finally came back. He looked flustered and had a lipstick stain on his cheek.
"A little busy" I joked pointing to my own cheek
His eyebrows rose and he quickly wiped the red gloss off his olive cheek. Gale sat down on the coffee table in front of me.
"So how are you?" he asked
I take a deep breath before telling him about everything he missed out on when he was away. From admitting I didn't love Peeta, my second time getting drunk, and finally about Rue and how I feel about her. When I finished Gale looked like he was still absorbing all the information.
"Well, Catnip you'll get through to her eventually" Gale finally spoke smiling
I let out a breathe I didn't know I had held in. This was good this meant Gale approved! During our conversation Gale asked a lot of questions about, Tin, Pan, Delly, Johanna, How I felt about Rue, and so much more.
Gale looked at his watch and sigh "I better send Cyrus off to bed before Phoebe has 'my sorry rear end'"
I wait for Rue at the coat rack. She had barely spoken any words to me and again she's acting strange towards me. Fiddling with her buttons she asks "Are we leaving now?"
I nod "I just want to say goodbye to Gale then we'll be on our way"
Rue side steps me and starts walking down the path before she calls out "I'll wait down at the end of the street"
Gale appears from down the hall and hugs me "It was good to see you again catnip"
I smile pulling away from him and say "Of course you'll come visit again"
He nods "Defiantly."
We hug last time before I start walking down the road.
"Remember lay off the alcohol" Gale calls out
I laugh and wave goodbye
End of flashback
~OOOOOOOOOOOOOO~
Morning has come and I grab the last muffin of the plate and join Rue at the table. I look over the bills for my mother's apothecary shop. I quickly read over what needs to be paid by the end of the month and what I don't have to worry about at this moment.
"Katniss" I hear Rue say
"Yes" I say looking up from the bills
I look at her and she shifts uncomfortably in her chair before speaking "I'm sorry about ignoring you and acting strange. A lot has been going on in my head and I still need to let it all sink in. I'm sorry" she says smiling
I nod my head and smile "It's fine" I say covering her hand with mine. She jumps lightly before smiling. I stare at her for a while before the telephone rings again. I huff and run to get the phone. Again! I pick up the receiver and say harshly "Hello Katniss Everdeen speaking"
"Oh hello" A warm pleasant voice greets
"Hi" I say less harshly
"It's been awhile since we last met, I'm Mila Beauregard"
Mila Beauregard? Why did that sound so familiar but I didn't know it. Beauregard? Rue Beauregard? Rue's little sister. The one that stared at me during the victory tour. How could I forget?
"What can I do for you?" I ask
"I was just calling to invite you to a district festival" she said
I twisted the wire around my middle finger, listening to the details of the festival. I twist the cord more around my finger more and ponder how I should I tell her that her sister is alive?
"Listen. I've got to tell you something" I say going with my better judgment
"What is it?" Mila asks
"It's about Rue. She's alive" I force out
For a long time Mila doesn't say anything and I wonder if she hung up on me.
"How?"
I explain about the situation with her and for moment there's another long pause.
"Can we see her?"
Now it's my turn to pause, I look back into the kitchen where Rue sits eating her breakfast. It's not going to hurt if she sees her family again.
"Yes. When?" I ask
"No later than Saturday" Mila says her voice sounds somewhat choked up but happy
"I have to go now?" I say when I hear Rue calling my name
"I'll call back, I want to talk to her" Mila adds before I hang up
~OOOOOOOOOOOOOO~
I refolded the newspaper and stirred my tea slightly. Rue sits on the couch, one leg folded under her and the other jiggles. She stares anxiously at the phone; her right arm lays outstretched on the end table. Her fingers twitched begging to touch the phone for when it rings. I sigh stretching my legs and scooted near the anxious girl.
"Here" I say almost making Rue nearly jump "This will help calm you nerves" I smile handing her the cup of tea.
"Thanks" she mumbles sipping the tea
She looked anxious to hear from her sister who in return was grateful to hear Rue was alive. I was happy for her, she got her family back. I was a little bit jealous. She had something that I had lost. For once I wished it was the other way around, that I had gotten my family back.
When the telephone does ring Rue quickly grabs it, holding it her hand she hesitates looking up at me for something. I smile and nod encouraging her to go on. I stood up placing the paper in my spot on the couch leaving the room for her to have some privacy.
~OOOOOOOOOOOOOO~
District 11 had change greatly. No longer remained the huge and looming watchtowers but in its place are large fruit trees and where the electrical fences stretched far and wide were the wheat pastures. Like the Seam the small compartments of shacks were turned into small condos. They were affordable for the District people, curtsy of President Paylor who had ensured them in every district.
I licked my lips, gripping my hold on Rue's hands as we walked through the throng of people. We should see Apple, Rue's youngest sister around here somewhere. When we entered the town square everything looks different than I remember, the store fronts are repaired. People give us curious glances here and there; for a short time we start to hear the whispers. It's not long before we spot Apple, her pigtails bounce as she bounds towards us.
"Rue!"
"Apple!" Rue says breaking out of my hold
They embrace and tears are both in the sister's eyes as they observe one another.
After the two sisters embrace we follow Apple to her home. They live near the Wheat pasture fields on the outskirts of District 11. They're house looks just like all the other condos except there's a huge oak tree looming over the house with ribbons attached to them. The bottom of the ribbons hangs flowers that sway in the afternoon air.
Ribbons? What's with the ribbons?
~OOOOOOOOOOOOOO~
Mila's Pov
Mila Beauregard rearranges the small spice bottles on the shelves for the fifth time that day. Someone sighs as she rearranges the last spice bottle before sitting; she looks across the room at her younger sister Paloma.
"Why are you so worked up?" The black haired girl asks putting down her uneaten apple "Woah! Rue lives again, big deal." She says throwing up her arms and walking out of the kitchen, Mila can hear the backdoor screen slam shut. The fifteen year old girl rolls her eyes at Paloma's dramatic exit,
Always dramatic Mila thinks sighing and turning back to add parsley to the cut up potatoes. She hears another door slam and almost drops the wooden spoon she's been using. Her nerves have been a jumble mess ever since Katniss Everdeen told her about her older sister being alive. It had been years she realizes that she had believed that her sister was dead. Katniss Everdeen. The name causes Mila to frown slightly, she didn't know whether to thank her and curse at her till she was blue in the face.
"Paloma! Please take a walk outside before you wake up the twins!" Mila yells
She knows Paloma and her temper is sometimes untameable and the only thing that helps is when she takes a walk outside to clear her head. Mila rubs her tired eyes before opening the oven and taking out a freshly baked batch of honey cookies.
Rue's favorite she thinks placing them on the table. Mila hears more footsteps and talking in the living room. The brunette throws off the apron she's wearing and steps into the hallway. "Paloma did you hear me!"
"Mila?"
Rue Pov
When I first enter the house, it's hard to believe nothing has changed since I've been gone. The same old red robin statue sits in the window and the pencil markings are still on the wall near the staircase. I feel someone tugged on my arm,
"Come on and sit" Apple smiles dragging me to a nearby sofa.
We hear more yelling in the kitchen and then the sound of pots and pans being set down. We hear footsteps come from the hall that was to the kitchen. "Paloma did you hear me!"
The voice belongs to my little sister Mila, but maybe my mind was playing tricks on me. Until I see my sister come into view. She puts her hand over her mouth and runs over to me. Mila embraces me in a tight hug, she was now crying, tears streaming down her cheek as every second past.
When we step back from our embrace, for a moment I can't believe that the tall girl I'm seeing is my little sister Mila. The flour powder looks so out of place on her, she was usually the shy girl hiding behind our mothers' legs. The years have greatly changed her and to me it seems like yesterday I was looking at her pudgy grief stricken face as I was reaped.
I hear feet padding down the stairs and I see my twin sisters Marigold and Libra rush pass Mila and hug me. "Hey guys" I say ruffling their hair
I notice how big they've gotten; they both come up to my waist. I notice Paloma my other sister isn't here.
"Mila where is Paloma?" I ask looking for her
Mila looks at me for a moment and then says "You know how Paloma is and her tempers, she's probably outside under the oak tree sketching"
"oh" I say
I knew what she was talking about; Paloma was always angry about everything and said life was unfair. Yet she has nothing to worry about anymore. The looming of the games no longer hangs over our family. Although from what I've heard so far, that what it sounds like to me.
"Hey Rue-bear, who is that behind you?" Libra asks using my old nickname and points to Katniss
"Oh this is Katniss" I say grabbing her and bringing her over to my sisters.
"Hi" she greets awkwardly
Marigold giggles waving back,
"Katniss this is Mila, Apple, Marigold and Libra my sisters." I introduce them to her "I don't know where Paloma is at the moment." I add
~OOOOOOOOOOOOOO~
For a while it's a comforting silence between everyone as we are all gathered around the dinner table. Everything has been going really well this evening and we're almost done with dinner until Paloma shoots dagger across the tables at me and making snide remarks directed at Katniss.
"Why the hell did you bring that Bitch with you!" Paloma yells pointing a finger at Katniss.
"Paloma! Watch your tongue! Say sorry!" Mila chides her
"I will not apologize to her! She's the reason why my big sister was dead and gone for a chunk of my life! Why couldn't you die instead?" Paloma says storming out
"I'm really sorry about that, she didn't mean it." Mila says to Katniss
I feel Katniss tense beside me and I squeeze her knee. "Are you okay?" I whisper meeting her eyes, hurt floated into them. Katniss nods her head "Yeah."
I look at her one more time before getting up from the table and chasing after Paloma. I would talk to later but right now I needed to straighten out Paloma.
"Paloma come back here!" I shout running after her
My little sister doesn't stop til she's near the Giant oak tree that looms over our house. When I do catch up to her she's leaning against the oak and her shoulder shake. Paloma wipes them away when she spots me, for minute I don't a thirteen year old but a wounded child instead. My bite my tongue thinking of something to say to her without saying it in a mean way.
"What's wrong?" I ask
"Nothing is wrong with me! Christ you sound like Aunt Mary! Isn't it alright to be angry!" She yells wiping away more tears and anger dresses her face.
I shake my head "No there's nothing wrong with me angry but when you lash out towards people is when it's wrong do." I say looking at her
Paloma scoffs and frowns "I don't understand why you would bring her here? Maybe if you didn't cross paths with her than maybe you would have made it out of that goddamn arena alive."
I blink a bit and process what she's saying to me. Paloma usually had a lot of pint up anger and was probably still grieving and suffering just as much as Mila and the rest of my siblings. Probably when she saw Katniss it triggered something, but I wished she had talked to me instead of lashing out at the dinner table. Shaking my head "It's not like that" I say pausing "without her I would have died much sooner. It was my choice to trust her and help her."
Images of me back in the arena flash into my mind. The nights were long and cold and sometimes if you moved it would hurt to move. Without Katniss i would have died by the second night. Shuddering I focus my mind on Paloma instead of the Games, Paloma doesn't say anything and I go on "Please try to understand fro my sake." I say putting a hand on her arm.
Paloma opens her mouth to say something but I cut her off "I did what I did and there's nothing you can do to change it. The past is the past Paloma. Let it go." I say locking eyes with her, the anger drains from her face and her mask crumbles and tears fall from her eyes. I pulled her into a hug and spoke softly into her ear "I'm here now and that's what matters."
She sobs into my shoulder and I let her, rubbing soft soothing circles onto her back. When she stops crying she wipes her face and looks at me. "I'm a mess aren't I?" she says smiling
I laugh nodding "Your the biggest mess I know but I love you."
This is the eleventh chapter! So does anybody have a clue to what's the letter about? I've really been stalling on this chapter and I'm sorry. I written every other chapter except this chapter, I kind of had writer's block when plotting out this chapter. Sorry it sucks so much.
How do you like it so far? Please tell me! Your advise is always taken into consideration. :) Tomorrow I should have Chapter Twelve up.
Bye,
purplerainrose
Ps: R.I.P. to all the victims in Colorado and just letting you guys know I'm praying for the other victims. My heart goes to all the families that lost their loved ones in the theater last night.