Katniss is free of Gale. In times like these where the future is in the balance, can she finally move forward? Will she brave enough to do it?

Thank you for all of your reviews and likes. Thank you to alliswell21 for being an amazing beta, also to the clever and utterly talented kleeklutch for her amazing banner.

I do not own the Hunger Games or Bridget Jones.


"R-E-S-P-E-C-T," Katniss sang to herself as she marched out of the library with her diary in hand. "I love you, Aretha!" She shouted as she walked down the street. She twirled as Aretha Franklin's song filtered through her body. For the first time in her life, she felt good.

As she crossed the street a horn brought her out of her dance haze ."Oh sorry!" Katniss quickly scurried across the street.

The sound of the horn was like a wake-up call, she snapped out of her delirium.

The bravery lasted all about five minutes. She entered a diner, her hands shook as the reality of what she'd done settled around her shoulders. She'd never been that brave. Never been so forthright with anyone. Sure she'd faced lions for her sister and mother. It was natural to defend Prim, but it was an entirely different story when it came to standing up for her own rights. This was the first time ever she'd said what was on her mind unafraid. It felt great that it'd been Gale.

The chapter on Gale was closed. She sat in the booth, blinking rapidly.

"Hi?"

"Hello," helplessly she stared at the waitress.

"What can I get you?"

Her eyes narrowed in on the waitress. The poor woman looked like she'd seen better days. "Water."

"Honey we just don't serve water without buying something."

"Oh okay," Katniss could feel the blush on her face, "Ah...how about a cup of tea?"

"We don't have tea."

"Really?"

"Look, we ran out this morning, we had a bunch of British tourists saunter in and drink all of it." She tapped her pen against the ordering pad.

"Right," Katniss looked around, "Coffee then."

She didn't even look up, but her voice sounded annoyed. "Just coffee?"

Katniss spotted a case of donuts, "Coffee and a donut."

"K' big spender, coffee and donut coming right up."

Katniss waited until the woman was gone before she pulled out her diary and purse. She rummaged around for a pen she needed to solemnize what happened this morning.

The waitress came back with a mug and a plate with a donut. "Sugar is on the table and here's the creamer," she said as she reached over to the other table and grasped a handful of those little tubs of nondairy creamers. "Enjoy."

Katniss shook her head.


"Dear Diary:

What did I just do!

Ugh! I'm mortified, but rather proud of myself? Gale deserved it! I am WOW! …..aren't I?

Why am I sitting in a coffee shop with donut feeling rotten for standing up for myself? Isn't this braver Katniss what I've wanted all along, but for goodness sakes why should I wallow in my misery with fatty foods.

Well, donuts taste good and they don't judge size of hips! Who needs gorgeous tall man…wait is that geezer winking at me? EW…he is the same age as my Uncle! Hold on…the waitress just told me donut and coffee are on the house! She wrote you go girl on the ticket!

Why are those people staring at me? Why are they whispering? They are pointing at me! Something is not right! Is that my voice coming out of patrons phone? Must vacate premises and investigate!"


That night she sat at home in her pajamas bemoaning her stupidity.

She'd lost her job thanks to that louse Gale Hawthorne, someone filmed her whole atrocious stunt in the library and posted it on social media. Unbeknownst to her, it became an instant hit. It went viral in mere minutes, and somehow Mr. Snow, the Head of HR caught wind of her crazy and inappropriate behavior. Snow had been looking for a way to get rid of her for ages, they abhorred each other. He finally had enough reason to fire her after the Gale incident went public. Katniss was glad Effie was alright, but, she'd have to move back home. Her only consolation were her friends.

"He's a flipping jerk-off," Madge raged. "Honestly glad you sent that douchebag packing."

"I'm just so happy you had the presence of mind to keep yourself poised and ladylike while schooling the bastard!" Announced Delly proudly, "Very articulated, without using coarse language!"

Katniss gave a watery laugh. She was on a Skype call with her friends who were in the Bahamas courtesy of Finnick.

"I for one, am glad you got rid of him. Gale didn't like us very much. No... I'm wrong. He liked Madge. He was always texting her," Finnick said.

Madge scoffed, "That's because he wanted my opinion on his ridiculous book, Huntin' Hawthorne."

Delly asked, "Oh, Katniss what are you going to do about a job now?"

Heavily influenced by the power of a few beers, she exclaimed proudly, "I am going to start over!"

"You mean you're finally going to do it?" Finnick sat up excitedly.

"Yes, Finnick, I'm finally going to open up my own bookstore café in my home district." She sighed. She looked around her apartment and grimaced. There were take-out containers and fast food wrappers all over the place.

"Good for you Katniss." Madge nodded.

"I'm in, I've got millions to spare!" Finnick truly had millions. There was a revival of the show and money was pouring in to add to his pile. There were talks of doing a spin-off like Full House.

"Finnick, it would be a loan. I'll pay back every penny." Katniss didn't want to have that over her head. She didn't like owing people, friend or not.

He shook his head and gazed at her pointedly over the computer. "No, it wouldn't be. It would be an investment. I would be a silent partner." He said smugly.

"Okay." Katniss could agree to those terms; she didn't want to borrow money from Finnick, but a business partner, silent business partner, she could manage. He was a great guy, although when she first met him, she wanted to stomp his foot and slap his face.

"To Katniss Everdeen, future businesswoman extraordinaire!" Madge raised her cup.

They all toasted to a fruitful spring and summer.