Chapter 12: Groomsman and Bridesmaid

A/N: I'm sorry it took ages to update. Starting my college life and ECE is definitely not easy. But I will try to update as soon as I can. Want to finish this story. Sorry but there is no Katniss and Peeta here, maybe after the next chapter.

I do not own Hunger Games. Read and review,

Gale's POV

I stormed off the house. Angry. Very angry. To whom? Maybe with that guy Peeta? Maybe with Katniss? Maybe with myself even.

It hurts a lot when Katniss rejected me. I have known that she doesn't like that kind of thing but still it hurts when she finally said the words, "I can't" and it hurts even more that things have changed, not for the good but for the worse.

After that day, when she talked with me in the woods saying she needed her best friend back, I told myself it's okay just being friends with her. But the more I spend time with her, looking at those intense grey eyes, the way she knows how to handle her bow and arrows, the way her hair sways, braided or not, the way those rare smiles creep up to her face whenever she shoots a squirrel or any animal for that matter on the eye or even just seeing Prim, it just makes me fall for the huntress with the braided hair whose my best friend again. Realizing this, I still hope that she changes her feelings towards me, that she too will fall in love with her best friend. But now, with what's going on all of a sudden; she befriending Peeta and trusting him easily, me overreacting even accusing her of things, us wanting different things from each other and me screaming at her because of that, made me feel angry, neither to her nor him, but to myself.

I parked in front of a diner with the sky gloomy, like me. I remember one time, it was Katniss' birthday. Prim and I decided to surprise her by renting the diner we often go to just for her. The diner was owned by Greasy Sae. She used to "work" on the hob but she saved enough money to open her own diner.

Prim is in charge of the cake, Mrs. Everdeen and my mother is in charge of the decoration while Rory is helping me hunt because I'm in charge of the meat Sae will be cooking with later. We caught a deer, a turkey, a wild pig, three fat rabbits and six squirrels. It's a lot but we decided to invite some of the seam people.

Katniss was so surprised she almost cried with happiness. She jumps towards me for a hug but we end up falling on the floor laughing like there's no tomorrow. It was one of the moments with her I'll always treasure. But those moments might never happen now that I've ruined it. Again. But now, it's beyond repair unlike last time. I've crossed the line.

My face is buried in my knees and I'm trying hard not to cry when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

"Umm, you're blocking the entrance." I hear a girl say, voice slightly annoyed.

I didn't notice that I've been sitting in front of the door of the diner. I quickly stand up to face her mumbling my apology. I noticed she has brown hair just above her shoulders and wide set eyes the same color as her hair. Then she proceeded inside but she faced me again saying, "Never thought a guy cries." Then start to make her way again towards the line. I followed her taking my place behind her. I could use a cup of coffee. She then faced me again, her eyes intense, very much like Katniss then I felt sadness again. She continues to look at me. "We have feelings too." I said defensively. She returned to face the other way her back in front of me.

"That's a shocker." She whispered quietly I almost didn't catch it. I did not reply. My thought is still wandering off to our fight. Maybe it is my fault saying things like that. Things that's unreasonable and out of place. I need to apologize to her. I know we will never be the same again but not being with here, even just as friends, I just can't afford to think life without her. What have I done?

I'm back to reality when the cashier asked me what to order. I was about to make my way out of the diner holding a Styrofoam cup filled with coffee and a box containing a hamburger when I saw her again. She looks very frustrated.

"Hey, what are you still doing here?" I asked while taking a sip on my cup.

"None of you're business." She said while looking at her watch.

Judging by the looks of her knitted eyebrows, her constant glance to her watch and the weather, it's already a downpour outside, she's stranded and she needs to get going maybe because she is late for something.

"You know, I can give you a ride home." I offered surprising myself. Maybe doing good things will ease the guilt I feel. Well, it's a stupid theory but I should still help her.

"I guess there are no other good options. I really have to be home, now."

"Well, you're welcome." I said trying to smile but failed remembering how this girl is like Katniss the first time we met, stubborn.

"Whatever." She said then we made our way to the car.

"Where do you live?" I asked her while starting the engine.

"Just near here. You know that villa in front of a beach two blocks from here."

Then I realized that's where we are staying. "By any chance do you know Finnick and Annie?"

"Well yeah, I'm staying there awhile for their wedding." She said while putting her feet on top of the dashboard.

"It's a small world isn't it? Actually I'm staying there too, for the wedding."

She just murmured an agreement. Then she turned to me.

"Why were you crying earlier?" She asked. Her face full of confusion. I guess it is really the first time she saw a guy cried. I thought she was just teasing me.

"Well I don't want to go into details but I had a fight with a girl." I said trying to keep my focus on the road.

"Your girlfriend?"

"No, my best friend, if she still considers me that." I replied with a sigh. She just nodded then turned her pace to the road again.

We're already at the villa. We entered and saw Annie, Finnick and Cinna looking very impatient.

"Where were you? You said only for ten minutes?" Annie asked.

"I'm sorry. Just went to buy food." The girl responded. Her voice soft, surprisingly.

Annie turned to Cinna."I'm sorry for the trouble, calling you back here and all."

Cinna just gave her a smile. I excused myself then went to the kitchen to finish my burger. After a while I made my way to my room. The living room is empty. But then there she is again, walking towards the stairs. I went up, her still just a couple steps behind me. I stopped in front of Katniss' door. I was about to knock when she speaks again.

"I think you should sort your arguments you have with her next time, it's already late."

I was about to tell her that it's none of her business too when she added, "I saw the look of her eyes earlier when I came here. She's been crying. She's emotionally exhausted. Do it tomorrow, you both should need a time to cool off and think about things. Rushing things isn't good you know." She said then smiled at me but her eyes almost seemed teary. She sighed then begins to grab the doorknob.

"Thanks. By the way I'm Gale." I said trying to smile with success.

"It's nothing. Don't mention it. Ever." She said then opened the door.

"And I'm Johanna." She added then closed the door. I went to my own room and followed her advice. I think about what will become of us now, the wrong things I've said and how I would apologize to her and keep my expectations low towards her reaction. And with that I drift off to sleep.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed. Sorry for the typo and wrong grammars.

Next chapter will be interesting. Gale and Peeta talking. Watch out for that :D