A.N.: Now this was probably my favorite chapter to write! Isn't it ironic that Chapter 12 took place in District 12? Katniss/Gale fans, get ready! Also, thanks to Ibbonray for pointing out my plot hole!
Chapter 12: Home Is Where the Heart Is
When we reach District 12, we jump out of the train. We walk to the Justice Building, and speak with Mayor Undersee. He joins the cause. 12 has been a mess since it was bombed during the Rebellion, but I secretly had switched the heavy damage bombs with milder ones, so no one died. We walk to Gale's house, as part of the plan. When she signals, I will take Peeta somewhere for Katniss can confess her love for Gale. My heart aches for Peeta. In the Capitol, I'm old enough to get married. Grandfather is trying to find me a suitor. I thought I had a petty crush on Peeta, but I think I'm starting to love him.
Gale lets us in. We sit down, and Katniss signals me.
"I grow bored. Let us go meet your family," I whisper to Peeta. He agrees.
We walk outside. The sky is darkening as we walk to his bakery. I expect a storm.
We reach his family's bakery and knock. His mother answers. "Peeta! Where have you been?" she demands.
"An Avox," he answers. "This is Athena. I'm her Avox. I know you don't know what that is, but it's basically a servant." I smile at his dismissal of the gruesome details.
She gives me a cold, calculating stare. "Is she good to you? And don't lie."
"Yes. She is." That's not what he believes, I'm sure. She tells us to come inside. We speak for a little while, and then we leave.
During our walk to find Katniss, I ask him, "I know you hate me. Why did you lie to your mother?"
"That's what you think. I don't hate you." I hear thunder in the distance. "In fact," he says, taking my hands. "I like you a lot." I blush as it starts to rain.
"I love you, Athena! Just be my girl!"
"We can't-"
"Breech social classes! Let us be together!"
"Peeta, I-" I am cut short by him kissing me, full on the lips. The rain starts to pour with a clap of thunder.
"You were saying?"
"Peeta, I love you!" I kiss him again. We're soaking wet from the rain.
"Will you be mine?" he asks.
"Of course." I smile.
"I want to show you something."
The rain lets up, and we walk to the fence that marks the boundaries of District 12. He tells me to crawl through the hole in it. I do, and he follows. He leads me to a clearing in the forest. A sweet smell looms in the air. He leads me to a bush with white and yellow blooms.
"Have you ever heard of honeysuckle?" he asks, picking a white bloom. I shake my head.
"Bite the tip of this." He holds the bottom part of the bloom to my mouth. I obey. "Now, suck on the opening." I do. A sweet nectar fills my mouth. I am obsessed. We pick several branches and sit down to enjoy them.
"Are you glad to be home?"
He laughs. "Home is where the heart is, Athena. My heart is wherever you are. But yes, I am glad to be in District 12. You know, I'm still missing to everyone but you, because most people don't give Avoxes a second glance. But you do. Thank you."
"You're welcome."
We finish the whole bush, and we depart to go find Katniss. We reach Gale's house.
"Check her house in Victors' Village," he tells us. We go to her house and she answers the door.
"I want you to meet my family." We go to the dining room where a woman and a girl sit. "Athena, this is my mother and Prim." I shake hands with both of them.
"Peeta, Katniss, go outside, please. I'd like to speak to Athena," Mrs. Everdeen says. They leave. She turns to me. "Thank you for taking care of my daughter. I know it's against the rules."
"It's my pleasure, ma'am. Katniss is the only friend I've ever had."
She smiles and leaves the room. She comes back with a bottle of green liquid.
"This is aloe extract," she says, handing me the bottle. "It treats sunburns and the like. Just a small token of my gratitude."
"Thank you." I take the bottle and leave. We make our way back to the train. It keeps nagging at me, what Peeta had said, that home is where the heart is. If that is true, where is my home?