CHAPTER 13
How long has he been there? The whole time probably. Perhaps he heard the noise before I did and waited for me to attend the problem. Which only leaves his curiosity to blame. For awhile we held each other's gaze. The sound of the creak in the hallway floor is what captures my attention once more. Quickly yet quietly, I rushed out of the room towards Gale, shutting the door from behind.
"What was that?" Gale asks, still in alarm from what he had just witnessed.
"That," I say. "is none of your business."
"None of my business," He repeats sharply. "What happened to her?"
"Leave it alone Gale," I start to walk back towards the study. "There are some things you can't -"
He grabs hold of my arm, forcing me to look at him. "Are you trying to make me believe, you honestly thought this could've been avoidable."
"If you had stayed put!" I jerk away. Heat fills my cheeks as I push past him, heading downstairs. I feel so frustrated I can't even speak for a few seconds. "You're here to see Katniss, not snoop through the Mayors house."
Gale growls and turns away from me, pacing a few steps. When he turns back his frustration has simmered down, but his tone was still riled. "Why did you agree to this?"
"I was trying to help!" I snap.
"Is that really the reason, cause I'm getting the impression you wanted this to happen."
I raise my eyebrows, "You're putting this on me now?" My heart pounding in my ears, the anger I feel towards him has boiled inside. He remains calm, his breathing heavy with anger.
After about a minute of this, Gale breaks the silence, "You could've said no."
My breathing steadies when I let the words soak in. He was right, I could've said no. There was no real reason for what I did. I knew deep down, I wouldn't had been able to keep this hidden from him, and now all I feel is guilt. I'm unable to tell him that, instead I keep quiet, and watch him walk away out the back door.
Two days it's been since my fall out with Gale. Two days I've had this weight in my chest. For so long I've kept my secrets, my families secrets, the Capitals secrets. It took one day for it all to fall apart. I can still recall the look in his eyes when he saw my mother and I. I wonder what he could've been thinking as he watched me stick a needle into her frail body.
A high pitch sound draws everyone's attention across the lunch room. Principal Brooke who is standing in front of the exit doors, fumbles with a microphone in hand before placing it down on one of the tables. A thump is heard, followed by another high pitch, so loud majority of the lunch room students clap their hands over their ears.
"Sorry," Says Mr. Brooke. "I suppose we haven't fixed the wiring yet." Principal Brooke was a tall, educated, well built man; who once worked in the mines, until he was offered a teaching position since he was so well versed. He is one of the many here in District 12, who is well respected, and most admired compared to his brother; the district doctor who's responsible for treating the miners injuries. "It's time for the latest update in the games," He glances down to the piece of paper in hand, and begins to read.
Usually they would role in a screen for us to watch live, but from his mention of the wiring it makes sense. He mentions the progress and whereabouts of both Peeta and Katniss. This morning, for all of us, was no doubt an eventful one. After I finished dressing for school, I went into my father's study to see how Katniss was doing since Peeta has joined the Careers. Which surprised majority of the district, some referring to him as a traitor or coward for sinking as low as joining the most known brutal districts. There's others who question whether Peeta is doing so to protect himself or Katniss. Even in the Games Katniss relationships are still one of the main subjects. Although this time it's about Peeta, not Gale.
My father was fixing his tie when he joined me in the study for the viewing. To our surprise we see Katniss running for her life from fire. It's a game the Gamemakers like to play from time to time. Everyone knows they could destroy them all within seconds of the opening gong. The real sport of the Hunger Games is watching the tributes kill one another. Every so often, they do kill a tribute just to remind the players they can.
Katniss on the other hand, with such high ratings with the sponsors, I wonder why she's the primary target. Then I recall her scores, the night they warned my father and it all made sense. We had a strong feeling during the ceremony; those outfits would've caused a stir, but we had heard nothing. Then it was the night of the scoring, and the warning. I don't know what Katniss did for her presentation, but it made an impression on the Gamemakers, and how she's their new toy. She revealed herself as the girl on fire twice, now they're taking it to the next level.
The attack was so long, I took the route through the square to get to school this morning; just so I could watch as much as I could on the Big Screens. Even then it continued on to the point where I and a few others were almost late for class. I was on edge for the first two classes, hoping to not hear the siren go off indicating one of our tributes dead. It never sounded, which means they are both still alive. So to hear the news of Katniss finally making it to safety was a huge comfort.
"…she's wounded, but alive." Says Mr. Brooke. "As for Peeta Mellark, he is still joined with the Careers, and they are not far from Katniss. which as we all know is their primary goal." Mutters of whispers fill the room, "I know this is allot to take in, but let's do our best to not let this spoil our day." He then folds the piece of paper and puts it in his pocket. "This brings me to my next announcement. I have already given this speech to the lunch before yours. Today will be your last lunch here. As you all know tomorrow you graduate. I'm proud of you all, as I have been for my previous students throughout the years; and as long as I've been teaching, not once have I compared any of you to another. For you all are unique and are embarking on a journey of your own. I am forever grateful to have been a part of it. Enjoy your lunch and last period class, I look forward to seeing you all bright and early tomorrow morning."
As he walks towards the hallway the room erupts into applause, until he is no longer in view. I'm excited for tomorrow. To finally graduate school, to not worry about classes, wrist bands, books - everything. My future will begin tomorrow and my life secure after next year's Reaping.
The final hour has never seemed so long, and yet the day has flown by. I make my way towards the exit, along with the last of the Seniors. Each of us discarding our wrist bands into the bin, so they will be scanned in on record for graduation tomorrow.
It's not too long after I depart from school do I make it back to the Square. It's almost frightening how quiet it is in the market, with everyone's eyes glued to the screen cutting back and forth from the Careers to Katniss. This doesn't stop everyone from continuing on with their work, but the silence helps them to hear and not miss what goes on with our tributes. Every so often the cameras will cut to the other tributes. District 11 girl was hopping from trees, while the boy from her district was hidden well in the fields. District 5 female, was watching - though hidden from sight - District 3 male as he was fiddling with the explosives that were once located below the tributes feet during the sixty seconds. I'm not sure what he's doing, and I believe the Gamemakers are just as curious as us viewers. District 10 is the worst off, as he's slowly starving to death. It's no wonder they continue to fall back on the Careers and Katniss, they're the only ones with a possible battle in store.
I'm not ready to go home yet. I look in the direction of the Justice Building wondering if I should stop by or not to see how my father is doing. Instead, to my surprise I spot Gale exiting the building with someone else. From the distance they look like brothers if it wasn't for the wavy hair over his forehead, and pointy chin. If I were to explain Gale; tall, well built, straight black hair, olive skin, and gray eyes. Majority of the families who live in the Seams resemble one another immensely because of this, but there is always something that draws them apart. The wavy hair and pointy chin is how I know they're not related.
Suddenly I feel myself panic when I realize what I just saw. Did Gale go to my father? Why would he do that unless perhaps he was caught at my home by Mrs. Everdeen or worse. So many scenarios flood my mind and I begin to feel dizzy. I need to get home.
"Madge!" I hear my name called. I know that voice, it's Gale, but I can't bring myself to stop. "Madge!" He's closer now and I know he'll only continue to follow, I know he will.
I force myself to face him. he's working his way towards me with his friend following from behind. I'm not prepared to hear what I fear may be said, but I'm not going to let him see that.
"What?" I ask as sharp yet calm as possible. I want him to believe I'm ready for any argument, even though I feel as cold as ice.
"I wanted to congratulate you about tomorrow," Says Gale.
I relax a bit. Angry at myself for thinking too much about what our next encounter would be like. I now feel the empty guilt inside for even thinking such things.
"Thanks," I say. "I know congratulating me couldn't be your only reason for being at this end of town." I don't want to sound too snoopy, but I'm curious about what he was doing in the Justice Building.
Before he could answer his friend finally joins us and speaks up, "Madge Undersee, I don't think we've had the pleasure."
"That's for sure." I reply uncertain.
"This is my good friend Thom," Gale says.
"I wouldn't say good friend, Best friend maybe. Exquisite friend perhaps, a friend to no end would suffice. His childhood friend, close friend -"
"Thom, can you sound anymore conceited?" Gale asks.
"In so little words."
The tension is no longer in the air, because of Gale's friend Thom; the one with the wavy hair and pointy chin, and I can't help but smile from how grateful I am. Though, two can play at that game I thought.
"It's nice to meet you Thom," I say. "I congratulate you on your remarkable introduction."
He laughs while patting Gale's back as if they were both in on the joke. Thom then walks off towards the market, leaving Gale and I alone.
I look in Gale's eyes. A glint I'm surprised to see considering the circumstances. I wonder why he even walked up to me at all when he could have easily avoided me. I could take hours trying to apologize, and explain everything to him. Instead I keep it simple.
"I'm sorry for my outburst the other day," I say.
Gale raises his eyebrows slightly, almost seeming a bit astonished. "You don't have to apologize."
"I had no right -"
"You had every right," he cuts me off. "No one should go through something like that alone. I should be the one apologizing, not you." I'm finding it difficult to respond, this was not even close to how I saw this conversation going. "I know this isn't the time nor place to express my gratitude. I hope to make it up to you, and don't worry, you can trust me."
I knew he meant it from his tone, I don't even believe he would tell Katniss if it came down to it, and for some reason that brings me comfort. It's almost surprising how comfortable I'm beginning to feel around Gale.