Chapter Thirteen

Johanna's POV

"What?" Gale's voice echoed down the stairwell a little bit as his grip loosened on me, allowing me back onto my own feet. "But that doesn't make sense."

"It does to her though and I can't do this knowing it'll hurt her," I replied, leaning back against the cool wall. We were still close enough that I could feel his warm breath on my face.

"What if it hurts me to not do it?" he asked.

"Gale don't do this."

"What act like I'm not alright with this stupid situation?"

"I care about her."

"More than you care about me."

"For fuck sake stop it. You think this is easy for me?"

"No because you know you're doing the wrong thing."

"So what's the right thing? Cause it's not as blatantly obvious as you think it is!"

"To do what you want and quit caring about other people for once. Sure Clove will be upset but she'll get over it."

"Gale if she decides now she never wants to see me again it will happen. I'm disappearing to uni next year and she doesn't have to keep in touch. I can't risk it."

"Maybe she's not the only one who won't want to keep in touch," he yelled and stormed back down the stairs again. I debated following him but decided it was safer to let him cool down for a bit. Instead I slid down the wall and took a few deep breaths and reassured myself it was all going to be ok.

Katniss' POV

"Katniss!" Peeta yelled, pulling me into a tight hug as soon as the team arrived back. I'd decided after my walk with Gale to wait for them in the lobby. I didn't want to hear the news second hand.

"Aww Peeta you smooshed the book," I complained pointlessly. It was his book and I doubted he cared that much anyway. "Take it you won then," I questioned already knowing the answers as Cato helped Marvel carry in a very drunken Haymitch.

"Smashed them!" he exclaimed proudly and pulled me back in for a hug again.

"'Smashed them' may be stretching it a little but they kicked ass anyway!" Clove skipped (yes skipped) in excitedly. Madge, Suzie and her were laughing and the whole atmosphere lifted. Other holiday-goers looked on curiously at us as they explained the main events of the day to me. To me it didn't sound overly exciting but clearly just the act of winning had lifted their spirits.

"How was training?" Clove asked as the others headed off to get ready at a pace I couldn't be bothered attempting to keep up with.

"Not bad, Johanna and Gale managed not to kill each other with difficulty but other than that not much happened," I admitted as we jogged up the stairs, leaving the lift for the science team.

"That's impressive. How are they shaping up?"

"Not too badly. There's a few weak links here and there but coach will have a plan to fix them."

"Yeah, between the what thirty of us we should be able to manage them."

"Well I hope so anyway although I think coach is concerned about the senior boys relay."

"How come? They win every year."

"Yeah but Kyle's legs playing up after that injury last month and he doesn't know how reliable he'll be."

"Great, that's one of the events we were leaning strongly on."

"I know and no offence to Connor but he can't keep up the same pace."

"Yeah. I mean hopefully we can pick up enough points elsewhere that it won't matter but it'd be nice to have that in the bag."

"Exactly."

"So Peeta was disappointed you weren't there," Clove suggested not so subtly. I smiled just a little too much at this and she noticed instantly. "I knew it!" she exclaimed happily.

"Alright so he's sweet but I'm not sure I can handle sweet."

"What? Gale was too rebellious, Peeta's too sweet is anyone going to satisfy you?"

"Only one way to find out."

"In that case you are definitely coming with us to celebrate their win," she chirped. I couldn't remember the last time she'd been this happy. To be honest I couldn't blame her, I found myself wondering what to wear tonight for what was probably the first time in my life.

Prim's POV

"What do you mean?" I asked, looking at Rory like he'd said the most ridiculous thing on the planet.

"I don't know if I'm good enough. I mean there's kids from all over Europe coming for this and I just wish I'd trained more now you know?" he asked. I sighed and shook my head at him.

"Rory you're easily the best all round athlete in our age group in the district, if not most of Scotland. You train to the same level most of the seniors do and most of them can't manage it. Doesn't that tell you something?" I tried reassuring him. I saw the corner of his lips pull up in the faint hint of a smile and I knew I was getting somewhere. "And if that doesn't then I believe in you," I claimed proudly.

"You do?" he questioned, I wanted to slap some sense in to him but that was more Johanna's style.

"Of course I do. Why wouldn't I?" I hoped he'd get that the question was rhetorical and just have some faith in himself. He was easily one of the most promising athletes on the team. One day he might even compete at world level, he'd been picked out by the local athletic squad the last time we'd had a competition and had been training a ridiculous amount ever since.

He shrugged in response and I smiled encouragingly at him.

"You'll do great. If you weren't going to don't you think coach would've said something by now?"

"I guess so. Thanks Prim," he smiled and hugged me before heading off for their evening training session.

Author's Note: Heya guys! Sorry I wasn't able to upload anything yesterday, people decided my flat was the place they wanted to watch the Olympics and those horses are freaking distracting! But yeah seriously wanting to give a massive thanks for all your reviews! I don't think I've replied to them yet but I will have plenty of time tomorrow (as I'm finally getting internet in my flat!) so hang in there, I will get back to you soon! Anyway once again.. please review! :)

-R