I rush through my work the next day so that I can get back home in time for our date. I am still in a state of ecstasy from last night that when I arrive home, I pick up Pumpkin and start petting him behind his ear. He hates being held. Despite his yowls and scratches, I twirl him around for a minute. He hisses at me, so I finally let him down on the couch, laughing as he runs away with his tail puffed. Cats are fun to annoy. I have just enough time to take a shower, get dressed in nicer clothes than my work jeans, and walk to Velvets place. After knocking a couple times on her door, I step back and wait. "I'm almost ready! Door's open" Velvet yells from inside. As I open the door, I see the house that I was in a couple weeks ago. The living room was painting green before, now it's painted a soft blue. Velvet walks down the hallway from her bedroom wearing a simple orange dress with a black wool vest on top. Her hair is down and straight, making it fall to her chest. "Hey, Gale!" She stops in front of me, looking up into my face, smiling that beautiful smile. "You ready?" She asks me, raising her eyebrows. I notice that she has on more eyeliner than usual, bringing out the green and gold specks in her eyes. I lift my hand to her cheek, brushing the hair out of her face and tuck it behind her ear. She blushes as I smile down at her and say, "Ready." We step outside into the windy street. As Velvet locks her door, snow begins to fall gently around us, sticking to her vest. The movie theater is a ten minute walk from her apartment, so we start out before the sun has fully set. There aren't that many people out tonight, so we are able to walk side by side, which I like. At first, my hands are in my jacket pocket. What am I doing? I don't want to seem distant, like I'm trying to keep her at arms length. I want to hold her hand. Will she be alright with that? What if she rejects it? Come on, Gale, be reasonable. You're going on a date, and you think holding hands with her is going to put her off? Quit freaking out and just go for it! Oh my gosh, why does this woman reduce me to a nervous ball of happy energy? Before I think about it anymore, I reach out and take her hand. She laces her fingers into mine and says, "Now, why did that take you so long?" I nervously laugh, though it comes out sounded more like I was clearing my throat. "I was just lost in thought I guess." I relax and let my thumb rub over the top of her hand, swaying it gently as we walk. We don't talk for the few blocks that is takes to get to the theater. Not because we didn't want to, but we felt perfectly content enjoying each other's company. We pick a sappy romance movie. Well, Velvet picks it. I told her that I like all types of movies, which is a lie. I hate romances, but she seemed happy to see this one, so I didn't mind seeing it for her. Once we get to our theater room, the entire place is packed, but we're able to find two seats next to the aisle with me on the outside seat. As soon as we sit down, the trailers start. I look at Velvet who is sitting with her legs crossed and examining her finger nails. I don't know what to do. Do I put my arm around her shoulder? Hold her hand? Her knee? What do people do on dates? You would think that I've had a lot of dates, so I should know what to do, but I've only been on two dates before and one of them was just sitting on the school playground, swinging together. Granted, I was seven, but that's not the point. Right now, though, I'm nervous. I mean, I shouldn't be! I'm twenty-three and Velvet is twenty-one, so I'm sure has been on multiple dates. I mean, she's gorgeous! Ok, I need to focus, I'm getting too flustered. The trailers are over and the movie is starting now. I jump slightly as Velvet brushes her hand on my arm. I turn towards her and she grabs it gently. "Come on, you know you want to." She lifts my arm up and put's it around her shoulders, petting my hand. Wow. She can read me like a book. Why is it so easy for her? I rub her shoulder and she leans into my chest, resting her head on my arm. "I'm glad you're here with me." I whisper to her. She turns her head up and looks at me with those mischievous eyes that I now love. "Me too." We sit in silence for the rest of the movie and I enjoy the warmth of her head on my arm.
After the movie, I am standing in the lobby waiting for Velvet to get out of the restroom. As I'm watching the people walk around the theater, I see a woman wearing a back shirt and green pants. She also has her dark hair braided down her back. I know that it's not Katniss, but my heart starts to race anyway. I want to run up to her and grab her in a hug. I haven't seen Katniss in years, and yet, she still is in the back of my mind. The lady turns around and, as I suspected, it's not Katniss. I knew it wasn't. Why does a part of my heart still long for her? She's gone from my life and I'm never going to get her back. I am so confused. I have a wonderful time with Velvet and when I'm with her, I don't think about Katniss at all. It's like Velvet fills that part of my heart. But left alone, my mind always drifts back to Katniss. I run my fingers through my hair. I don't want this. I just want to have a healthy relationship and not be bombarded with different feelings depending on who I'm with. Why can't I just get over her? I glance up and see Velvet is walking out of the bathroom and I instantly relax. Well, my heart is focused, but I get more nervous at the site of her, but it's a good nervous. I like this feeling a lot better then the confusion. "Let's go." I say as we both turn and leave to go to Velvet's house.
Stepping out into the dark street, more people crowd the sidewalks, heading to the movies. The snow that was floating around earlier has put a thin layer of white over everything. I feel more confident then I did before, so as soon as we step outside, I grab Velvet's hand again. We walk all the way to her house laughing at the movie and talking about what she liked most about it. Snow is sticking to our hair as we step up onto her small porch. Velvet lets go of my hand so she can unlock the door. Once she does, she doesn't open the door, but turns to face me, looking up at me with her gorgeous eyes. "I love your eyes." She sighs, brushing my bangs out of the way. It's like we share the same thoughts. She leaves her hand on my face, cradling my cheek in her hand. Her eyes keep flicking slightly from my eyes to my mouth. I think she wants me to kiss her. "I get lost in yours." I say, placing my hand on top of hers, still resting on my face. "Gale, I-" Before she can say any more, I let go of her hand, clasp both of my hands around her face and gently press my lips up to hers. She stops short for a second, but then kisses me back. I take a quick breath and kiss her again. This time, deeper and a bit more firm. Her lips are cold because of the winter air, but mine are warm. Velvet lets go of my face and wraps her arms around my neck. This feels natural. I release her lips, keeping her face close and look at her expression. She liked it. I smirk. "I'm sorry, what we you saying?" She blinks for a second. Adorable. "Uh. I was going to say that I like you. Obviously, I don't have to worry about your reaction anymore." I laugh and gently kiss the tip of her nose. She makes me happy. "No, you don't have to worry. I really do like you." With that, Velvet embraces me. Yes. This is what I want. The girl that is standing here in front of me. I hold her tight and kiss the top of her head. "I had a wonderful time tonight." Velvet says, looking up at me. "Me too." I smile back. "Do you want to meet me for lunch during my work break tomorrow?" I ask. "Sure! You know that little café in the square?" I nod. "I would like to go there, if that's alright." "Sounds like a plan." Velvet gives me one last kiss on my cheek and we part ways. That night, I don't think about Katniss, or my past. I just think of Velvet. I fall asleep thinking about the way her lips felt against mine, how the specks in her eyes shown in the moonlight, and I dream peacefully about the girl that I want to keep in my life and never let go.