Chapter Twenty-Six
Gales' POV
"Hey Catnip," I yelled down the hallway when I noticed her just a few meters ahead of me. She turned around and visibly relaxed when she realized it was me, which was odd because I thought the "Catnip" would have given it away.
"Hey," she sighed, kindly deciding to wait on me as I jogged to catch up to her.
"What's up with you?" I asked, probably a little too chirpily. I hated to admit it but even with everything that had happened with Johanna and Cato, I was happy. Johanna had finally agreed to throw everything to the wind and see what happened with us, which is something I've waited for for what feels like forever.
"Not much," she lied. I knew she was lying because she decided to look right at me rather than shrug in that carefree way she did if nothing was up.
"Really?" I asked, pretending I believed her.
"Really," she clarified.
"Well then I guess a walk isn't too much to ask for from my bestest friend in the whole wide world?" I asked, already knowing the answer. Even if something horrendous was going on she'd come along. Because that was Katniss, she didn't care for many people but when she really cared for someone she gave them everything. The only reason she would ditch me is if something happened to Prim, and even then she'd come straight back to me.
"Yeah I got some time," she answered faking a smile. "So did I miss much at training?" she asked as we started heading towards the door.
"Well, Johanna got slapped by Clove," I started and enjoyed watching her snap out of her own head for a second to turn round and really look at me.
"What?" she shrieked. "Why?"
"Cause she found out Johanna had slept with Cato," I explained casually, once again enjoying her reaction.
"Wait what? When did that happen?" she asked, looking practically ready to string up a bow and arrow and go Johanna hunting.
"Last night," I shrugged, trying to act like I was fully over the situation.
"Gale I'm so sorry," she sighed, looking genuinely upset. Sure we'd dated once, and under usual circumstances I know that girls are meant to hate their ex's new girlfriends, but I know that Katniss really just wants me to be happy. She knows we didn't work and sure maybe one day we'll end up married with little crazy kids that won't sit still, but that is very much a desperate back-up plan. We both want something else, we want to introduce our kids to that awesome Aunty Katniss or Uncle Gale, and that's that.
"It's ok, I think. I dunno," I sighed, now actually confused. How had this happened, I'd tried to check she was alright and already she'd switched it to me.
"No it's not! What were they thinking? He's your best friend and she's well… she's Johanna!"
"I know but I think it's almost fixed. I mean I did sort of punch Cato."
"Good." I had to laugh slightly at her reply to this. Only Katniss would think me punching the most terrifying guy in school was a good idea.
"Only you Catnip."
"No not only me, anyone with half a brain! Those pricks!"
"Katniss…"
"No just shut up Gale!"
Again I found myself laughing, she was quite possibly one of the most fantastic friends I could have asked for.
"What?" she demanded.
"Just you," I explained.
"What about me?"
"Just your reaction to things are just so, you."
"What you mean the normal reaction when you find out the girl your best friend is half dating went and screwed one of his best friend?"
"I don't think they really meant it Kat."
"It doesn't matter, it happened."
"Well it sort of weirdly fixed things with me and Jo."
"Wait what?"
"I think she felt guilty, and then when I said that I thought we were already over she started actually trying to fight for us. For the first time, she didn't let something get in the way of us. Hell everything got in the way and she still tried to come after me."
"You have a pretty messed up way of looking at things you know?"
"I know. But to be honest I'm just happy it happened."
"I'm not, I'll wring Cato's neck!"
"I'm pretty sure Clove will beat you to it."
"Does this have something to do with you locking them in a closet together?"
"I dunno, probably. Either way I think she likes him."
"Seriously? So Johanna and Cato sort of screw everyone over and this is how you guys react? By falling over yourselves to be next in line?"
"I wouldn't phrase it like that…"
"But it's what's happened," she raised her eyebrows at me, challenging me to disagree with her.
"Look Katniss it's sorted. People are kind of happy."
"I'm not happy! And it is not sorted, I've not yelled at anyone yet!"
"I have a feeling that there's something else that's making you more pissed off though," I pointed out, desperately trying to change the subject.
"I'm fine Gale honest."
"The fact you've said that really makes me doubt that for some reason."
"Gale I promise I'm fine."
"Oh you're definitely not fine."
"I just said I was."
"The fact you have to promise me you're ok is not a good start."
"It's nothing I can't handle."
"Well then you won't mind sharing," I encouraged, knowing that she'd put up a fight, but if it was something teenagerish she'd cave. If not then I'd have to back off. Either way, she wasn't going to give things up easily.
"Peeta was with another girl the other night," she sighed and I felt every muscle tense. I didn't say anything I just turned around and stormed off. "Gale where are you going?"
"Nowhere you need to worry about!" I yelled back, knowing that there was little chance that she was going to let me get away with this.
Haymitch's POV
What was with the sun? Why did people find themselves so drawn to it? It was bright and irritating and just got in the way of the night. And all the best kind of things happened in the night.
I walked along the beach watching people innocently playing in the sun, seemingly unaware of the deadly UVA waves that were penetrating their skin every second. Clueless people, they made my life worthwhile, but only because of their ignorance, otherwise they'd be totally useless. Then again if they were aware of all the stupid things they did they probably wouldn't do them.
"Gale stop!" I heard a familiar voice yell. I looked over to see the two teens struggling against each other. Gale was clearly trying to storm off somewhere and Katniss was hopelessly trying to hold him back by grabbing one of his arms that could have been about the size of her and digging her feet into the ground uselessly.
I sigh and continue walking, trying to decide the best place for my drinking session tonight. Of course, Finnick won't join me now. He feels all awkward after I accidentally told him the real reason I drink so much, and made some crazy excuse about promises to Annie that were clearly lies. That woman could never tell Finnick what to do; she didn't have the heart to.
Great now I'm thinking about Maysilee again. She was so perfect, put up with everything life threw at her and could even manage all my aimless ramblings. She tried to manage the cancer I know she did. She'd always been a fighter; it was why I'd been so drawn to her in the first place. But in the end it wasn't enough, and that was the end of that. So now the only lady for me was lady liquor and I was perfectly happy with that. Well, as happy as I can be.
"Mr. Abernathy!" a darling little voice shouted from behind me. Great. I turned to see a tiny blonde girl and her friend in front of me. I'm sure the blonde one is somehow related to the Katniss girl who is still screaming like there's no tomorrow at that Gale guy.
"Yes sweethearts," I sigh, almost trying not to sound overly exhausted by the thought of talking to them.
"Coach Odair said to come and tell you they're doing four for one shots at Jail Rock Bar tonight," she explained quickly. Have I ever mentioned how much I love this child?
"Thank you," I reply, now knowing exactly where I'm going.
Author's Note: And so now Gale wants to kill Peeta. Katniss wants to kill both Johanna and Cato and Prim and Rue are up to mischief again, oh the fun times! But yeah so anyone know what Prim and Rue are plotting? Cause I am having a little bit of fun with it at the moment. But anyways thank you guys for your awesome support and hope you enjoyed this chapter! Also if any of you are interested I finally started using my twitter account (I learned how to work the internet… YAY!) so my username is Boydie93 so if I'm not replying any other way/ you REALLY need to know something this is the best way to get to me. Also I tend to update about when I'm writing, so you'll have a better idea of when updates are. Ok so pretty please review and let me know what you guys are thinking and I shall try my best to update ASAP!
-R