The dress shop is packed with customers when I walk through the front door. My shift was over, but it looks like Maria is going to have the dress shop open for longer than usual tonight. I walk over to the counter where Maria is at the cash register. She looks up at me, puzzled. "Um, hi there." I am the only guy in the store, so that must be strange. "Is Velvet here?" I ask. Maria smiles. "You must be Gale. Velvet has mentioned you before. She's in the back, you can go talk to her if you'd like. Tell her I can handle the customers by myself for a bit." I lightly tap the counter. "Thank you." As I walk to the back, I see there is a small hallway with a curtain at the end instead of a door. Reaching out my hand, I start to push back the curtain. As soon as I do, Velvet opens it and smacks into me. My broken hand gets wedged in between us. It hurts so bad that I wince. Now I wish I had remembered to bring my pain medicine. "Gale! I don't have time to talk right now. I'm at work!" Velvet loudly whispers as she tries to push past me. I stand firm. "You have time. Maria said she can handle the customers for a bit. We need to talk." I cross my arms and Velvet looks up at me, glaring. I raise my eyebrows at her. She was not getting out of here that easy. "Fine." She says, coldly. Velvet and I walk into the room and close the curtain. "What?" She snaps. Yesterday she said she was afraid of me and now she's the one who's mad? "What is your problem?" I ask, standing in front of her. She just rolls her eyes and looks away. Looks like miss brat is back. "Velvet, look at me." I say, stepping closer still. It takes her a second, but when she does, her eyes are cold. This is exactly what happened when I woke up in her house. "Arrgh! I just don't understand you!" I say, raising my voice. "First you tell me you're pregnant and ask me to help. A little crazy, but I told you I would. Next you tell me you love me. Fair enough. Then I beat up your stalker one night stand guy and break my hand in the process. Now you're saying you're afraid of me?" Velvet sighs and softens her gaze. "Do you even realize that I did that for you? That was none of my temper. I was protecting you! And now, you're mad at me? I'm the one who has the right to be mad! But, you?" I say, putting my hands up and slapping my sides. I put my hand on Velvet's neck. This time, I almost whisper. "I mean, do you even love me?" Velvet looks like she's going to cry, but then quickly blinks that away. She opens her mouth like she's going to say something, but then closes it and licks her lips. "Yes, and no." What? Exasperated, I let go of her, sigh and take a step back. "Really, Velvet? Really? After everything we've done." I pinch my temple. "I burned my bow for you!" Velvet walks over and put a hand on my arm. "Gale, will you just let me try and explain?" I look down at her hard for a few seconds. Part of me wanted to walk out of there that minute and not look back. The other part of me really cares for this girl and wanted to stay with her. I sigh and shake my head. I don't know how she could possibly make up for everything. "Fine." Is all I say. Velvet steps away and paces in the small room. I cross my arms. After a minute, Velvet stops and turns to look at me. "You see, I do love you. Just, not in the way or magnitude that you do." "What are you talking about?" I say, still not moving. Velvet runs her hand through her hair while biting her lip "Well, I lied to you the other day." I drop my arms. "So, you're not a afraid of me?" She shakes her head. "Not technically." I put both of my hands on my head and close my eyes. This is getting so old. "Arrgh! Velvet! Quit being vague, alright? I have not had any sleep and I just don't have the mental capacity to play twenty questions with you right now!" I yell. She stops, hugs herself and takes a deep breath. "I'm scared of loving you." That's it? That's what this is all about? "For real?" I open my eyes and stare at Velvet. She nods. "Now, that's just not fair! I have given so much of myself to you. How can you not be sure you can love me back?" I ask, walking closer to her. She takes a step back when I do. " I know! It's just, I, um. It's Glitch, alright!" I stop walking. "You just, are so much like him that sometimes, I forget you're not him. And, it scares me to think that something could happen to you. Because I can't handle another person in my life being ripped from me." I am starting to get impatient. "For God sakes, Velvet! I already told you that I'm not leaving you. Why can't you just trust me? You sure have asked a lot of me and done a lot with me if you're not sure if you really love me!" I say, rubbing my face. "I know that! It's just with Glitch, and you, I'm just. Torn!" I look at Velvet through my fingers. She steps in front of me and looks up at me. "I'm just, confused. I do care about you. A lot. But, Glitch's death is still so fresh to me that I just, don't know if I'm ready to love anyone." She tries to reach up and touch my chest, but I scoff and step back, rejecting her. She looks hurt, but I just shake my head and stare. "Unbelievable." I whisper so quietly that I don't think she can hear me. I swallow hard and put my hands together, making a fist. "Look, Velvet. I understand what it's like to lose someone you love. My Dad died, remember? But it is not ok that you're just telling me this now! This whole time, I thought you were genuine. But now I find out I've been giving you my all and you've been holding back? You've been keeping this from me. I got over Katniss for you! I just, I don't know if I can do this anymore." I say, shaking my head and walk towards the curtain doorway. "What do you mean?" Velvet asks, quietly. Right before I pull the curtain back, I turn and look at her. "I mean I'll still help you with the baby. I made that promise to you. But I don't think I can play this game, or, excuse me, our relationship with you anymore, Velvet. You're just too conflicted. I'm done." After that, I lift the curtain and leave, not looking back. I was so deeply hurt, that I skirted by Maria on the way out without looking at her. I had been so open and vulnerable with Velvet. I had fallen in love with her. This is how it went with Katniss. I loved her, but she didn't feel the same way. It's happening all over again. I run home, lock myself in my apartment and try not to cry. I had given so much to Velvet, and I thought she was open with me. I thought she loved me. Apparently, I was wrong.