Ch. 35
I don't know. Some of you hated that Katniss got a tattoo some liked it. Eh, oh well. Well I felt in the writing mood and got an idea. Hope you like this chapter! And it is a big time skip. A year and 9 months. So, yea. Hope you like it(:
Mandy
"Madge I'm telling you I don't need another tattoo!"
"You never need but you want."
"No I don't want another, I already have…" I counted on my fingers how many I already had. Let's see, the primrose on my ankle, a butterfly on my wrist, the three stars behind my right ear, a pink bow on my neck, and Cato's name on my hip. Oh and the matching elephant that me and Madge have on my other hip. "…6 tattoos if you count the stars as one."
"Well why not make it an even number?"
"Madge I'm already suffering enough pain today."
"Look I know it's been two years since Cato left, but I don't want you to be all sad." it's true. It's been two years since I last saw Cato, and about 3 months since I last talked to him. This whole separation thing sucks and it pulls me down even more.
And days like these where it hits me the most, Madge takes me out to drink and we end up coming home with a new tattoo. I mean, it's fun and all, but I really do miss him.
"And since it's been two years lets celebrate!" she squealed.
"Oh like how we got our bellybutton piercing done the first year mark?" I ask her.
"Exactly." she states. My bellybutton hurt like a bitch. But not as bad as the butterfly. Little advice, don't get a tattoo over scar tissue. Hurts like a bitch.
"Madge Cato's going to freak out already when he sees me. I don't need another thing for him to freak over."
"Katniss Cato is probably shooting some guy in a turban right now. I think the least of his problems is worrying about whether you get another tattoo or not." she states. I scoff at her.
"What does Gale think of all these tattoos Madge?" I ask her. She shrugs her shoulders. "Still hates the tramp stamp but he's learned to deal with our drunken stupors."
"Well I'll tell you what. If Gale gets a tiara tattooed on his shoulder, then I will consider another tattoo." I tell her. There. Because I know there is no way Gale will get a tattoo. He's too big of a wimp.
"I'm so calling him." she states. And before I know it, Madge is threatening Gale to get his ass down to the tattoo shop.
"Madge I was kidding!" I slap her arm.
"Well I wasn't. Decide what you want now." I groaned.
Ten minutes later Gale was at the tattoo shop. I was still deciding what to get. And then I had an idea when a memory flash backed to me. When I was leaving for Texas to go find myself or whatever my stupid 17 year olds reason was, Cato texted me telling me I was Unbelievable, but in a good way.
I love you. don't ever forget. I know you will be back soon. I understand that you need to go back. I want you to know, that I wont move on without you. I'll be waiting for you. Keep in touch. Love you. And know, that you are Unbelivable, but in a good way
So I decided that on my right hand I would get the word unbelievable tattooed starting from the base of my pinkie down to my wrist. But that all depended on if Gale would get a tiara tattooed on.
"Madge no." Gale told her straight out.
"Please Gale! It's been two years since he left, she needs to do something."
"Oh just like how she did on her birthday, his birthday, and the marking of him leaving. Madge no. she doesn't need another one."
"Gale." Madge breathed out.
"She's not getting another tattoo. This isn't her. This isn't you Madge. You two have been drinking and your not even 21. I come home every night to our apartment and find you two passed out on the floor."
"What if I get another tattoo with her?" Madge asks. I just sit there and watch them. Gale was making a lot of really good points.
"You are not getting another tattoo." he tells her. "That wont help anyone here."
"Gale it's a stupid tattoo! I'm just living a little!" she complains.
"Passing out after your drunk? Getting tattoos? Throwing up every morning? You call that living?" he states. Madge stomps her foot.
"Fine then I guess someone's not getting sex this week."
"And when was the last time we had sex when you were sober Madge?" he asks her. I see a flash of hurt flash threw Madge's eyes. But she quickly covers it up and brushes it off.
"Just shut up Gale. Me and Katniss are getting another tattoo whether you like it or not." she tells Gale. Gale just shrugs.
"If you come home drunk with another tattoo we're over." Both Madge and me have our jaw on the floor. Gale has never threatened stuff like that. But what he said rocked me right down to the core. Cato wouldn't be happy that this is how I'm treating myself while he's gone. He would be pissed.
"Katniss can you talk some sense into him?" Madge yells at me.
"Your on your own Madge. I'm going home." I tell her. Gale smiles at me, but I cant find myself to return it. Madge is steaming, and once I step out, they continue to fight. They fight all the time, but it seems like this time Madge isn't going to get her way unless losing someone she loves.
I walk home towards my house. I still don't have a car, but walking isn't that bad to my house. I cant remember there last time I slept there unless I passed out or was getting clothes. I usually spent my days nursing a hangover with Madge.
I pulled out my phone, checking for any calls. I wasn't planning on Cato calling me since it's been two years, but hey a girl can dream. I was hoping that he might have been released for a little bit, but he would have told me.
It also was only 10 o clock. Half way to my house, Madge called me.
"What?" I snapped.
"You left! We haven't even drunk tonight!"
"Madge I just want to spend the night alone tonight."
"But I need my drinking buddy!" she tells me.
"And I need a break." I tell her. "Why don't you call up Annie or something?" "Annie is pregnant!" Madge reminds me.
"Then drink at home." I end the call, and slide my phone back in my pocket. Hopefully Gale could talk some sense into her. Last time I checked though, Gale had rehab brochures scattered around the house. Maybe it would be good for us to just check in., clean ourselves out.
When I got to the driveway, there was a truck there.
And not just any other truck.
It was Cato's truck.
Could it be?
Was he really home?
I ran up the driveway and slammed into the door. I jammed the key into the lock and threw the door open. I had adrenaline pumping through me, and since I wasn't drunk, my mind was clear.
And I knew I wasn't hallucinating.
There he was.
Standing right in front of me.
Cato.
I broke down crying right there and jumped into his arms. I gripped tightly to his neck and wrapped my legs around his waist. My sobs were being muffled through his jacket, and he was gripping onto me.
"It's ok. I'm here babe. I'm here." Cato whispered to me while rubbing my back. I continued to cry, and take in everything he had. He set me down and grabbed his face.
"Nothings gone right?" I asked like the concerned wife I was. I pat him down checking. He grabbed my face.
"I'm in one piece." he laughed. He wiped away my tears. He kissed me and we both let out two years worth of emotion and hurt into that one kiss. I ran my hands through his now short hair. My other hand was on his neck pulling him closer. His hands were on my waist, on my face running themselves anywhere.
"I better not be dreaming. I whispered when I pulled back. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into him again.
"This is real Katniss." he told me.
"You have no idea how much I missed you." I grabbed his face and kissed him again.
"I know I did too. You were the only thing keeping me going." Another kiss, and more tears.
"How?" I asked, crying again. That kiss reminded me of how sucky I had felt and how crappy I had been acting.
"It's been two years. I'm here for two weeks before I have to go again."
"I have to say goodbye again?" I whispered.
"No it was only a see you later. Remember?" I nodded my head. I kissed him again, and smiled against his lips. Everything was exactly how I remembered it. And the best part-
I had two weeks.
Two weeks with being with him.
Soon enough I found myself being dropped into our bed and my jeans being undone.