Learning to Forgive
"This was the door to both sustenance and sanity. And we were each other's key."
Peeta grins and mumbles, "Do you really?"
"Of course I do. I always have," I reply.
"I never thought this would happen. I'm moving in with the girl of my dreams. I've dreamed about this so many times, the life we would share," Peeta whispers.
"You're not dreaming; I can tell you that," I whisper, grinning like a fool.
"But sadly, moving in with you comes with a price. I better start unpacking some boxes," Peeta replies.
We both stand up as the doorbell rings. "I'll get it," I tell him. He nods in answer.
As I walk towards the door, the doorbell rings again. "I'm coming," I yell, a hint of annoyance in my voice.
Haymitch shoves a letter in my hand as soon as I open the door. "Who is it from?" I ask.
"Hawthorne," he growls. "Hazelle gave it to me just now."
"Gale? Why would he write me a letter?" I say absently.
"I don't know sweetheat, that's why I'm giving it to you," he replies. "I better be going now, got geese to feed and alcohol to drink."
I watch Haymitch cross the yard to his house. Why would Gale send me a letter? Is he trying to apologize? I rip open the letter and begin reading.
Dear Catnip,
It's Gale. How are you? I'm in District 2 now, working as a reporter. You might've seen me on a television every now and then. I'm going to stop myself from rambling now, and I'm going to tell you why I wrote this letter. I'm sorry, Katniss, for putting you through so much pain. I was a jealous fool who wanted you for myself. I didn't understand. My wants were too great, and I only focused on that. I didn't stop and look around. Peeta loves you, Katniss. You should know this by now. As for Prim, I wake up everyday thinking about her. She was like another sister to me, always smiling, always there to help. I can't even fathom yet that I helped do that to her. You may never be able to forgive me, Katniss, I understand. I will live my life forever grieving over the lives I destroyed. I am trying to move on; I am trying to love others. I will always think, care, and love for you, Katniss.
Sincerely,
Gale
You were a jealous fool who only wanted me for yourself. You never stopped and looked around. You kept your temper under control at times and began to realize the truth. You could've prevented many things, our relationship, Prim's death. In the end Gale, I will forgive you. You helped me when my life was crumbling. You were the steady constant who I could always rely on. Life goes on, and I may never be able to get over Prim's death, but I can learn to live for the future.
My thoughts are interrupted when I hear Peeta clamor down the stairs. "What's that?" he asks innocently, pointing to the letter in my hands.
"Gale," I manage to spit out. He takes the letter from my hand and quickly reads it.
"He is sorry, you know," Peeta mumbles.
"Sorry isn't always good enough," I reply.
"Do you forgive him?" he asks.
"Of course."
Peeta smiles and says, "I'm glad you do." He reaches out for my hand and squeezes it. "Maybe you should call him."
"I don't know his phone number," I reply.
"You could ask Hazelle."
I follow Peeta's idea and walk over to Hazelle's new home in the Victor's Village. Now that the Victor's Village is no longer exclusive, others have started moving in, Hazelle being one of the first.
I knock on the door. Hazelle immediately opens it. "Katniss, dear! Come in, come in," she greets me, ushering me in.
She shows me to the living room, where we sit on the worn down couch. "Did Haymitch give you Gale's letter?" Hazelle asks tentatively.
I nod. "Do you know his phone number?"
Surprised, Hazelle replies, "Of course." She scribbles down the phone number on a piece of scrap paper. She hands it to me, and gives me a light kiss on the forehead.
"I hope everything turns all right with you two," she says, looking into my eyes. "You're another daughter to me, Katniss."
"Thank you, Hazelle," I say, hugging her gently.
"You're welcome to visit anytime," she says, waving, as I walk back to my house.
Peeta sits on the porch, sipping a glass of lemonade. Another glass sits next to him. "You got it?" he calls out. I nod. He grins.
Giving me the glass of lemonade, Peeta says, "I'm glad you're doing this Katniss. I really am."
A/N: I hope you enjoyed this chapter! Sadly, there will only be a few more chapters, and of course, an epilogue, which I've planned out since the beginning of the story. As for the story, I think it's a very important part of Katniss' growth to learn to forgive, and I hope this chapter really incorporated her development. A huge thanks goes out to every one of my readers! Have a great day!