I read the letter one more time, trying to understand the reason he felt like he needed to leave me.
Dear Katniss,
Hey Catnip. I'm sorry I had to go. Katniss, You know that if there was anyway I could stay with you, I would. You of all people should understand why I can't work in the mines after what happened, and I thank you for that. I'll always be your best friend but I also hope you find someone to talk to while I'm gone. Well, I can always call and write, and you still got Madge, but I have a feeling you're going to feel a bit lonely. I miss you already and I wish I could be with you right now.
Your Bestfriend,
Gale
I read the letter at least 5 more times and finally shove it in my back pocket. I let out a breathy sigh. I understood completely. Almost. When we were younger, we both lost our Fathers in a mining accident. Ever since, I tried to sstay about as far away from that place as possible. When Gale turned 18, he built up the courage to work there for a couple of days. He had to quit dure to the taunting nightmares of his father each night. I have those nightmares every night regardless, so I know how it feels.
What I don't understand is why after he quit, he looked for a job in district 4 without even considering another job here in district 12. He was a brilliant hunter and could sell his meat to marketers, or sell his amazing snares to fellow hunters. Or, he could learn something new, like sewing or baking. Although, I'm still not sure he's secure enough in his manhoodf to try such feminine hobbies.
Suddenly I can smell something down in the kitchen. It's the first time I've smelt breakfast that wasn't made by me in weeks. I walk downstairs groggily to see whats going on, but there's only Prim and my mother, who is flipping pancakes over the stove. It's the first mom-ish thing she's done since she came home.
Since my mom is a doctor, she has to go to other districts a lot to help out. She just came back from district 7 where a virus broke out. It would have been fine, Prim and I are use to it, accept for the fact that she hadn't told us anything. She left aparently on a Tuesday when we were at school and left us alone for over 2 weeks. I was still pretty mad at her, but I almost smiled when I saw them.
I sit at the table next to Prim and she notices the dark circles under my eyes. "Rough night?", she asks. I just shrug and close my eyes to drive Gale out of my thoughts once again. I hear a clank and quickly open them, watching my mom set a plate of pancakes, bacon, and oranges infront of me. I smily slightly and thank her. She smiles back and starts humming a tune as she pours us both some milk.
"Welp, last day of summer I guess.", I mumble eventually. Prim and I both sigh. Tomorrow I'll be in 11th grade. Wow.
"Katniss, what was your 7th grade like?" Prim asks, staring down at her food.