I meet Gale at our usual spot in the woods the next day. I don't know exactly how to begin talking about Peeta, especially considering the kiss he gave me when I returned to Twelve-surely he isn't interested in me in that way, I mean I don't know what I'd say, I can't say I feel the same, I've never felt that way about anyone, or at least that's what I'm trying to tell myself.
"Is your family doing anything for Parcel Day next week?" I ask.
"Not particularly. Are you going to be busy?"
"I think so, they want me to hand out parcels and say a few words and shake hands with the mayor and Peeta." I say, hoping against hope that he'll ignore the mention of Peeta.
"Peeta, I feel like I've heard that name before…"
"You have. He's the President's grandson, he's coming for some meetings after being sworn in as President Elect tomorrow. Not immediately, of course, he's visiting a few other Districts as well…" I trail off.
"You know this guy?"
"We just met at a reception." I say defensively, "and he saw me off before I left the Capitol." I say, suddenly realizing how this must sound to Gale.
"Look, he's a good guy. He's not his grandfather." I try to stammer out before being cut off.
"What do you mean, 'not like his grandfather'? They're all the same Katniss, they're all selfish pricks who don't give a shit about you and me." Gale says angrily.
I try and keep calm. I've never been one to join in with Gale's ranting and raving about the Capitol before the games, and somehow, after meeting Capitolites like Cinna and Peeta, I find it even harder to listen to.
"Things aren't always black and white, Gale!" I say before I storm off, heading home.
"Katniss!" Gale shouts after me. I don't bother to turn around.
It's a day later when I next see Gale at the Hob.
"Katniss, look, I just wanted to apologize for how I acted in the woods, it wasn't right for me to treat you like that for doing what you had to do to survive."
"It's fine, Gale." I replied, somewhat half heartedly.
"Would you like to come over and watch the mandatory broadcast tonight?" I ask.
"Sure, that sounds nice. I've got to go tend to Posy this afternoon though, Mom's gotta go deliver laundry to her customers."
"Okay, see you then." I intone.
"One more thing," Gale says, "could you take these strawberries to Madge Undersee for me?"
"Sure, I was headed over there anyway to practice piano."
It doesn't take long before I'm knocking on Madge's side door.
"Come in!" Madge says eagerly.
"Here are these, Gale asked me to bring them by."
"Well that was very kind of him." Madge says sweetly.
As we move into the parlor room where the Undersee's keep their piano Madge starts up again.
"They've started readying the house for the President Elect's visit next week, just in case he decides he wants to take a meeting here rather than in the Justice Building."
"Oh, nice. Are you going to be watching the broadcast?" It's a stupid question, of course she'll be watching the broadcast, it's mandatory after all.
Once we sit down at the piano and begin my lesson, if it can even be called that, after all I spend most of the time watching Madge play, it goes by quickly, and before I know it I'm on my way home to Victor's Village.
When I get home Mother and Prim already have the Television turned on. Gale arrives shortly before the broadcast begins
"Ladies and Gentleman, Citizens of Panem," begins Ceasar Flickerman from a studio in the Capitol, "we are about to witness history. Today, Peeta Mellark will be sworn in as President Elect at the West Wing in the President's Mansion."
The screen then switches from the news studio to a podium set up in a grand hallway, it's bizarre to think just few weeks ago I was walking through that hallway with the incoming President Elect.
Peeta emerges from a door to the right of the podium, followed by President Snow and a man in a robe carrying a think book. Once they've all moved to their places the robed man holds out the book for Peeta to place his hand on.
The man begins.
"Repeat after me. I, Peeta Mellark do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President Elect and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the nation of Panem."
Peeta begins.
"I, Peeta Mellark do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President Elect and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the nation of Panem, so help me God."
"Congratulations Mr. President Elect."
I see Peeta say 'thank you' quietly before shaking the man's hand.
"My fellow citizens," Peeta says turning to the camera to address the nation, "no event could have filled me with greater anxieties than the notification I received five weeks ago, that I was to be sworn in a President Elect. This message wasn't unexpected, as I had known it was eventually coming since I was small, but it, all the same, filled me with anxiety and fear. What if I fail to be everything everyone expects me to be? I then set out to think a great deal about the path I intend to take our great nation down. Once I had a solid vision all the fear and anxiety melted away.
It would be impossible for me to outline my entire legislative agenda during this speech today. That's why, with the cooperation of our nations major broadcast networks, I will be speaking about one policy a week for the foreseeable future to give you, the people I serve, an idea as to my thinking.
Today, however, I simply want to state my firm belief that our nation can always do better by our citizens, whether it's improving working conditions for those who give their entire lives to making the gears of our nation run smoothly, or by making sure that everyone, everywhere can go to sleep with full stomachs, I promise to work for you.
If I'm being perfectly honest, my policies are a departure from those of our previous government, they will undoubtedly ruffle feathers here in the Capitol, but I believe they are what's needed if our nation is to long endure.
Thank you."