DISCLAIMER: HG characters do not belong to me.
A/N: Wow 50 chapters! I never would have guessed that when I first had the idea to do this story. And I still have a lot more story to tell. I thank you for your continued support and hope you won't get too disappointed when you see the direction Katniss/Gale go in later on for I know some of you like Dez. As for Hazelle-I get that some might think she is being too hard on Katniss, she's just being mother Hen right now.
Chapter 50-New Beginnings
When Katniss walked into the Lane Beauty Salon, she immediately felt out of place. The salon's atmosphere was similar to what she experienced while in the Capitol with her prep team, fancy chairs, fancy equipment, etc. Most of the women in the salon looked like they came from similar backgrounds as Dez-heavy make-up, nice clothing, etc. Most of them were getting their hair colored, some getting vibrant colors such as silver or blue. It reminded Katniss of Caesar Flickerman.
Katniss sees Dez waiting for her at the front desk, standing by the receptionist and chatting with her. Katniss quickly walks over to her.
"Katniss-welcome" Dez says through gritted teeth.
"Hello Dez, thanks for making time to see me today."
"Come on over to my station" as Dez quickly starts walking towards the back of the salon. There are about 8 hair stations lined up in a row, with Dez's at the very end near the back by the supply room.
Katniss quickly gets into the chair and Dez straps a smock on her. She looks at Katniss in the mirror and says, "What can I do for you today?"
"Well, I have my interview tomorrow with the group panel and I just feel I need at this point a more-professional looking hairstyle."
"So you want something different? A cut? Color?" Dez eyeing Katniss in deep thought, ideas running through her head.
"I think a cut would be fine. I can't ever see myself changing my hair color."
"How short are you willing to go?"
"As long as I can still tie it back that's all that matters."
Dez quickly gets to work and ushers Katniss over the shampoo station. She begins washing Katniss's hair and does not make any sort of conversation. After a few minutes of uncomfortable silence Katniss says, "So did you have fun with Posy and Hazelle last Friday for your girl's day out?"
"Oh yeah, I had a great time. I love spending time with them. Hazelle is so warm and friendly and Posy is the sweetest girl."
For once Katniss agreed with Dez, the Hawthorne's were great. Even though she is not on good terms with Hazelle anymore she still sees her warmth and friendliness. And Posy has continued to be just as sweet as a soon to be 13 year as she was when she was 4.
"Do you spend time with them often?"
"Yes. When Gale was gone for so long I went over to their house every other Sunday, and sometimes I visited during the week. I guess I can thank Gale for that. By being gone for so long it gave me the opportunity to get to know them a lot better."
They sit in silence as Dez finishes washing and conditioning her hair. She escorts Katniss back to her seat and begins combing her hair. Katniss watches as Dez quickly begins trimming and cutting her hair, her movements effortless. Katniss can't help but notice Dez's engagement ring, realizing she never paid attention to it before. It wasn't an overly huge ring, but it did have a large square diamond in the center and had small diamonds along both sides. It was very sparkly.
"How long have you been working here?" Katniss asks. She figured out pretty quickly she will need to be the one making conversation.
"I've been working here almost 4 years now. I went to beauty school right after I graduated from high school and beauty school took a year and a half to get through. I came here right after. The owner-Lane, is a friend of my Mom's."
Katniss is not surprised to hear Dez got a job through a family friend. She wonders if the girl has ever had a hard day in her life. Katniss decides to switch gears in the conversation, getting down to business.
"So-are you enjoying having Gale all to yourself?"
Dez stops cutting Katniss's hair and stares at her in the mirror. Katniss looks at Dez with raised eyebrows, relishing that she caught her off guard.
Katniss begins to slightly panic however, Dez has Katniss's hair in her hands with a pair of scissors, she could easily cut her hair to the tip of her ear-or worse.
She breathes a sigh of relief when she sees Dez shake her head slightly and resumes cutting the ends of Katniss's hair. Dez looks down and says, "I don't do well sharing my boyfriend's affections and he's more than just my boyfriend, he's the man I am going to marry."
"You never had to share him. We are just friends, nothing more."
"Only because he won't let it be more than that." Dez shoots Katniss a lot of pure venom.
"Did he tell you that?"
"He's mine, it be good for you to remember that girl on fire" Dez says mockingly. "He's mine because you chose Peeta."
Katniss wants to change the subject, she doesn't want to hear Dez say any more about Gale being hers. But instead she finds herself saying, "Yes-I did. So how did you two meet? He never said."
"We met at Bar 2. I was there with friends on a Saturday night, just me and some girls. He was there with his friends from the base, I kept noticing him staring at me across from where we were sitting. I thought to myself, he's really hot-so I went over to him and started talking to him."
Katniss has a flash back of Johanna saying he was gorgeous when she first saw him. She was used to hearing this back in District 12. She knows girls will never stop flocking to him.
"And I guess the rest is history" Katniss tries to say as diplomatically possible.
"Yes. We became very close-Gale, Harper, and I."
Dez finishes cutting Katniss's hair and begins blow drying it. After several minutes her hair is dry and Dez reaches for her styling tools and begins fixing Katniss's hair. Katniss decides to remain silent as she works.
When finished, Dez stands back and says to Katniss "What do you think of this?"
Katniss looks at herself in the mirror. Her hair is now shoulder length, still long enough to tie back, she has layers going down both sides and has bangs in the front. It is definitely a different look for her.
"I only hope I can fix it as well you just did. It's great, I really like it-thanks" Katniss says in awe.
She sees Dez smile, she can tell it is a real smile, not fake. She thinks it might the first real smile from her she's seen since coming here.
"Here, let me show you how you can easily fix it" and Dez begins showing Katniss some tips.
Katniss ends up buying a heated styling brush Dez recommends, she is caught off guard however when the receptionist says how much she owes. It is way lower than what she expected, she realizes Dez had not charged her for the haircut. She quickly pays the receptionist and walks over to Dez's station, Dez sweeping up the hair on the floor.
"Dez, why didn't you charge me? I have money to pay."
"It was a quick haircut, it hardly took any time. Besides, look at it as my way of saying good luck tomorrow."
"Thank you. You are really good at what you do."
"Thanks" she says continuing to sweep.
"Well, maybe I will see you at the Hawthorne's?"
"Maybe, I have some plans with my family over the weekend."
"Okay-well, thanks again."
"No problem." Dez does not look up or acknowledge Katniss as she walks away.
Katniss leaves a large tip at the front asking the receptionist to give it to Dez after Katniss walks out.
When Katniss arrives back at the Hawthorne's, Posy and Hazelle seem impressed with Katniss's new hairstyle. Hazelle even commenting she has never seen her hair look different until now. Katniss doesn't tell them this, but she looks at her new hairstyle as the beginning of a new direction in her life, along with hopefully being accepting into the teaching program.
On Friday morning, she is able to fix her hair decently, it didn't look as good as what Dez did yesterday, but it was pretty close. She figures the more she practices with the styling brush the better she will get.
She's nervous for her interview, stressing the entire train ride into the Capitol wondering what kinds of questions they will ask. The interview panel was not something they focused on in class, the instructors only said to be ready to be in a large room with 10 people.
She is called shortly after the interviews begin, she figures they are going in alphabetical order, she is glad her last name is towards the beginning of the alphabet, it gives her less time to be stressed and worried.
The panel interview went better than she anticipated. Sure enough there were indeed 10 people sitting above her, asking questions and taking notes. She was glad no one asked her about the rebellion or being the mockingjay, all the questions were in regards to teaching scenarios.
Seven questions total were asked. She felt she did pretty well, she was able to answer all of the questions, but she was not sure if she went into enough detail with some of her answers.
She was told after she was finished she would need to stay around the area until 4 pm. The interviews were only in the morning, by late afternoon the panel would determine who passed and was accepted into the program. The reason she had off yesterday was because PES scored sections 1 and 2 of the exam. She found out, the people who did not pass sections 1 and 2 were called yesterday and were informed they could not come for the final part of the examination, being told to reapply in the future should they wish. This gave Katniss a lot of hope, for at least she knows she passed the first two sections.
She decides to walk around the Capitol grounds, with her two guards trailing behind. While in class she was used to ignoring them, they were able to blend in with the staff at PES really well that her own classmates never noticed they were escorting her, for they would walk past her when she walked into her classroom, only following her once she left the PES building on her way to the train station.
She can't help but remember what this place used to look like, what it used to represent. While Paylor has done a good job of reimaging the Capitol, parts of it still looked the same. She thinks back to what the Sioux taught her about moving forward and forgiveness. While she doesn't think she could ever forgive Snow and his followers for their past practices, she does think she can at least not harbor resentment for those who are trying to make Panem a better place. A lot of former Capitol residents still live here, though their way of life has changed dramatically. Some are taking the changes well, others-not so much. She decides to finally walk over and look at the memorial for the victims the day the Capitol fell. She sees the name, Primrose Everdeen on the list. She traces Prim's name with her fingers, remembering that moment when it all happened. She closes her eyes and starts chanting a Sioux prayer she learned back at the village in her mind, calming herself down. She manages not to cry, relieved that this new tactic worked.
She returns to the PES building 3:45 pm. When she walks in, she is ushered into a large room. She sees most of her classmates in the room-going over to the District 11 and 10 classmates that she has become friendly with. A lot of them noticed her new hairstyle and commented on how they like the new look. She looks around and sees that it is her and about 17 of her other classmates in the room. Five of them are not here.
"I guess that means they didn't pass sections 1 and 2?" A woman named Mary says to Katniss. Mary like a lot of people in the class from District 11.
"Either that or they didn't pass the interview" Katniss says, wondering and hoping that her being in this room means what she thinks it means.
At 4 pm a woman came out into the room, calling everyone to attention. Katniss sees that besides the 18 of them from the prep class, 17 other people are in the room as well, for a total of 35.
"Congratulations. If you are in this room that means you have passed the three part examination and have been officially accepted into PES's teaching certificate program."
Loud cheers and applause erupts. Katniss is caught off guard when Mary hugs her, congratulating her. Katniss returns the hug and congratulates her back, along with extending her congratulations to her other classmates.
"We had 75 total applicants and have accepted 35 of you. We have posted on the back wall the District your training will be in. We tried to accommodate all of you as best we could in regards to preferences."
Katniss had to pick 3 Districts she was willing to complete her training in on her application. Her first choice was District 4 so that she could be close to her Mom. Her second choice was District 9 for she would be close to Jocelyn and the wild territory, and her last choice was District 2 for at least she knew the Hawthorne's. Katniss had no idea which districts were the most sought after. The training program offered by PES is a 12 month training program. PES provides housing assistance if your training area is not your home District, though Katniss would be responsible for all other expenses such as food and school supplies.
Everyone rushed to the back wall, trying to see their assignment. Katniss stayed back with Mary and some others until the crowd faded out. Katniss looks on the list and sees her assignment.
Katniss Everdeen-District 4-Dorm A
She sighs happily. She got into her first choice and got a dorm assignment. Mary informs her she got into her first choice as well, District 11. Though Mary won't be in a dorm and plans to commute to class each day.
Katniss comes to find out, the most sought after District was District 1 along with 2 and 4. While the majority of the applicants came from Districts 8-11, a lot of them want to see what life is like in another District. Katniss wondered if the people who are relocating to another District plan to stay once their training is complete or go back to their home District. She herself having no idea what her future plans are.
Before leaving, each of them receives a packet of information for their upcoming orientation next Wednesday. Katniss sees in her packet she is to report to her dorm on Tuesday. Orientation begins the next day at 8 am.
Katniss says goodbye to her classmates, all of them expressing hope at seeing one another again at graduation. They all agree that the prep class they paid for was worth the money, for all but 5 of them got into the program. Katniss being the observant person that she was had noticed that the 5 individuals who didn't pass the exam often blew off a lot of things in class. Either by not getting all of their assignments done on time or not participating as much in class. Katniss couldn't help but wonder if someone else had paid for them to be there. She along with her classmates from the more disadvantaged Districts, definitely put in the time, work and effort. She figures all that hard work didn't go unnoticed by PES.
Just as Katniss was about to walk out and head for the train station, she is approached by one of the guards who informs her President Paylor wishes to see her at the President's Mansion. Katniss walks with them over there, wondering what Paylor wants to talk to her about. Is there an update on Geffen?
Once inside, Katniss is greeted by someone she hasn't seen in quite a while-Plutarch Heavensbee.
"Congratulations Miss Everdeen! Panem is extremely fortunate to have the mockingjay be a future teacher for the Districts!"
Katniss sees that he looks exactly the same, maybe slightly older. "Thanks" she says cautiously, while she never disliked Heavensbee, he was hard to read and she wasn't sure if he was truly happy about her becoming a teacher. She knew he had a lot to do with her exile to District 12 after killing Coin.
"Please, this way, the President will see you now" and he escorts her to the top floor to her office.
Katniss is greeted by Paylor immediately, Heavensbee still in the room. "Katniss, so good to see you again. Congratulations! I'm glad to see that you are planning for your future. I'm sure you will do well in the PES program."
"Thank you." Katniss couldn't help but wonder how she found out so quickly Katniss got into the program.
"What District will your training be in? All I heard was that you passed while we were at lunch" Paylor says.
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but who told you?"
"PES, they wanted me to know so the Capitol can make arrangements concerning your safety once the program begins."
"Do you have any updates? What is going on with Geffen?"
"The only update we have is that Geffen has returned to Panem, though his whereabouts are still unknown. His group is scattered all throughout the Districts though most are still in District 1" Heavesnbee interjects.
This does nothing to ease Katniss's concerns. How is it with Panem's technology they cannot find this guy?
"I'll be in District 4, in one of the dorms." Katniss replies.
"Okay, we will make arrangements, you go Tuesday right?" Heavensbee asks.
"Yes."
"Good, that at least can be taken care of" he responds cheerily.
"Plutarch do you mind if Katniss and I speak alone?" Paylor says eyeing Katniss.
"Of course Madame President, I'll be down the hall if you need me."
"Thank you Plutarch."
"Goodbye Katniss, I hope to see you again soon." Heavensbee saying extending his hand. Katniss shakes it and says, "Thanks, you too."
After he leaves Paylor turns to Katniss and says, "I know that was not what you wanted to hear, in regards to the Jay Killers. We are still working on it, getting new information has been-harder than we originally anticipated. The soldier we trained to infiltrate the group has not gotten to the point where they trust him enough to tell him anything regarding Geffen."
"I understand, it is just-nerve wracking."
"I know, but we will offer protection."
"Is this okay? That I decided to leave District 12 and pursue this I mean?" Katniss was never told once she first returned to 12 how long she was expected to stay there.
"It has been almost 8 years, I think enough time has passed. Of course, it was easier to protect you in District 12, but I understand that you want to move on. Everyone else has the freedom to live in whatever District they want to now, you should have that same right."
"Thank you Madame President." Katniss said appreciatively.
"Oh and before you go, I thought you may want an update on what is going with the two former soldiers from Commander Hawthorne's squad-Sequoyah and Trent."
It had slipped by Katniss's mind that the last time she saw Paylor, she had asked that Sequoyah be pardoned. "Oh yes, what happened to them?"
"It was as you suspected, results of the interviews showed that it was Trent Green who instigated a lot of what happened with the bombing. He was sentenced to 6 years in the military prison. I was able to arrange that Sequoyah was dismissed and sent back to District 11. She has to perform community service in her District, until her baby is born."
"And after the baby comes?"
"She will be given 12 weeks to settle in with the child, then she will be expected to return to finish. She was sentenced to 36 months of community service."
Katniss felt that was more than reasonable in terms of her sentence. She thanked Paylor for her willingness to be lenient. She only hoped Rue's family would be willing to help Sequoyah out, for she won't be able to get a job while completing her community service.
Paylor informed Katniss the next time she will probably see her is when she hopefully graduates from the program, informing Katniss that she speaks at the graduation ceremony.
"I hope I finish" Katniss says expressing concern, for the program is pretty intensive.
"You will, I have faith, you are determined woman Katniss, if anyone can make it through this commitment, it's you."
"Thanks." Katniss says forming a small smile. She leaves the President's office, heading to the train station, it is almost 6 pm. By the time she arrives back at the Hawthorne's it will be closer to 8 pm.
When she arrives at the Hawthorne's, she sees Posy, Hazelle, and Gale sitting in the living room. A large pizza box in the room with them.
"So, what happened? Did you get in the program?" Posy asks getting up off the couch and approaching Katniss.
Katniss smiles brightly and says, "I did, I am to report to my dorm next Tuesday-in District 4."
Posy embraces Katniss, congratulating her. Gale hugs her next, squeezing her tightly. "Congrats Catnip" he whispers softly in her ear.
Hazelle comes up to Katniss and says, "Congratulations Katniss, I'm sure you will do great in the program." Katniss knows Hazelle well enough to know she is being sincere.
"Thanks Hazelle."
"We have some left over pizza for you if you are hungry." Hazelle says to Katniss.
"That be great, I'm starving actually." After she finishes her pizza she sits with Gale and Posy on the couch while Hazelle cleans up in the kitchen. Katniss filling Gale and Posy in on all the details of the day.
"Where's Vick? Katniss asks realizing he was nowhere to be found.
"Out with his new girlfriend" Posy says rolling her eyes. "He never stops talking about her, he finally got the courage to ask her out after being her science lab partner all year long."
"That's sweet" Katniss says. "What's her name?"
"Layla" Posy says mockingly.
Katniss looks to Gale and says, "What do you think about this?"
"I'm happy for Vick, I had a feeling he was seeing a girl. I think this will be good for him-despite that Posy hates her" he says with a wink.
"I don't hate her! I am just tired of hearing about her that's all!" Posy says hitting Gale playfully on the shoulder.
"It's only been two days." Gale says.
"Well, you don't live here so that's easy for you to say."
Katniss laughs and the three of them start watching TV. At around 10:30 Gale gets ready to leave. He turns to Katniss before heading out the door and says, "When are you leaving to go back to District 4?"
"I am going to call my Mom in a few minutes, but I think I will be going back Sunday."
"Good, that gives me a chance to take you to dinner tomorrow night. A goodbye present from me."
"Okay, thanks Gale. What time should I be ready?"
"I'll come over here at 5."
"Great, see you tomorrow."
After he leaves Katniss says goodnight to Posy and Hazelle and heads downstairs. Besides a TV, there is also a phone down there as well. Katniss quickly dials her Mother's number, hoping it is not too late.
The phone just rings and rings-no answer. Katniss figures she must be working late at the hospital. She will have to call tomorrow morning.
The next morning Katniss tries again, still no answer. She wonders if her mother is working a double shift. She thinks about calling the hospital, but decides it was probably best if she didn't, it wasn't an emergency after all.
She calls the train station, securing her ticket back to District 4. The train leaves the station at noon tomorrow, giving her plenty of time to pack beforehand.
It feels strange to Katniss not to be studying. It had been her routine for the last three weeks, to now have nothing to do was a change. A welcomed one though, for she knows by this time next week she most likely will be busy with schoolwork.
She spends the late morning/early afternoon watching TV, for all the Hawthorne's appeared to be gone when she went upstairs. She had no idea where they went, she wonders if they are with Dez, but then she realized that Dez said she would be spending time with her family over the weekend. Were all of the Hawthorne's with Dez's family? That thought did not comfort her.
At around 2 pm she hears them walk around upstairs. She goes upstairs to greet them, she sees they have gone shopping, for she saw a few bags with them.
Hazelle quickly ushers Katniss out of the kitchen, asking her if she has spoken to her Mother yet. Katniss realizing that she didn't try calling after this morning, goes back downstairs to try again. Still no answer. She tries not get to get concerned, she knows at times her Mother works long hours.
She goes back upstairs shortly after, Vick is in the living room with Posy, watching TV. She sits with them until 4 pm then goes downstairs to get ready. At 5pm Gale arrives right on time. Katniss is wearing the only dress she brought with her, a long black maxi dress. She got it in District 4. Since it was so warm in District 4 a lot of the dresses sold there were long and flowing, to help keep cool. For her interview she wore a gray and black pantsuit, purchasing it from a store recommended by her Mother.
She sees Gale is wearing a nice button down teal shirt with a black tie and black dress pants. He looks even more handsome than he usually does, if that is even possible she thinks to herself.
"Wow, looking good big bro" Posy says.
"Thanks Pose" Gale says, his eyes not leaving Katniss.
"Shall we go?" he says extending his arm out for Katniss to follow him.
"Bye, have a good dinner you two" Hazelle calls after them as they walk out. Posy walks with Gale and Katniss to the front step.
"Katniss-when you get back, I was hoping we could go for ice cream, just you and me?" Posy asks.
"Sure Posy, that be great, I'll make sure not to eat dessert" she says giving her a wink.
"Have fun!" Posy says waving as they walk down the front steps of the town house and walk to the train station.
"So where are we going?" Katniss asks Gale as they walked.
"We are going to a place that's a little further away from downtown, more near the border to the Capitol, a place called the Stone Garden Inn. I think you'll like it, people say their lamb stew is the best."
"Sounds good to me" Katniss had not had lamb stew since Hazelle made it the first time she went over to their house.
The train ride took about 45 minutes from the Hawthorne's house, for the restaurant was pretty close to the Capitol border, Katniss asked Gale if a lot of Capitol residents go there and he confirmed they did. When they walk in, Gale says to the hostess he has a reservation at 6 pm for two. "Hawthorne?" the lady says, practically batting her eyes at Gale. Katniss inwardly scoffs, but she knows Gale will attract a lot of female attention by the way he looks tonight. Yet here she was, looking plain in a long maxi dress. She notices most of the people in the restaurant are in fancy dresses.
She hopes all the women here think he's with her. She only wishes she could hold his hand to prove it.
They sit in a small table near the back, their table hidden from view. It was welcomed, for Katniss realized while walking back to the table that people started to recognize her, even with her new hair.
She orders the lamb stew and a side salad. Gale orders a steak with a side salad and vegetables. While waiting for their salads to come he says, "I didn't want to say it in front of my family, but I like your new hair. Dez told me you had asked for something different."
She automatically runs her hand through her hair, still trying to get used to it only going to her shoulders. "Thanks, I'm still trying to get used to it."
"Well, it definitely makes you look different. You look very beautiful tonight." The tone of his voice relayed that it was more than just a compliment.
She is shocked by what he says to her, she blushes in response and looks down. When she looks back up she sees he has an uncomfortable look on his face as well, almost as if he just realized the implications of his words. In order to move past this sudden uneasiness she says, "Do you come here often?"
"No. The last time I came here was when I….proposed actually."
Katniss was not surprised, this looked like a very expensive place. A place he would only come to for special occasions. It comforted her to know that he considered this a special occasion.
They manage to recover from the earlier awkwardness and settled into more routine conversation. Katniss telling Gale about her visit to the President's Mansion and what they discussed. Gale acknowledging that he had heard the same thing about Geffen. He expressed his hope that in a few months perhaps their inside contact can provide information, saying this was something that obviously going to take time. She also told him about Sequoyah and Trent, though Gale made it known to Katniss he thought her sentence or lack there of was too light. She chose not to argue with him, trying to put herself in his shoes in regards to what happened that day.
Once the food arrived Katniss devoured it, it was beyond delicious and she found Gale was right when he said their lamb stew was the best. The place he took to her before had good lamb stew, but this place definitely topped it. She almost wanted to order another bowl, but she knew she had to save her appetite for ice cream with Posy later.
While on the train ride back Katniss thanked Gale for the wonderful dinner. "Your welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it, you tore into your food like we were back in 12."
Katniss laughs, slightly embarrassed. "Sorry, I guess old habits never die."
He laughs and says, "No, I liked seeing it. It is nice to go to dinner seeing someone actually enjoy eating."
Katniss is not sure how to respond. It was an aspect of Dez's personality she would never understand, how someone who grew up with everything handed to them would not allow themselves to enjoy something that was so precious in District 12-food.
Katniss however feels she has to say something in response and says, "I think with my departure things will get better."
Gale shakes his head in disagreement. Not saying anything further. He changes the subject and they yet again flow back into more comfortable conversation. Once they arrive back and head up the stairs of the town house Gale says, "I wonder if Posy will let me come along."
"Oh please, like she'd say no" Katniss says and lets Gale open the door, following him inside. She follows him down the hall and stops dead in her tracks once she enters the kitchen.
"Surprise!" she hears people say. She looks around the room and sees Posy, Vick, Hazelle, Spencer, Dez, Jocelyn, and her Mother in the room. Even Harper is there, coming over to Katniss to get petted.
She is in shock, unable to speak. Overhead she sees a sign that says, "Good Luck Katniss" along with balloons and decorations hanged up. The decorations are all classroom themed.
On the kitchen island is a cake that says "Congratulations Katniss" with balloons on it.
"This was your idea wasn't it?" Katniss turned to Gale.
He laughs and says, "Mine and Posy's actually."
Her Mother comes up to her and says, "Congratulations Katniss, I'm happy for you" and gives Katniss a hug. 'So that's why she wasn't home' Katniss thought to herself.
Spencer and Jocelyn approach as well, each congratulating her and embracing her as well. Spencer informing Katniss right now he does not have a current assignment and is continuing to receive medical training at the main military base.
"I got the call from the commander yesterday asking if I wanted to come, I'm happy he invited me."
"I'm happy too" Katniss says in response.
Jocelyn informs Katniss nothing much is new in District 9, and that she is still working as a healer, business picking up now that Rain is gone. Katniss wishes that Rain could be here, hoping that wherever she is, she sees this, her and Prim.
Jocelyn also tells Katniss that both she and her Mother are staying at a local hotel not far from here. Katniss asks Jocelyn who contacted her about the party, and she informs Katniss that her Mother did. Both ladies arranging to finally meet.
The night flies by for Katniss. She arrived back to the Hawthorne's at 8:30 and she sees it is now 11 pm. While she enjoyed talking with everyone, there was one person who she did not talk to-Dez.
Dez does a pretty good job of keeping her distance from Katniss. Katniss surprised she even came, figuring Gale forced her. Katniss noticed how Dez kept close to Gale, Posy and Hazelle the entire night, not even talking to Vick that much and saying nothing to Spencer, Jocelyn, or her Mother. If Katniss approached either Gale, Posy, or Hazelle, she would quickly make herself scarce, getting up to either go to the bathroom, taking Harper out or going to the kitchen island, looking like she was getting something to eat. Katniss did notice she ate one small piece of cake.
By 11:30 everyone is ready to go. Her Mother telling her she will meet her at the train station tomorrow at 11:45 am, both of them on the same train back to District 4. Katniss says her goodbyes to Spencer and Jocelyn, thanking both of them for coming, Jocelyn especially for coming so far.
"I enjoy getting out of the house, it makes things easier. Keep in touch Katniss" Jocelyn says as she heads out the front door.
"I promise" Katniss responds, watching her walk down the steps and turn and wave one last time.
Once Katniss goes back inside she sees Gale and Dez helping Hazelle, Vick and Posy clean up. Katniss approaches to begin helping as well when Hazelle says, "No-this was your party. We got this." Katniss thanking them all for their kindness.
Once they are finished, Gale and Dez get ready to go. She wants to tell him how much this means to her, but she is cautious with Dez standing right there beside him. He tells her he will be by tomorrow to take her to the train station and that it will just be him.
"I am meeting my Mother for wedding cake tasting tomorrow" Dez says finally speaking to Katniss.
"That sounds like fun, hope it goes well" Katniss says in response, trying to sound sincere.
"Thanks! Congratulations Katniss" Dez says and grabs Gale's hand trying to usher him out the door with Harper beside him.
Katniss follows them to the front door. Once the door opens and Dez steps out he halts and turns to Katniss. The look on his face tells her he wants to say something, but all he says is "I'll see you tomorrow morning."
"Goodnight, thanks again-both of you." Katniss calls out to them as they quickly go down the steps, Harper happily trailing behind.
Katniss had gotten a thank you card for the Hawthorne's and for Gale. Before going to bed she wrote her thank you note inside each one. For Gale though, she decided to write a letter, grabbing a piece of notebook paper and furiously writing, getting all of her thoughts out.
The next morning she leaves the thank you card on the kitchen island, hoping they see it later. She is all packed and begins bringing her suitcases upstairs. Vick however comes down and helps her bring up the rest. "Hey-next time I see you, I want to meet this new girl of yours" Katniss says teasingly.
"I hope you do meet her, and I hope you like her" Vick says.
"As long as she is good to you, she has my approval."
She thanks Hazelle, Posy, and Vick one last time for their hospitality, and thanks Vick for being a great math tutor, informing him she didn't think she would have passed if not for his help.
"Good luck Katniss, I'm sure you will do well and will make District 12 proud." Hazelle says to Katniss, giving her a hug. Katniss happily accepts the embrace, figuring maybe she is starting to get back on Hazelle's good side. As long as she stays true to her word about not interfering in Gale and Dez's relationship.
Once Gale arrives, they head out, Posy tagging along. Posy and Katniss chat most of the train ride to the main station. Once at the main station, Posy hugs Katniss one final time and waits by the main gate while Gale walks with Katniss to her departure gate. When they get there she sees her Mother has not arrived yet.
Katniss takes advantage of the opportunity to tell Gale what she couldn't tell him yesterday, appreciating that Posy has given them space to talk alone.
"I don't know how to thank you-for everything. I really appreciate it. The party was great yesterday."
"My pleasure Catnip, that's what friends are for right?"
"I know I still need to work on making things right with you as far as our friendship is concerned."
"Hey-we've come a long way since we first saw each other again in the wilderness. I'm happy to see you moving forward with your life, that's all that matters. I want you to be happy."
'If only he knows what would really make me happy' she thinks to herself, but doesn't voice it. Instead she takes out the thank you card and hands it to him.
"Open it up later-when you are alone if possible."
He looks at it questioningly, but leaves it sealed as she has asked. He suddenly bends down and hugs her saying, "Goodbye Katniss".
"Goodbye Gale. I hope to see you at Posy's party next month if I can."
He leans back up and says, "Yeah, she'd like that."
She sees her Mother approach, both of moving back from one another as she comes closer. Gale chats with Mrs. Everdeen for a few minutes before leaving, for the train has finally pulled into the station. It was time for them to go.
They both get on and Katniss takes a window seat. She looks out and sees Posy and Gale waving to her as the train departs. She notices Posy waves enthusiastically, it reminds her of Prim waving at her the day she returned from the games.
She notices Gale is smiling and waving as well, but his eyes show sadness. She knows that look, she has become quite familiar with it for she often saw that look on his face after she returned from the games.
For the first time ever, she realizes she wants to jump off that train and run to him. To be with him and only him, finally letting go of Peeta. She knows she can't. Life has taken them on different paths, she about to start a new future for herself.
She only wonders if her future will someday have him in it, her visions told her it did, but now she was not so sure, pondering if the visions were indeed fears instead of the future.
