Sorry for not updating for so long but I took a slight vacation, something we called ToastCon an actual Everlark convention the first of its kind and it was marvelous.
The last time we left off the reaping was right around the corner and Rye was in charge of bringing Katniss the note from Madge. Will Katniss find the note on time, as the district becomes colder?
Katniss woke up shortly before dawn. The bed was toasty and she hated the thought of leaving it. Last night she and Peeta had an honest talk, though she doubted anything was resolved. If Prim's name was called she would volunteer and without a doubt, Peeta would also volunteer. This was her nightmare, and after last night, the feeling that nothing she did would save Peeta or her sister returned with a vengeance.
Carefully she slipped from the bed and reached into her bag, the crinkle of paper halts her movements. Frowning she opened the note. There was a pass to the Mayor's house. "If you get this note, ask me about the rebellion. -Madge"
Shocked by the note she didn't hear Peeta come up behind her. His arms wound themselves around her waist.
"What's that?"
Her eyes flew to his, as he read the note out loud.
"There's a rebellion?"
Katniss shrugged. She didn't know what to make of this note.
"Are you going to talk to Madge?"
Rebellion meant war, war meant death and carnage at the hand of the Capitol. The last rebellion yielded the Hunger Games as a punishment, and she wasn't sure she wanted to go down that route.
"At least talk to her, if she went through all this trouble to have my brother slip this note into your bag."
"How do you know it's Rye?"
Peeta chuckled. "My brother has always been the bachelor drunk, the middle child who is often taken as a joke." Peeta sighed, his face became serious as his eyes narrowed in on some invisible point. "Lately he's changed. He has become focused. He continues to sneak out at night, but I thought he was dating Madge. I thought she was a good influence on him since he doesn't come back smelling of booze or cheap perfume. Finding this in your bag makes sense why he's gotten so fit."
"What are you going to do?"
"If there is a slim chance we can make a difference, then I will join. I would rather know I tried." He turned her around and gently kissed her forehead. "I don't want to be a piece in their game."
Katniss nodded, unsure if she should go to Madge or not. She dressed, said her goodbyes to Peeta and halfway to her home she changed her route. She walked toward the servant's path that led to the Mayor's mansion.
As she made the trek, Katniss told herself she was only going to hear Madge out. Katniss wondered how Madge even got involved in a rebellion. Madge was shy around others. She didn't like drawing attention to herself, and she only opened up to the people she trusted. Walking into the backyard of the mansion Katniss saw a figure standing outside looking up at the sky.
Hesitant Katniss watched to see who it was.
"I hate this," Madge muttered, her voice carried in the still frozen air.
Katniss barely recognized her friend because she was covered up, but there was no mistaking her friend who always had a book tucked under her arm. Katniss quickly walked over to her friend. Katniss watched her kick a small mound of snow. "Madge?"
Madge rubbed her arms. "In the frozen flesh."
Katniss nearly laughed out loud at her friend's quip. She hadn't seen Madge since the weather became worse. They were sent home with large packets of school work to be completed during their time off. The entire student body missed more than half a school year due to the dangerous weather.
They stood looking around carefully. "I guess you got my note."
Katniss nodded. "Yeah, I did." She was very curious but hesitant.
"How's your sister?"
"Scared about tomorrow. She hasn't been able to sleep. The medicine you gave her helps, but we don't want her to become dependent. We only use it when absolutely necessary. How have you been?" Katniss thought her friend would launch into the reason behind the note about rebellion. She had questions, though she wasn't sure how to ask them.
"Miserable, I've been stuck at home. How have you been?"
Katniss shrugged and said, "Same."
"Have you heard from Darius?" Katniss hadn't seen Darius since that fateful day in the meadow.
"Darius is fine. He moved into our house a few weeks ago since my father needed him. Purina has moved in with us as well. She is a model of efficiency."
"I am glad to hear he's fine. I'm sorry about your loss; I know how much Arabella helped out with your mom. How are you coping?"
"We all took her loss very hard. Thank goodness for Darius. He convinced my father to hire Greasy Sae to help in the kitchen. She and her daughter are really helping out at home and with my mother."
"I miss Sae's stews." Katniss could taste the hearty broth ladened with potatoes, carrots, and other roots. Depending on the season or the availability she would have corn, celery, peas, leaks, beans, string beans, and tender meats. Her best soups were the ones made with her own noodles. Katniss couldn't figure out how she made noodles out of Tesserae flour. They were delicious.
Madge immediately offered, "Stop by the house sometime. I'll send you home with some."
"You don't have to," Katniss said, although having one of Greasy Sae's hot stews sounded wonderful right now as she stood in the cold.
"I want to, Katniss. You're my friend."
"Thank you. How is your mom?" Katniss asked as they moved away from the Mayor's mansion.
"Sae has been a blessing. She won't let my mother drown in her illness. She had her cleaning! Cleaning, can you believe it, Katniss! The other day they were singing songs." Madge's face lit up like the sun on a clear summer day.
"I'm happy for you and family. And if you see Darius, tell him I'm glad he's safe." Katniss said, pleased by the news. Darius found a way to keep his family out of harm's way.
Katniss slipped her hands in her father's coat. An icy draft of cold air blew in her face. "Thanks, Madge, I just wish this frozen weather would stop."
"You and me both, I want to feel the sun on my face. I want to see something more than just snow when I look outside."
Katniss looked at the white snow beneath her feet. "I feel the same way, but it doesn't look like it's stopping."
"It's not," Madge whispered back.
"What?" Madge's news should not have come as a surprise given it was June and there was snow piled everywhere.
"Let's take a walk."
They walked toward the Justice Building. Both girls stood before the roped-off area where tomorrow the kids will be processed and counted like sheep to the slaughter. The last time they were in this space was the night Arabella and Cray were killed. Everything was set for tomorrow's Reaping. The empty stage and chairs eerily stood against the snowy background. The scaffolding stood ominously where the Peacekeepers would stand and the Capital officials with cameras would record the Reaping.
The future was looming over them. "I bet you're asking yourself what's going on?"
Katniss wanted to understand. They moved from the Justice Building back toward the house.
"The word is this is a year without summer. It happened before, during the dark days, but that was due to a natural disaster."
"This has happened before?" Katniss had never heard of such things, but to be honest, her life was spent trying to survive. She never did pay much attention to gossip or the mongering of the village elders.
"It did a long time ago. But this time it wasn't an act of nature."
"I thought you said this happened before….how…what?" Katniss breath came out in thick billowy breaths. "How long have you've known about this?"
"I just learned about it this morning; the Capitol caused this." Madge looked heavenward as snowflakes fell.
"This is man-made?" Katniss was terrified by the idea that the Capitol had the capability to control the weather.
"Before you ask, they don't have the ability to control nature. What we are experiencing is an accident, an experiment gone horribly wrong."
"How?"
"Come, let's keep moving to try to keep warm," Madge suggested. As they walked away and headed into town she spoke. "Beetee, the Victor from District Three came across a file called volcanic machine. The Game Maker's technicians and scientists were working on an Arena in a dormant volcano set on an island off the coast." Madge rubbed her hands together.
In school, they'd taught about volcanoes and tectonic plates. They showed pictures of an explosion and the lava flowing down a mountain. Katniss was shocked by the madness of the Gamemakers. To have the arena set on a volcanic island was horrifying. If there was an eruption, there would be no escape from death. It was bad enough to have to watch half-starved kids killing each other for the entertainment of the Capitol, the thought of seeing them burned to ashes made Katniss queasy.
Madge continued speaking, "Last year while conducting an experiment, the machine caused the volcano to erupt. Beetee said massive amounts of debris shot into the atmosphere. The island cracked in half and sunk, killing all of the people involved in creating the Arena. It's why last summer it never really became warm and why the sky looked so or-…"
"Orange," Katniss finished. She recalled Peeta's drawings and paintings he did of the sunset. They were beautiful and nature's warning of the inclement weather.
"But it will end, won't it?" Katniss hoped that whatever the Capitol had done wouldn't cause this cold to be permanent.
"Truthfully, Beetee is still testing out the climate models. Some predict this will all end by next spring, others predict a two-to-three-year cold period."
"Three years? We won't survive," Katniss whispered out loud, thinking about the argument she had with Gale.
"The cold weather is bad everywhere. It's even as far south as District Four. They've recorded temperatures below zero."
Katniss was shocked to hear it was cold as far away as District Four. "It's worse up north, isn't it?"
"Yeah, they are keeping the livestock in large barn-like silos to keep them alive."
"If the weather is this bad, that means…" Katniss thought quickly about the repercussions.
"Yes." Madge sighed and slipped her hands into her coat pockets. They stopped in front of the bakery. "The Capitol hasn't made a declaration yet, but it's going to get colder. There are, as Beetee said, atmospheric signs. My father insists we conserve food, wood and a portion of the coal for heat. I believe the upcoming cold is the reason Thread has instituted the rationing of food. Beetee confirmed District Three is being tasked with coming up with ways to feed people. Beetee said they've got a plan, but Snow is losing grasp on his power because of the weather. It's a perfect time to rebel."
The word itself caused Katniss' cheeks to warm up, even in the cold. "Keep your voice down," Katniss whispered fiercely. She looked down as two known haters of the Seam passed by.
Madge raised her voice in an imperial tone, "I need your help carrying the packages today. I will pay you handsomely."
"Sure," Katniss said.
The two men passed by. Madge dragged Katniss inside of the bakery. The heat of the ovens warmed their chilled bodies.
"I need you," Madge whispered as they stood in line.
"Me!" Katniss gasped. "What can I do?"
The door chimed and in walked a Peacekeeper. At the sight of the man in the white uniform, Mrs. Mellark became pale and hastened into the back. Moments later, Peeta came out. Several patrons quickly left, leaving Katniss, Madge, and Peeta in the front. Katniss stood still. Her heartbeat erratically with fear. Madge didn't react to the tall imposing figure. She thrust her book toward Katniss and ordered, "Hold this."
Katniss took the book, holding it quietly as Madge removed her gloves. "Good help is impossible to find these days." Madge sounded like Effie Trinket. She pushed Katniss out of the way, "Sir."
The Peacekeeper removed his helmet and raised an eyebrow at Madge before moving forward to Peeta who was ready with pencil and paper in hand.
"How can I help you?" Peeta politely asked the Peacekeeper.
"Oh dear where is that list," Madge searched her pockets.
The Peacekeeper looked over his shoulder at Madge before muttering off his list. Peeta quickly gave the man his total and the Peacekeeper paid.
"We'll have it delivered tomorrow as it is our day to make deliveries, sir," Peeta said as the man jammed his helmet over his head and left.
Peeta made eye contact with Katniss and she couldn't help the small smile that played on her lips.
"Good, now that I have you both here, I am trying to convince Katniss to come to the meeting."
"Madge," Katniss muttered.
"How can we help?" Peeta asked.
"Plenty, but you'd both need to join. Tonight we have a meeting."
"Madge you do realize the last time we rebelled, the districts didn't have it as bad as we do now, and yet the Capitol destroyed District Thirteen. They bombed them," Katniss said. She gave Madge her book back. "What makes you think they won't do the same to us?"
"Snow is at his weakest. The weather is wreaking havoc with the Capitol as well. Atlas's victory tour was supposed to arrive earlier. The weather prevented him from traveling. Trains are blocked by the storms or by snowdrifts. The hovercrafts can't fly in frigid temperatures. In a few days, it's going to get even colder."
Katniss understood what Madge was saying, but in all honesty, she thought of her sister and Peeta in a war. In a fight against the Capitol, innocent civilians would pay dearly, and she could see Peeta and others like him, like Gale, entering the fight.
"Just come tonight, we're meeting at Haymitch's home. Listen, and then make your decision."
Katniss stomach fell. She put her gloved hand on the counter and looked up at Peeta. "What do we do?"
"Let's go and see what it is about, and then we'll make an informed decision afterward." Peeta reached out and put his hand over hers.
"Okay, we'll go, but if we say no, what then?" Katniss asked.
"Hold on to the people you love and care for them the best you can. You're lucky you and Peeta love each other." Madge gave them a look Katniss couldn't decipher.
She didn't say anything further about the meeting and placed her order. When they left the bakery, Katniss followed behind Madge holding her packages. When they arrived at the mansion Madge paid Katniss several coins. She also gave her a large thermos full of Greasy Sae's stew.
Katniss brought it home and that night they feasted. Katniss kept on thinking about what Madge said about the rebellion. She questioned if the President and the Capitol were weakened by the weather. They had to have been if there wasn't any food. Katniss was glad for the chickens and lady. She needed to make sure there was plenty of hay and feed for them.
Her game plan for food had to change. She needed to ensure her family's survival. But none of that would matter if there was a war. Thinking of the consequences caused her hands to shake as she waited for the time to leave. No matter what Madge said, she really couldn't believe they could win. From the technology the Peacekeepers had, she got the sense the Capitol was strong and far more technologically advanced. District Twelve was comprised of poor miners and ill-equipped people with no access to weapons. Katniss didn't even think there could be many people involved, not with the heavy presence of the Capitol in District Twelve.
When it was finally time to go, Katniss layered on clothing. When she stepped outside she found Peeta and Rye waiting for her.
"Hi," Peeta said.
"What are you doing here?"
"Came to pick you up," Peeta shrugged and handed her a package. "Here this for you and your family for tomorrow."
Katniss was glad he'd come. She took what he gave her and put on the table before leaving.
"Let's go love birds," Rye grumbled.
"Can I ask you a question Rye?"
Rye turned his head. "What?"
"What if you had been caught with Madge's message?"
Rye gave her a sly grin. "I would've eaten the paper."
They followed Rye through the snow, expertly hiding from the Peacekeepers who were on patrol. They arrived at the Victor's house. Rye went ahead and gave the secret knock and the door opened.
"You made it," Thom said.
"Thanks, Thom," Rye said. "We brought reinforcements."
Thom whistled when he saw Katniss. Thom's reaction was one of many who stared at Katniss as she and Peeta walked into the foyer.
"Miss. Everdeen, I knew your paw, and it's nice to see you here with us?" One of her father's old crew members said.
Katniss was shocked silent. She didn't say anything as she walked into the room. There were so many people staring at her. It dawned on her that this wasn't a passing phase. This was for real. She glanced at Peeta who took her hand in his.
Everyone let them pass as they walked toward Madge, who was waiting for them in the main room.
"What is all of this Madge?" Katniss whispered.
"We're preparing ourselves to launch a nationwide attack against the Capitol."
"How did you even manage this?"
"Haymitch, Darius, and Purina helped me put this all together. Darius would be thrilled that you came. He couldn't make it tonight."
Haymitch Abernathy, who stood in the background stepped up. "As long as we remember who the enemy is we can take advantage of the weather. The Capitol is going to become immobilized and with careful planning, we can take out the Peacekeepers."
Katniss glanced at Peeta. "Why the big speech," Peeta asked.
Madge's eyes flashed. "You and Katniss are the inception of this rebellion."
"Us?" Katniss wasn't sure how she inspired her friend to do all of this.
Peeta asked, "How?"
"It started with the berries, those darned Peacekeepers were in my house and you hid in the bushes to sell me the strawberries. Do you remember that?"
"Yeah?" Katniss said, vaguely recalling that moment.
"I was furious because the Capitol told me I couldn't eat strawberries. The Capitol tells us that the Merchants are better than the Seam, that we can't trust each other. Yet look at you guys, resisting the Capitol in your own ways. Katniss, you hunt in the woods because there's no other way to feed your family. You risked your life to bring me those berries and I realized I wasn't going to let the Capitol dictate to me what I can and cannot eat."
There was silence in the room as Madge spoke.
"Peeta came to me with notes he wanted me to slip into your books. It was the sweetest and dorkiest thing. I saw love blooming, slowly, sweetly without the fear of the Capitol dictating to us who we can and cannot love. We should have the happiness we deserve, but the system ruled by one aging evil man says that we have to conform to his vision, his rules. We die in silence, live in fear in our own homes."
Katniss was mesmerized by Madge. She glanced at Peeta. They were abnormal in the district, a Merchant boy and a girl from the Seam. They kept their relationship quiet for a multitude of reasons. Madge was right. No one should have to hide a relationship for fear of retaliation. It's what happened to her mother when she decided to marry a miner, and history was repeating itself. In retrospect, her entire life could have been different had there been a different government.
"We have to give up our rights from the day we are born and pay for a war that we had no hand in. For nearly 74 years our children have been reaped and killed for the entertainment of a few. My aunt died in the Games. Delly's cousin died in the Games. How many more losses must we have before we say enough is enough? Katniss, you and Peeta are my inspiration, you both deserved to be together." Madge turned to Katniss. "Are you ready to fight Katniss, are you ready to join us?"
Katniss was stunned. It was a lot to take in. "Madge you're right. We can't be scared anymore. We have to send a message to the Capitol."
"What message is that?"
"If we suffer, you suffer with us."
Haymitch laughed and clapped. "Welcome to the rebellion, sweetheart. You're just like your dad. He had moxie too."
"I am so glad you joined. You have no idea how hard it was to keep this secret."
"You've been busy," Peeta said.
Madge blushed. "Your brother Rye has been a big help in recruiting guys from town."
Peeta grinned as his brother looked red.
"I think I'll start tonight's demonstration with my brother here. I'll finally have a good opponent."
"Good, I'm glad. Everyone, Purina is going to show those interested how to properly handle a weapon that's jammed." Madge sighed.
Katniss glanced at Madge. "I'm going to need my bow."
"You mean sleep?"
Katniss understood Madge's meaning. "Sure I'm going to need some sleep."
"Wait until after the reaping. This way we know for certain what the Capitol has planned for the 74th Games."
Katniss understood. She joined the training session Peeta was part of. That night, after the meeting and she was safely home, she lay in bed and wondered if she had made the right decision. She hoped she had.
As the day of the reaping arrived, Katniss tried in vain to remain calm if only for Prim's sake. It was blustery cold outside. Parents dressed their children with plenty of layers. The wind could be heard outside of the Everdeen home, drowning out the voices of the Seam folk who left their semi-warm houses.
Yesterday she had woken up in Peeta's arms relaxed, happy to see his face. The reaping a far away thought. That night he kissed her, tickled her, and she'd desperately tried to keep from laughing. Last night he baked her fresh bread and a cupcake for Prim. Before she left him at her doorstep Peeta gave Katniss his thick sweater as he kissed her goodbye. It helped her sleep.
Prim waited up for her and danced gleefully when she discovered the food Peeta had left for them. They dined like kings, keeping at bay the fear of the event happening later today. This year Katniss wasn't going to be wearing a dress. She gazed at herself in the mirror. Her mother pinned her hair up, the only bit of fanciness that she could demonstrate. She pulled Peeta's sweater over her clothing. She pulled on her boots, her hands shaking as she tied the laces. Standing up, she slipped on her father's jacket.
Her mother silently stood and slipped a thick knitted scarf over her neck. Hers was green while Prim's was pink. Nodding at each other, they were ready for whatever might befall them.
Thankfully it wasn't snowing today, but it was still bitterly cold.
When they stepped outside of their home, Prim gripped Katniss' hand. Families marched with their children between the thick white walls of snow. Katniss' mind still went over what Madge had told her. Spring never arrived and summer felt like a distant dream. The weak sun poked through the ever-present clouds. A light snow began to fall. Parents hushed their frail children.
They all followed the route, familiar now with the procedure.
Mutely, they walked toward their uncertain future and it was hard to think that two amongst them were the walking dead. Their mother turned to them when they arrived at the Justice Building. She gave them each a quick hug.
"I'll be waiting for you both."
Prim hugged their mother. "Okay."
"Go, you'll see, it will be alright." Her mother said, knowing it was a lie. As long as the Games and Snow were in place, nothing would ever be alright.
Katniss took Prim by her hand and led her to where they reported for the reaping. This year she noticed there weren't as many children. Some died of malnutrition, while others were found frozen with their entire families.
Prim stopped walking and shook her head.
Katniss stopped to comfort her sister and to stop her little body from quaking.
"It's okay Prim," she said, rubbing Prim's back.
Prim couldn't speak. Her eyes were large on her small, thin face.
"We'll be okay, I promise," Katniss uttered, not knowing how to comfort her sister on the day every child dreaded so much.
"You guys okay?" Peeta and Rye came up to them. They were standing a few feet away from where the girls and boys were lining up to be checked in.
Prim cried, tears slipped silently down her face.
Rye leaned down on one knee and openly hugged Prim. Peeta did the same. This calmed her down immediately. In their gentle way, the boys showed Prim more compassion than her old hunting buddy. The world around Katniss melted away for just a second as their act of kindness brightened the day.
Peeta stood near her, his fingers brushed hers as they watched Rye interact with Prim.
Rye smiled at Prim. "Hey, are you feeling better?"
"Yeah." Prim nodded her head.
Impulsively Rye removed his gloves. "You'll be fine. We'll be just a few rows away."
"Okay," Prim blushed prettily as Rye put his gloves on Prim's fingers.
"They're a little big, but they'll keep you warm and toasty."
Prim asked, "What about you?"
"Are you kidding me, I work with an oven all day. My hands welcome the cold." Rye tweaked Prim's nose.
"Prim, what do we say?" Katniss said.
"Thank you."
"Hey, after this is done, why don't you come to the bakery? I have a cookie with your name on it." Rye affectionately said to Prim as he stood.
"Really," Prim squeaked out.
"Yeah, It'll be one of Peeta's because I burned my batch this morning."
Prim laughed then hugged Rye.
Katniss breathed easier. She made eye contact with Peeta. He smiled gently back. The image of his baby running in the field with sun-filled blond curly hair came to her. She wanted that world. Katniss wanted a freed united Panem with no Games and no oppression from the Capitol. She wanted a world where Peeta's children could be free. She was part of a rebellion now, and hopefully one day she would get to see it.
Prim tugged on her hand. "Katniss can we go?"
"Sure," she said then mouthed thank you to the boys.
"Okay we'll see you later," Peeta and Rye said, waving as they left.
Katniss looked ahead, seeing the lines. "Prim, you see the lines?"
"Yes."
"Okay, we're going to join a line. When you get to the Peacekeeper they are going to prick your finger and dab your blood onto a piece of paper. It's going to hurt for only a minute okay."
Prim looked to the tables and nodded.
"Why were the Mellark boys talking to you?" Gale stood behind them with Rory.
"They were talking to me," Prim piped up. It almost sounded like a growl.
Gale's eyes widened in shock by Prim's reply.
Out of nowhere, Katniss detected the hint of an attitude in Prim's voice as she continued to speak to Gale. "I'm scared and they were making me feel better instead of making me feel bad about my feelings."
"Oh, sorry, I didn't know," Gale stuttered. Then his face softened. "I'm sorry, Prim for not taking your feelings into account. It was wrong of me." He looked to Katniss. "I've been a moron."
Prim nodded affirmatively. "Thank you, you are a moron...but I'm not the only one you should be apologizing to."
Katniss wanted to grin at her sister's attitude. They were going to walk away when Gale stood in front of them blocking their path.
"I'm sorry Katniss, I don't...I mean it's just, that day my behavior was stupid, like a childish stunt."
From her vantage point, he didn't seem sorry. He looked frustrated that he had to apologize. This released all of the anger she had toward him. Crossly she accused, "You're calling what you did a stunt."
Gale sighed. "I have no excuses for how I behaved that day. I am truly sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you…it wasn't my intention to do that to you..to act…like …that...I didn't mean it, I mean…-"
"You didn't mean it?" Katniss said through clenched teeth. She was so mad she didn't even listen to him.
"I mean I did." Gale lowered his voice, "I do want to leave the district, but now it's so hard. I didn't mean to demean you. It was wrong of me," Gale fumbled.
"I hate to ask you things. You never listen, and you do this thing where you talk over or at me instead of to me." Katniss wanted to hurt him, her hand curled into fists.
"I am sorry for that, for acting like a monster." He jammed his hands in his pockets and said, "I'm really trying here, Katniss. I don't know what happened to us?"
Katniss was lost for words. Her ire was beginning to boil. He roughly insulted her family, dismissed her ideas, and presently stood in front of her not accepting his wrong actions.
"It's just that ever since that day in the Hob when Darius said you looked beautiful, for a time there I wasn't able to think about anything else. I thought I liked you like that, but I don't. Then things changed. I've become different and you've become different, and we're both stressed, and you've been trying to take care of your family the best way you can, and I've been trying to do the same, and somewhere things between us got lost and we're barely friends. We haven't been speaking or communicating. We've been fighting and bickering."
Katniss couldn't disagree. They had been at odds.
"I know I have been a blockhead."
Next to her Primrose grasped her hand. It calmed her down a bit. She took a deep breath and forced herself to hear what Gale was saying.
"So much has happened. I should have come to you earlier. Or even talked about the changes in our lives," he looked behind her again and his face softened. "I found some..." his eyes drifted into the crowd, a silly smile played on his lips. His eyes glossed over a bit as his mind wandered.
"Go ahead," Prim said.
"I'm happy," Gale said, then looked over her shoulder at some invisible point again. "But I can't have what I want." He gazed into her eyes with a wounded look. There was a time she would have wanted to comfort him. But this time she was done; being with Peeta taught her that friends didn't mistreat the other.
She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "You're right, you shouldn't have waited until today to speak to me."
"Look, I know you probably don't want to be my friend after this, but if you can find it in your heart to forgive me, just know I love...care about you. NOT in that way. You know, like a guy loves a sister or something." He rubbed the back of his head. "I'm making a big mess out of this."
His declaration left her speechless. Gale thought he loved her but as a sister. She wondered if he felt remorse for treating her poorly. He stood there expecting her to fall at his feet. Suddenly she was boiling. The icy temperatures no longer bothered her.
"Gale I don't have time for this, I…I…I have to go." She made a move to leave but he reached out to stop her. Katniss scowled at him.
"Don't you want to be friends at least?"
"No, I can't." Katniss blurted out through clenched teeth.
"Why?"
"Because Gale," Katniss said, in a strangled voice, wanting nothing more than to stomp his feet, but they were being watched. "The Peacekeepers are staring at us."
"Maybe we can talk later."
"No." Katniss shook her head.
"Please, Catnip."
She tried to move and watched as the Peacekeeper to her left turned his attention to them.
"Please, promise me after this you'll talk to me."
"Fine, just let me go." She uttered, desperate to put distance between them.
As soon as he let go of her Katniss walked away with Prim. She did not want to deal with him now or think about him.
Primrose innocently stated, "I think Gale was being very contrite."
Katniss stopped moving, startled by her sister's voice. Katniss glanced down. "No, he wasn't."
"He apologized to me. Plus he said he thought of you as his sister."
"He shouldn't have taken what was going with you lightly."
"I know, but when was the last time you heard Gale say I'm sorry, Katniss?"
Katniss stopped moving and blankly stared at her sister. She couldn't, Gale never apologized.
Primrose glanced at the crowd then frowned. "Interesting."
Katniss looked at the direction her sister was staring, but all she could see was plain ol'Delly Cartwright. "Look, we have to forget about Gale. We need to stand in line to get registered."
Prim nodded, but she gripped her hand tightly. Her sister's eyes were now trained on the Peacekeepers that sat at the table.
Katniss stood behind Prim as the line slowly moved forward, glad to be away from Gale. After they registered, she dropped off Prim in the back with the little kids. They always lined up by age, oldest in the front. Flurries began to fall.
"Prim, I'll be a few rows in front of you, and look there's Rye and Peeta." Katniss indicated, Rye spotted them as he walked past and winked.
"Okay," Prim's voice was small but she nodded, standing bravely. Prim smiled at a funny face Rye made.
"Move along," The Peacekeeper said.
Katniss was told to stand somewhere toward the front. Her body shook slightly from the cold now that her ire with Gale ebbed. She glanced and found Peeta was just off to her side. Gale and Rye, both eighteen, were stationed in the front row.
On the stage there were four chairs, none yet occupied. Katniss assumed once the ceremony began, the Mayor, Haymitch Abernathy, and the Capitol Escort Effie would take their seats. Normally they would be sitting outside already. She questioned if the cold weather prevented them from doing so.
The snow fell a little bit heavier and she rubbed her hands together, thankful Rye had given his gloves to Prim. She swallowed as she thought of Gale. He said he loved and cared about her. She questioned how she was going to address the situation between them. Then she remembered there might not be anything to resolve if Prim or she were chosen. Katniss did not tell Peeta, but if his name was called she would volunteer as well. She would never allow Peeta to go into the games by himself. She had to hope the boy's name was pulled before the girl's so she would have the opportunity to volunteer if she needed to.
Katniss noted there weren't as many Peacekeepers today as the last time they stood in front of the Justice Building. It made her question why. During the Reaping, the Capitol normally doubled the number of Peacekeepers that resided within each District.
Katniss rubbed her hands together, thankful Rye gave his gloves to Prim.
"If I've said it once I'll say it twice. I hate the cold."
Katniss chuckled. "Hey, Madge." As much as she hated the reaping, there was one thing she hated almost as much, and that was the cold.
"I would pay one hundred credits for a hot balmy night."
Katniss shook her head.
Madge snuck a look toward where the boys were standing. "Did you get any sleep?"
Madge was referencing her bow and arrows. "Hardly," Katniss confessed.
"Well let me know when you do?"
"I will." Katniss rubbed her hands. "You know what you said yesterday when we were leaving the bakery."
"What did I say?"
"You talked about holding on to our loved ones."
"What about it?"
She glanced at Madge as the wind whipped by. Things were not going to get better. Katniss's eyes searched for Peeta. He looked at her, and at her distressed face, he frowned. His eyebrow quirked as if asking her why she looked upset. She mouthed 'later' back to him. She turned to Madge without missing a beat. "My mother said the same thing when giving me advice about Peeta."
"You're mom knows?"
"Yeah, she kind of overheard me crying out his name in my sleep."
"My father would have a coronary if he heard me?"
"Who do you 'er dream about?" Katniss was curious. Madge was such a mystery to her.
"Rye," Madge said nonchalantly.
"I thought you had a thing for Gale?"
"Nah that ship sailed. Besides his ship is parked in other waters."
"Madge!"
"Please, like you and Peeta aren't doing the bunny hop at night?"
Katniss could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. She was thankful for the scarf covering her face.
Madge chuckled. "That's what I thought. I hope you guys are being careful?"
There was no way she could deny what was going on between her and Peeta. "Yes, we are."
"Good."
"So my question to you is when are you going to say something to Rye?"
Madge was silent.
"Yeah," Katniss wanted to say more but the Peacekeepers began to hush the crowd behind them. The reaping was upon them.