Chapter 4

By lunch time the whole school was talking about Rye and Glimmer's breakup. Glimmer had spun the story in her favor of course. She spread an awful rumor that "mousy" Delly Cartwright told Rye that she was cheating on him, so that Delly could be his shoulder to cry on and steal him for herself. Anyone who knows Delly would know she's not that kind of girl, but Panem High is full of bored students who would rather fuel rumors for entertainment than have compassion for someone's reputation.

Peeta and Katniss get to their regular table and see the normally cheerful Delly trying to hold back tears. Madge, sitting on her right, has an arm around her shoulders offering support and comfort in her quiet way.

"Peeta, Katniss, I, I, hope... you know I would never try to break up a couple. I mean it's no secret that I've had crush on Rye forever, but he was so in love with Glimmer and if he was happy with her then I was happy for him. Even though I believed Glimmer wasn't right for him, I kept quiet because she's what he wanted. Now she's made me out to be a homewrecker and people will believe it because everyone knows I have feelings for him." Delly chokes out

"Delly, I know you. You're my oldest friend and the sweetest girl in Panem. I know you'd never try to hurt anyone in that way. You don't have to defend yourself to me or anyone else. Your character speaks for itself." Peeta assures her.

"Peeta is right. Anyone who knows you would know you don't have a mean bone in your body. You're like sunshine. Bright and cheerful." Katniss says.

Delly manages a small smile but her eyes are still teary.

Johanna comes to the table with her tray. She takes one look at Delly and her tray hits the table with a loud thud. "I'm gonna break that witch's nose." She turns as if to do just that, but she's stopped by Gale's hands on her shoulders.

"Jo, calm down. You can't go after Glimmer on school property. You'll be suspended or worse. Plus, the girls' basketball team would be lost without their star player. We can take care of her some other way."

Johanna still has anger in her eyes, but she nods slowly and sinks down onto the bench.

"Don't you let this get to you Delly. We got your back. Glimmer will pay for this." Gale vows.

Rye runs up to the table and sits down on Delly's left and pulls her into a hug. "I'm so sorry Dell. This is all my fault. She must have saw me venting to you this morning and it placed a target on your back. I've been trying to shut down the rumors, but it spread faster than I could refute it."

"I don't blame you Rye. I'm glad to be the person you can talk to. This will pass in a few days. I don't want anyone getting into trouble defending me." Delly looks sternly at each of their faces to make her point.

"Don't give me that look Delly. You know I can't let her get away with this. If someone messes with my friends, then they mess with me. If it weren't for you tutoring me in math I would have failed and been kicked off the basketball team. You are the kindest and most patient person I know. You don't deserve to be talked about this way." Johanna heatedly rants.

"Jo, I'm so touched. I didn't realize you cared for me that much. I thought my cheeriness got on your nerves." Delly exclaims and jumps up to hug the girl. Johanna hesitantly accepts the hug.

"Yeah well sharing feelings isn't really my style but you needed to hear it today. Don't go spreading this around. I have a rep to protect. She grumbles."

"Delly you should come out to the farm and go riding with me after choir practice. Arrow and Copper need the exercise and it would talk your mind off all the drama." Katniss offers

That finally brings a smile to Delly's face. "It has been awhile since I've visited Copper. Thanks Katniss. I would enjoy that very much."

Once the final bell rings, Katniss, Delly, and Madge make their way to the choir room. They enter to see their Conductor, Mr. Flickerman, looking over some sheet music at the podium. They quickly dump their bags at the back of the room and take their places, Madge at the piano, Katniss and Delly with the sopranos. The room quickly fills up and many of their choir friends' comfort Delly and assure her that the rumors being spread about her are bogus and not to let it get her down. Mr. Flickerman calls them to attention for warmups and then they begin to practice the song "Ride on King Jesus" and learn the dance moves that accompany it. It's a lively song that lifts everyone's spirit and brings the sparkle back to Delly's eyes.

After a successful practice the girls walk together to the gym where the guys have just finished wrestling practice. Delly skips happily along still singing parts of the song. Peeta, Rye, and Gale exit the locker room to see them leaning against the opposite wall. Rye brightens up at seeing Delly back in her cheerful mood.

"Good practice girls?" He asks as he takes Delly's bag from her and slings it over his shoulder.

"It was wonderful. Just what I needed after such a dreadful day" Delly tells him happily.

"We practiced the song, "Ride on King Jesus", it's such an uplifting song and it's a fun song to play on the piano." Madge informs them.

Gale wraps his arm around Madge and kisses the top of her head. "I'm glad you had a fun time. Our practice was grueling. We must be at our best for the match against Capital Elite. Hey Madge, do you want to stop at the Dairy Queen and get a strawberry milkshake?"

"You read my mind. I've been craving a good strawberry milkshake. See you guys tomorrow." Madge says as they reach her white convertible. She hands the keys to Gale and slides into the passenger seat.

Katniss unlocks her VW Beetle and tosses her bag into the backseat as Delly walks around to the other side of the car. Katniss turns back to face Peeta and Rye.

"Do you guys want to come riding with us?"

"Not today. I need to catch up on some homework." Peeta sighs. He steps up to her for a hug and kisses her forehead. "You two drive safe and be careful on the ride."

"You got it. I'll call you when we get back to the house. Love you."

"Love you too." He winks at her. Then he and Rye head up the lot to his truck. Katniss cranks up her car and heads home to the farm. Haymitch says hey as she and Delly enter the barn, where he's starting on the evening check, and warns them not to stay out too late.

Katniss and Delly quickly saddle up Arrow and Copper and ride out to the pond on the edge of the property. The horses graze in the tall grass and drink from the pond as Katniss and Delly enjoy a couple of ham sandwiches and apple slices.

"Thank you so much for inviting me Katniss. I forgot how peaceful it is here. This is just what I needed to recharge." Delly breathes in the cool evening air and watches the beautiful orange and pink color fill the horizon."

"No problem Delly. Besides Copper has been missing you." Katniss sits with her bow stretched over her lap, a quiver of arrows at her feet. Eyes alert for any predators that may wander up.

"I've missed him too. I really need to come over more often and visit him." Delly says as she feeds Copper the rest of her apple slices and strokes his mane.

"We better head back before it gets too dark and get the horses settled in for the night. Then I'll drive you home."

"Sounds like a good plan." They swiftly saddle up and head back to the barn.