(Katniss's POV)
I sit on the faded white chair in Peeta's art studio, watching him with interest as he paints what look like a small patch of dandelions. Peeta is usually painting when he gets home from a stressful day at work. It helps him, I think, to only focus on the even, precise brush strokes that dance on the canvas. I figure he is a bit on edge because of our conversation earlier but I can tell there is something else there. The "something else" that also plagues my mind.
Worry.
We are both worried, nervous, and anxious for May to finally get home from, well where ever she goes nowadays in order to avoid us. Because when she gets home, as soon as we have the chance we are going to sit her down and have a serious talk. I just hope she will listen.
"Peeta?" I start quietly. I hear the chair creak slightly as he turns to face me, but my eyes are glues to the floor.
"Yes, Katniss?" He says, matching my original volume.
"Where are we even going to begin?" I ask quickly. But it comes out so softly that for a moment I wonder if he even heard me.
"The beginning Katniss. The beginning is always a good place to start." Satisfied with his answer and smile and give him a gentle nod, signaling that I understand. Peeta smiles his dazzling smile and turns back around to face his painting.
After a few minutes of silence I notice that the quiet sound of Peeta's brush strokes has stopped. Before I can ask what is wrong, Peeta begins to speak.
"The day after I gave you the bread and locked eyes with you outside but I looked away too quickly because i didn't want you to notice my eye. But then I noticed after I look away you were staring down a poor patch of dandelions. Why, though? Why did those simple flowers make such an impact on you?" He ask warily, as he wasn't sure he actually wanted to know.
"Because from then on the represented hope. YOU represented hope. You saved my life and the next time I see you it was clear you suffered for it, and I happen to be next to a patch of dandelions. Those flowers gave me hope, and gave my family and I a meal to eat that night. You Peeta are my hope, my dandelion in the spring, a sign of rebirth, that proves that there is always hope for things to get better." I answer calmly.
By the time I have finished my explanation Peeta's cheeks are tinted pick and his beautiful blue eyes seemed to have misted over. I watch as he rises from his seat and makes his way over to me. Before I know it he is kneeling in front of me and I get an even better look at his handsome features.
A sharp jaw. His light pink lips that are mostly used for gracing the world with his perfect words, or gracing me with his perfect kisses. His straight nose. The way his fair skin seems to glow with innocence even after all we have been through. The way his golden curls rest simply on his forehead. And finally his eyes. In this moment so filled with love and adoration that I want to cry.
"Thank you Katniss. For saying that. And don't you worry about what we are going to tell May. I will be right there with you as always. You won't get hurt, I'll make sure of it. Because that's what you and I do, protect each other." Before I even know how to respond his lips are pressed up against mine.
Though the kiss is gentle it is filled with so much love and passion that I will certainly remember it after a while. All too soon we are forced to break apart to due the fact that we need to breath.
Damn you my instinct to live. Damn you.
It feels like days before May finally come home, and as soon as I see her face clearly I am struck with concern. Her face is red and tear streaked, her eyes are glassy and have the same glint of angst Peeta gets in his eyes when ever he has to revisit a particularity bad memory. As soon as she walks through the door she gives Peeta and I a curt hello and then she is gone, stalked off to her room.
As soon as the sound of her footsteps stop Peeta and I share a look of worry, and I begin to follow May upstairs. I make my way to her slightly open door, about to knock, but freeze.
She is on the phone with someone.
"Oh my god! ALI!"
Ali.
"I am so happy for you! That really is great! NO! Of course I don't mind, it's your life, you and him go on ahead. I'll be there if you need me." She says to her. There is a period of silence in which I am sure Ali is saying something back to May. "No probs Ali. Besides what are friends for?" They both say their goodbyes, and before I know it, I hear the sound of sniffling . . . oh no.
My daughter is crying.
Oh geez and I am just standing outside of her door listening to her cry! Inwardly cursing myself I slowly push open the door and pretend to be shocked when I see her crying.
"Oh May! What's wrong?" She looks up and me, yet she doesn't respond, she just continues to sob. Without hesitation I wrap my arms around May's trembling form. She caves in toward me and we just sit there, her sobbing and me doing my best to be her rock.
After her tears have finally stopped flowing I release her from my hold. She slouches her shoulder and looks down at the floor. Unable to take it any longer and gently grab her shoulders, forcing her to look into my eyes.
Surprised by all the emotions I find in her eyes: sadness, guilt, anger, and worst of all, fear. I push away the thought that her fear could be directed at me and I begin to speak.
"May, what's wrong?"
No response.
"Please May, tells me what's wrong so I can help you."
No response.
"May, please!"
Finally I see her impassive mask crack. Her eyes begin to well up again and I use my thumb to wipe away forming tears. Then after what feels like days of silence, she speaks.
"Lars . . . he asked Ali out." At first I am filled with glee the Mays closest friends seem to have fallen for each other. But then I choose to think of it form her perspective.
One could say that May's group is pretty popular. They definitely have the physical part down pat.
I used to tease Lars relentlessly when he was a little boy. I would joke around that he would have all the girls at school in the palm of his hands, what with his sand colored hair, tan skin, and green apple eyes. The boy wouldn't have a problem getting a girl friend.
Then there was Ali. She was definitely pretty. Blessed with golden blond hair and bright, jade green eyes. She was absolutely adorable as a child. And if going by the last time I saw her, she has thankfully kept her childlike innocence and persona.
And last but certainty not least was May. Of course with Peeta as her father she is beautiful. He claims she got her looks from me but I beg to differ. Anyway she has inherited my dark brown hair though it seems to have mixed with Peeta's in the sense that she has princess like curls. Her eyes are probably her best feature. Big doe eyes, an impossible blue, complimented with long dark lashes.
Yep, there's no denying it. These kids have been blessed in the looks department. I blush and hope that didn't really sound as creepy as it did in my head.
Then there was the fact that all of the families were pretty wealthy. Peeta and I of course are victors. And with our winnings combined, our children have never wanted for anything. Ali's mom is a doctor, and her dad is a successful business man, and both Lars's parents are lawyers.
So combining all those factors, yes. May, Ali, and Lars were definitely popular. But even so, May never really branched out. She was satisfied with her friends and chose not to make any new ones. In this way she is like me, she hates change.
Ali and Lars are really her only friends, and the fact that they are most likely going to start a relationship with each other must have been hard to hear.
"Oh May . . . I'm sorry." I say after a few more seconds of quiet. She nods slightly and I bring her into another hug. We sit there for awhile, in comfortable silence, until May decides to break it.
"I . . . liked Lars." She says, so quietly that I almost didn't hear her.
"What?" I say in confusion. Of course she liked Lars, he was one of her best friends.
"You know . . . like-like." She says, her face reddening more with every word. She must see the dumb expression on my face because she groans and lets her face become a shade of red I didn't know existed.
"God mom! I have a crush on him okay!" Uh oh.
The one boy Ali had ever liked, asked out her best friend. This is not good. If Lars was any other boy I would have been ridiculously furious with him for hurting my daughter. But as it is, Lars is one of May's closest friends. And he really is a good boy.
Great now more un needed emotions have been thrown into tonight's conversation.
What next?
(May's POV)
After the awkward apologies we continue to watch the tapes, the hostility in the air gone. It's practically torture. So it went a little like this:
-Peeta is drugged . . . what? Okay then.
-Oh no Katniss run! Get away from clove! Agh come on you can get her off you! Ahh no don't cut her! Get her off you Katni- Woah what is that!
-Oh cool it's Thresh. Geez a rock, really Thresh! Awww for Rue!
-Well if I went through all that in won night I would fall asleep even faster than that! Oh yay! Peeta's awake! Katniss's head surrounded by blood is a great sight to wake up to I'm sure. Aww it's like they switched roles now Peeta is taking care of Katniss . . . oh she still hasn't woken up yet.
-Finally! She's awake! Good they're both all better now! Wait if Peeta is all better now, how does he lose his leg.
-Oh god Peeta that's nightlock! Shoot was that a cannon! Oh it was that clever girl, taken out by berries . . . doesn't seen likely. Suicide maybe?
-Oh no! Thresh is dead! (I cried again when he was killed by Cato.)
So now we are at the part where it seems like all of the water sources have been drained in the middle of the night. It seems quite obvious that the gamemakers are trying to drive the remaining three tributes together for the final battle.
"It's so obvious what the gamemakers are doing, so why do all the tributes go to the lake anyway when that's exactly what the gamemakers want?" I ask to my friends.
"Well the really don't have a choice. They can only go so long without water, and the only water source left is the lake so might as well get it over with." says Lars.
"And I bet the tributes would want the games to end a soon as possible." adds Ali. I nod in understanding and turn my attention back to the screen. Both Katniss and Peeta have made it to the lake when all six us hear the sound of a low growl. Cato then comes bursting through the trees running like a madman. At first I am wondering why he just ran past Katniss and Peeta when I realize that the growl came from the animal chasing him.
He makes his way toward the cornucopia and Katniss follows suit. I openly cringe with sympathy as I watch Peeta struggle to run with his (Still not completely healed) leg.
"Oh come on Peeta!" Ali cries out. I turn my head and she looks and me in sympathy. I tun my attention back to the screen before I can do something stupid, like cry again.
Eventually Katniss remembers Peeta's leg and runs back to help him. They both are able to make it to the Cornucopia, when- HOLY SHIT A MUTT!
I look around at my friends faces and I quickly realize that maybe I said that last part out loud.
"Oh my god . . . May? I didn't know you had a mouth on you!" Ali teases.
The fun quickly dies out when we realize exactly what just happened on the screen. Peeta's life, once again, is in jeopardy thanks to his leg.
"Oh . . . well, now I understand why your dad has the artificial leg. I got a bit confused before once they were both okay." Lars blurts out. Ali and I nod to show we were thinking similar things.
The horrible wolf-like mutts jump and claw at Katniss and Peeta. It isn't until we get a close look at one of the mutts that the horrific realization hits me.
The mutt we are shown is the smallest one, with matching dark brown fur and eyes. And And one more clue that makes my eyes bulge in disbelief. A collar made from straw is around the mutts neck, and it is engraved with a clear 11. Katniss and I realize it at the same time
"OH MY GOD!" I screech.
Both of my friends necks snap towards me with worry. "What? What is it May!" Ali presses.
"IT'S RUE!" I cry. At my words the three of us notice similarities between the rest of the tributes and the mutts.
One with shiny blond fur and emerald green eyes: Glimmer
One with chocolate brown eyes and glossy red fur: Foxface
The largest looking mutt with dark fur and eyes: Thresh
I am at a loss for words. Just when I though the capitol could not get more evil, they do something like this. As I am processing this horrible truth, I seemed to have missed quite a lot, due to the fact the Cato has Peeta in suffocating headlock and is taunting Katniss.
"Shoot me and he goes down with me." He says, his meaning clear. Just as I begin to feel hopeless at see Peeta using his own blood to paint an x on the top of Cato's hand. Katniss quickly understand when she shoots Cato exactly where the x was. With a scream of Pain, Cato reflexively takes is hand away from Peeta's neck, and Peeta slams back into him sending him falling off the top of the tall golden structure. Katniss and Peeta clutch each other and wait for the cannon that signals Cato's death.
Though edited down to a few minutes, it seems as though hours pass by when we see one shot of them listening to Cato's screams and the sun is just barely showing, and then another shot when it is high in the sky. Yet it seems that Cato's pain filled screams refuse to stop. Unable to listen to the horrible cries, Katniss takes her last arrow, the one from Peeta "bandage", and shoots it straight into his brain.
The canon sounds.
"Then we won, Katniss." Peeta says, emotionless.
"Hurray for us." Katniss adds with the same lack of enthusiasm.
As the minutes pass I begin to wonder why Katniss and Peeta have not been crowned as the victors.
They soon go to the lake in the hopes that a hovercraft just needs to collect the body. They begin to quench their thirst when I hear it.
An announcement. My mind is a jumble as I try to understand what is going on. In my confusion I look over at Lars and Ali, only to see that they are just as confused as I am.
The announcement ends, and as soon as I process the words and combination of horror and blinding rage consumes me.
A REVOKED RULE CHANGE . . . ONLY ONE VICTOR . . .
These are the words I hear floating around in my head. I am so close to screaming when I hear Ali beat me too it.
"Are you fucking kidding me!" She yells. Lars and I gasp when we hear the innocent one of our group curse with so much venom in her voice. "After all they have done to escape with each other, they have to throw it a damn revoked rule change! Ugh!" Ali buries her face is one of the throw pillows we have, and I hear another round of colorful cursing that has been muffled by the pillow. I swear I even see Lars blush.
I tune back into the tape in time to see Peeta's knife flying into the lake and Katniss's bow pointed straight at his heart. I gasp at the image but quickly calm down when Katniss lowers her bow, and her head, in shame. Peeta calmly raises her bow again.
"No, do it." He says.
"I can't," Katniss says, sadness edged into every syllable, " I won't." She adds defiantly.
"Do it. Before they send those mutts back or something. I don't want to die like Cato." Peeta asks again. My eyes are filled to the brim with unshed tears. It is so hard to watch kids only slightly older than me debating who should live.
"Then you shoot me. You shoot me and go home and live with it!" Katniss yells, angry. She shoves her weapons into Peeta's hands
"You know I can't." He says, dropping the bow and arrows. "Fine, I'll go first anyway." He bends down and rips ff the bandage, allowing a think gush of blood to slide down his leg and into the grass. And with it my tears begin to silently glide down my cheeks.
"No, you can't kill yourself." Katniss cries, trying in vain to salvage the ripped up bandage.
"Katniss, it's what I want." He sighs desperately.
"You're not leaving me here alone." Katniss replies firmly. Peeta then bends down to help Katniss to her feet.
"Listen," he starts, "We both know they have to have a victor. It can only be one of us. Please, take it. For me." He continues to go on a heartbreaking rant about how much he loves her, but I can tell Katniss's mind is else wear.
After a moment or two Katniss begins to reach for the pouch she filled earlier with the nightlock berries. Peeta sees this and grabs her wrist.
"No, I won't let you." He says. Katniss looks up into his eyes.
"Trust me." She says evenly. After a few seconds of contemplating, he lets go of her. She opens up the pouch and empties a bit of the berries into each of their palms.
"On the count of three?" She says. He nods and leans down to kiss her gently.
"The count of three." He confirms. They stand back to back, empty hands locked together.
"Hold them out. I want everyone to see." Peeta says. They both raise there hands filled with the berries into the sunlight.
I watch in horror as they begin to count down.
"One." I feel small droplets of sweat begin to form on my palms.
"Two." I now have to focus on breathing evenly.
"Three!" Ali, Lars, and I all let out a collective gasp as we watch the dark berries fall to their opens mouths, when all of a sudden-
"Stop! Stop!" The frantic announcer yells. Both Katniss and Peeta spit out the still solid berries at the voice. "Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to present the victors of the 74th Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark! I give you- the tributes of District 12!"
We watch as they share a shocked hug, and then it's over. The screen goes black and we only have a dim lamp to illuminate our tear streaked faces.
We sit for a while, quietly, before I have to break the silence.
"I have to go." They understand my situation, so they just nod. I open the wooden door to be greeted with the setting sun. I shoot my silent friends one last glance before I hurry home.
I rush home. As soon as I open the door I see both my parent sitting peacefully in the living room. Clearly they have been waiting for me.
"Hello." I say simply, unable to look them in the eyes just yet. I hop quickly up the stairs. The sooner I escape the tense atmosphere, the better.
After 45 minutes or so I get Ali's call, just as expected.
"Hey Ali!" I say as enthusiastically as possible, for I know the exact reason she has called.
"OMG! MAY! Oh you'll never believe what just happened!" I she giggles through the phone.
"Well I won't know until you tell me!" I say, keeping up the act.
"Okay,okay. So, after you left the home Lars walked over to, offered me his hand, and brought me outside. And He held me hand the whole time! Anyway he brought me to the small pond we found last summer,uh you remember that right?" She says quickly.
"Yep."
"Okay, so anyway, he brought me to the pond and we kind of just stood there for a few minutes before he started talking." She has to pause to control her giggling. "So he started going on about how much he liked me, and then," She pauses again to release a squeal, "HE ASKED ME OUT! AAAAA!"
In spite of myself I can't help but release a small chuckle at her excitement.
"Oh my god, ALI!" She makes a noise that sounds like she started to squeal again but a round of giggles interrupted her. "I am so happy for you! That really is great!" I say as genuinely as possible.
"Oh and May? I hope this doesn't make you feel awkward, please don't hate me." I am thrown off guard by Ali's words. Did she actually think I could hate her for being happy?
"NO! Of course I don't mind, it's your life, you and him go on ahead. I'll be there if you need me." I say. And it's true, no matter what my personal feelings are I have to step back at the moment and be there for Ali.
"Oh, thank you so much May! That means a lot to me." She replies sweetly.
"No probs Ali. Besides what are friends for?" I say truthfully and she giggles again in response.
"We'll I gotta go, congrats again Ali. See you tomorrow." I say.
"Of course, bye May!" We hang up, but after a moment or so I feel a dampness on my cheeks. It takes me another moment to realize that I am crying.
Then I hear it.
I turn my head toward the sound of the creaking door, only to be met with my mom's shocked grey eyes.
"Oh May! What's wrong?" She says, but I am unable to answer her so I just continue to cry. Before I truly know what is going on, mom has wrapped me up in a comforting hug.
We both jut sit there for a while, me crying, and her trying to hold me together. Soon enough my cries stop, and she lets go of me. With most of my energy drained I just slouch my shoulders and stare at the ground, embarrassed.
My mom cracks first. She gently grabs me by the shoulders, and I am forced to look into her eyes.
Just now I begin to process that this women is the girl that I was watching on a horrible tape, not an hour ago. I hope my tiny slither of fear doesn't show in my face.
"May, what's wrong?" I don't answer. I don't want to talk about it. "Please May, tells me what's wrong so I can help you." She continues to press. But I am just as stubborn. I refuse to speak yet. "May, please!" Her yelling finally gets me to crack. Guilt at what I have been doing behind her back fills me, and my vision begins to blur with tears again, but I stay quiet.
Finally the need to get something off my chest overlaps my stubbornness so i begin speaking.
"Lars . . . he asked Ali out." I am only met with a blank expression, until she understands.
"Oh May . . . I'm sorry." I nod and she hugs me again. We break apart and she waits for me to continue.
"I . . . liked Lars." I say softly.
"What?" She says, missing the point.
"You know . . . like-like." I feel my face begin to flush at the face that I have to spell this out. Has my mom never had a crush on a boy before. One look at her face and I internally groan. She still doesn't get it.
"God mom! I have a crush on him okay!" She looks shocked at first than sad. I can practically feel how red my face is. I have never wanted to bury my face in a pillow than I did right now.
Woo hoo! Longest chapter yet! What did you guys think? Did you like the ending?
What will happen with Ali and Lars?
I am so excited to right the next chapter! Chapter 18 is going to have the conversation between May and her parents, and Lars Ali and May are going to start watching the Quarter Quell tape!
Please review!