Chapter 2:

Bedshaped

Katniss. The first thing I think of every morning. Kind of surreal how for the past three months I have been dreaming of her, and now today I will see her. I lied on the phone with my mom. The reason I can't go back is because of Katniss. It was always Katniss.

I have packed my bags. I have my clothes, my toothbrush, my bow and arrows, and a picture of me and Katniss. I haul them to the front door, and then say goodbye to my home. I start with the bathroom, walk through it remembering the time that I broke the mirror with my fist and got a deep cut from it; I guess I just couldn't stand to look at myself anymore. The kitchen, where I never bother going. Kitchens are bad, especially the moments when Katniss and I were in one; When I was whipped, and she kissed me, when I told her that I was the man from the hanging tree, and she kissed me. Funny how both the times she kissed me, were only because I was hurting. It was just an illusion, and I was the one who fell for it. I double check my bedroom, making sure I haven't forgotten anything. I never even slept in here with anyone else. I can't say the same thing for Katniss…

After I am done, I take my bags, and never look back. I walk towards the train station, and in the background see the Nut, or what was the Nut. A wave of pain washes through me. I was the one who killed all of those people. It was me.

District 2 is particularly beautiful this time of year, there's snow falling, and all the Christmas trees are still up. But the real beauty is their train. Long and gigantic, carved designs on the outside of the train, and wooden seats on the inside with red cushions, and velvet floors. I wouldn't mind never getting off.

The train ride is filled with anxiety and nerves. I don't know what to expect, and I'm scared. Somehow in all my emotions I dose off. I awake to a man shaking me to wake up, and me almost knocking him out. He sends me off the train, and I'm immediately nervous. I quickly recover though at the sight of my hometown looking redone and almost close to perfect. The last time I saw it, it was going up in flames. The new District 12 brings tears to my eyes. I want to go to the Hob, go hunting, see the concrete house in the woods… I immediately stop my thoughts there. All those things I did with Katniss. And I have to remember the reason that I'm here is to ask here to forgive me; and then I could maybe be happy. My first stop though, is to see my mom, Posy, Rory, and Vick. I head down to the seam, and see some of the old houses have been rebuilt. And then I get to mine. Compared to all the other ones, our house is so vibrant and warm and inviting, I just don't understand though, why mom doesn't move to a bigger house. I mean, I was the one who came up with the bomb idea that won us the war, we can practically have anything!

I walk in and am attacked by my three siblings. Everyone's so happy to see me, they're practically crying. I tare Posy off my back and hug her. Give Vick some candy that I picked up, and promise Rory I will take him into the woods. I ask them where mom is, and Rory tells me that she went into the market to buy groceries, and he was looking after Posy. I tell him that I am going into town to see if I can find her. I use this opportunity to head to Katniss' house. I walk over to Victors Village and knock on her door. This is the moment of truth. Katniss answers the door, but doesn't look at me immediately, she's slightly turned to the living room laughing with a familiar voice. Peeta's. I am just about to walk away when she stares directly into my eyes. She looks just about as healthy and strong and beautiful as ever. And then her calm exposure turns into complete and utter shock. She closes the door and steps outside. "Hey Catnip," I say with complete casualty, like I never even left.

"Gale…what are you doing here?" I expected that to come from Katniss but it was Peeta's voice that spoke those words. Katniss sends him inside, and I mumble, "What is he your boyfriend or something," A couple seconds pass by and I'm hoping for only one response. "Actually…He is."

A/N: Ohhhhhh Snap! Cliffhanger!