A/N: This chapter you get to meet Coal, another character in the story.
Chapter 5:
Wonderwall
My mind has been officially blown. I scan the sign up sheet over and over; girls and boys, men and women, old and young have signed up to take my class. The ages vary anywhere from ten to fifty! I put the list down, and just before I go to sleep, I make a mental note to ask these people why in the heck they would sign up.
My sleep is the best one I've had in months, I mean don't get me wrong, I still have nightmares about Katniss and Prim, but at least I didn't wake up screaming like usual. As soon as I get dressed and ready, I head out. Peeta and Katniss aren't outside as usual, so I'm guessing they're still sleeping, and why wouldn't they be? It's 6:00 am in the morning; the time I usually wake up.
Although Katniss and Peeta aren't awake, the rest of the District is. I head over to the Hob for breakfast and after, pin up the time and date of which my class starts. The date is tomorrow at twelve o-clock to two-thirty.
The rest of my day is filled with the preparations for my class. Such as the location, weapons, and my assistant. By the end of the day, everything has been planned out; my location will be in my backyard (Hey, free is free, right?), I have enough bows for everyone to double up (Katniss let me borrow a couple.), and my assistant will be none other than Rory (I could not teach the class alone, and plus the kid's already semi-trained.) Since Rory is helping me set up tomorrow, I let him sleep over, it is my first night with someone there.
Of course I wake up to a panicked Rory shouting my name. I look around and notice I'm panting and all sweaty. Rory speaks to me softly, "Gale, are you okay? You where screaming, and…never mind." I respond back in a hoarse voice, "And what Rory, tell me, I can handle it." He looks around the room, and avoids making eye contact with me. "Well, you were calling out Katniss' name…" I can feel my face flush, I thought I was done with things like this? I try to avoid the subject, "Well um, so uh…What time is it, Rory?" He looks at his watch and hesitates, "Gale I think we need to talk about this…" I immediately get angry, "This is not your place Rory." "But-but." He stutters. "But-but nothing, now answer the question!" "Fine, it's 10:38 am. Happy now?" "Very, lets get ready!" He rolls his eyes and leaves the room. He reminds me so much of myself when I was young, always pushing the boundaries.
After I take a shower, I walk into my backyard to find a disgruntled Rory frowning at a piece of paper. "Rory, what's wrong?" I ask. "Oh um, it seems that a six year old boy has signed up. I mean, we made it really clear that is was 10 and up, right?" I scratch my head, and then say, "Yeah, we put it on the sheet and everything…I guess we need to tell the kid he needs to go." Rory gives me a quick nod as I examine everything. We have the bows and arrows all set up, and we even have some wood and metal so I can teach the class to make snares.
I go into the kitchen and look at the clock, 11:57, I guzzle down some water. "It's show time." I think. Rory walks into the room and says, "There are already some people coming in right now and the six year old is here too. Do you want me to handle it?" I shake my head, "No, I'll take care of the boy, you get everybody set up." Rory nods and I walk outside.
I am immediately startled by the sight of the tiny, underfed, six year old boy standing right in front of me. He has dirty blond hair and sad gray eyes. I crouch down, "Hi, my name's Gale, what's your name?" I ask. The little boy looks up at me and says in a bubbly voice, "My name's Coalby, but you can call me Coal!" "Hi Coal, I don't know if you know this, but you're too young to be in this class…You'll have to wait a couple years, but until then, I'll have to ask you to get your mom so that she can take you home." Please don't cry, please don't cry, I think. He responds, "Okay, I'll go get my sister, she's probably on her way home, will you come with me?" I nod my head. Coal and I walk a block until he calls out an unusual name, Crescent. Almost immediately, the most beautiful girl I have ever seen turns around and walks towards us.