Disclaimer: The Hunger Games belongs to Suzanne Collins
I have nightmares that something devourers me in the woods, even though I should feel at home in the woods by now. I know I was screaming, and I regret not asking Peeta to stay so he could wake me up from the nightmares.
I don't know how his family feels about the engagement, although his father seems pretty supportive. He was always a fan of Prim, so I guess this isn't too much of a surprise. His mother, however, is a different story. Peeta would not tell me much about what she thought when he asked her for the ring, which only tells me we're in trouble next week when we have dinner at his house with his mother and his two brothers.
As I walk into town, out shopping for medical supplies for my mother, I think of how I'm going to tell Gale. I consider waiting until he hears it through the grapevine, which wouldn't take very long. If I am going to tell him myself, I have to make the decision soon.
I'm sure there's going to be bridal photo shoots, announcements on the news, and other things that will make the whole world aware of the big wedding. Just like after my and Peeta's first games, our faces will be unescapable on TV.
I decide Gale will never forgive me if he finds out with the rest of the public, so I throw the sack of supplies over my back and head over to his house.
His house is near the woods, naturally, far away from the town square. When I knock on the door, I briefly consider running away.
But too quickly, he opens the door. "Oh hey, Catnip," he says, kind of surprised to see me.
"Hey Gale," I say. I take a deep breath, my right hand automatically fingering my ring for comfort. "I-"
"Stop, Katniss," he whispers. "I already know."
Gale reaches over for my left hand, examining my ring. There's nothing intimate about the touch, at least not for me. When I made the decision between Peeta and Gale, I also got closure from Gale. There are no more fleeting thoughts, and no cold feet about telling Peeta "yes" last night.
"Well, it looks even better than before," he mutters, dropping my hand.
"Than before?" I repeat. What the hell does he mean?
Gale smiles guiltily. "Peeta came by the day before yesterday."
"And?" I place one hand on my hip and tap my foot impatiently.
"I have to at least give it to him that he's a good guy. Like I've said before, it would be easier if I could hate him."
"Gale, I'm sorry." I really don't know what else to say.
He shrugs. "He stopped by to ask me if it was okay. He just wanted to let me know what he was about to do, because he didn't want me to find out after. He said, 'I just thought it would be decent to give you a head's up. If I were in your place, I would've wanted you to tell me.' I told him, 'At least you're not Finnick.' "
I laughed. "You really don't like Finnick, do you?"
"No, I don't like fish-boy. I always have nightmares that he's going to kill me with his trident and dump me in the water. You know I hate the Careers."
I'm about to tell him that Finnick isn't like the rest of them, but I decide against it. "I know," I tell him, smiling. "So you're okay with all this?"
"Well, I'm not particularly happy about it, but I'm not going to throw a fit about it. I'd rather be in your life as your friend than not be in it at all. And as cheesy at it sounds, I want you to be happy."
I hug him. "I'm glad."
"Why don't you come in?" he asks, opening the door wider.
I shake my head. "I can't; I have to go to Madge's and ask if she wants to be the maid of honor."
"After?" he asks hopefully.
"Sorry, Gale, but I have to get home after. I promised Peeta we could look at wedding locations together later."
"It's alright. Just promise I'm invited."
I laugh.
"Well, you know that if I'm not, I'm just going to crash it anyway."
"Then I'll be sure to book a place with good security."
Gale scoffs. "I'm invited, Catnip," he says.
I'm nervous about the strangely calm way he's handling this, but I pretend I don't notice. "How could I not invite you?" I say with a smile as I walk away.
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