"What about Katniss?!" Mabel asked, still lying on the bed. It was 8 in the morning, and yet, she didn't wake up. I opened the window and let the cool breeze in. Mabel's hair was flying, and she no more looked like herself ; she looked ten years younger. She still was sprawled on the bed, half-clothed. She was rubbing her eyes, pouting like a little baby. She obviously didn't like the sunlight disrupting her sleep. She murmured something, probably 'Shut Up and close the windows!' I smiled, walking towards her.
"What about her, sweetheart?" I asked, jumping on the bed. I crawled towards her and slept beside her, my head on her stomach. She smiled a bit, ruffling my hair. "What about her?' I repeated.
" I am quite scared for her,Gale!" Mabel said, twirling my hair. "I don't want her to do anything that's dangerous!"
Oh man! My heart did a flip dance whenever Mabel called me by my name.
After the battle got over, I settled in 2, and met Mabel Wasden. Her father, Jonathan Wasden owned a news channel, Panem007. With his influence, I got a job.
My work is to roam in the forests in the outskirts of the districts and battle with the undiscovered, hostile creatures. All thanks to the time I spent in the woods with Katniss. We have a daughter and a son - Katniss Hawthorne and Creighton Hawthorne. 20 and 17, respectively, years of age.
"What dangerous thing, Mabel?"
"Look! You had years of training in the woods. With the older Katniss!" She complained, her hands on me. "But, our Katniss has no experience in such things! How can you make her your companion?!"
I loved the way she spoke about Katniss Everdeen, casually. She treated her as if she were a random, but, important person. She wasn't jealous of her. In fact, she suggested me to name our daughter Katniss, just, when I was wondering whether I should suggest the same. Mabel is a wonderful woman. She won my heart, even when, at the bottom of my heart, I was craving for Katniss's companionship. She married me, knowing that my heart would never heal. Until Katniss was born, I wasn't myself at all. Naming my daughter after Katniss was the factor which healed my heart completely. I got to know that the love I had for Katniss wasn't the same love I had for Mabel. I realized that Mabel and I were made for each other. I thanked nobody in particular, for, showing me Mabel.
"Oh Mabel! Ain't I there for her?" I blew on her hair, after recollecting a bit of the past. She smiled a bit, but, didn't seem convinced at all.
My director, Caius Belleville, suggested me to make Katniss a partner for this season. So that we could attract more attention.
"Moreover, Katniss is now a young woman, ready to face the world. I don't want to discriminate against my daughter. If she thinks she is capable enough to travel with me, I will very well accept her! " I said, now staring into Mabel's eyes. I put on a more serious expression on my face.
"No,Mabel! I don't want to reject my daughter because she is a girl! She is brave like her mother! Her father! Her namesake, Katniss Everdeen. " I said, pausing, for a breath.
Mabel stared at me as if I just recited a poem with 1000 paragraphs.
"Very well... As long as Katniss is happy!" She sighed. I got up, smiling at her. She smiled at me, clipping her hair with a clip. Her soft, blue eyes looked a bit worried, but, I knew she wanted Katniss to do something like her daddy.
"Go clean that dirty mouth of yours!" She scolded me.
"Alright! Madame!" I said.
TEN MINUTES LATER
Katniss,Mabel, Creighton and I sat in front of the TV, watching my show. Katniss laughed, when I tried to steal a banana from a monkey, in the outskirts of district 8. At home, Creighton, the monkey of our house hated bananas.
"What?! You will be expected to do the same as well!" I defended myself, as she was trying to control her laughter.
"That's it Kat! That's your cue! Dad doesn't want you go with him!" Creighton said, looking at her.
Katniss looked as if someone slapped her. "What? Dad?"
"Oh no! Dad wants you to go along with him! We even had an argument!" Mabel told her, eating a sandwich. Katniss looked at me, with gratitude in her eyes. "Thanks,dad!"
"It all started because of this monkey over here!" I said, looking at Creighton.
"What?!" He asked, pausing his eating. I glared at him. "Sorry, Kat!"
Katniss nodded her head, too interested in her food. Katniss inherited her mother's eyes and hair, so, you could as well call her Junior Mabel. That's what Caius called her. Creighton had sea green eyes and dark hair, just like his grandfather, Jonathan Wasden. Mr. Wasden was from district 4, so, people were easily deceived that even Creighton was from 4.
"Yeah, Katniss, by the way, our next season is starting after a month. Get ready!" I said, sipping from the orange juice.
"Thank you!" She said, getting up. "So... Does that mean I am a free bird?"
"Yes!" I said, smiling.
She was beaming. She pecked me on the cheek and ran to her room. Mabel smiled at me. Creighton looked a bit offended. I ordered him to go to his room.
"Fine. But, when Katniss is in a bad mood due to her monthly problems, don't blame me!" He said and stormed off to his room.
"Creighton is hopeless!" Mabel muttered. I laughed, and she laughed a bit as well.
"Okay, boss! I have to go tell Mrs. Lunitia the menu!" She said, referring to our cook. She got up and went to the kitchen .
Just then, our telephone, in the room behind the drawing room began to ring.
"Mabel! Can you pick it up?" I asked. Mabel was in the kitchen ,telling our cook the menu for the day.
"I am busy!" She shouted back.
I got up and walked towards the room.
"Hello?" I said, picking it up.
"Hello! Mr. Hawthorne! I am Mrs. Odair! Annie Cresta Odair!" The voice on the line spoke. I closed my eyes for a moment, and then, recollected who she was. Finnick's wife. I felt a stone drop on my heart as I was reminded of the past times. Ghosts of the past.
"Yes!" I croaked. "How are you?!" I couldn't think of anything else. Why did she call me? Why is she sounding so formal?
"Fine. Its our son, Triton Maximus's wedding, in two weeks. We request your presence and make the day a memorable one for him! Please do come and bless him!" She breathed, as if she by hearted the whole thing.
I didn't know what to say. Our next season would start in a month, so, I guess going to 4 will be refreshing. Besides, we haven't shot in 4 at all. I could as well check out some locations over there!
"Sure-"
"Excellent! I am going to send you the train tickets! You will be starting day after tomorrow!"
"Day after tomorrow?" I asked, surprised. "Isn't the wedding in two weeks?!"
"But... My son, my daughter in law can show you exotic places! You will realize that time has flown by the time you see all the places! Please! You will never get such an opportunity!" She pleaded.
"Oh. Okay!" I said, and cut the phone.
"Gale.. Who was that?" Mabel asked, sitting on the couch.
"Annie Cresta Odair. Wife of Finnick... She's inviting us for her son's wedding. Its two weeks later, but, she wants us to start off day after tomorrow itself! "
"You said no, right?" She asked me, intently listening.
"Of course no!" I squealed,not knowing why I did so. "I said yes!"
"Why?!"
"You know how district 4 is!" I argued, not cutting off eye contact. "We never shot in 4. The places over there can give us minimum 5 seasons!"
"Why day after tom-"
"Believe me! We won't have time to see things! Believe me!"
"Okay! We could even meet K-"
"MOOOOOMMM!" Katniss shrieked, running towards us. She looked pretty tensed. Mabel widened her eyes, scared.
"What's wrong?" I asked, as she hid behind me. It was very weird, because she yelled 'mom' and hid behind me. Mabel looked at her, concerned.
"He-He-"
She couldn't complete her sentence. Just then, a hooded figure walked towards us. We couldn't see his face. He was walking very slowly. My instincts told me to attack him, but, I was scared he would hurt Mabel or Katniss in anyway. He tilted his head, as if he was about to hurt us. I realized one of us missed.
Creighton! Where is he?
Moreover, what are the guards doing?!
He stood right in front of me. I couldn't move because Katniss held me really tight. I had no other choice. Instead of doing something to us, he removed his mask, revealing himself to us. My heart almost stopped for a moment.
"Hey Uncle!" He said, smirking at us. Mabel exhaled, relieved. Katniss chuckled, bumping her fists with his.
"Did you think your Katniss would get scared of some kidnapper?" She said, guffawing
It was Jeremy, Rory's son.
"Jeremy! You scared us!" Mabel cried, now laughing at her foolishness.
Jeremy was two years younger than Katniss.
"Where's dad?" I asked.
"Dad and mom have gone out with Claine. " He said, referring to his sister.
"What are you doing here?" I asked.
He didn't reply. Instead he yelled out a name completely unknown to me.
"Cortez!"
A boy, of Jeremy's age walked towards us. The boy had golden hair and hazel eyes and seemed to be very shy. He had freckles all over his face, and had a long, pointy nose. His thin, sleek physique gave him a very weak look. I noticed Katniss smiling at him, her cheeks as red as a tomato.
"Uncle! This is Cortez Ignacio. Katniss's and my friend."
Cortez extended his hand. I thought he would give a limp shake hand. But, he shook his hand very firmly, surprising me.
"Hello Cortez!" Mabel wished him, with a smile on her face. I have to admit it, Cortez looked very handsome, despite his sleek physique and freckles on his face. Obviously Mabel liked him.
"Hello ma'am! Hello sir!" He greeted us. His voice sounded very soft, yet, loud. He seemed to be the Mr. Ideal Boy for every parent.
"What are you doing?" I asked, my voice stern. He looked at Katniss and I didn't like the way he did it.
"Sorry?"
"Where are you studying?" I amended.
"I am doing a degree in English in Panem University." He answered. He glanced at Katniss and she slowly nodded her head, as if encouraging him.
"Dad! If you don't mind..." Katniss said, as we moved aside, making her way for her room. Katniss held Cortez by his hands and walked, followed by Jeremy, rolling her eyes. Cortez still looked like he was scared of me, but walked with ease anyways.
Katniss has found herself a new boyfriend.
"C'mon Gale! "Mabel scolded. "What's wrong with it? Even I had a boyfriend at that age. You had Katniss!"
"We weren't official!" I protested.
"You kissed!" Mabel pointed out.
"Hey! That was fri-"
"Whatever. You should be glad cause you were my first kiss."
"Mabel! Why are you speaking of irrelevant stuff? Our daughter is hanging out with another guy! In a wrong way! He looks very fishy!"
"Stop it, you!" Mabel shouted. "He seems to be a dearie!"
"He's two years younger than her!"
"So?!" !Mabel asked. "That's so sexist of you!"
"I don't like Cortez Ignacio. He's too perfect." I said, storming off into our room.
"Dad..." Katniss called, walking into my room. I turned my face away.
"Dad! You're angry at me because of Cortez?", She asked. I didn't reply. I didn't know what to say.
" He's a nice guy. "
"Whatever." I muttered. "By the way, we are leaving to district 4 day after tomorrow."
"Can Cortez come along with us, too?!" Katniss asked, elated.
"Whatever.." I said, still annoyed at her.
"Thank you!" She said, kissing me on my cheeks. I smiled a bit and she ran, probably towards her room, to call and inform Cortez.
"Tell him to pay!" I shouted, hoping that he would drop out, since he has to pay money.
I don't want this fellow to come along with us and create rifts between Katniss and me.