Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games or any of the characters. It is property of Suzanne Collins.

So I hope you guys don't hate me for the last chapter. It was short and not much happened but it was important for the story to continue. I originally planned for this all to be one chapter but decided to split it up. Exams are coming up again, so I will try to update as much as possible.

Enjoy!

Italic means flashback

Chapter 13:

The Art of Forgiveness

"Miss Everdeen?"

My head shoots up, focusing on Effie sitting across the table from me. Her concerned smile makes my skin crawl. How fake can this woman get? When you drop a bomb like that on a girl, you have to give her a second to grasp her bearings. Maybe that is too advanced of a concept for the colorful capitol peacock to understand. I timidly return her smile when I would rather launch myself across the table and strangle her. Would I get in trouble if I acted on these desires I've been feeling all day? Probably, with how my luck has been going today.

She cocks her head to the side, an idiotic smile replacing the concerned one. I suppress a groan as I recognize the twinkle in her eye. Is she really going to force me to say it? I rather eat a squirrel raw then speak those words to this sorry excuse of an escort. She has no right to ask me about my feelings, especially about my relationship with Peeta. Who cares what anyone contemplates about how Peeta feels about me. It is really none of their business.

"Miss Everdeen, are we going to resolve this matter or not? As your escort, I must know if there is anything that could affect your chances to engage sponsors and promote a positive image. I must confess, my heart stopped when Mr. Mellark volunteered and joined you on the stage. One volunteer in an outlying district is an honor but two. Oh my!" Effie fans herself, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

Don't kid yourself, peacock. I fight off the anger that threatens to overtake me with her words. Is that all we mean to her, an honorable event in her less than desirable appointment as the escort for District 12. I am not naïve to her motives. My memories of watching Katniss interact with her prove that. If she wants to pretend to be our friend, she can go right ahead. It doesn't mean I have to be nice about it.

Should I answer her or let her wait it out a little longer? If I don't answer her question now, I will have to tolerate her presence for a time longer. The thought of being trapped in this room with Effie for any insurmountable time makes me nauseous. I could hardly stand to be in her presence for a few seconds, let alone another hour. Well, that answers that question.

Taking a deep breath, I force myself to behave despite the anger coursing through me. "No, Effie. There is nothing between Mr. Mellark and myself." I reply quietly, licking my lips before continuing. "He went to school with my sister, occasionally talking to Prim and myself when we stopped by the bakery. That is the limit of our association." So I lied through my teeth. If this will get her off my back about Peeta volunteering, so be it. This is an issue between Peeta and me, not the people of Panem.

Effie is disappointed at my words, a frown marring her usual smiling face. Serves her right for sticking her nose where it doesn't belong. I refuse to fuel the rumor pools, allowing her to have the advantage of inside information about Peeta and myself. It is all a game to the people of the capitol. They cry for the tributes they love, scorn those they hate, and cheer for the underdog in the Games. If I am going to save Peeta, I will play whatever role they want to make sure he goes home alive on my terms. Only I will decide who is privy to this information, not Effie.

She nods her head, giving me a lackluster grin. "Alright, Ms. Everdeen. I believe that is all." She moves to stand, a dissatisfied look on her face. If there is any indication Effie wanted to ask me more, the disappoint radiating off her tells all. I resist the urge to roll my eyes as she motions with her hand for me to leave. Not wanting to chance a new round of questioning, I stand and quickly leave the compartment through the sliding doors behind her.

The train corridor is narrow, barely wide enough to fit two people. The inside is completely lined with doors, similar to the sliding one I just exited. The outside has a long line of rectangular paneled windows, allowing anyone walking through to catch glimpses of the quickly passing scenery. I gravitate slowly towards these windows, amazed at how different the outside world looks in comparison to District 12. A continuous line of mountains against the sun setting in the horizon fascinate me as we pass through. I lost track of which district we were in after 8, the glimpses of rivers and grassy fields starting to blur after a while.

My hand touches the cool glass, unable to feel the warmth or heat from the outside. The air inside the train is strictly regulated, keeping everything at room temperature with an occasional chill. The capitol never seizes to amaze me with their ability to control every little aspect of our lives. Would it kill them to allow an individual to feel hot or cold?

A sad smile graces my lips as I wish desperately that Prim could see these scenes before me. She would have loved seeing the mountains, which are unheard of in District 12. What a cruel gift to see such a beautiful sight before my untimely death in the games. I will keep my promise to Mrs. Mellark even if I have to break my little sister's heart in the process. Prim's cries for me still echo in my ears hours later, my parting words to her make my heart ache. Would my little sister ever forgive me?

A little blonde torpedo launches herself into my arms the second the doors open, my mother and Gale following closely behind. Our little duck buries her head in my dress, her quiet sobs breaking my heart as I wrap my arms around her small form. My eyes catch my mother's angry expression and Gale's hardened resolve, causing my heart to break even more. This must be as hard for them as it is for me. Could my mother see that without giving me an accusing glare? Probably not.

The accusation in her eyes hurts more than I thought. Katniss and I didn't alert her to our plans, not wishing to send her spiraling back down into the depression that held her prisoner for years. We only recently got her back, not wishing to lose her to suspicions and poorly derived hunches. Too bad we were right. Prim's named was called and I volunteered in her stead, saving our little sister when Katniss no longer could. If my mother despised me for protecting my little sister, I will bear the guilt happily. Better her anger at me then her heart wrenching cries for her youngest daughter.

Prim tugs on my dress, making me break eye contact with Mother. I smile down at my little sister, her presence the only thing preventing me from losing it completely. My nerves are shot at this point. Volunteering has taken everything out of me along with the knowledge of Peeta taking Gale's place. The guilt I feel at Mrs. Mellark's retorts about my being responsible for Peeta's actions won't leave me. Would this hellish day ever end?

"Lock, why did you do it?" Prim asks quietly, tears brimming in her eyes as she looks up at me. Her tears make me ache, helping me to push away the depressive thoughts. I guess I can bare this hell a little longer for Primrose, even if it kills me. Her question throws me for a loop, the response too complicated for me to explain easily.

How can I tell her that she means the world to Katniss and me? That we would do anything to protect her, even give up our very lives? The answer is I couldn't. There is no easy way to explain to my little sister that she means more to us than ourselves. I sigh, ruffling her hair in an attempt to distract her. Her annoyed expression causes me to laugh, although it sounded forced to my ears. "Well little duck, I would do anything for you." I whisper, not able to choke out anymore.

I can tell Prim isn't satisfied with my answer. She has always been too smart for her age, able to grasp adult concepts quicker than I ever could. She gives me a weak smile, tears streaking her cheeks as she clutches me to her. I stroke her hair, mindful of her braids, unable to say anything else. What is there to say besides goodbye?

"Promise me you will come back, Nightlock. Just like Katniss did." Her pleading tone plunges a knife through my heart. She is asking for the one thing I can't give her. I already promised to bring Peeta home. How can I promise to come home when we all know there is only one victor?

Pulling Prim tightly to me, I bury my face in her hair and refuse to answer. I refuse to lie to my little sister. This last memory of us together will not be tainted with lies and deceit. I will not do that to her or myself. Primrose deserves the truth from me, even if it will hurt her. "I can't promise that, Prim." I mumble, not wanting Gale to hear my answer.

Prim tenses up at my words, her head shaking in denial. I pull away from her, anxious to observe her facial expressions. The knife is plunged deeper as I take in her horrified eyes and quivering lips, the word no repeated soundlessly as blue meets gray. I reach out to touch Prim's cheek, my entire body aching to comfort her. "Prim…"

The knife plunged completely through as she steps away from me, denial overcoming her features. She shakes her head, tears littering her cheeks. "No, Nightlock. Don't touch me." She replies quietly, her body shaking as she tries to contain her sobs. My hand drops at her words, shame and regret flooding through me.

"I'm sorry, Primrose." I turn away from her, my fists clenched at my sides as I fight the urge to run over and embrace her. Why is this so hard for us? Prim is everything to me. To see her in pain because of me is unbearable. This is not what I meant to do when I told her the truth.

The sound of footsteps walking away from me causes me to turn. I turn quickly, catching sight of Mother and Prim leaving the room. Not wanting Prim to leave with those being the last words between us, I call to her. "Prim!"

Prim turns to look at me, pain flickering in her eyes. She doesn't speak, although the cold look I get from Mother says it all. She doesn't want me to say anything else to my little sister. Well tough luck for her. I have never listened to her before and I don't plan to now. I lick my lips, sorrow coating my words. "For what it's worth Prim, I love you. Never forget that."

New tears escape Prim as she pulls away from Mother and runs into my arms sobbing. I hold her close, kissing the top of her head as she mumbles in reply. "I love you too, Lock." Stroking her hair, I smile despite my only tears that are threatening to fall.

"I will always be with you Prim. Forever."

A hand on my shoulder brings me back to reality. I turn quickly, wondering who caught me daydreaming in front of the windows. My eyes widen as I recognize Peeta, his stern eyes studying mine with the familiar lopsided grin on his face. I gasp in surprise, stepping away from him unconsciously. "Peeta?" My uncertain tone spoke volumes, trying to grasp why Peeta would approach me now of all times.

He scratches the back of his head with his hand, the sternness leaving his features as his eyes glimmer with mirth. Peeta laughs uneasily, the lopsided grin still there. "Guess I got you, Miss Everdeen?" His teasing words send warm shivers down my spine, a blush flooding my cheeks.

Unable to find the right words, I nod my head in reply. A nervous laugh escapes me as my eyes concentrate on his lips, wondering what it would feel like to have them touch mine. My eyes widen at this train of thought, causing me to back further away from Peeta as I turn back to look out the window. What the hell is wrong with me?

I know exactly what is wrong with me and it is all Gale's fault. If he didn't have to comfort me after Prim and Mother left, I wouldn't be in this mess. It is his fault for getting all these silly ideas into my head. I shake my head, trying not to let the memory of him leaning down…

"Goldilocks?"

Gale's voice rouses me from my dark thoughts about my goodbye to Prim. I turn towards him, surprised he is still here when the rest of my family has already left. A frown mars my face, wondering what he could possibly have to say to me. "Yeah Gale?" I reply softly, not having the strength to come up with a funny or biting retort. After everything that has happened today, can anyone blame me for being tired?

"Are you ok, Lock?" Gale asks a concerned expression on his face. He reaches out to touch my arm, taking a few steps towards my shaking frame. I hadn't realized I have been shaking much to my surprise. At his touch, the last bit of strength in me leaves as I collapse. His arms wrap around me, preventing me from getting up close and personal with the floor.

I give him a wry grin, knowing I must look tired to him. I felt tired. "I'm fine, Gale. Just tired. It has been a long day." My legs are unsteady, not able to support my weight completely on their own. I lean against his chest, finding the familiar sound of his heartbeat comforting. To think that he could be heading towards the same fate as me, a tribute in the 74th Annual Hunger Games. The thought sends unwelcome shivers down my spine.

"It would have killed me, Gale." I murmur quietly, not having the strength to speak anything above a whisper.

"What would have killed you, Nightlock?"

It takes me a minute but I find the strength to look up at Gale. His eyes are concerned, the unspoken question lingering in them that has haunted me for the last few months. I lick my lips, whispering. "It would have killed me if you were a tribute too, Gale. I don't think I could have hurt you in the games." The knowledge that I wouldn't have ever been able to hurt or even kill Gale in the games weighed heavily on me. I felt the same way about Peeta. How am I going to be able to kill anyone? It makes me wonder how Katniss was able to do it.

An unfamiliar emotion flickers in Gale's eyes as tears escape me. I didn't have the ability to hold them back anymore. Gale has seen me at my worst and more. This is nothing to him when he has seen me lethargic and barely there after having my heart broken by Peeta. It is only after seeing him today at the Reaping that I realize I still care a lot for Peeta, even if he broke my heart. Did this mean that I couldn't have feelings for Gale too?

Gazing up into Gale's familiar gray eyes so much like my own, I realize I care greatly maybe even love him. Is it possible that Gale might feel the same way? The thought of finding love as I head off towards my death is a bittersweet notion. Who would want to love someone that is as good as dead? Gale is smarter than that. Plus he had his pick of women from the Seam, including my older sister Katniss.

I attempt to look away from his smoldering gaze, not liking the direction my thoughts were leading. Gale's hand reaches up to cup my face and forces me to look at me. My eyes widen as I realize Gale is leaning down towards me, his eyes concentrated on my own. I swallow nervously, my bottom lip quivering in anticipation as his head dips down close to mine.

His warm breath mingles with mine, his lips close enough to touch. "It would kill me too, Goldilocks…It is killing me now." He whispers quietly, allowing his words to sick in before pressing his lips against my own. My eyes flutter closed at the contact, my entire body humming at the warm feelings as I remain frozen under him. His hand strokes my cheek as his other arm snakes around my waist and pulls me flush against him. I gasp against his lips, feeling him deepen the kiss and ignite a fire within me that I never knew existed.

Before I can even think to respond, Gale breaks contact and pulls away. My heart is beating erratically as a blush floods my cheeks under the heat of his gaze. That is my first kiss. My first kiss with Gale…

…leaning down to kiss me. Damn you, Gale. Why did you have to do that? My hand unconsciously touches my lips, gray eyes settling on the red and orange stained horizon. That was my first kiss and I don't know what to think of it. Did I love Gale? It is a very real possibility. I sneak a glance at Peeta, his eyes studying me curiously. A blush stains my cheeks as I look away, my heart racing at the thought of Peeta doing the same thing. Did I also love Peeta?

A sorrowful sigh escapes me, my eyes focusing on the sunset in front of me. It didn't matter what I felt at the moment. Nothing mattered except for the first time today, I felt at peace. For the first time in a long time, I am able to let go and just relax for a heartbeat before the real trials began. Tomorrow, we would arrive at the capitol and that is where the real battle would begin. My battle to bring Peeta home alive.

Don't kill me! Let me know what you think!