Chapter 14: Nobody's Home
I open the door. Gale stands there wearing a white button shirt and pair of nice jeans, the best clothes he could have ever afforded. He smiles at me and stands there staring. How I wish it was a pair of blue eyes in his place. I smile forcefully and say, "Hi." He stands there as in shock, and finally gains the words, "Katniss… you look… wow. You look… amazing." I look down, and say, "Thank you." He says, "So, are you gonna invite me in?" I look up and say, "Yeah, of course come in." I move to let him pass.
His brothers and Posy all greet him. He picks up Posy as she runs to him."Hey, little girl. How was your day?" She smiles wide, "Fun, Prim gave me a cookie." He looks at the cookie suspiciously then at me. I shrug and say, "Don't look at me, because I haven't done anything." Prim swoops in dancing and offers a cookie to Gale, "I got them at the bakery from selling goat cheese from Lady." He backs off and says, "No thank you, Prim." She shrugs and turns to wink at me. I sigh of relief. Mrs. Hawthorne and my mother come in to kiss Gale on the cheek as he lets go of Posy.
"Come on Gale, we made a delicious dinner." My mother recalls. He says, "Oh, yes." He turns to me, "Katniss?" He holds out his hand for me to take. And I look at it. Why don't I just turn and run? Why don't I go and get Peeta and we'll live in the woods together? But then I look around, my family needs me. I can't leave. I smile and take his hand, just remembering that this is for Peeta. Gale leads me to the table, and holds out a chair for me. I take a seat and he sits next to me.
Mrs. Hawthorne and Prim serve the soup. Everyone chatters, I feel someone watching me. I look up to see a pair of old worn out blue eyes, my mother. She looks at me sympathetically mouthing, "I'll get better." I look down once more. As our plates are served we begin eating, but not before my mother says, "Everyone as you must know this dinner is in honor of Gale's and Katniss' marriage." I force a smile and I feel Gale's hand snake under the table to hold on top of mine. I tense up and he feels it. Everyone go back to eating and Gale whispers to me, "I'm sorry." I don't know what exactly he is apologizing for. I say, "Oh, no I'm sorry you caught me off guard." He smiles and nods. I add, "How was the day at the mines?" He sighs, "Horrible, as always." I smile and pretend to be interested in his story. But my mind fills up with Peeta and this afternoon. How I wish he was sitting next to me instead of Gale.
Gale finishes his story and I smile, He then looks at me curiously, and whispers, "Catnip, you're glowing. What did you do?" I quickly answer, "I was in the woods all day." He smiles and says, "Let's go after this." I shake my head, "It's too late." He shrugs and takes a sip of his soup, "So, nobody is out there." I swallow if he only knew who was out there with me. I nod and then we keep eating. After he finishes his meal, he takes my hand pulling me up, then he announces, "Mrs. Everdeen and Mom, Me and Katniss are going for a walk." Mrs. Hawthorne says, "But it is late." Gale pulls me closer, "Mom, don't worry, I'm with her."
They smile and nod. We head out and we walk to the woods. Even at night the woods are beautiful. Gale leads me to our rendezvous spot. We sit and stare at the sky. Gale snaps the silence, "Catnip?" I look over to him and ask, "Yes?' He asks, "Are you actually ready for… us?" I ask, "Are you?" He looks up and answers with a smug smile, "Yes, of course." I nod and consider my answer, "Well, I was not ready for any of this, So I guess I'm just winging it." He sighs and says, "Catnip, I know I wasn't your first choice, but we could work." He comes closer and says, "We can live a good life. We can learn to love each other. Please try. Because Katniss, I am… so in love with you. And I want you. By my side. Forever." I become rigid. Forever? I can't do this. I start hyperventilating. Gale is full of concern, "Katniss? Katniss!" I push him away, "I'm fine." I quickly find a response, "I just… I'm nervous for our wedding tomorrow." He smiles and comes closer pulling me towards him, Oh no, no please no. His lips inch mine, "Kiss me, Catnip." I don't move, but he does. His lips touch mine and we share our first kiss together. I don't feel anything. I'm numb. His kisses would never match Peeta's. He smiles and I force one as well. I say, "This might work." He grins and picks me up to lead me home.
We go hand in hand back to my house. He drops me off and I take his kiss on my cheek. He whispers me a goodnight and leaves. I enter my home to see Mother and Prim cleaning. I ask if I can help even though I don't want to. Prim says, "Of course not, go and get your beauty sleep missy." I nod and head to bed. As I change, I remember Peeta. And the tears flow down my cheeks. Somehow we will be together. But in my heart, if he's not there, nobody's home.
….
So this was Chapter 14. Not so long as some other times, but I wanted to give my followers something to not get bored. Sorry about the updating. But I hoped you enjoyed it. "She wants to go home. But nobody's home. That's where she lies. Broken inside. With no place to go. No place to go. To dry her eyes. Broken inside." -Nobody's Home by Avril Lavigne