Hey Everyone! I hope you're not all mad at me for missing the update day :( Life has been absolutely crazy, my head is spinning from all the things going on! The reason I decide to update when I can is so I can provide a chapter worth reading :) This one is a little shorter, but when you guys read this chapter you'll see why I had to cut it off where it is...(Sneaky huh? Haha) You guys are simply amazing, and I'd also like to apologize for the lack of previews this week..Next update will be longer to make up for it! I am MOST DEFINITELY sending out previews this week, (Since it's Thanksgiving I will be updating next Thursday) I hope you guys understand and like today's chapter! 3

"Make way for the star crossed lovers!"….

I try my best to smile. But as all of Panem is painfully aware I suck at smiling. So it's no surprise when I know I must have some sort of tortured expression plastered onto my face. I try once more to make the corners of my mouth turn up in some sort of happy expression. It doesn't come easily, but Plutarch seems satisfied as his chubby arms separate the crowd of photographers and tourists. I find myself lost in thought; I barely feel Peeta's cautious hand around mine. It's such a light touch that I begin walking forward without him and leave him on the doorstep alone. I quickly and swiftly turn back around and run towards Peeta. Remember it's just a show. That's all they want. You do this one interview well, and you'll never do another one in your lifetime. My long braid flies behind me and I plaster a half smile on my face and wrap my arms around his and pull him excitedly towards the train Plutarch has summoned. The cameras are flashing nonstop and I can't see where I am stepping, I run into a few paparazzi but those slime balls don't matter. However it does matter is when one shoves me into Peeta's arms. The anger bubbles in me but I hide it through a sick laugh. Peeta looks down at me as he always has and simply kisses my forehead, quick and simple, yet it just annoys me further. Yeah suck it up now Mellark. I ease back to my feet and stumble "happily" onto the train, pulling Peeta behind me. As soon as I hear that door shut, I throw his hand down and storm off back into the train. I hear his footstep following close behind, and I slam the door right in his face. "One last time Katniss, I'm sorry." He leaves quicker than I had expected. Rather its relief or confusion that floods my body, I'm unsure. I close my eyes and let out a long sigh and that's when I hear it…something that I had not wanted to hear for the rest of my life. Something I know could easily break me all over again. I don't hear his normal voice…I hear the voice of the man that murdered my sister.

"Hey Catnip..."

To my surprise, anger doesn't fill me the way it had directly after the war. I knew I had never wanted to see Gale Hawthorne's face ever again, as long as I lived I knew I'd hate him. But I don't feel that. I open my eyes and I greeted by his soft, slate grey eyes. He takes a few confident strides towards me and my heart skip a beat, my stomach is in knots by the time he is a few feet in front of me. I find it hard to look at him…so close. His muscular build has only increased since the last time I laid eyes on this boy…he's really not even a boy anymore…a man. A man who killed your sister, I remind myself. I can't keep some of the images of Prim away, but they don't scare me as bad as I thought they would when I saw Gale again. Suddenly I'm snapped out of my train of thoughts and Gale is staring into my eyes. His giant hand is waving in front of my face. I jump back a couple feet and let out some sort of squeak.
"Are you okay Catnip?"
"I'm fine…actually."
"Not too scared of the big bad Gale?"
I roll my eyes at his pathetic excuse for a joke, and he returns it with a smirk of amusement. My knees knock in the overwhelming nerves that have taken over my body. I'm sent back to our days in the woods of twelve, the carefree conversations held there, and how simple things were. I thought I'd never be able to talk to Gale again, as long as I lived. I was wrong. Talking to Gale is effortless. I had thought talking to Peeta had been easy, but this feeling with Gale is completely different, I don't hold anything back and I know he'll do the same. I crack what would be classified under a "quarter smile" not anything reflecting much happiness, but enough to let him know that I'm not too mad. Of course there is always going to be a sore place on my heart for Prim…That Gale caused. But yet…I'm still not convinced that my relationship with Gale is not repairable.

"Fading out again Catnip?"
"No…? What's you issue?" I huff out an annoyed breath and stare down at my feet.
"There's the fire I was looking for." I can't help but crack that same crooked quarter smile, and look back into his eyes. I kick my foot and I remain in silence for a while, and awkwardly sit down on the closest chair. Gale joins me moments after and I'm not too terribly startled when he clears his throat to reveal the same raspy voice I have memorized. Before he can utter much I decide to ask a question. Nothing major like I'd like to ask, but it's a start.
"How-how's Rory?"
"He's in two now…He's training the way those careers used to. I think he's just doing it to impress a girl there..."
"That doesn't surprise me, with Rory." Gale licks his lips and stares down at his hands for a while before looking back up to speak to me.
"We're both…better now. Look Katniss, about Prim…"
"I really don't want to talk about this right now."
"Catnip-"
"No. I just got used to you. I don't want to open that door right now." Gale's fire pushes him further before I have to lash out.
"Just shut up Gale! I-I-I'm trying not to live in the past, and that's all you want to talk about! So shut your mouth before I shut it for you!" He smirks and just whispers; surely he doesn't think I can't hear…
"I'm sorry." Where did the patience and manners in this man come from? Where is my Gale that would have spit something right back in my face? Of course that Gale was when we were seventeen years old. It's no wonder that he's changed. I purse my lips and look around the room, and his eyes meet mine once more.
"Why are you here Gale?"
"You. Katniss, I'm here to see you…"
"Was it not enough when I screamed in your face to never speak to me again, that day in thirteen?"
"Since when have I listened to that little girl that almost stole my snare?"
"Fair enough…You have me here…what did you want to say?"
"I wanted to start over. I know things can't be the same after Prim. But I want to try. Starting with breaking you out of this interview with Mellark."
"You can't just break me out of it Gale…They will leave me alone after the one interview."
"They haven't left Annie Odair alone. What makes you think the Mockingjay will be different?!"

My heart sinks at Gale's words because I know it's true. I tried not to accept it; I just kept it as far away from my mind as I could. Now hearing it from another person's mouth…I know it must be true.
"Are you really ready to be the Capital's show dog again? To marry Mellark?!"
"Gale Hawthorne it's not…like that. We aren't getting married."
"Until a year from now when they'll want another interview, and except more development in the star crossed lovers' relationship. The way you're just playing into this makes me sick."
He shakes his head and looks away from me.
"I-I-I don't want this. The capital…the interviews. Any of it."
"Prove it. You were too scared to run away before you were reaped. Run away now. With me."
"Gale…I can't just do that. It's much more difficult to deal with than that."
"You don't have your mother or Prim. I only have to cart Rory around with us, and if anything he's an asset."
"I have Haymitch…"
"What?...No Mellark?"
"He's a coward. I don't love him. I won't love him. Our relationship is far from repairable."
"Then come. Haymitch and Peeta can take care of each other. They are grown men."
"I- know I-I-I just…" Gale reaches out and grabs my hand and encases my face with his other hand and leans forward and kisses me, long, hard, heavy and burning with fire. He pulls away quickly, and half smiles at me. "We can leave whenever you're ready."
I wipe my mouth a little and nod slowly.
"Soon."
I hear footsteps and I snap my head around. I only catch a glimpse of Peeta's short blonde hair walking away. I jump to my feet and run for the door. What makes me run is questionable. I'm not sure if it's for Peeta or for him not to squeal on our plan if he happened to hear it…
"Peeta!"
"One time…that's all I asked Katniss. You're better than him…I beginning to wonder why I even try, if you're going to waste your time on an ass like him." His blue eyes fill with sadness and anger, he turns from me sharply and storms away…

Hey guys! What did you think about today's chapter? Hate it? Love it? Let me know in the reviews below! You guys light up my world and I can't thank you all enough for sticking with me through this time in my life where it's getting hectic to write weekly! YOU GUYS ARE BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE :) Hahaha I will be sending out previews soon! Goodbye for now my lovelies!

Stay Wonderful,

~Freezethemoment 3