Chapter 11.

Part One.

Authors note: I'm really, really, really, really, sorry for the long wait! It's just in the past few months, I've had a lot on my plate, but I've reviewed the story, and decide to change the way I write it. From now on, the story won't be in like a certain person's POV. I also still hope that you all read and review this story. It's just I've kind of been a little depressed lately. Just everything that's happened since after summer…. I still tried to write. I would sit down at my laptop, and try to come up with something, but I couldn't. I'm really SORRY. But I've decided to throw myself into my writing now, to take my mind off it. Enjoy!

Chapter 11.

The blinding flash went off from the professional looking black camera. Foxface nearly fell over, her hand covering her well made up eyes. Annie laughed, showing off her pearly white teeth. She ran over and collected the camera from the tri pod. She looked down and smiled. "This is a great photo!" She squealed. She passed the camera to Foxface, Foxface to Rue, Rue to Madge and so on, until it reached the small, slender hands of Katniss Everdeen.

Katniss's soft, grey eyes wandered over the image on the camera.

She smiles at Annie's gorgeous dark hair, twisted into a sweet updo. Her figure hugging blue dress, bringing out her sea green twinkly eyes. Rue's dark curly hair and her yellow one shoulder strap dress, with the diamanté belt around the waist. Madge's blonde hair in a curly side bun, her sky blue eyes sparkling, and the cute grey patterned dress, with the black bow around the waist. Foxface and her long, red hair braided to the side neatly, lying on her pretty green wrap around dress. Johanna, with her large, chocolate brown messy bun, and her well fitted black dress, with the chunky ribbon belt. When you looked properly, you could see a glint of happiness in her chocolate brown eyes.

Then there's me.

I look so different in my stunning, gold dress. The belt really helps it look gorgeous, and my hair is just all pushed to the side. I look… pretty. I guess.

"Mask time! "

I spin around, dropping the camera on Annie's bed. Rue grins, picking up a white plastic bag. "As you all know, this is a masquerade ball. So that means…. Masks! "She grins. I smile and shake my head at her excitement. She rakes deep into the bag. Taking out mask after mask and chucking them at everyone. When my mask finally arrives, I hold it, taking in its appearance. The mask is a mixture of black and gold glittery swirls, making it a dark, delightful looking accessory. I pop it on, and walk over to the mirror. Adjusting it, I smile. I'm hardly recognizable. I grin.

Perfect.

We rush down the marble staircase, leading to the main hall where the dance will be. I linger back a bit, not really knowing what to expect.

Sorry to interrupt, dear readers, but let me make something clear. You who are teenagers, or adults, or really anyone who has experienced this, may understand that Katniss is going through one of the stages of heartbreak. This stage is where you decide the best thing to do is act like you don't care. Like you're perfectly fine. This is also called denial. Miss Everdeen decided to go to the ball with Cato, in my opinion, to try and move on from Mr. Mellark, to prevent herself from heartbreak. Even after her encounter with Peeta last night, she still believes that it's best to let him go. I'm not entirely certain what's going to happen next, but from personal experience, the next stage of this emotional adventure may be to crash and burn.

Let's get on with the story.

At the bottom of the staircase, stands Gale, Finnick, Marvel and Cato, looking slightly out of place.

Foxface grins as Marvel sticks his arm out. She takes it happily. Gale and Finnick do the same.

Cato flashes me a sexy smirk.

"You look very pretty tonight, Kitty Kat."

I want to gag at his pet name for me, but instead I smile.

"Thanks."

I take his arm, and he pulls me close. Too close, for my liking. I try and smile it off though. Gale looks at me in concern. I just shake my head slightly.

"What happened Catnip?" He whispers quietly in my ear.

I look at Cato, and surprisingly, he smiles.

"I'll give you two a moment. I'll wait outside the door." And he leaves.

I look up at Gale, trying to hold in the tears. He notices. He pulls me into a tight hug.

"It all turned to shit, Gale. That's what happened."

He looks at me sadly.

"But Peeta said he explained. He said – "

"I know he did!" I yell.

"But… Even if I do take him back, which I so want to, Galey, I really do, we're never going to be free of her. Glimmer. She's just going to keep doing this, over and over again. And I'm going to keep getting hurt. And I….. I can't break again Galey. Not like after Saul."

Saul was my old boyfriend. Gale had to watch as he flirted with other girls, cheated on me so many times, and he had to watch as I slowly fell apart.

Gale shakes his head.

"But Peeta's different! He's nothing like Saul! You can't keep using what that scumbag did to make Peeta pay! Your making Peeta break inside because of something Glimmer did, Catnip!" He shakes me a little by the shoulders.

His voice softens.

"You'll see, ok? Give him a chance."

I sigh. "Maybe…. But not tonight. Tonight isn't the time for tears. Ok?"

He nods, and kisses me gently on the cheek.

"Just…. Try. And you'll never regret it."

I smile.

We walk towards the door, where Madge and Cato awkwardly stand waiting for us.

"Ready?" Cato says cheerily, extending his arm.

I nod, taking his arm gently.

Just before we enter, Gale whispers, " Be careful tonight." And walks away. I open my mouth to say something, but he's already walked away.

I glance over at Madge, as she gives me an encouraging smile.

Taking a deep breath, I watch as the large doors open, and the night that either makes me, or breaks me, begins.