Thanks so much to all who reviewed so far! 9 reviews for first chapter!! Woohoo!! Im not sure if this chapter is as good as the last and Im sorry about that. But I have some ideas to get the ball rolling in the next chapters so hopefully you'll stick around!
Continuing on I'm going to be switching POVs...
Thanks again! Please review!
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Chapter Two - Katniss.
"Gale"
I felt my lips move but no sound came out. My throat suddenly felt dry, my palms sweaty. Gale.
There he stood, taller since when I had last seen him which didnt surprise me, his dark black hair seemed longer now, choppier, and a piece hung down over one eye.
I wanted to brush the hair from his face, gaze into his familiar grey eyes and clutch him in my arms tightly. My feelings shocked me. I usually didnt think about Gale in that way.
I hadnt realised how much I needed him until he was no longer there.
"Hey, Catnip" he said and his voice sent shivers of happiness down my spine. He stood almost casually, but I could see the hollowness in his eyes and the desperation of his gaze.
He needed me too.
But, I think I might have always known that.
Without taking my eyes off of him, I brought Prims hand to my lips, kissed it and then slowly let it go. Before I knew what I was doing, I walked towards him until we were standing eye to eye.
I paused for a moment, taking him in. He looked the same and yet so different.
Then with a strangled cry, I threw myself into his arms with such force that I felt him stumble.
Gale, Gale, Gale.
At that moment, he was everything. Everywhere.
His familiar arms surounded me so perfectly and he moulded my body to his and twirled us both around. That smell of wood smoke, that heartbeat, that touch...
I inhaled deeply and felt complete once more. Felt safe. Felt at home. His breath tickled my neck as I felt him chuckle into my hair.
"I missed you too" he whispered and his lips brushed my ear, sending shivers throughout me.
"I thought I would never see you again" my voice sounded choked. He pulled away so he could look at me.
"I always knew you would come back to me". His words seemed to have an unspoken meaning and I could almost hear his thoughts. I met his eyes for what felt like an eternity, lost in them like a star in the sky.
Then I felt a jerk at my elbow and I was pulled roughly out of his embrace. I looked up to see Haymitch eyeing me furiously. I hadnt realised that the cameras were closely recording my reunion with Gale.
Haymitch smiled at the cameras and winked as though he were telling me a secret, then hissed through gritted teeth "You only have to keep up the act for a few more hours. Do you think you can manage that? Or will I have to have your Lover Boy over there removed".
I felt heat rush to my cheeks but I mimicked his fake smile "He's not my-"
"Just stick to the plan" he spat and stormed off towards the stage.
My arms ached in loss of Gales but I knew Haymitch was right. For our safety, I had to be more careful.
Still. There was a part of me.
A small, nagging part that I was trying to ignore. My hand burned for someone else. Someone other than Gale.
Peeta. To hold his hand again. It was almost a physical pain and I clenched and unclenched it at my side.
And thats when something occured to me.
I turned slowly to see Peeta standing still amoungst his family. He was staring, frozen, straight at me. For a brief moment, I saw a flash of pain streak through his eyes and then he blinked and they reformed back to the cold, emotionless state they had been in since I confessed my doubts to him.
Gale. Peeta.
Peeta. Gale.
I didnt know what to do... I felt so alone.
But then I felt the small pink hand slip into mine again and I knew that I would never be alone.
I had Prim.
She didnt seem to want to be away from me any more than I wanted to be away from her. I clutched her hand like a life line. She was what kept me grounded.
Haymitch beckoned me up onto the stage where Peeta was just after taking a seat.
I brought Prim over to where my mother was standing "I wont be long" I promised and she squeezed my hand before letting it go, smiling bravely.
She had grown so much and I hadnt been there to see it. It hurt to thin about that.
For a brief moment, an image of Rue flashed through my mind and I cringed.
She would never get to grow up.
I hurried up onto the stage, eager for the ceremony to be over so I could go home with Prim and my Mother. I took the second plastic chair that was placed a few feet from Peeta, after shaking Mayor Undersees hand. Haymitch sat on the stage too, as did, I just noticed, Effie Trinket.
"It is a day of joy for District 12. Not only are we victorious, but we have 2 tributes still standing..." the Mayor started on his congratulatory speech.
Suddenly the crowd broke out in a mass of laughter. I looked around to see what was so funny when I noticed what Peeta was doing.
He was edging his chair slowly towards mine, inch by inch, with an evil grin on his face. Then, when the Mayor glanced back to see what was going on, he sat still with an innocent expression on his face. It looked hilarious. He looked like a young boy afraid to be caught out by his teacher.
I caught his idea and slowly edged towards him, stopping abruptly when the Mayor glanced at us again and whisteling nochalently. The crowd exploded in giggles.
We continued to do this until our seats were touching.
Then Peeta grinned at me and my heart soared. He looked like his old self, blissfully happy. I beamed at him.
Over his head I could see Haymitch grinning in our direction and had to resist the urge to roll my eyes. Would the games ever be over?
Then Peeta yawned and stretched his arms above his head asif he were tired, but when he lowered them again, one of them had found its way around my shoulders.
The crowd went wild.
I smiled up at him, my eyes light. He leaned in and kissed the top of my forehead and I closed my eyes at the feel of his lips on my skin, like ice on fire.
I took his other hand in mine, liking the way it felt and nestled into him. I felt him let out a slow breath.
I didnt want the time to come. The time when his eyes would glaze back to the cold hearted person Peeta had become.
Because of me.
Unable to resist, I brought his hand to my lips and kissed it swiftly, wanting to feel his skin under my lips. He gazed at me, his expression unreadable.
Then the Mayor introduced Effie once again. She stood and walked to the podium.
I sat up a little straighter, frowning. There was something strange about her, different. She walked somewhat stiffly and her stance was guarded.
She started off with the usual babble in her high pitched voice but it wasnt as upbeat as it normally was, wasnt as happy.
I felt the coldness of fear slam into my stomach.
Then she said it.
"And this year has been very exciting. Very exciting indeed! But its about to get better! The Capitol has a little surprise for you all..."
Oh no, was all I could think, oh no.
She turned to us and gestured for us to stand. We stood side by side and I met Peetas eyes fleetingly procedding that he realised something was wrong as well.
He took my hand in his and squeezed it.
"Firstly" Effie continued perkily, but her eyes said something she could never say out loud "In honour of Peeta..."
My head whipped around to meet Peetas gaze and he looked at me with his eyebrows raised.
"The Gamemakers have enforced a new rule for the next game that will take place..."
Oh no.
Oh no.
"In honour of Peetas love for Katniss, his dedication and bravery..."
Oh no.
"The gamemakers have decided to keep the rule which states if both members of a district are the last standing, they will both be declared winners".
My heart stuttered.
The crowd cheered triumphantly and it took a minute for me to realise it was good news.
A good thing.
District tributes are now partners. It will save a life, if nothing else, I thought.
Everyone shouted Peetas name in joy. He was grinning from ear to ear and shocked me by leaning in and kissing my swiftly on the lips.
My lips tingled as he pulled away and the crowd went wild.
"And.." Effie continued "In honour of Katniss..."
And thats when I realised...
"They have enforced another rule..."
The news...
"This one, however, is a new rule..."
It wouldnt be good for me...
"In honour of Katniss's skill, cunning and, of course, for making this year the most exciting year of the hunger games since it first aired..."
She paused. I could feel my blood rushing and my heart pouding in my ears. I held my breath.
Oh no.
"The Gamemakers have decided to make the hunger games a semi annual event!"
People were cheering before they even heard what she had said but Peeta had frozen by my side so I knew he had heard.
I took a step forward.
"WHAT?" I shrieked. The clapping faltered... then slowly subsided altogether.
People couldnt understand what was going on.
Effie flushed the same colour as her hair.
"Theyre making it a semi annual event" she said softly but her voice bounced off of the silence of the crowd "Instead of once a year, it will be held every six months".
Silence.
Stunned silence.
I couldnt breathe, couldnt think. Admist all the haze, my eyes focused on Gales back as his figure retreated into the distance.
He was leaving. He hated me.
And so did they.
Suddenly the looks from the crowd were no longer happy or joyful. A sudden onslaught of hostile glares overbore me.
I almost felt fear as I realised something like this could turn the district on me... Exactly what they wanted...
I had a feeling they wouldnt be cheering for me again for a very long time...
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Ok so just let me know what you think! Also if you have any opinions/ideas it will be appreciated!!
PS... I was sure before but after this chapter I'm not so much. Let me know what you think - Team Peeta or Team Gale???
