Hey! Sorry for the seemingly late update…I'm writing as fast as I can!

I'm not going to talk much before this chapter, but I just wanted to say thanks for the people that reviewed After Mockingjay. I really, really appreciate it! The reviews are MUCH needed and greatly appreciated!

After Mockingjay.

Chapter Two: The Meadow Whispers

The Meadow is cold, even in the bright summer morning. Maybe it's because the cover of the trees are blocking most of the sunlight. Or a cold breeze has moved in.

But I know it is something entirely different.

The cold inside of me swells to an ache when I see the dark figure that approaches from the other side of the dense forest. And I know I must prepare myself for the worst.

As if my brain registers this, it calls up another memory. And then I am back at the House in District 12, sitting by the phone that I rarely ever use.

The stark piece of paper trembles in my hand as I punch in the numbers on the phone. It had been so long since I had spoken to her. I worry that I would hear her, and then hang up like the coward I am.

Instead I finish dialling, and then press the receiver to my ear.

"Hello?" My mother's voice echoes from the speaker.

I choke up. Right then and there, when the words are hanging off of my tongue. My eyes fill with tears as I imagine her sitting all alone at her kitchen table. Without Prim. Somehow, that makes it worse. But it also moves me to speak.

"Hello," I say in a small voice, so unlike myself. "It's me." Like she would have ever forgotten me.

"Oh," my mother's tone mimics mine. She probably feels the same way as I do. "Katniss. How have you been?"

I recognize the forcefulness in her voice. "Good," I add, "How about you?" Just for good measure.

"Fine," she answers. Then the line is silent. It seems as though I will have to do the talking.

"Mother," I say, and then hurry on so I don't back out of it. "Peeta and I were thinking of getting married."

Silence.

"A formal wedding," I say. "A nice one."

The silence drags on for a while. And then, "Katniss…" she says.

"I know," I say. "It's difficult to think about…but it will be good. Good for everyone else."

"How?" She tries to snap back, but fails. Then she sighs. "Look, Katniss. I am fine about the wedding. I'd love for you to finally get formally married. But, are you doing it because it's good for everyone else? Or because it's good for you?"

Wow. I've never heard my mother carry out a speech this big. But at the same time, it moves me. I had no hesitation when I asked Peeta. But now, faced with what I really wanted, and what I wanted to do for everyone else, I had to make a real decision.

Quickly, I run things through in my head. If we go through with the wedding, it will give people new hope. New hope to strive after a battle that broke everything. Maybe it will even quell a new uprising, if there is one. But do I want it for my own reasons too?

"It's good for both of us," I finish.

Now in the forest, reflecting on everything I had said I realize that I made the right choice.

Now Gale and I are only feet apart. I see the dark circles under his eyes, the tight smile on his face and I push back all thoughts of the wedding until it comes time to tell him.

I'm in his arms before I even know what's happening. I inhale the sharp smell of coal and grass that he always carries around with him.

"Catnip," he says in my ear before drawing away.

"Gale," I answer, smiling up at him.

For a second everything's calm, and then something changes when he looks me in the eyes. I can't tell if its uncertainty or a suppressed confusion that draws him away from me.

I try to hide the dejection I feel when he does this.

When he speaks his voice is cool and level. Like we we're acquaintances we haven't seen in a while "How have you been?"

I refrain from narrowing my eyes, my most common reaction to his words. "I'm fine. How about you?"

"Never better," he says. "How's Peeta?"

I can tell he is mocking me. "Fine." I repeat coldly. There is a moment of silence before I speak again. "What's going on with you Gale? Why are you like this?"

Sadness invades his expression. "I haven't seen you for months Katniss. Why do you call on me now, when I've been worrying about you?"

Again, I feel no reason to beat around the bush. It has to be said before he walks out on me. "I had to tell you something."

"What?" He asks, sounding both curious and wary.

I suck in a deep breath, and prepare myself for the second time that day. "Peeta and I are getting married."

Suddenly, the distance between us is vast. It's like we were standing on either side of a precipice, and I was leaning over the edge. And he wouldn't help me from falling to my death.

His face is ashen when he speaks next. "What?"

"Peeta and I are getting married," I say. "For real this time."

His expressions change many times over the next seconds that follow. First is anger. Then defeat. And then just weariness. "I should've expected this."

I breathe a sigh of relief. At least he isn't angry.

But when I looked at him again, I see it in his eyes that he is. And I don't blame him. Once, I thought I would spend the rest of my life with Gale. Maybe, someday, when the Hunger Games are over, have kids. But that all ended the day the boy with the bread entered my life.

"Are you angry?" I ask, unable to stop myself.

"A bit," he seems to be battling with his own inner demons as he speaks. I don't even have to say why before he's explaining. "Why Katniss? Why do you want to be bonded with him? Everything is over and done. Can't you just be happy with what you have?"

His words hit hard. I should be happy for what I have. Yet, I am still the same shameful, selfish girl I see myself as at this moment. "I love him," I say, and I know that it is true.

He breaths in sharply. I arm myself for what's coming next, although it never comes. Instead he sighs. "I can't do anything about this, can I?"

I shake my head. He sighs again, and turned away. Our meeting has ended.

But before he walks away, he peers back at me through his dark gray eyes. "I'm seeing Madge, did you know?"

I am expecting a surge the surge of jealously that hit me when I suspected this before, but all that comes is a faint contentment. This tells me that the feelings I may have once had for Gale were gone. If there ever were feelings like that at all. Plus, Madge is my friend. She is the one person I want most to be with Gale. They will be happy together, and that I know for sure.

Gale seems to sense this and he smiles, only for a second before turning and walking away.

That's it people! Thanks for reading. Again I am trying as hard as possible to update as soon as possible, so be patient.

Please review!

-Laura