Chapter 2:
Warning: I DON'T own the Hunger Games or the characters. I own only my characters.
We arrived home and Gale let out a big yawn. I suddenly felt really awkward. We would be sleeping in the same bed and I had never done that. I had a few flings back home but marriage was different. Gale must have sensed my uneasiness. He walked to our room and brought a pillow and blanket setting his things on the couch. Guilt washed over me. " Gale, you aren't sleeping on the couch. I will. You've lived here longer." I said. " You aren't sleeping on the couch and don't even think about arguing with me. Just go get some rest and we will figure it out tomorrow." He said yawning again. I still felt so guilty. " I'm not ready for this. How could she send me here." I mumbled under my breath. " I didn't choose this either Hope." Gale sighed. I looked at him and something in my chest sunk. " I know you would have chosen that girl you were hugging earlier." I snapped back at him. He eyes went wide. " You don't know a damn thing." He said angry. " Don't cuss at me Gale. I had no control over what happened. Blame my mom and the capital for this. I don't want to be here as much as you don't want me here." I said turning to walk away but stopped. " You sure do put on a good front. You don't have to go around acting like you care." I said and walked into our room. I heard our front door slam.
I crawled into bed and let the tears I'd been holding in all day fall. I wasn't brave or strong like my meme told me I was. She was sure I could handle this but I'm only 18. What do I know about marriage or raising a family? I wanted a family but so soon? With a guy I don't even love? How was any of this right in anyone's mind. Guilt swept over me once again because Gale was dragged into this too. The Capital chose him to be with me without his approval. They didn't care if he wanted this or not. He got it. He got me. Now he couldn't have his true love and that was my fault. I continued my pity party until I eventually cried myself to sleep.
Why was it so bright? Couldn't the sun be a little considerate of people sleeping. I groaned not wanting to get up. My head pounded from crying last night. I sat up too quickly making my head swim. I groaned again. I realized I hadn't even changed my clothes before going to bed.
I felt gross and really wanted a shower. After stretching and slowly got out of bed making sure not to move too fast. I walked into the kitchen to see Gale already gone. The soot stains where his boots were assured me he was gone. I opened the fridge and found a few groceries he bought. Not sure when he would of had time to do that. I looked at the counter and saw three squirrels lined across it. " What the...!" I exclaimed. I wasn't one to be squeamish but we never cooked with squirrel back in 11. Then a thought crossed my mind. Could we even afford this? How did he get them? I would make sure and bring it up when he got home and to ask him about me getting a job of my own. I couldn't possible stay in this house everyday.
I spent the day cleaning some and preparing dinner. I didn't know how to use squirrel so I didn't. I made vegetable soup. I hope Gale liked it. I was nothing compared to his mom but I thought it tasted pretty good.
At 6:15 Gale came stomping in. He dumped his boots, helmet, and tools by the door. " Evenin." I said. Stirring my soup. I turned to look at him and he just tipped his head and went to our room. I sighed feeling a tiny bit defeated. He came back in with clean clothes on. I handed him a we rag to was his face with. " Thanks." He said. I poured us each a bowl of soup. I carefully carried them to our little dining table Gale was sitting at. I bowed my head and said a prayer for my food. " What are you doing?" Gale asked. " Saying grace." I said. He looked at me confused. " You the most hick person I have ever met." He said spooning some of his soup into his mouth. " Hick isn't a compliment where I'm from." I said slightly offended but he obviously didn't know what he was saying. " Then what were you considered back home?" He said looking at at me intently. " Well if you must know I was know as a sweet pumpkin." I said smirking at my nick name. Some of his soup spewed from his mouth. He grabbed the cloth he washed his face with earlier to clean up his mess. He tried so hard not to smile. I laughed. " It's one of the nicest things a person can say to you in 11." I added. " I've never heard anything like it." He said smiling the first real smile he has given me. I looked away not wanting to go there.
The rest of the night was pretty silent. Even though Gale was here I had never felt so lonely as I did now. Sooner or later I would just have to accept that this was my life now.