Author's Note: Poor Peeta! knowing he was supposed to be saved...only wasn't...
thanks go out to FH11 for the review. Onward!
Chapter 74
Thru the Eyes of Others
Peeta can't attend the wedding but he says he doesn't really want to. Haymitch meets with him then finds me.
The dresses Hazelle had given me had been brought from his house. Gale made sure since he wants me to wear something girly. I'm putting on a pair of pale blue heels when he storms in.
"You told him?!" he snaps meaning to hit me. When he's sober he isn't as reckless but he gets right in my face. Despite him not drinking…
"Haymitch you really have to do something about that sewer breath" I step back one step, "and yes, he deserves to know, Katniss too" I add
"He blames me!" Haymitch growls
"He should!" I snap back, "you know it, I know it, now he does" I point to each of us in turn pointing outside my door to signify Peeta, "face it old man, you can't hide behind people anymore, all cards are on the table"
"Not according to Beetee" he smirks, I have half a mind to wallop him good and proper but then I might get blood on this dress I'm wearing.
"Well when they do" I look at him squarely, "and they will, we will see where you are standing"
He smirks "you have some nerve"
"And you have overstayed your welcome" Gale comes from the corner, "Abernathy don't you dare come here again making yourself feel better, now get"
"See you at the party" Haymitch snorts
When he leaves I slump on my bed, Maverick was getting Johanna, he had hacked my communicator to tell me, so we aren't waiting for him. What we are waiting for is my courage to return and I fear it might take an ice age.
"Blue suits you" Gale says, "you okay?"
"I can't face them right now" I reply, "I feel its my fault Peeta is troubled Gale, even after doing that damned propos I don't feel any better about any of this"
He takes my hand in his, "I don't think anyone is feeling good about it" he strokes the back on my hand, "maybe that's the whole point of this wedding. To maybe show there are some happy moments, something to strive for"
"I was never at a wedding" I say, "Tracer never officially married and my parents were married before Seneca, I saw some though just never attended a whole one, I mean in Five there are traditions we hold to tightly"
"Doesn't happen often in Twelve" Gale explains, "it's a very low key affair, but maybe it will help you relax, let's show people you actually are a girl under those fatigues they have us wear" he jokes.
It does, a fair bit, Plutarch can't believe how I look out of the uniforms, Fulvia dabs her eyes as Gale puts an arm across the small of my back and walks us into the mess hall now decked out for the reception. Annie looks beautiful in a dress that is obviously a Cinna creation. They have Coin perform the ceremony which in district 13 is just signing a document, after that the party starts.
District Thirteen is the drabbest set of people I can imagine, when instruments are found and outside district citizens start to play the district Thirteen people are clueless as to dance and having fun.
"Some party" I mutter to Gale who upon hearing me needle them takes my hand and starts swinging me around the floor, other attendees start in with us. We dance the whole night. Sometimes its big group dances with us spinning in large circles; sometimes it's a square dance. After a while the cake is brought out and amid the oos and ahhs I spot Katniss looking shocked at the artistry. Gale nudges me.
"What parts did you do?" he asks and we go over as Finnick cuts into it. I point out the dolphins and small fish in the blue icing waves.
Finnick feeds a piece to Annie, who smiles and smooshes a piece into Finnick's awaiting mouth. Gale laughs at it, they are so happy. I feel my heart swell slightly at seeing Finnick, a dear friend having a happy moment. I actually lean against Gale and he wraps an arm around me.
It's not missed on many. But no one says much about it.
Only ones to say something are Fulvia and Cressida when Gale and I sit away from the cake eaters. We had a taste but the sugar is going straight to my head and we are settling for tea.
"So when will you two tie the knot?" Fulvia asks.
I do a spit take and Gale laughs. "first your mom and now these two?!" I cough out.
"Be happy for Finnick right now" Gale points out as they look crestfallen, I guess they want more excuses for parties.
Capitol people.