A/N - Hello all! Here it is, Chapter 5! Yay! And guess what... It's longer AND there's some Peeta, but he will really be coming out in the next chapter. I really like this chapter and hope you will, too!
Occy3- There's some Peeta in here for you but he will really come out in the next chapter! GlassHeart1993- Thank you for pointing out about Posy's age. I'm sorry!:( I'm never around children that much, being one of the youngest in my family, both home and extended. Just picture her as a very smart almost five year old;) apologizes again!
Well, I'm sorry I was unable to update yesterday(sunday). I went and saw Iron Man 3 (Amazing movie!). The best part was seeing the Catching Fire trailer on the big screen! :D :D It was awesome! Anyways, Chapter 6 will be up sometime tomorrow(Tuesday) in the late afternoon/late evening my time. Enjoy Chapter 5 until then. Reviews are appreciated. Much love, Macayla
*UPDATE 5/7/13: I'm very sorry, but Chapter 6 will be pushed back until tomorrow(Wednesday) now.
I slowly make my way to one of the chairs next to her, she doesn't take her eyes off me once. This is clearly more then me just being late. But what could it be, then? Besides that one incident with Prim, I have an almost perfect record at the school. I slide into the seat next to her and she crinkles her nose, obviously smelling the alcohol. Were sitting shoulder to shoulder so it wouldn't surprise me.
"Katniss, your late." She says flatly. Never dropping her gaze from me.
"Yes, I'm sorry. It won't happen again." I reply. Much to formal for my liking.
She gets up from her chair and walks around the room-
"There's something we need to discuss, it's serious matter, Katniss." She says. If I'm not mistaken, I can almost hear fear in her voice.
I nod my head in reply, although she's not looking at me. She comes back over and takes a seat on my other side this time, she leans in head in and begins to whisper her next words-
"Airgusta, We have leaked information that today their planning on raiding all Districts Schools. It's not certain, but were almost sure. This is no funny business, Mrs. Hawthorn." She says.
I wasn't laughing, I'm almost dumbstruck. A raid? It doesn't make sense to me. But another thing doesn't make sense to me-
"And the Capitol?" I ask. Sounds a little strange to me?
"That's not their goal, Katniss." She says, the fear being much more evident in her tone. "Their goal is to destroy us, the Districts. By doing that, their cutting off all supplies to them. Then they'll go in and fight with the Capitol. Without District 2, their have no army and without us, no electricity, and so on, Katniss. This is bigger then anybody thought, their planning on wiping us out." She says. She takes a deep breath.
The words sink in and I lose my gaze, starring at the floor. She's right. District 2 is where the Capitol has their Army Base set up. By destroying them, they can't fight. Airgusta is much smarter then I imagined. But why in the world is she telling me this? My mouth echoes my thoughts-
"But why are you telling me this?" I ask.
"Because, if they made this announcement nationally, all the older kids would be panicking, and the small children would be utterly confused." She says.
Another thought consumes me, and I almost want to slap her-
"But when why didn't you cancel school?" I ask with my voiced raised. Not from panic, but from anger.
"Because Katniss, say we do that, or did, and when they show up to raid us and find no one here, that lets them know we've been tipped off. We have a spy in Airgusta too and we can't afford to lose that." She says.
"So what are we going to do?" I ask.
Class's must be preparing to start, the door is still open and children, mostly older, are making their way to their class rooms.
"There's not much we can do but be prepared. Once everyone's in, we'll be locking all outside doors and there will be Peacekeepers lining every entrance. The Capitol has mandatory Hovercrafts in certain parts of the sky in every District." She says, her tone beginning to even back out.
I'm almost surprise that the Capitol is helping us, but if they take out us, their take out the Capitol. Their only protecting us in protecting themselves. Principle Maddox continues talking-
"I want you to carry out everything like normal, do you understand?" She asks. I nod my head in reply. "I don't want you giving them a doubt that anything is wrong. This is a life or deat-"
"Good morning Principle Maddox"
Someone says from the doorway cheery. I turn slightly around to see the bakers son, Peeta again standing in the doorway.
"Good morning Peeta. I'll be in my office in just a minute." She says, changing her tone from serious to a cheery voice to match his.
His eyes flicker from her to me. He was already smiling, when is Peeta Mellark not smiling, but when he meets my gaze his smile grows bigger. I slightly return it. He walks over to where we are sitting and stands directly in front of me, he looks down into my eyes and I do the same. Never realizing how perfectly crystal blue is eyes are. Just then a warm shiver runs down my spine and catches me off guard. Should I say something? A thank you for that bread five years ago? No, not here. Not in front of Principe Maddox. But maybe it will he easier with her here. But then she'll start to ask questions?
"How are you doing, Peeta?" She asks, making him lose my gaze and glance to hers.
"Oh, I'm doing fine. In yourself?" He asks.
"Doing great." She replies. "I'll be in my office in just a minute with you." She adds.
He nods his in reply and then moves his gaze back to me, sending another warm shiver down my spine. Why?
His smile widens again. He's about to open his mouth to say something when his gaze drops to my left hand, then my plain gold wedding ring. He keeps his smile, but it drops slightly.
"Congratulations." He says, almost choking out the words.
He doesn't look into my eyes again, but instead he quickly leaves the room before I can reply, taking off down the hallway. He looked mad, or upset.
But why?
Principle Maddox interrupts my thoughts-
"Well, please remember what I told you, Katniss." She says, her voice back to an even tone.
"Yes, I will." I reply.
"Good. Remember you'll have the little children for an hour before lunch, then lunch break, then another thirty minutes afterwards. Once your finished your free to go home." She says with a smile.
I return in. I hadn't realized I won't be working full school days. The thought of the extra time excites me.
"I must be going now. Come find me if you need anything. Remember what we talked about, Katniss." She says.
I nod my head in reply and she smiles. I hadn't realized until now that Principle Maddox is not very old. Maybe in her mid thirties. Her facial features are still young, and her long, straight blond hair falls down well past her shoulders. Her green eyes standing out brightly. It's a very unusual color for District 12.
She rises from her seat and walks past me, heading for the door. But she quickly backs up just slightly and leans in to me, whispering in my ear so low I can barley hear her-
"And if I smell alcohol from you again, I'll inform the Peacekeepers of your little…" She pauses for a second. "… hunting trips."
Her words almost hiss like a snake in my air. Her tone had completely changed from being worried, to evil. How in the hell does she know that? If she came to the Hob maybe? But I've never seen her in there. The old, rusted, off tuned bell rings signaling class and she flashes me another smile, which this time I don't return and heads out the door and down the hallway. I feel my hands beginning to make fist but I quickly take a deep breath and undo them. I try to rid my mind of that comment while I prepare for the children. I still have about two hours until their supposed to come, so that gives me plenty of time.
I walk over to my bag I placed in the chair in front me and I take out the extra copies of the old lullaby I choose. I only have a few extras but it shouldn't be a problem, most of them won't know how to read. I place a copy of the song in every few chairs. Then I take my copy of it and walk over to the piano, taking a seat in the creaky wooden piano bench. I can't quite think of this piano the same after what Gale did to me on it.
Gale.
I smile at the thought of him. How I wish I could talk to him about all what Principle Maddox told me. He'd know that right words to say. But it would probably send him on some type of rant about the Capitol. I clearer my head of the thought of him for now and place the sheet music on the little stand above the keys. I read the notes several times through before I let my fingers copy them on the keyboard. I miss a few keys the first few times, but by the eleventh time I play it, I finally get it down pretty well. It's not difficult thankfully.
Just then the door bust open that I had closed in hopes the piano wouldn't disturb the class across the hall, and a little boy comes marching in, leading a long, very long line of children into the room, their teachers following-
"Adair, I told you to stop opening the doors like that!" She shouts to him as he takes a seat on the front row.
I walk over to the music stand that stands directly in front of the two rows of chairs. The boy looks to be about seven or eight. He doesn't reply to his teacher but stares at me. The rest of the children make their way into the room, there must be at least sixty or seventy children between the ages of five and ten. I quickly realize were not going to have enough chairs, most of them take a seat on the floor while the younger ones sit in the chairs. I make a mental note to take the chairs up and have them all sit on the floor next time. Once their all seated the teachers retreat to the back of the room, whispering amongst themselves. I clearer my throat, and begin to introduce myself. I almost choke the words 'Mrs. Hawthorn' out. But it's the truth. Once I'm finished with my introduction, I hear a chorus of hellos, hi's, and good mornings from the older children, and several waves and shy smiles from the younger ones. I begin with walking back over to the piano, playing just the melody and having them hum it. After a good five minutes the whole room is filled with their hums. Then I begin teaching the words… singing the words. I stand in front of the music stand and quietly begin to sing the song, knowing I need to sing the words first in order for them to catch on. My voice starts off cracked and worn from years of no use, but after the third verse I'm louder and my voice in clearer. I feel tears begin to form in my eyes, but I quickly hold them in. Knowing now's not the time to cry. I feel a peace and comfort that I know has to be from my father. He'd be proud, I keep telling myself.
As I'm approaching the end the room is silent, only being filled with my voice and every child, even the little five year olds are sitting completely still, listening to me. I finish the song and the room burst into applause. This wasn't supposed to be a talent show. I make sure the older children have the extra copies and I ask them to sing it with me this time. After several, several tries, they finally begin to catch it, even the little ones.
Just as we finish it for what seems like the hundredth time, the school bell rings signaling lunch.
"Line up!" One of the teachers yell.
They quickly make a long line, filling the room and slowly make their way down the hallway. It takes a good minute or two before all the children are out of the room. I grab my bag, making sure I packed the lunch Gale left me and trail behind the extremely long line of children. I walk a little bit behind one of the teachers that is carrying one of her five year old students. She slightly turns around to see me and gestures with her hand for me to join her. I pick up my pace and walk beside her-
"Katniss, you did phenomenal!" She says joyfully.
"Thank you." I manage out. The little girl smiles at me and I smile back.
"The kids had the most fun I've seen them have in a while." She says.
I can't argue that it wasn't fun. I did enjoy myself. It felt good to be doing something I like. My fathers presence was strong, especially when I sang by myself the first time.
"I'm glad." I reply.
We make it to the cafeteria just as all the other classes are. Here in twelve, you can either bring your own lunch, if you can, or eat the sloppy distrusting food that Capitol is legally supposed to send us. It's absolutely horrible, most people eat it though. It's something when your on the brink of starvation. Thankfully Prim and I never had to eat it.
I break away from the children and search the large cafeteria for Prim, or Gale's brothers. The room is huge, having well over a hundred tables and the roof must be at least three stories tall, making everyone's voice much louder then it is. I walk around a bit in search for them but then I hear someone behind me-
"Hey Catnip!"
I turn around and there he is-
"Gale! What are you doing here?" I ask through a grin.
He gives me a kiss before he answers my question. He doesn't lean in though. He's in his mining uniform and covered in coal dust.
"This was the surprise. Did you get the note?" He asks smiling. I can't help the grin across my face either.
"Yes. Thank you for the lunch!" I say while lifting my game bag up off my hip.
"No problem. Let's find a seat." He says.
He takes my hand and after a few minutes of searching the busy cafeteria we find an empty table against the wall. I can't believe he was able to obviously get off work. The mines aren't that lenient usually. He never answered my question, so I ask him again as we take a seat across from each other-
"You never did answer my question?" I ask while taking the lunch our of my bag. I realize Gale doesn't have anything to eat.
"They closed the mines for the day." He says shrugging and leaning back in his chair.
"Why would they do that?" I ask. Could be because of the school threat? I wouldn't think so.
"Not sure." He says flatly while eyeing something behind me.
There's an edge in his voice. Gale's isn't a bad liar, but he's not telling me everything. I move my head a little to the side so that he's forced to look back in my eyes.
"Gale?" I say. Hoping he'll tell me why, although I already have an idea.
"They… I don't know, they didn't tell us why but I guess because of some stupid threat from Airgusta." He says while looking down at the table.
"Oh." I reply. Why would they cancel the mines because of a school threat?
"So, how was it?" He asks brightly. Trying to cheer the mood back up. He finally meets my eyes again.
I try giving him some of my lunch, but it refuses.
"It was good." I reply confidently. He smiles in return.
"That's good to hear! Did you have the little children?" He asks.
I nod my head in reply and he gives a light chuckle. We have small talk while I eat the left over stew from last night. It's cold, but most of the food here in twelve is. I finish eating and begin to put the plastic container back into my bag.
"So, how about we get out of here and have a little fun at home?" He says with a wink. I almost choke on the last bit of stew I was chewing. I swallow before I answer-
"I can't. I still have to teach for another thirty minutes." I say through a grin and light laugh.
We both start to get up from our seats and he wraps his arms around me, nestling his head in my neck.
"Well, I'll be waiting for you at home. I think your teacher look is sexy." He says while grabbing my butt through my skirt with both hands.
"Gale!" I protest.
I guess because of what happened Saturday he thinks this sort of stuff in public is ok with me, but it's not. But here's not the place to talk about it.
"Sorry." He says through a laugh.
He gives me another quick kiss and turns to leave-
"I need to talk to you about something impotent when you get home." He says. "Love you."
He turns and leaves before I can answer him. Just then the bell rings signaling class's to resume. I quickly make my way down the long few hallways and to my music class before the children return. I just have time to set my game bag down when the children come in. This time the door was open, but the same little boy still comes marching in, leading the large pack of kids. They all take their same seats, either in the chairs or on the floor.
This time, instead of just singing the lyrics, I decide to add the piano in there. When I start, the children immediately sing louder then they did with out it. It's a little hard to sing and play at the same time, but I manage and they seem to enjoy it even more. We sing it a good few times when the bell rings again, meaning this class is over with.
"Line up!" The same teacher yells.
But before they do, almost every child comes and gives me a hug. It brings a smile to my face when I feel their tiny arms wrap around my legs. Afterwards they all line up and head out.
I sigh when I finally realize I'm done for the day. I collect the music and place it back in my bag. I lock the door behind me and make my way out of the school, the Peacekeepers let me out without giving me trouble. As I walk through the town, making my way home, I can't help but tell myself I did enjoy myself. It was quiet funny when some of the children would mess the lyrics up and laugh at themselves. And it feels good to sing again. I can't say it doesn't bring painful memories of my father back. But I feel a sort of peace or calmness that I know can only come from him. I know he would be proud, and there's not doubt about that.
I make my way down the seam road wondering what Gale needs to 'talk' to me about. . . . . . .
Chapter 6 preview: What does Gale need to talk about and how will Katniss react? What happens when Katniss teach's the eldest kids who begin to pick on her? And who will step up and stop them?