A/N: Another from Hazelle in District 13. Thanks for reading - and especially for reviews. :)

Posy is practicing her letters when Rory bursts through the door, dragging his bag of books behind him. Leevy pokes her head into the unit after him.

"Hi Mrs. Hawthorne," she says. Leevy is from the Seam like us, a neighbor of the Everdeens. I never knew her well, at least not until Gale was whipped for poaching in 12. But the girl had helped out and watched the kids that night.

She made it out on the night of the bombing, along with her dad and brother but her mom didn't make it. Her father Charles had worked in the mines. Now both he and Leevy are soldiers in district 13's army. Her brother is in the same grade as Rory, and the kids from 12 have been sticking together in their new school.

From my seat next to Posy, I answer, "Hi Leevy. Thanks for walking Rory home." Rory throws his schoolbag on the table. "I don't need a babysitter," he grumbles. "I know how to get home. Will's the one who gets lost all the time."

Leevy looks apologetic. "Dad wanted me to see him down. I'd better get home."

My mouth twitches disapprovingly. "Would you like to stay? I've just fixed some tea." The poor girl has lost her mother. It seems everyone here has lost someone, but I'm not sure Leevy has someone to talk to here.

"Maybe next time," Leevy answers. "I really should go. It's almost reflection time."

"Okay, honey. Maybe we'll see you at dinner," I tell her. Leevy gives a small nod before heading back out into the hall.

When the door shuts behind her, I turn my attention to my sour son. "Rory, how was school today?"

"Fine," he grouses.

I thought I'd have more to worry about with Vick, but Rory's been in a foul mood the last few days. I'd like Gale to talk to him, but he's been pretty wrapped up in his own problems.

"I thought you liked your classes here," I ask Rory.

"They're fine," he answers, aggrieved.

"Then what is the problem?" I demand.

He hems and haws a few minutes before breaking down, but he know I'm not letting him off the hook. Finally he tells me, "The classes are way better than back home. But Ma, there are like ten of us and about a hundred mole kids."

Mole kids? It's a different district, the children have had completely different cultures and experiences growing up. I'm sure it's hard for them like it is for us. But I don't care what other children are calling each other. I expect my children to behave better than that.

"What did you just say young man?"

"Nothing," he says, looking guilty. Then with a roll of his eyes, he answers, "mole kids. You know."

"Rorik Benjamin Hawthorne! How could you say such a thing."

"I don't say it to their face," he whines in disagreement.

I fix him with a stern look and say, "I don't care. How would you like it if they called you names?"

"They live underground, Ma. They've never been outside. It's weird."

I have to remind myself that there were bound to be problems merging our kids into their schools. "That's not their fault. They live where they have to to survive. And I shouldn't need to tell you that so do we. Where would we be without their help?"

"Whatever," he gripes.

"Rory." My voice carries a note of warning for my son. "I will not tolerate that kind of language. Is that clear?"

Rory sighs, "Yes Ma."

"Okay then. Will you tell Vick it's time for reflection?"

So now Rory and his friends are separating themselves from the district 13 kids and calling them names. I wonder if it would be appropriate to talk to one of his teachers about it. They probably already know what's going on, but I should find out how they're dealing with it in class. Of course Rory will be mortified if I walk with him to class or pick him up afterward. He doesn't want to be treated like a baby. Well maybe he shouldn't act like one then. Maybe I should talk to Charles Junper or Leevy as well, since Will's in Rory's group of friends here.

With the family settled in the main room for reflection time, I prod them each into talking about their day. Rory is still sullen. Thankfully, Vick cooperates and tells us about an experiment in his science class. Posy is more than happy to fill the time with her stories about the kids in her class.

Today, Gale shows up about halfway through reflection time, causing Posy to stop mid-sentence and launch herself across the room at him.

"Posy!" I caution her. Fortunately it catches her attention enough to keep her from jumping full-force onto him. His shoulder is still not fully recovered from the rescue mission. He looks tired, but smiles as his little sister runs into his side and throws her arms around him. Even Rory lights up a little bit as Gale asks them about school. They all look up to him so much.

I'm glad he's here tonight, showing them his love. Gale has thrown himself into his work in Special Defense, especially now with Katniss gone to district 2. I'm still trying to find a way to talk to him about her, but I am glad to see him more.

What will I do about Gale. He got us out of district 12; he saved so many lives. I'd never been prouder of him. But since we arrived in 13, I've felt him slipping away from us. Between Katniss and the war, he hardly seems to have time for his own family anymore. He's constantly been running off, to Coin or Beetee or Katniss. He's proud to be in the military here. He tries to pretend the communicuff isn't important, but I can tell it matters to him. And why
shouldn't he be proud, of being valued and appreciated? I just hope it's for the right reasons, and that they're not expecting too much of him. Sometimes I wish I could just go to the adults in charge and remind them he is still just a teenager. But he's been shouldering responsibility beyond his years since his father died, and he's not a kid in school anymore. So I keep my feelings about it to myself. He's a grown man and I need to treat him as one, hard though that is.

I feel guilty, but I'm glad Katniss told him to stay here when she left. We've seen more of him in the last week than in the month before, I think. He still has a full schedule, but he's not running off each night after dinner.

I know whatever is going on with Katniss is complicated, especially with Peeta's condition, but I'm afraid Gale is just getting hurt more by sticking so close to her. I haven't seen Peeta, but from what I have heard, he's been completely brainwashed. Hijacked, that's the term they're using. Poor Gale is convinced that Katniss is the only girl in the world. I really try to remember how Katniss was before. She always cared for our family and I'm sure she cares for Gale in some way or another. But it's hard not to blame her for Gale's absences and his troubles. I know she was just a normal girl when his attitude toward her changed. But now that she's the symbol of the rebellion, I wish he had a nice normal girl in his life. Maybe someone like Leevy, she's a nice enough girl.