I'm spoiling you rotten. And you're spoiling me with the reviews. (I get excited when I see two reviews) Thank-you again to BelieveInDream and to our newcomer Guest. A few things to keep in mind while reading this chapter:
I promised you longer chapters, this is the first of many. I've now added Clovel to the list of pairings in this story. If you're wondering about Haymitch, I have him all planned out so the Heffie ship is set to sail. Oh yeah, GALE IS IN THIS CHAPTER! :D
This is new
Feels unused
I've never met anyone like you
Atlantis, Ellie Goulding
Chapter 5- The Meeting
"What time is it?" Rue moans waking up next to me. I glance at her alarm clock.
"Almost noon." I groan.
"What day is it?" She mumbles.
"It's Sunday. The joke that we call a weekend." I say.
"How many days are left in school?" Rue says.
"Two weeks." I say. "Stop asking me questions."
"Stop answering them." I turn to face Rue and start laughing. Her hair has become brown frizzies. "Shhh. If Thresh hears us-" Rue's voice is cut off by the sound of a wooden spoon banging on a metal pot. Thresh comes into the room. The pot is on his head like a helmet and he continually bangs on it.
"Rise and shine!" He shouts. "Mom made waffles so get your butts downstairs before I eat them all." Rue jumps out of the bed and I hop on Thresh's back. The three of us make our way down the stairs.
"Thanks mom." Rue says.
"Thanks mom." I echo.
"Mwamwamaaa." Thresh says showing his full mouth.
"Ewww!" Rue shouts. "You know, waffles are good, but everyone knows the ultimate slumber party breakfast is cold pizza. Not that's there's any left since you ate it all."
"Rue, calm down." I say. "There's nothing wrong with syrupy buttery goodness."
"Waffles are good, but they're just plaid pancakes." She says. "Then again, it could be that pancakes are naked waffles..." The two of us debate the issue until brushing our teeth to Kiss You by One Direction. Even Thresh joins in and all three of us scream as loudly as possible. Rue and I spend the rest of the day walking on one of the nature trails by her house. There's a gigantic field filled with rue flowers and the tiny spots of yellow in the green are breathtaking. I think about Peeta's marriage, about seeing Hazelle again, about meeting Gale, about losing weight and about turning seventeen. We get back to Rue's house and my mom picks me up. By the time I'm back home it's dark outside already. Exhausted and anxious, I go to bed.
Monday: Alarm clock. Brush teeth to Everybody Talks by Neon Trees. Go to school. Come home. Do homework. IM Peeta and Katniss. Sleep.
Tuesday: Alarm clock. Brush teeth to Circle the Drain by Katy Perry censoring the f-bombs. Go to school. Talk to Effie. Come home. Do a slightly less amount of homework. Get anxious. Work off anxiety at first workout with Thresh. Shower. Go to bed.
Wednesday: Alarm clock. Brush teeth to Pearl by Katy Perry. Go to school. Come home. Pack. Bring things over to Hazelle's house. Meet her sons Rory (14) and Vick (12) and her new daughter Posy (7). Talk to her kids while my mom talks to Hazelle about everything. Say good-bye to mom. Awkwardly unpack in the guest room. Watch My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic with Posy. Sleep.
Thursday: Alarm clock. Brush teeth with That's What Makes You Beautiful on a low volume until Posy joins me in the dance fest. Get dropped off at school. Endure a lecture from Rue about how lonely she was this morning. Come home. Work out with Thresh. Go back to my house to say good-bye to Mom and Dad. Go back to Hazelle's house. Sleep.
Friday: You know the drill by this point.
Saturday: Spend the entire day at the gym. Learn the hard way that sweating doesn't get rid of anxiety.
Sunday: I wake up at around 7AM. Posy comes into my room and jumps on the bed.
"Gale's coming home!" She squeals. I put on a smile and grab her by the waist.
"Gale? Who's Gale?" I play dumb.
"He's my brother! He's 21 years old, looks just like me, and fights to keep us safe." Posy says.
"You're very smart to know all of that." I say. She smiles and blushes.
"You have to get dressed. We're going to eat breakfast and then at nine we're going to pick him up at the airport." Posy continues. "Can we have another teeth brushing dance party? Can I help you pick out your outfit? Can you help me pick out mine?"
"Yes." I say smiling at her energy. "Yes to all of those questions." Posy grabs my hand and pulls me into the kitchen. Boxes of cereal sit on the table and Rory opens a gallon of milk.
"Mom! Posy's taking all of the Lucky Charms." Vick shouts. The tiny brown haired girl looks up from a bowl about the size of her face.
"Victor Hawthorne, how many times have we been through this, your sister is seven years old she can barely eat an entire banana." Hazelle says calmly. "And Posy dear, what are you doing? I thought you didn't like Lucky Charms."
"I'm pouring it for him." She says. Vick walks over.
"Sorry Posy. Thanks." He says quietly.
"Delly, your mom told me you were a vegan so I picked up a few of these you." Hazelle says handing me a box of Kashi.
"Thank-you Hazelle." I say. I take a seat between Rory and Posy. The cereal is as hard as rocks, but I've eaten it a thousand times before.
"Why are you a vegan?" Rory asks. His voice is deeper than I thought it would be. I look up and his gray eyes blink twice.
"Well, I was a vegetarian, but then I switched." I say. "I think it's a little unfair to animals and I'm trying to lose weight for my brother's wedding."
"Oh." He says. The rest of the breakfast goes in silence. Posy joins me for another dance party, today's song; I Kissed A Girl by Katy Perry. At the end of the song Posy pecks me on the cheek and a sensation of her utter care spreads throughout me. Her pure innocence almost makes me cry. Posy leads me into her room where I help her select a soft rosy frock and white leggings. Like a duckling to its mother she follows me into my room and wastes no time opening my closet.
"You should wear this." Posy announces tugging on the yellow dress Thresh/Rue gave me for my birthday. Its color reminds me of sunshine, a soft and slightly muted heat. "It matches your hair and it's pretty."
"Are you sure it's not too fancy?" I ask truthfully. I rub a bit of the satiny fabric between my fingers.
"No. When Gale came home other times, some of the wives waiting for their husbands were super fancy." Posy says. "Maybe because of the skinny straps it'll look fancy, but Mom said that this is a miracle. I don't think you can dress too fancy for a miracle." Once again, the words of a harsh truth coming from the mouth of a child make me tear up. She doesn't seen to notice.
"Okay." I say. "I'll change and then we can go see if it's time to go." With a smile, Posy hops out of the room. I remove the dress from its hanger and zip up the back. I slip into white ballet flats and Hazelle calls everyone into the car. After parking the car, Hazelle leads us to the gate Gale will be arriving at. Chairs and tables have been set up and a large banner reads "WELCOME HOME". I see a few other families and some people with gold ribbons. Gold star families. Posy runs off and meets up with other girls her age. They talk about moms, dads, and brothers coming home for good. Rory finds a friend to talk to and Vick begins unfolding and flattening the sign he made for Gale. Hazelle introduces me to a few of her friends and explains why I'm here. Even when I walk away they continue to talk.
"Why don't you just get him a therapist?"
"Isn't she a little big?"
"Hazelle, that girl won't help Gale. As soon as she gets an eyeful of him all she'll want is a date."
"I have faith in Delly. And if she does fall for my son so be it. She is a lovely girl and he deserves someone like her after what he's been through."
I walk off on my own and sit at a table. A young woman sits next to me.
"Do you mind?" She asks in a shaky voice. Her eyes appear as if the ocean was trapped inside them.
"No, not at all." I say. She wears a pure white dress that clings to her skin as if it were wet. The skirt is full and flares out to her knees showing off her tanned legs. She's no doubt one of the most beautiful people I've ever seen. Her face is mature, and she looks to be in her mid twenties.
"So who are you here for?" I ask.
"My husband, Finnick." She says. "How do you know Hazelle?"
"I used to babysit her sons. She has the crazy notion that I can help her son adjust to life." I say.
"Gale and my husband are good friends." She says. "I'm Annie by the way."
"I'm Delly." I say. Annie goes into a daydream.
When I hear the first cry, I know that they're here. I'm completely unprepared for all of the little children running to their parents. Husbands, wives, parents, and children crying and hugging and kissing. Annie slowly lifts her head up and her tear filled eyes widen as she locks on something in the distance. She breaks into a sprint, and runs pretty well for someone in heels. I see a red-haired figure break away from the crowd and dash over. Just when I think they're going to run into each other, Finnick scoops up Annie in his arms spinning her around and kissing her for a long time. A tear slides down my own face as I smile at their love.
"I don't see him." Posy says. "Wait, Delly come quick!" I run over and Hazelle covers her mouth with her hand. I see him. Posy was right, Gale does look like her. All of the Hawthornes share their olive skin, dark hair, and stormy irises. Nobody has exaggerated the his good looks either. But I don't get nervous, I still watch him hug Hazelle and rub her back before Posy attacks his legs.
"Hey Posy." He says. "You were a shrimp the last time I saw you! You're still a shrimp but now you can tackle!"
"Gaaale!" Posy says hugging him tighter. "I missed you."
"I missed you too kiddo." Gale says. Rory comes over and hugs his big brother. "Did you like being man of the house?"
"Nah. It's not all it's cracked up to be." Rory says shrugging. "I'd trade it to have you home any day."
"Thanks." Gale says. He glances at the "GALE YOU ROCK" sign Vick holds. "You're at least two inches taller since I saw you."
"Growth spurt." Vick says causally.
"I guess I can't call you squirt anymore huh?" Gale asks. Vick shrugs. "Good. I'll always be taller than you so you'll always be squirt." At this point he finally turns to face me.
"Gale, this is Delilah Cartwright. Her parents are out of town so she'll be staying with us." Hazelle says. I can feel him studying me.
"You can call me Delly." I say shaking his hand. "Everyone does."
Hazelle continues. "She's a very nice girl and I think she'll be good to hang around until you adjust. Delly's only two years younger than you." Gale's face stays neutral.
"Nice to meet you." He says plainly. "Just let me say 'bye to Finn and then we can go." I glance over at Annie and Finnick who are still locked in a warm embrace. Annie motions me over and I awkwardly stand next to Gale who begins speaking to Finnick.
"Hey, Finnick, I'm about to head out. Just wanted to say 'bye. Maybe we can meet up another time?" Gale asks.
"Sure, I just need to be with Annie a little bit first." Finnick says. He glances at me. "Who's this?"
"Delly." Annie answers. "I like her." She nods at him and they pass some sort of secret code. "Delly this is my husband."
"It's nice to meet you." The words pour out of my mouth like water and I reach out my hand. Unexpectedly, Finnick kisses it rather than the traditional handshake. My cheeks fill with pink at the gesture from the handsome red-head. Annie doesn't seem bothered. Gale rolls his eyes.
"Well, I've got to get home, but I'll see you later." He says walking away. I smile at Annie and Finnick.
"It was nice meeting you." I say. I feel the need to say something else. "Finnick, thank-you for what you've done."
"No problem." He says. "It's always nice to be appreciated." I smile and walk away. I feel invisible on the car ride home, but I don't care. Gale has just returned from war, he can take all the attention he wants. When I get home I start writing an email to my parents about meeting Gale, Annie, and Finnick. Then I can hear Gale arguing with Hazelle.
"You can stop tip-toeing around it Mom, I know why she's here. I'm not a child!" He shouts.
"Gale, we both know what happened out there. Nobody could understand that except someone who knows you." Hazelle says calmly. I walk over to my door and press my ear against the wood.
"Then why did you bring her?" Gale asks. "If I need someone who knows me, why on Earth did you bring a teenage girl that I can barely remember into my life?"
"Because she's the only person I could think of." Hazelle says slowly.
"So she's my savior then?" He pauses, thinking of what to say next. "I don't want an angel, I don't want any Goddamn help, and I don't need a child to make me sane! I can't be sane anymore! What part of that don't you understand? Everything happened all at once and no one even thought about how it would effect me! She has no idea what she's gotten herself into! I don't want her and I don't need her! Just get her out of here. She's a joke, trying to smile and pretend she cares. You and I both know she's counting down until she gets out of this house because I've gone crazy. We both know it."
"Gale Jacob Hawthrone, you quiet down before you scare Vick and Posy." Hazelle says harshly. I bite back my own tears. He hates me. He really hates me.
"I don't care at this point." Gale says. "Nobody was censoring anything for me. I got the truth. So I 'm just giving back what I got." I can hear him walking down the hallway and stopping in front of my door. "I hope you heard all of that." He whispers loudly. I jump onto the bed and begin to cry. Not for myself, but for him. Something happened to Gale. He's beating himself up and I hate it when people do that. I want to help him but he clearly doesn't want me to. I stop crying. Because Gale is the one who should be getting better. If I'm going to cry then he's won. To get Gale back to- whatever Hazelle thinks I can get him to then I need to shape up.
I suddenly have the urge to go to the gym. I don't want to ask Hazelle to drive me there. I change into jean shorts and a t-shirt, then I walk. Instead, I go on a long walk until I come near a nature trail and then I keep walking, until it the sun sets. I make my way back home. I eat my salad, not caring about the looks from Gale.
"Thanks mom." He says. "This is really good steak."
"Hazelle, thank-you for making me a separate dinner. It means a lot to me." I say.
"It's no problem Delly. You're a vegan and I'd hate to drive you off your diet." Hazelle says.
"So why are you a vegan?" Gale asks. "Don't want to hurt animals?"
"And I'm trying to lose weight." I say quietly.
"You're not that fat you know." Gale says. I don't respond. "I'm tired as hell so I'm going to sleep."
"Mommy, Gale said a bad word." Posy whispers.
"Gale, in the future please don't speak like that around your sister." Hazelle says.
"Sorry Posy." Gale says sincerely. "I just have a headache, that's all." He exits the room. I rinse my plate and leave the room. Why is he so nice one moment and a jerk the next? There's a lot in his head. I need to to what exactly happened. How do you approach something like that? I change into my pajamas. Gale walks up and down the hallways a few times until he finally stops and pokes his head in my room.
"You don't know what happened to me out there do you?" He asks.
"No." I say.
"Why did you come here?" Gale asks. "I'm fucked up in ways that I don't even understand. Then you, you come in with your blinding white innocence and purity like an angel."
"I came because your mom told me that she thought I could help you." I say. "I don't know what you've been through, but I want to help you."
"Sure you do." Gale scoffs. He leaves. Then comes back in. "Are you attracted to me at all?" The question gets me off guard. "You are." A smirk spreads across his face.
"No, I'm just not used to being asked so up front." I defend. "I find you attractive, but I'm not attracted to you."
"Really?" He asks. I nod. "Interesting." Then Gale leaves. I don't know what I'm supposed to make of him. Bipolar maybe... I shake it off and fall asleep.
I wake up when I hear him crying. I peek my head around the corner and peer into his room down the hall. Never in my life, have I seen anyone cry this much, let alone a grown man. Gale is shaking and sobbing, hard. Hazelle holds his head in her lap shushing him back to sleep.
"It's all my fault." He keeps repeating. "I should have-" He's cut off by more sobbing. I pretend I didn't see anything. I pretend that Gale's nightmare never happened. I go back into my bed and try to fall back asleep. I don't drift off until he stops crying and the light in his room is turned out. Then I pretend that he's not the only one crying himself back to sleep.