Hello my darlings, sorry about my delay in update but my life's been busy. Luckily I can always forget about it when I write. I hope you enjoy this chapter, I had to blast through a wall of horrid writers' block before getting the first two words down.
Not gonna be your savior,
I don't have the power,
I'm not sticking around to watch you circle the drain
Katy Perry, Circle the Drain
Chapter 7- Addictions
The last day of school could've have come at a better time. Rue and I waltzed into school as juniors and walked out as soon-to-be seniors. I didn't even care that Gale just had to pick me up with the music blaring again and those aviator lenses reflecting my now six pounds lighter self. That's right. Six pounds! It was weird for me at first, I noticed my collarbone beginning to stand out more, and I had to start using belt-loops that I could only dream of using once upon a time. Rue started noticing and we went out for vegan cupcakes to celebrate. I didn't realize the irony until I was jogging the next morning. I already had to give up two shirts in sacrifice to my new self, I had fantasies about all the cute clothes I could buy from the non-plus-size department stores. Forget guys, my nights are filled with dreams of form-fitting Rue21 shorts and cute American Eagle shirts.
"Hey, stop looking at porn." Gale says peeking his head into my room. I suddenly understand Rue's repeated sigh of See what I have to live with?
"It's not porn." I say. "It's the Abercombie and Fitch website." I enjoy the look on his face. Gale clears his throat and holds out the landline phone.
"Your mom wants to talk to you." He says. "She tried your cell but it didn't work." I took the the phone from him and turned around.
"Delly, why couldn't I reach you?" My mother asks concerned. I roll my eyes, knowing that her mother-senses will be able to detect it- even though a phone line many miles long.
"Relax mom, I was texting Rue last night and my battery died. I forgot to charge it, that's all." I say. Gale's still in the background, listening to every word I say.
"Why were you texting Rue so late?" Mom asks.
"Honey, ease up." I hear Christian shout in the background.
"I'm a mother, I have rights to be worried." She shouts back playfully.
"I was texting her because I lost six pounds." I say smiling. Anyone would know I'm smiling at telling her this.
"Honey, that's great!" Mom says. "How long has it been?"
"Two weeks." I say. "Oh, I forgot about the other two I lost when I went from vegetarian to vegan, so that's eight pounds all together." She squeals.
"Okay, you're excused from late night texting." Mom says. "So, do you need new clothing, because your father and I can send some money if you do."
"Not yet," I say raking a hand though my hair. Yegh, I need to shower. "I've mostly just been tightening my belts and tucking in shirts. I've already got two that absolutely swallow me. I might need clothes in about a week or so, but I can manage. I'll be getting birthday things anyways; giftcards clothing and whatnot, so I'll let you know."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes mom, I'll be fine. Worst case scenario I'll borrow oversized shirts from Peeta when he comes and wear them as dresses. maybe I'll start a new trend." I joke.
"Okay, Delly." Mom sighs. "Your grandmother is going through chemo tomorrow and with the predicted recovery, your father and I should be back in time for the final dress fittings so I can see the finished product." I smile.
"Send her my love." I say. "I'll email you a picture as soon as I have my first fitting."
"I love you Delly."
"I love you too Mom. Tell Dad too. Bye."
"Bye sweetie." I hang up. Gale's leaning against the door frame.
"Why are you still here?" I ask.
"You've lost almost ten pounds then?" He asks.
"Yeah." I say. He shrugs.
"What fittings are you going to?"
"Bridesmaid dress. For my brother's wedding."
"Isn't it usually easier to plan months ahead?"
"This is going to be a small backyard wedding." I say. "Very simple and quick."
"Interesting." Gale says. He leaves the room, then the house and doesn't come back until late in the night. I've never noticed, but he's done this before. I only remember because they were nights when I didn't cry.
The next day I confront him.
"Where have you been going every night?" I ask. Hazelle's at work, Rory's out with friends, Posy's at a playdate, and Vick is skateboarding. I never realized how often we have the house to ourselves.
"It's none of your business blondie." Gale says. "Even if you are my savior."
"I'm not your savior." I spit. "But I'd like to be your friend. Because I care about you, I care about people in general. If you tell me I won't tell anyone. But if it's serious, I will make you get help."
"Who are you, the fucking guidance counselor?" He asks annoyed.
"No. But I will tell Hazelle something's going on if you don't tell me." I threaten. Gale's eyes widen. He sighs.
"Haven't the hangovers been enough of a clue?" I don't say anything. "Or am I that good at covering it up? Most guys like beer, but for me, it's wine. I like to pair it with morphine. It's expensive, but very calming."
"You're an alcoholic." It's a statement, not a question.
"Yep." Gale says. "You can go sign me up for whatever you want now. I don't give a shit anymore."
One day later I'm driving Gale to a group therapy session at the local community center.
"You don't have to drive me here." He growls. Aviator glasses glare at me. "I'm not ten."
"Then act like it." I spit. "You went through something out there. I don't want to help you, and just want you to be okay again."
" 'Okay'? That's a lie." Gale scoffs. "That's not going to happen. Not after what I saw, and when I saw it." I say nothing. I get out of the truck. He doesn't. I walk over to his side and open the door. He looks at me.
"Please don't make me do something that will make you hate me even more." I beg. He looks at me confused.
"I don't hate you." He says honestly. "I just don't want to go in."
"Gale, please." I say. He sighs.
"It's kind of sad, I don't want to go in because I'm afraid no one will like me." Gale says. "You'd think I'm too old to throw up on the first day of school. But it could happen." He smiles at this, so I do too.
"You don't have to go alone." I say holding out my hand. "I'll go with you." Gale looks at my hand and takes it. We go inside and up the elevator to the second floor. I find room 223 without trouble. When we walk in the room, I can see that we're the youngest ones here. I see a woman with a name tag that reads MADGE and walk over to her.
"Hello, how can I help you?" She asks. She's like a prettier version of me. Her hair is a golden blonde and her eyes are ice blue. Being me, I notice her thin frame and thin hourglass figure. Yes, I'd like you to tell me how you look so nice in a simple white dress and gold hair ribbon. You're probably 20 and you're still wearing hair ribbons, but it looks good on you. Also, where did you get your lipgloss?
"I'm here for the... thing." Gale said stepping forward. Madge smiles.
"The session?" She asks. He nods. "I'm afraid that unless your girlfriend is also a nurse or aid of some sort, she'll have to leave." It takes me a second to process this.
"Oh! No, I'm not his girlfriend." I say quickly.
"Yeah, I'm single." Gale says. Geeze, Gale. Make it obvious why don't you?
"Oh." She says smiling and twirling an already perfectly curled piece of hair around her finger. Really Madge, you too?
"And, we have an arrangement." Gale says. "Surely you could let her stay?" He stares her down with her dark brows drawing together above his gray stormy eyes. Madge flutters her eyelashes and blushes perfectly.
"Well, she can stay." She says. "You two can have a seat. We'll be starting soon." I sit in one of the chairs in a circle formation. Gale sits next to me.
"Can you believe that she thought we were dating?" He asks.
"No." I say. "It's illegal for us to date anyways. I'm a minor."
"Yeah." Gale says. Madge takes a seat and everyone else in the circle looks at her.
"Hello everyone, I'm Madge and welcome to 'Kicking Addictions'." She says smiling.
"Great," Gale whispers to me. "they gave this a stupid name. And I was beginning to like it here." I look at Madge, then at him.
"I can't imagine why." I retort.
"Let's start by-" She's cut off by the door opening and a man walking in. He's got shaggy dark hair and gray eyes.
"Is this the addictions class?" He asks.
"Yes." Madge says. "You can take a seat."
"Aren't you a little young to be running this class?" He asks after sitting.
"Aren't you a little late to my class?" She shoots back. Madge: 1 Hungover Guy: 0
"Nice way of avoiding my question sweetheart." He says with a smirk. Madge: 1 Hungover Guy: 1
"I'm nineteen, my father is the mayor." Madge says. "He knew this class needed a new supervisor and I'm in college studying to be a therapist. Things worked out." BOOM! Madge: 6 Hungover Guy: 1
"For you." He responds. "Things aren't so hot for me. If they were, I wouldn't be here would I?" OH SNAP! Madge: 6 Hungover Guy: 11
"But that's why I'm here to help." Madge says. Her voice kicks into 'therapist' mode. "Each of you are here because there's an addiction you'd like to get rid of."
"Or someone dragged you here." Gale hisses into my ear.
"But let's focus on the root of the problem, you're here for a reason and I'm going to help you find that reason." She smiles. "Let's start by going around. Say your name and your addiction. No passes, and be honest. What happens in this room, stays in this room." Madge looks at the middle-aged guy with blue eyes and neatly combed and shaved black hair next to her.
"I'm Seneca Crane, my wife thinks I have a drinking problem." He says. Then the guy next to him.
"I'm Edgar Chaffman, but most people call me Chaff. I'm an alcoholic." He says slowly.
"My name is Johanna Mason and I have a lot of problems." The girl next to him says. Johanna rakes a hand through her spiky brown hair before beginning. "I'm addicted to cigarettes, but I like to watch porn too. I watch porn because I'm also slightly addicted to sex. Then again, who isn't?"
"Amen." The hungover guy shouts. Johanna smiles as Madge uncomfortably shifts in her chair. The hungover guy stands up.
"My name is Haymitch Abernathy," He says in a bored tone. "and I have a drinking problem." He's sitting two chairs away from Gale who goes next.
"Gale Hawthorne." He says. He points at me. "She made me come here because I like morphine. Sometimes I have it with wine."
"I-I-I-" I stutter.
"She's an angel." Gale says staring at me. "There's absolutely nothing wrong with Delilah fucking Cartwright."
"It's Delly." I mumble quietly.
"Okay then," Madge says slowly. "Gale, why is Delly here with you, if you don't mind sharing." Gale sighs for at least a minute.
"I've recently returned from Pakistan after fighting for three years." He begins. Only Seneca and Madge seem effected by this. Chaff keeps his arms crossed. Johanna raises and eyebrow and Haymitch seems to barely be listening. "Something happened out there and I'm not going to talk about it. Only my mom knows. My mom and my best friend Finnick- he fought with me too. Upon coming back, she was in my house." Gale says pointing at me. "Everyone thinks I'm crazy now and my mother has the theroy that Delly is going to save me. So while her parents are out of town she's staying at my house playing naughty nurse to phsycho ward patient 223608: G. Hawthorne."
"I spent five years in Afghanistan." Chaff says staring at the floor. "I came back last year. After seeing what you see out there- there's no going back." He holds up his right arm, no hand, just a stump. "I lost this hand, they don't have a prosthetic for me. I had friends, some of them died out there, others took their own lives after coming back. The rest, I lost contact with. I don't know what to do with myself. So whatever money I have I use to buy alcohol. Because then I can forget."
"Same here." Haymitch says.
"Yeah." Seneca says. "When I do drink, I drink a lot. Because if I am drinking, it's because there's too much of one emotion happening at once. Like I'm a time bomb and the drinks are delaying the detonation."
"I just drink because I can." Haymitch says. That's not true. You agreed with Chaff on drinking to forget problems.
"True dat." Johanna says.
"Are you sure?" Madge asks with puppy dog eyes.
"Yes." Johanna says. She smirks as Madge is taken aback.
"Well, I think that was very good for our first meeting. Same time next week everyone." Madge says glancing at the clock. Gale gets out of his seat and dashes out the door. Chaff stops me on my way out.
"Are you scared?" He asks me.
"No." I say. "I just want to help him. Gale's lost, I don't know if I can help him, but I'm going to try because I care about him."
"God bless you Delly." Chaff says blinking tears away. "I was under the impression you two were together, but clearly I was wrong. Don't push too hard, otherwise you push him away."
"Thank-you." I say. "Chaff, thank-you for serving." He smiles.
"I don't hear that enough." He says. "Thanks." He walks out. Johanna smiles at me.
"What?" I ask. She laughs.
"How old are you?" She asks.
"Seventeen tomorrow." I say.
"Do the math Delly." Johanna says. "I watch a lot of porn and you're living in a house with a 21-year-old hot guy who has a drinking problem and most likely has some lonely nights. I have a filthy mind, you don't want to know what I'm thinking."
Yay! Haymitch comes in to play! And I added Johanna because I wanted her in this and she seems like the type to have... addiction problems. So now Madge is here? BUT THIS IS A GALLY FIC! WTF? I guess we'll have to see what happens...
Please review. Reviews help Gale talk about his problems and then we find out what the hell happened to him out there. Oh, reviews are also jet fuel and gasoline for the characters at college coming home. (And I'm a review whore.)