Welcome back y'all. I hope you liked the last chapter. There's a little "action" in this, so I hope you enjoy it. Also, more on the Gale/Madge situation. BUT THIS IS A GALLY FIC!? Well then, we'll just have to see how this goes...
Chapter 8- Homecoming and the Minivan
I close my book and put it back on the shelf. Rue met me here a few hours ago and we've read books on acting. So far, I think that I might be able to do this one play. From what Marvel's been telling me, Clove is great at directing. Posy runs up to me.
"Delly, are you almost done?" She asks. Rue looks up from her book. "Mom says that we're going to leave in fifteen minutes."
"Okay." I say. "Tell her that I'm just going to check out."
"Mmm hmm." Posy says running off.
"Is it just me, or did the little girl from Despicable Me get grey colored contacts and changer her name to Posy?" Rue asks. I smile.
"I've had the same theory." I say. "Come on, I need to get some books on LSD." The two of us head over to the non-fiction section and I check my paper for the call number I wrote. I reach for the book, but it's too high up. Before I can get a stool Gale materializes and grabs the book for me..
" 'LSD: Psychedelic Effects.' Nice choice." He says.
"It's for research." I say. Gale smiles and hands it to me. I look at his book choice, The Old Man and The Sea. "You a fan of Ernest Hemingway?"
"Yeah." Gale says. He looks at Rue. "Who is this?"
"This is my friend Rue." I say. "Rue, Gale. Gale, Rue."
"Hi." Rue says making a small wave of her hand.
"Does she know?" Gale asks.
"Yeah." I say. Gale nods his head, as if I have his approval. I walk over to the check-out desk with my book.
"He's cute." Rue whispers when he's out of ear-shot.
"Don't say that, I'm living with him." I groan.
"Fine." Rue says. "He's hot. Gale is HOT. He is sooo sexy."
"Rue!" I almost-shout.
"Whatever, but you can't deny it either." She says. "That is one good-looking man." I smile at this at least. "See, you smiled and you're not denying it!"
"Okay, you win." I say. Gale walks over and Rue bursts into laughter. "She's immature." I say. "I'm going to wait outside."
"I'll go with you, that girl over there can't take a hint." He says pointing at a fake-blonde with a spray tan checking out a romance novel with a half-naked man holding America's Next Top Model in his arms on he cover. She bites her lip and smiles. "Go." Gale says pushing us out the door. Rue sits on a bench and soaks in the sunlight. I tip my head back and run my fingers through my hair. When I open my eyes I see a dark blue SUV turning into a parking space. I squint for a half-second and Rue squeals.
"Clove!" She shrieks running over. I scream and run after her. Clove and Marvel get out of the front and Cato gets out of the backseat. They walk towards us and all five of us meet somewhere in the middle. Marvel and Clove both hug Rue and I run straight into Cato and he picks me up spinning me around.
"Oh my gosh, you guys are back!" Rue says. Clove smiles.
"Yeah, we wanted to see you guys. I asked Thresh where you were and we came here." She says.
"So are we the first ones back?" Marvel asks.
"Yeah." I say. "I'm so happy you guys are here!"
"Hey there Delilah, you've lost weight." Clove says.
"Ten pounds today." I say sticking my hands in the pockets of my brand-new size 5 shorts. All three of them shriek.
"You look great." Marvel says.
"Hey man, don't hit on my babe." Cato says. He turns to me. "Hey babe, I missed you." He grabs my hand and stares into my eyes.
"I missed you too babe." I say smiling. When Peeta first introduced me to his friends Cato said, 'She looks like Marylin Monroe.' A few weeks later the school play required a kiss. Being a newbie stage crew member I asked Cato how it was done. After rehearsal when only stage crew was left he had Peeta lower a sunset backdrop, Marvel cue a spotlight on us, and showed me how the hand placement and head tilting made it look real. Clove even turned on a giant fan and everyone made a big joke about it later. From there on it was always a joke that Cato and I were "dating" behind Peeta's back.
"Babe." Cato says.
"Babe." I say back pressing my forehead against his.
"Babe."
"Babe."
"Babe."
"Babe."
"Babe."
"Cato."
"Delly."
"Kiss me." I say. Cato dips me back and uses my book to cover our faces. Clove takes a picture and Rue cheers.
"You manwhore!" Marvel shouts.
"I'm posting this." Clove says. All of us laugh and Clove hugs me.
"I'm so glad that you guys haven't changed." She says.
"Really?" Marvel asks. "I'm surprised that they survived without us."
"Yeah." Cato says crossing his arms. "My babe has completely lost herself as you can see." He says motioning towards me. We all laugh and Gale comes over.
"Delly, we need to leave now." He says grabbing my arm. His grip is tight, but I act natural.
"Okay." I say calmly as possible. "Sorry guys, I've got to go, but maybe we can meet up for coffee or something soon?"
"Yeah." Clove says. Everyone is trying not to stare at Gale, or his hand on my arm. "We've got to talk about the play anyways. I'll text you later tonight."
"Okay." I say. "Bye guys." I look at Cato who seems to be coming out of it. "Bye babe."
"I'll send you pictures babe." He says smirking. I smile and Gale tugs me back to the car.
"Ow." I say quietly when I'm sure that they won't hear me. Gale keeps walking. "Gale, stop it you're hurting my arm." I say. He keeps pulling me along until we reach the car. Rather than sitting up front, Gale pushes me to the back and sits as close to me as possible. The others are just getting in line for check-out. "What the hell is your problem?" I snap.
"My problem?" Gale asks. "I didn't take my antidepressants this morning, but other than that, nothing."
"Those were my friends back there, most of which have just come back from college." I say.
"What was that?" He asks. "With the guy."
"That was a stage kiss." I say. "It's an inside joke."
"So you're not dating him?" Gale asks. His eyes are impossibly grey.
"No. Cato's my friend." I say.
"Good." He says. I don't bother to ask. When Hazelle opens her door Gale takes her book bag and places it next to him. Rory takes shotgun and Posy sits in her carseat. When Vick comes to sit by Gale he says, "No room back here. Sorry little bro'."
"Just move the book bag." Vick says. Gale pushes into me, my bare leg comes into contact with his jeans. Even through the fabric I can feel heat, and lots of it.
"There's no room." Gale repeats. Vick sits down next to Posy. I shift uncomfortably and Gale presses his arm against mine. His jaw clenches in a way that's completely hot. I look down and blush. Hazelle starts the car when everyone is buckled in. Everyone but me and Gale. He takes his seat belt and clicks it into place, brushing his fingers against my thigh in the process. He grabs my seatbelt and buckles it for me. I look out the window and I can feel his gaze resting on me. The trip back to the house seems twice as long as before and Gale keeps pressing into me. Half of me is having orgasm, the other half feels raped. Hazelle looks at us in her rearview mirror. A lump forms in my throat and Gale presses into me again. My hipbone collides harshly with the side of the car and I wince, ever so slightly. Gale pulls back a little. Then we come to a round-about. Guess which way we turn? Gale's practically falling on me when he grips my knee, then my thigh to stop from falling over. His hand is cold, and goosebumps raise on my skin. His face comes too close and his hot breath sends a shiver down my spine and my hair brushes against his face. Even when we're driving normal again, Gale doesn't move his hand. When we pull into driveway Gale hands the bag of books to Vick who carries them inside. Gale stays put. I unbuckle the seat belt and try sliding past Gale. I trip over his foot and fall onto his lap.
"So eager Delly, aren't you?" He asks. I scoff, getting off him. Gale takes off his seatbelt. "You could've been just a tad more discreet."
"I'm not into you!" I shout. "Even if I was, I know it wouldn't happen." This isn't a very fun position. The roof of the minivan isn't tall enough for me and I have to crouch a little.
"Why's that?" Gale presses.
"Because, you're into Madge." I say.
"Yeah, so?" He asks. I stare at him. "Just because I like a girl, doesn't mean I wouldn't date another girl if I were into her too. Not that I'm into you."
"Once again, neither am I." I state.
"Okay then." Gale says. He pushes past me and I crawl over the seat to get past him. Gale tries opening the door, only to find that it's locked. He flips the switch and tried opening it again. I sit on the seat behind him waiting for it to open.
"Today would be nice." I say.
"I'm trying, it's been awhile since I've been in this car." Gale says.
"Let me." I say say standing up. At the same time Gale opens the door and turns around. We crash into each other and he falls on top of me and I land on the seat. "Now who needs to be discreet?" I ask.
"Oh, like you aren't enjoying this." He says.
"I'm not!" I say trying to get up, but it's impossible. "I need you to get off me."
"I am!" Gale says. "Just give me a-"
"Wow, if you guys wanted to be alone, you could've said so." Gale turns his head and I look over his shoulder to see Rory staring at us.
"It's not how it looks." Gale says getting off me and out of the car. I sit up.
"That's what they all say." Rory says smirking. "Not that I blame you, Delly's hot."
"And too old for you." Gale snaps. He holds out his hand. "Come on your highness." I take his hand and hop out of the car. He leads me into his room.
"Seriously, what is your problem?" I ask. Gale shrugs.
"I dunno." He says.
"You were all over me in the car and usually you can't say more than two words to me." I snap. He shrugs again.
"Adrenaline rush I guess." Gale says. "All these women are into me, I like Madge and I can't really do anything yet. You're a good-looking female who is single and I guess that I just took it out on you."
"So I'm your sex doll?" I ask.
"In short terms, yes Dr. Cartwright." He says. I sigh and leave the room.