Katniss and the Rebels

Chapter 27: The Choice

AN: Hello again! I hope you enjoy this chapter. I have the rest of the story planned out and I get my summer holidays next week. My goal for the summer is the complete this story so let's see how it goes.

Dear guest who asked when I post new chapters: I don't have set days where I post a new chapter unfortunately. They will be posted a lot more frequently now that I am almost on my holidays though. Thanks for the review

Gale POV

I fidget with my fingers as I anxiously wait in the crowded Hob for James to arrive.

It's irrational but I keep waiting for Katniss to walk in for a shift at work or for Darius and Thom to stroll in the door and order their usual meal.

The mere thought causing his heart to ache at the thought of his friends finding out that he had lied to them.

Arriving an hour early probably wasn't a good idea.

With each passing tick of the clock and every stranger that enters the Hob, my shoulders tense and my fists clench as I wait.

*Text alert*

Scrambling to check my phone, I swallow my guilt when I read the sender.

From Katniss Everdeen: You want to come over for dinner? I have some food left over from my cooking practical.

From Gale Hawthorne: Sorry, I can't. Save me some? How did your practical go?

From Katniss Everdeen: Maybe, oh we got an A for sure.

From Gale Hawthorne: Really? You got an A in Home Ec.?

From Katniss Everdeen: Okay maybe I was on clean-up for most of it but I did all of the preparation myself!

From Gale Hawthorne: Wow, well done

From Katniss Everdeen: I know that was sarcastic but thanks anyway. Talk you later!

Shoving my phone into my pocket, I put my earphones in and attempt to drown out my over-bearing thoughts and fears with music.

James appears a half an hour later and after the general greeting and chit-chat, he eventually explains everything.

"First of all, I want to apologise Gale. It wasn't right for me to ask you to hide this information from your friends but I'm afraid the bosses wanted me to discuss this with you first."

I nod and fake a smile,

"Of course, don't worry about it."

James smiles, "I knew I liked you. So, the producers love your stuff. They really do. They are just a little em…unsure about your image."

I frown, "Our image?"

"Yes. You see there isn't very many…how should I phrase this…bands these days that have the majority of boy members and only one girl members. The only bands that do are ones where the female singer is the main vocalist but in your group, you all seem to be equal." James says

Somehow I can tell that I won't like where this is headed.

"It's quite unusual for our company. When we produce artists and bands, it's either all male or female. So…we are just wondering whether you are entirely happy with everyone in your band. Because the producers want you and they love you, all of you. Including Katniss! They think she's amazing! But…the label feels that she would have a better career as a solo artist."

"So you are saying you want us…but not Katniss?" I say, wariness and a trace of resentment on my tongue.

"Well I'm sure we could work something out for her as a solo artist but this is just too good an opportunity to miss!"

I wonder if he means a great opportunity for me or for him.

"Don't you think it'd be good that we're different?" I ask, gritting my teeth "More memorable? Not just another boyband."

"Oh Gale" James dismisses my comment with a wave of his hand. As if I were a petulant child.

"Boybands are extremely popular nowadays. They're pretty much all everyone under a certain age listen to. You and your friends are better than half of the bands on the charts today! It'd be a shame to lose you over something trivial like this."

"You're asking me to kick someone out, my closest friend! All because she's a girl and that wouldn't be good for our image!" My eyes narrow as my tone rises in anger.

James sighs, "This isn't some patriarchy scheme Mr. Hawthorne. It's what the company thinks would benefit you most in the long run. All of you. We have everyone's best interests in mind here, I assure you."

No wonder he wanted to see me alone, if the others were here right now I'm not sure who would hit him first, Katniss or Darius.

James stands and places a hand on my shoulder.

"Think it over. Talk to the others, we'll talk soon."

I silently nod, knowing if I open my mouth, I'll say something I will most likely regret.

"Don't give up your dream just because you have to make one small sacrifice."

With those words, James Heavensbee walks out the door.

"Everything alright?"

I turn around to find Leevy standing behind me wearing a sympathetic smile and holding a tray of empty coffee mugs.

I can't even manage a convincing nod in return.

2 hours later I am internally cursing James Heavensbee for putting me in this position.

We are in Katniss's sitting room, the faint sound of Prim and Rory's music drifting down the stairs from Prim's room is all the interrupts the tortured silence.

Thom's expression is solemn, he leans forward in the old, comfy armchair and frowns at me as he takes in everything I just said.

Darius radiates pure fury. His normally soft, bright eyes are illuminated by a fog of rage and disgust but the few times that his eyes flicker towards Katniss, they become gentle and worrisome.

Katniss sits cross legged on the couch beside Darius. Her face is unreadable but her eyes portray her anger, hurt and fear.

The emotions I know Katniss hates to feel more than anything.

"What…." Katniss's voice is soft and uncertain "what are you saying? They want to sign you guys but they don't think I'm…acceptable?"

"He eh…said that…together we all aren't…their idea of a perfect image for the media at the moment. Or something like that. James said the company loved your voice and would probably try and pursue a solo career with you."

Katniss nods but her eyes are far away.

"Bullshit."

Katniss and I break eye contact to turn to Thom who is glaring at the opposite wall

"Sorry?" Darius says, shock evident in his tone

"You heard me. It's bullshit. That's bullshit. Everything James said was bullshit. We'll find someone else, another company, and another foreseeable contract. We'll figure it out." Thom says simply

"But-" Katniss interrupts

"But nothing. Absolutely nothing" Darius interjects "We aren't changing, we aren't agreeing to anything. I'll talk to him, we'll talk to him and if James and his bosses don't accept it well then who cares?"

"It's not about-"

"Katniss" I say sternly "There is no choice to make."

Katniss looks at each of us for a moment before nodding, "Okay…"

"Good." Darius grins "Because the Rebels without Katniss is like…I don't know it's just unimaginable"

Katniss lets out a small laugh but her smile is genuine and grateful.

Together we talk and several hours later Katniss takes out her guitar and sings an acoustic version of 'If I Were a Boy' by Beyoncé which would have made us all laugh at the irony if she hadn't sang it so beautifully.

Maybe Thom and Darius were right all along. Perhaps this recording contract wasn't our big break. Maybe we didn't even need one.

Perhaps sitting here in Katniss's sitting room singing softly to the songs we all loved is all we need.

The rest will fall into place in due time.

I'm sure of it.

Saturday

Katniss POV

I wince as I trip over something large and rock-shaped for the third time and I begin to rethink my trust in Peeta Mellark.

"Peeta?" I grumble "If you're going to blindfold me then can you at least do a good job of leading me to wherever we are going?"

"Sorry! I'm really sorry!" Peeta says and I scowl at the laugh he fails to hold back

"You should be"

Peeta had turned up ten minutes before my shift ended this afternoon, a scarf in hand and a cheeky eyebrow raised.

"Trust me?" He had asked cautiously when I frowned uncertainly.

I swallowed before nodding and hurriedly went back to cleaning tables.

That's how I ended up on a very long walk, incapable of seeing anything, only feeling Peeta's soft hand in mine and the occasional rock or hard surface he bangs me into.

Whether his actions are accidental or not, they will almost certainly leave bruises.

"We're almost there Kat"

Against my better judgement I smile and let him take me to this secret destination.

"Okay we are here, no don't take it off yet, I've to sort something- Katniss stop trying to take a peak just wait a minute-"

My laugh is loud but it doesn't overshadow the clutter of noise that Peeta makes, honestly that boy could never be quiet about anything.

Suddenly I am blasted by a flash of light as Peeta rips the scarf away from my eyes.

As my eyes begin to focus I see Peeta's bright grin as he holds his woolly, navy scarf in one hand.

"Ta dah!" He sings and gestures to his side

My heart thuds as I realise where we are.

The meadow.

We are at the side of the large, beautiful green haven, just beside a large, magical tree which casts a giant shadow over the blanket and basket Peeta has apparently placed under it.

I swallow down the tightness in my throat as the memories come to me in waves.

This is wear my father used to take my mother, Prim and I after our weekly family walks through the forest when I was growing up. We would walk for a few hours and then arrive here somewhere between lunch and dinner and have a picnic.

Nothing lavish, we brought a tattered blanket my father's mother had once knitted, whatever food we could spare and a treat every month or so if we were lucky.

Prim and I used to dance in the flowers in the springtime while my father and mother watched, leaning against an old tree trunk, my father's fingers entwined with mother's, as if nothing else mattered.

Because back then, nothing else did matter.

Peeta takes my silence and shocked expression the wrong way and he rubs the back of his neck.

"I…well you told me what happened yesterday and I know despite how you brushed it off that you were upset about it. Because who wouldn't be? But I know how you don't like to talk about things so I thought I could take you here and we could have a nice picnic. It's not much, few sandwiches, some treats I swiped from the bakery which are a tad stale but they should be ok-"

His rambling is cut off when I press forward and tug him down to kiss me. He makes a noise of surprise before closing his eyes and eagerly returning the favour.

We lose ourselves in kissing each other for several moments before I finally pull away, Peeta leans his forehead against mine and our panted breathes mix together and I wonder to myself how I got to be so lucky.

Three hours later, Peeta walks me home, we stroll hand in hand, our stomach's full and our lips tainted red. Peeta's hair is tussled from my fingers running through it while mine is tied together by daisies as flower crowns are another unexpected secret talent that Peeta Mellark possess.

At my front door, Peeta envelops me in his arms and I can't remember a time in my life where I felt this safe.

I feel his lips against my ear and I shiver when he whispers,

"You're so strong"

I look down, "Not really…"

Peeta gentle coaxes my chin upwards so our eyes meet again

"Really. That guy and his bosses are all idiots. You're an amazing singer and they're all fools not to see that."

I raise an eyebrow, "When have you heard me sing properly?"

Peeta's cheeks flame red and shakes his head, "It was a long time ago, we were just kids. I just remember…you sounded good…really good."

"You sure it wasn't someone else?"

Peeta smirks, "Definitely not, this little five year old had her hair in a braid and she was ridiculously stubborn. She was adamant that the teacher pick on her and not anybody else from what I recall."

I blush deeply as that sounds an awful lot like my younger self

"Though" Peeta continues "The girl was wearing a pretty red dress and I don't ever remember you wearing one since so perhaps it wasn't you."

I only wore dresses as a child when my mother forced me into them and only for special occasions. Such as the one wedding I went to of my father's best friend, the day after Prim's birth, one or two of my birthdays and my first day of school.

"Maybe it wasn't me then."

"Nah, it has to be. I knew right then and there that she was prettier than any princess I had seen on T.V. and she sounded better than any of the singers my mother listened to in the car. Though looking back she has awful taste in music but I didn't know that then…"

I shake my head and laugh.

All of this seems too good to be true, too fast and too perfect. Peeta's words hint at the possibility that he knew who I was before we were paired up for that project, they imply that there he is more to the story of us that he hasn't told me yet.

I don't pry, he will tell me when he's ready and if he doesn't that's okay too.

I kiss him gently, pry my reluctant fingers from his grip and whisper my goodbyes as I enter the house and close the door behind me.

Two Weeks Later

When I imagined sitting in front of James Heavensbee again, I expected to be nervous, fidgeting and on edge. If not anxious then I would certainly be angry, lose my temper, snap at him because how dare he tell Gale he should kick me out of the band I put so much work into over the past few years?

Instead two weeks after James meets with Gale, all of the Rebels sit across from him, united as one and instead of fear or anger all I feel is cold.

It doesn't escape my notice that James can't maintain eye contact with me or that his hands are wringing so much, I suspect he is sweating.

It's obvious that he didn't expect me to show up.

Gale got in contact with him a few days ago and asked for a meeting. James had only been too eager to accept but as he sits on the receiving end of Darius and Thom's death stares and Gale's deadly calm expression, his enthusiasm seems to fade away.

"It's good to see you all again." James says half heartedly

Darius snorts and Thom elbows him under the table but the former does not look the least bit apologetic.

I hide a smile, however annoying they are, my friends really are the best.

Instead I force myself to be the bigger person,

"You too, Mr. Heavensbee." I say in my sweet voice

James finally meets my eyes and I refuse to offer him any forgiveness just yet.

"Ms. Everdeen I-"

"We don't accept your offer." Gale interrupts firmly

James promptly shuts his mouth and stares dumbly at Gale. He opens his mouth a moment later as if to protest but then he catches my gaze again and rethinks his response.

"As I told you Gale…the producers love you…all of you. They just feel that Katniss would have a better-"

"No they don't" Thom says plainly and everyone turns to look at him "We aren't stupid, we've seen the papers and magazines and the online articles. Your biggest and most popular boyband has split up because of that guy you told us had quit. Now you want to replace them with us. Katniss would just complicate the pretty-boy, goody two shoe image your last trophy band had so you want to buy her off with a separate deal. Whichever is the biggest hit with the public will be successful and you'll forget about the other soon enough."

James eyes flare but he attempts to keep his temper under control to match Thom's cool tone,

"It isn't like that at all Thomas."

"Yes it is" Darius says, an edge to his voice.

Everybody knows how much Thom despises being called by his full name and Darius is very protective and defensive about anything when it comes to Thom.

"Look. There are plenty of other bands out there!" James' voice rises and his eyes narrow "You should be grateful you are being given this opportunity in the first place!"

The table turns silent, the hustle and bustle surrounding us seems distant as we watch James' face fall as he realise his outburst a little too late.

"We won't change for you" Gale shrugs "Or for anyone. We would be thrilled to work with you, as one band, one group. We aren't leaving anyone behind for the sake of an image. If that makes us less popular than so be it, we don't care. All we care about is each other and that comes before any success we may have if we were to part ways."

Gale sends a smile my way and I return it

He faces James again, "There was never a choice to make. Katniss was the cause for the Rebels, she founded us. The rebels without Katniss is like…a mockingbird without a song. I'm sorry for your wasted time and I'm sorry if our decision stops us from working together now or in the future. Thank you for the offer but unless Katniss is with us every step of the way then we politely decline."

James and Gale stare at one another for approximately five minutes before the older man stands and awkwardly pushes his chair in after him.

"I…I will talk to the produces and those in charge. I might be in contact with you, I might not." His eyes flit to each of us and they stay a second longer on me.

"I never meant to cause offense. I'm just the messenger. If we don't meet again…I hope you are successful in whatever path you go down together"

Without another word, the man who holds our hopes and dreams in his hands walks out the door, most likely never to be seen again.

And that's it for another chapter! Thanks for reading! Please follow, favourite and review yada yada yada!

What happened with James had been my plan from the beginning by the way ;)

Love you all! See you next time!

- xTeam Mockingjayx