Chapter 3: Life Ruiners

Disclaimer: Hunger Games is not mine.

Gale:

Run. Run. Run. The word bounced around Gale's head as he tried to avoid being tackled by Thresh. Slam! Not happening.

"Focus, Hawthorne!" Coach Brutus's angry voice reached his ears. "Get up! Everyone, gather around!"

"Hey man, you okay?" Thresh asked him. The giant was their best line backer, his tackles were torture.

"I'm good. C'mon, Coach is gonna announce who the qb is."

"I'm telling you, Gale, it's you! No one works as hard." Thresh encouraged.

Hard work doesn't pay for Coach's new car. Gale still hoped it would be enough. If he was named quarterback, he would be ready to win Panem Academy the Quarter Quell Cup. It happened every 25 years and this was his year. It would get him the football scholarship to UCLA for sure!

"You all know that Gloss graduated last year and we're left without a quarterback." Gale hears Marvel and Cato talking, paying no attention.

Coach continued, "I though about this long and hard. We need a leader, to win us the Quarter Quell Cup! Hadley, don't disappoint. Practice tomorrow morning at 7! No excuses!"

Cato Hadley gets the quarterback spot. That spoiled womanizing jerk doesn't even deserve it.

"Man, cool off." Thresh advises, sensing Gale's temper. Cato and Marvel strut toward them, ready to rub it in.

"Hawthorne. Too bad you weren't named quarterback. You really could have had a shot at that scholarship." Cato was also looking for a scholarship to UCLA. Only two would be awarded for their class. Thresh already had his in the bag, with his size and ferocity. Gale had to compete with Cato.

"How much did daddy pay?" Gale accused. "You can't buy talent, Hadley!"

Cato didn't look angry. He actually looked satisfied by Gale's reaction. "Do you have a problem Hawthorne? Do you want to go ask Coach why he didn't pick you? You're not good enough. Seam scum is never good enough." Gale lunges but Thresh holds him back.

"Don't take the bait." Thresh said. Fighting would not look good on applications and would not get him the scholarship. Cato laughed and walked away, realizing that Thresh wasn't going to let Gale do anything.

"Bastard. Money can't buy him everything. Can't hide behind money forever." Gale believed that struggles gave one character and strength. Cato Hadley was as shallow as they come. Someone like him would amount to nothing. He'd show Coach he made the wrong choice. Gale was more than ready to be a leader.

Peeta:

"Why do I care who you're dating, Mellark?" Haymitch Abernathy was not amused. "Take your girl drama to your mother!" His mother was the last person he'd talk to. She was part of the reason why he was here, looking for advice.

FLASHBACK:

Peeta had been busy in the bakery and he was almost done for the day. It was raining hard and Peeta was not looking forward to the walk home. The bell over the door jingled and in walked in a costumer.

"Hey, sorry we're closed. There's a sign on the door." The figure walked toward the counter taking down their hood. Glimmer Sinclair. She frequented the bakery, but why was she here so late?

"Glimmer? Do you need help?" he asked, oncern in his voice. Peeta cared about everyone, no matter how cruel they could be.

"I need someone to talk to." She said. "Peeta, do you have a moment?" Glimmer wasn't here to threaten him, that much was clear. She looked scared and tired; her eyes were a bit swollen, likely from crying.

"Yeah, okay. Let's sit." He led her over to one of the tables and the two of them made themselves comfortable. The rain had soaked her clothes, so she was probably freezing.

"Do you want some tea? Hot chocolate? You should warm up." Peeta said, trying to make her more comfortable.

"No,it's fine." She stared at her hands, which she had placed upon the table. She took a deep breath and spoke. "Peeta, my dad is having an affair. With your mother." What?

"I'm sorry what? My mother-"

"Is sleeping with my dad, you heard me. I heard his phone the other day and I picked it up. I didn't mean to read anything, I was just going to take out to his study, but I-I was-" She was going to cry but Peeta didn't trust himself to form a coherent sentence.

"It was from your mom, Kate Mellark? Her picture came up, I recognized her from the bakery. I thought it was nothing, maybe they were friends, I don't know; but there were more texts. From her. From my dad to her." She was sobbing. His mother? Cheating on his dad. The man who only wanted the best for all of them. How did she even meet Glimmer's father? He's a rich actor! Glimmer wouldn't make something like this up. It was serious. Why else would she show up at 10 pm looking like she ran a marathon in her designer heels?

"I though you had to know. We go to school together and I know you and-" her tears wouldn't let her finish. Peeta had to think. Who else would Glimmer tell?

As if reading his thoughts, the blonde spoke. "I haven't told anyone. I found out last week and it took me this long to work up the courage to tell you. My mom has no idea. She believes every word my dad says. I can't say anything, no one can know. I''m angry Peeta. I'm angry at my dad, but I love him. He's my dad and I can't ruin his career!" Glimmer cried.

Could Peeta break his father's heart? Could he destroy his marriage?

He was finally able to swallow the lump in his throat. "Glimmer. Calm down. I...maybe-" Maybe what? Maybe it was a misunderstanding. Maybe they're just meeting at random hotels to talk? They both needed to process this. "Glimmer. Go home. Sleep. It isn't your fault. We can talk about this, okay? I'm glad you told me." Am I? This was a burden to carry.

"You really want to talk about it?" She said weakly. No. He wanted to forget he ever heard her.

"I do. We can talk about how to deal with this. Find a solution." He didn't really think there was a solution.

Glimmer gave him a tired smile. "You really are the nicest guy in school. Thank you. I mean it. I'll see you.." She let him pick the time for their meeting.

"Tomorrow. Around noon. We can meet at the park near my neighborhood, Merchant's Circle."

"Got it." She wiped away some tears, they seemed to have halted. "Thank you. So much." She gave him a tight hug and left the bakery. And that's how it began.

END FLASHBACK

He and Glimmer talked and they relied on each other. She was a kind girl, if you got to know her. She didn't know how to show it, but she showed Peeta. He liked her. Not the same way he liked Katniss, but still. It was enough and it was stupid to waste time on the impossible.

"Haymitch. I need you to keep a secret." Haymitch would listen. He always did.

"Boy, I keep telling you and all of your crazy classmates, I am a guidance counselor!" He waved his arms around.

"Mr. Abernathy, please." Haymitch glared at him but nodded for him to continue.

"I know something that could hurt many people. But keeping it a secret is hurting me."

"What something, boy? You ask for my help and you give me riddles!"

"My mother is having an affair."

"Tough. Confront her." Haymitch was blunt about it.

"With Glimmer's father. She told me and that's how we became close. She doesn't know who else to go to but we can't just keep this a secret."

Haymitch thought for a moment. "Glimmer Sinclair? Your girlfriend's dad, the actor? And your mother?"

Peeta nods once to confirm.

"You did good in not bottling it up. You have to let these emotions out. But you're doing it wrong." Peeta was confused. "Glimmer understands you. She's there for you and you're there for her, but that's not love. Not romantic love. You two bond over something terrible and you hurt only yourselves. You are lying to yourselves."

"This isn't about me and Glimmer! We're perfectly happy!" Being in a relationship means we're happy right?

Haymitch shakes his head. "This thing that's bringing you together will tear you apart. And it'll be messy because eventually someone has to take the blame. Fix it."

How? I can't hurt everyone I care for.

"What do I do?" he asked, desperate for an answer.

"You and Glimmer should talk to your parents. This is a problem you both have to deal with, but you can't do it alone. Life isn't easy, Mellark. You have too see the ugly side to appreciate the beauty." Peeta knew Haymitch spoke from experience. It was common knowledge that his wife, Maysilee, had been murdered. He was an alcoholic up until he met Effie Trinkett, an english teacher here at Panem. She helped him turn things around and here he was, helping him.

"I can't. It'll ruin their lives." He had his head in his hands.

"Fine. Let this ruin yours. Go to class." The words were harsh, but that's how Haymitch gave advice.

Peeta left without another word.

AN: I like this chapter. It explains why Glimmer and Peeta are dating. I didn't want Glimmer to be flat out evil, she has her reasons . Everyone has problems and they happen to share one. I did some research on how cheating affects kids and I found that sometimes, they have trust issues, along with trouble seeing their own value. They can actually feel ashamed and don't think they're good for anyone else. Glimmer and Peeta see themselves as equal in this situation and it make sense to be together. Boring explanation, but I wanted to let you all know. About Gale, I like him and he has a strong personality in the books and I want that to be shown here. Probably not doing so great with that, but I have time to get better. Don't think he'll give up on Katniss! Anyway, thank you for reading and please review! Feedback will help the story!