Chapter 15: Seek Help

Disclaimer: I don't own THG.

Katniss:

Christmas break was fast approaching and their counselor, Haymitch, was calling everyone into his office to check on their grades. Katniss, obviously, had no problems there.

"Okay...Katniss Everdeen..." Haymitch typed her name into his computer and pulled up her file.

"Well, nothing. You've gotten all your applications done, so expect some acceptance letters in the mail soon. You're done."

"Thanks. Haymitch" Katniss said. "I, um, I have a question for you."

He rolled his eyes. "If this is a personal issue, ask your mother."

"You know I can't. She won't get it. If my dad was around I'd ask him, but he's not. You knew him, you were friends. I'm asking you because I trust your judgment." She said sweetly.

Haymitch Abernathy and her father had been friends since their high school years. They had both attended Panem Academy and they went on to graduate from UCLA, like most Panem students did. She and Prim had grown up knowing Haymitch as their uncle, even though they weren't related. That didn't mean Katniss got special attention at school, but she did come to see him when she needed advice. He never failed her.

"What's the question then? Make it quick, I have more students to see after you." Haymitch said.

"Well, let's say there's this guy I like and-"

"Oh, no. I'm not giving you boy advice. You know what your dad would say? He'd say no dating until you're thirty, so that's what I'm saying now."

Katniss gave him a look. "As I was saying, there's this guy and I really like him. We talked and, uh, he kind of said he liked me back."

"Who's this guy? Do I know him?" Haymitch demanded.

"Not telling. There's a small problem, though. He has a girlfriend. He said he was going to break up with her. I know that it's stupid to believe him, but I do. I trust him, but I need to know what you think. I'd like some advice from someone who's not a teenage girl." Katniss explained.

Haymitch groaned, uncomfortable with the question. "I don't know this guy, but I know about high school guys. They don't want anything long term with any girl. Trust me, I certainly didn't."

"Some of them do!" Peeta was honest, he wouldn't lie to her.

"Most don't." Haymitch said seriously. "I say you should be careful around this guy, Katniss. Don't let your guard down, you might get hurt."

Katniss sighed. "I will. I always expect the worst, so then I won't be so disappointed."

"That's a terrible way to live, Katniss. Just keep your eyes open and don't be too trusting."

"Thanks, Haymitch." She stood from her chair and gave him a hug.

"Hey, no hugging in school, your still just a student." He said while hugging back.

Katniss laughed. "Right. Got it."

"Since your on your way to Math, send Mason in will you?" He handed her a note, so the teacher would let Johanna out of class.

Katniss cringed internally. Johanna wasn't one to be too serious about school. She hoped her friend wasn't failing anything.

"Will do."

Katniss made her way to math class an thought about what Haymitch had said. Not to trust Peeta. It had been a couple of weeks since she told him she liked him and since then nothing had happened. They saw each other at the bakery and they talked, but he never mentioned Glimmer. Katniss wasn't going to bring it up, it was his problem. He promised he'd do it. Katniss hated to think that he was lying, but in case he was, she was ready.

Peeta's not the only guy in the world. I'll go on without him if I have to.

But for now, she would hope he wouldn't let her down.

Johanna:

She wished she could disappear and not have to watch as Gale did everything in his power to ignore Katniss. He failed miserably, sneaking glances whenever he could. And Katniss, she was determined to get him to speak to her, even if it meant making herself look like a desperate idiot.

"Did everyone go in and talk to Haymitch today? Was that a thing or was that just me?" Finnick asked.

"It was everyone, Finn. You're not in trouble." Annie responded.

"Well, how's everyone doing?" Katniss asked, eyes flickering over to Gale. The girl was almost begging him to answer.

"Jo?" Clove teased. "How many classes are you failing this time?"

"Straight B's and C's! Abernathy said I have three overdue library books. No way he's getting those back." Johanna had no idea what happened to the books. She couldn't even remember checking them out of the library. Had she ever gone to the school library...?

Her friends, minus Gale, laughed at her response. Their laughter a bit forced since they were all terribly aware of the Gale/Katniss situation. They weren't going to pick sides, so they all still sat together. The tension was suffocating them.

"Gale? Are you not going to eat anything?" Annie asked, concerned.

"I'm not hungry, Annie. I had a big breakfast." He told them.

"Are you sure?" Katniss said.

Gale shook his head, not speaking to her. Katniss looked upset by his refusal to speak and she said nothing more for the rest of lunch.

"I heard it's getting worse. Talk, Mason." Finch and Johanna were in the same AP Psych class, the latter's only AP class.

"It's impossible to make him talk. Katniss won't give up and Gale is too stubborn to say anything to her." Johanna told her red headed friend.

"Before I share any wisdom, I have to say one thing: I never thought Gale would actually ask Katniss on a date. It was weird. Anything you'd like to share?" Finch asked suspiciously. She was observant, like any good reporter in training, so she knew someone put him up to it.

"Fine! I planned it. I told Finnick to talk to him and it worked. I thought he'd realize that Katniss wasn't right for him, but it back fired. It blew up and now I can't fix it." Johanna whispered. Dr. Aurelius, the Psych teacher, was going around checking on their work.

"Good to know." Finch said. "Gale was never going to see it first, and if he did, he'd blind himself with hope. Katniss is not an actress, it was only a matter of time before she gave up and broke up with him. You didn't factor that in, did you?"

"Thanks for pointing that out, Finch." Johanna spat. Sje jad been convinced that Kantiss would never hurt Gale. Wrong.

"Woah! Don't take it out on me!" Finch laughed. "Jo, it will get better. You don't see your opportunity. Talk to Gale. He needs a friend and Katniss is off the list. That means you have to step in. Show him your there for him, then it's done!" Finch wore a satisfied smile.

Johanna considered Finch's advice. She could talk to him, but when would that be? Gale wasn't having real conversations with anyone.

"I'll tell you something else, Jo. There are plenty of girls that are after Gale. They'll take advantage of the fact that he's hurting. What girl doesn't think she can heal a handsome heartbroken guy? Do you want that?" Finch asked.

"I'll do it. You're right, if anyone is going to pull him back into reality, it's me." Johanna said. She'd give him a chance to redeem himself, but if that failed, she'd work her magic.

"Ms. Mason, Ms. Blackburn; I see you're both talking and I assume you've completed the assignment. " Dr. Aurelius called. "Go on, give us the answer to the first question."

Finch answered the question with no hesitation. Right answer, as always.

Some Finch (Foxface) in this chapter and we get to see how smart she is. She is a master of logic (in my opinion) and she's helping Johanna plan her next move. What do you all think? Reviews would be lovely! :)