Chapter 23: The Spirit of Competition Part I

Disclaimer: I don't own THG.

Katniss:

It was truly a lovely day outside and the track meet had already begun. A lot of events had passed and so far, Panem Academy was in the lead. Not by much, Capitol Prep was close, but Katniss would never allow it. Her final event, the 200m hurdle, would begin soon and Katniss was determined to put Panem on top. She had to, Coach had not been pleased with her injured ankle, but Kantiss would prove herself a more than talented athlete.

Competition tended to bring out the worst in people, but today she was finding that to be untrue. There was Johanna, who had brought Gale with her. He was being the most supportive, cheering loudly when Johanna participated in her event. Johanna had claimed to be embarrassed by her boyfriend, but Katniss could see the underlying joy on her face. Primrose and Rue were both cheering for all of the girls on the team. Thresh had given them a ride and he helped make the poster the girls waved in the air. Even the Capitol Prep competitors were being kind. No one made too, many rude comments and there had been no fights. But then, there was Clove.

"If we lose, I blame Cartwright. Seriously, she can't even run a mile!"

"She hasn't done her event yet, Clove. And its not her fault Cato asked her to prom." Katniss said. Besides, the only reason he had to ask Delly was Clove. How else would Cato be able to justify being at the track competition?

"What? This is not about prom and I don't care what he does. Delly can't run track." Clove said adamantly.

Delly chose that moment to walk past the duo.

"Way to go, Cartwright! Could you have run any slower?" Clove jeered.

Delly looked utterly bewildered. "Um...my event hasn't started yet." There was no malice in her voice, she did not understand that Clove was simply being mean.

"She's joking! It's just the heat, it's really messing with her head." Katniss dragged Clove over to the shade. "You have to fix this, Clove. You're done for the day, so find Cato and fix this. Delly is going to get caught in the middle and it's not fair."

Kantiss marched away.

"Attention, the 200m hurdle will being in 5 minutes. All participants, please get in position!"

She quickly did as she was told, taking her spot and beginning her stretches. The other girls joined her. There wasn't much real competition for her in this event. The only worry came from the Capitol Prep girls, but last she heard, their best runner had a sprained ankle. Such a pity.

The bell sounded and Katniss took off. She had to focus, making sure to jump at the right moment, or else she'd be taking an embarrassing fall. In the background, she could hear people cheering. It seemed like only seconds had gone by and before long, the event was over. Katniss placed first and the blue ribbon was in her hands.

"Yes! First! Congrats, Katniss!" Johanna grinned widely.

"Yeah, way to go!" Gale said.

Prim and Rue had left the stands and were currently celebrating her victory.

"You guys are winning for sure!" Prim announced.

Katniss agreed. It was all up to Delly and she would surely do well, no matter what Clove thought.

"Katniss." She turned to face Peeta Mellark. "You were awesome out there."

"Thank you."

Gale wasn't pleased with Peeta's appearance. "What are you doing here, Mellark?"

Peeta remained calm. "I came to watch the competition."

"No reason to bother Katniss." Gale shot back.

"Gale, calm down." Johanna said.

"I'm not bothering anyone. And she can talk to me if she wants to." Peeta said.

Gale was clenching his fists.

"Let's go, Gale. Kantiss can speak for herself." Johanna's voice sounded irritated.

"Go with her, Gale. I'll be fine." Katniss assured him. Gale hesitated, but eventually followed Johanna.

"Katniss, I'm not here trying to stalk you. I just came for Delly."

She smiled. "I know, I don't think you're stalking me, don't worry. It's nice that you're here for her, you're a great friend."

Peeta was puzzled. "I sort of thought you weren't speaking to me..."

Katniss sighed. She waited for a chance to talk to Peeta and now she had it.

Johanna:

She understood that Gale wanted to look out for Katniss, they were best friends. But why did he have to look like he was ready to fight over her? Did Gale still have feelings for Katniss?

"What 's your deal, Gale? Can't you let Kat handle her own problems?"

Gale ran a hand through his hair. "I was just trying to keep Mellark away from her."

"But she didn't ask you to! And even if she had, there was no need to try and make a scene." Johanna said.

"I wasn't making a scene-"

"Yes, you were. I saw you, you were furious. If Katniss hadn't asked you to calm down and leave, you would have hit him."

Gale narrowed his eyes at her.

"Jo, is this about...Katniss?"

Johanna turned away. "Why do you have to be so protective over her?"

Gale sighed. "I'm not. I...she's my best friend."

"I know. But there was a time when you saw her as more than a friend. And maybe-"

"Johanna-"

"Let me finish." She said. "Maybe you still see her as more. We've only been dating for a little while. I think we may have moved too, fast. You needed more time."

When someone first meets Johanna, she comes across as the epitome of confidence. Loud and energetic, she drew attention. Not the way other girls did, with their long tresses and sweet smiles.

Johanna was pixie cuts and wicked smirks; she was short shorts and her favorite pair of sneakers. And Gale, he was that guy the girls wanted, the handsome athlete. Sometimes, Jo's confidence deserted her. What if she wasn't meant for Gale? She was sure, personality wise, they were a match. But it could be a friends only match. Like that platonic crap she heard people talk about.

"I didn't need more time, I needed reality. And you brought that to me, Jo. I don't think it was too soon, so stop being ridiculous."

Johanna scowled. "What was that thing with Peeta, then?"

"It was me looking out for my best friend. That's all Katniss is. She's been around me for a long time, she's family. I don't let my family get hurt."

"She's you best friend. Your family. That leaves me where?" Johanna asked.

"You're my Jo. My other half. The girl that doesn't hesitate to tell me when I'm wrong and the one that says I'm wrong, even when I'm right." Gale said. "I don't like Katniss that way. I've got you."

Johanna wrinkled her nose, feeling uncomfortable. "Don't get cheesy on me, Gale."

He laughed and wrapped his arms around her waist. "You bring that out in me, Jo. Your fault. Don't be mad at me."

"I'm not. You know, sometimes I wonder if this is going to last. What do we do when we graduate?"

"I get the scholarship to UCLA and you get into USC. We both stay here in California." Gale replied confidently.

"You sure you'll still want me then?" She asked with a smrk. "You won't find some cheerleader to love?"

Gale feigned disgust. "That's terrible. Trade you for a cheerleader? I'd have to be crazy."

Johanna laughed. "Damn right. And if you do, I'll find you. Vengeance will be mine, Hawthorne. So don't ever try and leave me."

Johanna believed she and Gale could go somewhere with their relationship. He made her feel ready to take on anything. And he liked her the way she was, he never said otherwise. There was a part of Gale that would want to protect Katniss. It was understandable after such a long friendship. But that's what Katniss and Gale would be, friends. Johanna was content knowing that to be the truth.

MUAHAHAHAHA! Everlark cliffhanger! I'm sorry, guys, I had to. And Johale. Yes, Jo can have confidence issues, she's human. I apologize for my very limited track knowledge. It's more than limited, it's nonexistent, but I tried. Reviews are welcome and thanks for reading! :)