A Sky Full of Stars (An Everlark Fanfiction) {On Hold}

Chapter 10: A Little Picnic

"As for your newest project, you will be constructing a playhouse for a child. You will need to show me all of your steps. Design, layout, building, and final project. And you will be working with partners on this project. You will be very harshly graded, so please choose wisely." Our Architectural Professor states in front of the class. Everyone lets out a quiet moan. Our Professor gives us all a glare, then walks back up front and resumes lecturing.

After class gets out, I hurry toward the exit, hoping to miss traffic as work gets out for many people around this time. Just when I am about out the door, a hand on my shoulder stops me. I turn around, and see a pair of grey eyes staring at me. "Hey, Katniss." Gale stutters, shuffling his books in his hand. I look at him, trying to keep my patience, as I can already imagine traffic building up on main street. "Because you are the only one in this class that I somewhat know, thanks to Madge, I was hoping you would want to be partners on our project?" He asks, running his hand through his hair. I hadn't particularly thought of who I was going to work with, maybe one of the really smart students in our class, but I suppose Gale can do.

"Sure." I reply, trying to force a smile on my face.

"Great. Can I have your number so we can text a good time to work on the project?" I give him a little eyebrow, wondering why he needs my number when we can just discuss our project in class, but I don't question it. I reach into my purse and slowly hand him a card with my name and number on it. He gives me a quick smile and hurry's off to who knows where.

As I arrive back at my apartment, Annie and Madge sit on the couch doing each others nails. "Care to join us?" Madge yells from her spot on the couch, almost tipping over a bottle of nail polish. "No thank you. I have a lot of homework to do." I lie. I have never really been into doing girl stuff like that, and don't want to be trapped in an awkward situation when Annie asks me what shade of red I think her nails are.

As I retreat to the bedroom and close the door my cell immediately begins to ring. I pull it out, and see I have a call from an 'Unknown' number.

"Hello?" I ask questioningly, picking up the call. "Hello Ms. Everdeen. This is Gale Hawthorne." He says on the other line, trying to sound as sophisticated as possible. I let out a small smile. He clears his throat then returns his voice to normal. "Hey. I was calling to see if you'd be able to meet tomorrow afternoon to discuss our project? I want to get a good head start on it."

I clear my throat. "Sure, that works for me. Where do you want to meet up?"

"How about the park in town. Nice and quiet so we can think. I'll bring lunch."

"Oh that's awfully kind of you. Sure, I accept."

"Golden! So I'll see you there at 3?"

"Sure. Bye." Then I hang up. I sigh, thinking how its a bit odd we are meeting so soon. Like he said, he wants to get the project under our belts I suppose. But I can't seem to brush the feeling that Gale is getting a little to comfortable a little to quickly. I suppose he is just outgoing, that's all.

I slap myself down on my bed, and am about to resume my studies, when again my phone starts going off.

Prim

I smile to myself, and hold out the phone up to my ear. "Hi little duck." I whisper into the phone. "Hi Katniss!!" She yells back, trying in vain to blow out my ear drum or something. I whip the phone away from my ear, and my scream confirms to Prim that she scared me. She bursts out laughing.

"How are you Prim?" I say, when I have finally gained my composure.

"Great. School is fine, life is good. I'm just missing you, so I wanted to check up on how things are."

"Things are pretty good." I say.

"Anything interesting happen? Any cute boys? When are you coming home!" She says, and I can practically see her wiggling her eyebrows.

"Yes, Prim. Plenty of cute boys to occupy me here. In fact, life is much more interesting here than in Arizona. I think I'll just stay forever."

She goes silent, and I realize I hit a soft spot. "I'm just kidding. You know I wouldn't do that. I love you Primmy. And I already told you, I'll see you at Christmas. Its only a few months away. Guess what's even more impressive, it ACTUALLY gets cold here."

"That's nice." She replies casually, forgetting the whole incident from a few moments ago. "I just wanted to check up on you. Mom and dad miss you, and tell you you should call soon. But I've got to go. Bye."

"I know. Okay Bye Prim, I love you."

~~~

I pull out my phone, check the time, and put it away again. For the 8th time. I sit taping my fingers on the wood bench, with my head in my hands, and my elbow propped up. I bite my lip and sigh. Gale's late, and I have been waiting here for at least 15 minutes. I'm just about ready to give up, and begin gathering my pens and paper into my purse, when I hear a "Hey!" from across the park. I look up and sure enough here comes Gale striding down across the grass.

He takes a seat next to me and I sit back down. "Sorry I am late." He begins. I take detailed mental note of his un-preciseness, but put a smile on. "I left my apartment late, then had to pick up lunch."

He sets down a bag of Deli Sandwiches on the table, then brings out plates and knives. "It's totally cool. You redeemed yourself with food." I say, winking. A smile crosses his face, and he serves up a sandwich to me. I take out my pen and paper and clear my throat. I begin by drawing a poor sketch of what I am planning for our project. "So, I was thinking, we could have a second story playhouse, with a ladder and rope leading up to the top. Then we could have two slides..."

I look over and see Gale isn't even paying attention to my notes, or the sketch I am making. He stares deeply at my eyes, and I quickly look down, blushing. What in the world is he doing? I clear my throat. "Earth to Gale."

He shakes his head out of a daze. "Sorry. I was just admiring your beautiful eyes."

My blush turns a deeper shade of red almost immediately, so I focus back towards our assignment. "As I was saying, I think we should make it accessible for both younger and older children. He nods at my ideas, and grabs the pen from my hand, tracing over my drawing and fixing things he see appropriate.

"Does that look good?" He asks after a few minutes of rearranging. I nod vigorously. "Perfect. Then lets get back to having lunch." He says and picks up his sandwich. Whatever happen just a few minutes has become obsolete, and Gale acts as if nothing happen. We continue like this as the sun sweeps across the sky and allows the trees to cast shadows upon us. We talk about the project for a little, but get off topic often.

I tell him about myself, where I am from, family, etc. and he tells me about him. He has always lived back east, but has three younger siblings. We chat for a bit longer, but then I realize how late it has become, and get up to excuse myself. "Can we meet again to start gathering supplies?" Gale asks me as I prepare to depart.

"Sure." I reply nonchalantly, and stride back to my car.

Authors Note:

As always, sorry for not updating. I haven't forgotten I promise. I am actually working on TWO more stories that will most likely make their appearance in a few months.

What do you guys think? Opinions on Gale?

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May the odds be ever in your fabulous favor.

~talishapeople