Charming Nerd (Everlark)

Chapter 12 Old Friend

Katniss POV

I open the door to my dorm after a nice day with Peeta. I've been smiling like a dork ever since we split to go back to our dorms. Annie and Clove are sitting there, talking when I walk in.

"Hey, where were you?" Annie asks. I shrug and sit down, nothing in my mind but Peeta Mellark. "Katniss!"

"What?" I ask annoyed.

"Whats up with you? Why are you so quiet?" Clove asks.

"Nothing. I'm just fine." I say. They give me a look. "What? What you think is up?"

"I don't know. Maybe you did something." Annie says. I scoff.

"I never do anything. You both know that." I say. They nod. "I was hanging out with somebody."

"Who?" Clove asks. I groan and stand up.

"Do I have to tell you two everything?" I ask annoyed. "I can hang out with who I want to, when I want to, where I want too!"

"She was with Peeta." Annie says. My jaw drops.

"Wh..I...uh...you...." I can't get any words out.

"You would never freak out like that unless it was about Peeta." she says. "Your easy Katniss."

"No I'm not!" I say making them smile.

"Yes you are now tell us why you were with him." Clove says. I groan and sit down.

"He figured everything out. He knew about the tests. About everything." I say looking down. "I didn't tell him."

"Really? You promise?" Annie asks.

"Yes, I promise." I say. They look at each other then back to me. "Just don't ruin it now. The tests are off. No more."

"Katniss..."

"No!" I yell. "No more!" they look at me shocked.

"Why not?" Annie asks.

"Because I don't want it." I say standing up. "Just leave it." I leave the dorm, deciding if I stay we'll just fight him more. I leave the dorm building and walk to the library. I walk in and sit down, picking out of some books on the table and beginning to read.

"Katniss Everdeen?" I look up and see a tall boy, maybe 17 or 18. Dark brown hair and grey eyes, just like me.

"Yes?" I say confused.

"You don't recognize me?" he says sitting down across from me. I think for a minute but shake my head.

"No." I say. 

"I lived in 12 with you. My father knew your's and we went to school together." he says. "Its Gale. Gale Hawthorne?" I smile.

"I remember you! You would come over with your dad when we were really little." I say making him smile.

"Yeah, that's me. Your hair was shorter and always in two braids." he says. 

"And you always had that silly hat on, the...umm....the hat with the bird on it." I say.

"It was a mockinjay." he says. "I still have it, its hanging in my new dorm. I just got here."

"Why you here? You get accepted?" I ask. He nods.

"Yes I was. Just a month ago and now I'm here." he says. "How are your parents?"

"Okay I think. I haven't got to visit them yet." I say. "Your's?"

"My mother left my dad two years ago but he's good now. So am I." he says.

"Oh...sorry about that." I say looking down and tapping the table with my finger.

"Nah..she cheated on my dad." he says.

"Ouch...that's tough." I say. He nods and we sit there for a while. "So...how are you?"

"I'm pretty good. Miss my friends but I know I'll make some here." he says. "But maybe we can hang out. It would be nice to have somebody else here."

"Sure, why not. I mean...today I'm busy, got some more exams to study for but sure." I say making him smile. Then there's a hand on my shoulder. I look up and see Finnick?

"Katniss? What you doing here and who's this?" he asks looking to Gale.

"This is Gale, from where I used to live." I say standing up. Gale does as well.

"Hawthorne. This your boyfriend?" he asks.

"No. This is Finnick Odair. He's my boyfriends dorm mate." I say. He nods.

"Peeta is looking for you. Something....urgent." he says. "Plus that and I wanna bug you." I punch his shoulder.

"Ass. Umm...hold on." I take out a pen and grab Gale's arm. I write my number. "Call me later and we can hang out tomorrow." he smiles and nods.

"Come Katniss, your prince awaits." Finnick says bowing then taking my hand, leading me away.

"Bye Gale." I say as we walk. "Why Finnick?"

"Why what my lady?" he asks making me smile.

"Why are you.....like this?" I ask. He shrugs.

"Because. Now..." he picks me up. "Off we go!" he starts for his dorm. I laugh as he makes a little jog. I never knew that meeting Gale would throw everything I have now upsidedown.

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Sorry guys! I just got my computer working today so I'll update as much as I can on all books. I hope this is okay! And if some is missing tell me. Also, was Gale already in the book? If so...tell me.

Nikki :)