For Prim- An Everlark Fanfiction

Chapter 3- Gale

Katniss POV: I lead Prim over to the "living room" area of our one room house. She sits on the couch, waiting expectantly for an answer to her question. "Prim, you know how hard it has been for us these days, and I really don't think that I will be able to keep supporting us like this for much longer. So, today at graduation, Peeta proposed for me to marry him. Of course I denied at first, but he seems like a very good guy that will help keep us safe. So I agreed."

"Us?" She asks, still amazed that I agreed to the one thing I thought I would never do. "Yes, Prim. He convinced me because he loves me and he said we would keep you safe. For you, Prim. I'm doing this for you." Her jaw drops. At first her expression is unreadable, but soon her mouth twists into a smile.

"Really! You're going to marry Peeta? He's such a nice boy! And we won't have to live alone? There will always be food for us to eat, thank you!" She's crying now. She pulls me into a hug which I return forcefully.

"Do you think you could ever love him like he loves you?" She whispers.

"I don't know Prim, I really don't. But all that matters is you'll be safe."

"Wait, Katniss! What about all the injured people I help here in the Seam?! What's going to happen to them?" Her face contorts to a look of worry.

"Prim, you must realize you are too young to become a doctor to these people. There's another healer on the other side of the Seam. I'm sure everyone will be fine." I reply calmly. We hear a moan coming from the kitchen and run over to Peeta's aid. When Prim asks him if he needs any more pain medicine or anything like that, he refuses, saying he's fine. "I'm going to bed," Prim says, walking towards the far corner of our house to bed. I fall asleep sitting next to Peeta who is still laying on the table, grasping his hand.

-The next day-

When I wake Peeta is already up. He's beaming at me, but it looks as if he's in pain. Prim immediately starts working on his injuries. A few hours later our front door swings open. "Catnip! Prim! They let me off early! We can go...what the- who's this?!" Gale says, gesturing towards Peeta. Peeta looks up and smiles at Gale, but Gale's face remains tight. Before I can say anything, Prim jumps in. "Katniss's fiancé." She deadpans. "What....but...you told me you were never going to get married and I waited for you! Katniss, I want you to marry me!" Gale yells and I become scared. I never have seen him like this.

"What?" I ask, backing away from Gale. We've never been more than friends.

"I've been waiting until you changed your idea of love...I love you. We could run off to the woods together." His tone softens, but I'm still really confused. I just want him to go away and leave when he does the complete opposite; he leans in and kisses me.

I stand there for a second unresponsive as Gale snakes his arm around me. My lips are pursed shut as his try to deepen the kiss. At this point, after about 3 seconds, I shove him off. "What the hell! Gale, I'm engaged! You know I don't love you that way!" I'm screaming. He looks extremely hurt, but at this point I don't care. Why did he have to do that! I already said yes to Peeta and I don't intend on giving the ring back. I can't even bear the thought of looking to Peeta. He must be heart broken.

"But...I love you...don't you love me?" He asks, grabbing my hand from when it rests at my side. I yank it back, out of his grasp.

"No! Leave!" I yelp, on the verge of tears. He looks down, then whispers a goodbye and turns to leave. I turn to Peeta who sits there with a face full of shock, sadness, regret, and even pity. "Peeta..." I mutter, wiping a tear from my eye. 

"Well, I'm going to go to the bathroom." Prim says awkwardly, leaving the room.

Peeta walk to me and strokes my face. "Katniss...you don't have to marry me. Go with Gale."