Gale's Fate Awaits [On Hold]

Part 10: Let me help you

A.N. Chandelle is pronounced like this: Shaun-delle

Okay and I updated before Friday!!!! YAY!

She leans back a little, putting her face near mine. I want to kiss her, I do. Don't get me wrong. I love her, but this feels wrong, like she doesn't love me back.

"Katniss...I--" She cuts me off.

"We'll tell them, at the Interviews. Whoever he asks first, we say we're together." She kisses my cheek and walks away.

What the hell just happened? Am I in a fake relationship with Katniss Everdeen?! I shake my head and walk to the knot station.

My fingers loop continually through the strings over and over creating perfect knots.

The woman at the station claps lightly and says, "It took me a month to get that knot. I know you're hiding some hidden talent. You have to be. No one can just figure out a complex snare like that..." She trails off. I glare at her and she shuts up.

I bring my finger to my lips, "Shh...Can you lower your voice?! I do not want my competitors to know! Then I'll have no advantage! I'm already at a disadvantage coming from 12!" I whisper.

The lady looks stricken, but her face softens, "So you do have a hidden talent...But what can it be?" She whispers, a finger on her chin.

"Fine. I'm okay with making snares...I had to learn. To eat." I whisper back. She looks down, her bright orange hair falling into her eyes.

"I wish these stupid Games never existed." She mutters.

I look up and her, bewildered, "Really? I thought everyone in the Capitol loved The Hunger Games..." I whisper back. She shakes his head, the curls obscuring her eyes.

"I don't. I escaped my District. Moved here, became a Citizen. At least my kids are safe here..." She trails off. Woah. I never thought I'd see the day where a Capitol Citizen hated The Hunger Games. Never.

"Wow, I never thought anyone could've made it out. Where were you from?" I question, my voice still a low whisper. My hands still guide the ropes over and under, tying snares and knots of all kinds.

"I was from an out-lying District. I came from 11." She whispers back.

I nod my head, "Did you lose a kid to the Games?" I ask, taking a big risk.

She nods slowly, tears rimming her eyes, "My first daughter. She was fifteen. She volunteered for her younger brother. He was twelve at the time." The tears fall, but she quickly wipes them away.

"I'm...sorry." I whisper back, "I've got to go...About to die in an Arena full of trained murderers. So, bye...?" I question, waiting for him to fill in her name.

"Chandelle is my 'Capitol' name, but back in 11, I was called Willow." She supplies. I stand and shake her hand before walking away. Katniss is at the poison berries station, so I decide to head in the opposite direction. Haymitch's words replay in my head, 'Don't show anyone your skills with weapons...'But what if I faked it? What if I pretended to be horrible at something, like archery, but in secret, I was good? What if?

I walk to the archery station and pick up a shiny, metal bow and two silver arrows. I look at the target, a simple ringed board with red, white and blue rings surrounding a black bull's eye. I play it stupid and load the bow. I don't pull back the string hard enough and the arrow falls, missing the target completely. I feel a thin, but muscular pair of arms wrap around my arms, making me pull the string tighter. 'Katniss', I think. I turn around, twisting my neck, and I don't see Katniss's signature braid and gray Seam eyes. Instead, I see the shimmery gold locks and bright blue eyes of Glimmer.

She leans in close, her lips brushing me ear, "Let me help you load your bow." She whispers.