Under the Willow

Chapter 12

I combed Buttercup lightly as we were watching the Feast. He look up at me, his dark amber eyes twinkling. A loud purr escaped his mouth, and I let a smile creep on my face.
Gale reached over to pet him too.
" I'm going to go outside!" I yelled out to my mom.
" Ok, just go ask Rory."
" What???"
" After the incident you had, I can't let you outside alone. Go on, have fun."
I stomped to the door and briskly walked to the Hawthorne's house. Rory answered.
" Oh, hey Prim. Can I help you?"
" Yeah," I said curtly. " My mom said I had to go on a walk with you."
" Oh, alright." he said, and stepped out.
" So where you wanna go?"
" I was thinking the woods beyond the Meadow."
I could see the worried look form on his face before he even knew it. " Prim I woul-"
" I said I want to go."
He shook his head. " Suit yourself."   We walked for awhile in town, just talking about school at first. As we reached the fence, I went to go under the barbed wire. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise coming from Rory's mouth.
"PRIM!" He shouted, and pushed me back. I blinked as he fell protectively over me, trying to shield me. " Get off!" I screamed, and he looked alarmed. " I'm sorry it's just, I'm a bit edgy today." He nodded in response.
" I'm sorry, but you always have to test the fence to see if it's on. "
Then, we started walking through the woods. We walked for a bit and then stopped to sit under a tree.
Rory was pretty funny. I brought dad's journal and sketched more plants into it. I once saw Rory peering over to look at it, but then quickly looked away when I noticed. So far in the games, the girl Clove died. It's such a shame that she died, having such good knife skills. But Katniss was my sister, and I wanted to keep her alive. As the games went on, Rory and I went on more walks. I started to wear my hair down, and Rory got taller. Once, we were walking and I slipped on a wet rock and tumbled down a curvy hill. I bruised a few ribs, and a few scratches, but I had dislocated my ankle. Rory had picked me up as softly as he could and carried me all the way home. I guess I've never realized Rory behind Gale, but when I was near him, I felt safe, secure. After my foot healed, I took him into the apothecary. His eyes lighted up at the sight of all the files of vaccines and live plants growing.
    " Rory," I said. " Would you like to know more about medicine?"
" Yes, I think I do."

   The first few days, we practiced on wounded animals. I observed him and helped him, but he was a natural like I was. Finally, he started to work on real people. Yet again, he was good.
That night, while I was cleaning the counter, he took my hands and looked into my eyes with his stormy grey.

   " Do you love me?" He asked, and kissed me. It was a quick kiss, but so beautiful.

   " Yes."