Run Away With Me (Hunger Games)

Chapter 16

Chapter 16:

'I fell in love next to you'

Rushing out of The Hob gave me a few minutes before class started. I am seated at the last seat of the first row, my novel out, my mind wandering.

We’re friends, I’m okay with that.

Gale kissed me, I’m okay with that.

I don’t know what to do anymore, that’s not so bad.

Gale entered the room right before the professor did. He spots me and takes the seat beside mine.

“You’re late” I point out.

“I’m on time” he says, a playful smile gracing his face.

“Right” I say.

Our professor called the class’s attention, making me return my borrowed novel in my bag. For the rest of the period, we don’t talk. I just stare absentmindedly at my notes.

When we are finally dismissed, I immediately move out of my seat and leave the room. I hear the sound of Gale’s boots on the floor. Just as I thought, he was catching up with me.

“You were gonna leave me alone like that?” he asks with a look of restrained humor.  

“Sorry” I sighed “I have a lot going on right now”

“C’mon” Gale takes my hand and leads me out of the English building.

“What? Where are we going?” I ask anxiously. His hand in mine was distracting me, far more than it should. After the cabin, I can never think of him as just my best friend, knowing he wants something more than what we have. Something I could possibly give. And that something has been plaguing my mind ever since.

“We’ll just sit out in the field. You can clear your head there”

I don’t answer after that. I am aware of the stares at our entwined fingers as we walk through the halls. We reach the field inside the university and he let go of my hand making me miss his. We both sat on the grass.

“So” he starts “Do you want to open up or something?” I look at him and smile. He’s trying.

“Actually yeah, I think I do” I say. “You know we went to New York right?” He nods for me to continue on.

“On the way there, it was awkward. I didn’t know him, we were complete strangers. I didn’t know what to say. But being stuck with someone, you just have to talk sometime and that’s what happened. We had a good time basically. Then we went down to the cabin and Gale…” I look at him.

“I don’t know what happened there. I’m just confused. I don’t know why I went after him in New York after we got back here. I don’t want to lose him” I blurted out.

I feel the warmth from Gale by my side. I leaned on his side and his head goes on top of mine.

“He said something didn’t he?” Gale said.

“He did” I confirm “He told me that he loves me. Then this morning, we talked again. He took it back” I continue on.

“Look at me” Gale says. I turn my head to face him. His grey eyes, piercing. “He may not be sure but I am”

“Sure about what?” I ask.

“I love you”

And my heart stops. I didn’t know what to say again.

“Do you know when I realized that?” he asks. I shook my head, looking at the grass by my feet.

“Do you remember when we went camping? Just you and I, before I left for here” I watched him now, his eyes held a mix of emotions.

“That night. It was that night. We were having a competition who could catch most fireflies” he smiles at the memory and I do too.

“So Katniss, please give me a chance” he says, making the memory leave my mind.

I was weighing my options. It was either I said yes and forget Peeta or said no and live with this confusion that gnawed my mind and my heart as well.

“So?” he asks once more.

“Yes” I say, looking up at him.

“I’m willing to try” a weak smile crosses my face.

“Great” he grins “Can we go get dinner later?” he asks, excitement lining his tone.

“Sure” I nodded.

He glanced at his watch. “Damn, I have to go. Crane will have my head if I’m late” he says apologetically.

“Go ahead” I say, standing up as well. He starts to walk away but stops abruptly in his tracks and walks to me

“I think I can actually do this now without freaking you out” he says and leans in.

A smile graces my face as my eyelids flutter close and as my lips meet his. My hand goes to his face as his goes to my waist and our mouths move against each other. We break away slightly breathless.

“Bye” he says for real this time. I stare after him, still dazed.

I walk out of the grassy field where other students go to study or hang out. I bump into a hurrying blonde and made his bag slip from his shoulder.

“I’m so sorry!” I say immediately as I picked it up. “It’s fine” a voice answers.

I look up and blue eyes meet mine.

“I have to go” Peeta says and hurries off and takes a turn at the corner.