The Capitol Games(Book 1)

Chapter 21: Bittersweet

~~~One quick note: We are nearing the end of the book, so I will be dedicating the last few chapters to users who always vote, comment, etc on the book. They don't necessarily have to had been fans from the beginning, as long as I can see that you really like the book, you'll get a dedication.~~~

"You've been in the library for the past two days! Are you going to make it your new home or something?" Johanna complains after she slams the book I'm reading shut.

"Johanna!" I scold, "I'm doing something really important."

I'm trying to find everything I can about the family of Ivorys. So far, I've made no progress. 

"Calm, Katniss," she pats my shoulder.

I grunt, "Why is everyone saying that to me these days?"

She shrugs, "I guess you're not calm."

"What do you want?" I say grumpily.

"Remember? You told me that you'd help me with my love life," Johanna crosses her arms over her chest.

I groan and force myself up, "So what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to introduce me to Gale," she grabs my wrist and drags me out of the library.

"But he's in jail," I argue, "And besides, he already knows you. You two have met before."

"Not officially and we can visit him in jail," she grins tugging me toward the elevator.

I plant my feet firmly on the ground, not letting Johanna drag me, "The jail is in the lowest floor, way down and beyond the basement. I want Peeta to come."

"Fine, not because I'm scared," she gives a little nod. She picks up a wall phone right beside the elevator and dials the number of the Mentors' Room.

It is silent for a couple of moments before Johanna speaks, "Is Peeta there?"

"Katniss wants you to come," Johanna says impatiently after another few second of silence, "Because we're going into the basement to introduce me to Gale and she's too scared."

Peeta clearly says something that makes Johanna unhappy because Johanna gives a grunt and asks in a harsh tone, "Are you coming or should I tell your fiancée that both of you are too scared?"

At last, Johanna smiles and hangs up, "He'll meet us in the basement."

We step into an elevator and I remember my first ride on one of these. I thought it was really cool how the Capitol had the power to shoot us up and down so fast. Now all I can think of are the dead tributes who rode on one of these.

I see Peeta as soon as we land, through the glass walls of the elevator.

"Let's go," Johanna says hurriedly as we exit the elevator into a darker part of the training center.

"How exactly did she convince you to do this?" Peeta whispers into my ear as we trail after a very happy Johanna.

 "I'm not even sure anymore," I shrug.

We soon near a man witha grey beard and stony eyes, "We're here to see Gale Hawthorne," Johanna says.

"Come with me," the man mumbles.

He leads us through a wooden door, where there is a circle of jail cells. The only one that is occupied is the one where Gale is. He is sitting on his bed, reading a book.

"Katniss!" Gale's face immediately lights up as he sees me.

"Hi!" I say, trying to use matched enthusiasm, but I fail.