imperfect fit ; an everlark au based off of 'the selection' series

s e v e n t y - n i n e

Today has passed in a blur of blue or black dresses and hugs. Mom comes, but I practically have to shove her into a dress, force her to eat some breakfast, and pull her into the car. It's almost impossible. I wish I could do what she'd doing. Just shut down.

No, Katniss. You can't.

Lots of people I've never seen before come to Prim's funeral. I don't know if it's because I don't know all of her friends or if they're here because I am.

A local pastor gives the service, but for security reasons, they ask me not to speak. I wouldn't have anyways. What am I even supposed to say? She's gone. She's dead. I've been through this before, I know what's coming.

I'm going to fall apart and random times, not when I probably should, like right now. It's comes in horrible, random waves.

"I don't even know any of these people," I whisper to Gale. He's been with me all day.

"They're all local."

"Mmm." I run out of things to say.

After the funeral, we go home, and I go with Annie up to my room. Gale, for some reason, follows. All of a sudden, a promise I'd made comes back to me.

"Excuse me, Annie, I just need to talk to Officer Hawthorne real quick."

"Of course, miss." She nods, and I take Gale out into the hallway.

"I need to talk to you about something," I say, dropping my voice.

Gale stiffens. "Oh?"

"I know this is awkward, but I need to say it all the same."

He swallows. "Okay."

I bashfully look him in the eye. "Would you ever consider Tig?"

His expression is strange, as if he's simultaneously relieved and amused. "Tig?" he whispers incredulously. "Why her?"

"I think she likes you. And she's a really sweet girl," I say, trying to hide the depth of Tig's feelings but build her up at the same time.

He shakes his head. "I know you want me to think about the possibility of other people, but she's not at all the kind of girl I'd want to be with. She's so . . . rigid."

I shrug. "I thought Peeta was like that until I got to know him. Besides, I think she's had it rough."

"So? Annie's had it rough, and she seems fine."

I take a guess. "Did she tell you how she ended up at the palace?"

He nods. "I've always hated the districts, Katniss; you know that. But I've never heard of them being manipulated that way, to acquire slaves." I sigh. "Prepare yourself for words you thought you'd never hear," Gale warns, and I look up at him, waiting. "I'm actually really glad Peeta met you." I cough out something close to a laugh. "I know, I know," he says, rolling his eyes. "But I don't think he would have ever stopped to wonder about the lower districts if it wasn't for you. I think just you being there has changed things."

We look at each other for a moment. I remember our conversation at the rock, when he'd urged me to sign up for the Selection, hoping I'd have a chance for something better. I don't really know if I've found something better for myself- it's hard to tell- but the though of maybe giving something better to everyone else . . . that possibility means more to me than I can say.

"I'm proud of you, Katniss. Really proud. And Prim would be, too."

-

"Please? Do this for me?"