The Bet

Chapter 17

Katniss POV

Why would he do something like that? I can’t believe I let him into my life. I knew I should have never trusted him, I knew something like this would happen. I guess my heart was just seeing the good in him so I never listen to my mind telling me to not let myself get too attached because otherwise I will get hurt. Deep down I thought he might really love me, that he wouldn’t do anything to hurt me like this, but I was wrong he has hurt me. He has made me so hurt, I don’t know if I can forgive him. Why would he make a bet like that not just on me but anybody? It just shows what kind of guy he really is, a jerk that doesn’t deserve love. Not my love and not anyone’s love.

Once I reach my house I notice no one is home. Then I remember it was a ‘bring your parent to school day’ for the elementary school students. So this means I’m home alone. Which I’m kind of makes me glad my mother isn’t home to ask me constant questions about why I’m upset, why am I crying and so on. For the next hour I go through many mixed emotions. Sadness of what he has done something like this and hurt me. Anger that he hurt me when he promised he wouldn’t, when he asked me to be his girlfriend. Regret for letting him into my life and letting me care for him the way I do and pain that is in my heart for losing a guy I truly cared for and wanted to be with.

I decide to let off some of my anger with some hunting maybe that will help take my mind off him. I put on my appropriate clothes and shoes for hunting and head out the door towards the woods. I grab my bow and arrows on the way into the woods and get into hunting mode so I can zone out of the drama that has just happened. I’m only about 10 minutes into hunting when I hear a crack of twigs behind me. I quickly get my bow and arrow ready to shoot whatever is behind me and spin around to see the last person I would ever think would come near me.

“Whoa watch where you point that thing, Catnip.” Says Gale. What the hell is he doing here?

“Sorry” I say as I put down my bow from Gale’s face. “What are you doing here?”

“I was trying to find you, to see if you were ok… you know after what just happened.”

“I’m fine; I just need to have some time to think. Aren’t you meant to be at school? You know your mother won’t want you skipping school.”

“Neither would your mother.”

“Well I have a reason.” I say walking off in the other direction and Gale soon follows.

“So do I… I’m coming to check on you, to see if you are alright.”

“Like I said, I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? I saw that way you ran off from Peeta, sad.” He says and I stop to look around at him.

“You were watching?”

“Everyone was.”

“Oh no now were going to be the talk of the school once again.” I say putting my hands in my face. I can’t take any more of this high school drama!

“You know I’ll always help you out whenever you are down.” He says pulling me into one of his bear hugs.

“Thanks Gale but I’ll be alright, I just need time to sort stuff out. I still can’t believe he would do something like that to me.” I say pulling away from him so I can wipe the small tears from my eyes.

“I know it’s hard to take in but you will gradually get over it. I was heartbroken when Madge spilt up with me but I’m learning to get over it, but I’m still not over her. It all just takes time.”

“I know. Thanks Gale you’re such a good friend.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

“How is it going with you and Madge? Have you guys talked yet?” I say walking further into the woods with Gale walking behind me.

“No not yet. We have caught each other looking at one another sometimes but that’s about as much contact we get from each other. I miss her so much.”

“You know if you miss her that much you should just talk to her, tell her how much you miss her and that you still really like her and it doesn’t matter if she doesn’t give you a second chance. You just have to tell her that.”

“I guess I could, but once I walk up to her she will probably just walk away. She won’t want to hear what I have to say.”

“Well its worth giving it a shot isn’t it?”

“I guess so. Is that what Peeta said when you guys were outside.”

“Yeah and that he loved me.”

“He loved you? Wow I didn’t know he was capable of something like that.”

“It’s probably just a trick to bring me back to him, but I won’t buy it.”

“Your right but I could see how much he cared for you and I know I hate him too for what he did to you, but maybe he has changed and that was the old him.”

“Maybe I am being too harsh on him but I can’t just take him back like that. I want him to feel the hurt that he caused me.”

“What do you mean you want him to feel the hurt that he caused you?”

“Well I’m not going to take him back.”

“Are you going to take him back after a while?”

“I don’t know, I’ll have to think about it. Can we not talk about this subject anymore, I came out here to hunt not talk about my problems.” I say as I stop and look back at him.

“Alright I just wanted to help. I’m going to go back to school since it is still lunchtime, I’ll see you around school.” He says waving as he walks off back towards the fence.

Is Gale right? Am I being too harsh on him? I still very much care for him but I can’t just let him have his way after what he did to me. I don’t want to get hurt like that again. I need to make sure I’m emotionally ready to commit to something like that again before I could date him again. I don’t know why this has affected me so much. Maybe it’s because he was my first love. That’s right, love. That day in the cabin I felt something different, like we were connected and I can’t just fight that feeling inside of me that is telling me not to love him, because I do. Should I give him a second chance right now? Just go over to his house and tell him how sorry I am and just take him back like that? That’s what my heart is telling me to do, but my mind is saying no. last time I listened to my heart I got hurt. It’s best to go with my head. This time someone else can feel my pain.