Slide Away

f o u r t e e n

Both women walk from the room and Katniss slips her body out of my grip. I don't argue but watch as she takes a few steps by herself before falling to her knees. She curses loudly. I loved this girl, I really did but some of the things she did were utterly stupid. This was an example.

"Would you like some help?" I ask.

"I can do it!" She snaps.

"Okay." I raise my hands and walk towards the door.

I lean against the frame of the doorway and watch as she tries to get to her feet and take a few steps. Once again she falls, cursing louder this time. I chuckle and she scowls at me. I don't move as she starts to crawl towards me. I hold my breath so I don't laugh. She hits my ankle and I make a noise of pain.

"Are you going to help me!?!?" She shouts.

"You said you could do it." I cross my arms over my chest.

"Well I can't! Now help me!" Katniss glares at me.

I take her hands in mine and pull her to her feet and quickly scoop her up once again into my arms.

"When I asked for help, this isn't want I wanted." She muttered.

"Do you want me to drop you?" I ask.

Her arms wrap around my neck as she shakes her head forcefully, "Please don't."

I grin and she just rolls her eyes.

"I love you." I say.

"I know." She kisses the side of my jaw and puts her head against my shoulder.

------------------------------ Katniss's POV ----------------------------

    I sit next to Gale on the couch as our mothers sit in the chairs across from us. My mother didn't look very happy and Hazelle seamed to be happy but unhappy. The kids were outside playing again. Their laughter was muffled by the thick walls of the house. Everyone was quiet for a long time. It was almost like Hazelle and Mom were thinking over what they were gonna say before they said it. 

    For a few days now I've been unable to eat much and I've felt like crap. I felt dizzy to the point I was unable to walk and every morning not seconds after I got out of bed I had to rush to the bathroom so I could throw up everything I had eaten the day before. Just at the mention of food I felt ten times worse. Not only have I felt sick, but I've been pretty emotional. God, I feel so bad for Gale. He's been trying to help me and I've been a real bitch to him.  I slide my hand into his, gripping it tightly. He looks down at our hands and squeezes back.

   I glance to my mother and think about yesterday. How she dragged me to the hopsital and ran some tests. How she didn't let me see any of the results and how she seamed utterly pissed. What did those test's tell her? 

"Mom-"

"-I don't want to talk about it." She interrupts.

"They why the hell did you say we needed to talk?" I ask.

She is silent. Hazelle gives her a look. I exchange a worried look with Gale. What in gods name was wrong with me?

"Mom?" I ask.

Tears fall down her face, "You promised me Katniss."

"What are you talking about?" I am beyond confused. 

What did I promised her? I mean I remember promising to take care of Prim always and I haven't broken that promise. Unless . . . 

"No boys, no kids." She says. "You promised me that you would avoid those things."