Primrose Mellark

Chapter 3

At the dinner table, there is an awkward silence that isn't usually present at a table with the Cresta's. Christopher is chasing his peas around his plate with his fork, letting his blond hair shield his face from the awkwardness.
Finally, Finnick breaks the silence.
"So what did you want to talk to us about?" He chimes in.
My mum exchanges a look with Annie.
"Well, Christopher, Prim and I are going to have a visitor join us in the house in a couple days." My mum says.
"Who?" I ask.
"Have I ever told you about my friend from District 7?" She asks.

"Uh... No."
"Her name is Johanna Mason. She has recently broken up with her husband, and she is a single mother of her son, Jevidan. She has nothing. Her ass hole husband took everything from her. She's moving to District 12, and needs somewhere to stay until she gets a house. So, I said they could both stay here." Mum explains.
At this second, Dad comes in through the door.
"Hi, Annie." He says, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. He shakes hands with Finnick, hugs Chris, and gives me a kiss. Then he sits down next to my Mum, threads his fingers through hers, and gives her hand a quick squeeze.
"Have you told them about Johanna and Jevidan?" He asks my mum quietly.
"Just did."

"So how did you meet Johanna?" I ask.
My mum exchanges a glance with my father.
"Um... We were pen pals." My mum says weakly.
"Pen pals? Mum, seriously?" I yell angrily.
"Okay, thats enough. Dont yell at your mother." My dad says half-heartedly. "Now. What's going on in school? What've you got coming up?" He changes the subject swiftly.
"In Society Class, Mr Gonts said we're starting on something soon called The Hunger Games." I say boredly as I stab a carrot.

Both of my parents go quiet. Then my mum stands, knocking her chair back. She runs up the stairs, and slams her bedroom door behind her.
"Well, that's our queue to leave." Annie says politely, but my dad has already started going up the stairs behind her.
"Cya, Aunty Annie." I put in helpfully.
I hug Finnick goodbye, tell Chris to go to his room, and run up the stairs. I press my ear to the door of my parents' bedroom.

My mother is sobbing.
"Why w-w-would they teach it at school?" My mother says angrily through her tears. "We haven't gotten the chance to tell her."
"We have to tell her then," my dad says gently. I can just imagine him, hugging my mum in the loving way that he always has. "Sooner rather than later."
"Not tonight." My mum insists.
"Katniss? I need to tell you something."
"What?" My mum has collected herself.
"I-I saw someone, in the town square today."
"Who?"
"Gale. He's back."