Gale and Prim part 1:

"Hey Katniss…It's Gale…uh…again. I just wanted to say that I'm sorry I keep calling you. I know you're mad about what happen, Prim could've been killed. I'm really sorry! I know I've said this in my other 25 messages, but I can't just sit by and watch you fade from my life! Prim is like my sister…I'd never do anything to hurt her…or you. So um…if you want just give me a call," Gale hangs up the phone defeated. He slumps down in his chair and rests his head in his hands. It has been four years since the bombs went off that almost killed Katniss and Prim, and yet he can't seem to get over it. Katniss is now twenty-one and Prim eighteen, and he hasn't seen them since. Gale stands up and looks at a picture of Katniss and Prim on his mantle piece, "I'm really sorry Catnip…you too Prim."

(Two Weeks Later)

Ding-Dong! Gale is startled by the sound of the door. "Dang girl scouts again!" he says angrily walking to the door expecting to be bribed into buying stupid cookies. "Hello?" he asks opening the door. A young woman stands at the door. Her blonde hair is drenched because of the rain that has been falling for a whole day straight now. The woman's blue eyes look tired from travel, but her face is still beautiful and bright all the same. Her wrinkled dress fits her just right, and her little flat shoes give away her short figure. "Prim!" Gale gasps. "Gale!" The two hugged so tightly that neither one of them could breathe. "Oh God I've missed you! I'm so sorry Prim! I'm so glad to see you!" Gale was surprised himself by his out poor of thoughts but he didn't care. "It's OK Gale, it wasn't your fault. I missed you too!" replies Prim. Gale holds her out in front of him to take a better look, "You look so…," he can't find the words. "Older, prettier, damper?" asks Prim with a giggle. "You look so grown up," replies Gale smiling and hugging her again. A clap of thunder startled them both. "Come in side, come in side," says Gale. He notices Prim pick up a suit case, "So she's visiting for a few nights." He thought.

Prim sits down on one of the arm chairs in the living room. She observes the nice house that Gale lives in, "You must have a good job." "Yea, I mean it pays well but…I wouldn't say I love it," replies Gale handing Prim a cup of coffee. Prim giggles at the cup. "What?" Gale asks smiling because of Prim's laughter. "It's just funny how you remembered that I liked coffee black…you know, whenever we could afford it," she said stirring the spoon in it. "Yea, I always wondered how a twelve year old could drink black coffee straight up," said Gale laughing. "So, I guess I should tell you why I'm here," Prim says shifting in her seat a bit. "Yes, of course. Just remember that you're allowed to stay here for as long as you want," Gale says sitting down on the couch. "Well," Prim starts, "Katniss got your message." Gale's heart skipped a beat, "and?" Prim looked at the ground. "Prim, it's OK. Just tell me what she said," coaxed Gale. "She uh…she cried…a lot." Gale didn't know what to say. He just put his head back in his hands, "I hurt her again." "No, no!" Prim insists, "It wasn't like she was mad at you! She felt guilty…I guess." "She what?" Gale's head snaps back up again. "She feels bad. But she doesn't know what to do…you know, with Peeta and all," replies Prim.

Peeta. The boy who stole his Katniss away. "I would think so," huffed Gale. Prim was silent for a while, "She does love you Gale." I know, the words bounce around in his head. That time when he told her he loved her and she said, "I know." "No she doesn't. She didn't even come to see me. You did!" Gale snaps. Prim looked hurt. "Oh, Oh God Prim I didn't mean it! Honestly, I swear I-," Gale starts. "It's OK Gale, I understand. I know how much she means to you," Prim says wide eyed. "You mean a lot to me too Prim," says Gale staring at her with caring Grey eyes. Prim lowers her head, "But she was everything to you. You saved me and my mother from the bombing of District 12, and you saved me again when I went to find buttercup. Trust me Gale, she feels nothing but love for you." Gale nods. "I guess you're still wondering why I'm here," continued Prim, "I'm here on business for a few days. President Paylor asked me to be her personal secretary a few months ago and I have the construction of the new Justice Building to check up on. I couldn't think of any other place to come than here. I found your address off of a letter you sent Katniss, don't worry I didn't read it. But I didn't think you'd mind if I stayed a few nights." "You can stay as long as you need to. It's the least I can do," says Gale smiling at Prim, "Do you want me to show you your room?" Prim nods, "That would be very nice Gale." "Welcome to hotel Hawthorne."

Prim walks in to a room that she'd never thought would be in Gale Hawthorne's house. The room is a soft peach color, not over powering but sweet and timid. The curtains are a soft off white that carelessly drift in the breeze. The bed sheet is white with little purls sown in and a white dresser with an old copper mirror. "Gale…it's so…pretty," is all Prim can say before giggling. "Yea, yea, I know it's weird for a guy to have such a feminine room but…I thought-," Gale trails off. "You thought what?" asks Prim. "I thought that if Katniss ever wanted to…to come see me that she'd stay here. I wanted to make a room where she would feel safe and happy," replies Gale trying not to make eye contact with Prim. "You really love my sister don't you?" she asked. "I did…I really did."

"The bathroom is down the hall to the left if you want to get cleaned up from the rain," says Gale laying a fresh role of towels on a wooden chair in Prim's room. "Thanks, I think I'll take a shower," says Prim observing her messy hair in the mirror. "OK, I guess I'll just go make dinner or…we could go to my favorite restaurant?" Gale suggested. "Oh, that'll be so much fun! You have to show me District 2 tonight!" begged Prim. "Sure, I would love to," said Gale laughing at Prim's enthusiasm. Prim then laid out a pretty, light pink dress on the bed. "I think I'll wear that," she says happily. Then she brushed by him and went in to the bathroom with the towels. Gale shook his head grinning. For once he actually felt happy. It's the only joy an old friend could bring. Gale walked into his room and selected his clothes for the night. Some blue jeans and a grey shirt were his choice. His eyes glanced over at the message machine. There on the screen was one new message. Casually, Gale walked over to it and pressed play. The voice in the message nearly knocked him off his feet. It was none other than Katniss Everdeen.

"Hey, Gale. I really didn't want to say this on the phone but…I got your message…earlier. Gale, it's so complicated right now I can't even tell you! I don't know what to do anymore! I feel like I'm living in a big burial ground! I can't stand the ashes and the smoke! Gosh I-I miss you! I hate this stupid District without you here and Peeta…Peeta relapsed with the hallucinations. He doesn't know me anymore, he thinks I'm a mutt again!" Katniss's voice is breaking and Gale can tell she's crying. "Gale he doesn't know me! He doesn't know me! I miss you! I'm so sorry! I can't see you yet. I'm still such a mess I'd be nothing but a weight on your shoulders," Katniss sighs, "I just unloaded my whole life right now to you. I'm sorry," She laughs, "I uh-I just need to talk to you. Oh, and I heard Prim is staying with you…take care of her." The message ends. Gale sits on the bed and stares at the wall. "She does miss me," he thinks to himself, "She does still love me."