Chapter Four

"I missed." I breathed, watching my arrow fly past the flock of birds and landing in the meadow. I sighed, letting my arms hang loose at my side.

"It's alright, Willow. You'll get the next one." Dad encouraged from behind me. I turned around seeing him softly smiling at me from the worn out picnic blanket. The checkered pattern was faded and the edges were beginning to unravel, but we couldn't go to the meadow without that blanket.

"Hopefully." I sighed, biting my lower lip.

"I found primroses!" Rye cheered, running up the hill to our spot under the willow tree. He laid down his batch of flowers on the blanket, grinning from ear to ear. "I found them by myself!"

"Good job, Rye. Those are my favorite." Dad smiled, helping him lay them out on the blanket. Primroses were important in my family. They reminded Mom of her younger sister, Primrose. Prim had been killed in the war while she was saving the Capital's children. I didn't understand why she would risk her life to save the people who used to send us off into the games, but Mom said it was because Prim had the biggest heart the world had ever seen.

"Come on, Willow. Let's try again." Mom stated, her arm wrapping around my shoulder to led me back to aim. I let out a sigh, nodding my head. I wanted to get this next one. I had to get this next one.

"What if I miss again?" I asked, nervousness present in my voice. My hands began to feel sweaty and my heart felt like it was going to burst out of my chest.

"You won't miss," Mom smiled, brushing my locks out of my eyes. She looked back towards the field, seeing another flock of birds coming in to land. "Now's our chance."

I reached behind me, pulling out an arrow. I slid it into my bow, making sure it was lined up perfectly. I closed my left eye, taking aim. My hands slightly shook as I pulled my hand backwards. "A little higher." Mom whispered. I slowly raised my bow, waiting for her next command. "Perfect."

I gulped, hoping this would be perfect. I wanted this so bad. I began to gnaw on the inside of my cheek, trying to distract myself. "Let it go." Mom softly encouraged. I released the pressure from my hands, watching the arrow sail through the air.

My jaw dropped as I heard it hit a bird. "I did it," I breathed. "I did it!" I cheered, jumping up and down. "Mom! Dad! I really did it!"

"You did wonderful, Willow!" Mom grinned, kissing my forehead. I laughed, running to Dad's side.

"I'm so proud of you, Peanut." Dad congratulated using my nickname. I giggled as he cupped my face and wiggled his nose against mine. We had done this ever since I could remember.

"Yay, 'Low!" Rye cheered, clapping his hands from the blanket. He brightly smiled at me, through I don't think he really knew what I did. He was too busy counting the flowers and making there was enough for everyone to has the same amount.

"Let's go get your prize," Mom smiled, wrapping her arm around my shoulder. Briskly, we walked down the hill, hurrying to the sight of my first kill. Mom took a deep breath, looking around at the scenery. "Ahh. Don't you love the smell of fall?" She asked.

"Yeah, but I like the look of fall much more." I replied, looking up at the trees that were now shades of red, orange, brown, and yellow. It reminded me of a painting Dad had done before Rye was born that was now hanging up in the spare room.

"Well, you are your father's daughter," Mom teased, bumping my side, making me laugh. "But you're just as much his as you are mine. I mean, my little Willow just got her first kill all by herself." Mom proudly grinned.

"And we all know I got that skill from you." I replied, smiling up at her. She looked down, her gray eyes meeting mine.

"Of course. Your dad probably couldn't hit a target if it was two feet in front of him," Mom laughed as we approached my kill. We looked to the ground, picking it up to admire it. Mom whistled, holding it high in the air. "This is a beauty."

I grinned, nodding my head. I reached my hand out, wanting to hold it. Mom noticed my desperation and gently placed it in my hand. My eyes widened as I stared at it. I got this all on my own. I couldn't wait to tell everyone at school.

We headed back up the hill, excitement running through my body. I wanted to tell everybody right now! I did a little skip, unable to control my emotions. I had to keep moving, otherwise my energy would just be trapped inside. Mom chuckled behind me.

We got back to the top by Dad and Rye and as I was placing my kill in the basket, I heard his little voice say the worst thing at the possibly the worst time. "Hey, Mom. We meet Mr. Hawthorne the other day."

Everyone froze, unsure what they heard. I looked back and forth at Mom and Dad and could feel my cheeks heating up. "Mr. Hawthorne?" Mom repeated, raising her eyebrow.

Rye nodded his head. "Yeah. He said-"

"That he was from District 2 and was coming in to visit 12 because he was originally from here before the rebellion." I stated, cutting Rye off. I didn't want Mom and Dad to know everything we knew about him. I didn't want them to worry.

"Really?" Dad asked, glancing at Mom, raising his eyebrows at her.

She looked at Rye and me then crossed her arms across her chest. She took a deep breath, her lips in a straight line. "What else did he say?" She questioned, eyeing both of us.

"That you two were friends," Rye happily answered. Mentally, I face palmed. Mom and Dad weren't supposed to find out and Rye decided to tell them everything. It was obvious that Mom was beginning to fuse, yet he continued on. "He also said that we could call him Gale."

"Is that so?" Mom grumbled as she changed her stare onto me. "Did he say anything else, Willow?"

I gulped, looking to the ground. I didn't want to tell her. I honestly just wanted Gale to go away and never come back. "Come on, 'Low. Spit it out." Dad joined in, looking up at me.

"He said that he knew I was your daughter because I looked and talked like you, but the only difference was that I had Dad's eyes." I mumbled, rubbing left hand up and down my left arm.

Mom let out a sigh as she furrowed her eyebrows. I began to grow nervous, scared of how she would react. Dad patted the ground beside him, looking up at me. I softly smiled at him, glad he was going to comfort me.

I crawled beside him on the blanket, looking up at Mom as I cuddled on Dad's side. He ran his fingers through my hair as he watched Mom pace back and forth. "Did we do something wrong?" Rye asked.

"No, baby. You did nothing wrong," Mom quickly reassured, bending down to kiss Rye's forehead. "Mama's just a little mad at Gale." She explained, resting her hands on her knees.

"Why?" He questioned, looking up at her. Mom paused, furrowing her eyebrows. She glanced at Dad then back at Rye. She stood up, resting her hands on her hips.

"I think we should head home and cook Willow's bird. Doesn't that sound delicious?" She stated, ignoring his question. Rye cocked his head, opening his mouth to speak.

"I agree. That sounds wonderful." Dad quickly agreed, standing up. I sat up, following suit to pack up our things. Rye closed his mouth, losing his train of thought.

"Can we invite Uncle Haymitch?" He questioned, looking up at Dad then Mom.

"Of course. When we get home, you can run over and ask him. Just don't forget his liquor." She smiled, kissing his blonde, curly hair. Rye giggled, quickly running over to help me fold. It was crazy how fast he could be distracted.

xxx

"Wait. Gale's back?" Haymitch asked before he took a swig of his liquor. I glanced up from the floor, watching their shadows dance on the wall. I was laying on the floor in the living room, 'doing' my homework.

In all honesty, I was faking it. I just wanted to listen to the adults talk. I wanted to know more about Gale, especially what they thought of him. They would never let me listen in because I was just a child, so I had to spy. I faked my homework and hoped they wouldn't whisper. Thankfully, they didn't.

"That's what Rye told us today," Dad answered, his voice sounding defensive. "What is that jackass doing back here?" He mumbled under his breath.

"'Low explained on the way home that he came back to talk to their class about the rebellion, but why him? They could have picked anyone and they picked Gale." Mom groaned, her chops becoming louder and faster.

"Like who?" Haymitch grumbled.

"You. You were in the rebellion." Dad replied, his shadow gesturing to Uncle Haymitch.

"Yes, let's send the drunk to go talk to the children," Haymitch mocked. "That'll really make the parents happy."

"It'd be better than Gale." Dad mumbled back, his shadow standing up to move beside Mom. I liked Uncle Haymitch and I wished he would have talked to our class. He would have been much more fun, especially since I knew him personally.

"What do your children think of the living piece of shit?" Haymitch questioned before he took another swig. Mom sighed, her shadow resting her hands on the counter.

"I don't know. Rye seemed excited to talk about him." She replied, her voice sounding tired. I guessed she was tired, especially because she just spent all day outside and now she was preparing dinner.

"Willow was a hard book to read. She didn't really want to talk about him. In fact, she actually acted like he annoyed her." Dad added, finishing Mom's thought. Mom agreed, beginning to chop the vegetables again.

"How much does she know about him and us?" Haymitch asked. Wait. Uncle Haymitch knew Gale, too? I should have known. Uncle Haymitch served as Mom and Dad's mentor in the games, so they were bound to meet at some point.

"She knows that we were hunting partners before the first games, but other than that, we never talked about him. I have no idea what he told the kids at school." Mom explained, her voice becoming softer with each sentence.

"I just hope it wasn't anything about us." Dad stated.

"I'm betting he just talked about the damn rebellion since he likes to ride his high horse all over District 2 talking about it nonstop." Haymitch grumbled.

"I just hope he didn't talk about-" Mom started.

"Hey, Willow. Whatcha up to?" Rye questioned, blocking my view and cutting off the sentence. I furrowed my eyebrows, reaching my right hand out to cover his mouth.

"Shh! I'm trying to listen!" I harshly whispered, slightly pushing him to the side. Quickly, the conversation stopped. Dang it. Now they know I'm listening in.

"So, what do you think of Willow's kill? Isn't it amazing?" Mom stated, changing the conversation.

"Like mother like daughter." Haymitch replied, raising his glass at her before he took another drink. I vibrated my lips as I let out a sigh. Isn't that just great? I was supposed to learn more about Gale.

"What was that about?" Rye asked, scrunching his nose at me. I shook my head, my locks falling over my shoulders.

"Sorry, Rye. I just thought I heard something in the kitchen." I excused, sadness present in my voice.

"Oh, well, it was just the adults. Nothing to worry about!" He grinned, nodding his head. I looked up at him, my eyes meeting his.

"Exactly." I sighed, gently frowning.

"Rye! Willow! Come here and greet Uncle Haymitch!" Mom called out. Quickly, we ran to the kitchen, greeting him as he placed kisses on our cheeks. If only they would have continued their earlier conversation.

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