A/N: First 'chapter' in the Hunger Games, from the view point of Gale H. These chapters will be relatively short. They're more like vignettes into Gale's experience of the Hunger Games with Katniss. More chapters will be added. Review if you'd like, thats always appreciated.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games, all rights to Suzanne Collins.
"I almost forgot! Happy Hunger Games!," I say, plucking a few blackberries from some bushes next to me. "And may the odds-"
I toss a berry toward her and she catches it perfectly in her mouth. "Be ever in your favor!," she finishes.
We joke about this day, and I suppose it beats sitting around scared. I think I'm less scared than Katniss is, but the idea of going off to kill other children or to be killed by other children is still daunting. The idea that it would be played for the nation to watch, some watching for amusement, and others watching because they are forced to- my brothers and sisters included, is probably the worst part for me. I'm not so scared of dying, but I do have a family to support.
We sit in a nook in the rocks, like we've done many times before, and we eat a small feast of bread, goat cheese, and berries. If today weren't the Reaping, all of this would be perfect.
"We could do it, you know," I say quietly to her.
She stops chewing her food long enough to ask, "What?"
"Leave the district. Run off. Live in the woods. You and I, we could make it."
She just stares at me, confused, horrified even at the suggestion. Katniss is my hunting partner, has been for a few years now. I'd also say she is my best friend. I'm embarrassed at my suggestion because of her lack of response.
"If we didn't have so many kids," I add.
It almost sounds like we have kids, together, but what I mean is that we both have younger siblings to take care of. Katniss doesn't want kids, I know that, and I understand why. I wouldn't mind having kids if we didn't live where we do. The conversation isn't going very well, and I feel awkward for even mentioning kids. Why would I mention them to her? It almost sounds like an invitation for her to have kids with me at some point down the road, and I think that she must be thinking about that too.
I don't need her to think that I want more from her than what we have now. Which is friendship, and a good hunting partner.