Chapter One

I tucked my braid into my coat as I slipped under the loose part of the fence. I jogged the familiar grassy path to the hollow tree, where I kept my bow and arrows. My father had made them. He was good at making and using them. Until he was blown into tiny bits during a mine accident.

I walked a bit more, deeper into the valley until I saw the back of the brown messy head.

"Waiting for game?" I asked as I jogged towards him and took a seat on a rock.

The corners of his mouth lifted into what was a smile. "Hey Catnip. Happy Hunger Games," Gale said.

I smiled grimly and popped a few blackberries from the bushes beside us. "May the odds-" I threw the blackberry into the air.

"Be ever in our favor," Gale answered after he had swallowed the berry.

We did this every hunger games to wish each other luck. After all, the alternative could scare anyone out of their mind.

We spent the morning fishing and gathering. By the time we go home, we each had half a dozen fish, some greens, and a handful of money.

"See you at two," I said.

Gale nods and heads off to his house.

Inside, I find that Prim and mother have already changed. I quickly washed and went to find something somewhat pretty to wear. I stopped when I saw a baby blue dress laid out on my bed. It could only be one person's, my mother's.

"Are you sure?" I asked. I resisted the urge to refuse this. But I have to forgive her. For my father's sake.

My mother gave a tight smile and helped me into it. We quickly ate some tessera bread while we waited for two to strike.

I grabbed Prim's hand when we finally got to the town square. I led her to the roped off area for twelve year olds. They all look deathly nervous. I couldn't blame them. It was their first reaping.

After I had gave Prim one more hug, I went over to the sixteen year olds. I stood next to Madge, the mayor's daughter. Though she should be a snob, being the mayor's daughter and all, she's okay. She keeps to herself a lot, like me, and we have had somewhat of a mutual friendship throughout the years.

I looked over the many heads and spotted Gale over at the eighteen year olds. I nodded and looked towards the stage where the ceremony was starting.

Mayor Undersee, Madge's father, had started reading the long, droning Treaty of Treason. He talked about the Dark Days and how the districts would have no chance in another war. Finally, Effie Trinket, an annoyingly loud lady from the Capital went over to one of the two glass bowls. The two bowls held the girls' slip and the boys' slip. Everyone held their breath as Effie smiled at the cameras and began rummaging around the slips. After what seemed like hours, she picked out a small piece of paper and looked at it.

"Oh! How exiting. Alright everyone, give a round of applause to Vita Longborn for being this year's District Twelve's girl tribute!" Effie shouted and smiled while giving a petite clap. No one else joined her.

A girl from the seventeen year old section walked up stiffly to the stage. I had seen her around the town girls group. She was beautiful enough to belong in the group with long, light brown hair. She had deep blue eyes and long legs. She smiled grimly to the crowd as Effie went over to the boys' bowl.

Effie adjusted her hair, which was probably a wig, and reached into the bowl.

"Alright everyone! Here is the boy that will be representing District Twelve!" Effie shouted to the crowd.

My heart dropped as I heard his name.

Chapter Three

I look frantically towards his roped off section and saw him. "Gale!" I called out as I saw him, broad shouldered and tall, walking to the stage. "Gale!"

He turned to see who had called and gave a grim smile when he saw me, being pulled back by peacekeepers, as he mounted the stage.

I stood there, unable to listen to the rest of the ceremony as I stared at him, stunned. I had never known a tribute personally. And now here he was, my only friend, picked to go to a faraway place to die.

The ceremony ended and I lost sight of him as peacekeepers pulled him into the Justice Building. I knew within an half an hour I would be allowed inside to give a final goodbye.

My heart felt heavy as I walked into the Justice Building. A peacekeepers guided me to a luxurious room where Gale sat, facing the window. He looked to see who had come in and walked over to give me a long hug when he saw it was me.

"Gale..." I didn't know where to start. I had no feelings when an animal I had just shot was about to die. But this was my friend. My only friend. My best friend.

Gale squeezed me tighter. "Take care of yourself. Stay strong. That's what you can do for me. Don't let this Hunger Games bullshit get to you. Okay?"

I nodded. Gale opened his mouth to say something but before he could, the Peacekeepers came in to pull me out.

"Katniss! I-" and the door slammed shut.

I climbed a tree and sat on the highest branch as I watched him climb the ramp into the train, with Vita right ahead of him. He saw me. I know he did. He held my gaze as I sat, half hidden by the leaves. After a few seconds, he nodded and disappeared into the train, forever.

My mother set a bowl of fish stew in front of me. I ignored the hot steam drifting up to my face as I continued to stare out of the tiny cracked window. This must be what my mother felt like when my father died. The only difference between my mother and I is that I was going to listen to Gale, and grit through it. I shook my head clear and focused on an object that had just appeared in front of me. It was a spoon my sister was holding, trying to coax some stew into my mouth. I opened my mouth and swallowed.

Chapter Four

I beat the sun to waking up the next morning. I pulled my hair into a braid and slipped on a coat. The day before the reaping was always quiet, even more so then normal. I knew I must hurry in order to get enough game for both my family and Gale's.

On my way to the forest, I passed Gale's house. The shutters where closed tights and I could here gentle sobbing inside. I quickly passed by, not wanting to look rude.

I jogged to our normal spot in the valley and was, at first, confused on why I didn't see the familiar shaggy brown hair. Then I remembered. How stupid of me. To believe such a foolish thing.

I threw myself into jogging the path that were lined with snares. A few years ago, I would be surprised if I had even landed with a single rabbit from the horrible snares I made. Now, I was a bit disappointed when the snares only got me four rabbits and a squirrel.

I shot down a few geese that were flying ahead. By the end of the day, I had many handfuls of greens, two dozen fish, and the game I got from the snares and the flock I shot at. I knew tomorrow, at the end of the day, would be a mandatory watching of the Opening Ceremony. The only thing I could think about was seeing Gale's face again.

Chapter Five

I turned the small, cracked, television on with my heart pounding. My sister held her cat Buttercup as she sat down next to me. Buttercup hissed at me but I could've cared less. The ceremony song came on and the chariots started rolling. My glued my eyes to the screen as District Twelve's chariot rolled down. Gale was holding hands with Vita, dressed in identical outfits. A black jumpsuit with what looked like real flames burning behind them. I was happy to see Gale again but the fact that he was holding hands with Vita kept on bugging me. I pushed it out of my brain, saying Gale couldn't possibly take interest in someone he has only known for a few days.

The ceremony ended with President's Snow speech. The crowd cheered and then the screen went black. What? WHAT?! That was it?! I've been waiting to see Gale for so long only to see him wave friendly at the crowd while holding a solid grip onto Vita's hand. Was it jealousy? No. I have never seen Gale in a romantic perspective. So why was the holding hands bothering me?

Chapter Six

Interviews were today. I listened to Vita's speech closely then the other previous.

Caesar: And now Vita Longborn! My, you are one beautiful young girl!

Vita blushes and flashes a smile: Thanks Caesar!

Caesar: Now, a beautiful girl like you must have a boy waiting for you back at home?

Vita: No

Caesar: No boys wanting to be courting with you?

Vita: Well, I do like this one boy. But I'm pretty sure he didn't know I existed until the reaping.

Caesar and the audience: Ooh!

Caesar: Now here's what you do. You fight and win the Games. After you come home, no boy couldn't help but like a strong, brave, and beautiful girl like you, eh?

Vita gives a grim face: I'm afraid that won't help.

Caesar: Why not?

Vita blushes: Well...um...because he came here with me.

He came here with me. HE came here with me. Vita meant Gale! My Gale! My heart pounded and my face grew hot as a glared at the small television.

The buzzer rang as she finished her last words and it was now Gale's turn.

Caesar: You've sure got a sexy tribute as your partner, eh?

Gale shrugs: She's okay

The crowd sighs out of empathy for Vita. The capital people may lack in other feelings, but when it comes to love, they can relate very well.

Caesar: Aw. You have no interest for here?

Gale: I'm sure we'll become something more than just tribute partners after training.

The crowd oohed.

Caesar continued to ask Gale questions about Vita until the buzzer went off.

I turned off the television as they began to sing the nation anthem. Vita liked Gale. Gale wanted to be more than just tributes. I hated her. Vita. I hated Vita.