Disclaimer: All characters belong to Suzanne Collins. I am only a humble fan. ***All bow down in praise of the Hunger Games universe!***

Author's Note: This is my very first fanfic! Yay me for finally getting these thoughts onto paper / Internet! The song "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts gave me the idea for this story.

My Wish - Rascal Flatts

I hope the days come easy and the moments pass slow

And each road leads you where you want to go

And if you're faced with the choice and you have to choose

I hope you choose the one that means the most to you

And if one door opens to another door closed

I hope you keep on walkin' till you find the window

If it's cold outside, show the world the warmth of your smile

But more than anything, more than anything

My wish for you

Is that this life becomes all that you want it to

Your dreams stay big, your worries stay small

You never need to carry more than you can hold

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to

I hope you know somebody loves you

And wants the same things too

Yeah, this is my wish

I hope you never look back but you never forget

All the ones who love you and the place you left

I hope you always forgive and you never regret

And you help somebody every chance you get

And while you're out there gettin' where you're gettin' to

I hope you know somebody loves you

And wants the same things too

Yeah, this is my wish

(My wish for you)

Gale's POV:

Her name was called, and immediately, I felt my lungs take in a breath of air. Silence reigned throughout the dingy square that we stood in - unmoving, like the dead bodies that the Capitol harvests.

Waves of anger rolled off me. I'm sure the other eighteen-year-olds were glancing at me with fear when they saw the hatred in my eyes.

But then I looked up at her, walking towards the stage. Prim... named for the beautiful roses that grow in the Meadow. She was a sweet, caring girl who never hesitated to lend a hand, to help someone in need. She was so much at odds with the hunting that her sister and I do regularly; she had saved her cat from drowning, nursed her goat back to health... But in the present, she was walking towards her own death. Her pretty ruffled shirt was untucked at the back, and I could clearly see her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

But then you ran after her, Catnip. You screamed her name and pulled her away from the stage. And then you said the words that broke my heart, Catnip... you said, "I volunteer as a tribute."

When I said goodbye to you, Catnip, you seemed so empty, so lost, so alone... I felt hollow, knowing that this could be the last time I keep you safe in my arms... I couldn't see any desperation in your eyes, Catnip... and I wondered why. Going off to a competition, a bloodbath like that - it's unusual for you not to feel any emotion. You're usually so passionate, so alive! That's what I admire about you.

I know you'll make it through this. I'll continue to work in the mines as though nothing is wrong. I'll hunt every Sunday and provide your mother with fresh meat; I won't let her and Prim starve. I promised to protect your family, Catnip, and I will. You know I don't readily break my promises. I'm going to stay here, waiting for you to come back. You have to come back, for my sake! For Prim. For your mother. For the hunting that awaits us when you return.

How different can it be: killing humans as compared to killing animals? You might consider me cold-blooded, but that was my honest opinion, Catnip. All you need to survive is a bow; with that one tool, you can take down President Snow himself! I believe in you.

You'll never know what I wanted you to remember. The Peacekeepers separated us too early... I just needed to say that... Catnip, I'm in love with you. And I've loved you since the moment I met you. That skinny gamine I saw, trying to fiddle with a trap, too shy to whisper her name has now blossomed into a stubborn, protective, beautiful girl.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't planning to propose to you. You said it yourself: that you trust me, and I'm the only person you can be yourself with. Together, we could be so strong. You're the ideal girl for me, but you see me as only a friend right now. But we're both made of the same mold: same passion, fire, attitude... And we're both teenagers from the Seam, the poorest part of the poorest district of Panem - in short, we don't have a bright future, but at least we'll be together.

When you come back, Catnip, you'll be rich. You'll be the winner of the 74th Hunger Games - only the second victor from District 12, apart from that old drunkard Haymitch. You'll have to live in the Victor's Village, with Haymitch as your only neighbor (pity). Will you remember me then, Catnip? Will you remember the boy who taught you how to hunt?

And, Catnip, when you go out there into that hell, may the odds be ever in your favor!

Author's Note: Well? How was it? Please comment and let me know! I would really, really, really appreciate it. Leave a review if you don't want Gale to have a broken heart! I mean, come on. It's Gale. Roaaar.