A/N: This is a one-shot that I made up of what happens down in the mines as Gale's working. Takes place in THG when Peeta and Katniss are together.

"My bets on Katniss," a kid named Rerald says, wiping the sweat off his brow. The air is muggy and thin, as it always is down in the mines.

"Yeah. I mean, did you see her take out that one kid after he killed her friend? That was crazy!" another boy, Garth, chimes in.

This is what I'm exposed to everyday under the mines during the Games. People placing bets on who they think will win. Last year, we had this very same discussion, except Katniss wasn't the one everyone was betting on.

"Man, that was insane. The look in her eyes! It was like she was an animal!"

"Did you see her in that dress at the interviews?" Garth says with a smile on his face. "Mannn!"

"Oh dude, I know! She looked good!"

I tune them out. I don't want to hear them talk about how beautiful Katniss is. I don't want to hear about how great of a hunter she is. I know how beautiful she is, and I know what an amazing hunter she is. Just because she's in the Games doesn't mean anything. She's still the same Katniss that lived in the Seam.

"Hey, Hawthorne! I asked you a question!" Garth yells at me.

"What?"

"Dude, what's your problem?" he says, meeting my eyes. I don't know what he can see in them. Anger? Jealousy? Longing? "Oh right. We're talking about your little girlfriend, huh? Does that upset you?"

"Shut up, Garth." I say bitterly.

"Oh that's right. Your jealous cause your little girlfriend is to busy getting some with that baker's kid. How do you feel about that, Hawthorne?"

"I said shut up."

"Aw, look, he's getting upset!"

The anger inside me boils and overflows. Before I can even think what I'm doing, I turn around and punch him as hard as I can in the nose. His eyes widen on impact. He falls backwards on the ground with a large thud. Blood is gushing out of his probably broken nose.

Garth moans in pain, holding his hand over his nose. "Dude, what the-"

Does he not know that I already know that Katniss is with Mellark? Does he not realize that every time I see them together on the TV, I want to vomit and punch a wall? Do they think I know that because Katniss is caring for him, it makes her more vulnerable, which decreases her chance of coming home? Do they not know how desperately I want her to come home?

Everyone within sight stares at me, wide eyed and mouths dropped open wide. I want nothing more than to go deep in the woods and be alone. To get away from all this, but I can't. Because as soon as I get off work, I'll have to go to Katniss's house and care for her family and mine. I'll have to see Mrs. Everdeen, who is so distraught she almost appears emotionless. I'll have to walk in and give my mom and sisters a kiss and pretend that everything's okay. I'll have to see Prim, and hear her whimpering under her breath, arms wrapped tightly around Lady, hoping desperately her sister will live. But even worse, I'll have to see Katniss on TV, totally in love with a boy who isn't me.

A/N: Poor Gale. :( It makes me so sad! Sorry this is so short! Anyways, please review. The button is right there! Thanks for reading!