Ever In Your Favor

by Where Pigs Fly

{I don't know what to say to her. Should I apologize? Should I tell her I know what it's like? That I've been through it? No. She doesn't need my sympathy. She's already shown me she's capable of doing for herself, she doesn't need a hand to hold.} {I look up, and see someone standing just 3 yards away. I raise my knife, but she stops me. "Wait," she says.I look at her. "I know."}

2. Chapter 2

I sit on a relatively flat rock that isn't far from the rendezvous point Gale and I – subconsciously – agreed on.

Every day for the past few months I've been worried about the Hunger Games. I mean, yesterday, President Snow announced that there will be a "twist", per say, in this year's Hunger Games. This is Prim's first year; I've had enough trouble worrying about myself, and now I have to worry about her, too.

Prim… she's the only person I'm truly sure I care about.

…

The light breeze of the woods – the one I've gotten so used to – is comfortable, but it's not enough to calm the nervous jitters I feel from yesterday's unfortunate announcement.

It makes me think of a different life – a better one, where I wouldn't have to worry about these things.

"Happy Birthday, Catnip," a familiar voice calls, snapping me out of my stupor.

I turn around, amazed by how soundlessly Gale can materialize behind me.

"Very happy, Gale," I reply sarcastically.

Although his presence is comforting, he tends to look at things either very contentedly, or too incredulously.

"Ever so grouchy, Catnip. Why are you so unhappy on this joyous occasion?" Gale says.

I don't respond – I don't know how.

"Just don't think about it, Catnip," Gale says, sensing my concern.

I give Gale a pointed look – how am I just supposed to let it go, with all that's happening?

"I know how to cheer you up," Gale says, getting up. "Good old fashion hunting."

I smile as he places his hand out to me. I take it, and he helps me up.

Of course, after five years of us relying on each other, Gale always knows how to cheer me up; he has for the longest time. Gale is one of the few people who truly know me, and that, I'm grateful for.

…

As Gale and I trudge through the woods, I come across a blackberry bush. I smile as my index and thumb wrap around a berry.

Gale looks at me, noticing that I stopped.

"And may the odds…" I say in a frilly Capitol accent and throw the berry towards him.

He catches it in his mouth, and chews. "be ever in your favor."