I decide to go to the Town Square to watch the scores being announced. At first I'd told myself that I'd never go into the Square during the Games, because it reminded me too much of the Reaping and all of the horrors that came along with that, but I can't resist; I feel as if this is my last real opportunity to be out of the house before Katniss goes into the arena.
When I reach the Square, I see that most of my friends from school are also here to watch. I haven't spoken to them at all since the Reaping, and I'm sure they'll understand why. My closest friends, Rean and Maxyl, have already figured out how I feel about Katniss. I've grown up with them - all three of us live in the Seam - so they know me well enough to be able to figure out how hard this is going to be for me.
I walk over to them solemly, hoping they don't see the redness in my eyes from unshed tears or the purple bags under my eyes. "Hey," I say. My voice sounds hoarse from disuse.
They look almost startled to see me. "Oh hey, Gale," Maxyl says. Him and Rean smile at me sympathetically.
"Look, man, we're really sorry," says Rean. "I can't believe she... I can't imagine what you're going through." I listen to what they're saying, but only half-way. My mind is spinning, nervous for the scores.
Max picks up on it fast. "You okay?"
I nod. "I'm just... nervous for her."
This is all I need to say. Rean and Maxyl are my best friends, but even they know when to back off - a guy can only talk about his feelings so much.
I turn my attention back to front of the Square. The mayor and his wife sit on the stage somewhat awkwardly. I don't think it happens too often that someone they know is sent out to fight in the Hunger Games, and for someone to sacrifice herself like that... it's bound to make people more unhappy about it.
Unhappy is the nicest word I can think of to describe how I'm feeling. Most of the others consist of hatred and well thought out profanities towards the Capitol and our president.
The giant screen over the stage flickers to life, and Ceasar Flickerman appears on screen, as hideous and unnatural-looking as ever with his blue hair, skin, and suit.
"Hello, Panem! It's been a rough few days, but at last, the training scores have finally arrived!" he says. Fake cheering blasts through the speakers. "First off, we have District one!"
The faces of the tributes appear on screen. The majority of the Careers get somewhere between an eight and a ten. My nerves build up when I see this, but my confidence in Catnip overtakes that. With her years of hunting and her determination, I'm certain that she's done well.
But as Peeta Mellark's face appears on screen, my anxiety raises immensely. It's as if every ticking of the clock sends me into a bigger frenzy. I need to know how she did. I need to know how much hope we have.
At last, a picture of Katniss appears on the screen. A few cheers break out among the Square, and I almost smile. Almost.
Then, as the few seconds before the number is posted, a pin dropping could be heard. It seems as if people not only have stopped talking, but they've also stopped breathing. It's so quiet, and these few moments are so intense, that I nearly rip my hair out from their roots.
Her face fades away, and a number replaces it.
Her training score.
An eleven.
A stunned silence fills the crowd. I'm the first to break out of the daze, screaming a triumphant, "YES!"
Soon our entire district is jumping up and down. Young children dance around, and some people even have tears of relief in their eyes. Rean and Maxyl slap me on the shoulders, and we grin at eachother knowingly.
That's my Catnip, I think proudly.I let myself have these few minutes of happiness for Katniss. And it's easy to, because at last, after years of waiting, we've finally found ourselves a tribute with a chance of winning this thing, of coming back home to us.
