A/N: I haven't been able to update this story in a while, I've been super busy lately; vacation, sports, family, etc. But I will try to update weekly, if not, every other week. This story may be a little boring, but I already know how I will end it. Trust me, it will be interesting.
Anyway, enjoy reading! Please review! Thanks (:
Disclaimer: I do NOT own The Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins wrote the trilogy.
"Gale? Gale!" a familiar voice asks. I know this voice; I could never forget it.
"Katniss?" I question. "Katniss, where are you? I can't see you! Katniss!"
Now I get a good look at my surroundings; i'm in a meadow. Crystal clear, blue skies and light green grass, sprinkled with pink, purple, and yellow flowers. All these colors seem too vivid to be real.
"Gale," an angelic voice says; it's Katniss, I know for sure. "Gale, you have to forget about me; move on..."
I blink and Katniss is right in front of me. Quickly, I grab her hands so she can't run away. "No!" I shout at her. "I- I can't forget you or move on! I won't! I love you!"
A sinister laugh comes out from behind Katniss' lips. "You never loved me," Katniss says coldly.
Without another words spoken, she starts to melt into the meadow. I collapse to my knees and whisper, "I'll always love you."
Suddenly, the meadow starts spinning and is going by in a blur. I shut my eyes tightly and when I finally open them, I'm no longer in a meadow; i'm in the mines. That's when I see him. "Dad!" I shout to him. He doesn't move, just stands there, motionless. I run to him and shake him violently. "Dad! It's me, Gale! Your '!" I can clearly see my hands now and I stumble backwards at the sight of them. Instead of a light olive skin color, they're translucent; you can nearly see right through them.
Then a single bird calls out and I know what will happen next. Above me starts to cave in and rocks start to fall. I cover my head, expecting to die, but nothing happens. It's then that I realize the rocks are going right through me. I also realize my father is being pelted by all this debris.
I try calling out to my father, however no sound comes from my mouth. I'm forced to watch my father die.
Once I'm able to move, I rush to my fathers side, or what's left of his body. I bury my head on my father's mangled chest and begin to sob. "Take me with you," I beg. "I want to go where you are; where it's safe. I can't handle this life anymore, I'm not strong like you. Katniss is going to die and I'll be alone again. Please, dad, take me with you. Please..."
"No, son," I can hear my father voice echoing through the cave. "You must stay where you are, where you're needed."
"I can't," I reply. "I don't know what to do..."
My father's last words are barely audible, "Forgive. Forget. And move on."
There's so much more I want to say to my father, but I only manage, "Thank you."
Then I hear a sweet, entrancing soft voice.
"Gale, wake up, sweetie. You've nearly slept the day away," it says.
I'm still half asleep when I say, "Katniss?"
I hear quiet giggling, then a reply, "No, honey. It's your mother."
"Oh," is all I say. There's some shuffling and I know my mother has left.
My brothers and I all share one room, as my sister stays in my mother's room. Our house is no different from anyone else's in the Seam. A small, concrete house with five rooms; two small size bedrooms, a cramped bathroom, a limited kitchen, and a slightly bigger room that serves as our living room.
All the walls are a pale ash color, however the living room's walls are furnished with a few portraits of our family. My mother insists on keeping the picture of our father on the wall, despite my objections; I find it completely depressing.
Though, with that dream I just had, I really should start appreciating things more. I nearly laugh at myself. Appreciate what? The fact that I could be starving to death, but I'm not? Maybe I would if I didn't know that the people around me are famished. Or that I have to illegally keep my family and Katniss' family satisfied.
I sigh as I flicker my eyelashes up, revealing my gray, somber eyes. After yawning, sitting up, and stretching my arms, I stand up. It seems as if my brother's have aleady waked up and started the day. The special day.
Today's the day the victors come home to their districts. Yes, victors. I practically gag at the thought.
"Ladies and gentleman, may I present, the victors of the 74th annual Hunger Games! Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark!"
I wash off my face and change into the same clothes I wore on reaping day. My eyes trail to the cracked, coal covered mirror. I stare at my reflection blankly as my mind trails off to something else, someone else. Madge.
I haven't seen Madge since Katniss went searching for that pathetic sap Peeta. I roll my eyes just thinking about it.
Peeta doesn't even know Katniss! I know her! I should be her boyfriend! I should have volunteered for Peeta! No, then there would have been no one to take care of our families, I remind myself.
I let out a sigh and exit the room. "I'll meet you in the Square, mom," I say.
Before I can finish, my mother interrupts, "You're not going to the woods, are you?"
I shake my head, "No, mom. Just going to get Prim and Mrs. Everdeen." She nods and goes back to fixing Posy's hair.
Prim greets me at the door, "Hey, Gale. How are you? I haven't seen you lately..."
"I'm fine, Prim. How are you doing?"
"A lot better now. Katniss will be home!" She smiles and giggles a little.
"That's right," I agree. "Ready to go?" I ask Mrs. Everdeen who is now behind Prim. She nods and we all walk out, heading to the Town Square.
Even though we arrive early, the Square is already packed with people. The shops are decorated with banners, though it doesn't take away the depressing mood from everything.
Prim tugs on my shirt and looks up at me, "I can't see anything, Gale!"
"We'll have to fix that then," I playfully respond.
She giggles as I pick her up and lift her onto my shoulders, lightly holding onto her ankles.
I look around and see Madge in the back of the crowd. She smiles at me and I nod in her direction. Do I have feelings for Madge? I ask myself. No, I can't. She's the Mayor's daughter; I despise them both. She never knew how to be hungry, yet she didn't share. She had more than she could ask for, yet she didn't seem that happy. Part of me wants to hate her, but the other part wants to understand her, to protect her.
Before I can continue thinking, the train doors slide open and there they are. Katniss looks so stunning in her dress with her hair let down. I just want to run up to her, hug her, and never let her go. But of course, that would never happen; Katniss is with baker boy now.
Katniss' eyes meet mine and she broadly smiles. I give her a light smile before dropping my gaze.
I can't jump to conclusions, but if Katniss doesn't even make an effort to talk to me, then I won't even bother with her. I'm becoming furious just thinking about it. Yet, I know none of this is true, because I have a soft spot for Katniss. I'd still help her if she needed it and I only hope she would do the same for me.
I exhale loudly at the thought of loosing Katniss. This was the year I was finally going to make my move on Katniss; I was finally going to kiss her. Then stupid Mellark had to steal her from me. Whatever, I think. I'm still going to get my kiss.
A/N: This chapter was a bit longer and I know it might seem that this is turning into a Gale and Katniss story, but it's not. I promise in the next chapter, things are going to take a turn. I'm already jotting down ideas. Please review and let me know what you think of the story so far! Also comment on what you would like to see happen! Thanks (:
