Not really sure what I think about this chapter... been writing like a manic expect to see a new chapter up really soon. ENJOY :)


The funny thing about the reaping is that after all the so-called excitement is over we are expected to return to our normal lives. By now Katniss and Peeta are in the Capitol prepping for the opening ceremonies of the hunger games. I on the other hand, have to return to school and learn about the many achievements the capitol has accomplished.

It's been a only a day and everyone is back right on schedule; kids going to school and parents working so they can put food on the table. I just left my history class where I am learning about the fall of a place called North America. Really, though I only care about how Katniss is dealing in the Capitol. I wish I could know what she was thinking and coping with her new life.

I walk silently to lunch where I will eat with people who I guess you can call my friends. I mean I'm not a loner and in Katniss's opinion I'm quite popular. I don't think so. I don't really think much of all the people I hang out with at school. No one really knows me. Not like Katniss does.

I don't bring lunch to school because I feel like I'm wasting it. It doesn't matter anyway because some of the kids like to share their lunches with me. I find my usual table and sit down. Rowan is the first to arrive after me, "Hey gale! No lunch again?" He gives me a belly laugh and slaps down his bag lunch on the table. " Lucky, you have me because I have food by the bucket load." He thumps down in the seat next to me. Rowan is one out-going kid with a big head of red hair. He knows he's different, but could care less about it

"Eh, so how are you holding up now that Katniss is gone?" Sometimes I wish he would just keep his mouth shut. I'm about to say something I'll regret, but the chattering of two people stops me. " Oh, there's Gale! Hi Gale. What? No lunch? Are you on a diet like us?" Aria and Aleta are two girls who live on the richer side of district twelve. They are practically joined at the hip and are always worrying about their appearance. The both have blond hair just past their shoulders and brown eyes. They're not even sisters. I wonder why me not bringing a lunch is such a big deal?

They take a seat across from and start to set up their lunches that only contain some vegetables. If I was them and had the money to buy food I would buy real food, not food for rabbits. " You call that food?" Rowan asks as he shoves and piece of meat into his mouth. The girls make faces at him and Aleta say, " There's a difference between a diet and becoming a carnivore. At least we have manners." She flips her hair behind her.

"Do you ever stop eating?" A voice asks behind Rowan. We all turn to see Warwick a muscular boy who eats just as much as Rowan does, smirking at all of us. " I mean seriously one day you're eyes are going to be bigger than you stomach." He says that as he takes out a sandwich that could feed my family for a week. Everyone laughs except me. " Are you alright, Gale?" Aria asks me, looking worried. "Do you… want to talk about it?" Everyone goes silent. Rowan even stops stuffing his face.

I don't want to talk about Katniss. Not with them. I would rather suffer in silence. I shake my head and to distract everyone I grab a piece of meat from Rowans lunch, " Hey! Get you own!" Rowan says half-heartedly even though I know he doesn't care. I smile at him and pretend like this meat is the best thing I've ever eaten. Everyone is back to their happy selves. "Wait! I'm here! I'm-" we here a bang and everyone turns to see Odelia lying face down in the dirt. She collects herself and stumbles over to the table, " Oi, you all right there Odelia" Warwick as in a serious tone. We all know he has the biggest crush on her.

"Odelia we know you like to make an entrance, but do you have to do that all the time?" Aleta questions. Odelia blushes bright crimson and takes a seat on the other side of me. "Hi, Gale." I always liked Odelia. She is someone you can get along with well. She has black wavy hair the reaches the middle of her back, but she usually wears it in a ponytail. She remind me of Katniss is some ways.

Before we know it the bell chimes indicating we should head to our next class. "Oh man I just got here!" Odelia says disappointed. Warwick stand up and says, "Here I'll help you with you're stuff. You know, so you won't be late." He hurries and picks up her books before she can protest. "Thanks Warwick. I appreciate it." Poor Warwick is trying his hardest to get Odelia attention, yet she doesn't seem to notice at all. I can sort of relate… wait what?

Before I can consider what I meant, everyone saying good-bye to me except Rowan because we have the same class distracts me. We're about to enter our class that is suppose to prepares us for the work in the mines, when I run head on into Madge. I guess I was thinking about Katniss so much I didn't notice her. "Hey, watch where you're going!" Rowan says to Madge. " You okay?" Rowan reaches his hand out to me, but instead I help Madge pick up her belongings.

"Rowan, go and save me a seat." I say without looking at him. He obliges, "Sure thing, Gale." I'm alone with Madge. The last time I talked to her I was rude and judgmental. Now is the time for me to apologize for my actions. "Um." I clear my throat, "Hi, Madge. I, uh just want to say I'm sorry for what I said before the reaping…" I trail off not really sure what else to say. Madge is looking at me with sincere eyes.

"I'm sorry too Gale." She gives me a small smile and I'm confused about what she means. "Why are you sorry? I'm the one who should apologize. I judged you for no apparent reason." I'm still holding her books in my hands. " I know what you apologizing for, Gale. I forgive you for that. I'm apologizing because Katniss is gone. I can't really say I know how you feel, but Katniss was my friend too. "

This catches me off guard. Katniss is all I think about now and Madge can some what relate to how I feel right now. " If you ever need a friend I'm always around. You know where you can find me." She smiles at me and comes forward. For a second I thought she was going to hug me, but instead she takes her books from my hands. "See you around Gale." I'm still in shock so I don't answer. I just stand there alone in the hallway.

I'm late for class, but I don't care. I feel better now that I can rely on someone to talk to, yet sharing things with Madge is not really what I had in mind. I decide that it's better than bottling up my emotions and decide that after school I'll give Madge a visit. I head into class where I'm greeted with detention from my teacher. Great, now I'll have to wait to tell someone about my adventures with Katniss. Maybe this is a sign on why I should keep my feelings to myself.

Whatever it means it'll have to wait because my teacher is calling on me to answer a question. I'll wrestle with my conflicting emotion later. Man, am I going soft or what?

After detention is over I rush out of school and head towards Madge's house. I'm not really sure what I'm going to say to her. I keep trying to come up with things to say, but nothing sound genuine. As I walk I start to regret my decision and start to have second thoughts. Madge probably doesn't want to hear about my problems and ever changing emotions. The only person who could listen to me rant on was Katniss, but she was ripped form my life.

I'm about to turn back when I hear my name being called. "Gale? What are you doing here?" It's Madge of course. It's seems while I was deliberating on weather I should come here my feet were still moving and I ended up at her house. " Oh, I, uh, you know…" Not really what I was going for. Madge laughs and says do you want to come in?" I nod my head and follow her inside.

Her house in extraordinary. The walls are decorated with elegant painting, like vines slithering to the top of the ceiling. She escorts me to a room that must be the living room. It contains of chair that look very comfortable and tables that probably cost more than my house. She sits down in one of the chairs and motions for me to do the same. " The opening ceremony is tomorrow. How are you feeling about that?" It hasn't crossed my mind in the least bit. I've been worrying about Katniss I forgot all about how she's going to have to parade around like she enjoys being in the presence of the people from the capitol.

"It makes me sick. She doesn't deserve this." I don't look at Madge when I say this, but pretend I'm very interesting in her plush carpet. " Gale, I know this is difficult. She'll get through and so will. Tomorrow when the ceremonies start, just think about how amazingly strong willed she is." She's right. Katniss will put up a brave face and keep her head held high. She won't let others see her suffer. An Idea strikes me then, "Madge, would you like to watch the ceremony with me? You can come to my house." I would feel better if she was with me when I see Katniss for the first time since I said good-bye to her.

Her face lights up, " Sure, Gale. I'd love too." She smiles at me and for more than an hour we talk about the games and she listens to me rattle on about how unfair I think they are. She is sort of a replacement of Katniss for me. I mean don't get me wrong she could never take Katniss's place, but it feels good to not be alone. Madge fills the void I'm usually in.

I finally head home when the sun is setting. " See you tomorrow, Gale. She's going to do fantastically. " Madge sounds so certain. I wish I had her certainty. I realize as I'm walking home that I've been avoiding Katniss's family. It's wrong, I know and Katniss would have my head if she knew, but every time I think about them, it makes me sad. They must be suffering more than I am.

I decide that I shouldn't let my feelings overthrow my promise to Katniss. I said I would take care of her family and I will.