The next morning I came up with an idea to let Peeta know I wasn't so pathetic. I headed towards the woods first thing in the morning, I didn't even eat breakfast. I was driven to give myself the satisfaction of proving Peeta and his pity for me wrong. I didn't need to be pitied. I provided for my family each and every day and I wouldn't have some well off baker's son looking down on me.

I didn't look in the bakery window when I passed; I just walked with determination straight to the woods. I slide threw the fence effortlessly, my shoes sunk into the moist ground as I stomped through the woods. With each step mud clung to the bottom of my shoe's but at this moment I didn't give a damn.

I headed towards the last trap I'd set up near the stream. I was hoping for a squirrel a nice fat one. One that Peeta's father exchanged bread for. I was going to find the biggest fucking squirrel, march up to Peeta and shove it into those girlie elegant hands of his.

For a moment I let myself think of being able to touch those hands. To have those hands touch me. The very thought made me smile, before I could stop myself. I stopped dead in my tracks thinking to myself that now I seemed like some deranged stalker. I shook my head and moved on.

No good could ever come of these thoughts. I should just marry Katniss and live my life how I always have, in the best interest of everyone around me. Everyone expected us to, Katniss and I were a natural fit. I personally didn't feel it. I didn't want her battered hands stroking my face or her sun dried lips touching my own. I shivered at the thought. Okay, I thought, so marrying Katniss is off the list.

I laughed at myself, I knew my brain had to be rotting in order for me to be dwelling on things that could and would never happen. Katniss wouldn't marry anyone and either would I. We would just die together in the woods without anyone knowing. That was a future I could depend on. Not to mention Peeta and I had zero future, absolutely nothing would ever come out of these stupid feelings.

I kicked a rock; it flew up and hit a tree. Sighing I realized I'd walked right past the stream so lost in my own thoughts. I turned back and check the traps.

Two squirrels, a lizard of some kind, and a bird had fallen prey to our traps. Usually birds avoided our ground traps but some managed to get caught.

I stuffed them in the bag and put the bigger of the two squirrels on the top. After resetting the traps, I made my way out of the woods. It took me less time to get in and out of the woods than I ever had. I didn't even need to worry about coming back, Katniss wouldn't be coming today.

I almost excitingly rushed to the tree across the bakery. I wanted to see his face when I gave it to him. It gave me joy to think of his opinion of me changing. I wouldn't be poor Gale Hawthorn anymore; he'd have to respect me.

I waited patiently for him to appear in the window, it felt familiar now to wait for him like this. I knew he wouldn't be in that window for another twenty minutes but still I stood restlessly. I paced back and forth each time I passed the tree I imagined his reaction to the squirrel. How he would be so grateful that I repaid his kindness.

I looked over to the window not only to find Peeta's face but also to see that he was looking right at me.