Chapter 7

Saying Goodbye

"Gale," I said as he walked up to me. Without any warning he had my face in his hands. His touch set me on fire.

"I love you Lexi," Gale said. I felt my heart flutter as I looked into his grey eyes as he pushed my hair behind my fringe. I sighed.

"As a friend," I said looking away. Gale moved my face back so I was looking at him. His grey eyes seemed so full of passion, as well as regret.

"I love you more than a friend Lexi. You were always there for me and I never knew it until you left but, Lexi I need you," Gale said. I had to swallow back a sob that threatened to escape.

"So what, I am like a sister now?" I asked a smile coming to my lips. Gale smirked and shook his head.

"Lexi, you were always offered more than Katniss ever has, and I never realised it. Lexi I love you with my heart," Gale said before he started kissing me. I was taken back at first before I started to kiss back. I couldn't imagine this any better. Okay well that is a lie. I wish we were somewhere more private. But I couldn't care less. All that mattered was us. My head started to spin and I didn't care. I loved how I could feel his heat radiate off of his body as placed his hands firmly on my waist. I started to move my hands into his hair when he broke the kiss.

"Gale," I complained as he stared at me. He rose a finger to my lips as I went to speak some more.

"You are an angel, a gift from god himself. I wanted, no needed to show you that. I don't know what I would be without you." I kissed him and he responded. I smirked on his lips as he slid his hand into mine. After what I thought was too soon, he pulled away as we heard footsteps. I turned and saw Luke running in with James not far behind. I pulled away from Gale and put my bow in the case. I heard Gale busying himself.

"Lexi… We need to talk," James said.

"Busy."

"It's about you going to eight." I looked at them. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Gale watching us.

"When do I leave?" I asked.

"Now." I nodded and looked at Gale.

"Can we take a walk?" I asked him. He nodded and started to walk out. I quickly followed him. "Gale!" I called. I caught up with him and grabbed his hand. "What's wrong Gale?" I asked. He turned and looked at me. He looked as though he was going to cry. It broke my heart.

"What's wrong?! I was just reunited with my best friend, and then she's leaving me. It hurts Lexi. It makes me feel like you don't love me at all."

"You know I love you! I have never ever lied to you before. I only found out I was going yesterday! Anyway, Katniss will be here. Not like you'll be alone," I said, my eyes burning. I was not going to cry in front of him. It hurts that he wouldn't trust me.

"Katniss isn't you Lexi." He put his lips on mine. My body was filled with electricity as his fingers gripped my arm.

"Gale," I whispered against his lips. He slowly pulled back and looked into my eyes. "I'm sorry about this. If I could say no, I'm not going, I would. It's too late now. I'm sorry," I said as I pulled out of his grip. "I can write letters to you though. Who knows? I might end up coming back in a few days," I said putting my hand on his cheek. "This isn't going to be forever, I promise." He gave me a nod before we parted. One painful goodbye, another three to go. I was surprised that I didn't notice my schedule before, as it said I was leaving after dinner. Why was I so blind? God!

As the time passed, dinner came. I sat next to Posy and couldn't bear to look at Gale. Katniss must have noticed this.

"What's wrong with you two?" She asked.

"Ask her," Gale replied. I looked at Katniss.

"I'm … uh … I'm leaving," I said quietly. Posy cried out and hugged me fiercely. Prim stayed quietly as Katniss watched me.

"She's not joking," Katniss said slumping back into her seat. I wrapped my arm around Posy as she cried into my chest.

"Hey Posy, I'm not gone for long, promise. Just for a few days, a week tops," I said to her softly. She looked up at me. I gave Gale a glare and mouthed 'Get over here!' Her must've got the message as he quickly came over to Posy.

"Posy, Lexi has no choice. If you want, she can write letters to you too," He said softly. Posy looked up at me.

"Promise?"

"Promise." She smiled and moved off me and sat beside me once more.

"Where are you going?" Katniss asked.

"Eight," I said. Katniss nodded. Honestly, it felt like I was with Gale all over again. "I have to go now," I said, unable to sit through this anymore. As I stood up, Prim gave me a hug as Katniss walked over to me. "Your not going soft now are you Catnip?" I asked jokingly, trying to lighten the mood.

"I go soft when I loose a friend. Again," She said.

"I'll be back. I always am. I'm touch to kill," I said pulling her into a hug. She hugged me back.

"Do us a favour and don't die," she murmured.

"Wouldn't think of it," I admitted and pulled out of the hug. "Goodbye," I said as I walked out. I walked to my room and picked up my bag and walked over to the elevator, passing the dining room. As I walked passed, I heard a frantic Posy saying she was going to follow me. Gale quickly put an end to that idea. I sighed and continued to the elevator. I saw Boggs and smiled.

"You don't have to do this. I'm pretty sure you left some people hurting back there," He said. I looked at Boggs. He was like a father to me.

"I have to. It's my duty," I said holding back tears that threatened to spill.

"Nobody expects you to do this. We know you can't do everything."

"I know." We stayed like that for a few minuets before saying goodbye. Surprisingly he pulled me into a hug. I was still surprised when he pulled back and he practically had to push me onto the hovercraft. As the hovercraft took off, I looked out the window. I saw thirteen on the top and remembered how the capitol bombed it. Of course it was an agreement between thirteen and the capitol that they would live underground. When ever I think about it, I get angry. They could've stopped the games sooner. It would have saved Katniss from going in. I sighed and moved away from the window and saw a name written on a crate of food.

Serena McEllen.

My real name.