Admirers

Katniss

It's been almost two days since Gale left, taking my hunting partner with him. Hunting just wasn't the same without him. There was nothing remotely enjoyable about the task and now it was twice as hard. Gale and I came upon an agreement a few years ago, that if either of us was reaped the other would provide food for their family. So now, I am the breadwinner for not only three, but seven people.

I climb into a tree as usual, bow positioned to shoot, and then I wait. A couple hours pass, and I have shot 3 rabbits, a few squirrels, and an unlucky beaver unfortunately swam into one of Gale's artfully set snares. I stuff them into my game bag and head into town.

It's about four o'clock, but the square is still bustling with activity. Today the opening ceremonies will be broadcast live from the Capitol. I will get to see Gale on TV, dressed up in a costume, looking nothing like his usual self who is rustic and natural. I shiver at the thought of what sort of costume they'll get him in as I walk into the bakery.

"Hello Katniss, how are you young lady?" Mr. Mellark said from behind the counter where they displayed their most delicious baked goods.

"Hello, Mr Mellark" I say smiling "I have some squirrels to trade with you"

"Well let me see" He says motioning towards my game bag.

I reach in and grab the already skinned body of two of my squirrels. I'll save the third one for my own families dinner.

"Fantastic shot" He says staring at the puncture wound "Always straight through the eye"

"How many loaves of bread are they worth" I ask in bargaining mode.

I need all the extra help I can get, so I hope he's feeling generous today.

"I'd say 5. How does that sound" He says feeling the weight of them.

"Thank-you so much" I reply with as much gratefulness as I can muster. It was an okay trade, I was hoping for six loaves (Three for each family) but I won't push my luck. The baker and I were on good terms with each other, and I didn't want to change that any time soon.

"Peeta" He calls his sons name "Could you please get Miss Everdeen 5 loaves of bread from the back please"

"Yah dad, one sec" I can hear trays clattering, and paper crinkling as he shoves the bread into bags. Peeta appears a few minutes later. "Hi Katniss" He says looking down at his feet.

"Um hi Peeta" I whisper shyly before rushing out the door. I want to kick myself. What an idiot I must look like. I don't know what it is about Peeta, but I never feel quite like myself around him. Maybe it's because of the unpaid debt of him providing me with the bread that saved my life. Or perhaps it was the fact that I knew he liked me.

Whatever the feeling was caused by... I didn't like it.

8 o'clock rolls around, and my stomach feels queasy. The opening ceremonies begin with a flourish of music and Prim reaches for my hand as the District One tributes come bursting out of the gates, looking gorgeous and strong of course. Typical careers...

Two through ten pass by uneventfully. Some tributes look arrogant, like the careers, however most just look like small and terrified children. The District 11 chariot pulls up, and I want to cry when I see the girl tribute. She's small, and even thinner than Prim. She has her head held high, but you can see the terror that lies beneath the mask that the Capitol plastered to her face.

Rue. Her name was Rue, named after a tiny yellow flower similar to Primroses. Good luck Rue and may the odds be ever in your favour.

District Twelve is last to go of course. I can't believe how nervous I am considering I'm not even there. I can only imagine how Madge is faring. I knew she was shy, almost as shy as I was. So we usually partnered for sports activities, and ate lunch together in silence. Not an uncomfortable silence, just silence.

I close my eyes as their horses make their appearance on the streets lined with Capitol people. The applause is deafening. In fact it is the loudest cheering I have ever heard in my life. I look up and I can see why. It looks as if Gale and Madge are firecrackers.

Sparks fly off them in all directions. Some fly into the air and burst into a beautiful array of fireworks. I cheer in spite of myself. Prim and I get up and dance around the living room together. This was fantastic. Cameras swept the crowd and every single person looked enthralled in the spectacular performance going on beneath them. I could see some residents even looking at the programs to find the names of this year's Tributes from District Twelve.

It feels as if twenty pounds has been lifted off my shoulders. Gale has a chance to get some sponsors at least. However it feels like I have been hit with a tonne of bricks when I focus in and see that Gale and Madge are holding hands.

Madge

Capitol residents are still screaming as we round the corner and pull up in front of President Snow's Mansion. While he gives his speech that I have listened to 15 times before this, I can't help the smug smile that reaches my lips. Well, I could I guess, but it felt too good to have it there.

"Look" I whisper to Gale and motion to the screen.

The cameras are supposed to be filming the tributes equally, but I can't help but notice that Gale and I are demanding most of the air time. I wink at the camera when it sweeps back to us, and some of the residents laugh. Gale shakes silently beside me.

"I thought you were shy" He says under his breath.

"Well, I'm not myself anymore" I shoot a mysterious smile his way.

He turns his head to look at me, his eyes filled with wonder. I liked it that way. I enjoyed playing the girl that no one could figure out. It was funny to watch as people tried to contemplate your next move. It was enjoyable to watch them fidget under your mysterious glares. I try something else next. I lean into Gale putting my head down on his shoulder.

"What are you doing?" He looks over at me, but doesn't move away.

"I am so tired I think I might fall asleep" I mumble into his shoulder.

I liked the way his eyebrows furrowed together in confusion. Was she serious? I could almost hear the internal questions he was asking himself.

Gale

What was Madge doing? Ten minutes ago she was acting like she hated me, and now she's resting her head on my shoulder! When Haymitch told us to hold hands on the chariot ride, she was the one who protested against the idea with her life. Now she's practically sitting on my lap! I couldn't figure this girl out! She was nowhere near as simple to understand as Katniss. Katniss! She must be livid. I did kiss her before I left after all.

I move away from Madge, she doesn't let that deter her though. Instead she settles with grabbing my hand and resting it on the velvet seat of the chariot. She winks at me. What does that mean? Is it real? Does she like me? Or is this all just a big show for the Capitol? I cannot figure her out. Earlier I thought Haymitch was difficult to understand, however that imaginary crown of mystery has been passed from his drunken head to Madge's blonde one.