A/N- Hmm, I decided I wanted to write in Gale's POV for an experiment and this is the result!

Hope you like it! x

"Gale, wait!" Her bubbly voice calls, as I make my way down the street.

I pause and turn around, watching her fly down after me, her extensive blonde hair flowing wildly behind her. She runs fairly fast, so within a few moments, she reaches me.

Her soft cheeks are flushed a pale pink against her golden hinted skin and her breaths are gentle, but quicker than normal. Most of her skin is exposed, except from a short, white cotton dress that hangs way above her knees, showing off her toned legs and bare feet. She's quite a bit shorter in height to me, her head reaching just my shoulders. Years ago, she wasn't the type of girl I would have chosen, but I'm a new person now. A new person discovering new opportunities.

"You didn't say goodbye" She tells me, resting her hand on my shoulder.

"I didn't want to wake you" I reply softly, taking a strand of her hair and twisting it around my finger.

"It's ok, I was just wondering why you left so suddenly" She says.

"Ah, well that would be telling" I tease.

"Oh, well then. You'd best be on your way then" She replies, her delicate fingers running through my hair.

"I suppose I should be" I whisper, pulling her body in closer.

She rises on her tiptoes to reach my face and wraps her arms around my neck. My hands find her small waist and rest lightly on her hips. A smile grows on her lips and her eyelids flutter closed as I bend my neck to allow my lips to touch hers. We stay for a few moments, deep in each others embrace, then we finally pull apart.

"Bye Gale" She breathes to me.

"Bye Maya" I murmur back, releasing her from my arms.

I give her one more soft kiss on her forehead, before turning and leaving her standing in the street.

I walk into the main shopping square, dodging crowds of people and passing carts. It's a lot busier here in District 2 than my old home. Well, the population is far larger and after all, it was a Career District when the Capitol ruled. It's not as bad as it sounds, as the atmosphere is great. People are so happy now, what with the Hunger Games abolished and their children spared. Everyone calls each other neighbour and everyone seems to get along so well. You can't even walk down the road without someone stopping you for a 'quick catch up'. Everyone knows everyone.

Although, sometimes I do think back to my old life in District 12. When there was sadness everywhere and peoples' faces were as dull as the grey atmosphere. It was one of the poorest Districts, with families like mine struggling to eat properly. When my father died in a mining accident, things got even worse for us. Without the money from my father's work, my mother could barely provide enough food for us. So, being the eldest, I took it as my responsibility to act the father role. I was too young to work in the mine, so I used to sneak out to hunt in the wood just outside the District. It was forbidden, but we were desperate. And that's where I met Katniss Everdeen.

Her father had also died in a mining accident, so she was forced to provide for her mother and younger sister. We met once, while hunting for meat and became hunting partners. It became a regular thing and soon enough, we were best friends. Except, I wanted to be more than just friends...

"Excuse me, sir" A voice cuts me from my thoughts. I look back up to see a man holding out a small box in his hand, inside holding a ring. "Is this the right one?"

I take the box and stare at the shining ring. It's beautiful. Perfect, even.

"Oh, yes thanks" I say.

I pay with cash and head out the shop, the box tucked in my jacket pocket. The bell on the door rings as I leave and the ringing sound repeats in my head as I walk away from the shop. It keeps ringing in my ears; it's all I can hear. I see people yelling things at me, but it's as if I'm deaf. They just look like they're miming and no sound is escaping their mouths. Other people give me strange looks as I keep walking, ignoring everything and everyone I pass.

I end up walking way out of town and finally stop when I reach a grassy bank by a flowing river. Sitting on the grass, I stay and watch the water ripple past me. It seems so peaceful and quiet, but I don't seem at all relaxed. My mind is just full of mixed messages of Maya and...Katniss.

I haven't thought of Katniss for ages, until today. I'd just accepted that I had lost her to Peeta Mellark, the baker she won the 74th Games with. At first, yes, it was painful to watch the girl I most loved walk away with another guy. Heartbreaking. So, I moved to District 2 to start a new life, where everything I saw wouldn't remind me of her.

And it took me a while to finally let go and that's when I found happiness with Maya. We've been together for about 3 years now, and I've been planning to propose to her soon. Today to be exact. I've been planning my proposal for weeks now, making sure to include every tiny little detail. I wanted this to be perfect, but now, I'm having second thoughts about marrying her.

Sure, I love her and I know we'll live happily together, but I can't stop the niggling feeling telling me that she's just second best. The best being Katniss.

I take out the box from my pocket and open it. The white-gold ring stares straight at me. I chose this colour because I thought it would suit the innocence of Maya, but the more I look at it, the more I see Katniss. The simple design engraved would be everything she would love. She wasn't into all the fancy stuff, but the simple things in life made her smile. Exactly like this ring would.

"Having second thoughts?" A soft voice comes from behind me.

I turn my head around and see my mother. She walks over and sits beside me on the grass.

"It's a gorgeous ring" She says, admiring the ring sitting in my palm.

"Yeah" I agree, turning it round in my hand.

The sun catches on the edges of the ring, releasing beams of pure reflected light.

"I know you're thinking about Katniss" My mother says, resting her hand on mine.

I sigh. "I miss her, mom. And this ring should be for her"

"But, it's not, is it?" She says, pausing for a moment. "Gale, I know you loved her, but she chose Peeta and you know that"

"I know, but"

"No buts Gale. You can't change what's in the past; you must concentrate on the future. On your future with Maya"

"I haven't thought about Katniss for years, but seeing this ring made me remember"

"And you must forget" She says softly. "Maya's one of the best things to ever happen to you"

"I know... and I do love her"

"Good, then don't let go of her, Gale"

"But-"

She tightens her grip on my hand and gives it a soft squeeze, then looks up into my eyes.

"Don't let go"

A/N- I think I got Gale's character right, roughly... Well it was fun to write anyway!

And now is the time to press the little button under my blabbering and REVIEW PLEASE!

Thanks, FireflyLlama x