A/N: Thank you for reviewing, elisemellark (thanks for wishing me luck, too), RandomRandoms14, CharmChaser (oh, she didn't say that…well, not exactly;)), HungerGamesLover1020 (Ha,ha I guess you have to wait a bit), IwouldKillForaCheeseBun, lovetheboywiththebread1, Kari (If I didn't misunderstood you, you'll like this one), Ishearthandsoul (OMG thank you so much! That's a big compliment for me), Amanda332czx (don't worry, that's what I plan on doing…only a bit different…yeah, you'll see…), DandelionOnFire (yeah, that's what I thought, too(about the accepting thing). That was my main reason for the time jump)and BBree23(LOL, I just wanted to update when I saw you review, so here is the thanks)
DANKE!

Oi, I had much fun writing this one;) I don't know if you get why though. But let's just say: How could I forget poor Gale? *grin* And there's nothing funnier to write about than a jealous boy…I know I'm evil.

Um, I think I should stop writing some silly nonsense you don't understand (yet) and give you your chapter, huh? So read, enjoy, review!

Disclaimer: I'm not Suzanne Collins, so I do not own the Hunger Games. Damn.

Chapter 7:

Since the day Gale became my friend, it's a tradition that our families celebrate together. Well, "celebrate". Usually, the only thing we do is talking. In Prim's case playing. And we watch the recap together.

This year is no exception. After the reaping was over and Prim and I had found our mother, Gale came over to us and hugged us, happy we survived the reaping. Then we all made our way home. Gale brought the game we had shot this morning and as soon as Prim spotted Rory, the two were off, probably at the meadow or milking lady so we have something to eat with the bread we traded for.

It's now almost time for the recap. Gale and I have talked the whole time, about hunting and he told me how happy he is we all survived the reaping. Both his brothers were entered in the reaping ball, so he was very worried. Thankfully, they didn't have to take out tesserae, Gale would never allow it. He's very protective of his siblings, just as I am of Prim.

We are very similar, in every point. We both provide our family because our father's died when we were young. We both hunt. We both feel free in the woods. We are both stubborn and there's something else about us. We both feel a hatred towards the Capitol. A burning hate, screaming for revenge.

But unlike Gale, I don't talk about it. It's dangerous and even if I doubt there is anyone in the woods to hear him, I'm still scared. Not for myself. They would kill me if they found me out there regardless of what I'm saying. But for Prim and my mother. Because if I die, they will die, too.

Of course Gale has this fear, too, though he never talks about it. I know he has. But with him it's different. Maybe the work in the mines did it. But I doubt it. He talked like that before, too. Not as often, but he did.

There's something inside him that is already fighting. Fighting whether or not to do something. Again, he doesn't say it, but I can see it in his eyes when he is in one of his rants against the Capitol. I can read him like a book. Usually.

But when he takes my hand and says he needs to talk to me in private, I don't know what he wants.

He leads me to the meadow, where he walks over to a rock and sits down. I go over to him and since there is no other opportunity but to sit in the grass in front of him, I do.

"What do you want to talk about?" I ask him. I'm curious. What would he want to say that he can't say in front of our families, but inside of the district? It doesn't make sense.

He hesitates. "I…it's just you…"

What is he talking about? And why can't he say it? He stutters. Gale stutters never. And I don't understand. What could be so embarrassing? He can tell me everything, he knows that, doesn't he?

"Gale, whatever it is, just blurt it out already! The recaps are about to start and we mustn't miss them. So come on, what's holding you back?" I ask, irritated. I don't want to sit here all evening.
He seems to get the message and say: "Whatsgoinonwithyouanmellark?"

"What?" What did he say? It came out in a rush and I just can't understand him. What's wrong with him?

He seems to try to calm down, because he takes a deep breath and repeats, slowly and understandably this time: "What is going on with you and Mellark?"

Yes, I understood him this time. But did I want to? And if the answer to that is no, why would I not want it?

"Why?" is my answer. Why would he even want to know? It can't be that important, can it?

He hesitates again. "I…I saw you at the reaping with him. You were holding his hand and…I just wondered. What have I missed?" He saw that? How? And why does he care?

"Oh that. We're friends. Why?"

He looks…upset. Wait, upset? Why would he be upset? That's strange. "Friends?"

Now he upsets me. I told him once what's between us. Nothing, at least not in the way he thinks. Last time it was understandable he got the wrong idea. But now? "Yes, friends. What did you think?"

He blushes. "It's just…I don't know." Then he seems to notice something: "Wait. How did you become friends? And when?" I see this upsets him. And I feel guilt. Gale doesn't know about our meetings in the woods. I didn't want him to know, because I can see his reaction to Peeta and me being friends now. What would he say if I told him about our trips?

I stutter: "Well…we talked a few times and…" I trail off. I'm not the best liar, but this was even worse than my usual attempts. It wasn't really a lie…but that's not exactly the reason we're friends.

Gale has been my best friends for years, so I'm not surprised when he says: "Don't lie to me Katniss!" But his tone! This is what upsets me. Like he's challenging me.

"I'm not lying!", I yell. This time without stuttering. Good.

"Oh yeah? Of course not! And that's the reason you stutter like that!" He's shouting now, too. His face shows an angry expression. I can't tell him about Peeta and me and our days in the woods. It would upset him even more.

"Maybe I just don't want to tell you!" I am a bit quieter now, because I don't want the whole Seam to know. But Gale doesn't seem to care. "Oh, you don't? And why?"

"Because it's none of your business!" I'm yelling again. I can't help it. He's just so annoying.

"Why? Why do you trust him more than me…?" I interrupt him. "I don't! I know you longer, you're my best friend Gale! Why…?" This time, he cuts me off. "Oh, is that the case? Then why do you never hug me, but him?"

I'm taken aback for a moment. He knows about this? But before I get to ask him, he says something that makes me angry again. "And why do you look at him like that?"

He emphasizes the that. Like what? I don't look at him in any special way. And when did he see Peeta and me? Other than the reaping, I mean. And I must have looked worried back then, that can't have surprised him. Worried. I'm sure. Relieved no one I know was reaped. Sure. Anything else…no. I haven't thought about anything else. And he can't have seen us in the woods? He would've come and yelled at me, I'm sure of it.

I hiss: "When did I ever look at him like…what? Worried? Aren't the Hunger Games a reason to be worried? I was worried about you, too!" He throws his hands up in frustration.

"Maybe. I don't know what to believe anymore." He doesn't say this in a tired tone, like it would fit with what he said. He sounds angry. Still. And he gets me more angry. He doesn't believe me? I'm his best friend. Gale should know I care about him.

"Why? We've known each other for years, we're best friends, and still, you doubt me? Why?" It doesn't only sound upset, it sounds confused too. I am indeed confused. After all, what I said is right. I trust him, I tell him everything, I…. Don't. Don't tell him everything.

"You didn't tell me about you and Peeta." He voices my thoughts. Yeah, I didn't. And I won't. I sigh. "I don't want to, I already told you that!"

I may not have told him, but seriously, is it that bad? I don't think I know every story about Gale and his friends. That thought makes me frustrated. What does Gale think? He doesn't own me!

"But why? Why don't you tell me anything about him, me, whom you know for years, yet you go around hugging him? What do I not know?" If anyone had told me Gale would get this angry over that, I would have told him sooner about our friendship. We wouldn't be sitting here, arguing.

But what really hurts me is how he makes it clearer and clearer that I don't trust him. How can I show him I do? I place a hand on his shoulder. "Gale, you know I trust you with my life, you know I always told you everything, let me keep this one thing to myself." I don't yell anymore, I'm trying to soothe him.

But he doesn't let me. "Yeah? Katniss, why? That's not you, to keep something from me! He's changed you! What is he doing to you?" He says that with a new rage, a new idea I'm not sure I want to know.

Changed? I'm not changed, am I? "Gale, he's not doing anything to me! We are just…spending time together."

At the end I'm stuttering again. Oh no. That's not good at all. And my thoughts are confirmed by what he says next.

"Spending time, are you?" And then he says something I never expected, something so unlike Gale I don't trust my own ears. "Are you screwing him?"

Silence. That's all to be heard for a few seconds. The few seconds I need to realize what he said, to get the meaning of the words, to make sure I heard what he said. To make sure my ears didn't betray me.

Then I hear how my hand collides with his cheek. Because it can't be true. These can't be the words he said. It's impossible. He is my best friend. He wouldn't say something like that. Gale Hawthrone doesn't think like that. He can't mean it.

But he does. I see the red marks on his face, red marks I am responsible for. Red marks I wish I could say I regret. But I can't say that. It's not true. And when I speak again, my voice sounds deadly: "What?" It's more a hiss than anything else.

Gale, only now realizing I slapt him, because he was in something like trance for a few moments. Now he cups his cheek and gives me a reproachful look. Reproachful and…furious. Angry isn't the right word anymore. Furious is.

"So you are?" How dare he. I could slap him again, if only he didn't have his hand on his cheek.

"What do you think?" I spit the words through gritted teeth. It's unbelievable. I know my face must match his now. And to make everything worse, he shrugs.

I can't hold myself back any longer. I scream: "No! Gale, we have known each other for five years! I'm not just a body. You should know I'd never sell myself. I thought you know me. But obviously, I was wrong!"

I can see how my words affect him. His expression, a few minutes ago made of furiousness, shows now concern. But I don't care. "Catnip, I'm…"

"Don't!" I cut him off. "Don't say you're sorry. You meant it! You…" "No!" This time, it's his turn to interrupt me. "I didn't. I'm sor…"

"I said, don't!", I hiss. I don't want to hear his sorry. He said what he said and I want him to tell me the truth. And if he says sorry now, he lied to me.

It's not like I didn't lie to him. But this is something else. He is my friend and…what he said was so wrong.

"Katniss, listen." He puts his hand on my mouth to shut me up. And it works, because though I struggle, he's much stronger than I am. "I. Am. Sorry. I…I didn't mean it like that. It's just…"

He drops his hand and doesn't continue. He seems to mean it. But then again, he seemed to mean the question, too. But he looks sad.

I sigh. Though I am still angry, I really want to know it. "Then why would you say it?" Wrong question. Very wrong. I shouldn't have asked that.

Because one moment he looks like he is going to answer. The next moment, he grabs my collar and presses his lips to mine.

For one second, I'm to stunned to do anything. This isn't happening. One moment, he asks me if I slept with Peeta and the next moment, he is kissing me. He is kissing me!

As soon as I think that, as soon as I come back from my thoughts, my shock, I push Gale away. Hard.

He looks at me with an hurt, angry and…betrayed expression.

"Why?" Is everything I ask. I don't understand. We are best friends. We've always been. Why does he have to make everything complicated by kissing me?

I don't have these kind of feelings for anyone. That's what I never wanted. I don't want a boyfriend, I don't want to be in this kind of relationship with anyone. I don't want to get married. It would lead to children. Children that could be reaped. And I would never send my child into the Hunger Games, I swear.

And Gale knows. So why…?

"Catnip, don't you understand? You and I, we would work. We…" I cut him off. "There is no "we"."

He gets angry again. "Yes there is! I have feelings for you and you…you should have feelings for me! We are best friends. We are…made for each other. Katniss, we are the same!"

He is right. We are the same. But does that mean I have to marry him? Does that mean he is my soul mate? "Gale…I can't. You and I…I don't know. I don't want this and you know it."

I watch his face. Suddenly, he has an expression on his face, one I, for once, can't read. "No. You don't want this with me."

And with that, he says: "Come on, let's watch the recap."

I'm thankful, because I just want to drop the topic. I don't want this kind of conversations with him.

I watch the reapings more concentrated than in other years. I want to avoid Gale.

Though I am so concentrated, only a few tributes stick in my mind.

A pretty girl from two, that look as though she wanted to rip everyone's head off.

A small, thirteen year old boy from six. His expression is so wicked that I would be afraid of him if it was me in the arena.

A young, eighteen year old women from nine. She's tall, taller than all the other tributes.

And of course, Johann and Rose from here. Our tributes. The reporter says that maybe Johann isn't a lost cause. But I think he will die. He is from twelve and no one from twelve survives.

The reapings are a good distraction. If you hate something, you have to listen to it, to watch it, you have to. Ignoring doesn't work. It's always like this.

But when they're over and the Hawthrones go home, I excuse myself, saying I'll go sleeping. Instead, I just lie on my bed, thinking.

Gale didn't talk to me again. He ignored me just as I ignored him. He didn't even look at me.

It's right, the recaps were a good distraction. But now, that they are over, everything comes back to me.

The kiss. The kiss that destroyed everything, that confused me. The kiss that I wish hadn't happened, because it made it all more complicated. The kiss I don't know what to think of.

Did I feel something? Anything?

Now that I think of it, I don't know. When he kissed me, everything I thought about was that I couldn't do this, that I mustn't. I don't want this kind of relationship.

Plus, I've never seen Gale as more than a friend. He was just my best friend, I never thought about him any other way.

And I don't know if I felt anything. I have never been kissed before, so I can't compare it. But shouldn't there be something? From what I've heard, when the girls in school talk about it, there is something to feel.

But all I was thinking about in this moment was how angry I was. And I was shocked. I felt anger and shock. But was that because I didn't want to feel anything? Maybe I just didn't notice? Can I even decide how I feel?

I sigh in frustration. I don't know. I have no experience with this and I've never before thought about it. It wasn't important. It shouldn't be now.

So why is it? Just because Gale kissed me? There must be something else, too.

I mean, it's clear that I think about it when my best friend, who knows how I think about marriage, about children, suddenly kisses my and makes everything complicated. Of course I think about it. And I don't want to loose him as a friend. My best friend, my hunting partner.

But my security walls are strong and with today, they became a bit stronger again. So why am I thinking about that? I made it clear, I told Gale I don't want it!

I think back to our conversation. And then it hits me.

He said something about I didn't want it with him. But he's my best friend. If I don't want to love Gale that way, who else? I don't want to be in that kind of relationship, but if even Gale can't convince me, who can? Who was he talking about? And why does he think this person can do this, if even he can't? Why would he think that? And who is this person?

I try to find the answer, but I only do when I think about how I got angry.

The only thing that makes sense, that is at least not completely crazy, is that he was talking about Peeta. In our conversation before, he was talking about him, too. And he was angry I hugged Peeta.

But why would he think so? I know Peeta only a few month. And I don't have this kind of feelings for anyone. I can't have, so I don't.

And Peeta doesn't want that from me anyway. He hasn't said or done anything. The hug was just friendly, like it is with Prim…right?

What? Did you think she could hug Peeta without Gale overacting? Honestly? Wow, I'm proud! No one predicted this :D *Grin* She is angry, he is angry and she is more confused than ever, too. Don't we all think this is going to be interesting?

And yeah, I know you probably hate me now. But hey, someone had to awake Katniss' cautiousness. It's Katniss, she wouldn't get that anyone loves her if it was thrown in her face. And to confuse her even more, I thought I could let Gale kiss her (by the way, I hope the kiss wasn't described too bad, but I've never kissed someone when I didn't know if I had feelings for him and was angry at the person, so I don't know what it feels like).

So don't hate me. (though I don't know if my explanation made sense.)

And if you want anything explained, because I know this may have been confusing, review or PM me!

And that brings me to: What do you think? I'm really interested in your answers. Review!