After the announcement was made, I sat speechless. Both Katniss and Peeta could come home?

Damn.

If they both survive she'll have to end up with him now. Or the whole Capitol would know it was just a trick to get sponsors. And she probably has feelings for him by now. I ball up my fists, cursing the world. Why couldn't life be simple? Why did she have to be reaped? I was just getting up the courage to ask her out and then the Capitol dropped this bomb on us. Everyone assumed we would get married, and I always laughed at them until I realised that was really what I wanted. And now it was impossible.

The tiny Katniss on screen looked up startled. Then she uttered the worst thing she could have ever said.

'Peeta'

She clamped her hands to her mouth and looked around nervously to check if anyone had heard.

Well I'm screwed.

Any hopes of ending up with Katniss were severed with that one desperate cry.

The announcement brought the first flicker of hope I had throughout the whole games. Peeta didn't have to save Katniss! They could get out together. And even though Peeta was lying, close to death in a ditch Katniss would find him. When she had said 'Peeta' it filled me with optimism. All the protecting Peeta had done ha paid off. Katniss trusted him enough, and actually liked him enough to try and bring him back. That and everyone would hate her if she came home without him.

But there was still Cato and Clove and lots of other people… It was still incredibly unlikely they would make it home.

Suddenly I heard the bell ring in the sweet shop downstairs. The shop was closed. I was certain it was a burglar and I was home alone, so armed with my bedside lamp I crept downstairs. There was a dark shape skulking at the bag of the shop. I carefully reached for the light switch, lamp raised.

Gale was standing there, tears pouring down his face. At the sight of me in my pyjamas holding my night light he burst out laughing but soon dissolved to tears again. I wasn't sure what to do, but he looked so pitiful that in the end I walked over and gave him a hug.

'Thanks' he mumbled. 'I just didn't know who to turn to'. So why did he choose me? I don't care about Katniss and Peeta going out at all. In fact Id be happy for them. Maybe he thinks cos I've seen him with Katniss I know what he's going through? Arrogant bastard.

He sniffs and lays his head on my shoulder. A thousand memories shoot through my head from when we were going out. And the familiar pain shoots through me. The pain of being replaced, of being told someone else is better than you. By the boy you love.

I feel tears drip on my shoulder. This is the first time I've ever seen him cry. And over stupid, selfish, distrustful Katniss. I heave a sigh. There's no point hating on Katniss just to make me feel better.

I smile up at Gale, 'Try dating loads of different girls to make her jealous'. It just came out. Why did I say that? It completely ruins my cool image! I don't think he heard though so that's fine…

I let gale sleep on the sofa that night because he said he couldn't face going home. When I came downstairs in the morning, I smelt bacon and eggs. I walked in to the kitchen in time to see him try and flip a pancake. It landed on his head.

'Real manly you are' I remark perching on the counter.

He turns round. His eyes are puffy and swollen and his hair still had bits of pancake in but somehow he managed to look incredibly hot.

'Breakfast is served Madame' he hands me a plate piled high with food. 'Thanks for letting me stay last night'

'No probs. There's no point having the house to myself if I can't invite random boys to stay the night'.

We eat breakfast together before he left to hunt and I opened the shop. I needed Peeta so I could discuss the past events. But of course I couldn't. God, I miss him.

Short chapter, but next one they win the games and she moves to the Capitol so it should get more exciting

Review!

Nancy :D