Sorry I haven't written for SOOOO long. I wanted to give up but I've decided I must finish this story.

Nancy

Flo's POV

Katniss has been shot, that idiot. What was going on in her head? I think I'll just go and make a speech in the middle of this battlefield full of men with guns who hate me. Yeah that makes sense. At least it means Gale's coming back to District 13. I've tried to tell myself I haven't missed him, but I know deep in my heart I have. Maybe not in a romantic way but he is one of the few people from my old life who's still alive and mostly sane. I mean, I have made new friends here in District 13 and I still visit Peeta often but it's just not the same.

I was standing in the hangar, waiting for the hovercraft. I had got special permission to be here instead of training. I don't think Id ever be the fine physical specimen they were trying to shape me into. I was too lazy and unfit. Although I was trying when the battle came, I wanted to fight. I was interrupted from my musings by the arrival of the hovercraft. It was completely silent but the people rushing out of it weren't. I watched as two soldiers carried a pale looking Katniss out on a stretcher. Following her was a group of other soldiers, all with various injuries. Last was Gale, looking thoroughly battered. He was staring at the ground and I could tell his mind was only focused on one subject: whether Katniss would recover. I felt a little shy about going up to him. Our relationship is a little… complicated. But who cares what had gone on between us? He needed a friend. I walked up to him and silently wrapped my arms round him. It took him a while to realize who it was but he soon hugged me back and buried his face in my neck.

'She'll be okay' I mutter even though it kills me to do it. To me, saying that was admitting that he preferred her. I knew it. He had even told me himself. But part of me always wished that maybe… maybe he would decide that I was better. Of course that would never happen but there's nothing wrong with a bit of hope.

After a long time (but not long enough in my opinion) Gale lets go. He gives me a watery smile.

'You really think so?'

'Sure. You've seen all the advanced techie medical stuff they have here.'

He nods but still doesn't look reassured. 'I'm gonna go find her. Thanks Flo; I've missed you'.

'I've missed you too' I whisper as he runs off.

It was a couple of months after Gale and Katniss had come back from District 2. Everyone was preparing for war. Even me. I had been forced to train every single flipping day. At least I could run the required distance without stopping now. And I managed to shoot the target about three quarters of the time. This was a vast improvement from old me, who was so used to life of luxury I could hardly run 10 steps without getting out of breath.

It was about 6 am in the morning. I was jogging slowly round the track, concentrating on breathing evenly and trying to ignore the stitch ripping its way through my side. The District 13 soldier in charge of training was screeching at me to go faster. I pretended I hadn't heard her and carried puffing on at my own slow pace. Suddenly a guy ran passed me. The first thing I noticed was that he was shirtless, and I might add that his body wasn't too bad. The second thing I noticed was that it was Gale. Since he'd got back we'd been friendly to each other but nothing more. I only ever saw him at meals since he spent all his time training or with Katniss or Beetee.

'Oi' I yelled.

He started jogging backwards, grinning at me. 'Am I seriously going to overlap you?'

'You seriously are' regretting the loss of oxygen shouting had caused me. I really wasn't cut out for long distance. Gale laughed and started pelting round the track at full speed. Blimey, he was fast. He was around the whole track in a matter of seconds. I kept going at my slow but retainable speed.

Gale grabbed my shoulders from behind.

'I didn't think it was possible to be that slow'

I simply stuck my tongue out as he slotted in beside me. Soon, he started circling me while jogging.

'Look, I'm running circles round you. Literally'

'Stop showing off. Anyway it's against the rules to jog topless'

'Why?'

'It's distracting. How would you like it if I was to run topless?' I hoped my obvious flirting wouldn't put him off.

'I'd like that very much' he winked.

On the outside I looked completely cool but inside I was punching the air. It probably meant nothing but at least he wasn't completely cold.

'I bet I could run faster than this with you on my back'

'I bet you could, too'

'Wanna try it anyway?' He hoists me onto his back and I wrap my legs round his bare chest. He sets off at an incredibly pace as if I wasn't actually there. The wind rushes through my hair as I hold him probably tighter than necessary. We're both laughing madly when someone steps in front of us on the track.

'Oh hey Johanna' Gale says.

Johanna's features were all sharp and hard, giving her a cold, unforgiving aura. I decided almost immediately I didn't like her.

'You ought to be careful of you might upset little miss mentally unstable over there.' She gestures towards Katniss who had just walked out onto the track. She hadn't spotted us yet. Gale grimaces and drops me.

'Sorry Flo'. He smiles apologetically before running off towards Katniss.

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Love Nancy