Chapter 5

Disclaimer: I do not own Hunger Games or any of the characters, they belong to Suzanne Collins.

Completely elated, I swam out of the elevator on the twelfth floor. Gale, Peeta and the others followed, but I lead the way. We were all thrilled with how the ceremony went. Twenty-four well dressed tributes in elaborate costumes and make-up were paraded around the stadium for entertainment. Mentally, I took notes and stored them in my memory – in preparation for the tests ahead.

Training began tomorrow and I needed to be fully alert; so I went to bed early in order to be the best mentor I could be. The picture of Gale as he was presented to the capitol was etched in permanent ink in my mind. Save the best for last was an understatement in this case…

District 1's tributes; Ray and Christina put in an effort at least and each had been carefully painted with intricate patterns – it must have taken hours. They wore simple gowns – both looked incredible. District 12's representatives; Jacob and Stephanie, I recall, were dressed in contrasting shades of gold. His dirty blonde hair fell across the material clashing against the vibrant metallic colour. He was muscular with strong arms and a firm chest, but his smile was soft and genuine. The girl however had brown curls which hung loosely framing her face beautifully – it looked quite natural, maybe that's they idea they were going for, simple and ordinary appearance so that their talents would stand out like neon lights. Both looked only about fifteen or sixteen. Gale would almost surely be the eldest.

Another pair that stood out, was the two from district 5; Maddie and Jack – who had been painted with greens and browns as a sort of camouflage, I'm assuming. Maddie, however, wore a blue flowing dress, which looked strangely like water running off her body – I have no idea how, but I think it might have been real liquid, somehow… Jack was in a uniform, with a smart hat and a jacket decorated with badges and pins of all sorts. As for the rest of the tributes, they were dressed in various fineries, probably from their districts in representation, but none that stood out in my eyes, which were clouded by the image of him.

As I remembered the day's events, I thought of him alone in his room – I wanted to confront him, I needed to know why he was being so cold towards me. My head filled with all the things I wanted to say - but couldn't. I soon fell asleep, exhausted, where even my dreams were drowned by Gale.

Annoyingly I was awoken at 5am by a deafening hammering on my door.

"Rise and shine!" a cheery voice sounded. Cinna. I yawned and stretched and slid out of bed, composing myself before my feet landed with a thud on the floor. I withdrew them quickly – it was freezing. I found some socks and pulled them on and wandered out in search of breakfast.

After an early start – for everyone I was pleased to see, not just myself (Peeta did not look impressed) – we began training… Once joining the few tributes and mentors in the training area, Peeta glanced at me and said;

"You go with Emily, I'll help Gale," as if Gale would need Peeta's help of all people! I shrugged complacently and faced away from him. Others began to arrive, and the hall we were in became busy. I asked Emily what she would like to do first; she is more likely to be good at something she enjoys. Naturally, without giving it a second thought, she went towards the knot tying. Emily got the hang of it quite quickly and we moved on to climbing. As she is light, Emily had no trouble pulling her own weight up the rope and swinging across to the wall, the instructor told her that her technique was good. This gave her a confidence boost she was in need of, my encouraging her wasn't working at the moment. The small framed girl clambering up to the top triggered a flashback of Rue, nimbly darting up to perch in the high branches of a tree – I shook it away. I needed to concentrate on the here and now.

Overall I was happy with her physical performance, but mentally – I still couldn't feel that she was ready; then again no-one was really ready for a challenge like this… Whenever Emily seemed to be occupied with learning a new skill, I had sneaked a peek at Gale. Of course he was doing magnificently, but I couldn't help think he should try holding something back…At the end of the day I realised he had not even stepped near the real weapons, the spear throwing, knives or the bow and arrow. Whether this was Peeta's suggestion or Gale's personal choice, I was relieved to find he would still have a talent up his sleeve when the games began.

Vivian called Peeta and I to her that evening, when the shattered pair of trainees fell into bed, bordering on unconsciousness.

"How are they performing? Do you think they'll be ready for Saturday?" She stared at us; I waited for Peeta to speak first and he watched for my reply.

"Fine, Gale is doing well, his strength should get him some sponsors – he looks like a fighter so maybe…" Peeta looked back down at his feet.

"And Emma?"

"It's Emily not Emma – don't you even know their names?" I asked incredulously. She was either too embarrassed to answer, or she felt too superior to correct her mistake – I was pretty sure it was the latter.

"Emily is going to be okay; luckily she doesn't need to rely on you for the survival element." I snarled. Probably not a smart move, but the anger started to bubble inside me and the hatred against the capitol was burning my body from underneath my skin. A warning look from Peeta hit something and I breathed out heavily and turned in for the night.

I did not see Vivian the next day or on the final training day before the private sessions with the Gamemakers. The second day had been a huge success, until the tributes went to lunch; out of the corner of my eye, I saw the tall boy from district 5 – Jack. He sat next to Gale and immediately indulged in conversation…

"Hi, Jack by the way, you made quite an impression at the opening ceremony," he took a sip of his drink and waited for Gale's response. He looked mortified.

"What do you want?"

"I, just wanted to tell you…well you see the careers over there, I should warn you they're planning an attack from the start – I thought it would be unfair if you didn't know." He looked hurt that Gale had snapped at him.

"Right, thanks." Jack got up to leave.

"Wait! You can stay, if you want" Gale mumbled and the boy sat back down.

"I'm Gale by the way." I watched Gale's feeble attempt at a smile – one that was not even close to the one he used to give me. They sat together and talked – it was the most I'd heard Gale's voice in the past week, it felt more normal, hearing him even if he wasn't speaking to me. I was worried at first, with someone approaching Gale, but he seemed…lonely. Besides, it wasn't my call.

On the final day of training, I noticed Gale picking up one of the spears in the gym; the instructor was guiding him and giving him lots of commands. He threw it. I held my breath. It bounced off the wall, making a loud clatter so that everyone heard. Heads turned, then twisted back to their activities cramming in as much practise as time would allow. Gale blushed until his ears turned scarlet and he tried again – badly. What was he doing? Had he forgotten to use a spear? No. He was playing a game. Everyone was thinking about how to hit on the other's weak points. There was no-one else with any skill when it came to the spear, as far as I knew. This meant, if Gale's luck were with him on the first day and there was a weapon that no-one could use, it wouldn't be first to go. Not one person would suspect Gale. Again I was pleased that he was thinking ahead – if that's what this was. Emily was trying to pick up the art of hunting for the right berries and plants – she kept going for the poisonous ones, much to my disappointment. I should be able to teach her this at least – it was what I was most known for. Eventually lunch came around and I again watched the tributes in the hall. I felt too sick to eat – I'm surprised Gale and Emily were able to, although my session a year ago had made me feel worse afterwards rather than before. What was I thinking? Well whatever I did worked, I was lucky I guess. Jack did not join Gale again, but I watched him shyly approach the tributes from district 4; I caught their names, Gabriel and Trisha. They both appeared to be outcasts, none of the other tributes had even looked at them, they were average. Not a threat, neither someone you wanted to team up with. Jack joined their table today.

I waited nervously on the twelfth floor for them to return. Emily came back first and burst into tears. Vivian had showed her face at this point and she looked frustrated. Cinna and Mal both exchanged glances; however Cinna's seemed to be more sympathetic. Peeta did look worried, but he tried to conceal it. I moved forward and cradled her in my arms, she was alone, an instinct told me to hug her, she reminded me so much of Rue and then of Prim. It was good to finally have a purpose here. She looked up at me and smiled.

"I made a huge jump and I swear one of them smiled." I sighed in relief. It had been too much for her. Just Gale now…

We waited and waited; Emily calmed down and sat next to me on the settee. Vivian paced the room. Cinna ran his fingers repeatedly through his hair. Mal just stood there. He swung through the door nearly squashing Vivian, much to my pleasure. Peeta was now rubbing his hands together frantically as if he were trying to keep them warm even in the scorching heat. Gale just stared at me, was he expecting something? He looked at Peeta and nodded. Peeta grinned and the tension in the air broke. I still felt like I was standing outside a circle and nobody was going to let me in.

At lunch the following day we had to be patient for the scores, Gale's appetite returned with a vengeance and he ate the amount you might expect a blue whale to swallow for breakfast. It would have made me laugh and make jokes about his fitting through doorways – but not now. We watched the television as numbers began being called out; a couple of sixes, a few nines, the boy Jack got a ten, I started to wonder if he had a game plan. There are higher marks than last year as I recall. A four for the girl from district seven. An eight, another seven, a couple of fives and more sixes. Eventually; Emily, I waited with baited breath, a seven. She seemed happy, I gave her a hug and she held me tight whispering in my ear.

"Will I get sponsors Katniss?"

"That's a great score and your interview will blow everyone away," she accepted this answer as a yes, although I didn't have to promise anything.

Gale.

Eleven. If I hadn't lost my voice at that point, I'd have screamed and thrown my arms round Gale. However my mouth was dry and my friend no longer needed me, or wanted me. His score was good, good enough to get noticed. Good enough to win hearts across the capitol. Good enough for him to be able to survive?

Preparations for the interviews began straight away, but Peeta and I had no part in this as Vivian wanted to coach the tributes and Cinna and Mal had the appearance element under control, so we were free to roam the capitol. I didn't stray far from our building and ended up on a bench right outside. I watched the world go by. The sky was a perfect pink as the day drew to a close. It was humid and the air smelt of the wild flowers just around the edges of district 11 – past the borders of course. My thoughts wandered to Peeta and this time last year. The last time that our relationship had been nothing more than friends. He was the bread boy, with a kind heart. Prim had been at home worrying like crazy with my mother. Gale, poor Gale had been alone, he had hunted by himself, despite the danger and fed my family. Now he was alone again, but this time I had not been the one to leave. The sparkle in his eye was non-existent and the glint of hope when he smiled with his teeth had disappeared.

A figure came out of the building, checked their watch, checked who was around the scurried off around the corner. This was strange. Yet, in the capitol, who's to say this wasn't a regular occurrence. I decided to call it a day and headed off back to my room.

I was not disturbed until late morning, when Vivian came to tell me that we were all going over to another building where the interviews were to take place. I hurriedly pulled on some clothes and didn't bother eating – there would be time for that later. After a few hours, when hair and make-up had been perfected and beautiful dresses were straightened, suits were brushed off; the interviews were ready to begin.

"Emily, just do everything Cinna, Mal and Vivian told you, okay? Be yourself and don't be nervous." She nodded and gave me a twirl. The baby pink gown on her spun and the frills splayed out – she looked lovely as I had expected. She was lead away and I did not get a glimpse at Gale. Peeta and I were seated in front of the stage. The tributes were lined up along the platform. I spotted Gale straight away; I would have even if my eyes hadn't been searching for him. He looked gorgeous, again. I must remember to thank Cinna for doing such an excellent job. His suit jacket was well fitted in a shade of coal black, the scarlet red contrasted sharply and he looked older. This made him look like a man sitting amongst mere children. Emily appeared even more petite next to him – this was endearing though, so sponsors were bound to roll in – I hoped. Caesar Flickerman stepped out and made an introduction, then leapt in with the first interview. Tactics were clear. Some went for sweet and cute, a few braved confident and cocky, the pair from district four played on shy and innocent. The boy Jack was showing a sickly sweet smile and answering everything perfectly. When it was Gale's turn my ears pricked and my eyes were trained on his face.

"So how do feel about having to take over from last year's dynamic duo?"

"Well, it's challenging. I think this year's competitors are the toughest looking yet – I mean just look at the scores form the private sessions!" he feigned a laugh, which soon broke out into a smile. I wasn't sure if he was avoiding talking about Peeta and I, if it were another tactic or if the thought didn't even cross his mind, but he definitely seemed to swerve around that topic.

"Yes, I agree, take your score for example – an eleven! That's a marvellous number, well done." Gale blushed a little, but with the amount of make-up that had pasted him with – you couldn't tell, but I knew him well enough that the image of his crimson cheeks was flashing in my mind.

"Since the rules were changed this year, you're the oldest tribute the games have ever seen, tell me, what's it like being one of the eldest?"

"Its fine, I mean I don't think it gives me an advantage in any way, so it's not any different really." I couldn't believe how genuine he was being, it made me glad that he was being so perfect that the capitol had to fall in love with him as I had…

A few more questions were asked about the reaping, he talked so lovingly about his family and siblings, that the audience were 'ahhhhing' in all the right places – he had them hooked. I thought it was over, but Caesar asked a last question;

"Finally Gale, how do you feel about Katniss volunteering when your name had been selected at the reaping?" You could tell that he had been itching to ask this question. Even I leaned forward to hear his response, Vivian looked very worried. In a second he could blow all his chances.

"I was surprised at first; Katniss has been my best friend for as long as I can remember, apart from my family, she is the most important thing to me. I couldn't believe she was willing to put her life at risk again – it's not what I would've wanted for her. I was relieved when she was told she could not compete, I don't know what I've done if…" Gale's voice faded out. My heart was beating so fast I was afraid it would jump out of my chest. Last year Peeta, this year Gale. Peeta's fists were balled at his sides and he was stiff. I couldn't look at him – Gale's searching eyes had found mine and he looked at me properly for what seemed like forever, but it wasn't long enough and he turned away. The audience had spun in their seats to face me and cameramen started zooming in on my expression. Caesar grinned and then thanked Gale, moving on to Emily. Emily's interview was short. She didn't like having the cameras pressed in her face – although to be honest they were still on Gale and I. Mumbling things like how she was scared and at the same time excited, she survived her interview – although I don't think she really felt that way at all, probably Vivian's interception. The final two tributes had been best friends for years too, the way they looked at each other and the fact that they were holding hands with interlocked fingers told me more than their answers. That could've been Gale and I, my stomach sank. They couldn't do the same as last year and allow two winners – it caused too many problems, such as our suicide contemplation. This could only end badly. Gratefully, I stood and followed the stream of people out of the seats and back through the door we had come in, Peeta trailed behind me.

We were driven back to the building we were staying in, Peeta was sulking. Obviously I knew the reason why and I was tired of his behaviour towards me. I ignored him as he ignored me and we went back to the place I had called home for the past week. Vivian did not come back with us and neither did Mal, I congratulated Cinna on an excellent job as I had promised myself. Then I retreated to my room – to think.

I remembered the time I had spent with him, all of the hunting trips, the ventures into town to trade our prey, the times at school when he would pass me in the corridors and he would grin and wink at me. I thought of the times I spent in his arms, he would never pass up a chance to hug me to him – not that I declined. He was my rock; he was there fore me no matter what. He took care of my family when I was in the games. When he met me from the train, after I had been reunited with mother and Prim, he grabbed me in an iron grip, squashing the air out of my lungs – Peeta glared at him but he didn't stop. He held me as if he'd never let me go and I could have sworn he was holding back tears. I had them squeezed out of me and the salt water dripped onto his shirt, but he didn't mind. He was my best friend, he was everything to me. I had been lost the last week without him. He was my Gale.

Now I was sitting in my room, in the darkness, with soaked sleeves, still rubbing my sore eyes. The whole floor was silent, it must be late and everyone's probably asleep. I found my watch, the one I'd been given, it read only 11pm. I swallowed hard and stepped outside deciding where to go the second my door closed behind me.

As I opened the door to the roof, I found him there, leaning over the edge and staring into oblivion.

"Gale?" I whispered even though no-one could hear us.

"Catnip," it was wonderful hearing this from him again. I went to his side automatically and bend over to look down at the street below. We stood in silence until he broke it, pulling my arm round so I could look into his warm eyes.

"Katniss, I meant what I said earlier; you mean the world to me. And more." He concluded. I dropped my arm from his grasp and watched him watch me.

"Then why have you been like this, so cold towards me? I just want to know, that's all." I didn't expect his reaction or his reply, but when the hunger games were apart of both our lives now, I shouldn't be surprised about anything anymore.

"I know why you really volunteered." Gale's angry glare hurt. There was no hint of friendship in his face and stern expression.

"I don't understand," I muttered intro the cool night air.

"Katniss, I thought better of you, I didn't think you were the sort to be like that, but I was wrong."

"Gale, explain what you're on about because I really have no idea."

"You know what I'm talking about, so don't you give me that. I'm sick of you playing games Kat, I'm sick of your lies." His words pierced my skin and bore into my chest like knives – I hadn't done anything wrong, had I?

"What lies?" I strained my voice, hoping that this would get through to him.

"He told me, after you saw me before we got on the train; he explained why you stood for Emily." I waited for him to continue, after a long pause, he did.

"How you couldn't stand the thought of being out of the limelight and having me take your place. I know I'm inferior to you, but I never saw it as a problem, we were both alone. You've got your money; your house, your 'new friends'. A new life. That I'm not apart of – I understand that now. You couldn't bear the thought of me being the centre of attention, having girls want me the way you never did."

"What?" I had to stop him there.

"Who said anything about me wanting all the attention, I don't want any of it – I never did, I never will. I didn't ask to be rich and well known, I want everything to be like it was before any of this," I flicked an arm out to gesture towards to rest of the town before us, anger flooding through me again "I don't want you in the games, that's true, but because I don't want to watch you get hurt or killed! I don't think I could take it Gale. I need you." He stared at me; a trickle of the old Gale appeared in his eyes.

"And who said anything about me not wanting you like that." His hand came up to hug me, then he thought twice of it, letting his arm fall to his side.

"Peeta." He said simply.

"Peeta told me all of this – he said you never really cared about me at all. I didn't believe it. Yet he kept trying to tell me – I thought I was being stupid if I ignored his advice, he made it seem like it could be possible. The more I thought about it, the more I accepted it as fact."

"You were being stupid – how could you let the last few years of 'you and me against the world' mean nothing at the click of his fingers. Gale, he was jealous, you should have seen that!"
"Well, I thought maybe, you only wanted him. I thought that's what you'd prefer…" He looked embarrassed at his naivety. I placed my hand on his cheek.

"Never – it was all for the games, or at least my part in the sham of a relationship was. Gale-" that's when my emotions overtook my whole body. Tears streamed down my face again. Gale's arm wrapped around my waist and I moved into him, although not much effort was needed on my part as he pulled me close to his chest. The cold did not affect me any more as there was not an inch of space between our bodies. This was closer than I had ever been to him before – but it is nice. Better than nice – it is wonderful, breathtaking, overwhelming. Just me and Gale. Gale and I. He lifted my hair off my face and pressed a kiss against my cheek just as I moved my head and our lips collided. He leant back and gauged my smile before bending his face to mine, this time pressing his lips firmly to mine, which parted slightly allowing him to let his tongue dart into my mouth. I completely forgot to breathe and ended up gasping, he gave a soft laugh and my Gale was back.

"I'm sorry Katniss."

"Me too, let's try to forget it. There isn't much time left." This fact voiced aloud brought reality back – I couldn't bear to think about it any longer.

"Sure, I think I'd prefer you as my mentor anyway, Peeta's a bit-" but I never found out what Peeta was as the door to the roof was flung open and Vivian ran out in hysterics.

"There you are! Everyone thought you'd gone missing, what were you doing up here anyway? Wait, no time for that, we have to go." She waited impatiently. Gale reluctantly let me go and we gave her a puzzled expression.

"Now!" We followed her back to the living room, but she didn't stop.

"What's going on?" the question escaped from my mouth.

"The capitol has moved the date forward. The games start – tonight." Gale went sheet white and gripped my hand for support. There was too much more he needed to know, did he remember how to use a bow? What about berries…did he have a plan? There was too much to prepare for and no time left. Our last grain of sand had fallen in the glass and now it was about to begin – depending on which side you looked at it from…

Author's Note

Sorry for not posting this sooner, there were a few things that just weren't right, it took a while to fix, anyway its an extra long chapter to make up for it (Nearly 4,700 words! This is the longest chapter I've written for anything) :-)

Another thank you to everyone who reads, favourites, subscribes and reviews this story – I love you all! Thank you especially to angeleyes, yours had to be one of the nicest reviews I have ever received, so thank you so much, it made my day :-) Thanks to ski, stephanie and Jack too for such lovely reviews, I was unable to reply, because they were anonymous.

A HUGE thank you to Liana111 for reading and reviewing every chapter and for the help with names/characters, I've included a couple, but will mention them all throughout the story (Kathryne, Dan, Shilo, Maddie, Renee, Micheal, Ryan, Zeena, Amanda, Gabriel, Trisha and Shawn were all Liana111's ideas) Thanks also to hungergames51 for the character idea of Jack, this was a great help :-)

I'm thrilled that people are enjoying this and I love hearing from you, whether you liked it or not – if you didn't, please let me know why. Thanks again and keep reading (coolbeaniostwilightrules7)