A/N: I'll continue the story if I get at least one more review. This is just a filler chapter. I might post the next chapter tonight as well, to make up for yesterday.

Disclaimer: I didn't write the Hunger games. All characters are from Susan Collins.

Chapter 3: Last night in district 12

Katniss POV

I should be happy that both Gale and I won't go into the arena, but I'm not. I know both of this year's tributes. It's different this time around. They're not two random tributes from other years, they're people who I've known ever since the first day of school. Now all of Panem will watch them suffer. Except for Gale and I.

By three O'clock, there's absolutely nothing else to do, so I go to the woods to hunt. I pull my father's bow and arrows from the hollow of a tree. I sling the sheath of arrows over my shoulder and watch for any sudden movements. I spot a bunny within the first two minutes, but the animal is so small that there would be no meat left after it is skinned. So, I decide against it.

Five minutes pass, then ten, fifteen. I circle around a few neighboring trees until I spot a buck. A surge of excitement rushes through me. It has been almost a year eight months since I shot a buck. They normally get excellent sales from them at the butcher.

The buck doesn't acknowledge my presence as I move towards it to get in range. It is drinking from a small stream off the path. Its antlers reflect in the pool of water below. They create small ripples when it bows its head too far down. It looks peaceful almost. But now's my only chance; to strike when the animal is distracted.

I grab an arrow from behind me and position it on the bow string and arc of the slender bow. The muscles in my arm tense as I pull the arrow back and relax once I aim the arrow into the square of its eye.

The buck stops moving altogether as death claims it. I walk over to it, carefully removing the arrow from its eye. I rinse it off in the stream, and place the arrow with the other eleven.

The animal is heavier than my usual haul put together. I have to drag the animal across the forest floor to move. Even then, I'm huffing after I go fifty steps. Usually Gale's here to help lighten the load, he's probably making preparations for tomorrow morning. If only he were here. Hunting is easier with two anyways.

I reach the fence around dusk. My mother and Prim are probably worried by now, I need to hurry before they think something happened to me. I check to make sure the coast is clear, and I drag the buck's body to the butchers. She offers me one price, but it's so reasonable I feel obligated to say yes.

When I walk in the door, dinner is already cold. A bowl of stew and a handful of beans sit at my place at the table. Prim has already moved on to dessert, consisting of bread and strawberries: a delicacy in our house.

"You're late" my mother says averting her eyes. "Where did you go this time?"

"I hunted in the woods alone. I shot a buck and the butcher offered me a high pay." I place the coins from my pocket on the table to prove my point. "You can use the money to buy medical supplies, I know you're running low." She gives a slight nod, and then gestures for me to sit down and eat.

I nearly scarf down my food, realizing I haven't eaten since I had breakfast with Gale. My nerves got the best of me before the reaping. Prim and my mother left me a generous portion of bread, and five leftover strawberries, which I gratefully accept.

My legs begin to shake as I remember that I'm leaving them tomorrow for Gale. You're doing the right thing Katniss. You deserve a little happiness in your life. Just breathe in and out. Act normal, and they will never know the thoughts flowing through my mind. I take a deep breath and excuse myself from the table to go to bed.

I throw on a pair of comfortable black shorts and a loose t-shirt as pajamas. Then begin to pile in a few extra pairs of clothes into my game bag, not knowing where else to pack my clothes for tomorrow. I leave the bag at the foot of the bed and blow out the candle on my nightstand. The power was out again, because there wasn't anything important from the Capitol tonight.

Why does Gale want me to go so badly? Is this more than a hunting trip? If it is, I have to remember we're just friends. I wouldn't want to sever the bond between us. Katniss, JUST SLEEP ALREADY.

I slowly drift into a dreamless sleep, wondering how Gale actually feels about me. All will be decided tomorrow in the woods.