Katniss POV:

I can see him watching, looking so much younger than I have seen him in years. He is scared, foolishly so. Why be scared of something that you can't prevent, if you think you are going to die stop moping about find a way to enjoy your last few days. Or at least try not to bring everyone down with you. But seeing Gale like this, it's too strange he is so venerable that I can't stay angry at him anymore.

"Can't sleep huh?" I smile to him, this being our last night before we go in I thought maybe I would grant him a smile this one time.

"I don't think any sane person could sleep right now and if they could then I wouldn't think highly of them." He laughs awkwardly and I join in but eventually I end up full out laughing. I can't explain why I did, I guess this will be my last laugh, in the arena laughing will just draw in predators and tributes. I sit by him on the couch and for the first time I can think of nothing to say to him. He sits there and tries to say something but nothing comes to mind.

"Um... I am really sorry about shouting at you before?" I ask and all I think is that I sound like a pathetic little girl.

"No, it was my fault I wasn't thinking straight."

"Was it true, did you mean what you said to Caesar?" Gale starts fiddling with his hands and muttering before he said:

"No, well yes, sort of. I think so." I have never heard him stumble over his like this and he gave me every answer you can to a yes or no question which annoys me.

"Look, I might have less than 24 hours to live so tell me yes or no? I don't want to die with unanswered questions." I sound frustrated which is unfair to Gale but it is important I know."

"Yes it was the truth but Catnip... sorry Katniss I know you have Peeta so don't worry I know the feeling isn't mutual." He starts to leave but I feel so guilty I sort of blurt something out that I don't think I mean.

"Gale please stop. I think I, I might love you." As soon as I say it I regret it, I do not love Gale like that, I love him as a friend and hunting partner but we are too alike to be in love with him.

"Katniss don't say things you don't mean." He knows I am lying and I have made everything worse. I can't take it back now, and if Gale dies now at least if I lie he will be happier.

"Gale I love you and you love me and I thought you didn't so I started going out with Peeta but..." My sentence is cut short with the pressure of Gale's lips on mine. I wait for the warm glow to grow inside me like when I kiss Peeta but there is nothing. I kiss him back and eventually pull away. Nothing. No feeling of wanting another kiss, no glow no nothing. I think I know now more than ever that for me, Peeta is mine and I am his, anything else is unthinkable. I force a smile for Gale's sake but I am all out of words so I walk silently to my room leaving a shocked Gale to stare in my wake. ********The next day********

We all meet for breakfast and seeing Gale brought a new wave of guilt, that kiss should never have happened, I betrayed Peeta for Gale's happiness. Gale gave me a light kiss on the cheek which led to Haymitch spraying his drink across the table. I raise my eyebrow to him to say 'yes this is happening now shut up.' This led to Haymitch half laughing half choking on his liquor. Effie arrives just as I head over to breakfast and immediately looks angry at the sight of Haymitch spraying liquor across the already dampened tables as an Avox attempts in vain to clean it up. Eventually Haymitch composes himself enough to speak.

"How are we feeling today sweetheart?"

"Just peachy." I smile at him whilst barring my teeth.

"Any last advice?" Gale pipes up sensing the tension and knows soon I would probably do something stupid.

"Run from the Cornucopia and stay alive." I think of screaming at him saying 'that's all we get, stay alive' but I hold my tongue and finish my food before going to my room.

Later on that day we are taken in a hovercraft and a Capitol worker inserts a tracker in my arm so I am now just a piece to the game makers that the can kill with the flick of a switch. After landing I am taken to a little pod where Cinna comes and dresses me, he pins my mockingjay to my outfit and wishes me luck. Before I know it I am in the tube that will take me to the arena, Cinna gives me a thumbs up as if that was all the motivation I needed to kill someone was to be given a thumbs up. I gave him a weak smile before I began my ascent into the arena. I told myself over and over what to do.

My pod suddenly stopped before I was above ground and then started to move sideways, I carried on sideways until my pod was right next to Gale's, I saw him looking at me just as surprised as I was, and then we started climbing upwards again until we were above ground. This completely threw me because I had never seen this done before. I forced my brain to concentrate when Claudius Templesmith's voice rang out "Let the 74th annual Hunger Games begin." I get sixty seconds to get my bearings.

...55...

I can see woods which are where I will run to; they are the area closest to me so I will stay safe.

...45...

Around 30 metres from my feet is a back pack if I run quickly I should beat the pair from five to it.

...35...

I can see a glistening bow and I know it is there for either me or Gale. Gale!

...25...

I turn to face Gale and catch his eye before looking the bow. He says nothing but he nods.

...15...

I get ready to run, straight into the bloodbath that awaits me.

...10...

I get my feet positioned.

...5...

I lower my back to get the best air resistance, school has taught me something at last.

...4...

My eyes are trained straight on the bow

...3...

Boom! A bombs explode from the other side other Cornucopia.

...2...

Explosions are everywhere and with a quick glance I can see at least half the tributes aren't focusing.

...1...

I regain my focus on the bow.

...0...

I run.