Mom stopped by after the opening ceremonies ended to say Congratulations to the Everdeen's. They beamed at the compliments; you could practically feel their happiness in the air. We stayed a while talking about the next time we'll see Katniss, which will be during the interviews. Before that though, comes the score.

That's where they show off their talents in front of the gamekeepers of the games. We only get to see the score the gamekeepers give them. At least there she doesn't have to talk. I try to imagine her at the interviews trying to please the audience and cringe. It's easier to put on a mask with a different face, but words are harder to manipulate especially if you're katniss.

I hide my worry from everyone else not wanting to spoil the mood. After awhile Madge, my mom and I take our leave. "Gale, you must come and watch the interviews with us!" Prim says smiling up at me. I give her a hug and say, "definitely." Everyone exchanges good-byes and then we're gone.

Madge turns to me and my mom, "Well, that was exciting. Thanks for inviting me, Gale." She starts to turn away, but I say, "Wait!" She turns back and says, "yeah?" I look at my mom before I answer her. " You mind if I walk Madge home?" my mom smiles warmly and waves me towards Madge, "Just be home soon." She winks and soon she's out of sight.

Madge walks at my side silently. I don't how to fill the empty air with conversations so I simply stare straight ahead and clear my throat. We reach Madge's house and I stop walking, but she keeps going. When she's finally registered that I stop she looks up startled. "Oh, sorry Gale. I guess I'm a little preoccupied with my thoughts." She gives me a sheepish smile.

I smile back, " You should come over again when the interviews are on. I had a nice time with you, Madge." Her smile widens and starts to walk away from me, "Sure thing, Gale! Bye." She's at her front door now but before she heads inside she waves and winks then she's gone. That makes me laugh. I just realized that I haven't laughed since even before the reaping happened. It feels so foreign to me I don't know weather it's a good or bad thing.

I walk away thinking about the good times I have had in my life. Almost every single memory contains Katniss. Katniss brings out a different me when I'm with her and now that she's not here I don't have anyone to keep me from slipping away into my hard, cold shell they call a body. The only thing that keeps me going is that Katniss is still alive and will be for a short time.

The time I have to start worrying about her survival is when the games start. It's then I don't know how I'll contain my thoughts from breaking through the walls I've built to protect myself from others. The walls I only let down when Katniss is around. If only I could see her once before the games start I would tell her what I wanted to before she left. I would tell her that I love her.

Wait what? I mean I would tell her I love her as a sister who helps me when I need it the most. I try to reassure myself that what I thought wasn't true. But as I think about it more and let everything sink in I realize that I am head over heels in love with Katniss Everdeen. I miss her and I want her to make it home. I will die along with her if she somehow doesn't make it during the games.

The thought of losing Katniss makes my heart clench and I fall to my knees. My breath comes out ragged as if every breath is me trying to catch Katniss but every time she's in reach I stumble and she moves farther away. She would hate to see me weak and I laugh a tired laugh. It's all her fault that I feel in love with her. Hell half of the guys in school probably love her to. Yet she's too ignorant to even notice them, why should I be any different? Yes, I am her best friend so maybe she would give me, us a chance at living a life together.

"What am I thinking?" I say out loud to myself. Here I am kneeling on the ground in the dark thinking about something so surreal but instead of feeling lost and distressed I'll become strong in the hopes that she'll feel my strength and she'll never forget to keep trying and to never give up.

I arrive home to a silent house. Everyone must have gone to bed already exhausted from all the excitement of today's success at the opening ceremonies. I picture Katniss again looking flawless and radiant and powerful. I grin and roll my eyes. Now that I finally let my feelings be known to myself I think it's OK to fantasize about her over and over again. I chuckle at my stupidity and have to hold back more laughter as I picture her realizing my thoughts. A dumfounded expression takes over her features and she can't speak.

I sigh and vow to myself when she makes it back home after the Games I will not hold back my feelings any longer. You never know if you'll ever get the chance to do it again and I don't know if I could keep it to myself for long. I head into my room fatigue washes over me and I stumble out of my boots, but flop into my bed fully clothed too lazy to even move another muscle. I fall asleep with images of Katniss floating in my head leaving me content with my feelings until she returns.

I wake up to a pillow being thrown at my head. "Get up! You're going to be late for school if you don't hurry up!" I groan in protest wondering why such simple things as school still exist when Katniss is getting ready to fight to her death. I grab the pillow that was thrown at me and place it over my head as if that could protect me from all the savage people in the world or in this case homework.

I know that I have to wake up so I roll out of bed and blindly make my way to the bath not caring if I'm late. It's already filled to the brim steam rising into the air. I smile; my mom sure knows me well. I strip and slide into the bath wishing I could just relax and let all the tension float away like the steam. But I can't so I scrub every inch of my body getting all the grim and filth that was clinging to my body and replacing it with clean fresh skin. I dip my head into the water and clean it as well.

I get out of the bath and dry my self with quickly and soon I'm dressed and heading to school with a piece of bread to snack on since I didn't get to eat breakfast and I don't have a lunch again. I'm almost to school and I'm greeted by Rowan who throws his arm around me his red hair sticking up in all directions. "Gale! Did you catch the Games last night?" That question is irrelevant since everyone has to watch the Games or some serious consequences will come from your foolishness.

I answer him anyway, "Yeah, pretty amazing right?" I'm really only talking about Katniss. "Yeah, seriously dude it was awesome." He laughs and whistles, "Katniss really rocked the place didn't she? She looked…" He was lost for words once again. I help him out, "Beautiful, stunning, magnificent?" He nods at all the words drinking them in. "Yeah…" He walks ahead and steps in front of me now walking backwards. "You're one lucky man. When you two get married, don't forget to invite me OK?" He winks and starts jogging away, "Can't be late for mathematics again or I'll get detention! See you in agriculture!" He salutes at me and then is off to class.

I am still walking but his words about me getting married to Katniss makes a smile spread across my face. I head into my class right as the second bell rings, which declares that first period is now starting. I'm still smiling my tough illusion being shattered as all eyes fall on me and whispers break out. I sit next to Ophelia who leans towards me and says, "You should smile more often. Maybe then people wouldn't be so scared of you." She smiles and returns to her notes.

Ophelia didn't even ask me what the reason was for me smiling and that's why I find her so refreshing. She minds her own business and will listen if you need to vent. "You know I might just start." Me answering her back must have surprised her, but the words I said must be even more of a shock. She looks at me startled but then her smile returns and she replies, "good."

Our teacher walks in and starts the lesson right away. I can feel people stares but I don't pay any mind. I just think about the future where Katniss and I are together and happy. So happy that nothing can tear us apart. Tonight the scores are on and the day after tomorrow is when the interviews take place. I will keep myself happy because to not be would be letting the Capitol win and I can't let them. I need to show them that I will fight back even if it just with a smile. Whatever is takes I will do to protect Katniss from harm.