A new chapter has been added as you already know :) hope you enjoy and thanks everyone for reading and reviewing and all that fun stuff! ENJOY

The scores are about to be announced any minute and I'm sitting in the Everdeen's little living room once again crowded around their tiny television waiting anxiously to see the final scores. Madge is here and is entertaining Prim and telling her that katniss will blow us away like she has so many times before.

I smile because she's right. Katniss has done so many incredible things, yet she never takes it into consideration that she could change the world if she set her mind to it. Mrs. Everdeen is bustling around the kitchen trying to throw together a meal while talking to my mother who is engaged in occupying my little sister, Posy who is trying to pick at the food that is sitting on the table.

My two brothers, Rory and Vick went to watch the Scores at their friends house so the house isn't as full as it could be. I walk over to my mom who is now struggling to help Mrs. Everdeen with setting the table and wrestling Posy from her leg. I reach down and tickle Posy, which makes her squeal and she releases my mom's leg. My mom looks up with relief in her eyes and she mouths thank you to me. I smile back and wink. Hopefully I'm lessoning the weight that seems to be resting on her shoulders.

I carry posy to the room where Prim and Madge are sitting when Prim says, "Everyone the scores are starting to be announced! Hurry!" She's sitting next to Madge and their holding hands. Even though we don't get to see Katniss we still want to know if she is handling herself well while away. I sit next to Madge who gives a reassuring smile and I smile back. It's nice to have a friend help me through this.

By now Mrs. Everdeen and my mom are gathered in the living room and were all circled around the television where the announcer has already put up the scores of district one and two, the faces of the tributes above the score. Of course they got exceptional scores ranging in the 8-10 scale. The other tributes come out with fives except small Rue who pulls out a 7, which surprises me. She's seems so fragile and little it makes me wonder what she did to pull that score off.

Finally it's district twelve's time in the spotlight and Peeta's face pops up onto the screen followed by the number 8. An impressive score that makes me feel grateful but at the same time I'm hoping Katniss has done better. Peeta's face disappears and is replaced by katniss'. A wave of nervousness rushes over me and is quickly over come by the feeling of delight. Katniss has surpassed my expectations.

I know that she must have shown off her remarkable archery skills. I see Katniss shoot practically everyday and it never seizes to amaze me at how extraordinarily powerful she can look. I'm so proud of her and I hug Madge who laughs and says," I knew it! She's just too good to be true! The only 11 in the bunch!" I couldn't agree with her anymore.

The night ends on a good note, everyone overjoyed and content with how well Katniss is doing. Knowing that she is succeeding fills me with so many different emotions that I never thought I would feel. The Games have changed my life by taking someone that means everything to me but they have also opened my eyes to a new world that I don't think I would have ever accepted.

Now, though I'm happy that I have realized my feelings and I'm not going to hide them any longer. Hopefully what I feel will be returned and not rejected because that would ruin me. So right now all I'm going to do is cheer Katniss on and live each day to the fullest and wait for her return.

It's the next day and school seems to drag on longer than it should. Tonight I finally get to see Katniss again and my body may be in school, but my mind is with Katniss and rooting for her success. My leg taps up and down in anticipation to get out of this sorry excuse for a class. Nothing seems to be important to me any more. My mind only focuses on one thing and one thing only.

It just seems like my world is now revolved around Katniss. I mean before she left she was a big part of my life, but not the main reason for why I was living. Or so I told myself. She's on my mind constantly and I am always wondering how she's dealing with the situation at hand. I'm taken away from my thoughts when the bell rings, signaling the end of class and school. I jump out of my chair and run out of class, but I'm caught in a wave of students who are eager to get out of school as well. I shuffle my way through the crowd and finally squeeze my way out.

I'm greeted by silence and the joy of being alone to ponder. I walk a comfortable silence my thoughts being quiet for once in their life. I enjoy the feeling of being away from the chaos of the world. It's taken away though as my little house comes into view and I am reminded of the life I live and the mess it's turned into. I walk inside and surprisingly am not greeted by my mom. Confused, I walk inside and throw my bag on the floor near our kitchen table. I yell mom and is answered with silence. I walk into her room and see she is sound asleep.

I feel myself smile a sad smile. My poor mother must be so exhausted with trying to take care of a family practically by herself and trying to get any job in order to keep the house up and running. I tip toe towards her and place the quilt on the end of her bed lightly over her. I kiss her cheek and then make my way out of her room and close the door with one last look. Her face looks so beautiful when not masked with worry.

I head back to the kitchen determine to make a dinner that would make my mother proud. I find some good things to make a stew with. I cut carrots and slice and dice some game and make a broth hoping I'm adding the right ingredients to make it edible. I quickly build a fire and then place the stew over it and let the stew cook. While I wait for the stew to finish I set the table, clean the mess I made, check on my mom and start my homework. My brothers return home only to tell me they are going over to their friend's house yet again to watch the events leading up to the games. But first I'm greeted with astonished faces and questions on why I'm cooking.

"Where's mom and why are you cooking?" Vick asks with suspicion on his face. I stop doing my homework and get up to check on the stew. "She's sleeping. I thought I let her rest." I answer him as I stir the almost ready stew. He nods and says, "When will it be ready because we thought it would be better to eat before we go." I nod because I don't want them to take food from another family even if they have it better off then we do. I don't want to have to owe anything to anyone. " It will be done in 10 minutes so go get cleaned up. After you eat you can leave." They nod and scuttle off but before Rory is out of sight he turns to me and says, "You're doing good, Gale." With that he is off calling after Vick.

I stand there and think, even though I may not be gifted with a massive amount of intelligence or the best cooking skills and I can barley afford bread, I have a family and friends who accept me for the way I am and I wouldn't want it any other way. I turn my attention back on the stew and take a cautious sip of it and find out it's ready to be served. I take the stew and place it into some bowls and place them on the table. I call to my brothers that dinner is ready and they tell me they'll be right out. When I'm getting some water I hear footsteps and turn to see my mom with a look of disbelief covering her now refreshed face.

I shrug at her as if to say it's no big deal and I turn away from her to place the water on the table, but she come up behind me and hugs me. I close my eyes enjoying the comfort a mother's hug can bring. I miss her hugs and the feeling of being a child. For a moment I let myself be swept away and pretend I'm a child who needs compassion from their mom. Then I tell myself that those days are gone and I need to protect her with all that I can.

I leave her embrace and ask her, "Did you sleep well?" She nods and sits in one of the seats with stew in front of it. "Gale, I don't know what to say. You have done so much for me lately and I just want you to know I couldn't be more proud and thankful." She looks up at me with emotions swimming her gray eyes. I miss seeing her eyes shine so bright and I'm glad I brought them back to the surface. Our touching scene is interrupted as Vick and Rory come padding in and sit down at the table.

We eat as a family and for once I feel good about my life. I'm not thinking about the what if's or wishing I had done something differently. Right now I'm soaking up the feeling of being a happy family who can enjoy a meal together and for once I know we have it better off then others. If only this feeling could last forever and replace the feelings of despair that haunt me everyday.

It finally time to see Katniss. It's practically become a routine to watch the events leading to the games here at the Everdeen's house. I feel that if I watched them anywhere else than it wouldn't feel right. Everyone is here once again waiting for the interviews to start. We don't have to wait long because Caesar with his never-changing appearance walks on stage clad in a midnight blue ceremonial suit adorned with microscopic bulbs to simulate twinkling stars. His hair is powder blue, which matches his eyelids and lips that are coated in the same blue.

Caesar is the man who has made the interviews run smoothly and efficiently for the past 40 years. The only change in his appearance is that instead of being dyed crimson red he is a nice shade of blue. In the capitol looking old is unacceptable. Caesar, like many others, has had all types of surgeries done to him in order to make him look like he has never aged a day or gained a pound.

Here in district 12, looking old is not frowned upon, but encouraged because that means you have lived a long life and if you have a belly than that means you aren't starving like the rest of us. I would love to grow old and to be someone who doesn't have to worry about whether they are going to eat or not. Before I can get too angry with the Capitol the tributes are taking the stage. My eyes find Katniss right as she appears from backstage.

There I go again losing all thoughts on the rest of the world and instead feel myself fixate every cell in my body to the stunning creature on the television. Every time I think she can't get more attractive she comes out looking like an angel. Katniss appears to be covered in flames that shift and slither over the curves of her body with every movement. I've never been more jealous of a dress in my life. As Katniss takes her seat in the line of tributes starting with district one and ending with district twelve, I see that katniss' dress is made out of gems that are red, orange, white and there's a hint of blue that cover the ends of the dress.

The tributes have already started to be interviewed by Caesar, but I don't pay them any mind. I just look at Katniss and try to remember her this way and hope that I will be able to tell her how lovely she looked. It's time for district twelve to start their interviews and this time the girls go first. Katniss walks up and makes her way to Caesar. They introduce themselves and shake hands and Caesar jumps right into questioning Katniss. "So, Katniss, the Capitol must be quite a change from District twelve. What's impressed you the most since you arrived here?" Caesar looks at katniss with interest.

Katniss seems to realize that this is airing on everyone's TV her nerves take over because she spits out, "The lamb stew." Caesar laughs and is joined with the audience. I find myself let out a little chuckle as well and I shake my head thinking, she couldn't think of something more I don't know capitol worthy. However, Caesar plays along, "The ones with the dried plums?" Katniss only nods and Caesar replies, " Oh, I eat that by the bucketful." He then puts on some dramatic scene by asking the audience, "It doesn't show does it?" His hand rests on his stomach and he pats it, which get laughs from the audience and who reassures that he looks fine.

After that question is answered Caesar continues, "Now, Katniss, when you came out in the opening ceremonies, my heart actually stopped. What did you think of that costume?" Katniss seems unworried by this question and answers back confidently. "You mean after I got over my fear of being burned alive?" The audience loves her response. "Yes start then," Caesar says. Katniss clears her throat and says to Caesar and the audience, "I thought Cinna was brilliant and it was the most gorgeous costume I'd ever seen and I couldn't believe I was wearing it. I can't believe I'm wearing this either."

She stops talking and spread the skirt of the dress out for the audience to get a good look at the fabric. " I mean, look at it!" The audience takes the bait and you can hear the awe they feel. Katniss stands up and starts to spins, which sends the crowds in a frenzy. I feel myself gulp because she looks so unbelievably outstanding it's hard not to want to reach into the TV and grab her. The others in the room are also admiring her beauty and I start to feel a little tinge of jealousy form inside of me. I don't want other boys to feel the way I do for her. I want to protect her from all the seeing eyes and hide her away where I only know she is.

"Oh, do that again!" Caesar suggested, which Katniss obliges to. When she stops Caesar says, "Don't stop!" But a now giggling Katniss stands still and tries to balance herself and says, " I have to, I'm dizzy." I can tell she is still nervous but also excited to be getting some good attention from the crowd. I know though, after this is all over she is going to feel so embarrassed because not once in my life have I heard her giggle. Caesar makes a joke out of her respond by helping her stand and by saying, " Don't worry I've got you. Can't have you following in your mentor's footsteps" This get's everyone hollering and laughing when one of the camera's finds Haymitch who plays it off and points to katniss as if to say she's more interesting, pay attention to her. "It's all right. She's safe with me" Caesar says to reassures the crowd that he won't let her get in harms way. I sure hope so.

Caesar starts up a new conversation with Katniss by asking, " So, how about that training score. E-le-ven. Give us a hint what happened in there?" You can practically see the whole audience lean forward in anticipation for the answer. Katniss bites her lip and peeks at the Gamemakers on the balcony, "Um… all I can say is, I think it was a first." We get a view of the Gamemakers in the balcony who seem quite pleased by her answer because they are chuckling. Caesar groans in protest, "You're killing us. Details. Details." He is begging for an answer.

Katniss, however, doesn't give in, "I'm not suppose to talk about it right?" she is speaking to the Gamemakers and one of the replies, "She's not!" Katniss sit back in her chair and shrugs, "Thank you. Sorry my lips are sealed." With that she smiles. The laughter dies down and Caesar says, "Let's go back then, to the moment they called your sisters name at the reaping. And you volunteered. Can you tell us about that." Caesar is talking quietly and there is sympathy in his voice. I can see tension form in Katniss and the smile that just decorated her lips a few minutes ago vanished in an instant. I hold my breath hoping this doesn't hit a nerve too hard in her.

"Her name's Prim. She's just Twelve. And I lover her more than anything." There is nothing but silence. I feel myself ball my hands into fist fighting the urge to stand up and hit something. I can't watch her be in pain. Caesar breaks the silence by asking, "What did she say to you? After the reaping." Katniss stares down at the floor, but then raises her eyes to stare straight at Caesar. " She asked me to try really hard to win." I could tell Katniss wanted the question to stop, but Caesar kept on going.

"And what did you say?" Katniss takes a while to respond, I'm guessing to gather up her emotions and not let them flood out in front of everyone. "I swore I would." With that that I could tell she was done with this interview and wanted out. When she said that I felt like I could cry. Caesar says, "I bet you did" and gives her shoulder a squeeze. The ringing of the buzzer then shatters the city circle. "Sorry we're out of time. Best of luck, Katniss Everdeen, tribute from District twelve."

Katniss has already reached her chair before Caesar finishes talking and she looks towards the audience, but I can't see who she looks at. Whoever she was looking at must have reassured her of her performance because she looks somewhat relieved. I relax as well because now I know she's fine and not worrying about how she did. I can tell though, she is not fully aware of her surroundings at this point. She has left her body in the city circle, but her mind is somewhere far away in search of a better understanding of the world most likely.

Peeta has gone up to Caesar yet I don't really pay too much attention, I hear some parts like Caesar asking how it feels being able to bake and if it ever comes to his advantage. Also Peeta compares the tributes to the bread that each district has made specifically to represent the district principle industry. And then they go off on a tangent about the showers in the district. "You're showers are so complicated. There are so many nooks and crannies, the first time I tried it, I sprayed myself with a massive amount of rose smelling fragrance. Tell me do I still smell like roses?" Peeta lifts his arm out towards Caesar, who takes a whiff and says,

"Boy that's a strong scent." He then ways a hand in front of his noise to make it seems like it's overpowering. "You're not the only one who has trouble. I have been living in the Capitol for basically my whole life and I still find it difficult. Here smell me, I sprayed myself with some pine fragrance can you smell it?" This goes on for a while, but then is replaced by Caesar asking, "So, Peeta a man of your stature back in district twelve must have someone special back home hmm?" Caesar leans his head on his hand looking very pleased in himself for springing up such a juicy topic.

I however I am in no mood to hear what Peeta has to say so I start to zone out, but perk up when he opens his mouth to speak but all he does is give a shake of his head. I don't know why I care because I really don't but I think it would be interesting to find out and see if I know the girl. "Handsome lad like you. There must be some special girl. Come on, what's her name?" Caesar is not letting Peeta off the hook and to be honest I'm enjoying his discomfort.

Peeta seems to realize it's better to let it out than to try to hide it from the world because he sighs and says, " Well, there is this one girl. I've had a crush on her ever since I can remember. But I'm pretty sure she doesn't know I was alive until the reaping." He looks quite sad and I feel for him because I understand his feelings. The crowd also feels his pain because they all cry out in sympathy. "She have another Fellow?" Caesar asks. Peeta looks down and shrugs, "I don't know, but a lot of boys like her," says Peeta.

Caesar nods his head and says, "So, here's what you do. You win, you go home. She can't turn you down then, eh?" Caesar seems to think that will solve his problems. Peeta looks more uncomfortable than before, "I don't think it's going to work out. Winning… won't help in my case," says Peeta. Now Caesar is stumped, he doesn't understand why his suggestions aren't leading to a solution. Peeta is tapping his hand on his leg and his face is now bright red, "Because… Because…. She came here with me." Wait, What?