"We could do it, you know." "Do what?" "Leave the district. Run off. Live in the woods. You and I, we could make it." He looked her in the eye, hoping, praying she would come with him. She gave a huge sigh. She was thinking about her family, how they'd survive without her. To her, the thought of leaving Prim is the worst idea in the world. Gale took her hand and kissed it.
"We could make it." She looked at the ever blue sky, not a cloud in sight. "Katniss-" "Alright." She cut him off, "Okay, we'll leave. Just you, me, and the clothes on our backs." Gale could feel his eyes widen and his heart beat faster. He kissed Katniss's hand once more and let go. He hugged her so tight, but she didn't seem to mind.
"When are we leaving?" She asked him. His smile began to fade. He didn't really think Katniss would come, so he didn't think ahead. Gale put his right arm around Katniss. She rested her head onto his shoulder and took his left hand. "You have no idea, don't you?" She laughed. "Be quiet, Catnip." He held her close. "The reaping's tomorrow." She said, closing her eyes.
He looked at her with great fear. What if she's called? Or maybe... what if I'm called? He shook the thought out of his system and smiled at her. "We'll go after that. There's no way we'd get called. Not this time." He whispered to her.
They must've fallen asleep because next thing they knew it was already dark and the moon was already out. Gale shook Katniss gently and she opened her eyes right away, still half asleep. "Let's go home, Catnip." He hung her over his back and started jogging towards the Seam. He brought her home to a worried Prim and Mrs. Everdeen.
"Thank god you kids are okay." "Sorry, Mrs. Everdeen. I guess we lost track of time from looking for game." "That's okay, Gale, dear. Just lay her down on her bed and be off to your mother. She's looking for you, you know." Gale put Katniss down and gave a small salute to her mom and Prim.
He went home, avoiding any talking or contact with his family. Is he just tired or purposely avoiding them? He doesn't know. He doesn't care. He shouldn't anymore. He lied down on his bed and closed his eyes.
For what seemed like five minutes later his brother Rory was shaking him. "Gale, Gale, wake up. It's time for the reaping." He woke up, giving in to his brother's constant shaking. He washed himself with whatever water that's left, put on his best clothes and fixed his hair. He looked at himself in the mirror one last time. "Today's the day. The last day." he whispered.
He went outside and started for the square. He did the usual reaping routine. He fell in line, they took his blood and he went to the guys his age waiting not to be called. Constantly his eyes darted around, looking for Katniss. He looked over near the stage where he saw her talking to Prim. Gale decided he could breathe a little more.
After a few minutes of waiting, listening to the hundred year old speech, and waiting for the anthem to die out, the tribute's names are finally being called. "Ladies first," the woman in pink said. "and may the odds be ever in your favor." She walked up to the bowl on her left and stuck her hand into it.
"And the tribute's name is, Primrose Everdeen." Prim walked to the stage but just before she could step onto the stairs Katniss cried out, "I volunteer! I volunteer as a tribute!" She went right through the guards in front of her and went straight to Prim. Gale couldn't hear what Katniss told her but their mother took Prim right away.
"Well, our first volunteer tribute after a very long time." The lady said enthusiastically. "Come up my dear," Katniss went up the stage, in shock of what she just did, "what's your name?" "Katniss. Katniss Everdeen." She looked at Gale straight in they eyes and mouthed I'm sorry. "Right, I bet Primrose was your little sister." Katniss nodded. "Well, congratulations, Katniss. Now, for our male tribute-" her voice was cut off by a disturbance near the back. Gale rushed to the center of the square and stood tall.
"I volunteer."
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