Katniss Everdeen

I didn't think anything could be worse than my life back in district 10. I was wrong. Living in poverty and barely staying alive was better than this. Pampering us and fattening us up so we can go to our deaths. It's disgusting. This is all entertainment to them. It's like we aren't even people. We're just pieces in their demented game.

The worst part is how it seems like the other tributes have accepted it. They're acting like they don't have a choice, but they do. You can come quietly, or you can go down fighting. If anyone thinks I'm going to come quietly, they don't know me very well.

I glance over at Gale. I can tell he didn't sleep last night. I didn't either. The thing is, we were awake for different reasons. He's worried about the games. I couldn't stop thinking about last night....

"Catnip," I look at Gale.

"What?" I don't expect what he does next. Before I realize what's happening, he leans down and kisses me. There are tears in his eyes as I pull away. "Gale....."

He sighs. "I had to do that. I'll never do it again if you don't want me to, but you need to know that I love you. I always have, and I always will. We're getting ready to die. I need to know how you feel. Do you love me?"

Why did he have to make this so complicated? Yes, I love him. But that doesn't matter. We can never be together now. So I lie.

"I'm sorry, Gale, but I- I just don't love you that way," He tries to stop me, but I walk away without another word.....

I almost went back and told him I loved him. But I didn't. Because my feelings, whatever they may be, are no longer important. It doesn't matter if I love him. All he did last night was make our situation worse.

"Catnip, about last night, I-"

I cut him off. "It doesn't matter, Gale. I think it will be better for both of us if we forget last night ever happened."

It breaks my heart to do this to him, but what choice do I have? If we get together now, it will just make it worse for whichever one of us survives longer in the arena.

He starts to say something else, but I cut him off again. "You're my best friend, Gale. I'm sorry, but that's all you'll ever be for me."

Gale leaves my side as soon as we enter the training room. I stare after him for a moment, but soon turn away. My eyes wander to the bow and arrows, but I force myself to leave them for my private session.

I look around at the other tributes. I'm still not sure if I want to make any alliances. It'll be easier if I don't get to know anyone. I won't be as upset when they die. There's a young girl that interests me. The one who was wearing medieval clothes last night.

She reminds me of Prim in a way, but I can tell that they aren't very much alike. Prim is very shy and timid. This girl seems outgoing and pretty confident. I decide I might as well go introduce myself. I walk over to the girl and she smiles at me.

"Good morning!" she says, "I'm Lucy Pevensie. This is Caspian." She gestures to the man from her district. I study them carefully. They both have a sort of royal look about them. Kind, humble, royalty, that is. Not I'm-so-much-better-than-you royalty.

I smile at Lucy. "I'm Katniss Everdeen." Just then I hear Gale's voice in the background. I turn and see that he is arguing with the boy from district three. I grimace. "I'd better go sort that out. Nice meeting you!" I wave and head over to the boys.

I walk up behind Gale, who is in the middle of threatening the other boy. "If you lay one finger on her I swear I'll-"

"Gale," I say quietly, "Calm down." I place my hand on his shoulder. He frowns but shuts up. I lead him away from the boy. "You need to be careful!" I scold, "You don't want to get in trouble for fighting."

Gale doesn't speak. He still looks mad. "Gale, what's wrong?" He looks away. "Tell me," I demand.

"You want to know what's wrong? You are! You keep telling me you don't love me. You say we'll only ever be friends. You're lying, Katniss. You're lying to me and you're lying to yourself. We both know it. Why? Why do you keep denying it?"

I shake my head. "I'm sorry, Gale, I just can't do this now! If we weren't in this situation, it would be different. But we are, and we can't change that. I don't want to get hurt, and I don't want to hurt you. That's why I can't be with you."

Gale looks exasperated. "You're hurting me now, Katniss. I'd rather have these few weeks with you than a lifetime without you. Why can't you understand that?"

I sigh. "I'm sorry, Gale. I can't do this." I walk away without another word, but my heart is breaking. I saw tears in his eyes. Gale doesn't cry.

I wonder if I'm making the right choice. Why am I doing this to myself? No matter what I do, I realize, my heart is going to get broken.

A/N

So guys.... who's p.o.v. do u want for the next chapter? Let me know in the comments!