A\N Hi guys. T here. I just wanted to say that this is me first fanfic ever and I'm super syched. Hope u like it. And comment for ideas and hit that star!

T out. Peace 

Reaping day. The worst day of the whole year where innocent kids are taken to participate in a fight to the death called the hunger games. My best friend and I await the reaping in our spot in the woods. We just sat there eating fresh bread, goat cheese and berries, a real special treat, while we make fun of district 12's sponsor, Effie Trinket and her affected capitol accent. You could clearly tell we were nervous. I was leaning against him under our rock when he suggested that we should run away together in the woods. I honestly was considering it but then I reminded him that we had kids which weren't ours ofcourse, but they might as well be, his two little brothers and a sister and my little sister Prim. We both took up the role as heads of our families when both our fathers died in the same mine explosion.

"They could come with us", he said.

" Really, Prim in the woods" I said thinking of my sister who's scared of her own shadow surviving in the woods. He agreed though.

Then I blurted out how I didn't want kids thinking of how one day they could be taken to the games. But he would if he didn't live here in the seam. We then kinda dropped the subject but I couldn't help but wonder what he meant by that. Up to now we've been best friends since I was 12 and he 14. I wondered if he wanted it to be more. Honesty I couldn't think about my life without him but I decided to ignore the thought. We traded everything we gathered in the woods and went home.

------------------------------------------

I was completely frozen. Effie Trinket pulled Prim's name out of the reaping bowl and my heart sunk thinking of how I would loose my dear sister who would never survive, so I volunteered to take her place. I stood on stage thinking, 'I am going to die' . I looked over at my best friend, Gale in the crowd. He was carrying Prim who was crying her eyes out up on his shoulders, the look of extreme worry and terror in his eyes but he still barely managed to maintain his stoney expression. Effie then pulled out the name of the boy tribute for this years games and I prayed to God it wouldn't be Gale. The thought of loosing him nearly chocked me. "Peeta Mellark!", she announced. A let out a sigh of relief but I also knew this boy. We've never spoken to each other but I've caught him a lot of times staring at me at school. He gave me bread once when I was in starvation when I was 11. He saved me and gave me hope but I never got the chance to thank him for it. Now there's a chance I'll have to kill him.

Peeta and I were ushered into the justice building by the peace keepers and put in two different rooms where we waited for visitors before we're taken to the train station. My first visitors were Prim and my mother. Prim rushed into my arms and begged me to win so I could come back. I swore I would. I looked at my mother and told her to always be there for Prim. We embraced in a warm hug. " i love you....both of you." I said before the peacekeepers forced them out.

My hand was at the door knob before Gale came rushing in. We attacked each other with a hug as if we were holding on for dear life.

"I'm fine. Im fine" , I assured him.

"No you're not." He said still holding me tight.

"OK fine I'm not", I admitted. God he knows me so well. " What am I gonna do Gale? I can't beat them.", I said worriedly.

"You can beat them and you will", he assured me, "You're the best hunter I know. Just get your hands on a bow and they won't stand a chance"

"But Gale I-", I started

" No Katniss", he cut me off. " You can do this. I believe in you"

I sank deeper into his arms and looked at his face. I noticed his grey eyes were glazed with tears. I've never seen Gale cry before. He buried his face in my shoulder and I was getting worried.

"Gale? What's wrong?", I asked.

" I should've volunteered to be the boy tribute. I should be protecting you. I should make sure you come home.", he said into my shoulder with a hint of anger and regret in his voice.

"No", I snapped while taking his face in my hand and looking directly in his eyes. " I would never forgive you if you did that. You have to stay here, help me look after Prim and my mother. I'll never be able to live with myself if you got killed in the games." And just like that he pulled me closer and pressed his lips against my own. I won't lie to you, I was in complete shock. I felt like there were a million butterflies in my stomach. His lips were so soft and he smelt like pines and the breeze of the woods. I've never kissed a boy before. I had a strange feeling going through my entire body, its the first time I experienced anything like it. He parted his lips from mine but our noses were still touching.

"I'm sorry." He mumbled while backing away from my face. "I had to do that, at least once."

A peacekeeper burst through the door and yelled at Gale, " Times up. Get out!" He took Gale by the shirt and dragged him out the door.

"Gale!" I shouted before I could stop myself with my hands reaching out to him.

"Katniss! I love you!", he shouted back before they slammed the door in my face.

" I love you too." I whispered to myself not sure of what I just said or what happened.

So what did you think. Too long? I think it's too long. Tell me what you think so I can update. I'm pumped up. I love Gale!!!