This is a oneshot. - aphroditesgurl

Staying strong had never been so hard. My father had been blasted to bits in a mine explosion. My best friend just got sent into the Hunger Games and now I had the weight of seven hungry mouths on my shoulders. It was a few days into the Hunger Games, but I thought I'd done well so far.

In the morning I would go to school, in the afternoon I would hunt in the woods beyond the borders of District 12 for my family and Katniss's, then in the evening I would join Mrs. Everdeen and Prim for the dinner I'd hunted a couple of hours before. After dinner we would steel ourselves and flick on the old television in the Everdeens' house.

I handled myself pretty well, through the past few days. Katniss had made it out of the bloodbath, which brought a flicker of hope into all of our eyes. She'd found Peeta—half-dead, but still hanging on—camouflaged beside a small creek. Now, they were hiding out in a small cave while Peeta healed from his injury.

"Do you think she'll win, Gale?" Prim asks me, as we turn on the television.

"I think she has what it takes," I say confidently, "Katniss is strong and brave and talented. She can make it."

Prim cuddled into my side and I didn't object. She was my family, too. Mrs. Everdeen had already gone to bed. I had heard her talking to herself when I came in this afternoon.

"She's hiding now. Nobody has found her. She'll be okay…relax…relax…"

I had walked in with a half-filled bag of meat and she glanced at me. At first her eyes were wide and scared, but then she composed herself and smiled at me.

"How are you, Gale?" she asked.

"Fine, thanks, and you?"

"I'm managing," she croaked.

I rubbed my neck uncomfortably, hoping that she wouldn't start to cry.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Everdeen. I'm trying the best I can to supply for you. Katniss probably would've done a better job, but—"

"Gale!" Mrs. Everdeen interrupts. "You've been such a help to our family. Katniss going into the Games was a hard blow, but we're managing. I know how much you love her, as much as I do, this must be extremely hard for you as well."

Before I could reply, Prim had walked through the door, when she saw me, her face brightened.

"Hi Gale."

Mrs. Everdeen thinks I love her daughter? Do I?

My mind tries to recall every moment I had ever spent with Katniss; when I first saw her in the Justice Building, claiming the medal of valour for her father, the second time in the woods, working together, hunting, arguing, slowly learning to trust each other, eating together at the Hob, Darius playing with her braid. Anger flooded through me.

I had been highly irritated that Darius wouldn't leave her alone, but now, I am furious. And I have no idea why. No…I do know why. It's because I'm in love with Katniss.

Suddenly, Prim gasps. She covers her mouth with her hands, but I can see a small trace of joy on her face.

"What—"

When I look at the television screen, all my hope that Katniss may, just possibly, love me back, crumbles. Because right now, Katniss is kissing Peeta full on the lips and I doubt she had ever thought of me since she had gotten into the arena.

Prim smiles at me. "Well at least she has someone she loves with her."

I smile back grimly. "Yeah, at least,"

Then Katniss pulls away from Peeta and stares at him like he's the most important person in the world. And I know that for the rest of the night, I will be watching in anguish.

Did you like the oneshot...? - aphroditesgurl