A/N: Okay, another Gale fanfic. I'm just in love with Gale! He's better than Peeta for sure. No offense to Peeta shippers, I like Peeta too I just think Gale and Katniss were meant to be! I hated Peeta ending with Katniss :(

It was time to head to the square for the reaping for the 74th Hunger Games. I felt sick. What if Katniss's name was pulled out? Sure, when I first met her, I was annoyed. She looked as if she was trying to steal my food. But over time, we had really bonded. I knew everything about her, and vice versa. We were the best of friends. We were a family.

"Gale." It was my mother, speaking calmly, as to keep the little ones calm as well. "It's time to get going."

Everyone was dressed in their best clothes when we arrived at the square. The mayor and Effie Trinket, the annoyingly perky host, were on stage. After everyone settled into their groups according to age, Effie Trinket got started. She launched into her perky speech.

After she finished, she beamed. Then she said, "Happy Hunger Games! And may the odds be ever in your favor! Ladies first!"

She proceeded over to the big glass ball of names. She rummaged around and pulled out a scrap of paper.

She faced the crowd and announced, "Primrose Everdeen."

What? How? Prim was one slip in thousands. Katniss had not let her enter for tessarae. I was shocked and felt sick to my stomach. Prim?

There was collective murmuring - no one liked it when a 12 year old was chosen. I silently watched Prim walk slowly to the stage.

"Prim! Prim!" I saw Katniss weaving through people, then bursting out of the crowd and ran up the stairs, blocking Prim.

"I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!" Katniss shouts. I am filled with more pain. My stomach aches more, knowing that she is signing for her own death. Damn it! Why does it have to be Katniss that suffers? Why do I have to suffer.

Effie beams. "Lovely! But I believe there's the small matter of introducing the reaping winner and then asking for volunteers, and if no one does come forth then we, um…" she looks at the mayor.

"What does it matter? What does it matter? Let her come forward." The mayor has pain on his face. Perhaps he recognizes her as the girl with strawberries. As Madge's classmate. As the eldest child awarded the medal of valor for her dead father.

"No, Katniss! You can't!" Prim exclaims, trying to pull Katniss down. She is holding on with all her strength.

Katniss sets her jaw. "Prim, let go. Let go!" She jerks away from Prim's grasp.

I make my way over to them and pull Prim off. "Up you go, Catnip." I try to keep a steady voice, but I can hear it wavering. I silently drag Prim back to her mother.

"Well, bravo! That's the spirit of the Games! What's your name?" Effie asks cheerfully.

"Katniss Everdeen," Katniss replies with apathy.

"I bet my buttons that was your sister. Don't want her to steal all the glory, do we? Come on, everybody! Let's give a big round of applause to our newest tribute!" Effie shouts brightly at the crowd.

But there is only silence, met with three middle fingers at the lips and outwards to Katniss, as a way to say goodbye. Because everyone knew she had sealed her fate when she volunteered for Prim. She had signed up to die. And I was losing my family, my best friend. And I knew, at that moment, I truly loved Katniss.

A/N: Review? I'm going to do another one where Gale goes to talk to Katniss before she leaves for the Hunger Games as well :) GALE FOREVER! :D