Chapter 1.

I never normally walk through the Seam, Mother used to say I wasn’t allowed. That someone of my status shouldn’t be seen in an area like it. But since the Reaping, she lets me. It is a painful trip as it floods my mind with thoughts of Katniss, but I like it. Even though I do not have any significant memories of her, she was the closest thing to a friend I had and I knew I could trust her. My blonde curly hair and bright blue eyes do not blend in with the brown hair and grey eyes normally found in the Seam. People stare at me, wondering why someone like me would want to be in a place like this. I do not take regular visits to here just to remember Katniss, but to see the boy I’ve been hopelessly in love with for years. Gale. Gale Hawthorne, the boy that delivers strawberries to my house, even though I do not like them. The boy that only knows me as Katniss’ friend. The boy that every girl dreams of marrying. Yes, that is the boy that fell in love with four years ago.

I was only twelve and it was a few weeks after the terrible mine explosion which killed both Gale’s father and Katniss’. My father was presenting their families with plaques of bravery. It was mandatory that I attended and offered words of sympathy like my Father and Mother were. I knew who Gale was. Who didn’t? All the girls in school adored him. But, that day was the first time I noticed his perfection. His grey eyes, filled with sadness that was being hidden to protect his two brothers and expecting Mother, his dark brown hair that sat perfectly on his head and his muscular body that would be forced to work in District 12’s mines in just a few years time. But, to him, I’m just the girl who buys strawberries regularly and the Mayors daughter. I have tried many times to talk to him, but whenever I see him, all the words I’ve thought of saying disappear and I’m left, once again staring at him from a distance whilst he talks to the more desirable girls.

I perch on a homemade swing which is attached to an oak tree overlooking a stream. This is the area that I visit every day after school to read and draw. You can hear the mockingjays clearly from the nearby forest as they sing melodies to each other and the whistle of the wind blowing through the leaves. It relaxes me and is the perfect place for quiet thinking. Today I chose to sketch the bridge that someone made to cross the stream, the crooked planks of wood built in a zig-zag form give off various shadows which are great to draw. Mother loves seeing my drawings, they are one of the very few things that make her smile. Then I see him, picking the wild flowers growing on the bank. He ties a strand of grass around them to form a pink, white and yellow bouquet. He rests them on the side and sits on a nearby rock. I want to speak to him, to tell him I’m here for him and that I am experiencing the same sadness he is. My stomach is churning; butterflies are forming as they always do when I see him.  I walk cautiously towards him, thinking of what I could say, as I approach him; I tuck the loose strand of hair behind my ears, and take a deep breath.

 

“Hi Gale” I say. He startles but doesn’t turn; I sit on the rock opposite his, and wait for a response. However he seems more interested in a strand of grass than he is of me. “How are you doing?” He still doesn’t reply. I tap him. “Gale?” He looks up and I stare into his deep grey eyes, which are once again full with sadness.

 “I don’t want to talk Madge.” He says, and then turns his concentration back on the grass. He does want to talk, just not to me. I stand up; pick up my book, paper and pencils and turn to leave. I look over my shoulder.

“She was my friend too, Gale” I say, however my voice catches at the end, I try to fight back the tears. I scurry away clutching my belongings close to my chest. I shouldn’t have said anything to him, it just made things worse.

“Wait, Madge.” Gales calls to me, his voice is nearer than I expected.

I turn and wait for him to catch up whilst tucking the hair back behind my ear which has once again become loose.

“I know you were friends.” Gale kicks the dirt from beneath his feet, not looking at me. “Do you want to do something? I’d like the company.”

Shyness overcomes me and I have to clear my throat before I speak as nothing comes out of my mouth at my first attempt of speaking.

“Sure. I’d... I’d love too, Gale.”

“How about the woods? It’s beautiful at this time of the year.” He runs his fingers through his hair, and nervously shuffles his feet.

“I’ve never been, I’ve heard it’s dangerous” I sound so babyish and I cringe at what I just said. He certainly won’t want to spend time with the girl who’s scared of everything.

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you” he nudges my arm and curves his lips into a friendly smile.
 

“You best, Gale.” I laugh.

“Come on. We’ll get some strawberries” He walks off towards the woods, beckoning me to join him.