Gale and I walked to the edge of the Meadow, and sat down under a tree. The Meadow was the name we had for the woods on the other side of the fence around District 12. It was early evening, so still pretty warm, but there was a mild breeze starting to drift across our path. Gale took his jacket off and wrapped it round my shoulders, in case I started getting cold. A few people were still out on the streets, but not many, mainly were coal miners, heading home after a late shift. Everyone else was at home, watching the Games interviews and the coverage highlights up until this point.
"So, um, have you liked me for a while?" I asked, unsure of what to do or say. This was all new to me. Gale looked at the floor and cleared his throat.
"Yeah, though for a while I didn't know that I did, and then what to do when I realised. What about you? I thought it was always you and Peeta." Now it was my turn to look at the floor.
"Yeah, I thought so too, until a couple of years ago, when he blurted out he was in love with Katniss," I sighed. "Until about a year ago, you were just my brother's best friend. But do you remember that day you came over and Jasp was stuck in the shop downstairs?" Gale nodded.
"We sat on the sofa just chatting and eating strawberries. I remember." He had a smile traced round his soft lips.
"After you left with Jasper, once he came back up into the house, I couldn't stop thinking about you without smiling," I said. "For a while, I guess I tried to convince myself it was just a crush, you had enough female attention, you didn't need me aswell." We both sighed at this point, and I lay my head on his shoulder. He didn't move it away. "But as time went on, my feelings for you got stronger, and less confused," I continued. "I didn't want to say anything, because I didn't think you would ever see me in that way. And then, oh my god, I walked right into you at the Hob the other month." I buried my head in my hands, blushing, as Gale burst into laughter. I had to admit, it was pretty funny, and because so much time had passed, it wasn't as embarrassing for me now.
"Haha, yeah I remember," he chuckled. "Of all the people to walk face first into me, it would have to be you, wouldn't it?" He cupped my still blushing face in his hands and looked into my eyes. I couldn't help but notice how alive his grey eyes looked, how alive his whole face looked, especially with the breeze blowing his hair gently. " I just wish I had done this sooner," he said softly, pressing his lips against mine. I gasped as my whole body reacted to him. If he felt the sudden dampness of my palms against his chest, he kept it to himself, and kissed me deeper as my arms slid round his neck. I could feel the earlier blush growing into a full flush, filling me with warmth. Reluctantly, I pulled away after a while, and opened my eyes, still smiling. Gale had his eyes closed and looked as though he was a million miles away. Exactly where I was just a moment ago. I rested my forehead on his, and he opened his eyes.
"Sorrel," he whispered.
"Sshhh, you don't have to," I whispered back, gently stroking his face. He started softly kissing my forehead, down the side of my face and began nibbling my neck, which made me giggle a little. I cupped his face and lifted his head up, making his eyes meet mine. I sighed. "Gale, we need to think about Peeta and Katniss."
"Well that wasn't where I thought this was going," he said, looking up.
"I know, it's just that, well you and Katniss, Peeta and I. I want to respect what they might think." He looked at me and sighed.
"You're right, urgh, why do you have to be right," he groaned. "Ok, we'll just wait to see what happens with them, in the Games." He kissed me on the nose and stood up. "Come on, my lady, we should be getting you back home." He held his hands out and helped me up, then we walked back through the District, back home to the butchers. As he kissed me goodnight again on my doorstep, I felt my face flush and my body tingle again. I really wish I hadn't been so considerate and tried to think of them. I really wish I had just gone with my instincts and asked him out officially.
