I trudge back home, feeling suicidal. I'm not stupid. Neftils. Neftils. God, Madge, why did you have to go and do that? I'm with Katniss... I think. Well, we never really made it official, but... I always got this vibe, that she wanted to be something more. She doesn't really like to make decisions, Katniss doesn't. What I saw at the reaping was a snap judgement, something she doesn't usually do. She deliberates. OK, so I'm in love with Katniss, so in love that I notice too much detail about her. Is that a crime? NO. You know what is a crime? GIVING NEFTILS TO SOMEONE WHO'S BELOVED HAS JUST BEEN CHOSEN TO FIGHT TO THE DEATH IN SOME GAME THAT THESE GUYS THOUGHT WOULD BE FUN TO PLAY. That's what should be a crime. This whole system. Bow down to the Capitol, accept that you're poor. Katniss used to hate my rants. Bet she thinks of them differently now.
I wonder how she's getting on. Is she already friends with that handsome chef boy? I could be in his place right now. Comforting her. But we both know where our family would be without us to gather food for them.
Maybe she likes him. I thought she looked at him in that way when he took to the stage. I remember him from school of of course. He used to have the nerve to ask me about Katniss.
"When do you two hunt?"
"Every day."
"Are you together?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"I dunno."
"Do you fancy her or something?"
"No."
"Why do you want to know then?"
"Jeez, just making conversation!"
Bit temperamental that one. Wish I'd had time to warn Katniss. A stab of pain hits me in the stomach. I need to not think about Katniss right now. Think about something else, Gale. Think about Madge.
I decide to analyse this the way I would analyse prey (a bit creepy, I know, just go with it).
Intention: Giving me flowers... that represent love.
Weakness: Well, I could have rejected her straight away. Why didn't I?
Motive: ... Is it because Katniss is gone? Does she consider it a clear road now? Does she think Katniss won't come back? Does she think... I lost my temper at her this morning. Does she think I fancy her? Do I fancy her?
We need to talk. I alter my course so I am heading right towards the mayor's house.
