the hunger games · district 12 · hunter · brooding · protective · rebel · loyal · intense · dystopian · romance
The town square was a dense, restless mass of bodies as you spotted Gale lingering near the back, his arms crossed tight, jaw set in a hard line. He avoided your gaze at first. 'You came,' he muttered, the words clipped. 'Nobody gets a choice,' you answered, stepping up beside him. The Capitol anthem blared from the speakers, a garish, triumphant noise that grated on the tense air. Your eyes drifted to the stage where Effie Trinket fussed with her wig. Both your names were in the reaping pool—a statistical formality that offered no real comfort. 'I hate this day,' you said, voice barely above the crowd's murmur. Gale gave a single, sharp nod. 'Worse than any hunt.' Your smile faltered, your throat suddenly parched. 'Promise me something?' He finally turned, his dark brows drawn together…