A/N: This story is the continuation of my other Fanfiction story, "Something Different". The storyline picks up about a week after the end of the first story. I'd recommend reading it before reading this one but if you choose not to, this one could stand alone and still be enjoyable. And as a disclaimer: I do not own the Hunger Games or any of it's characters or storylines. I can only take credit for my own original characters and ideas.

Chapter 1

(Madge POV)

I stare out the window as I strum my pencil mindlessly against my desk. I'm supposed to be finishing my assignments but I just can't seem to focus on schoolwork when Gale and I are fighting. And it's not just Gale and I who are fighting. My father and I aren't exactly getting along either. And when my tutor comes by and finds I haven't even made a dent in all the assignments he gave me, I'm sure we'll fight about it to. Well, maybe fight is a strong word. I'm not actually fighting with any of them. More like in a state of ongoing annoyance and disagreement.

It started with my father. He came home from work and casually announced over dinner that I would no longer be attending the regular school in town as I have for all my life. No. Not anymore. Now I would complete my studies here at home, under the watchful instruction of a private tutor, brought in from the Capitol. Now, I've never loved going to school in town or anything but I do have an appreciation for the feeling of being able to do normal things that other kids my age do, like go to school. And a Capitol tutor practically ensures that I never get out of this house for any extended period of time. At least when I was attending school I had somewhat of an escape from this place. When I'd tried to argue my case for being allowed to continue with school as I always have, he promptly shut me down, letting me know in no uncertain terms, that the matter was not up for debate. When I asked why the sudden change in my schooling, he was vague as ever. It's the proper thing to do. That's all he gave me as his reasoning. That my having a tutor was the proper thing to do.

And Gale. Ugh. When I'd complained about the tutor situation to him, he seemed like he agreed with my father. He'd shrugged his shoulders and said maybe I'd like it better this way. He didn't seem the least bit interested in the matter. Almost like he was distracted by other things. And to top it off, he's been acting funny the past few days. He doesn't seem to want to spend anytime with me. Or if that isn't true and he actually does want to spend it with me, he's certainly been too busy to find the time. I've even tried to meet him for lunch but he wasn't in his office when I stopped by and when I asked him about it later, he'd said he'd had lunch over at Katniss's. Said he was sorry he missed me, that he would've invited me along if he'd known I'd be coming by. And while it's true I'd stopped by unannounced, I still couldn't help but feel a little jealous that he was spending time with Katniss when I've barely seen him in days. And being jealous wasn't something I was used to feeling. But still, I'd felt it, even all the while knowing it was unwarranted of me to feel that way. Over the past five days I've only gotten to see him in passing really and never for more than 20 minutes at a time. Busy with work, busy with school, busy with his family. Just busy with everything except me.

And my tutor seems entirely intent on pushing me at an accelerated pace. School has never been difficult for me and I've always completed my lessons with ease. But this tutor has been piling on the assignments and I've actually had to struggle to complete them on time. Of course being distracted and unhappy doesn't exactly make for the best schoolwork mindset so partly it's my own fault that I'm struggling but with the amount of work I'm being given each day, I think I'd have trouble keeping up regardless of my emotions. And when I'd tried to tell him that he was moving me along faster than they had been at school, he laughed. He actually laughed. And then he'd stacked another textbook on top of my already full desk and said we'd be increasing my course load. In school, I took 5 courses. My tutor has me working on 8 courses. And the most annoying part about all of this is that for me, daughter of the Mayor, all this work is pointless. It's simply for show. I'll never be allowed to hold a job or have a real career or trade. I'm just supposed to look pretty and be pleasing. Be a good hostess and a proper Capitol supporter.

And now I stare out of my window, avoiding my work, pouting about all of it. I just need a break, I tell myself. I need to have fun and destress. My eyes fall on the Cafe and instantly I know what I want to do. I'm going to go see Tripp. I haven't seen him since we danced at the ball and I want to tell him about the letter from my mother. I'd gone by looking for him a couple days ago but had forgotten that he'd be in school so he wasn't there. I glance over at my clock. School is out so he should be either at the cafe or at his house if he isn't working. Gale and my father are both busy at work and won't notice if I skip out on my tutoring work. My tutor won't be by to see me for at least another hour so I have time right now. Grabbing my mother's letter from the back of my desk drawer where I'd hidden it, I head over to the cafe.

For a change, luck seems to be in my favor and Mrs. Krull tells me Tripp should be at home and that I can go right over to see him. If he'd been working I wouldn't have much time to really talk to him. He answers the door on my first knock and I'm so excited to finally see someone other than the people in my house that I practically launch myself at him, hugging his neck.

He laughs. "Everything okay?"

"Just happy to see someone who isn't living in my house. It's only been about a week but I feel like it's been months since I spent time with anyone who isn't employed by my father." I explain as I sit down on a chair in his living room.

"Yeah, what's up with you not coming back to school? I asked Gale and he said that you'd hired a private tutor."

"More like my father hired a private tutor. I didn't have an ounce of say in the matter."

"And I take it you didn't exactly want that?"

I roll my eyes. "Since when did what I want ever matter." I reply sarcastically. "Sorry. I've been in pity party mode for several days now." I add when I realize how whiny I'm sounding.

"Well at least that gives you more free time." He says, trying to find a silver lining.

"Ha! Not with the tutor I got stuck with! He's already piled me up with so much coursework that at this rate, I'll graduate before you do. It's insane."

"Really? I thought school was always pretty easy for you."

"It was. But the quantity of work he's giving me paired with the speed in which I'm expected to complete it is making me fall behind very quickly. I'm actually skipping out on some of my work right now."

"Since when does Madge Undersee skip classes?"

"Since she couldn't bare the thought of being stuck in that house for one more second."

"Well I'm glad you came by. You disappeared at the ball pretty early."

I cringe thinking about how upset I'd been about Katniss and Gale fighting and how I'd almost broken things off with Gale. "Just sort of needed some alone time, away from the crowds." I tell him. I don't mention the reasons behind my leaving, not wanting to overshare any details about Gale and I. "But I do have something very interesting to show you." I tell him, changing the subject and pulling the letter from the pocket of my dress.

"What's this?" He asks as he takes it and starts to read.

"Wow..."

"I know, right? And that letter was hand delivered, there wasn't a postmark on the envelope."

He grins. "Let me guess, you want to find out who delivered it?"

"Exactly! I mean, it has to be someone who was here for the Celebration Ball. And that someone has connections to 13 or is secretly from 13 and pretending to be from the Capitol."

"I can't believe you have proof of 13 being real. Do you know what could happen if someone found that letter?" He warns.

I tuck it safely back into my pocket and imagine the punishment that would follow if a Capitol person caught sight of the words in that letter. "I'm keeping it hidden, don't worry. And the only people who know about it are you, Gale and well Katniss because it was sent to her first."

"Does it bother you that she accidentally got to use all the money that was meant for you?"

"Not really. I suppose it should but if it weren't for that money she wouldn't have won and in a way that money saved both her and Peeta. As for what I'll do if I get reaped, well, I guess I'll just have to be extra charming and earn my own sponsorship funds. It wasn't like I ever knew that I had the money in the first place."

"Any leads yet on who the connection might be?"

"Haven't even had time to look yet. I need to figure out how to get my hands on a passenger list for the train. It's the only way in or out of the district so I think that's the best place for me to start searching. If they came into the district, their name will be on the list. From there I can start crossing people off."

"I can get you a copy of the train list. Sometimes we cater stock the train on it's way back out of town so we always have a copy of the passenger list to know how many people we need meals for."

"Have I told you how amazing you are lately?" I tease as a huge smile spreads across my face.

"Nah, but feel free anytime you'd like." He laughs. "I can get you a copy of the list tonight when I go in for my shift. Come by tomorrow and I'll have it for you."

Tripp and I sit talking for awhile longer and time ends up slipping away from me. When I glance at the clock and see that I've been here for almost 2 hours, I know I've messed up. I say a hurried goodbye, promising to come by for the list the next day and then hurry back across town to my house.

My tutor and my father are waiting when I walk in. Clearly, I'm busted.

"Madge, could you please explain to me why you were not in your room working on your assignments? Your tutor was here for your session but you were no where to be found." My father demands in an icy tone.

"I needed a break and ended up losing track of time. I'm sorry I wasn't here when you arrived." I tell my tutor.

"It's important you stick to your commitments. You can't simply run off anytime you please. You're not a child anymore and you've got to stop acting like one. Go fix yourself up for dinner. You can make up your tutoring session by doubling up tomorrow." My father scolds. My tutor glaring at me alongside him.

"Yes sir." I say as I head up to my room. I hate that I'll have extra tutoring hours tomorrow and I also hate the fact that I still have a ton of assignments to finish tonight. I hate that I can't just come and go as I please during the day. I just hate so many things right now.

In my room I find a note on my desk from Gale.

Beautiful,

I came by after work to say hi but no one knew where you were. Hope you had a good day, I'll try to call you later.

Love you,

Gale

I missed seeing Gale? In frustration I ball up his letter and throw it across the room. I've fallen even more behind on my work. I got myself in trouble with my father and my tutor. I won't be able to see Tripp tomorrow now that my tutoring session has been extended which means my search for my mother's connection will have to wait. And most importantly, I missed out on what was likely my only chance to see Gale today. I can't believe this.

(Gale POV)

I've been avoiding Madge to some degree but not because I don't want to see her. I've been avoiding her because I'm afraid I would jump the gun and propose out of not being able to wait. I've been busy trying to work out all the details but I know that if I was alone with her and caught up in the moment that I might not be able to keep it a secret and I'd go ahead and ask her before everything was in place. I'd spoken to her father days ago and he'd happily given his blessing. I felt sure he'd say yes, I could ask her but I did find myself a little nervous asking him. And I'm asking sooner than I'd ever thought I would. He couldn't have been any happier though. It was a resounding yes on his part.

Her father had immediately launched into planning mode on things I hadn't even had time to think about yet. First, he'd asked about how long of an engagement I'd anticipate us having. I had no idea what Madge would want. All I know is that I want it to be before the next reaping. I need it to be so that we'll have her dowry money to set up an anonymous sponsorship fund like what her mother had set up for her. That way, if the unthinkable were to happen and she were to be reaped, we could help save her and bring her home. Of course I can't tell the Mayor that much detail so I said I'd probably let Madge weigh in on that decision. He suggested we plan on something in 3-6 months.

After that, he'd set up a meeting with a jeweler to have me design a ring for her. The meeting had been difficult and I couldn't decide what ring she'd like best. I just didn't know. So I had narrowed it down to three and gone home to think it over. That night, I'd decided that I wanted to propose with her mother's ring. When I talked to her father about it, he'd said that her mother had been buried with the ring so that wasn't possible but he did find a photo of it and the jeweler was working to create one just like it. I think Madge will really like that about it. Something to make it all the more special for her.

Then her father had done things I hadn't expected. He pulled Madge out of regular school and arranged to have a private tutor handle her schooling. He explained to me that this was to accelerate her schooling so that she'd graduate sooner. The tutor said he could have her prepared to graduate in the next 8-9 months. I personally think that's going to be too much work for her in too short of time but both her father and tutor insisted she could handle it if she applied herself. And Madge was none too happy when they told her about the tutor. They didn't tell her about it being for the purpose of finishing sooner since we're going to be getting married. And of course when she'd privately complained to me about it, I'd had to play it off like it wasn't a big deal and I'm certain she'd been irritated with me about it.

And her father had amped up my schooling as well. I'm on early release which we already knew was going to happen but in addition to that, I'm taking home extra assignments. The goal is to have me finish up by the end of the year while also continuing to learn the ropes of becoming Mayor. I can't actually take on the position until I turn 18 but if I continue working as an intern, I should be ready to slide right into the job as soon as I'm old enough. At least in regards to having the knowledge required to do it. Mentally, I'm still not sure I can do it but I'm boldly moving forward as if it's not optional because at this point, I know it isn't. It's a must and I just have to learn to embrace it. And because we'd be married before it was time for me to take on the role of Mayor, our living arrangements had to be discussed. The Mayor insisted I move into his house, that Madge and I would have ample space there. It's where we'll live once I become Mayor so I suppose it's the most practical solution though I can't deny that a small part of me wishes we could have our own small apartment for a little while first.

The last thing he'd asked me about was how and when I planned to ask her. Also something I hadn't thought about at that point yet. I knew I wouldn't ask her until I had the ring. And I knew I wanted to ask her in private, alone, just the two of us. Beyond that I wasn't sure. Her father sort of made it seem like I should ask her publicly though. I've since decided that I'll take her out to the woods, to the clearing where we first kissed, and ask her there. It will be perfect. Only I can't tell her father that. No freaking way will he be able to know about that. So after giving it some thought, I've decided I'll have to ask her twice. Once, and first, privately out in the woods, and then again at her house during a dinner while her father and any Capitol guests look on. That way, she and I can have that private and perfect proposal we both would want and her father can have the public spectacle he wants.

I haven't told my mother. I'm sort of scared to so I'll wait until after I've asked Madge. I told Katniss though and she thinks I've lost my mind but she does get why I want to marry her sooner rather than later. She of all people probably understands that more than anyone else will. She knows firsthand how essentially crucial sponsorship funds are when you're fighting for your life in the games. So she'll be supportive but in her own, Catnip way.

The ring is ready. They brought it to me this afternoon and it's perfect. She'll love it. I'd gone by her house after work to see if she wanted to go to the woods tonight but she wasn't there and no one seemed to know where she was so I'd left her a note and told her I'd call her later. I'll wait until after dinner and call, tell her I want to see her. Then I slip into the woods with her and ask her to be Mrs. Gale Hawthorne.