"Are you ready?" Posy asked for the hundredth time tonight. She'd been ready at three even though the concert wasn't until seven.

I looked at my little sister, thirteen now. She looked like a little lady in her dress that she insisted I buy her for this magical evening. It was cobalt blue and it brought out the darkness in her hair and the grey of her eyes. She was growing up so fast and I was happy that my family had moved to District Two so I wouldn't have to miss a thing.

She cursed my crooked bowtie and reached up to adjust it. I hated wearing tuxes, but in my line of work sometimes it needed to be done which was the only reason I even owned this stupid thing. The Mockingjay Ball was the event of the season and I could care less about that, but it was a way for some of the higher ups (which included me) to work the crowd and get some support in the form of money. I did my part and wore the stupid tux.

"Are you ready now?"

She nodded enthused and rushed to the car.

My sister talked my ear off the entire time about the beautiful pianist. Madeline Donner. The way my sister talked about her even if I was bored out of my mind at least I'd have something good to look at, or at least that's what I was counting on.

We found our seats quickly enough, we weren't right up in front or anything but we had a great spot nonetheless.

My sister was literally bouncing with excitement. I had to tell her to stop before someone else noticed.

Just as I had said that I saw the lights dim and the curtains opened. There was a spotlight aimed at the piano. It was a beautiful grand piano, shiny as all hell. I noticed that there was a full orchestra behind it and whispered to Posy, "I thought this was just about her what's with the others. Isn't that like stealing her thunder?"

She shushed me aggressively and held her breath as her idol crossed the stage.

Now I knew that it had been almost a decade since I had seen her, but I still knew exactly what she looked like. Her face may have lost its remaining baby fat, but it was the same face. Her hair was the same golden, shining a bit duller in this artificial lighting than it did in the sun, but they were the same strands. And God, she may not have had on her reaping dress, but the off-white gown she was wearing now sure did remind me of it. It was down to the floor and I almost applauded her for not tripping on it. She gave that same small shy smile to the audience and then turned her back to us for a second while she got in her chair. The entire back of her gown was missing all the way down to the small of her back. It was the sexiest fucking thing I'd ever seen and I'd seen girls actually naked, but none of them held a candle to Madge.

I definitely had something good to look at tonight.

At the sound of the first note, Posy leaned forward, at the edge of her seat, roughly squeezing my hand. "Oh my God, she's starting off with Shumann. I love this concerto."

I wanted to ask her how the hell she knew what song was playing from the first note, but I refrained. I was supposed to act civilized tonight and that meant not whispering to my little sister every single question about this woman I had.

I was moved by her to say the least. Even while the other instruments came in and out my ears were trained on her fingers on the keys of the piano.

Every now and then I looked to see if my sister were as captivated by the music as I was and the twinkle in her eye was answer enough for me.

It was the last song according to Posy, apparently some concerto by someone whose name I couldn't even pronounce, but it was beautiful, the perfect song to end a perfect evening.

The only problem was now I needed to see her again.

Thankfully, Posy had the same idea in mind. "Can we meet her? Please Gale?"

I nodded, grabbing her hand and maneuvering her through the crowd. The audience was gathered in clusters, most of them gossiping about, knowing each other from other social circles.

I made it to the front before I was stopped. I flashed them my mockingjay badge. There was a shot in hell that this guard might actually give a shit that I fought for his freedom.

"Who are you going to see?"

"Madeline Donner," my sister answered excitement dripping from every syllable.

"I know her. She was my friend."

Posy turned to me, her eyebrows furrowing, assuming the words I said were lies. They partly were, I did know her, but I would hardly have considered her my friend and I'm sure the same could be said for her.

"Let me ask for you. I'll be right back. Name?"

"Hawthorne. Gale Hawthorne."

The man left and I watched my sister bounce on her heels.

"That was a good lie," Posy said grinning.

"It wasn't a-," the man appearing again cut me off. He gestured for us to enter. He led us to her dressing room and I noticed my palms were beginning to sweat profusely. Goddamnit.

When she opened the door I was completely blown away by her beauty yet again. She had let down her hair, the soft curls falling down her back. Her blue eyes were shining and her red lips were curled up into a smirk.

"Well I almost didn't believe it."

"My little sister, Posy, is obsessed with you."

Posy blushed heavily and I chuckled. Even without Posy by my side I would've needed to see Madge again.

"It's so wonderful to meet you, Posy. We've actually met before."

"Really?" she asked, eyes wide in delight.

"I brought your brother medicine once when he was hurt back in District Twelve and you called me an angel." She shook her head, laughing to herself. "You were probably too young to remember."

Posy was in shock, having embarrassed herself in front of her favorite pianist.

"It was very cute." Madge noticed that we were still in her doorway and frantically opened the door wide, apologizing for misplacing her manners. Her petite self padded through the room bare-footed and asked if we wanted anything to drink. We both declined. The manners on this girl were astounding.

Madge then asked if Posy wanted anything signed to which Posy politely asked if she could have absolutely everything and anything that Madge offered signed. CDS, posters, anything either girl could get a hold of.

I tried not to laugh when Posy gushed about Madge's performance, going through every powerful crescendo and meaningful decrescendo she could think of. I didn't know what either of those things meant, so I kept quiet, watching the girls interact.

After a half hour I told Posy to wait outside with all of her gifts while I spoke to Madge.

I closed the door behind my sister, making sure she didn't eavesdrop.

"What did you need to tell me away from your sister's eager-to-listen ears?"

"How long are you going to be in the district?"

She furrowed her eyebrows a smile on her face. "Do you know what event you even came to see? We're the district's symphony. We're here to stay."

I didn't even pay attention to her mocking tone because I didn't even care. She had been here all along.

"When are you free?"

"What do you have in mind?" She asked, nervously bringing her perfectly manicured nails up to her mouth. I grabbed it before it made it to its destination, holding it between both of my hands.

"Dinner. I need to see you again."

She looked up at me between her heavy eyelashes. "Why?" She squeaked out.

"Y-you moved me," I started, while rubbing circles into her palm. "In a way I haven't known in awhile."

"Sunday night, if you can," she whispered. She was unsure of me, that much I could tell. I didn't deserve anything better. I had been awful to her back in Twelve. She had no reason to think I wasn't the same person I was back then so when she gave me a day I took it.

"Sounds great. Can I have your address?"

She turned around, showing me her lily white back. I wanted to run my hand down it, feel the softness of it. I refrained. Madge handed me a small folded piece of paper.

"Don't lose it now," she warned, her eyes now on my shoes. "Not like last time."

I wanted to gather her up in my arms when she mentioned how I standing her up for a girl I was no longer on speaking terms with.

I'd be a damn fool if I turned down this chance of taking the gorgeous genius of a pianist out to dinner. I'd curse myself for the rest of my life, like I had when I stood her up then.

"I wouldn't dare," I responded, hoping the fierce honesty in my intentions shone through to the spoken words.