I tie my hair into a loose side braid, as I hear the loud, clear knocks on the front door, which could only be done by one person.
"Hi Gale." I smile, looking up at the tall, gray eyed, Seam boy, who I now referred to, as a friend.
"Just reminding you that my mom is serving dinner at seven and we'll be watching the games at eight." he said, placing his arm on the frame of the door, leaning down at me.
"I wouldn't miss it for the world." I grin, thinking of Hazelle's mouth watering stews.
"Good." he said firmly, starting to walk down the steps of my porch. "See you at seven." he called, looking over his shoulders, grinning.
"See ya." I call back, closing the front door with a smug look on my face.
It was strange. A couple of months ago, being friends with Gale Hawthorne would've seemed like the most, stupid idea in the world. Now we would visit each other's houses, keep each other company and just have fun.
It all changed when Prim was reaped in the reaping and Katniss had volunteered to take her place. I can't say I'm shocked though. Katniss loves Prim more than anyone. I remember staring at the stage, my insides already burning. I had lost my best friend to the Capitol. That wasn't the only friend I would lose that day. Peeta Mellark. My head snapped up from the ground, my watery eyes seeing both Katniss and Peeta on the stage, shaking their hands, knowing that they would have to kill each other at one point. After that everything seemed rushed. I had spoke to both Katniss and Peeta, even giving her my Mockingjay pin to keep. As a token. As a remembrance of me, Prim, Gale and District 12.
I was already lonely, spending most of my time playing piano, and talking with my sick mother. She wouldn't respond much. Shortly after I lost her too. She died four days after the reaping. The days I had spent after that, were the most painful. I had no one. Katniss and Peeta were in the games fighting for their lives. My mother was dead. My father busying himself with work. Me? I just sat by the piano. Day after day. Thinking about the Capitol.
How they had first taken my Aunt Maysilee into the games. How she was killed by animals invented by the Capitol, itself. How it wasn't just Maysilee who died. My mom did too. Emotionally. Mentally. Dad said she suffered from depression ever since Aunt Maysilee had died. Ever since she was taken away from her. Except, my dad was able to pull her out of it. Not for long though, because I came along.
People always made remarks on how I was the spitting image of Maysilee, even as a baby. It brought it all crashing back for her. Dad had to single handily raise me, whilst my mom never left her room, trapped in her own thoughts. Dad said that's what started it all off for her. The depression. Then it was illness after illness. Until finally she died.
And it was all their fault. The capitols. First they took my Aunt Maysilee. Then they took my mother with her. And now they've taken Peeta and Katniss, the only people I had left in this world. Or so I thought.
I was so enraged by the capitol, for what they had done to me. I wanted them to suffer. I wanted to defy them, even if it was as little as going over the fence. It was defying them, nonetheless.
I let my feet drag me to the woods, as I listened for the electric buzz from the fence. Except there wasn't one. I don't know what I was thinking. I just had to let it all out. I wanted to scream. I wanted my voice to be heard. I wanted to bring the Capitol down. But I couldn't. I couldn't bring the Capitol down. I couldn't do anything at all, because I am the mayor's daughter, and that's all I'll ever be. The Mayor's daughter.
I had crossed the fence anyway, finding my way through the woods. I was a mess. I am a mess. And that's how Gale found me. A mess. I was screaming, crying, sobbing, letting my anger out on a tree. Surprisingly, I had torn the bark of it, revealing it's rugged texture. But that wasn't enough. No way enough. Gale said I was screaming. Something about the capitol. How much I hated them. How I hated them for taking everyone I loved. Katniss. Peeta. Mom. Maysilee. He said he had watched me for a while, as I threw stones at the tree, pounding my fists against it. Eventually I broke down, crying to myself, my insides feeling numb, as I rested my arms against the tree, placing my head on it as I controlled my breathing.
"You know. That's not good for the tree." he smirked, revealing himself from behind the bush.
"Not today Gale. I can't cope with you today." I sighed deeply, closing my eyes, as I let the sorrow overwhelm me.
"What's the matter princess? Did your shirt crease?" he snickered.
"I SAID NOT TODAY HAWTHORNE!" I lashed out, glaring fiercely at him. I guess he hadn't expected it. He said it was like seeing me in a new light. And that's how our friendship weirdly begun. That day in the woods.
I guess I like the company. It fills up the lonliness. Sometimes I worry if Gale's only using me because Katniss is in the games. That's probably why we're friends. To keep each other distracted from the loss we've experienced.
It's not just that. After my mother died the Hawthorne's have been the for me. They're the family I never had. They each were unique in their own way. Hazelle had a warm heart, welcoming me into the family instantly. Rory was hilarious. Vick was shy and adorable. Posy. Oh Posy. Posy was the sweetest little girl, who anybody would love instantly. They had all helped me overcome my bereavement. They made me happy in a way I thought wasn't possible. I wish I could say the same for my father. He acts like he's fine, but he's not. Mostly distracting himself with work, but I doubt he actually has any work to do. He'll do anything not to be reminded of my mother's death. Even if it means losing contact with me. I can still see the pain in his eyes. His eyes are filled with nothing but loneliness.
Without realizing I bury my head into Gale's shoulder, as I squint at the horror of what's happening on the screen. Cato has Peeta in a headlock. Katniss has her arrow aimed, but if she shoots now, she'll kill Peeta in the process. I hear Posy cry on the other side of the couch, as she hides herself under her mother's arms.
Then it all happens so quickly. The arrow. Cato's hand. The mutts. I feel myself gag as the mutts tear Cato apart. I squeeze my eyes shut, as Gale hides my face under his arms. I don't want to witness that. I don't think anybody does. Hazelle sends both Vick and Posy to bed, despite their demands of wanting to make sure Katniss makes it out alive. Rory leaves soon after, not wanting to witness Cato's slow and painful death. Cato's desperate pleas and screams of agony carry on for what seems like years, as Katniss finally pulls the arrow and kills him. I sigh, swallowing the bile that travels its way up my throat.
Hazelle excuses herself, going upstairs to check on the others. Leaving only me and Gale on the couch. I move myself away from Gale, moving into the arched corner of the couch, which Hazelle had just sat in. Everyone knows I like to sit in the corner of couches. Our eyes stayed glued to the TV as Cato's body is taken away.
"Madge. You know what this means right?" Gale says, turning to face me with wide eyes, as I remain silent. "They're coming home. Katniss and Peeta." I thought about it, but it never really sunk in until now. My face brightens up almost instantly, that is until there's an announcement.
'Greetings to the final contestants of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games. The earlier revisions have been revoked. Closer examination of the rule book has disclosed that only one winner may be allowed. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor!'
My stomach drops, as my insides burn. "They can't do that! They can't!" I yell at the screen, as I shake my head frantically, my voice rising.
"I should've known they'd do something like this." Gale hissed through gritted teeth.
I watch with confusion as both Katniss and Peeta stare at each other, before grabbing a handful of berries. A closer observation shows them as Nightlock. Oh no. Oh god no.
My eyes stare at the screen desperately not wanting them to do, what they're about to do. They're going to kill themselves. The star-crossed lovers of District 12 cannot live without each other. I dig my fingers into Gale's arm, as they raise the berries to their mouths.
'Stop! Stop! Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to present the victors of the Seventy-fourth Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark! I give you- the tributes of District Twelve'
I sigh a breath of relief, as I jump off the couch. Gale looks at me, the biggest grin I've ever seen on him, spreads across his face, as he too stands up beside me.
"She's coming home Madge! KATNISS IS COMING HOME!" he yells, pulling me into a bone-crushing hug, as he spins me around in the hug.
"I know Gale! I know!" I squeal with pure happiness and delight. "They're coming home." I laugh shakily, as he puts me down. In the joy of the moment, we stare at each other. I can see the reflection of my ocean blue eyes in his gray eyes, as he lowers his face towards me. I stand on my tip toes, as he cups my face. We're both lost in the moment, when we hear a small cough, as we instantly jump away from each other.
"Am I interrupting?" smiles Hazelle, leaning against the door.
"No. Not at all. I was just leaving." I whisper frantically, without looking at the pair of them. I nod at them, as I make my way out of their house, into town.
I watch the TV in my living room, as I see Katniss and Peeta being presented as the winners of the 74th Hunger Games. They both look different. Polished. I grin to myself, as I can't wait for them to return. They won the games yesterday, and tomorrow they're coming home. I hear a loud, clear knock on the door, knowing too well who it is.
"Gale. I was just meaning to come over." I frown, as Gale paces my porch. "What's wrong?"
"Listen Madge. We have to talk. Can I come in?" he whispers, his voice pained, as he rubs the back of his neck.
"Sure. Yeah. Come in." I smile uneasily, as he walks in and sits on the couch. I close the door and stare at him with curiosity, as I make my way to the couch, sitting beside him. "Gale, what's wrong?" I say staring at the boy, who's constantly fidgeting and frowning at the wall. Was Gale Hawthorne nervous? He sighs to himself, before turning around to face me. His face filled with sorrow and guilt.
"Madge. I'm so sorry. I don't want to, but with Katniss coming back and all" he starts, as I straighten myself, knowing exactly what he was going to say.
"We can't be friends." I whisper, nodding slightly as I try to register it in my mind. I can feel his eyes on me, as I drop my own to the ground.
"I'm so sorry Madge. With Katniss coming back!" he squeaks, as he tries to give me an explanation. Finally giving up, he drops his voice. "It's for the best. It just has to be done."
"I know." I reply, my chin trembling, as I hold back the tears. Without looking at him, I walk towards the door, opening it. "Goodbye Gale." I whisper, keeping my face straight, not letting him see any sadness.
"I'm sor-" he begins, as he walks towards me.
"Like you said. It's for the best. Goodbye." I say fiercely, as I let Gale Hawthorne walk out of my life. He glances at me one more time, but my eyes stay glued to the floor. I slam the door as he walks out, letting my knees drop to the ground, as I let my tears out.
For a long time, in a while now. I feel lonely again.