A/N This is my first fanfic, so please be kind! Let me know what you think :)
Disclaimer: I don't own anything, all rights belong to Suzanne Collins. THIS IS MY FANTASY.

1.

It was a glorious day. The weather was lovely and it was a Saturday, which meant no school.

A sigh of delight escaped my mouth while biting in the soft bread. It was a good trade with the baker, though I had to be there early and it cost me two squirrels. Maybe he felt sorry for me, a 14-year old skinny girl.

I left ¾ on the table for my mother and Prim on the table, frowning at Buttercup before putting my father's leather jacket on. I quickly go outside, seeing as the streets are already crowded with people going to the mines. Their sunken faces smeared with black coal, ready to go a couple feet under ground.. I shiver at the thought.

I always hated the mines, but even more since my father got blown into bits down there.

I'm almost at the meadow when I notice movement behind me. I quickly turn around, expecting to see a peacekeeper or Gale. Instead I look right into the face of the mayor's daughter. Madge.

We rarely speak, and Gale and I often bring strawberry's to her house. But we almost always sit next to each other in class. I am just about to say something, plead myself innocent by saying I was just wandering, but then she asks something I never expected, and without hesitating.

''Can I come with you?'' I look at the blonde and angelic girl in front of me. Is this some kind of sick joke? ''Come? With me? Where?'' I ask dazzled. She sighs and smiles. Though it's a small smile. ''To the woods of course.'' I look at what she's wearing, and she is actually wearing suitable clothes. A good jeans and an old and rough looking blouse. Her blonde hair is hung loose as always. ''Ehm, sure..'' I say awkwardly.

I show her the weak spot under the fence after listening for the non-present hum, and we go into the woods. I look over me shoulder, noticing she is light on her feet, and see she is taking it all in. I smile and lead her to the rock Gale and I always sit at, plucking some berries and tossing it to her. ''What do you think?'' I ask a bit uncertain.

She gives me a wide smile. ''It's beautiful and amazing,'' she says in one breath. ''You're not scared?'' She shakes her head and says; ''I'm with you, so I doubt anything will happen to me.'' I smile too, which makes her look at me with a strange expression I can't place. ''Why don't you smile more?'' she asks with a tone of curiousity. I shrug. ''I almost only smile in the woods.'' She nods and we continue to sit there in a comfortable silence while eating blackberries and even some strawberries.

I lean backwards and investigate Madge her face. She is fairly pretty, with her blonde hair and blue eyes. But.. She isn't like all the other merchant girls, she is different. Stronger, more down to earth. Maybe a bit more like me.

Suddenly she catches my gaze and laughs. ''Why are you staring?'' A sigh escapes my lips and I shrug. ''Trying to figure you out.'' Madge shrugs too and stares into the distance again.
''There is not much to figure out, Katniss,'' she says quietly.

I want to ask more questions, like what she meant with that, but I leave her and let the silence take over again.

Suddenly, she takes my hand and smiles warmly at me.

''I'm happy you took me here Katniss, it means a lot to me.'' Then the warmth of her soft hand leaves my rough one and I can't help but feel a little stirring inside of me. But I shake it off. Loving means losing, which means getting hurt. Prim is the only one i'll ever love, and that is why I protect her with all I have. Losing her will hurt so much it will make my bones ache and heart bleed. When the sun is fully risen, we decide to go back.

I could've just let her walk behind me, but instead I take her hand and lead her out of the woods.

When we are on the other side of the fence again, she gives me a warm hug. I'm too shocked to hug her back.

Then she lets go, but still holds on to my shoulders. Softly. ''Thanks again Katniss, and.. Maybe we could do this again, and I could teach you some piano in return,'' her eyes had a twinkle in it of pure delight and happiness. It was a soothing sight.

''Sure,'' I say without thinking. She smiles one last time before walking off and leave me standing here for what it seems hours, trying to get what just happened. I shake my head once, before going home. I think about how I didn't hunt.. But then I figure there is still from yesterday. And even though I didn't hunt.. It was wonderful.

This was a year ago.

Now we meet up every month, at least. Of course the sundays will always be free for Gale, just like many other days we have to spend hunting, but the rare days where i'm duty-free are reserved for Madge. And this is one of them.

I quicken my pace while walking to the mayor's house and knock on the door. Madge opens and smiles happy at me.

''Katniss! Come in, I just finished a new piece.'' I knew that by 'new piece' she meant a new song, or melody or something like that on the piano. She has tried to teach me, but i'd much rather listen.

She sits me down on the sit infront of the piano, then she sits next to me and starts to play.

I watch as her slender fingers press the key's, sweeping over them gracefully. The music is breathtaking and beautiful. I look up to her face and smile carefully, because of her expression. She looks very serious, but still in peace.

When she is done, she looks at me with big eyes. ''And? What do you think?'' My smile widens as I reply; ''Beautiful as always, you know that.''

Her cheeks turn a light pink at this compliment. She clears her throat and takes my hands, placing then on the key's. Without saying anything she leading my hands, playing the piece. Her hands are soft and delicate.

When she is done, she looks at me and smiles. ''Did you know that you smile very often when we're together?'' I look at her with my mouth a bit open and a surprised expression. Do I? I never noticed. It just comes.. naturally. In one year Madge and I grew towards each other, and I came to the conclusion I was right. She is more like me than I thought.

''Are you going to hunt with Gale tomorrow?'' the question comes out of nowhere. ''Yes.. Yes I am,'' I answer. She nods and looks down at the keys, playing with them. ''It's your birthday tomorrow,'' she says, looking up at me.

I frown. I forgot my own birthday! Well, there are more important things than birthdays, like making sure we have a proper meal. ''Yes.. What does it matter?'' I ask her. She smiles softly at me and pats my hand. ''Nothing.'' She shifts a bit, and only then I notice how close we are, her body heat radiating through her close. I feel the same stirring in my stomach as I had many times this year, but again I choose to ignore it.

Stupid, stupid, stupid. She begins to play again, and I watch her delicate hands swift over the keys, and I listen. And it is beautiful, as always.