A/N: Gale's point of view. Katniss is off at the 74th Hunger Games. A story about him and Madge. A love story? Maybe…

Disclaimer: I do NOT own The Hunger Games. Suzanne Collins wrote the trilogy.

The hottest day in weeks just had to be today, right, I thought to myself as I took off my shirt. I liked the way the blazing sun felt on my exposed, bare chest. If only I had something lighter to wear than these work pants and boots.

I had just got back from the Hob when I feel cool hands wrap around my face and cover my eyes.

"Guess who," said a sweet, giggling voice.

I smiled. Madge, I thought. It could only be Madge. It's true, we haven't talked much, but I guess we were considered friends. At least I know that we have one thing in common. We're both wishing Katniss would come home from the Games.

I turn around and she drops her hands back to her sides.

"Hey, Madge." I say smoothly.

She's wearing a strapless, floral dress with white sandals. Her golden blonde hair cascades down her back and a small daisy is tucked behind her ear. My gray eyes meet her light blue ones and we both smile. Gorgeous as always, I think as I take her beauty in.

"Hey, Gale," She says back. "I was thinking, maybe, if you wanted to..." I could tell she was getting nervous. "Maybe you could come over to my house and we can watch the Opening Ceremonies together."

I smile at her. It was a good offer and Madge is my friend. I've been so lonely since Katniss left, so I decide to accept. "Yeah, sure, Madge. Let me just run home and drop this off." I motion to the bag in my hand.

She nods and I say, "Be right back." I lightly jog back to my house and drop the bag on the table.

My mother wasn't home; she was working. Posy runs up to me and gives me a hug. "Posy, I'll be back later tonight. Tell your brothers, okay? Eat whatever you want in the bag, just share." She nods, giggling, and runs to my brother's room.

I grab my shirt out of the bag and put it back on. As I'm leaving my house, I find myself becoming nervous. Madge was the mayor's daughter and I'm a boy from the Seam. It makes it worse since I disobey the laws by hunting each day. Well, maybe if you fed us, I wouldn't have to hunt illegally, I think to myself.

I reach where Madge found me and see her still standing there. We both smile at each other and she says, "Ready?" I nod and she leads me to her house.

We don't talk at all on the way there. Even though it's her home, I still open up the door and step aside, letting her walk in. She thanks me and smiles. "My pleasure," I say.

I close the door and step in. I turn my head in all directions, taking in the beauty of the house. Shimmering white walls, crystal chandeliers, tiny flowers painted at the base of the walls, a big spiral staircase in the middle. To my left is the Undersee's living room, a wide open space filled with a pale pink lounge couch, a television set on an oak table, a matching oak table in-between the television and the couch, pictures to fill the walls, and many smaller decorative pieces. On my right is a small hallway with three doors. I don't know what's beyond the doors and I certainly don't know what's upstairs.

If this is what it's like in District Twelve's Mayor's house, I wonder what it's like in a better District, like District Two, I think as I look around.

Madge's voice brings be back to reality. "Uh, Gale," she points to my shoes. "Your shoes, they have to come off." I nod and unlace them, then take them off. "Sorry, it's just, my mother was cleaning yesterday."

"It's fine, Madge. They're only shoes." I say.

"Right. So, this is my house."

"It's nice. Fancy."

She blushes. "Well, yeah, obviously." She let's a sigh escape her lips. "Sometimes I think it's too fancy."

I shrug. "Opening Ceremonies are going to start any minute. We don't want to miss them."

"Oh, yes! I almost forgot." She smiles and walks into her living room. I follow her and sit down on the couch after she does.

The television goes on after Madge presses the button on the remote. I tune out the beginning and Madge's remarks of the other tributes. My eyes light up as Katniss and Peeta's chariot rides out.

"She's... on fire!" I exclaim.

"Oh, it's amazing!" Madge shrieks.

Katniss looks so beautiful, I think to myself. Then I see her holding Peeta's hand and their arms shoot up into the air. Katniss is throwing kisses out into the audience and catching roses. I don't care that Katniss is holding onto Peeta's hand, I just want her home. This will defiantly assure some sponsors.

Once the Ceremonies are over, I turn to Madge. "Do you think Katniss will come home?"

"Of course she will! She's so strong and smart." Madge remarks.

I believe it too, but her competitors might be stronger. "But the boys from Two and Eleven..."

"Katniss can defeat them, I know she will."

I'm a little shocked by how much Madge believes in Katniss. I have to accept that Madge and Katniss were and are friends. Somehow this upsets me. I manage to push the feelings aside.

"Well, Madge, thanks for having me over." I stand up.

She stands up after me. "Anytime, Gale. I would love to have you over again."

I smile, "Yeah, sure."

She walks me to the door and I put back on my shoes. After a quick hug and goodbyes, I exit the house. I keep thinking about Katniss and her fire, Katniss holding tightly onto Peeta's hand. I'm sure it's just an act, I reassure myself. But maybe I don't mind, if I could just get over Katniss...