Friends?
Madge
After Gale apologized, we became uneasy acquaintances and then unlikely friends. We sat together sometimes, and walked Prim and Rory (who were becoming very close) home to Katniss's house where we watched the games. Then I usually spent the night and then helped Prim and Mrs. Everdeen do errands or cook anything that Gale had managed to catch. That night we made a stew with wild rabbit and katniss roots. While Prim was feeding Lady outside and Rory was with her, Mrs. Everdeen went to see Mrs. Hawthorne for a little while. I told Gale to cut the katniss tubers up, but he was failing miserably. His hands were shaking and then I realized why.
"Gale. Stop, Gale. Look at me." He turned after a long moment and just stared at his hands.
"I—I just keep seeing her almost getting chopped up by that Career." He whispered. I hugged him tightly out of instinct, I felt so stupid. Here Gale, chop up katniss roots after you just saw your best friend Katniss almost get sliced into little pieces a few nights ago. I looked up to see if he was okay and he was…I think. He looked down at me and then kissed me. He tasted like oranges. We stood there until the bell rang and we jumped apart. I blushed and I think he did too and we headed down to the square to watch the Games. Why did he kiss me? I thought he loved Katniss?
Gale
I can't believe I just did that. She probably thinks I'm insane. I probably am. I mean, I don't even know why I kissed her. I was thinking about Katniss and then I just—idiot. Gale Hawthorne, you are an idiot. Stop kissing Katniss's friends. It's not right. Why? She's already kissed dough boy enough times. I should be able to kiss anyone I want. It's not like we were together anyway. A vindictive little voice told me. But the rest of me knew that wasn't true. I loved Katniss but not like that. And Katniss certainly didn't love me, she loved bread boy. So maybe I'll try things out with Madge. She kind of reminds me of Katniss anyway.