Chapter 2

I waited in line at the Justice Building to visit Katniss and Peeta before they made their way to the capitol. I decided to see Katniss first; I was second in line behind her mother and sweet little Prim. They went in for fifteen minutes and came out both in tears.

I took a deep breath and tried to collect myself before walking in. As I walked in and sat down, I drew Katniss into a long hug. We weren't exactly bestfriend, but she was the closest thing I had to one and it broke my heart to think that I might never see her again. I pulled away and unfastened the gold circular pin that was on my dress. "You're allowed to bring one thing as your district token. Will you wear it?" She looked up at me with wide eyes. "Madge, I can't. This is solid gold." "Katniss, promise me you'll wear it? I want you too." She nodded her head and I pulled her into one last hug before being ushered out of the room by peacekeepers.

As soon as I left Katniss, I made my way to Peeta's room. His family had already gone, so there was no line. I walked in silently and wrapped my arms around his neck. Peeta and I were both considered "town kids" and usually stuck around with each other at school. I looked into his eyes after he broke the hug and could tell that he had been crying. "Madge? Will you make me a promise?" I looked into his big blue eyes, a trait that we both had. "Of course Peeta, what is it?" he smiled, trying to hold stifle a laugh and said, "Try to make sure my bone head brothers don't burn down the bakery?" I laughed quietly and nodded my head as I proceeded to walk out of the room. "Of course Peeta. You be safe out there."

And just like that, my only two friends were gone.

It had only been a day since Katniss and Peeta left; that meant that the opening ceremony would be held tomorrow. Keeping my promise to Peeta, I walked into his family's bakery only to be greeted by his father.

"Hello Madge!" He said while rolling out what looked like dough. "Hey Mr. Mellark, just thought I'd drop in and say hello." I liked Mr. Mellark. He was a big strong man, but a nice one. Kind of like a teddy bear. His wife on the other hand was another story. "Madge, do you mind running an errand for me?" "Of course not Mr. Mellark." I couldn't exactly help Peeta, so I decided to do anything to help his family instead. "Will you take these to the young Everdeen girl? I promised her older sister that I wouldn't let her go hungry while she was gone. She's such a sweet child, that little Prim." I took the loaves of bread and made my way out the door.

I had been to the Seam a couple of times before, but never by myself. I looked around at the small houses and realized how lucky I am to live like I do. I tried to make out which house was the Everdeens, but they all looked similar.

Eventually I found their house and knocked on the door. Prim answered and smiled up at me "Hey Madge! What are you doing here?" I gave her a hug and handed her the bread. ", the baker, sent me to give these too you." Her eyes went wide at the sight of the fresh bread and I couldn't help but feel guilty. I never went hungry, and some of these people barely made by. "Thank you Madge! Thank you so much!" Her small arms wrapped around me and I couldn't help but smile. "If you ever need anything Prim, a favor—anything, you just let me know okay?" Her eyes scanned my face as if to see if I really meant it. "Actually Madge, I do have a favor." I shot her a questioning look and waited for her response. "Gale went off into the woods early this morning and he hasn't come back. I'm worried, worried that he ran off and won't come back." It registered in my mind and it hit me. Prim wants me to go into the woods.

If anyone but sweet little Prim had asked me I would've said no, but I couldn't refuse those pleading blue eyes.

"Yes Prim, I'll go look for him. Are you coming with me?" she shook her head and said, "Well, that's it… I'm afraid of the woods, but I can show you where to get through the fence." She grabbed my hand and we were out the door.

Yep, Madge Undersee, the mayor's daughter was committing a federal offense. "Ironic," I muttered to myself as we made it across the meadow. Prim pointed out the break in the fence and I climbed under.

I was alone in the woods. I can't describe the feeling except say that I absolutely loved it. I felt so… free. "Gale? Hello, Gale? Are you out here?" I was making my way through the thick forest when I stepped on it. I was flung up into the air dangling by one ankle, a foot above the ground.

"Just my luck," I said to myself "Out in the woods by myself, and I get caught in a damn snare."

"Man, who would've thought that the Mayor's daughter would have a mouth on her." I tried to look at the owner of the voice only to see Gale Hawthorne. Tall, dark olive skin, and dark, almost black hair.

"Gale Hawthorne, If you don't get me out of this trap this instance, I swear—" I said in a tone I don't usually use. He smirked before saying, "You swear what Undersee?" I tried to look at him, which was pretty hard considering I'm still hanging upside down, before responding.

"I swear Gale, I'll kick your ass!" anger dripped off my words and Gale scoffed. "I guess I should let you down. Wouldn't want your daddy finding out." He slowly lowered me out of the snare and let me down.

I stood up and smoothed my shirt. "What are you doing out in the woods anyways Undersee?" I groaned. I hate when he calls me Undersee. Why he can't use my name, I have no clue. "One, my name is not Undersee; it's Madge. Two, Prim asked me to come and find you. She thought you had run off." He shook his head and mumbled something to himself. "I told her I was going hunting and would be back."

He led me back to the fence and we both crawled under. Prim was waiting for us and ran to Gale and gave him a big hug. "I thought you had left me Gale!" He got down on his knees to get at eye level with her and looked her dead in the eyes. "Never Prim. I promise." He hugged her and I couldn't help but think about how sweet it was.

"Undersee, do you know how to get back to town from here?" I shook my head no. "Well c'mon, I'll lead you back that way." I followed him and we walked in complete silence.

As we walked I couldn't help but to observe Gale. All girls loved Gale. Seam girls and town girls. If you looked at him, it was quite obvious why. His dark hair that was always messy but in a cute kind of way, his stature, he's been at least six feet tall and has been that way since he was fourteen. Now eighteen, his muscular yet lean build made most girls at school swoon just by looking at him. His features on his face were chiseled, but almost in a way to where they were almost soft looking. His tan skin, another Seam trait, made his grey eyes jump out at you. Oh his eyes….

I must've stopped walking because he turned around and looked at me with a questioning gaze. I shrugged and continued walking.

We stopped in the square which was a short distance from my house and he faced me. "Well, I'm gonna head on back to my house." He raked his fingers through his head and began to turn. "Hey Gale, thanks for getting me out of the snare, but remember, if it happens again, I won't hesitate to kick your ass." He chuckled and looked at me with his mysterious grey eyes. "Goodnight Madge."

That's when I decided. I was going to get to know more about this mysterious soul.