A/N: Thank you for your kind words in the reviews, and particularly to those who have consistently reviewed. It's so great to hear from the same people to see how they feel it's progressing. This chapter is set three years after the end of "Call It In The Air". Gale is now 17 and Madge is 15. Just out of curiosity, has anyone noticed what band I've taken the story title and chapter headings from? Listening to the song that the story title is from inspired me to start writing this!
Chapter 4: Cautioners
Gale's P.O.V
As I saunter into the dining hall at school I curse my eyes for scanning the room for a familiar face. For her. Her blonde head is easily spotted, being the only one amongst a sea of browns and reds. I stopped searching for her among the other townies a while ago. I smile as Catnip (grudgingly as ever) smiles at something Madge says then lets out a harsh barking laugh. I stare, realising I'd never heard her laugh before. Not in all three years of being my hunting partner had she ever truly laughed. The sound made me smirk. It was so...Catnip. My eyes follow the delicate movements of pale piano playing hands as they reach up to tie unruly blonde curls into a ribbon. She's a townie. I hate her. But I can't deny that there's something inexplicably endearing about the way she hunches over her book, blue eyes wide from trying to squint around the golden strands partially obscuring her vision. She munches absentmindedly on an apple and my heart contracts as I remember why I can't seem to stop my eyes from searching rooms for her slight frame. She knows too much. Somehow, three years ago I allowed my soul to be laid bare to the gangly little Mayor's daughter, and her piercing blue eyes seem to have taken more than I had voluntarily given. I raise my eyebrows as Catnip leans over and engages her in conversation. I almost want to break into applause. Poor Catnip is a great shot and a fierce hunter, but she never could understand humans. Yet here she is with her one friend besides me, chatting away. I allow myself a smile at the thought of how I'm not the only one those azure eyes have coaxed out of stoicism. The thought slips away and I place a scowl on my face just as Madge instinctually raises her gaze to meet mine. She smiles sadly before dropping her eyes back to the large volume propped on her drawn up knees and I let out a breath I didn't even know I was holding.
Madge's P.O.V
I startle at the sound of Katniss' abrupt cackle in reaction to my dry description of my English Literature teacher's penchant for chewing gum and shouting. A combination that resulted in a definite 'say it don't spray it' situation. I don't think I've ever heard her laugh before, and she looks just as shocked as I do as well as a little red round the ears. I smile at her warmly, hoping to convey how much I enjoy her quiet presence. We talk, but we don't chatter. I remember my intense relief when we got through our first lunch without saying a word about boys, dresses or any of the other things our female peers deem important. It's not that we're above it or anything, it's just that neither of us are particularly girly. I'm a music obsessed book nerd and she's a grouchy hunter. Neither of us fit in anywhere except our quiet little lunch table for two. I munch on my apple absentmindedly, hoping she knows that I consider her a friend. My favourite thing about Katniss is that she doesn't care about our wildly different upbringings. We've worked together on many assignments and eat lunch together daily but she has never once mentioned my father's job. It's incredibly refreshing to be seen as Madge rather than just the Mayor's brat.
My mind wanders to my father, hoping desperately that nothing has happened to upset him this morning. He's been so on edge lately. For the past three years since the mining accident he's been applying pressure to various factions of the Capitol government, campaigning for better safety mechanisms in the mines. He's never been the same since that day, I know he blames himself. Recently I overheard my Dad telling his general that he has been receiving threats. At first from government officials; simple 'sit down you're rocking the boat' letters, then calls from President Snow's personal assistant passing on thinly veiled threats against my mother and I. I shudder, wondering what he meant. I somehow feel a pair of eyes on me, and sure enough when I abandon my huge copy of Shakespeare's sonnets my gaze meets Gale Hawthorne's perpetual glare. I smile sadly, wishing his hunting partners tolerance of undeserved wealth would rub off on his sharp features and sharper tongue.
Gale's P.O.V
I wake up that Sunday with an energy that propels me out of bed and into the woods before 6am, climbing trees to keep my mind from wandering while I wait for Catnip to get here. She arrives a couple of hours later and I suggest that we take the strawberries straight to the Mayor's house before starting to hunt. She agrees with a puzzled frown and we begin the walk back to the fence.
By the time we reach the Mayor's back porch, I'm furious with myself. Why am I so eager to drag Catnip out of the forest to sell fruit to an unnervingly quiet book worm of a girl who will never see us anything more than filthy Seam rats? I only end up insulting her whenever we come here anyway. I turn to Catnip to suggest we just leave it 'til later when the door opens. Instead of the usual red faced tornado there stands a tall, portly looking man with large glasses and a pocket watch. Our jaws drop. The mayor never answers the door. Catnip turns to face me, eyes wild, gesturing frantically for me to hide the strawberries we brought for his infuriating daughter. He stares at us for a moment then speaks.
"Oh of course! You must be Madge's friends, the ones who bring those delicious strawberries."
"Er...yeah." I stammer, earning a grimace from Katniss. I can tell she's sure we're about to get arrested or worse.
"Well how much? I'd be happy to buy them in her stead." He says, a little sadly. Katniss seems to recover from her fright and asks the question running through my own mind at an alarming rate.
"In her stead?"
The sorrow in his eyes is now unmistakable. He refuses to meet my eyes as I search his face for any hint that the strawberry girl is hurt or sick.
"Yes. She has gone to study Music and Literature at Capitol University." Katniss gasps.
"She never said anything about applying or being accepted, she didn't even say goodbye!" I hear the wounded tone of her voice as it echoes through my own thoughts.
"Her departure was...abrupt." His eyes meet mine this time, and the way he says 'abrupt' makes me suspect he also means 'unwillingly so'. Confused I simply say,
"Three silver coins. She usually gives us three silver coins" he raises his eyebrows but silently reaches for his wallet. We exchange the goods and all three of us stand awkwardly, staring at our shoes. Finally Katniss speaks up, which is unlike her.
"When will she be back?"To our horror his eyes fill with tears as we hover awkwardly.
"I'm not sure she will be, dear. Keep bringing the strawberries please." He murmurs, and shuts the door. We stand, stunned, staring at the Undersee's back door for the next few minutes. I look down at Katniss and she's wringing her hands. I've known her long enough to know that this means she's worried. I try to think of words to comfort my abrupt hunting partner but I can't bring myself to believe that we will ever see the Mayor's oddly charming daughter ever again. The realisation bothers me more than I will ever admit.
A/N: This is shorter than originally intended, but there seemed to be a pretty pronounced break between this part of the original single chapter and the next (a whole year!) So I stopped here. The next chapter will follow soon and will be normal length. Thanks for reading!