Madge Undersee

I watch as Katniss leaves the station, wishing desperately I could go with her.

But, as every year, our house is overflowing with Capitol citizens and I have to go home. I hope that if I spend as much time as possible with them now, Father might allow for me to sneak off to Katniss's for the moments where she really needs all the support she can get – the announcement of the training scores, the start of the Games, the daily hunts of the Careers.

I once again thank Darius and Delly, who assure me that it's fine, before walking towards our home.

I've only walked about ten steps when Gale comes hurrying after me."That was – what you did – thanks."

I have to stiffle a smile at his awkard attempt at being nice. I shrug, not looking at him."She's my friend, too, you know."

"Still,"he says, so obviously uncomfortable it's almost painful."She could have gotten into real trouble."

He could have, too, but I don't think it even occurred to him, and I'm not about to bring it up. I know how he is about owing people, he's worse than Katniss.

We're still walking towards my house and I finally dare to glance at him, only to find him intently staring at his own feet."I know the way home, Gale. You don't have to walk me there. Go after Katniss."

"I think she needs a moment alone,"he replies and then falls silent again, continuing to trugged along beside me. We're almost at my house when he breaks the silence, which is funnily enough not as awkward as I expected."How'd you know the Cartwrights would help?"

When I look up this time, he's looking right at me, eyeing me curiously. I quickly look away again. I'm not about to let Gale Hawthorne see me blush just because he's giving me that look. God, what is wrong with me?

"Well, for one, Delly's the nicest person to ever walk this planet,"I reply, developing a sudden interest in a speck of coal on my right shoe. I can still feel his gaze on me. My cheeks are burning."For another, Katniss's mum helped with Carwyn's birth. Delly's little brother. Him and his mother would've probably both died if it weren't for Mrs Everdeen."

"Well, it was pretty quick thinking,"he mumbles and I'm pretty sure that's as close to a compliment as Gale Hawthorne gets.

"Being the mayor's kid does that,"I say lightly, giving him the opportunity to go back to our usual banter/mocking/insults before things become weird.

He grins and is about to say something when the door to our house flies open – I hadn't even realised we'd arrived – and a Capitol woman stops dead at the sight of me, shrieking as though she were being stabbed."Oh my stars, Margaret! What on earth happened to your dress?"

I hear Gale chuckling behind me as the shrill woman drags me off to make sure I get out of my 'sullied, ruined' dress, lest I die of embarrassment at having a few measly coal stains on it.

)o(

I wanted to write something non-tragic – tada, badly-veiled Gadge-ness.