Disclaimer: The Hunger Games only belongs to me in my dreams.
After picking Prim up from school we walk back to my house to begin piano lessons. We go through bouts of silence and moments of talking about the Games. I try to avoid the topic but it's like she wants to talk about it.
"Peeta seemed so sincere," she sighs. "Then he goes and joins the careers. I don't understand."
"Maybe it's his angle?" I suggest. "I think he does like Katniss. I've known him for a long time."
"I don't know." She tugs on the tips of her braid. "Do you think Katniss is gonna be okay?" Her voice shakes when she asks and she drops her head to the ground.
"Yes, Prim," I answer honestly. "You know Katniss; she'll do anything to get back to you." She nods sadly and wipes at her eyes. I slide my arm around her shoulder and walk closer to her. The rest of the journey is in silence. When we get to my house we kick our shoes off by the door. She eyes the TV but walks over to the piano. "Do you want to check the Games?"
"Only if you want," she glances at the television again. I don't want to, but I know she does, so I reach for the remote and turn it on while collapsing onto the couch. Prim slides next to me as the screen flickers on. We have to wait a few minutes before they show Katniss, and when they do Prim tenses up and grabs my hand. An image of Katniss tripping and falling face first in the ground makes Prim squeeze my hand. She doesn't move, she just lays on the ground. She's giving up. I can't stand to watch as Katniss accepts her fate and turn my head away. The Games have barely even started! I can't believe that she's already giving up…. "Madge, look!"
I jerk my head back just in time to see Katniss using all of her strength to crawl forward. "What's she doing?" Crawling… crawling… her hands dig into the ground.
"Look!" Prim is bouncing in her seat and squeezing my hand with all her might. "Water! She found water!"
I can't repress the grin on my face. I can't believe I thought Katniss would just give up so easily. As she pours the water from the pool into her container and squeezes in some drops, Prim decides that we should start piano now, knowing that her sister is okay for the moment. We leave the television on but mute it. They've started to show other tributes anyways and we lose interest. I keep my eye out for Peeta but they haven't shown him in awhile.
We switch over to the piano and I start off by teaching Prim about how to read sheet music. I show her which note corresponds with each key and she catches on quickly. She's a fast learner.
"I'm good at watching," she tells me. "That's why my mom lets me help with the medicines. I always remember." I smile and sit back as she taps out a simple G chord over and over again. "I like this one, it's pretty."
"I agree," I say with a smile. "I, however, like the D."
"Which one's that again?" I lean over the piano and slide my fingers up and down, pressing them in a D minor scale. She sits back and her eyes watch as I go back and forth. "Can you play something else? Anything."
"Sure," I laugh, pulling out the book I have filled with sheet music. "Do you need me to take you home anytime?" I ask as I pull out the book. I glance at the clock and its starting to get pretty late. I hadn't even noticed the sun dropping in the sky.
"Someone's going to pick me up," she tells me. "We can play until then if you don't have homework or anything."
"I do, but I'd rather do this," I laugh as I hand her the book. "Here, you pick."
"But I don't know…" she trails off as she looks at the enormous pile of sheet music sticking out in all directions. "Okay, this one." She hands me the piece on top titled Silver Snowdrops by Skink Hurlsey. I've only played it a few times but I know it has a light tinkley tone. I place it in front of me and keep my eyes focused on the paper while my fingers tap out the tone. Prim sighs as she watches and I'm filled with a bubble of momentary happiness. The little girl next to me has reminded me that I may be lonely but I'm not necessarily alone. It's been awhile since I've spent this much time with anyone, and with her it feels natural, like she could be my sister. I've always wanted a sister.
The phone rings and I stop instantly, my spine tingling with fear. The only time my dad calls from his office in town is when something bad is happening. Prim looks up at me and I hold a finger up to her as to say hold on, then I push myself off the bench and scurry toward the kitchen to answer it. As I pick the phone up off the receiver a knock on the door echoes through the suddenly quiet house.
"Prim can you…"
"Got it!" She calls back, and hops off the bench herself.
I sigh and yank the phone off the receiver, "Hello?" I glance toward the clock and realize it's well past 9. How did we manage to play so late? I decide if the person at the door isn't picking up Prim that I'll take her home after the call.
"Madge?" My dad's voice is panicked on the other end. "Are you watching the Games?" I instantly turn toward the living room but I can't get a good view of the TV that we left on.
"No, why? What's going on?"
"I'll be home soon," he sighs. "Just… just cross your fingers." Then his line goes dead. I slam the phone back on the receiver and run out toward the living room. Prim is at the door talking to someone but their voice is nothing but soft rumbles to me. The screen flashes with flames and my heart drops. The girl on fire… is on fire.
"Prim," my voice is urgent and she turns toward me with her eyebrows raised. "Prim…" I can't form sentences and she takes a step toward me through the hallway. "Katniss…" With the name of her sister she glances back at the door then runs for the living room.
"What's happening?" Gale's now prominent voice echoes through the room and I can't even react. Of course he'd be the one to pick Prim up. He was probably out hunting and told Mrs. Everdeen he'd get her on his way in. I wave them over and sit gently on the couch, my eyes never leaving the screen. I hear the door shut and footsteps coming into the living room so I figure that he came inside. Prim sits next to me and grabs my hand instantly. Katniss is running through the woods, walls of fire are surrounding her. Gale reluctantly takes the seat on the other side of me and out of instinct I reach for his hand. He doesn't stop me and instead or shaking me off, reassuringly squeezes back. I don't want to hurt Prim's hand but I'm terrified right now and he's the only thing in reach.
"Go," I hear him mutter under his breath. "Get up, Katniss…" Prim has scooted closer to me and latches herself to my arm. Minutes pass and Katniss just zigzags back and forth through the traps that are set. She's drenched in sweat and just puked, then her hair catches on fire and Prim finally buries her head in my shoulder.
"Make it stop," she cries as tears soak my sleeve. "Make the fire stop, Madge." I throw my arm around her shoulder and pull her closer. If only I could do that for her.
Katniss yanks her singed hair into her hands and then another fireball leaps at her. I flinch with every shot and squeeze Gale's hand tighter, trying to stay as strong as I can for Prim. Another fireball hits her in the calf and she screams in pain. Prim shudders under my grasp and I force myself to look away, squeezing my eyes together as if it'll make everything stop. But it doesn't, and then Katniss rips the flaming cloth off her leg before taking a rest. After a few deep breaths she starts moving again, no flames following her.
"It's over," I whisper to Prim. "She's okay." With teary eyes and a sniffle, Prim pulls away from my arm and looks toward the screen at Katniss who is now slowly making her way back to a water pool. I realize I'm still gripping Gale's hand with all my might and gently let go. He flexes his fingers and sighs, rubbing his forehead. Prim also lets go of me and rubs her eyes, relief filling them as she sees how Katniss is.
"I wonder if she'll remember how to treat a burn," she sniffles, putting on a brave face. "She's seen me do it enough."
"I'm sure she will," I reply gently. Gale stands and then Prim follows suit. By the door he leans down and whispers something in her ear, causing her to nod.
Prim turns to me and says,"Thanks for the lesson, Madge." Her voice is still soft and I know she's trying to avoid it from cracking. "I'll see you again tomorrow, right?"
"Of course," I nod.
"Okay. Goodnight."
I smile softly, "Goodnight, Prim." Prim walks out the door, but Gale stays back and turns to me. He meets my eyes but then looks away. "Are you okay?" I ask, and he shrugs.
"They could've killed her," he mutters. "I thought they were going to."
"But they didn't," I stand from my seat on the couch as I talk so I can be more up to his level. Can't have the Hawthorne boy looking down on me, can we? "And they won't." He shrugs again and saunters toward the door. He glances back toward the TV and it shows Katniss who's now sitting in a pool of water.
"Listen, about today at school," he says quickly.
"Save it." I mutter, dropping my gaze. "I don't want to hear it."
"No, Madge," he says, taking a step closer. "I'm sorry." I look up and his face is sincere. I want to make a smart remark about how he's never said sorry, but that's just the thing. He's never said sorry to me before like this. I can't mock him because I know he's being honest and for some reason it makes me feel... strange. His hand goes to the back of his neck and he sighs. "I keep forgetting you and Katniss were close."
"Not as close as you two," I sputter quickly, still stunned from his apology.
"But close enough to defend her against Cassius in the cafeteria," he points out. My face flushes red, of course he'd been there. That's how he had known I was outside talking to the camera crew. "I'm bad at this," he admits.
"You're doing just fine," I smirk and lean against the back of my couch.
He laughs but then glances back toward the TV again and his face drops. "It gets hard, watching the Games alone." I nod and cross my arms lightly. "All my friends at school know me and Katniss were friends so they don't really know what to say. You, on the other hand…" I smirk again, and so does he. "So…"
"So I'll see you tomorrow, then?" I suggest slowly, and he smiles.
"Yeah, I guess I can do that." I laugh and push him towards the door. "Night, Undersee," he calls over his shoulder, flashing me a quick grin.
"Goodnight, Gale." As he pulls the door shut I slide back onto the couch, a content smile resting on my face. Maybe I won't have to get through this alone.
All during lunch are replays of the careers and the tracker jacker attacks. Alongside the replays they show flashes of Katniss, face down in a ditch twitching uncontrollably from her stings, as well as Peeta crawling along the side of stream, his face paler than ever. District 12 isn't looking very strong right now. Once again I can't stomach to eat my lunch, and our hour break only just started. People often glance at me, but yet again they say nothing. Must be due to my outburst yesterday. Instead of eating I bring out an empty journal and doodle random lines. They screams of the tributes dying from the tracker jacker stings fill my ears and I feel nauseous. The girl from D1 looks stunning even as her cannon fires and green slime oozes out of her.
Deciding I can't take this any longer, I wrap up my bagged lunch and start toward the back door. I'll save it for snack later, I just can't eat it now. I spot Gale sitting with his friends in the back and he's watching me. When my eyes meet his he gives a slight nod, barely noticeable. I nod back, and turn away so he doesn't see me smile. This almost-maybe-kind-of friendship I have with Gale is making me loopy. I turn back around to make my way to the door by him and can't help but overhear a bit of his conversation.
One of the boys is looking at me as he asks, "But isn't that the mayors daughter?" He drops his stare when I squint at him.
"Yeah," Gale shrugs. "She's cool." I realize I've stopped walking and might be kind of staring at their table so I pick up my pace again. Aha! I heard it! He called me cool to his friends! I knew we had an almost-maybe-kind-of friendship.
"Cool? She's from town." I pause by the door as I hear the insult. I mean, technically it isn't an insult, but at the same time it is. So what if I'm from town?
"Yeah, and we're from the Seam," Gale snaps. "I suppose that makes us filthy unintelligent pricks, huh?"
"That's not what she meant, Gale," one of the girls sighs and grabs his arm. "Mally just meant that she's the mayor's daughter..."
"Whatever. What does that even mean? Mayor's daughter?" I push myself outside into the cool hallway before I hear anymore. Maybe I should have stayed to hear the rest, but then again it was probably best if I didn't overly eavesdrop. Gale was defending me. Gale was defending me. The thought makes me tingle with laughter. Who'd have thought that would ever happen?
After school I make my way across the field to Prim's school. The bell rings and the kids trickle out but I don't see Prim. Instead, a smaller version of Gale makes his way over to me.
"Hello, Rory," I nod as he reaches me.
"Madge," he bows, and I chuckle. "Prim went home sick. Told me to tell you."
My stomach drops, "Is she okay?"
"The replays at lunch made her hurl," he mumbles. "Should be fine tomorrow."
"Rory?" I turn toward Gale as he calls his younger brothers name. Damn, this boy is everywhere today! "What's wrong?"
"Prim when home sick," he repeats. "Told me to tell Madge."
"It's no matter," I take a step back from the two, suddenly feeling claustrophobic. "My dad gave me a couple of things to get in town before I go home anyways.
"I'll go with you," Gale tightens his backpack strap over his shoulder. "I need to get some stuff too." Rory grins at Gale, his eyes switching back and forth between the pair of us.
"Right, should I tell mom that you..."
"Who said to tell mom anything?" Gale retorts in the same way Rory asks. The younger shrugs and takes a few steps back, holding his hands up in defeat but a still wearing a smirk on his face. "I'll be back later." Rory walks away and then I turn to Gale. "Well, I guess we should go."
"Right," I nod, stumbling a few steps in front of him nervously. He asks what I have to get and I dig in my pocket for my list. First a stop at the bakery, then a stop at the drug store. Lastly, I need to pick up a box from the shoe store.
"Bakery's closed today," Gale tells me as we reach town. "Everyone's a little shaken after the boy got cut." I want to snap at him for not calling him Peeta, but instead I nod in understanding. I probably wouldn't want to be running a shop after watching that either. At least the D2 boy let him get away after saving Katniss' life. As we walk in silence I glance toward the drug store and groan.
"It's packed!"
"We can wait," Gale suggests, but I shake my head.
"I can just get it tomorrow. I'm sure we'll last the night without a lint roller and some bubble gum." He laughs and slides his hands into his pockets. We switch paths to the shoe store and find it not busy at all. "That's more like it," I mutter, pushing the door open. Gale follows me in and the bell on the door rings. The owner of the store, Mr. Grayson, comes out from the back room.
"Ah, Madge!" His smile fits into his laugh lines and his blue eyes twinkle. "You're early!"
"Sorry," I smile and lean onto the counter. "Are they ready?"
"Indeed they are," he says, reaching under the counter and pulling up a box. I pull the money from my pocket and slip it into his hand. "Thank you Ms. Undersee."
"And you, Mr. Grayson," I curtsy gratefully and then Gale holds the door open for me and we're back on the road. "Didn't you need to get something too?" I ask when I realize we're on the path to my house.
"Drug store," he says halfheartedly. I consider the possibility that maybe he had nothing to get and just wanted to be with me, but quickly shove it out. It's a ridiculous idea and Gale would never do anything like that. My house slinks into view and Gale points ahead. "What's that?" he asks, pointing to a strange car parked in my driveway.
"I dunno," I eye it suspiciously. "I've never seen it before." We stand outside my house for a moment and then I turn to him. "Well, thanks for walking with me."
"Anytime," he smiles, flashing his teeth quickly at me. My cheeks threaten to redden but I hold his gaze. "Tomorrow, Undersee."
"Hawthorne," I curtsy again with a laugh and trudge up the porch stairs. I push open the door gently and wonder who could possibly be visiting. Gale's made his way mostly down the road but looks over his shoulder at me just as I'm shutting the door. I suddenly wonder how he's taking everything with Katniss. We don't talk about it, which might be a good thing, but he seems to be intentionally avoiding the topic. No one ever told me how he reacted when Peeta pronounced his love, and he didn't show any emotion when he went back and risked his life to save her after the tracker jackers. Maybe he thinks the whole thing is an act, maybe he knows it isn't. I can't tell if he can't tell, or if he doesn't care.
As I think these things I make my way quietly up the stairs. My fathers office door is still cracked and he's talking to whoever brought the car. It's rare to see cars in D12, but this man obviously came to talk. I settle into my favorite spot and lean my head against the wall.
"Isn't there anything we can do?" My father sounds exasperated. "Maybe send another request?"
"I'm sorry Mayor Undersee, we've already tried five times." The strange man has a Capitol accent only it isn't as thick as it could be. He sounds like he grew up in the districts and then moved to the Capitol.
"She's dying, Grash. Please..." Dying? I jerk my head up straight and pull myself closer to the wall. His voice drops. "I can't lose my wife." Wife? My head snaps back out of surprise and bangs against the wall. Both men instantly silence and I know it's useless to scramble from my spot. My father pushes his door open wider now and meets my eyes. My hand has moved to the bump on my head and he sighs. "What'd you hear, Madge?" His face is void of emotion and I'm not sure if he's angry or not.
I push myself up, my hand still on my head, and return his stare. "Is mom dying?" He nods slowly. For some reason I don't believe this. "Mom's dying," I repeat, and he nods again. "The mother in that room over that?" I point down the hall towards her closed door, and he drops his gaze, still nodding. The man known as Grash follows my father out of the room.
"Hello, Madge," he nods at me. "I'm sorry about your..."
"How long have you known?" I ignore the stranger and snap at my dad. "How long as she been dying?"
"Madge," he starts to nudge me toward the stairs and I know he doesn't want my voice to wake her. "Let me explain..."
My fists are clenched in anger, "How long does she have?" My father looks toward Grash who looks toward the ground.
Grash sighs, "A year, maybe two." Alone. I am destined to be alone.
A/N: It's a long one! Yaayyyy! Hopefully this will content you lovely readers for a day or two. Things are definitely changing between Madge and Gale. Next chapter might be the mega turning point. Haven't quite decided. Guess you'll have to wait and see! Critique/review at will, I love you all. c:
