Immediately, Madge pulled away. It was too much.
"Can we go somewhere and maybe talk about this?" she asked, trying to hide the shock from her voice. Gale became tight-lipped, but nodded. He took her hand and led her down the hall to an empty storage closet. She noticed how clammy his hand was. Once they were inside, Gale looked expectantly at her, waiting for her to speak.
"We've been dating for two weeks, Gale," she said quietly, clasping her hands in front of her. He nodded. "We kissed for the first time two week ago. Moving in together is not the next step."
"So you're saying no?" he asked, his eyebrows knit together. Madge sighed loudly.
"It just seems like a lot all at once. What about this makes sense to you?" Madge quirked an eyebrow at him.
"Well, for one thing, we've been more than friends for more than two weeks. All those times in District 12 when we watched the Games, when we walked to school together. It wasn't official, but it was something. Right?" he began sounding sceptical and scared. Madge quieted him with a soft kiss.
"I don't think that counts. You don't understand what 'moving in together' means," Madge seated herself on a pile of cardboard packing boxes.
"So, tell me what it means. We were already living in the same compartment," Gale countered.
"Moving in together means we're serious. And I really, really like you, Gale! But we haven't even said the L word to each other yet. You can't skip steps in a relationship," Madge explained while Gale pulled a box over to sit beside her.
"Relationships don't follow a textbook schedule. Who's to say this isn't the next step? Maybe we aren't skipping anything," he reached out to take her hands in his. They were so small and fragile. All he wanted was to keep them safe, keep her safe.
"Why do you want to do this?" she asked.
"Why don't you want to do this?" he retorted, frowning at her. Madge bit her lip, trying to organize her thoughts. As much as she didn't want to answer, she knew she would have to.
"Well, first of all, I'm only 17. I'm young and I make mistakes. But this is one mistake I don't want to make, because if it doesn't work out..." she sighed, pausing to think of how to say it. "I don't want to move too fast and get hurt."
"I would never hurt you," but again, Madge was shaking her head at him.
"You say that now, but what about in a couple months when you can't stand that I hog the blankets and I wake up every morning at six? Or... what if I break up with you because you never clean your dishes or you put your feet on the coffee table?" she continued, pleading with him to understand.
"I don't put my feet up on the coffee table -"
"Gale, please!" Madge stopped him, taking a second to re-compose herself. "I don't want to rush into this. It's really best if I stay with the Everdeen's," she said the next part slowly, making sure it sunk in for him. "For now," Gale looked up at her after staring at his shoes.
"You would change your mind?" he asked disbelievingly. Madge nodded and smiled.
"In the future, sure, when our relationship has stood the test of time. I do really like you. Don't forget that," she leaned forward to kiss him. He tried parting her lips, but she pulled away. "And it's okay that Heavensbee said I couldn't go to 12. If Katniss really wants me to go, I'll go. She runs the show," Madge smirked and Gale chuckled.
"That's very true," Gale agreed, bringing Madge's hands to his lips to kiss them. "Can I apologize for asking you to move in together? I guess I didn't really think about any of the stuff you said," Gale asked sheepishly. "And I'm really sorry you can't stay with us anymore."
"You can apologize, but you really don't need to. I forgave you already," she replied. "On the bright side, you'll be able to visit Katniss and me at the same time."
"Perfect," Gale smiled and stood up. He pulled Madge to her feet as well. "What's the rest of your day look like?" Madge pulled back the sleeve of her grey jumper to see the ink schedule.
"Since it's Saturday, I just have homework and reflection before dinner," Madge looked up to see Gale smirking, his eyes twinkling. "Why?" she asked, curious and worried.
"Disregard all of it. I want to show you something," he opened the door of the storage closet, looking up and down the empty corridor. "But you can't tell anyone about it. Promise?" she nodded and let him lead the way.
"What is it?" she wondered aloud.
"Well, it's not a new compartment, so don't worry about that," he winked at her and she laughed.
"That didn't answer my questions," she remarked.
"Fine. Let's just say it's the next step in our relationship," Madge's heart leapt into her throat and stayed there.
