Madges POV

The ride to the Capitol was long, boring, and awkward. First of all, Gladen showed up right when Gale and I were loading the bags in. He insisted on sitting next to me, forcing Gale to the other side of the back seat. However, instead of looking infuriated, he just looked defeated, even more so when Gladen took my hand in his.

When that happened, I knew something had to be done.

"Uh, I need to get... Something." I mumbled, taking my hand back and searching through my pack.

Gladen just shrugged, but I could feel Gale's stare. The most important day of my life, and I was stuck in a love triangle. Wonderful.

In the awkward silence that followed, I looked around the black sedan. Not much to see, really. There was a Peace Keeper driving, and another in the passenger seat. I sighed tiredly, knowing it would take a few hours to get to the Capitol.

And then my mind wandered to Gale. In truth, I really did still have feelings for him, and with a sickening twist to my stomach, I realized I always would. Gladen wasn't important, yet I knew even his presence sent Gale into a fit of anger. I guess it was because they had history between them, although I liked to think it was because Gale was jealous. I'd have to let Gladen down easy, I told myself. If I couldn't have Gale, I wouldn't have anybody.

"Wanna practice your speech?" Gladen asked me, shifting a little bit closer to me.

"Nah." I made a face. "How do you think I'll do, though?"

Gladen grinned. "Great! You'll be mayor for sure." He pecked me on the cheek, but it felt nothing like how Gale's hand had, slowly touching the scars that lined my face. I turned away quietly.

We reached the Capitol around 3:00 P.M. The peace keepers drove the sedand through a maze of streets and roads, giving us a look at how rich and huge and prosperous the city was. Why was the wealth so unequal?

A huge crowd of people were waiting outside the City Hall. After all, I wasn't the only one speaking there that day. Every mayor of every district was to make a speech, and discuss the happenings in Panem. It was a huge and widely known event, and I was understandably nervous.

Gladen hopped out of the car confidently, and walked around to the trunk, completely oblivious to the reporters and what-not. I sat in silence, trying to slow my breathing.

"You'll be fine, Madge." Gale smiled. "Really, I'll be here the whole time." He reached across the car seat and pat my hand gently, obviously trying to stop the trembling.

I managed a shaky smile, but I was no more reassured than before. Something wasn't right.

"Let's go." I said nervously. He took my hand and helped me out of the car, and I grabbed my pack hurriedly. Gladen led the way to the entrance, and we went straight into the cool, quiet, lobby. I didn't realize I had been gripping Gale's hand until he tried to shake it off.

"I don't want my hand to fall off." He informed me with a forced grin. It didn't quite reach his eyes.. I shot him a sheepish smile, and let go, immediately missing the comfort it had brought.

"Ms. Undersee?" I turned around to see a man in an impossibly clean and crisp suit standing there.

"Y-" I cleared my throat. "Yes?"

"Our make-up artists need to get you ready for your speech." The man said. I nodded and then turned to say goodbye to Gale and Gladen. I only saw Gale, who was looking around in confusion.

"Where's Gladen?" He asked me, brows furrowed.

I shrugged. "I don't know."

"Well, it's annoy-"

"Mr. Hawthorne?" Another person -this time a woman- appeared, again impossibly clean. "We need you to wait in the VIP seats until after the speech."

I felt my stomach clench, but I nodded at Gale, who shot me a look and followed the woman away.

"You can do it, Madge!" I heard him yell, which earned him several disapproving glares. I giggled and took a moment to glance around the lobby, which was all red velvet and brass and expensive, before following the man to a powder room. I was instantly surrounded by people, who promptly took my clothes off and scrubbed me clean, and then started talking makeup. All I could think was that this must have been exactly how Katniss felt. It was terrible.

The bickering group finally decided on a blue gown of some sort, which was delightfully toned down compared to their own outrageous and straight-out ugly outfits. I let them put it on me, and then a whole other group of people came in to do my hair and accessories.

Finally, after about 4 hours, we were finished. I didn't even look in the mirror, but just retreated to a corner and tried not to be noticed, which was apparently impossible. Every few seconds one of them would run up and adjust something, and I got annoyed and uncomfortable and hot.
I guess that's the only reason I smiled when the man returned to tell me it was time for the speech. I was finally able to get out.

He led me down a long corridor, and then let me peek out at the stage. I realized it was the same place Katniss and Peeta had been crowned victors. In other words, it was huge, well-known, and terrifying.
As the Mayor of 11 was finishing his speech, I realized that my life was about to change.

I didn't realize what was to come.