So, yeah. Sorry for the looooooonngg-ass wait. No valid excuse unfortunately :/ just a whole bunch of schoolwork and writer's block.

I know this chapter is short but this was as far as I wanted to extended Madge's POV until her next slot.

(If anyone is curious, the POV list is as follows: Katniss, Annie, Madge, Johanna, Finnick, Katniss, Annie, Madge, Johanna, Peeta, Gale – then it repeats)

I'm wondering if you guys would like to have any other POV's thrown in there every once in a while. I've been thinking about Cato or Glimmer but I'm curious to know what you guys think so please let me know in a PM or a review.

-There should be another chapter up later tonight or early tomorrow-

Thanks for hanging in there guys, I really appreciate it :)

And please review and tell what you loved/liked/hated about the chapter

Enjoy and have a wonderful new year :D

Madge

I come home and, for the first time in a while, I am relieved the house is empty. I don't know if I would've been able to deal with my parents right now. Apparently I had knocked out in Cato's house last night and wasn't able to get home until the morning. Good thing my parents thought that I had slept over at Annie's house. They probably wouldn't have even noticed anyways…

I shake the depressing thoughts from my brain and throw myself on the living room couch. You already have enough stuff to worry about, Madge I tell myself.

I replay last night's and this morning's events in my head. Making out twice with Gale in less than twelve hour was definitely pleasurable. I'd never done anything like that with Peeta. He was always so… tame.

Stop it. I tell myself, Stop thinking about Peeta. Of course this only makes me think about him more and makes me feel guiltier than before.

But then I start thinking of Gale's kisses… I blush and my bashful smile turns into a smirk

I knew I was right about that spark. Katniss was obviously just jealous. I mean if Gale didn't feel anything he wouldn't make out with me…right? He wouldn't just play me, would he? Again, I shake those thoughts from my head. I lie down on my bed and take my phone from my purse. No messages. No surprise there I sigh. I sit up rapidly when I realize Gale gave me his number last night. I scroll through my contacts and click on his name. Hey baby :-* I wait anxiously for his response and jump when I hear the familiar tone of my phone. Hey, I'm at work is his short response. I won't be stopped. Cool, where do you work? I pace impatiently up and down my living room, waiting for his answer. Maybe if it's somewhere close, I can go surprise him. My phone chimes twice. Miner's Diner downtown is the first message. Hey, do you have Katniss' number? Is the second. This rubs me completely the wrong way, so I decide to call him. Four rings go by before he answers.

"Hello?"

"Hey, it's Madge," I respond, but a loud wail and a stern "stop it, Rory" don't let me hear his response.

"I thought you were at work,"

"I am."

"That doesn't sound like a diner."

"Well, that's because it's not a diner, Madge"

"Well, where are you then?" I'm beginning to get frustrated with him at this point. Keep it cool, Madge I remind myself.

"My house, babysitting," is his response and then completely changes subjects. "So do you have Katniss' phone number or not?" I unwittingly growl into the receiver.

"Why do you want it?"

"Because I need to talk to her, Madge. And it's none of your business anyways."

"In that case, I don't have her number." Internally, I can't believe I would sass him that way but hopefully this little 'fight' will be followed by some fun making up. I smile to myself.

"Fine then, whatever." I hear a crash in the background then a another loud wail.

"Shit, I gotta go. Bye." And he clicks.

I stare at my blank phone screen, defeated, but still a little hopeful.

Then a name I'd never thought I'd see on my screen pops up.

Incoming call from Peeta :-*

Shit. shit. shit. shit. shit. shit. shit.

Against my better judgment, I answer.

"Hello?"

"Oh wow. I didn't think you would pick up," he responds dryly, the usual sweetness in his voice long gone.

"Did you need something, Peeta?"

"I just wanted to say that it is over between us. I know it must be obvious by your actions but it just didn't feel right without actually saying it." I flinch at his words. "Oh, and I want to apologize for anything I did wrong. Obviously you weren't happy in our relationship and I really wish you would've told me instead of doing what you did and—"

I cut him off. "No, Peeta, it wasn't that, I swear—"

"Bye, Madge." He says and ends the call.

I take in a deep breath, not wanting to let any tears fall.

I feel a burning need to talk to someone but I know Johanna and Katniss are definitely not options. Sweet, quite Annie will probably have some compassion for me so I shoot her a text. Not a minute after I send it, she responds: Really sorry Madge, but I have family issues to deal with now. Hope you feel better.

Well shit. With no one else to turn to, I decide to go the gym to release some of my worries. Working out + cute guys will for sure get my mind off of things. Feeling particularly adventurous, I find my most form-fitting yoga pants and slip them over my lace panties.

Look good, feel good right? I think desperately to myself. Finding a loose fitting tank top, I slip it over my head and slip my feet into my running shoes.. I throw my phone, keys, and water bottle in my bag, making my way toward the front door. I'm not even there yet when there is a timid knock on the door. I open it and see a guy about my age, with messy red hair and a kind of boyish charm to him.

"Hey cuzzo!" He says with a grin. My mouth drops.

"Darius!" I let go of my bag and throw my arms around him. "What are you doing over here? I didn't even know you were coming!"

"Well I'm here now," he says with laugh, walking into the living room. "I was having some trouble back in my old school and then my mom told your mom and your mom said I could come stay with you guys for the semester."

"You're kidding!" I respond.

"No, I swear," he says sincerely, "I just needed to get away from everything, ya know?"

"Ugh, tell me about it," I say shaking my head. "So Dad got all the school stuff sorted out right?"

"Yep, I just gotta show up tomorrow and get my schedule at the main office." I hug him again, happy to have someone to lean on.

"This is great, Darius! I hadn't seen you in ages and you literally came at the perfect time."

"I'm happy to see you too, Madge," he says, returning my hug.

"Well, I was about to head out to the gym, but let me go change real quick and we can go out to get ice cream or something."

"Alright sounds good! Where should I leave my stuff?"

"Um, just put it in the hallway for now, we'll sort it out when we get back."

He smiles. "Ok then, and when will I meet your lady friends?" He asks, wriggling his eyebrows. I can't help but laugh and roll my eyes at him.

"Fine, fine, I'll wait at least a day before I start to hit on them." I let out another laugh and make my way to my room. I smile to myself.

Looks like things aren't gonna suck after all.

Thanks for reading. And tell me what you think in a review :) :D