We're gathered in my sitting room, Haymitch in one of the arm chairs, Darius and Katniss on one couch, Gale and I on the other. My father sweeps the room with a device that will detect any surveillance equipment that could've been planted. It's been done multiple times since I moved in but with Snow's letters mysteriously appearing, it's better to be safe than sorry.
"I'm not saying it'll work but at the very least it'll buy you some time" Haymitch begins "the capitol loves the games but they like sex more, hence your predicament"
"Haymitch" my father warns "maybe some sensitivity"
"But if there's one thing they love more than anything" Haymitch continues "it's a good love story"
"That's it?!" I fume "that's your big idea?!"
"Hear me out Honey, being in love with that boy might just save your life" when he points at Gale I turn ready to disregard everything Haymitch just said
"I'll do it" he says immediately "as long as Madge is willing, I'll do whatever it is you want me to"
"Gale do you realise what they're asking?" Katniss says quietly, as if only to him
"Jealous Sweetheart?" Haymitch grins, though I can tell he's irritated
"No way, Katniss is getting herself some baker boy" Darius chuckles
"Shut it Darius" she hisses "and that's not what I meant. I'm all for getting Madge out of this but is lying to Panem really wise? What if they got caught out?"
"Who says it would be lying?" I cut in, when Haymitch looks at me with a smirk and Darius raises an eyebrow, I realise how that sounded "what I mean is. I mentioned it, in the games, didn't I? Ceaser asked me about it in my interview. It doesn't have to be Gale, it doesn't have to be anyone. It'll just be a distraction"
"You really think they'll go for that?" Darius asks entirely unconvinced "unless they've got decent footage of you loved up with some chiselled Adonis, they're not going to be interested"
"That's Gale out then" Katniss snorts, very unlike Katniss, she just made a joke and gave an opinion on male attractiveness, an incorrect one but still. I wonder if it's Peeta that's caused the change "sorry" she murmurs
"They're going to want to know everything, down to the way you hold hands. You'll forget what privacy is, they'll be there all the time" Haymitch says seriously
"You don't know that" I argue
"They're obsessed with you as it is Madgie" my father says solemnly "it would only get worse. Not just for you but for Gale"
"I don't care" Gale stresses
"Not just that Gale, they'll want to know everything about you, that means your family"
"Madge can we speak alone for a minute?" Gale doesn't wait for an answer, so I follow him down the hall, outside, on to the back porch "I'll do it, it's a small price to pay to keep you out of harm but I want you to be okay with it"
"I can't ask that of you"
"You're not asking anything"
"You don't understand Gale, it puts you at risk. He'll use you against me once he knows. I won't do that"
"I'm choosing it"
"Where did this come from Gale? what are you doing?"
"I'm doing what I can to keep you safe"
"Why? Why are you willing to risk so much?"
"I don't know Madge ... but I am. Nothing seems too high a price to keep you safe, that's just how I feel"
"Once we do this, there's no going back, you know that right? At least until the rebellion starts moving forward"
"I uh- I was going to ask you out, on a real date. Then all this happened and I guess I got side tracked"
"You were going to ask me on a date?"
"I'm falling for you Madge" I can't stop the bubble of laughter that escapes me "what?" he chuckles
"This is insane"
"Should I not have said that?"
"No, I - I just never thought you would"
"Come on, let's go back in".
"Have we reached a decision?" Haymitch asks when we return
"We'll do it, but I want to keep Gale out of it as much as we can. The minute he's in danger we get him out of the picture in some way"
"Are you sure about this Madgie?" I look my father in the eye, unsure of what to say
"No but it's worth a shot" he hugs me and rubs my back soothingly "I'm not sure it wouldn't be easier to just ... do it"
"Go along with Snow's plan?" I nod "No Madgie, no, promise me you won't give up on yourself like that"
"What I've agreed to is selfish"
"For what it's worth Madge, he didn't need asking twice"
"He doesn't know what he's agreed to"
"I don't think he cares Madge"
"Will you say hello to mom for me, if you can"
"Of course" he kisses my head quickly and then leaves with Haymitch
"You coming Hawthorne?" Darius calls as he starts for the door
"I might stay a while" Gale answers when I nod
"Alright, Madge my dear one, don't stay away too long, HQ and I miss you" Darius squeezes me then dips his head to whisper in my ear "you're not making him do anything, boy's whipped"
"Darius" I chide, I love Darius but he can't seem to take anything seriously
"I mean it. Remember, don't be a stranger"
"I'll see you soon" I close the door behind him and almost walk in to Katniss when I turn "Katniss?"
"Can we talk?"
"Sure, is something wrong?"
"Maybe you should sit down" oh joy! I sit on the couch next to Gale again, this time closer and he rests his hand on the base of my spine "I'm not sure how to ask this"
"Spit it out Catnip" Gale encourages her, he can probably feel me shaking. She gnaws on her bottom lip and fidgets awkwardly in her seat
"Thom wants to meet you"
"What do you mean Thom wants to meet her?" Gale asks hoarsely
"After he saw us all together at the festival, he told me he wanted to speak to you"
"Katniss - I - I don't think I can"
"It won't be easy for him either"
"I know he - lost his brother but I can't be reminded of it like that"
"It might help" she counters but for me the room is shrinking "you both need closure and maybe if you just explained -"
"Don't push her Catnip" Gale says defensively, it warms me from the inside out but it's weird
"What if you told him about the rebellion. Maybe if he knew that, he'd understand why his brother did what he did"
"Catnip" Gale warns
"If you just explained"
"I can't relive it Katniss" I sound breathless and my vision swirls and blurs like I've run too far with no water or sustenance
"Madge?" Gale's other hand lands on my shoulder and it's not until I feel the pressure of his grip, I realise he's holding me up
"I'm okay, I'm okay" I wave him off
"Madge I think you should lay down" Gale worries
"I think I should speak to Thom".