NurseKelly: Thanks so much, glad you liked it! :)
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Lame fic that I like :) Enjoy! Sorry it's been like a super long time. :0
"I've wanted to come to this place for years!" Thom exclaimed, getting out of the van.
"I haven't even put the car in park!" Gale yelled out to his friend.
Bristle rolled her eyes and climbed out behind him, "calm down, we're chaperoning for a field trip- remember?"
"Yeah but come on and live a little!" Thom said, throwing his arm around her.
"Bristle's right..." Madge said and closed the passenger side door behind her, "we're not here to mess around."
"Alright, party pooper." Peeta laughed and helped Katniss out of the backseat. Madge rolled her eyes and led her friends to a pack of teachers and their 8th grade students.
"Thanks so much for volunteering; the teachers really need the help."
"Our siblings are here anyway," Gale shrugged.
"I just really like holding coats," Bristle joked.
"I get extra credit for my child developing class, and I really need all the points I can get." Katniss sighed.
"She burst open our flour sack baby when she dropped it on accident." Peeta explained.
"Was it really an accident?" Madge wondered out-loud. She caught Katniss shaking her head.
"I don't know why we thought it would be a good idea to take middle schoolers to a theme park." The young teacher mumbled, leaving the high schoolers behind.
"I know we're supposed to watch the kids... but I am going to get myself on one of these." Gale said looking up at the skyline of rollercoasters. "I love this park too much to pass up the temptation."
"Right?" Thom grinned, "The park is practically begging us!"
"How can you tell?" Bristle asked him.
"I've got the same feeling Thom," Peeta said and grabbed a map at the entrance.
"Ridiculous." Bristle grumbled.
"As long as it's not the one that goes straight up and down." Katniss warned. They turned to Madge.
"Do you have a preference, Princess?" Gale asked and poked her in the side.
"I think I'll actually do my job and stay on the ground." She grinned and poked him back.
"Spoken like a future education major." Peeta joked.
"She's going to be music ed," Gale corrected.
"Like that makes any difference," Peeta winked at Madge.
She laughed and shook her head, "count me out. It's fine."
"Fine... play adult." Thom said walking backwards away from her, "but we're all going to be kids again."
"I don't think they'll let you on the rides if you're not a certain age." Bristle joked and followed after her boyfriend to the concession stand.
"I'm going to the bathroom before we go on any rides," Katniss murmured and dragged Peeta away.
"Are you sure you don't want to come with us?" Gale asked Madge.
"Yeah, I'm fine, seriously." She said, looking up at him.
"I get that you want to yah know watch the kids and stuff but it wouldn't hurt to randomly follow them on a few rides."
Madge smiled and shook her head, "no, go ahead."
"Oh come on and date already." Thom said arriving with a mouthful of popcorn. Madge's face flushed and she looked away from Gale.
"Leave them be, sheesh!" Bristle groaned at her boyfriend. Thom shrugged and winked at Madge.
"What first?" Katniss asked returning to the group.
"Whatever's closest?" Gale asked rubbing the back of his neck and looking down at Peeta's map.
"That works," Peeta agreed.
"Still staying here?" Gale asked Madge when they approached the ride.
"Yeah, rides really aren't my thing." She smiled and Gale shrugged. Madge parked herself on a bench and tried to find 8th graders. She didn't see one neon green district 12 t-shirt anywhere in the crowds.
She could hear them before she could see them, "wow, we have to go on every single one if they're all like that." Thom yelled.
"I hope there's some difference or it would be boring," Katniss reminded him. Madge stood up and crossed over to them.
"You have to go on the next one," Peeta said, latching onto her arm. Madge laughed nervously and wrestled her arm back to her side.
"No, I'm good. Hey, I think I see some students getting onto the one up there. That can be next." The group took off but Madge lingered in the back and then broke off in search of a bench.
She found one directly in front of the ride and leaned back, glancing down at her phone briefly. Then back up at the coaster. Blocking her view, she made eye contact with Gale. "Do you need me to hold something?" She asked, confused.
"Oh... uh no." He rubbed the back of his neck, "the line says it's an hour wait which is insane... so I ditched to be with you. I mean I uh didn't want you to be alone for that long." Madge smiled.
"You don't have to do that- I'm fine on my own. I could always go and get something to drink." Gale shrugged.
"You could but I don't mind, really. Let's go explore. I think there's a funhouse up here."
Madge raised an eyebrow, "a funhouse?"
"Yeah... you know like a thing..."
"I know what a funhouse is." She laughed, "I'm just surprised that's what you want to do."
"They're called funhouses, Madge. They're going to be fun. Come on." He pulled her up and started walking.
"Do you have funhouse radar or something?" She asked running after him. He laughed and shook his head.
"I looked at the map plus I've been here a million times."
"Oh really? I think you must really like funhouses."
"I'm not living this down am I?" He asked, glancing back at her.
"Nope!" She grinned and ran a little to catch up with him. "Gale... slow down... you walk too fast." She grabbed onto his arm.
"It's not my fault you're short." He smiled and tangled their hands together.
"It's not my fault that you're practically running to the funhouse." She glanced down at their handholding.
"Sorry," he murmured and dropped her hand.
"I don't mind," she said smiling shyly and took his hand again. The line for the funhouse was mostly small children with parents but Madge and Gale were smiling and laughing all the way to the front, carefree.
"Don't be scared... but we're next." She winked up at him. He laughed and pulled her into the house. They climbed through the house slowly, taking their time to enjoy the illusions around them.
"Oh hey, I'm taller than you," Madge pointed out to Gale in a mirror.
"Never going to happen so enjoy it," he grinned.
"Crazier things have happened," she joked and took his hand again.
"I don't know, Madge, a 5'4 girl suddenly 6'2 would be something crazy." She laughed and rolled her eyes at him. They climbed up the stairs and around the top of the house until choosing the slide instead of the stairs.
"Last stretch," he grinned and walked through the moving, shifting hallway and out of the house. He turned back to watch Madge scurry though the door. She hopped down next to him and grinned.
"That was a good idea, I had fun." He playfully punched her arm.
"Yeah, I told you so."
"What now?" She asked him. They wandered back into the crowd and Gale reached out and pulled her towards him.
"I don't know. What do you want to do?" He asked and nestled her against him, brushing her hair out of her eyes. Madge gaped at him until he moved back. "Sorry," he murmured and rubbed the back of his neck. Madge recovered and laughed,
"No, I'm sorry, you took me by surprise." Gale still rubbed the back of his neck but smiled slightly down at her.
"Love birds- let's get going," Thom called and walked between them. "I have lines to be in and coasters to ride."
"That was not an hour wait..." Bristle grumbled, "Liars."
"Do we have to go on another rollercoaster? Can't we go in the funhouse or something?" Katniss complained making Gale laugh.
"Not you too, Katniss." Madge warned and grabbed Gale's hand. After an hour and a half, Madge was tired of waiting on everyone. The sun was hot and her clothes were sticking to her. She got up and wandered away from the coaster and into one of the stores. The air conditioning flooded her senses and she immediately relaxed.
"Madge, we've been looking everywhere for you." Madge glanced over to see Rory and Prim crossing the store to her.
"Hey guys," she smiled, "what's up?" She took in the two who were soaking wet and beaming.
"Nothing much, we've been on all the water rides." Rory shrugged.
"I can tell."
"I'm looking for my brother." Rory said, "He promised me a few rides."
"Is Prim not good enough?" Madge grinned.
"No that's not it at all... she just doesn't like the big rides so Gale promised to take me on some. I haven't been here before I want to see what all the fuss is about. Gale talks about this place all the time." Madge gestured over to the coaster.
"He's on that one currently, they'll be off soon." Rory and Prim raised their eyebrows.
"Without you?" Rory asked her.
"I don't like the big rides." Madge shrugged.
"I was going to say... Gale volunteered for this because you asked. He wouldn't have done this any other way."
Madge blushed and laughed, "I can see that... I guess..."
"While the boys are on the ride maybe we can get something to eat." Prim offered, changing the subject.
"That sounds like a plan; I think your sister will be up for that too."
"Is Katniss on that?" Prim asked, looking up at the coaster.
"Yeah?"
"How'd they get her to do that? She hates those."
Madge frowned, "she seems fine with it."
"Huh, maybe I was wrong." As planned Madge, Katniss, and Prim ate lunch together while waiting for the boys.
"Hey, I thought you hated roller coasters," Madge said conversationally to Katniss.
"I do, I'm just doing it for Peeta." She shrugged, "I would hate for him to go alone... or he could have sat with Gale. Huh why didn't I think of that...?"
Madge rubbed her temple. "That makes me feel bad," she laughed nervously; "I've done that to Gale every time."
"Maybe we'll just put Peeta and Gale together," Bristle said, "that way neither of you have to go."
"You're also not officially with Gale so it shouldn't matter," Katniss pointed out.
"That doesn't help either. I want to be with Gale but we're both awkward that we..." She stopped as she saw the boys approach the table.
"Go on... 'We' what?" The girls asked, leaning in. The boys filtered in next to their girlfriends and Gale didn't seem bothered to squish next to Madge.
"Turns out I don't like roller coasters either," Rory announced to the group.
"Screamed like a girl the whole time," Gale filled in and winked at his younger brother.
"Oh shut up, Gale, it wasn't that bad."
Prim grinned and crushed her boyfriend in a hug."It's alright...You can try to win me a giant stuffed animal or something instead,"
"Yay?" Rory laughed and was tugged away from the table.
"We have the two popular ones left," Gale announced, "the biggest coasters."
"Which one first?" Bristle asked looking down at her map.
"I would like to point out that we have not watched a single 8th grader." Madge giggled.
"We watched Rory and Prim," Thom laughed, "they count."
"I say we go on the red one, it looks awesome," Peeta said, pointing to it on the map.
"It's really great," Gale grinned and glanced over at Madge, "are you coming on this one?"
Madge opened her mouth to answer but Katniss beat her to it, "no, Madge and I are going to sit this one out." She shot her a thankful glance.
"I might go on the last one," Madge told him.
"That works," he beamed. Katniss and Madge watched hem wander off in search of the coaster.
"He's not going to be able to get you on that coaster, is he?" Katniss asked Madge.
"Not at all," Madge said seriously.
"So finish your sentence 'we' what?" Katniss wondered aloud. Madge laughed in surprise.
"Uh..." She said nervously and rubbed her arm, "Like we or we're just polar opposites or it seems like it. He's so handsome too and smart and stuff I don't know... I just want to scream I'm not worthy."
"Yeah alright Madge... whatever you say." Katniss said and rolled her eyes.
"You don't agree?" Madge asked her.
"Gale is head over heels for you so he clearly does not think that you're not worthy."
"He's been acting funny today... he's been holding my hand and I think like trying to kiss me or something."
"So ask him what's up maybe he'll ask you out."
"Oh my goodness no!" Madge squealed and covered her reddening cheeks.
"You're hopeless- I can't deal with this." Katniss laughed. After a while Katniss and Madge got tired of waiting around. They started darting in and out of shops and eating their weight in junk food offered at the park. They started to play the carnival games but Katniss outshined Madge on all of them.
"Ready for the last coaster of the day?" They turned to see the group coming towards them.
"Joy..." Katniss said sarcastically.
"It's the last one," Peeta shrugged.
"Are you going, Princess?" Gale asked Madge.
"Why not," She smiled. "Which one is it?"
"That one," Gale said pointing up at the largest coaster in the park. Madge's smile fell.
"Second thoughts?" Bristel asked her, laughing.
"You don't have to go," Gale smiled and rubbed her back.
"If Katniss is going, I'll go," She said but felt her stomach flip over.
"Alright enough chit chat then, let's go!" Thom said, dragging Bristel over to the line.
"You can still back out," Gale winked at Madge.
"It'll be fun," she murmured. It wasn't until halfway through the line that Madge started to have a panic attack. She tried to keep it from the group but Gale noticed.
"You doing okay?" He asked her. She looked up and nodded. "You're hands are really clammy."
"Did it say that this coaster is made out of wood?" She asked him quietly.
"Yeah, it was the first coaster in the park, cool huh?"
"Is it safe?" She pressed.
"Of course it is. It's iconic. They have to keep it up to code." She just stared at him. "If I didn't trust the coaster I wouldn't take you on it. I've been on it a million times though- it's the best in the park." By the time they were the third group in line Madge was losing it. "You're shaking pretty badly," Gale told her, "you don't have to go on."
"No, I want to experience it." She said. He raised his eyebrows.
"You're going to pass out before we even get on."
"Its fine," She shrugged and melted into his side.
He laughed, "its fine you're going to pass out?" He wrapped his arms around her and pressed his lips into her hair. "I don't think that's fine."
When Thom announced, "we're next." Madge could feel the bile work up her throat.
"Gale, I take it back." She whispered and looked up at him with wide eyes.
"Come on Madge, we're here." She had his arm in a death grip as they walked to the coaster car. He had to buckle and tighten her straps for her. "I can't believe you already have your eyes closed." Her breathing was heavy and loud as the coaster lurched forward.
"Distract me." She said, "talk to me about anything but this."
"Hmm," he said as the coaster started its climb. "Well you know I really like you..."
"Yeah," She said gripping the handle in front of her harder as the wind picked up.
"Do you think it would be okay to start calling you my girlfriend?" He asked her. Madge's eyes popped open and she looked over at him. Instead of meeting his eyes though she got a good look at the ground.
"I think I'm going to be sick." She said and looked at Gale with wide terrified eyes.
"We're almost to the top," he said and gestured. She glanced over to notice the edge of the drop off.
"I'm going to be sick," she told him and further tried to nestle herself into his side. As soon as they reached the top, Madge could feel her stomach going back to the ground.
"Put your hands up," Gale told her.
"No way," she squeaked and made herself smaller in the seat, pressing her body closer to the car floor. At the bottom, she didn't move even if the ride was over.
"Madge, it's over." Gale pried her fingers off the handle and unlocked her belt. He jostled her out of the seat and onto the platform. She finally opened her eyes to look at him. "That wasn't so bad was it?" He asked her. Madge could hardly feel her hands or feet from the pressure she put on them during the ride. She stared at him.
"Never again," she said and started walking towards their friends. Gale let out a hearty laugh and came running up behind her, taking her hand. He stopped her and pulled her away for a moment, fixing her hair and smiling down at her. He leaned down and kissed her properly on the lips. Madge reached up into his hair and stood on her tip toes to return the kiss.
"So will you be my girlfriend?" He asked her.
"So long as you never take me on another rollercoaster," she warned, jokingly.
"Deal," he grinned and kissed her again.
"No PDA in the park!" Thom yelled over to them.
"Let's go do our job," Gale said stepping away and taking her hand.
"What's our job?" She asked him.
"I think it was watching eighth graders." He told her.
"Nah," she grinned, "let's go in the funhouse."
"Now you're talking..."
"Or you can win me a giant stuffed animal from one of the carnival games, you know typical boyfriend stuff." Gale laughed.
"Sure Madge, whatever you want."
Review! Thanks(:
Erin