Disclaimer: Suzanne Collins probably wouldn't be happy that the movie leaked. I know I'm not.
"Sounds like a date to me!" Ferna jeers from across the kitchen.
"It's not a date!" I slam my hands on the table and laugh, "I'm just going over because, we enjoy each other's company." she raises her eyebrow at me and there are three knocks on the back door.
"And I'm sorry I won't be here to watch it with you I-"
"No, no, it's perfectly fine! After all you have a date!" Her words flow together in perfect harmony that actually sounds like a song. "Go on, then!"
I roll my eyes again and tuck my shirt back into my shorts before opening the door.
"You're early," I narrow my eyes at him and playfully cross my arms.
"Madge," He grumbles as he grabs my wrist and points at my the big hand on my watch, "By five minutes!"
I giggle as I brush past him and even catch Ferna laughing in the kitchen window as we continue our way out of town.
"Your servant doesn't look like she's from the Capitol much at all," Gale says when he meets me at my side.
"Yeah, she's pretty cool," I say nonchalantly "You know her brother's Katniss' stylist this year, she said he has big things planned. She even said he picked District Twelve himself, wasn't even assigned."
The second I speak her name his face turns cold. I should've expected it, really. It's always been as if when we're together he forgets about Katniss, and I can't say I'm exactly mad about it.
After a long while he finally speaks, "Well that's good then, at least we know she won't be naked."
As hard as I try not to, I snort at the thought of Katniss having to play off being naked in front of Panem. She's good, but not that good. It'd draw attention to her, sure, but that's exactly what she hates. Gale even laughs a little, presumably for the same reason.
Once we reach the Seam, Gale steps in front of me and leads me to his front door. I've been here thousands of times, but I've never actually gone. A pang of nervousness washes over me when the door opens and I realize the living room is full of people.
Prim and Rory sit in front of the couch side by side. Prim is nervously picking at her fingernails while Rory tirelessly tries to calm her nerves but is beginning to look very nervous himself. Vick and Posy are sitting at their Mother's feet, Vick looking very bored while brushing Posy's doll's hair. , who has insisted on me calling her Hazelle way too many times, is talking softly to who as far as I know, left her house for the first time today. A boy I recognize as Gale's friend is sitting in a wooden chair next to Prim and Rory and is looking at Gale with a knowing smile about the two. I look up at Gale for a second and catch him smiling back. Before I'm able to look back down to my feet, I feel a pair of tiny arms wrap around my legs.
"Madge!" Posy screeches, "I didn't know you were coming! Gale why didn't you tell me!" she looks up at him with a pouted lip as she places her hands on her hips. Spunky little thing.
"I didn't know until a little while ago, Pose." he says as he kneels down to meet her eye level, "Now leave Madge alone and go play,"
This satisfies her as she walks back to Vick who waves at me from across the room. Instead of grabbing a chair with Gale, I settle myself in between Prim and Gale's friend, acknowledging both Hazelle and with a smile and wave.
"Madge," Prim sighs as she pulls me into a hug "I'm glad you're here, I've been really nervous, you know,"
"Yeah I know," I whisper as I grab her hand in mine, "Me too."
"BUT everything's going to be fine, right Madge?" Rory says putting a hand on Prim's shoulder.
"Right," I say and nod my head with my eyes locked with Prim's. She rolls her eyes at Rory and even manages a giggle. Their love-hate relationship is cute. Especially considering he contributes the love and she's the majority of the hate.
The anthem begins to play and suddenly the room falls silent. I look up and give Gale a quick nod, he nods back as he props his elbow up on his knee and rests his chin in his palm.
Ceaser Flickerman appears on the screen welcoming everyone to the opening ceremonies. Just as the tributes from the first few District's roll out on their chariots, Prim reaches for my hand again and squeezes it tightly.
The girl from District One who's name I now know is Glimmer, is in some kind of pink suit that suits her perfectly: ugly and flashy. Soon enough District Two comes into focus and Ceaser exclaims how "brutal" and "vicious" the two look. They're both careers, which is evident, but the fact that they're wearing some kind of ancient armor makes their muscles look especially large and intimidating. They glare at one another often enough for me to believe they really do know each other from back home. They must have family there, too. I think, People who love them, people just like this.
I tear myself away from District Two as Prim yanks her hand from mine.
"Ugh where is Katniss!" she scoffs as she scribbles more indistinguishable things on her notepad.
"Just a few more minutes Prim, it'll be okay." Rory reassures her but she swats him away.
Everything goes by normally after that; District Four dressed in fishnets, District Seven with leaves in their hair, and once again not one person stands out.
As everyone in the room is silently remarking on how defenseless the little girl from Eleven looks next to her tower of a District partner, the last chariot pulls into the arena and all of Panem must have fell silent.
"What is THAT?!" Gale practically yells at the TV.
"It almost looks like," Hazelle starts,
"Fire." Prim whispers.
Suddenly the arena bursts into life, Katniss and Peeta are literally on fire. They're dressed in matching black jumpsuits that have some kind of a snakeskin texture to them. Every camera is trained on them so it's easy to see that Katniss is barely wearing any make up and Peeta's hair is perfectly styled to the side. People throw them roses and scream their names. Good job, Cinna. I think, They're making a hell of an impression.
"They look amazing!" I squeal from the floor as Prim jumps up and starts to dance around the room.
I look back up at the television and catch Peeta slipping his hand into Katniss'. She quickly whisks it away, but he mouths something to her and she complies. They hold their interlocked hands up to the Capitol crowd and they practically throw themselves out of the stands.
Everyone in the room is just as giddy as Katniss smiles and waves. Peeta seems very content as well which makes me happy, too. I wonder if he's still going to try to protect her. I wonder if my friends are getting along.
President Snow welcomes the tributes and even during his speech the cameras stay trained on the pair.
"She looks so pretty! More prettier than a princess!" Posy bellows. Everyone laughs except for who starts to cry and leaves the room with Hazelle following close behind. We all pretend not to notice.
"You're right, Posy!" Prim cheers as she tip toes another lap around living room. "Katniss is a princess! And she's gonna come back home soon, too!" She scoops Posy up by her arms and dances her toward the back of the house, giggling the whole way. The Capitol seal appears on the screen after one last shot of Katniss and Peeta, and the television shuts off.
I turn my head to look at Gale and find that his head is between his knees. His friend is wringing out a wet cloth and scurries back over to put on the crook of his neck.
"Thom," Gale groans when it meets his skin. "Will you stop it,"
"Hey man, who knows." he settles back on his chair and puts a cup of water on the table next to Gale, "Better to be safe than sorry."
Thom seems like a really nice guy. He looks a lot like Gale too, muscular, tall, grey seam eyes and dark hair. The traditional District Twelve look, I guess.
"Sorry we've never met," I say as I shyly extend my hand to Thom, "I'm Madge."
He grabs my hand and kisses the knuckle the same way Gale had the first night he walked me home. "Ah the beautiful Madge." he mumbles as he releases my hand. "I've heard so much about you." My cheeks flare up and Rory chuckles from behind me.
"Thom," Gale groans again.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" he puts his hands up defensively and laughs. "Just trying to be nice."
Gale finally sits up and locks eyes with me, "Let's get you home now. Away from this creep." he forces a smile as he pushes Thom's shoulder.
"It was nice meeting you," I giggle as I stand up from the floor.
"And you," Thom says as he reaches for my hand again, "Beautiful."
I push him away and wave at Rory before following Gale out the door.
"Such a weirdo," Gale breathes as we exit the house. I laugh in response and advert my gaze to the ground, smiling the whole way.
"So tomorrow," Gale starts and I take in a deep breath.
"I know you sit alone during your lunch hour," I turn to him and raise my eyebrow, he raises his hand to me and I let him continue. "Because Primrose told me."
"Go on. ." I say, already expecting where he's going with this.
"You see, I'm in that hour too, I just choose not to sit in the damn cafeteria. But I could start going if you-"
"I'm fine by myself." I interrupt, chewing the inside of my lip and crossing my arms again.
"Yeah, but I'm not." he says, forcing a sad smile.
"Alright I'll think about it, then." I smile and hop onto my back steps. "Maybe you can sit with me. If you're lucky."
"Well, I guess I must be pretty lucky already," he says, as the sides of his lips tug up into the smile I've only ever seen in the woods.
I lean forward and plant a kiss on his cheek, "Goodnight, Gale" I say, as I pull away and smile back at him.
"G'night, Madge." He smirks as he turns on his heel in the direction we came as his hands find his pockets again.
As I get inside, I sit down on the piano bench and scoot in until my feet rest on the pedals. My fingers hover over the keys for the first time in a long time and I realize how much I've missed the familiar feel of it's black and white keys.
I guess I haven't found much of a reason to feel as much joy as playing piano provides me with.
Not until tonight, that is.
A/N: Sorry this is so short :p. Lot's of 1on1 Gadge next chapter, I knew I just needed to introduce Thom and have the opening ceremonies out of the way. Also I feel like time's going by too slowly so I might skip a few days in between or something just to get things goin.
Also, was it too much of a stretch to have Posy love Madge? Thoughts? Concerns?