A/N-Hi! I just wanted to say first off that I will be sticking to the books. Let's just say that Katniss really didn't pay attention to Peeta when they got home. Let's just leave it at that. So, Katniss and Peeta will end up together in the end. It's my vision. It's what I want to happen. Anyways, THANKS FOR ALL OF THE REVIEWS! REVIEW, AGAIN, PLEASE! Eight more reviews and I'll review tomorrow!

My father is nowhere to be found, which surprises me. You'd think he would be here to make sure I'd go on this stupid date because he apparently doesn't trust me. No, no. His work is more important than me. He's locked away in his office as usual.

I open the door to reveal a strapping young man dressed in a simple button down shirt and long, black pants. He surprisingly looks a lot like Peeta. Peeta. The mere thought of his name makes my heart lurch. I was trying not to think of him. I was doing so well!

The boy in front of me doesn't say anything. I smile to try to ease his nerves, but he obviously looks really nervous. I decide to give him a break. "Hello," I say as I hold out my hand. "My name is Madge."

"I'm Patrick," he announces as he shakes my hand. "It's nice to finally meet you."

"Finally?" His cheeks turn rosy red and his hands retreat to his pockets.

"Y-yeah, I um, I," he stutters. He laughs nervously. "I've seen you around, and um, I always thought you were, um, really pretty, and I…I just always really wanted to get to know you."

My cheeks turn rosy red as well. "Aw, thanks." He smiles. Maybe this won't be that bad. I mean he has a striking resemblance to Peeta. Stop thinking about him, Madge! Don't you dare cry in front of this poor boy!

"Wait one second. I have to go get my shoes." I jog upstairs to retrieve my black flats. They're the most comfortable and the most practical.

I rummage through my closet and eventually find my shoes under my other junk. I put them on and quickly glance in the mirror next to my closet. I look decent. That's good…I guess.

I go down the stairs two by two to keep my date from waiting. Besides, it's more fun that way. Peeta and I used to have competitions to see who could go down the stairs the fastest. He would always win of course, but it was just fun to be around him. My mood instantly deflates. This guy will never match up to him. Peeta will always have a permanent place in my heart.

I don't realize I've stopped until Theo shoves me toward the door. I smile at him. He grins back. I wonder if he knows…

"No need to be nervous. I'm sure you'll have a great time."

I nod, pretending that's the reason for my actions. He doesn't know about Peeta. I would really like to keep it that way. Not everyone needs to know about my personal life.

I scuttle to the door and open it. It was only partly closed. My date still waits patiently while examining the flowers.

"You look beautiful."

"Thanks," I reply as color rushes back to my cheeks. My sadness returns. Peeta used to call me beautiful.

I step out of my house while closing the door behind me without another word. "I got us some reservations at the restaurant in town if you would like to go."

A restaurant? Sounds like it will be too much like a…date. Peeta would've taken me to a restaurant. He would've taken me to the meadow afterwards. We would've watched the stars…

Tears threaten to tumble down my cheeks at the thought of Peeta. Peeta will not be mentioned tonight. I will not think of him for the rest of the night. One night. I can cry all I want to tomorrow, but tonight is a night of revenge.

"I would love to, but I already ate," I lie. I'm wonderful at lying. I'm also wonderful at talking people into doing things. A scary trait to have, but it comes in handy. I begin to twirl my hair. I stare at the ground, trying to appear nervous. "I was thinking we could go out for a drink or two."

"What? Are you old enough?"

"Not technically, but it's not like it'll kill anybody. It's just a few drinks. That's all." I'm using my persuasive voice. I can tell he's considering the idea. Wouldn't my father love for me to be drinking with a boy he picked out for me? Sweet, sweet revenge.

"It's against the law to drink under the age of eighteen."

"People do it all the time," I try to convince him. "Did anything happen to them? No. They're perfectly fine."

"I don't know…"

No, no, no! I'll have to pull out the big guns, and I hate to lead him on. I take a step toward him and cup his cheek. I trail the length of his jaw. His eyes widen. He looks so much like Peeta…

Tears threaten to fall. I can't let them. Peeta is at home. He's perfectly fine. He never was reaped. I'll see him soon. I have to pretend tonight.

My other hand finds the nape of his neck. "We'll go to the bar in the Seam. No one will know. We'll have a few drinks and come back. Okay? It'll be fun."

"Why can't we just go to the restaurant?" I see that he's caving in. I hate to do this to him, but my father deserves it. I just hate to do this.

I return my hands to my sides. "Going to a restaurant means I have to be proper. I'm sick of being proper! I just want to let go for tonight, okay?"

"Okay." He stares at me long and hard. "You won't tell your father about this, okay?"

"Okay." Finding out is different. If I come home so drunk I can barely stand, that's a whole different story. I won't have to tell him. Plus, this will make me forget about Peeta. Peeta…

"Let's go," I say happily as I grab his hand. I just have to fake tonight. None of this will be real. I know it sounds terrible, but life's terrible. He'll get over it.

We arrive at the bar shortly after we saunter past the last of the town shops. Patrick looks nervous, but I assure him not to be. We step into the crowded bar. I am as nervous as Patrick looks. I don't let it show, though. I just act like I'm used to this ruckus. I pretend like this is nothing out of the norm.

Men whistle as I stroll by with Patrick close behind. I smile and pretend to be flattered, but I'm really not. They whistle to all of the girls. They're players.

I sit on an empty stool. Patrick sits on the one next to mine. I gaze at the crowd and spot a familiar face. Come on. Gale? Seriously? Today of all days.

He spots me, too, and nods a hello. I shy away from his stare and look back to Patrick. He's observing the crowd, too. I wave the bartender over to give me something to do. Oh, I hope Gale gets the hint and stays away. Don't you dare bother me, Hawthorne.

The bartender sees me and strides toward us. "What would you like," she asks.

"Can you give me something light to start off," I say. "Same for him, too."

"Okay." She ambles away to do who knows what. Patrick stares at me.

"People are staring," he whispers. No one was staring at me except for Gale…

"You're just overreacting," I whisper back. "They're just staring because we're from town. Stop worrying." Hopefully the alcohol will calm him.

The bartender comes back with two drinks. I wonder what it is… "Here you go," she says as she places one drink by me and one by Patrick.

"Thank you," I say to her. She smiles and scampers off to help the drunkard on the other side of the room.

"Are you sure you should be doing this?" Me? Jeez, he's responsible and selfless. I used to be like that. It's fun to let go. I take a large swig from my drink as a response.

"See? It's fine. Just let loose, okay?" I place a hand on his arm. "It's fine," I stress.

He takes a large swig from his drink, too. I smile at him as I remove my hand from his arm. As I said before, I hate to lead him on, but it's the only way. I know I'll feel awful later, but this is revenge to my father.

I glance in Gale's direction, and he's still staring at me. I turn my gaze to Patrick again. I don't need him to ruin my plans. Not now. Not here.

We drink and drink some more of the light alcohol. It does calm my nerves, and I can tell it calms Patrick's nerves, too.

"Give us the strongest stuff you got," I tell the bartender as she comes to refill our drinks. She nods and gives us a different drink.

Maybe it was the alcohol I had already consumed, but I would've never done that if I was thinking straight. The fun part is that I'm not. Patrick pretty much goes along with what I say.

I take a large mouthful of my new drink. It definitely tastes a lot stronger than the stuff I've been drinking.

"How old are you," I ask. I barely know this guy. Might as well find out a little about him.

"Eighteen." My ears perk up.

"Really?" He nods. I drink some more as does he. My dad got me a date with an older guy…interesting.

"I heard you play the piano," he says a little too loud. I laugh. I don't know why. It must be the alcohol. "Is that true?"
"Yeah, I haven't played in a bit. Haven't had a lot of free time."

"Why is that?"

"Boys are constantly pounding on my door," I say sarcastically. We both laugh.

We drink some more and laugh and just have a great time. I drink so much I can't even think straight anymore. Everything becomes a blur.

"It's getting late," I slur.

"Don't leave yet," he slurs back.

"I have to."

"I guess I'll get going, too." He stands up as I do. I wobble on my feet.

I place some coins on the table, and he does, too. The bartender smiles at us as we stumble our way out of the bar.

"That was really fun."

"I told you." I pause and think about our earlier conversation. "Hey, why were you so scared to go to the bar earlier if you were old enough to drink?"

"I was worried about you."

"Oh."

We stagger into town. It's late, I can tell. How long were we gone? It didn't seem like that long. It seemed like we were only there for an hour or so.

We eventually come to my house and I bid him a goodbye. He looks like he's about to kiss me. I decide to wish him a safe trip home at that precise moment.

"I'll see you soon," I tell him as I wobble up to my front door.

"See ya soon." I can tell he's disappointed. I just don't want a relationship right now.

I hobble into my home. My father is infuriated. He's pacing back and forth in the living room. Theo looks sorry for me. I expected as much. My father will not take this lightly. I decide to joke before the yelling begins.

"Did ya miss me?"

A/N-Madge is rebellious. Who knew? I hope you liked the chapter! REVIEW, PLEASE! Eight more reviews and I'll update tomorrow!