A/N-Thank you for all of the reviews! I really appreciate it! REVIEW AGAIN, PLEASE! Nine more reviews and I'll update tomorrow. Thank you!

"Madge, what happened?"

Startled, I turn around to face a concerned Patrick. I've been crying in the meadow for God knows how long; my eyes must by bright red. My nose is running. My hair is disheveled. I can see why he would be so concerned.

My cheeks turn a little red as I try to smooth down my wild hair. "I'm fine," I lie. I turn back around and try to walk away. I don't like to feel vulnerable. Vulnerability is a weakness.

"Madge," he yells. He jogs to catch up to me. Can't he tell I don't want to talk? I don't want to be his charity case. Oh, crap. I'm sounding like Gale now.

He grabs my hand and I stop. I turn around to face his bright blue eyes that will never be as bright as Peeta's. We stare into each other's eyes for what seems like a long time. I eventually get embarrassed and look away again. I peek up at him, and he's still staring.

"I should probably get going," I say to break the silence. I know it's kind of rude, but I just want to go home. Actually, do I?

"It's still kind of early. Do you want to come to my house for some tea or something?"

Thoughts of my father and of my deathly ill mother fill my mind, but his witchy mother does, too. She honestly scares me. She is the one person on this earth that I am positive I truly hate. I hate her in every possible way.

"Is your mother home?"

Patrick shakes his head. "She won't be back till tomorrow afternoon. She went to her sister's house because she said that the house was too depressing for her. Sometimes that woman is too cruel. You would think she would be at least a little heartbroken that her son is pretty much dying."

"Okay," I say, ignoring the rest of his speech. Of course she isn't heartbroken. She's a heartless monster, and I'm sure Patrick would say that if she wasn't his mother. It's a surprise the Mellark boys managed to turn out so nice.

He leads me to his house. It's getting pretty late, and I'm sure someone has noticed my absence by now. Maybe I'm wrong. Maybe no one cares about me anymore. I wouldn't be surprised.

Patrick holds the door open for me, and I slowly enter the bakery. The tiny bell rings. I'm overcome by the memories I have with Peeta here. For a second, I can imagine Peeta standing right behind the counter like he always used to with a big smile ingrained in his perfect face. I wish it was true. I wish he was here.

Patrick grabs my hand again and leads me up the stairs to his room. I spot Peeta's door and desperately want to go inside, but Patrick pulls me into his room.

It's awkward. It's very awkward. I don't know what to say or what to do. It was just so simple with Peeta. He understood me in a way no one else could.

"Do you want something to drink or anything?"

"I'm fine, thank you."

He takes his shoes off and sits on his bed. I do the same and take the spot next to him. I suddenly become nervous. What if he wants to kiss me or something? Crap. I don't feel that way about him. I don't think I do anyway.

"Thank you," I say. He stares at me.

"For what?"

"For everything."

"You don't need to thank me at all."

I smile at him, but I feel guilty. Does he think he's my boyfriend? I hope not. Say something, Madge! I can't think of anything, so I scan his room to give me something to do. His walls are pretty empty. His floors are perfectly clean.

"Can I ask you a question?"

"I believe you already did." I laugh at my own joke.

He laughs, too. "Seriously, though. I know it's none of my business, but what were you and Peeta, anyway?"

"What do you mean?"

"Where you guys friends? Dating?"

"I guess we were just friends. Really close friends." I wanted to be more than friends…

"Oh."

Why would he want to know? It's beginning to get very awkward. He's not like Peeta. He can't strike up a conversation like Peeta could. Man, he never ran out of topics, but I feel as if with Patrick we're always stuck in silence.

"Why?"

The simple question takes him by surprise. "Huh?"

"Did Peeta and I look like a couple?"

"Oh, I don't know," he says as he suddenly becomes interested with the floor. His cheeks turn beet red. "I don't know. I guess….I just…I mean…you two were just so close. I guess I always kind of assumed that you two were a couple, but then he said he likes Katniss on live television and yeah. I was just wondering."

"Oh." We fall back into silence. "So, do you have a girlfriend?" As soon as I say it I want to take it back. It's really a simple question to some, but it could also be a hint when examined closely. Dang, know he thinks I want him to ask me out. Crap, how could I be such an idiot!

"Nope, I used to, but she broke up with me." He thinks I like him now. Crap, crap, crap, crap, crap-

My inner monologue is interrupted by another Mellark. He barges in without knocking or anything. "Hi, Pat-," he says, but is cut off by the sight of me. My cheeks burn red.

"Not now," Patrick says harshly. The other Mellark just smiles.

"Of course," he says. I can't remember his name off hand. Dang, it's on the tip of my tongue. He waggles his eyebrows at us. "You two kids have fun now." My cheeks burn even redder.

As soon as the door closes, Patrick shoots me an apologetic face. "I'm sorry. I didn't think he'd be home."

"It's fine. I probably should get going anyway." I get up and put my shoes on and am so close to making a clean getaway-

"Hey, Madge?"

Seriously? "Yes?"

"Will you go on a date with me? I know the first one really didn't count and all because of your father and all, but would you want to go on a real one?"

My face is away from him and toward the door, so he can't see my facial expression. That's good because I'm pretty sure it's not pleasant. "I don't know."

"I mean I won't make it too awkward like take you to a restaurant or something, but maybe-,"

"I'm sorry, Patrick," I interrupt him. I feel terrible, but he needs to know the truth.

"Are you serious?"

"What," I say loudly as I turn around to face him.

"I've been nice to you, I've been generous, and I've not been judgmental! I mean, Madge, I'm only asking for one date!"

"I barely know you! I didn't even know who you were until a couple of weeks ago!"

"I knew it."

"What?"

"You love Peeta." I don't respond. "Madge, Peeta may never be coming back. Did you realize that?"

"He's coming back."

"What if he doesn't?" Tears fill my eyes. His expression softens. "Madge, I didn't mean to make you upset." I storm out of his room. "Madge!" He follows after me. "Madge." He grabs my hand, but I forcefully yank it back.

"How dare you," I say straight to his face. "How dare you doubt your own brother!" My voice has risen into a shriek. I march away from him, but turn back to him one more time. "I know Peeta told you to check up on me, but don't come near my house. Don't come near me. I'm better off on my own." With that, I stormed back onto the street on my way home.

A/N- What did you think? Patrick should really watch his mouth. Hehe. REVIEW, PLEASE! Nine more reviews, and I'll update tomorrow!