A/N- Hi! Thank you for all of the reviews! REVIEW, PLEASE! By the way, I skipped a whole bunch. I skipped the actual rest of the Games because-

1) You probably know the books by heart

2) I really don't feel like pretty much rewriting the whole thing in a different perspective

Don't worry; there will be flashbacks about what happened during that time…

My beige dress flutters in the breeze as I tap my foot nervously. I know he's looking at me. I can feel Gale's eyes staring at the back of my head. I don't look back. He broke my heart in a way that cannot be fixed.

It was an ordinary day really. Gale and I had been getting along wonderfully. He decided that he could finally take me to the woods. I knew this was big. He was letting someone else into his world. I understood how important this was in our friendship.

My thoughts cannot get off the topic of Gale, even though I really want them to. Patrick slips into my mind momentarily, but Patrick and I are done. After that whole dating episode, we never made up. There are words left unsaid. Unspoken feelings we would've really liked to get off of our chests…

He showed me how to wiggle underneath the fence, and I did it with complete clumsiness. Gale had the decency to try not to laugh, but that didn't last long. It was pretty funny that my pants got caught on the edge of the fence.

My foot stops its restless tapping as I begin to shift my weight from one foot to the other. I fiddle with my hands as I wait for the train. I finally get to see Peeta again. I knew he would make it out! I knew!

Gale showed me the different plants. He showed me his snares, which impressed me thoroughly. He showed me his bow and arrow. I joked around, and he laughed at my lame jokes. We eventually came to rest on an old log. It was small, so we were pretty squished together. My heart started to beat faster and faster. I finally began to realize how handsome he was…

The train should be here any minute now. I have no clue what to say. Peeta will probably initiate the conversation first. That's a relief. I can always count on him. I quickly glance over my shoulder at the Mellarks. Patrick stares back at me with a longing. His eyes look apologetic. I immediately avert my gaze back to the ground. I don't want to get caught back up with him. It was hard enough the first time.

Gale looked into my eyes, and it gave me butterflies. We stayed like that for a long time. I felt guilty for judging him wrongly all of these years. He leaned in close, and I leaned in closer. Our lips almost touched…

"Madge," Delly calls my name. I turn around and wave back at her. She skips over to where I stand, and we share a pleasant conversation. We discuss normal topics like the weather and school. I miss the things Gale and I used to talk about. He was never afraid to speak his mind, and I strived to be like him in that respect.

A bird squawked, and it squawked so loud that it scared the townie and the hunter. That takes some skill. Gale looked embarrassed, but I was just as embarrassed as he was. I didn't know what to do at that point. I did the bravest thing I have ever done in my entire life. I leaned in without thinking and pressed my lips to his.

Delly and I wait in silence for the train. I hear something in the distance, and we both get excited. We were both close friends with Peeta. I honestly wonder why I never was jealous of her at one point. She hung out with Peeta a lot. I guess I trusted Delly. I trusted Gale, too, but that didn't work out so well.

I could instantly tell that he was surprised by my actions. He didn't seem like he didn't enjoy it, but he was surprised. He had cradled my face ever so gently, and I had wrapped my arms around his neck. I could tell he was experienced, but I was not. I've only practiced kissing on an old teddy bear. This was way different than kissing a teddy bear.

The train slowly pulls up, and we both break out into cheers, the whole district. I've never seen District 12 so happy. I try to spot Peeta and Katniss, but there are some rather tall people in front of me. I wish I had gotten a better spot. I do spot Katniss, and she's…holding Peeta's hand. I really don't need that right now. Every time I see them acting like a couple, it's like a slap to the face. "That's what we could've been," I think every time.

When Gale and I broke apart, I couldn't help but smile. My first kiss couldn't have been better. I never knew kisses had flavors, but apparently they do. This one tasted like the strawberries we had earlier. Strawberries are my favorite. Like I said, it couldn't have been better.

Peeta scans the crowd and I scream his name and wave my arms. Delly waves, too. I know I'm loud, but people will let my manners slide. They all know how close I was to him before…you know what happened. Peeta spots me in the crowd, and his face lights up. He waves back with a big grin on his face. My mouth manages to twist upward. He still has that same smile…

Gale grinned, too, but his was more controlled. He was always controlled around me. No matter what, he always had some guard up. My question is why? Does he really not trust me enough to let his guard down once? The thought pained me, it still does, but I didn't think too much about it at the time. It would ruin the moment. I should've been the one with her guard up.

Katniss and Peeta stand there waving at us with immense smiles gracing their faces. They finally look genuinely happy for once. I can't wait to just run up to them and wrap them in embraces. Prim is with Gale, so I might be greeting Katniss later. I'm happy he isn't that fond of Peeta. I won't have to run into Gale for another day, but it's not like he wants to see me either. The name still brings back some pain. I'll just call Gale him. I won't have to use his name and all of the emotions that come with it.

I decided to flirt with him, and I knew that was a bad idea. It seemed right in the heat of the moment, though. "You're not a bad kisser, Hawthorne," I said, gnawing on my lip. I regretted it as soon as it left my lips. Gale raised his eyebrows. He let a small chuckle escape from his lips. My cheeks turned a vibrant red.

"What's that supposed to mean," he had asked. It's like he was teasing me. My cheeks turned a brighter red as I stared at the ground.

"Oh, Gale, don't make me explain," I pleaded. He laughed a little more.

"So, you think I'm a good kisser," he asked as he wiggled his eyebrows. That was one of the only times I saw his resolve waver, the one time it looked like he was finally unguarded. I felt a twinge of accomplishment.

"Oh, just kiss me," I said confidently. I honestly had no idea where that came from. He smiled a little bit, and I could tell his guard was back. I had to remind myself that he'll open up eventually. As our lips touched once more, that was my hope. I hoped he would open up to me. I had opened up to him. It only seemed fair, right?

Well, he never did.

Peeta and Katniss come down into the crowd of people. I shove myself through everyone, leaving Delly behind. She'll understand. I see people patting them on the backs, some people feel obliged to say something to them, and there are the people that leave as soon as they can. I don't care because every person gone is one less person between Peeta and I. Katniss broke away from Peeta to join her own family. Peeta is on his way to his own family, but then he sees me again. It feels surreal. We lock eyes, and I run to him. He tries to, but his leg is making it difficult. The thought pains me.

Gale walked me home like a gentleman. We held hands, and everything seemed so perfect. I almost felt guilty considering Peeta, but he was with Katniss. I should have some happiness, too. We just kissed. Not like Peeta and Katniss. Peeta and Katniss established so much more, and it hurts, honestly. So, no, I did not feel guilty at all.

I purposefully slow down before I ram right into Peeta. My arms fling around him as does his. Tears of joy tumble down my pale cheeks. "Peeta," I cry. "Oh, Peeta, I missed you so." Doesn't it sound poetic?

Peeta holds onto me tightly. "I missed you, too," he says with a smile evident in his voice.

"I was so afraid I was going to lose you," I whisper.

"I'm not going anywhere."

I just hope he keeps his promise.

Gale had stopped outside my front door. I had asked if he would've liked to come in, but he declined. I planted one quick kiss to his cheek before entering my house. I don't know where I had gotten all of this courage.

He had promised me he would come again tomorrow.

You know what? He never came.

I didn't let go of Peeta for a long time. I did not want to let go of something I almost lost. I would not lose him again. I love him.

I had gone to Gale's house, and Mrs. Hawthorne had answered the door. I asked if Gale was home. I wanted to believe that he forgot, but if there's one thing I know about Gale, he doesn't forget. She had a weird look on her face. She called Gale's name over her shoulder, and he had ambled into the room. He had a pained look on his face, but he wiped it clean as soon as he laid eyes on me.

I did not understand why he was pained at the time, but I understand a little too perfectly now.

Peeta makes no effort to remove me from his arms, so I don't move. I bury my head into his neck. It's a comforting position for me. I feel safe in his arms. His arms are my safe haven. It felt like I spent hours wrapped in his arms, but it was probably only minutes before his family asked if they could borrow their son for a minute. I laugh and apologize for hogging the Victor.

His mother left us alone. She probably sensed the tense atmosphere. Gale led me outside, and that's when I knew I should worry. "Listen," he had started off, "I know we kissed and all, and it was nice, but do you honestly believe we could ever be together?" He said it like it was some kind of sick joke.

"What are you talking about," I asked, obvious confusion laced in my voice.

"It's better to end whatever we had right now before we lie to ourselves anymore."

"If this is a joke, it's not funny."

"Goodbye, Madge." Those were the last words he had spoken to me before he trudged back to his front door.

"Gale," I had yelled. He had turned just in time to see the first tear roll down my cheek. He showed no expression as he opened the door to his home and went inside, leaving me alone. "I thought you were different," I whispered to the door.

I went home, feeling empty once again as more tears ran down my cheeks.

I watch Peeta hug his family members. They are all so ecstatic to see him. Even Mrs. Mellark seems pretty happy. That's very unusual for her. I can't help but glance toward him, and I find him staring at me with a vacant expression. I stare into his eyes for a second more before I look away. I peek at him, though, out of curiosity. He has returned his attention back to Katniss. He smiles at her, looking happy. Why isn't he like that with me? Why do I bring out the vacant expressions? Why is he different with me than with Katniss?

As I go with Peeta's family to their house to celebrate, only one thought crosses my mind.

Why am I not good enough for him?

A/N- I'm sorry I haven't updated for a long time, but it's been tough. I gave you a long chapter, though, so hopefully I'll be forgiven. This will turn into Gale/Madge romance, but Madge/Peeta romance will also be thrown in there. She's confused about her feelings, and Peeta has been out of the picture for a long time. They need to catch up… A kiss will definitely be involved. Gale also messed up, so let's see how that turns out. Tell me your thoughts! Questions are always welcome! (I promise I won't bite)