A/N – I feel like I rambled c; Whatever lol
Alone. I was, once more, alone. Without anyone to interact with. My father, he is off doing Mayor's business. My mother, she is off dying. My only friend, she is off trying not to die. And, to make matters worse, the only person I can confide myself in is the epitome of who I'd hate.
I sit atop my bed, fidgeting with the hem of my dress. The exotic lacing allows my fingers to weave in and out, and it occupies my mind for what seemed to be hours.
Then, my door rings, alarming me. I figure it's someone wanting to address my father, but, no. It's not. It's someone I never expect to come into my house on his own will. In fact, once I open the door to Gale, I almost yelp.
Gale seems not too happy about coming here, so I make no chit-chat, and let him right away. He stands around, examining my house. He's been here before, but that was only because of Katniss. It seems like he's rediscovering my home, but I know he is only trying to make things less awkward for him.
"Madge, look, I'm sorry," he says, reluctantly. This stuns me.
I blush, trying to figure out what is going on through Gale's head at this moment. He is not one to apologize, so I've heard. And, it's not hard to believe. "You… you don't have to," I reply, and Gale seems relieved.
"Well, good. Because I take it back," Gale says, trying not to make eye contact with me.
"Gale, is there any specific reason why you're here?" I ask, my voice barely audible.
This seems to make him think for a bit. He shrugs, and I want to shove him out of my house right now. "You should go," I say, and Gale nods.
I lead him out of the door, and the look he gives me is almost painful. Gale came here to make peace with me, and I shun him. I instantly feel guilt, yet I cannot think of what to say to keep him here. Choked up, I can only manage out an odd gagging noise that grabs his attention.
"What is it, Madge?" Gale asks, the pain flushed out of his face and is replaced by a look of disgust.
"Oh, uhm, I'm sorry?" I say, more questioning myself in my words.
He sighs, and I know that I've failed an attempt to make a truce. Instead of leaving, as I expect him to do, Gale reenters my home and then walks directly to my living room and to the large sofa. I make my way there, too, after closing the door, and sit next to him.
"I don't hate you," Gale says, not making eye contact with me. We both stare straight ahead, and I feel that our conversation will stay mostly in this position. No looking at each other, no showing of sympathy for each other. Just trying to finish this talk as quickly as possible.
"Good, because, that'd make it harder to befriend you," I reply, and he stifles out a short laugh. I manage a short giggle, and start to relax.
"You're really odd, Madge," Gale begins. I almost cut him off but he continues to talk. "Not odd… complex. And that's what I don't want you to be. I don't want to figure you out."
"You don't have to. We just have to stand each other for a little bit."
"True, but, I'm curious. How can a rich girl like you go from someone cold to someone shy to someone full of life. And, even if it's only for a little bit, I'm now going to be figuring you out, Capitol girl."
"I'm not from the capitol, Gale. I'm from here, District 12. I just have more money and privilege," I say, thinking I sound harmless. But this ticks Gale off in all the wrong ways.
"How do you not feel bad about saying that?" he retorts, facing me now. I turn to him to see his face in the same disgust it was earlier. "Look how I'm treated! If I never was with Katniss, would I just be shit to you? Would I just be another lowlife from the seam? You're from District 12, sure, but you weren't raised like the rest of us. For all I care, you could easily be a 'Capitol girl'."
Now it's my turn to be upset with him. As I think I'm ready to let out words, I can't. It's not because I'd be choked up, but, because it may as well be true. All I can manage out is the bit of truth I hold against him. "To the Capitol, though, I'm worthless."
Gale knows he's pissed me off, and ceases to talk about that subject. I don't know if it's because he can sympathize for me, I've irked him, or he's just too bored with all of this talk.
"Fine, then. We'll change topics. What do you do in your free time?"
"I play piano," I answer, and don't ask him about his hobbies. Everyone knows he hunts.
"Interesting," he says, then leans back onto the sofa. I watch him, trying to figure him out. Gale, the seam-boy who never knows when to shut-up, and never feels bad about what he does. Seems a little different today.
It's my turn to ask the questions, and I, unlike most other times, do not hesitate asking the next question. "Why haven't you told Katniss you love her yet?" I'm generally curious, but I also want to make him feel the way I've felt every time he put me on the spot. Revenge; simple revenge.
Gale gulps, and it takes all the strength I have not to grin. Though it was very short progress, we still got progress, and that went down the drain. Great, I'm horrible with timing. I want to cover my head with my dress, but I don't. I wait for Gale, and he never answers.
We sit in silence for a minute, until, Gale decides to speak. "I never got the chance."
"You and I can only hope she comes back."
For the next thirty minutes, we both have nothing to say. I eventually curl up onto the pillow next to me, not minding that Gale is here. I eventually doze off, and I dream about myself being in the arena. I'd be dead by the end of the first day. The bloodbath has its affect on my, as I'm the first kill that happens there. Long and painful, I'm banged against the Cornucopia, then stabbed to death. I awake with a small yelp, and notice that Gale is still here. He looks tired, yet he is focused on something. I don't try to disturb him, and try to go back to sleep. This does no good, and I eventually pop back up.
"Gale, it's time for you to go."
"What if she dies? I can't let her die, Madge. She has so much to live for."
Gale sighs, gets up from the sofa, and begins out of the room. I trail behind him, trudging over to the door. "Thanks for letting me be here for a while," Gale thanks, and wraps his arm around my body.
His body is unusual, but, I enjoy it. He's warm and muscular, and he keeps a nice grip onto me. I never want to let go – I feel safe. We eventually break off from each other, and Gale leaves.
I want to learn Gale now. I want to know what he hates and what he loves. Most importantly, how it's like for him, dealing with Katniss and such. Before I can over think myself, I make back into the living room and instantly fall asleep on the comfortable sofa.