Ouch guys, the lack of reviews is hurting me! :c I'm gonna be evil and say no more updates till we hit ten reviews or a few more, kay

Disclaimer: I don't own the Hunger Games or its characters, I do however own Zach ;)

Chapter 7

Today, the weather is nice again, which puts me in a fairly good mood for school, despite everything that happens.

I don't pay attention to what's happening in school, I just answer questions and do my work silently. No one speaks to me, and I don't try to speak to anyone.

However, lunch is different. I can feel that my palms are sweaty, and I constantly look around myself, checking to make sure that Zach wasn't heading for my table.

Just when I begin to relax and allow myself to focus on eating, I hear someone slide in next to me.

"Hello, Madge." Zach says, moving closer to me. I want to shuffle away, but I'm already on the edge of the seat. I decide that it's better to ignore him than talk to him, so I try to look unfazed, and keep eating my lunch.

"Aw, Madge, what's with the cold treatment?" Zach asks, poking me, a little harder than necessary. I answer by shaking my head, and start picking at my roll. He appears to give up for now.

"Zach, what're you doing here?" Gale comes and sits opposite me, not trying to hide how annoyed he his.

"I'm just sitting with Madge here. We're having a nice cozy chat, aren't we?" He nudges me in the ribs, again, harder than necessary. I flinch at his touch, and wish for the millionth time that he would just leave me alone.

"I don't think she likes you talking to her." Gale says, his voice hard. Although I'm happy that he's standing up for me, I don't like being told how I think. But I don't say anything, because with Gale here, I might get a chance to eat my lunch without Zach.

"I think you shouldn't speak for her like that." Zach replies quickly, his voice equally hard. I grip the edge of the table, hoping desperately that this won't turn into a big argument.

"Madge?" Gale says, his voice slightly softer. "Do you want Zach to sit with you?" I wait a few moments before I reply, refusing to look at either of them. Finally, I manage to say,

"no." My voice is small and scared, which annoys me. I had wanted to sound fierce and confident.

"See?" Gale's leaning over the table now, glowering at Zach. "Go. Away." Without another word, Zach stands up quickly, and stomps away. He slaps his tray down angrily where they're dropped off, and slams the door when he leaves. I don't realise that I've been holding my breath till this happens, and I finally exhale slowly, feeling myself relax slowly.

It's quiet for a bit. Neither of us speak, eat, or look at each other. It's awkward, and it gets worse with every minute that passes. Just as I'm about to speak, maybe to thank Gale for getting rid of Zach, he speaks, and I don't bother to interrupt him.

"I should go." This is the last thing I expect. I look up at him, and notice that he's not looking at me – he's looking around me, at the other people in the room eating their lunches. I realise that it's gone quiet – not silent, but it's noticeable.

I then notice that the majority of the occupants of the closest tables are staring at us. It doesn't take me long to get it – the mayor's daughter is not only sitting with a guy, but a guy from the Seam. And not just any guy, it was Gale, the one that so many girls were after, or so I'd heard. What would they be thinking right now?

"Oh. I get it." I say, trying to hide the disappointment in my voice. Why am I disappointed? This is Gale. He wasn't even my friend – I had no idea what he was. He drove me insane sometimes, but other times… I wanted to be around him. I didn't understand it at all.

Without another word, Gale gets up and leaves. I wait for a few moments, feeling anger bubble up inside me as I continue to toy with my roll.

Why did he bother to get rid of Zach and make all that effort when he cares so much about his image? About what people say about him? Surely he didn't mind, I never expected him to be one of those people. But clearly he was, and that bothered me a lot.

For once, I'm dreading leaving school, and getting home. It means that I'll have to watch the scores, and find out exactly what Katniss and Peeta are up against.

I drop my bag in the hall and shrug off my jacket, before flopping onto the sofa which sits in front of our TV. I switch it on, and it goes straight to the scores. Claudius begins with an introductory speech, which I ignore, choosing to think instead.

Unfortunately, my thoughts wander to Gale.

What an asshole.

I don't understand why I've become so angry recently – perhaps it's because of Katniss leaving, and feeling truly alone again at school. Not that I mind it much, but it's… different.

I decide that if I see him tomorrow, I'll give him a piece of my mind. Set him straight. Confront him, and wipe that stupid look off his face, the one that conveyed the whole 'I'm better than you' thing he had going on. If he called me a Townie again, I might hit him. The only thing was, I didn't know how – I wasn't exactly a violent person. Maybe this newfound anger would help me.

I pay attention again when they begin reading out the scores. The careers receive their usual high numbers of eights, nines, and occasional tens. A small, dark girl from Eleven catches my attention for a moment with her seven. And then it's Twelve's turn, and I feel by breathing become faster.

Peeta manages an eight, which is impressive, considering the District he comes from. This allows me to relax a bit, but at the same time, it gives me a reason to tense up. Does this mean that the careers will target him?

And then it's Katniss's turn. I grip the edge of the sofa, wishing, hoping that she does well. Everyone knows that she can shoot, surely that counted for something?

Claudius pauses before he reads out her score, a look of confusion flashing across his face for a brief moment, and I swear my heart skips a beat. Was it really that bad?

And then there's an eleven showing on the screen, and I breathe a huge sigh of relief, not being able to help the smile that spreads across my face. An eleven! I knew she could do it.

I'm sorry, I know this is short :c remember to review! Reviews = updates ;)

See you at ten reviews!