Disclaimer: Remember, I just write this for fun. I don't own any rights what so ever; the hunger games and all its characters are property of Suzanne Collins. Also, the idea of an exclusive high school with a gang of four boys ruling it, is from the manga Boys over Flowers, or Hana Yori Dango.

It didn't take long for Madge to spot her friend, sitting on one of the tables of the school's library, nose buried deep in a book. 'Well, I got your message,' she purred, grabbing Katniss playfully by the shoulders to get her attention. Not even startled, Katniss just looked up from whatever she was reading. 'I presume you had a pleasant night?' Madge investigated when her friend remained silent, plunging herself onto one of the other chairs.

Katniss couldn't keep the smile off her face. 'You have no idea Madge,' she answered mysteriously, shutting her book with a snap after marking the page she'd been on. She had so much to tell her, she didn't even now where to start. Not that she had to, because Madge already helped her on her way. 'Well, tell me everything. You had that audition, right?'

'Right. Well actually, after all the time I was looking up to it, it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. I mean, that Haymitch guy is no picnic, but he had some useful suggestions. And guess what…he's going to propose us to the owner of the Seam.'

'The Seam?' Madge asked; she had never heard of the place before. Katniss nodded. 'Yes. It's some local bar not far from Panam Avenue. Every third Sunday of the month they're having band night. He says it's the perfect opportunity for us to get some stage experience.'

Mage blinked in surprise. 'Wow, that's indeed some news! So this means you're actually going to perform then?'

'Uhuh.' Katniss nodded, chewing nervously on her lip. She still wasn't sure if she should be exited or just terrified. Gale, Rue, Marissa, even Haymitch…everyone kept telling her it was going to be alright, but what if she suddenly got stage fright and couldn't utter a single note? That would be so humiliating.

'Actually, I was hoping you will come too, just to support me in case I flunk at it.'

Madge eyes widen. 'Of course. I'm honoured even. You never allowed me to attend any of your band sessions before, so I'm really curious of your music.'

'Well, don't get your expectations too high,' Katniss warned her. 'We're just a beginning band, and Haymitch told us there is still al lot we have to learn before we can even dream of-'

Madge just waved her words away, saying: 'Girl, even if you sound horrible, it would be so cool to see you on stage for once.'

'If everything's goes according plan that is. Nothing is official yet.'

Madge grimaced. 'Please Katniss, why are you always so negative? First you didn't want to meet that Haymitch guy, claiming you were not interested in playing in front of an audience while in really you were just scared. And now you finally got that out of your system, you're worrying about some bar owners opinion… Just have a bit more faith in yourself. '

'I suppose you're right.'

'Of course I'm right! You can do a lot more than you think. Just give yourself a change.'

Katniss sighed. 'By the way, remember I told you about that weird Station Wagon that tried to follow me to school three days ago? I saw it yesterday, parked on Gale's lane.'

'O?' Madge frowned. 'And? Did you find out who's it was?'

'Hmhm. It turned out to be Haymitch's car.'

'Really? Well, another mystery is solved then. But why on earth would he have done that? I mean, it's rather creepy to follow people like that.'

Katniss shrugged. 'He told me he had wanted to talk to me that morning, to persuade me to at least consider Gale's suggestion. But when he came to my house, I was already backing up from the driveway, so he diced to follow me. Can you believe it?' Katniss sniggered, shaking her head. Then her eyes began to twinkle, as the grin grew out into a beaming smile. 'You know what else happened yesterday?'

'Huh?' Not quite understanding this sudden display of happiness, but nonetheless intrigued by it, her friend cocked her head to the side. 'No idea. What?'

Not wanting everyone to hear her, Katniss lowered her voice while leaning closer to Madge, whispering confidentially into her ears: 'Peeta came over to see me.'

Seeing Madge mouth drop in awe, Katniss quickly told her the whole story. Madge couldn't believe it. 'You never even told me he had asked you out,' Madge muttered, obviously baffled by the news.

Katniss frowned. 'Haven't I?'

'No! All you told me at yesterday's lunch was that you had an audition that night, and that you punched Cato on the nose when he was troubling you.' She clacked her tongue. 'Which I'm very sorry I've missed it by the way. I would have given anything to witness that pious oaf getting his ass kicked.'

Even Katniss sniggered when she remembered Cato, on the ground, his teal eyes gazing at her as if he couldn't believe what had just happened. 'Oh, you should have seen his face Madge. Priceless! He obviously never thought I would do that.'

'I bet. Well, best forget about that loser when there are more important things to discuss here. So if I understand you correctly, you and Peeta have seen each other a lot lately?'

'Three, maybe four times this week, yes,' Katniss confirmed, playing absent-mindedly with a strand that had escaped her braid. 'You were right, he's quite nice.'

'Oh?' Madge responded, encouraging her to carry on.

Katniss smirked, knowing she had her friend on the edge of her chair. Madge just loved this sort of things. 'Well, I know he comes from a rich family and all … driving his fancy car and wearing fancy clothes…but he's not like the others. He not acting so haughtily about it. He treats me more like an equal.'

'Do you by any change think that's because he likes you?' Madge enquired, eyeing at her friend with full interest. 'I mean, he tried to ask you out. That has to mean something, right?'

Katniss blushed. 'I…I don't know. Maybe…'

'Do you like him that way?'

The blush that burned her cheeks only got hotter. She had to look away. 'Well, he is kinda cute. And it would be a lie if I told you that I don't fancy him.'

'Then here you go. Go for it! He likes you, you like him, so why the hell not?' Madge winked. 'Next time he asks you, just say yes and make a pleasant evening of it.'

'Well, I did. Actually, I'm going out with him tonight.'

'Oh?'

The bell rang, telling them they had to go to class; as both she and Katniss got up, Madge suddenly realized she'd forgotten about something. Or someone to be exact. Cato! Shit. Why hadn't she thought about that before? If he found out there was something going on between Katniss and Peeta, he would know she and Marvel had lied to him. And then there would be hell to pay. She bit her lip as she followed Katniss out of the library. Yes, she was happy for her friend, but she didn't want to get into trouble. What was she going to do?

'Yoh, Kit-Kat.' Katniss froze, lowering the bow she had in hand. There was only one person who would call her by that stupid name. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Cato approaching, his eyes dark and unpleasant as they bore right into hers. She sighed; she had gone to the gym field just so she could have some time alone, getting away from the tensions she experienced inside the school. Obviously, she could forget about that now.

'Why aren't you in the cafeteria? There's where all the normal students gather at lunchtime.'

'So?' She aimed her arrow once more, already deciding that she was going to ignore him. 'So?' he repeated, only coming closer. 'Don't you have to eat?'

'I've already done so. But thanks for your consideration.' Releasing the arrow, she missed the center only by an inch. Damn! Why was he here? Didn't he notice he was making her nervous? She reached for another one, when she suddenly felt his hand touch her lower back; immediately, she turned towards him. He grinned. 'Glad I'm having your attention. For a minute, I was afraid I was talking just to myself here.'

'Why don't you just leave?' she suggested. 'I don't want to talk to you.'

'I've noticed you're starting to become good friends with a friend of mine,' he just continued, looking down on her with piercing eyes. She shivered. 'I suppose you mean Peeta?'

'Hmhm.' He nodded, a hint of a smirk around his lips. 'And I'm wondering what's going on between the two of you…'

'Why don't you ask him, instead of bothering me?' she countered, not at all at ease under his scrutinizing gaze. She tried to create more space between them, but he didn't allow her to do that. 'Because I'm asking you.' He came closer, taking her by the arm when he noticed she was about to leave. 'You know Kit-Kat, it's very rude to just walk away in the middle of a conversation.'

She just glared at him. 'Why don't you leave me alone Cato? I have nothing to say to you.' She released herself from his grasp, turning back to the target, reaching for another arrow. She had to distract herself. 'And don't call me Kit-Kat. I don't like being called after candy.'

'Sure thing Kit-Kat.' He smirked, watching her as she released yet another arrow. 'You're good,' he complemented her. 'Not as good as I am, but good nonetheless.'

'Yeah, right.' She shook her head at his bluff.

'You don't believe me then? That's interesting. Then you don't mind to take a bet with me.'

She frowned. 'A bet?'

He smirked. 'There is nothing wrong with your ears. Yes, a bet. I say we both shoot an arrow, and the one closed to the center wins.'

'Sorry, but I'm not interested.'

'If you win, I'll make sure everything will be just as it was a week ago. No more picking, no more bullying, nothing. You will be once more a respected member of our school.'

'And if I fail?' she asked, being skeptic. However tempting his offer sounded, she knew there had to be a catch. 'I'm not leaving school if that's what you're after.'

'You don't have to worry; that's not what I was going to ask from you.'

'Then what are you going to ask?'

His smirk became wicked. 'Why don't we just play? After all, you already know you're not going to lose, now are you?'

She took it in consideration. She actually took his offer in consideration. Just the idea she could turn everything back to normal sounded so tempting. She had to try; he already told her he was not asking her to quit school if she lose, so what was stopping her? 'Why not. I take you're offer. But I'm warning you, if you're going to cheat on me, the bet is off. And I'm not quitting school!'

'Excellent.' He gestured to the target. 'Ladies first.'

She just growled in respond. Taking position, she cleared her mind from any distracting thought, just kept her eyes straight on her target as she aimed, concentrating hard. Please god, please, she prayed. Then she let go. The arrow went straight to the heart. She couldn't help but smile in relief. 'Your turn,' she smirked, knowing she'd already won.

He just sighed, reaching for the bow she was holding. Taking it from her, he pulled an arrow out of the quiver, aiming for the target. A second later, it embedded itself just beside hers. Right in the center. It took her off guard for a moment; she never knew he had such a good aim.

'Well look at that. Seems like I won,' he said casually, as if it wasn't a big deal at all. 'Too bad. But nice try.'

'It…it can't be,' she said, totally flabbergasted. She didn't even realise he was touching her again; this time, his arm sneaked up around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She looked up, seemingly confused. 'I…I don't understand. I've grown up with the bow. How could you ever have…?'

'I won fair and square Kit-Kat. So, about my price…'

Her eyes darkened. 'Right...Let me guess…you want me to stay away from Peeta?'

Again that devilish grin. 'Wrong again. Although it would have been a nice one….'

She gritted her teeth. 'So you don't want me to quit school, and you don't want me to stay away from Peeta… What else could you possibly want from me? Say it!'

'I want you to go out with me.'

'Cato, I'm not letting you do this to me. Just tell me what you want and-' she stopped, suddenly aware of what he'd said. Her eyes widen in horror. 'Excuse me?'

'You've heard me. I said: go out with me.' His tone made it clear it was no request; it was an order. She blinked, not knowing if she should laugh or scream. 'Why? So you could humiliate me even more? You hate me. Why would you even ask?'

'Because it's my win and I decide what I want for it, alright? So, I will pick you up tomorrow at eight and-'

'No! I'm not going out with you!' she hissed, interrupting him before he could even finish. All kinds of emotions swept through her; anger, dread, confusion, fear…This was all just ridiculous. She tore away from him, running towards the school as fast as her legs could carry her. She had to get away from this nightmare. 'Remember, tomorrow at eight,' he shouted behind her, his evil laughter still ringing in her ears even when she was save and sound in the building.