Chapter 20

I breeze through the rest of the school day, not paying the least bit of attention to my studies. This is so unlike me. I am usually very much on top of my studies. But at the moment I can only think about Gale. I still feel like I'm floating. This must be what people mean when they say they're on cloud 9. My eyes drift down at the sunflower on my desk. He brought me a flower, I think to myself. In less than 24 hours I've had my first kiss, received my favorite flower and caught the interest of one of District 12's most attractive boys. I wish desperately that Katniss was here. I'm dying to share this with someone. I pause in my thinking at the thought of Katniss. I wonder what she would think of mine and Gale's newfound interest in each other. Would she be okay with it? I ponder it a bit and decide that she would. She and Gale had, to my knowledge, only ever been friends. Besides, if there was anything more than that between them, Gale wouldn't be asking me out. My heart flutters at my thought. Gale asked me out! I wonder where he plans on taking me. He's always so mysterious, always leaving me guessing. When he'd whispered back to me that he'd been thinking about me since last night, just as I had been of him, I literally thought I would melt. Gale Hawthorne, thinking about me, Madge Undersee. Who would have ever thought that would be the case.

By the time the final bell rings, I can't wait to get out of the building and rush over to the middle grades building where I planned to meet up with Prim. Perhaps I can tell her about Gale. She's younger than I am but she's very easy to talk to and not the least bit gossipy. I'm fumbling to get my books back into my book bag and end up dropping them all over the floor. Calm yourself down Madge! I silently tell myself. Geez, one romantic 24 hours and I'm suddenly a clumsy mess because I just can't focus. I'm on the floor picking up my books and papers which are scattered on the floor of the hallway when suddenly someone kneels down to help. I look up, hoping to see Gale, but instead find myself looking into Tripp's eyes.

"Need a hand?" He asks as he helps me gather my things.

"No, I can manage. Thank you though. I'm certainly being a little on the clumsy side today." I say as I then proceed to drop my sunflower while trying to get a handle on my purse.

"We all have days like that I think. Pretty flower. Is it your birthday or something?" He asks as he picks up the flower I dropped and hands it back to me.

"No, it isn't my birthday. Not until June. This was just a little gift." I say. I really don't want to tell him it's from Gale. It isn't that I have any romantic interest in Tripp but as friendly as he's suddenly been to me I don't want to hurt his feelings by telling him it's from Gale. Especially after the way Gale has acted around Tripp.

"Well, it's a lovely gift. June birthday, huh? I'll have to remember that. Well, I'll see you around Madge." He says with both a smile and a hint of sadness as he turns to leave. I'm certain he knows without me saying so that the flower is from Gale.

When I reach the doors of the middle grades building, Prim is waiting for me. I wave and she skips over to me.

"Hey, ready to see the garden that we're going to plant?"

"Sure am! I was telling my mother about it last night. She thinks it will be good for me. Thank you for asking me to help you." Prim says eagerly.

"Of course." As we walk over to my house, I wonder if Mrs. Everdeen is doing okay. She's always been somewhat absent, almost just a shell of herself since she lost her husband in a mining accident. With Katniss gone, she may be slipping even further away from reality.

Prim and I are greeted at the back steps by Mabel who has prepared us a snack of apple slices and peanut butter. As we sit on the steps enjoying our snack before we begin working I decide to confide a little in Prim.

"So, I have something I'm dying to share. If I tell you about it can you keep it a secret?"

"What?" She asks, eyes wide and leaning in a little in anticipation.

"Gale kissed me last night. And today he brought me a sunflower." I tell her. It's amazing how just saying it makes my heart flutter.

"Really? Do you like him?" She asks, smiling big.

"I do. I never really thought much about him but in the past few days, I don't know, something about him captured my attention and now he's all I can think about." I confess.

"Well, he must like you too. I've never known him to give flowers to anyone else. Not even Katniss."

"Were Katniss and Gale ever more than just friends?" I ask, silently hoping to get the answer I want. Hoping to hear that they were never anything more.

"No, I don't think so. Katniss never seems to have any interest in boys. And I never saw them kiss or anything like that. "

And with that she puts me completely at ease about Gale. We finish up our snack and I get changed into my overalls. I make a mental note that Prim will need something to wear in the garden as well. For today though, Mabel graciously offers up one of her pinafore style aprons for Prim to wear and keep her dress from being soiled. We carefully plant several rows of seeds before our time for today has run out and Prim needs to head home to get ready for the viewing. I'm pleased with our progress and have enjoyed Prim's company this afternoon.

I wish I could just wear my overalls to the viewing but I know that wouldn't please my father if he were here to see it. After I shower, I realize I have no idea what to wear since Gale didn't clue me in on our destination for the evening. I haven't the slightest idea what he wants to show me. Not that I care. Right now, I like him so much I'd happily look at anything he wanted to show me. I decide simple is the best option. Gale isn't fancy so I doubt I need to be overly dressy. Looking at the rows of clothing hanging in my closet, I finally select a plain white tank top and a long black knit skirt. I pull my hair into a bun and then an idea hits me. I pull my sunflower from it's vase on my vanity and carefully snip the stem off. Then with a hair pin, I secure the bright yellow flower next to my knot of hair. It's the perfect added touch. A little gloss on my lips and I'm ready to go to the viewing.

I arrive at the viewing, get checked in and immediately begin my search for Gale. I feel a hand slip into mine and realize that he fond me first.

"Hi." I say, unable to think of anything else. All I seem to be able to do anymore is smile.

"Hi yourself. C'mon, Posy's saving us seats." He says smiling just as much as I am.

I nod and let him lead me to what seems to have become our usual seats for the mandatory viewings. As we walk over to them, I notice from the corner of my eye that Tripp is watching us. I pretend not to notice him but I do notice that familiar smirk on Gale's face so I'm pretty sure he saw Tripp.

We sit through the viewing, listening to all the Tribute interviews, waiting patiently for them to get to the District 12 interviews. And waiting not so patiently for our after the viewing date. Katniss goes first and she once again looks stunning. Whoever her stylist is has really raised the bar this year. She does well for the interview too which is wonderful but somewhat surprising since public speaking isn't exactly Katniss's forte'. After she's finished Gale and I share a mutual sigh of relief. I think we both were worried about how she'd do in the interview. Peeta go next. He of course is great in the interview, really seeming like a natural born speaker. And then it happens. He confesses his love. For Katniss. The entire district lets out audible gasps and begins whispering. I feel Gale tense up next to me. I can't bring myself to look at him because I'm afraid of what emotions I may see on his face. I don't think Katniss knew anything about this either because right after his confession the camera panned over to her where she was red cheeked and open mouthed.

The viewing wraps up with closing notes and announcements from Ceaser, the host, and then we are all dismissed for the evening. I don't know if Gale is still planning to take me on a date now. He surely wasn't counting on Peeta's bombshell announcement. I don't think anyone was for that matter.

"We can go out another time if you want." I say to him, my eyes focused on the ground so he won't see the disappointment in my face. And so I won't see the jealousy that I'm afraid is on his face. He doesn't say anything. Just takes my hand and starts to lead me towards the Seam. We're quiet as we walk but it's not our usual comfortable silence. Finally, after what feels like forever, he stops and turns to me, takes both my hands in his.

"I just worry about her. I don't understand Mellark's motives and Katniss is my best friend. It's hard to watch and not know if he's being genuine or if he's trying to give her a false sense of security to make her weak in the actual game."

I nod but don't say anything. I still need to hear him say it. To say that he isn't jealous. To say he doesn't love her. Because if he loves her, this thing we have, Gale and I will be over before it's even begun.