Katniss and the Rebels
Chapter 33: Date Night
AN: Chapter 33, I hope you like it!
Gale POV
I'm not sure what I'm more nervous about.
My date with Madge or the thought of me crashing/damaging Peeta Mellark's car on my date with Madge.
It had taken a few days of Darius and Thom's careful persuasion for Peeta to actually agree to letting me borrow his car for tonight.
I'm pretty sure Peeta just agreed so my friends would stop annoying him about it which was probably their plan all along.
Among that issue, I also had to tell Katniss that we changed the set-list and when I told her why she burst out laughing.
Seriously she didn't stop laughing for ten minutes, I was tempted to get up from the table and leave but I figured that would be a bit rude after everything.
Thankfully she didn't mind and she told me that she was happy for me.
So I now have the Rebels' approval to date Madge Undersee, I just need Madge to want to properly date me and I'll be the happiest person on earth.
I was feeling pretty confident about the date until this morning.
Everything was going fine, I talked to Madge a bit before class and I was just taking out my books when Delly approached me.
Ever since Finnick and Peeta's party I've had a newfound respect for Delly Cartright so I wasn't as annoyed I would have been if anyone else had interrupted me trying to tell my English and Math notebook apart first thing in the morning.
"Gale!"
I had looked up from my notebooks, startled at the sound of my name but when I saw Delly's bright smile and distinctive hair, I smiled.
"Morning Delly."
Most of the students in the classroom were either talking or half asleep but I was still unprepared when Delly sat on my desk and started clapping her hands together loudly.
"So is it true that you and Ms. Undersee over there have a date tonight?"
The classroom that had previously been buzzing with noise suddenly became quiet. The students who weren't asleep, turned to gape from me to Madge, as if they were trying to put the pieces together.
As if trying to figure out how someone like her would date someone like me.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Madge's whole face flush red and she determinedly avoided my gaze by looking out the window.
My own cheeks turned pink and I tried to ignore everyone's looks as I faced Delly whose face had crumbled as she realised how loudly she spoke.
I wasn't sure whether to tell the truth or to lie.
If I told the truth, Madge might be upset because it's only our first date and we don't want people gossiping. If I lie then she might be worried that I'm ashamed to date her or something equally preposterous.
So I opted for a simple shrug and I was grateful when our teacher walked in a minute later, ranting about her car that refused to start.
I didn't get a chance to talk to Madge for the rest of the day but even I noticed that I was getting more inquisitive looks from our peers than usual.
Even Cato Hunter of all people sent a disgusting, sly smirk and wink my way after school and I had to swallow down the bile that rose in my throat.
I shake my head and fix the collar on my shirt.
I can't think about that now.
Tonight is my first date was Madge and I can't screw it up.
This is too important. If it fails dramatically it could damage our friendship and that's the last thing I want.
I hear a double knock on my door and I turn to find my mother watching me.
Her dark hair is tied back into a messy bun and a jolt of guilt hits me when I see just how tired she is.
Her eyes trail over me and when they reach my eyes, she smiles thoughtfully.
"Are you sure that's what you're wearing?"
My eyes widen and I spin around to check myself in the mirror for what could possibily be the tenth time in the past half hour.
"Y-yeah, why? What's wrong with it?"
My mum tilts her head to the side before walking over to my wardrobe and picking out my black shoes. They're shiny and polished because I only ever wear them to fancy occasions.
She hands me the shoes.
"Wear them. They look better."
"But-"
"No buts!" She points a finger at me "Now put them on and go. You don't want to be late for your big date."
Her eyes gleam with what could be tears and I sigh as I sit on the bed and take my shoes off.
"I've gone on dates before you know Mum." I remind her as I replace my admittedly slightly worn shoes with the impeccable coal coloured ones.
My mum scoffs, "They didn't count. You didn't care about any of them."
I stand in my proper shoes and raise an eyebrow,
"How do you know I care about this one?"
My mum smiles and shakes her head.
"You smile when you talk about her love." She pats my arm lovingly "You smile brighter than I've ever seen you smile."
I'm stunned into silence so I just kiss her cheek and tell her I love her before grabbing Peeta's keys and my jacket and then I run down the stairs and head for the door.
No matter what happens, I know this evening will definitely be one to remember.
…
*Text Alert*
From Annie Cresta: Good luck tonight! Don't be nervous xoxo
From Madge Undersee: I'm not nervous
From Annie Cresta: Yes you are.
From Madge Undersee: Okay maybe I am a little
From Annie Cresta: Everything will go great I promise! x
From Madge Undersee: I know…I just really like him. I don't want to make a fool of myself like always
From Annie Cresta: Well he clearly really likes you too. He spends half his time watching you when he thinks nobody is looking. If you do make a fool of yourself then he'll only think you're adorable and cute.
From Madge Undersee: Yeah?
From Annie Cresta: Definitely. You still wearing the outfit we talked about?
From Madge Undersee: Yeah and I curled my hair like I did the night of the party but I'm not sure if he likes it curled or not but ah well.
From Annie Cresta: Trust me he likes it ;)
From Madge Undersee: I've got to go, I think he's here. Bye! xxx
From Annie Cresta: Have a great time! xoxo
…
Gale POV
I shake my head as I try to exhale my nerves
I bring one hand up and knock on Madge's door; praying that her father doesn't open it.
The door opens a minute later and my first thought is that I'm grateful that it's Madge standing there and not her father. My second thought is that it really is Madge standing there and oh my god she looks…she looks wow.
Her blonde hair is curled again, somehow her hair always seems shorter when she curls it. Madge wears a dainty lilac dress with white flowers decorating the hem, white shoes with a tiny bit of a heel that makes her taller but still nowhere near my height and a dazzling smile that shows off her pearly white teeth and her rose-painted lips.
I realise I'm staring rather blatently and I blink rapidly and smile at her.
"You…eh you look great."
I want to tell her she looks as beautiful as a child of the moon and the sun but I think that's a bit much for a first date and she'd probably think I'm a creep.
Madge bites her lip but grins widely,
"So do you"
I dart my eyes down to my own outfit and I curse myself when I realise I'm still wearing my black (fake) leather jacket. My mother would not be impressed.
"Eh thanks." I reply
That's when I remember the bag in my hand.
"Oh em this is for you."
The present had been Darius and Thom's idea.
They insisted that one could not just show up for a first date with a pretty girl with nothing. I had told them that I'm pretty sure that only happens in movies. They just shook their heads at me and told me I was bringing something and that was that.
Madge's eyes widen in shock and I immediately feel like an idiot.
Who brings a present on a first date? She's going to think I'm a complete fool. A sappy, romantic fool maybe but still a fool.
"Wow. Oh my god, you didn't have to."
I hand her the bag and she thankfully accepts it.
"Can I open it?"
I stick my hands in my jeans pocket to hide the shaking and I nod.
"Yeah, I didn't get a chance to wrap it or anything but…"
Madge doesn't seem to be listening as she's already taking the square box out of the bag.
"Is this…?" She whispers, turning it over in her hands.
"Well I was going to bring flowers but then I remember you telling me you had bad allergies to them. Hayfever or something so I didn't want to set you off." I gulp.
That was Madge that said that right? I'm not thinking of someone else and making an even bigger fool of myself "So I thought I'd get you something else. And you said that you liked that band so-"
"Like them?" Madge asks rhetorically as she runs a finger delicately over the cover of the CD, "I love them! They're my favourite!"
Against my will, a bright smile takes over my face that only widens when Madge runs forward and hugs me tightly.
She pulls away too quickly and puts the album back into the bag and leaves it inside the door.
"Thank you, thank you so much Gale. I love it." She shuts her front door gently and smiles that perfect smile at me again, "Where on earth did you find it? I've been looking for it for ages but they stopped selling it years ago."
I swallow, "Well…honestly? Rory went through a phase of that band a few years ago. It was one of his old ones so I traded it for something else he wanted."
Instead of the look of disdain I'm expecting; Madge's smile never strays,
"Oh that's amazing! Well tell your brother I appreciate it immensely."
"I will." Well I might, I can only imagine the teasing Rory would give me if I told him why I actually wanted that music album "Do you em...want to head off?"
Madge nods, "Yeah, sounds good."
"Okay" I say softly and we walk back towards Peeta's car.
Madge frowns when she sees it and I hurry to explain.
"Peeta let me borrow it for tonight. The show mightn't end until after it gets dark and I didn't feel comfortable walking you home at that time so-"
Madge cuts me off by leaning up and pressing a reassuring kiss on my cheek.
I'm still frozen by the time she pulls away and walks around to open the passenger seat door,
"It's perfect Gale thank you."
I nod and hop into the driver's seat, shutting the door behind me.
"So what's the plan?" Madge asks from beside me and I grin
"You'll just have to wait and see."
…
Madge fidgets with her silver bracelet when arrive at the Hob.
Thankfully I had been prepared for this. Katniss told me when she brought Peeta to the Hob for the first time, she felt like they were the star piece at an art exhibition.
I take her hand in mine and squeeze gently.
"Don't worry we aren't actually going in until later."
Madge looks at me confused,
"Trust me?" I whisper and when she nods, I begin walking around the corner; never letting go of her hand.
I lead her down the street and into the back alleyway. I squeeze Madge's hand again reassuringly and finally we get to the familiar door.
I rap my knuckles on the door three times and wait.
We wait a minute and then two but nobody comes.
I throw my eyes up to heaven and I knock again, louder this time.
A minute later, the door is pulled open and Thom is waiting with a smile on his face.
"Good evening! Come in, come in." Thom ushers us in and closes the door behind us.
He's dressed in black trousers, a spotless white shirt and the standard Hob apron.
I take a nervous glance at Madge who is looking around with her mouth open and her eyes wide.
After school, Thom, Darius, Katniss and I came straight to the Hob to set up. Sae agreed in an instant to letting us use her back area for anything we needed. We put a fancy red tablecloth from the attic in the Hob over the outside bench. Fairylights from Peeta's party were borrowed to hang from the walls behind the table. Plates, cutlery and two candles were on the table courtesy of Thom and Darius.
Darius who is also here, standing to the side of the bench in front of the large old wooden bookcase that held typical bar stuff but also a stereo that Thom had brought that's playing low music from a band that I know Madge likes. Darius was wearing an identical outfit to Thom and his trademark grin.
I turn and face Madge properly and she silently stares back up at me.
I rub the back of my neck and begin to explain,
"Well I didn't really want our first date to be in front of so many people you know? But I also wanted to take you out to eat so…I combined the two." I point to my friends "Thom and Darius are our own personal waiters tonight." They wave politely at a stunned, unblinking Madge "We can still order whatever we want from the menu and Sae in the kitchens will cook it for us…it'll be the same as eating in there" I point to the door that leads to the Hob "Except without all the strangers and random people talking over us…or about us."
I feel a tightness in my hand that causes me to jolt. I had forgotten Madge was still holding it but she was squeezing it in reassurance and not anger I assume as her face lights up a second later.
"I love it…I…I really love it Gale. It's perfect. Thank you. And thank you guys too" Madge turns to Thom and Darius and they blush and wave a hand in dismissal.
A wave of relief hits me and I smile back at her.
We make our way to the bench to sit and after they take our orders, Thom and Darius make themselves scarce.
"So…do you want to play twenty questions?" She asks
I laugh, "Madge, we've known each other for years."
She runs a hand through her hair and I lose all train of thought.
"We'll just have to be pretty inventive with our questions then."
I blink hard to snap myself out of my spell,
"Okay, okay. You go first."
Madge bites her lip in concentration and I curse her for being able to distract me so easily.
"Okay favourite food?"
"Oh Sae's burgers" I answer immediately. "They're the best."
"Really?"
"Yeah, I'll let you have some of mine later if you want."
She smiles, "Thanks."
"Favourite colour?"
Madge shrugs, "I like pink. Call me a stereotypical girl but I don't care. I love it."
I smile, "Pink's nice."
Madge raises an eyebrow.
"What?" I ask defensively "I live with Posy whose life goal is to live in a house where all the furniture is pink!"
Madge giggles, "Okay understandable. Pets?"
I scrunch up my nose, "Nope. Prim's goat turned me off every getting a pet so far. I think I'd like to have a dog someday though. You?"
She shakes her head, "I used to have a rabbit but she passed away."
"Oh I'm sorry, what was her name?"
Madge's cheeks flush pink, "Em.."
I tilt my head and grin, "How bad was it? Did you call it floppy because of her ears?"
"No…"
"Flopsy? Oh god please don't tell me you named it 'Rodger Rabbit'?"
Madge laughs, "No I called it bunny."
I raise an eyebrow, "But…it was a bunny."
She sighs, "I was six okay? I didn't know any better. I wanted to call it the Easter Bunny but my dad said that was copyright."
I laugh loudly, picturing the big tough mayor of District Twelve trying to explain copyright to a six year old tiny Madge.
"Bunny's a cute name."
"Shut up Gale" She says playfully
"Fine, it's your turn anyway."
"Favourite T.V. Show?"
"Doctor Who"
"Oh yeah I've heard you and Darius talking about that a few times."
"More like arguing." A voice that isn't either of ours says and we look over to see Darius walking towards us with a tray in his hand. If I didn't know better, I would say that Darius actually worked here.
"Don't mind me" Darius continues "I'm just here to give you your drinks."
He places my coke and Madge's sprite down on the table carefully, winks at me and then retreats back inside the building again.
"Did they help you plan all this?"
I blush, "Yeah they did"
Madge smiles, "They're really good friends."
I nod, "Yeah they are but they probably have their ears pressed against the door so lets not give them any more compliments."
Madge throws her head back and laughs but I'm pretty sure I hear muffled complaints from behind the door that confirm my suspicions.
"Anyway" I continue, "What age were you when you started ballet?"
…
The questions continue, the food tastes amazing and eventually my hands stop shaking.
Halfway through the meal, Madge curses herself for not bringing a jacket so I offer her my one.
She spends five minutes refusing it but then eventually accepts and the contrast of my large black leather jacket with her pretty feminine purple dress makes my stomach twist in the best possible way.
About two hours later Thom comes out the back and gives me a nod to let me know that we're getting ready to set up for the gig.
"Are you still okay with watching us?" I double check when Madge and I make our way inside.
"Of course!" Madge confirms "I wouldn't miss it for the world."
The flush in my cheeks is certainly from the sudden heat from the Hob and not from embarrassment or anything like that.
We meet up with the Rebels and Peeta who has tagged along for moral support, for Katniss or for Madge I'm not sure which.
Darius and Thom set up the stage. Madge was right they really are quite amazing. I'd never tell them that though. They've gotten rid of their waiter attire and are in their usual jeans and t-shirt combo. I'm pretty sure the band t-shirt that Thom is wearing belongs to Darius but I'm not sure so I don't mention it.
"We're starting in five minutes Galey." Darius shouts down at me and I nod.
"You alright to stay with Peeta while we're up there?" I yell at Madge.
I'd much prefer to whisper it or at least say the words in a normal tone but the place is already filling up, some customers sitting and some standing waiting for the show to start. It always gets louder when there's more people so I hope Madge doesn't mind.
Madge is sitting up on one of the high chairs with Peeta beside her and she grins at me,
"I'm fine. You go ahead. Good luck." Madge leans forward and kisses me on the cheek.
I pause for a moment before grinning and heading up on stage.
…
Peeta POV
When the Rebels finish, I'm not at all surprised by the intensity of the cheering and the applause that the round of customers give them.
I'm pretty sure most of the people here came solely to see them perform and I can't blame them. The minute they started playing everyone's eyes and ears were just drawn to them.
I thought I would be biased and think that Katniss would be the best but honestly the four of them are all equally outstanding.
Gale has an incredible voice, I didn't get to hear the volume of it the other night but I was very impressed. Darius is spectacular on the drums, if I hadn't known him I'd have considered him a professional. Thom stood out on the guitar. Both Katniss and Gale played too but Thom did solos and cord songs that Darius insisted Thom had written himself and they were amazing, his fingers moved so fast but the music travelled swiftly and I loved it.
I already knew Katniss was a beautiful singer but her stage presence was fantastic too. The way she moved or spoke to the audience was so unusual and out of character for her. Her voice changed when she sang songs she wrote herself, there was meaning behind every word and the songs came off so much stronger.
Okay maybe I'm a lovesick puppy fangirling over my girlfriend and her band but they were amazing and I don't regret it.
Katniss comes down off the stage after their second encore and I'm overcome with surprise and joy that the first thing she does is run straight over to me.
"Well?" She brushes a loose strand of hair behind her ear "What did you think?"
She has to shout because the crowd have gotten louder since the gig ended so I stand and lean down to whisper in her ear,
"Amazing, beyond amazing Kat. I loved every single second."
Katniss smiles and kisses me gently,
"Thanks Peeta. I'm going to help Dariee and Thom put everything away. Wait for me yeah?"
I nod and watch as she flies up to the make-shift stage again.
I look over to my left and see Madge excitedly talking to Gale.
I'm guessing she's complimenting him on his performance because his head is ducked just a bit and he's rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly.
I stay there for a minute or two before I decide to head up and help Katniss out.
She's putting the guitars into their cases when I approach her.
"Hey!" She exclaims when she sees me, "Everything okay?"
I bend down and help her clasp the case up, double checking that I did it right because god knows what Gale would do to me if I harmed his precious guitar.
"Fine, perfect, I just felt like I was the silent third wheel back there." I pointed over my shoulder to Gale and Madge and Katniss nods when she spots them.
"Oh I understand. Thom and Darius said they seemed to be having a great time before the show started." Katniss says as she watches them over my shoulder.
She's trying to be subtle but she's an open book.
"That's good." I say
We stand and place the guitars against the wall. When we're all finished I catch Katniss looking over at Gale and Madge again who are talking to the elderly woman Sae who cooks here.
"Do you think they're a good match?" She asks me
I take another look at them. Gale's hand is resting on the small of Madge's back just under where her hair ends. Madge is talking to Sae but her head is half rested on Gale's shoulder.
Madge turns to look up at Gale as if asking if he agrees with her on something. Her smile is wide and bright; Madge always looks pretty happy but I've never seen her this happy before.
Gale looks down at her and I see him smile back before saying something I can't hear.
They seem happy, like they really like each other.
I'm not an expert on relationships and I'll never claim to be. I spent 12 years crushing on a girl before finally asking her on a date so I'm pretty useless but from what I can tell they're well suited.
"They look like they like each other a lot." I tell her honestly "I think that's all that really matters in a relationship. I don't know if they're a good match, I don't know either of them that well but they've been friends for a while so they must have some similar interests." I shrug "It's only their first date Kat but they seem happy to me."
Katniss nods and watches them for another moment before she breaks out into a smile,
"Yeah, they look really happy."
I smile and kiss the top of her head gently,
"I'll walk you home." I tell her.
She picks her guitar up and raises an eyebrow at me,
"You didn't bring the car today?" Curiosity laced in her voice.
I sigh and roll my eyes, "That's a story for the walk home."
…
Gale POV
It's quite late when I bring Madge home and I'm glad that Thom and Darius convinced me to ask Peeta to borrow his car.
Madge leans against the window with her eyes closed for the ten minutes it takes to get to her house. She does seem tired but I think she had a good time.
Despite my worries, Madge actually fit right in at the Hob.
She loved the show, she really did. She spent twenty minutes talking to me about it afterwards and boosting my ego even more. Either that or she is secretly a really good actor and was just lying to protect my feeling.
After that we chatted with Sae, Madge insisted on complimenting her on the delicious food and Sae talked to her for a few minutes. When Sae left to go into the kitchens she gave me a smile that said she approved.
Sae refused to let me pay for our food so instead I offered to give her any trade I have for the next while to her for free and that I'll do a few shifts during the week if she ever needed a pair of extra hands. Sae just patted my cheek and returned to the kitchens.
We talked to Thom and Darius for a while but we left soon after that. Darius was falling asleep on Thom's shoulder and Madge had yawned a few times so Thom and I looked at one another and suggested we head home.
I make a promise to myself to send a text to the guys in the morning, thanking them for everything. I'll have to make it up to them somehow but I'm not sure how yet.
Before I know it, we are at Madge's house.
I can't believe the evening went so quickly and that the date that I was so nervous for is actually all over now. Well almost over.
I walk Madge to the door and apologise for bringing her home so late.
"Don't worry about it." Madge says "I had…an amazing time. Thank you for everything."
"Don't worry about it." And it's only then that I realise I just repeated what she said and we both laugh.
Madge's eyes widen suddenly, "Your jacket!"
I blink and then I realise that she's still wearing my jacket.
"Oh, that's alright you-" But before I can say anything she has already slipped the jacket off her shoulders and handed it back to me.
Madge smiles, "It was comfy, thanks for lending it to me. I felt very badass."
I laugh, "You look better in it than I do." I assure her as I tug the jacket on.
Madge cocks an eyebrow and bites her lip again, does she not know how much that tortures me?
"I wouldn't say that." Madge says and I swallow.
"Thanks for eh…thanks for coming out Madge."
Is it my imagination or has she gotten closer?
"No problem. Like I said I had a great time."
Closer again. Though this time I'm not sure if she stepped forward or I did.
"Yeah…me too." The words come out of my mouth as more of a whisper.
I watch as Madge's eyes flit from my eyes to my lips. I stand there frozen. A million thoughts and questions and hopes run through my mind as we stand there, close enough to touch under the stars.
"Gale?" Her voice is just as quiet as mine.
"Yeah?"
"Would you like to do this again sometime?"
"Definitely."
"Me too."
I smile and bend my knees just a bit and she leans up so we are the same height.
I swallow and let myself look into her shining bright blue eyes for a minute before murmuring, "Good" and kissing her gently.
It's not like our other kisses. Those were hot and passionate, laced with traces of beer and chips. This was soft and gentle. There was meaning behind it.
The fingers running through my hair were soft instead of tugging on the strands; my hands were laying gently on her hips and not wrapped around them, tightly holding her to me as if I were afraid she's disappear like I did last Saturday night.
This kiss is what all first kisses should be like on a first date.
It's not our first kiss but it's the first one where we know that both of us definitely want there to be more.
AN: And that's it! Thanks for reading! Please review if you liked it and all of that ;)
See you soon!
- xTeam Mockingjayx