Real or Not Real?

A few hours later, we end up at the black-market warehouse, also known as the Hob. We had a good morning, got plenty of fish, greens, and even a whole gallon of strawberries. We traded some of the finds for bread, salt, and paraffin. Our next stop was the mayor's house. We could always count on him to buy strawberries at a good price. Madge, the mayor's daughter, opens the door. Katniss and I will sit with her at school sometimes. She's quiet, but nice.

"Pretty dress." Gale tells her. I look at him. Was he kidding or was that actually a compliment? From the look on Madge's face, she was wondering the same thing. She did look beautiful. Her blonde hair in a fancy updo with a pink ribbon, and a 'pretty' white dress. She also had a beautiful gold pin attached to the dress.

Eventually, she lets out a sweet smile. "Well, if I end up going to the Capitol, I want to look nice, don't I?" I roll my eyes. Not at Madge, but at the irony of what she said. We have to clean up all nice and pretty just in case we get chosen to fight to our death.

 Gale scoffs. "You won't be going to the Capitol"

"Gale just leave her alone." I said. 

He looks at me. "Why? Why does she deserve that?" Katniss looks down embarrassed to be in this situation. He turns his attention back to Madge. "What can you have? Five entries? I had six when I was just twelve years old."

Katniss tries to defend our friend. "It's not her fault." 

Gale speaks again, this time the tone is more sarcastic. "No, it's no one's fault. Just the way it is." Madge stands there looking hurt. She hands us the money and wishes Katniss and I good luck. I do the same and I try to give her a comforting hug, but she turns away and closes the door.

On the walk back the Seam, I try do think of something to say to make Gale feel sorry for his how he treated Madge. But I couldn't, because in a way, he's completely right. This whole system is messed up. It works in favor of the rich and against the starving and poor. Gale is just angry at the capital. He wasn't right to take it out on Madge, but it's understandable. Once we have to split up with Katniss, we divide our spoils and leave after some flat farewells.

_________

After a taking a warm bath, my mother insisted on doing something with my hair. She twisted my (Y/H/L), (Y/H/C) hair and pulled it back into an updo. It looked very grown up and fancy. I couldn't help but smile as I saw myself in the mirror. When she finished, she told me to stay right where I was while she grabs something. She returned in a few seconds with something wrapped in a cloth.

"What's that?" I ask.

"Open it." She says as a big smile fills her face. I haven't seen her smile like that in a long time. It made me happy. My mother had dark hair and dark eyes, the years of hunger and sadness have affected her greatly, but you can tell that she was a beautiful women. She always tells me that many men tried to marry her, but none of them made her feel like my father did.

As I unwrap the gift, I see a beautiful, pale pink dress. It has white lining at the bottom and puffy sleeves. A large white ribbon came with it, I assume it's supposed to tie around my waist., 

"It was my reaping dress at your age. I've been waiting to give it to you, and I think it will fit now."

I stared at the dress for a long time. It was the prettiest piece of clothing I've ever seen. I always wanted a dress like this. But pretty quickly, I started thinking practically. This dress must me worth a fortune. "Mom, It's beautiful. It really, really is. But it looks like it's worth so much, and we could use the money. I can't-"