Although her father was Mayor and Madge periodically appeared on the local TV stations, and her mother was known as the Town Nut-Job, on account of her mental instability, miraculously, Madge was rarely teased or singled-out at school. This might have had to do with the fact that her two best friends were the most well-liked boy and the most-terrifying girl, respectively, but, nevertheless, Madge made it her personal mission to blend into the background and stay there. If no one saw you, no one could make fun of you, right?
That changed her junior year of high school when, somehow, the best-looking, most popular boy in the senior class confessed he liked her, had been interested in her for months, and was wondering if she would go out with him?
Being Gale Hawthorne's girlfriend thrust Madge uncomfortably into the social spotlight that she had avoided for so long. She was more comfortable in front of reporters than she was in front of her own peers— she saw their cruelty from afar, their manipulations and petty drama. She and Peeta and Katniss stay out of it and are all the happier for it.
But Gale? He's in the center of it all. He's starting on the major sport teams, he's involved on ASB, he's dated the most popular, prettiest girls in school… those things are important to him. They matter to him, which is why she's at this god-awful party with him.
Katniss and Peeta are around somewhere as well, but they've probably claimed some dark corner ages ago, lucky bastards.
Gale has been attentive to her all night, keeping one hand on the small of her back. He recognizes her gesture of coming out with him and appreciates it and wants to make sure she doesn't regret it. Although they've been on dates one-on-one before, this is their first social event.
Right now, though, he left to get them more drinks, and Madge is standing, biting her lip as people look at her speculatively.
"So you're Gale's new girlfriend, huh, Undersee?" Glimmer Daniels, a prettier, blonder, richer, taller version of Madge. Gale took her to Homecoming the year before, but, according to Gale, halfway through the dance he regretted it so much he took her straight home after and never asked her out again. She's a girl who's used to getting what she wants, and it's no secret that she's always wanted Gale.
"Yep," Madge says succinctly, popping the 'p' shortly. She really doesn't want to engage her further.
Glimmer raises one eyebrow in disgust. "I wonder if he's realized that he's downgrading… you must be giving him something to make him overlook your defects."
Madge blinks at her. So. This was what it was like to be the target of a petty girl attack. Huh.
Madge isn't sure what Gale sees in her, but although Madge is many things, she's not insecure. She knows herself and, after being friends with Gale through Katniss for years, she knows him, too. She doesn't question his feelings for her. She trusts him.
So this little attempted put-down means nothing to her.
She's the Mayor's daughter, for God's sake. Even if she didn't inherit her father's penchant for social schmoozing, she sure as hell inherited his thick skin. Even if she doesn't put it to use the majority of the time.
"I don't really know why you just pathetically attempted to lower my self-esteem," Madge says flatly, her blue eyes cool and distant, "but let's get one thing straight: no matter what you say to me, at the end of the night, I'm still going to be Gale's girlfriend and you're not. So why don't you just move along?"
Glimmer narrows her eyes at her. "I wonder if Gale knows his girlfriend is a fucking bitch under that good-girl act."
"He knows who the real bitch is," comes a voice next to them. Both girls' heads whip around to see Gale, who looks at them both expectedly with a beer in each hand. "You trying to mess with my girl, Glimmer?"
Glimmer's anger melts into a simper. "Just girl talk," she says.
"Yes," Madge says at the same time. "I can handle it, though, thanks."
"Oh, I can see that," Gale grins at Madge, completely ignoring Glimmer, clearly enjoying himself. "I couldn't help myself, though. Sorry."
Madge sighs. "No, you're not. You're trying to protect me." She gives him an exasperated look that quickly melts into a smile. "I appreciate it, but I can fight my own battles."
Gale hands her a beer, a thoughtful look on his face. "I don't want you to have to fight them," he says. "I don't want you to have to fight battles because you're with me."
"Consider it a compliment," Madge responds, "I wouldn't fight them if I didn't think you were worth it."
Gale's face breaks out into a grin, and they don't realize until much later that Glimmer left them alone.
All in all, Madge considers her first high school party a success.
They still don't bother going to any after that, though.
