Madge doesn't have the spirit in her to play today. She sits at the piano and will randomly press a key, the noise echoing emptily through the music room. Posy's late. Or not showing up. The thought is almost too much for her to bear. She shifts in her spot and glances toward the piano, her heart throbbing dully in her chest.
Posy barely spoke in class at all today when she's usually the first one with her hand up. And she wouldn't look at Madge when answering questions, rather at the floor or the chalkboard.
Just as Madge's about to pack up her things and make for the exit she hears tiny footsteps coming toward her. Madge spins around where she sits and finds Posy Hawthorne standing in doorway, her eyebrows knitted in concentration. Clearly, a girl on a mission.
"I didn't think you were coming," Madge says quickly.
Posy just stares back, gray eyes blinking, and says, "I have a question."
Madge nods, folding her hands in her lap and straightening her posture. She doesn't feel like much of a teacher at the moment. "Anything, Posy."
The small girl takes a few steps into the classroom but Madge can tell by her stance that she doesn't plan to do anything other than that. "Did you use me to get to Gale?"
"Why on earth would you think that?" Madge asks sharply, crossing her arms over her chest. She hadn't meant for her voice to come out so rude, especially to a student, but Madge is so appalled at the question she can't help herself. When she speaks again her voice is softer, "Of course not. I would never do that." Posy takes another step into the classroom, her eyebrows less angry. "You most definitely played a role in our relationship," Madge nods, "but to say that I used you?"
Posy sighs, finally walking more into the classroom. "I've had a rough week, Miss Undersee," Posy tells her tiredly, taking the seat on the bench beside her teacher. "Tests and dating and…" Posy trails off and shakes her head. "Adults think they have it hard."
Madge laughs quietly and faces her. "Yes, the life of a 12 year old girl is much more complicated."
"It is," she nods. Posy stares down at the piano for a bit before saying anything else. "I'm glad that you and Gale are together," Posy tells her, though carefully. "But if you two ever lie to me again I won't be so forgiving."
"Alright," Madge laughs, shaking her head. "You know you can call me Madge, right?"
Posy wrinkles her nose and frowns. "That's a little fast, don't you think?" Again Madge laughs and even Posy smiles a bit. "I'll work on it. But I think I'll stick with Miss Undersee for now, if you don't mind. You are still my teacher for a few weeks."
"That's perfectly okay too."
Posy rifles through the piano pieces that are on the piano, clearly looking for a specific one. "I thought you said you'd bring me a new piece if I scored highest?"
With a huge weight lifted from her shoulders now that she knows Posy is okay with her and Gale, Madge smiles. It's not as though they ever really needed the permission of a 12 year old girl, but family has always been important to Gale. Without the approval, per say, of Posy, the relationship would've just felt wrong. She had risked it all, almost. The strange sister-like relationship she shares with Posy, the feeling of family at the Hawthorne's. But now it's all cleared up. And she feels wonderful.
Madge pushes herself from the bench and races to the bag she brought, digging around for the piece of music she brought Posy from home. Something elegant, upbeat. It reminds her of a fairy, and she's sure it will do the same for Posy. "Oh and Miss Undersee?" Madge spins around as Posy addresses her. "If I don't get a thank you when you and Gale get married, I'm going to be very upset."
"Who said anything about getting married?" Madge asks as she returns to the bench, laying out the piece for Posy.
"I did. And Vick did too, last night." Madge glances down at her hand clearly void of a ring and lifts it up to show the small girl. "I didn't say it would be tomorrow," the girl says, sticking out her tongue. "I just said that it would happen."
"If you say so," Madge sighs. She hasn't really thought about marrying Gale. They haven't talked about anything overly serious, she thinks. Quickly Madge changes the subject. "Now play the piece." Posy nods, smiling brightly before letting her fingers dance over the keys.
Fighting in the mines is off limits. Arguments. Physical contact. Anything can get you probation. Get you fired. And Gale can't get fired.
But he needs to yell at Rory.
Gale takes his usual spot between his brother and his best friend and bites back the words he wants to fire off immediately. Most disagreements are settled in the mines with whispers and harsh growls, but Gale's too angry to keep himself contained.
"So," Gale starts off carefully. "You haven't seen Posy in weeks, eh?" Gale sees Rory every day so he hasn't noticed that Rory doesn't stop by the house. Or maybe he thought Posy would go see him, but she's too stubborn to do that. Or that Rory would come by when Gale was out. But this apparently isn't the case. "This is the first I've heard of it."
Rory lowers his pickaxe and turns toward his brother. "Excuse me?"
"Posy." Gale repeats firmly. "Your little sister. Your own flesh and blood."
Rory sighs, rubbing the spot between his eyes. "I'm not in the mood for this fight, Gale, so don't even—"
"You're not in the mood to talk about how you haven't seen your sister in weeks?" Gale blinks incredulously at his younger brother. Rory has always been about family first. "You know for a fact that you're her favorite brother!"
Rory snorts, returning to his pickaxe. "Gale. When you get married and can't find time for anything, then we can have this conversation." Rory lifts his pickaxe and brings it down hard against the wall of the mine. "Half the time I'm too tired to hold a decent conversation with anyone, let alone Prim," he grunts out. "The other half I'm laying in bed staring at the ceiling and kicking myself for forgetting to visit home. Again." Gale narrows his eyes at his brother. "I'm always so sore and I never get to see Prim anymore and I'm so tired and…"
"Stop making excuses and come visit your family every once in a while," Gale grunts, finally picking up his pickaxe again. Prim, Prim, Prim. "Once a week isn't impossible."
"I'm just trying to settle into this new lifestyle," Rory tells him. "Alright? I'll come by tomorrow. Bring Prim for dinner or something. Or is she not allowed to come?"
Gale grumbles to himself as he hacks at the wall. "Do whatever you want, Rory. Just know that Posy misses you. Vick probably does too. And Mom."
His younger brother smirks. "But not you?"
"I see enough of your ugly face as it is," Gale shoots back, turning his head so the light from his miner's helmet shines into Rory eyes.
The younger laughs and rolls his eyes before apologizing profusely. Over and over again. He's sorry he's sorry. Rory continues the rest of the day rambling on and on about all the little problems of being married. No time to do anything but eat. Having to pay bills. A sore body ten hundred percent of the time.
Though there are things Gale doesn't want to hear about, considering Rory's his younger brother, he lets him rant. Do they want kids yet? If not, how long are they waiting? He's never in the mood when she is, or vice versa. Can't they just have some peace and quiet?
And when the whistle rings and to relieve the miners from their job Gale is sufficiently less angry at one of his brothers. But upon arriving home and finding the house absent of Vick, and hearing Posy say that he and Madge went somewhere, he is sufficiently more angry at another.
"I don't know, Vick," Madge says, chewing her lip as she stares up at the old building. "I've never been in here before."
"Me neither," the boy says, staring just as she is. "Gale won't bring me. But I don't want to go alone either."
"Well if Gale won't bring you, what makes you think me bringing you is going to help anyone? He's just going to get angry. Besides, I'm crap at making trades. Talking to people. Making deals, and stuff. You picked the wrong person to…" she trails off as Vick turns to look at her.
"I just want to go inside," Vick tells her, sticking out his bottom lip and pouting. "Just once. To see what it's like." And hesitantly, Madge waves him forward so she can follow behind. Too timid to take the first step herself.
Posy insisted that Madge walk her home. Insisted. She said she wanted to get used to Madge and Gale being together, and that she has no problems with the two of them dating. "Just no kissing and stuff like that," Posy had said, making a face. "That's unnecessary." Not only that but Posy rambled on and on about how great it was that Gale was finally seeing someone who was good enough for him. Which made Madge blush quite a lot, but she said nothing.
And somehow between arriving at the Hawthorne house and now, Vick had convinced her to make a quick run to the Hob with her. A place that is most definitely illegal. A place that most certainly will not welcome the mayor's daughter with open arms. A place that most undoubtedly terrifies Madge down to her core.
But Vick has always been great. He accepted Madge before Gale did. They have an almost friendship. No, it's a friendship. She cares for him as if he were her brother. So she didn't have the heart to say no. He was just so desperate.
Vick walks into the Hob carefully as though he's stepping into a lake for the first time. And Madge follows. The sound hits her first, followed by the smell. Laughter. The happiest, most carefree laughter she has ever heard. And the most delicious scent she has ever had the pleasure of smelling. As if someone's cooking a brew somewhere, a soup. She licks her lips before she can stop herself.
Vick must catch her too, because he snickers and nudges her with his elbow. He jerks his head over to the side, motioning for her to follow. So she does, filled with curiosity at this new place she's never stepped foot into before.
People stare at her. They pay no attention to the fact that she's here with Vick. They just stare. Some hide what they're selling under counters, others go quiet. A few even leave. But once everyone realizes that Madge isn't there to arrest anyone, the Hob continues on as normal. And she decides that's how she likes it best. With the laughter of an old man ringing somewhere off to the side and the constant shuffle of feet.
Madge tries to stop by every vendor to see what they sell. Old jewelry. Yarn. Shoes. Food. Meat. Virtually anything and everything is in here. She curses herself when she realizes she doesn't have money, for she finds a lovely silver bracelet with a strange charm she would love to buy.
Sooner or later though, Vick returns to her. She doesn't remember when he left. "I think the whistle blew like an hour ago," he says, his eyes wide. Madge looks up and realizes that the Hob is much more crowded now. Miners. Still covered in coal from the day's work. The plan had been for Madge and Vick to get back before Gale got home. "We should probably go." The blonde nods, putting the silver bracelet back in the box before quickly scurrying after Vick. They dart in and out of the crowd but just as they're about to leave something catches Madge's eye.
Sheet music.
She freezes in her step, but before she has a moment to investigate Vick is back, pulling her away again, grumbling under his breath about how much trouble they're both going to be in.
Gale doesn't look at Madge all through dinner. He doesn't speak to her. Doesn't acknowledge her. He knows it upsets her too; by the way she keeps quiet and picks at her food. She'll answer Posy's questions and tease Vick back, but Madge doesn't address Gale the same way he won't address her. She looks at him, though. He can feel her gaze.
Posy murmurs something like, "Are relationships supposed to be like this?" but no one responds. In fact, Hazelle does a wonderful job at changing the subject.
And when dinner is over Madge jumps up to help with the dishes. Gale clears his throat, finally looking at her, and jerks his head toward the door. Hazelle wrinkles her nose at her son and Madge eventually sighs, slipping away from the sink and making her way outside.
Gale follows swiftly, trying his hardest not to slam the door but still making it thud louder than necessary. Madge jumps and spins around to face him, her face instantly flooding with guilt. Her lips part slightly and she tilts her head.
"Gale, before you yell at me just—"
He growls and cuts her off, "Just what, Madge?" She sighs, reaching up to rub her forehead. "The Hob? You! And Vick! Went to the Hob!"
"I know where we went," she mutters, still rubbing her forehead.
Gale ignores her and rambles on, throwing his hands up in the air. "I can't even begin to explain the dangers of that place!"
"Dangers?" Madge laughs and throws her head back. "Dangers! There was absolutely nothing scary about that place!" Gale pauses, staring down at her with an annoyed expression on his face. "Vick wanted to go, Gale! I'm honestly surprised you hadn't taken him yet, actually. You were walking around that place a lot younger than he is now."
"That has nothing to do with it," he roars back. The tone of his voice shocks her. Madge blinks and takes a step away from him. "He told you that I hadn't taken him there yet, had he not?"
Slowly Madge replies, "He might've mentioned it."
"And you still thought it would be a good idea to go with him?"
Madge sighs and shakes her head. "All he wants is to be like you." The softness in her voice, the quiet desperation, is much more effective than the shouting Gale had been doing. "So sure, I knew taking him there wasn't the best idea but he's so like you and I knew if I had taken him or not he would've gone eventually and—"
"He doesn't have to shoulder what I did then," Gale growls with a low voice before taking a step closer to Madge and jabbing his finger in her direction. "And I never want him to feel like he has to."
"A visit to the Hob isn't going to ruin him, Gale."
"Well what if I wanted to see his expression the first time I took him, huh?" Gale grunts and steps away from her, pulling his hands angrily through his hair. The wonder. The fascination. "Or the look on your face? What if I was saving it for something special?" Gale turns his back on her and takes another step away. It's not like he can afford a real date. He has to get creative. "You can't just do stuff like that, Madge," he murmurs. "You're not always right. You just aren't."
"Gale,"
"You don't get to make decisions for everyone." He spins around to face her and realizes that her hand was in the air, hesitantly reaching for his arm. When he spots its Madge lowers it immediately. "Alright?"
Madge nods, casting her eyes downward. "Okay." Gale stares at her another moment, the way her shoulders slump forward and her eyes will no longer meet his. "I'm sorry."
"Whatever," he mumbles, lifting his shoulders halfheartedly. "I'll walk you home."
The walk is quiet. She feels him stiffen whenever her hand grazes his on accident so Madge crosses her arms over her chest to prevent it from happening again. Her stomach aches. Gale was right, is right. Madge knew she shouldn't have taken Vick to the Hob. It's not as if anything bad happened, but it wasn't her call. She isn't his family. She isn't Vick's sister or mother or girlfriend. Madge is Gale's girlfriend and she should know better than to do what she did.
They reach her house. She turns to face him but their eyes won't meet. Gale's staring off in the distance with that sullen angsty look that he gets.
"You're mad at me," Madge says. Gale's eyes come back into focus, glancing down at her briefly.
"I'm not."
She frowns, chewing down on her bottom lip. "I don't want you to be mad at me," she whispers, her voice nearly desperate.
"I don't want you to go behind my back," Gale mutters in response, "but we don't always get what we want." Madge digs her nails into her palms to keep herself together. She won't cry. Doesn't have it in her. But she could. She can already feel a headache coming on. "Night, Madge."
Madge lets out a huff of air and crosses her arms. "It isn't that big of a deal, Gale!"
"Maybe not to you," he shoots back. His voice is tired and laced with annoyance. "But that doesn't mean it isn't a big deal." He leans down, his hands finding her chin to keep her steady, and then presses his lips to her cheek painstakingly too slow. The action is more painful than if he were to just walk away without kissing her at all. "I'll see you later."
Later. Not tomorrow, or next week. Just, later. It leaves a bitter taste in her mouth, and a dull throbbing on her cheek where his lips grazed.
He walks away before she even goes inside.
A/N: Had to happen sooner or later. Won't last long. I'm so tired but wanted to post this before I went to bed. I love you all. Predictions?