Madge
Beep..beep..beep.. I slam my hand down on the snooze button, again. Ugh that damn alarm clock is SO annoying. My father set it up to go off again ten minutes after I hit snooze, and it doesn't stop until I put the code into the panel, which of course is all the way by my door.
I have a slight problem with getting up early in the morning. Actually, I have a problem getting up any time earlier than ten a.m. It's just my bed is so comfy, and warm and I could always use some more sleep. Out of my bed everything is so.. just not how I want to spend my mornings. That's why Dad set up my alarm the way he did, he knows me well enough to know he has to force me out of bed to make me really wake up.
Beep..beep..beep.. Ugh I must have drifted off again. I look at my clock- holy shit! I jump out of bed, it's 7:45 and I have fifteen minutes to get ready and walk to school, and walking to school takes about fifteen minutes. So, according to my calculations, I have around zero minutes to get ready. Well, looks like I'm not getting my refreshing morning shower today.
I throw on my regular school clothes: jeans, t-shirt and sneakers, throw my hair up into a messy ponytail, toss my backpack over my shoulder, and then rush down the stairs.
"Madge, wait!" Viv catches me at the front door, "I noticed you were running late so here's your breakfast to-go." She hands me a bagel and coffee, with a kind smile.
I'm so happy, I could kiss her beautiful face, but I don't really have time. "Thank you so much! You are a life-saver! Love ya, gotta go." I rush out the door.
I walk much faster than I usually do. Well, much faster than I do when I'm on time. Let's just say, it's not a rare occasion for me to be getting my breakfast to-go.
My coffee really helps me wake up in the morning. About half actual coffee, and the other half sugar, with just a dash of creamer is just how I like it.
I make it to school just as the tardy bell rings. Damn, now I have to get a tardy slip. I have Mr. Coleson 1st period, and he won't let you in, even a second after the bell rings, without a tardy slip.
When I enter the office Mrs. Warren, a snippy old woman, gives me an annoyed look accompanied with a heavy sigh, "Late again, I see, Miss Undersee. You'd think with your father being the mayor, you'd be much better disciplined." Yeah, she's a bitch.
"Sorry." I mumble.
She hands me a tardy slip, "Get to class."
You don't need to tell me twice. She acts like I'm some awful kid, when in all reality I'm a straight-A student, I've never gotten a detention a day in my life, and I don't even talk in class. She just hates writing tardy slips, I assume. She probably only- BAM.
I was turning the corner when I slammed into a giant wall of a person, which knocks me to the floor. And knocks their binder out of their hands, papers go flying everywhere. "Oh my god! I am so sorry!" I'm talking to a familiar pair of worn boots and jeans. I look up- Gale Hawthorne. Of all people, really? It had to be him?
"It's fine," he says gruffly. I expect him to give me a hand up, you know payback for the other day, or just to be polite like a normal person? He doesn't. I stand up on my own.
"Wow, I hardly recognized you without flour covering your face." He doesn't even crack a smile. For split second I'm afraid that I dreamt up that whole kitchen scene. But no, he has a bruise matching my own on his forehead to prove it really happened. Okay then, I guess whatever small moment of maybe-friendship we had in my kitchen is over.
We stand silently for a second. This is awkward, I bend down to pick up some papers- and I'm on my ass clutching my forehead. Did that seriously just happen? Again?
Gale sits across from me, in a similar position. I can't believe that just freaking happened, again. I start laughing, this is too ridiculous. That me and Gale Hawthorne would be in this position, twice, in just a matter of days. He tries to hold it back, but a small smile breaks through his stony façade. He gives a small laugh, and then, "Well, that just happened."
"Yeah, we really need to stop doing that. I don't know about you, but I don't really feel like getting a concussion." That just turned my bad bruise into a worse bruise, and I feel a headache coming on.
"Agreed." He starts picking up papers from his seated position, and I join him.
"Oh yeah, my mom wanted me to thank you for bringing the strawberries the other day. She really enjoyed them." Yeah she really enjoyed teasing me about them, but she told me to thank him and I was raised to be polite and have manners. Though, I'm still impressed with myself when I manage it around Gale. Something about him, makes me forget all about manners and taking the high road.
"Speaking of," he pulls some coins out of his pocket, "you overpaid me, I mean more than you usually do." I always overpay. I know they need it, and it's not like it will do anyone any good just sitting in our pantry. I was really hoping Gale wouldn't notice the little extra I'd given him, because I know he won't accept my 'charity'.
I shake my head, "No Gale, that's okay. Keep it."
"No Undersee, it's not okay. Take it." He mocks me, and thrusts his hand forward to give me the money.
I'm going to be really late for math class. I cross my arms in front of me, "No."
"I really don't want, or need your charity Undersee. So you can take this change and give it to someone who wants it."
I shake my head, "No."
Cue groan of frustration, "Seriously Undersee, take it."
"Seriously Hawthorne, no." I mock.
"Fine," he grabs my hand. I make a fist before he can put the money in my hand. "Are you being serious right now? Just take the damn money." He tries to pry my fingers open.
"I really don't see what the big deal is. You-"
"Of course you don't understand what the big deal is! You just throw your money around wherever, like it's no big deal. Because, to you, it isn't. And you want to feel like a good person, so you throw some money to the poor Seam boy, who obviously needs it, right? Well, congrats you've fulfilled your good deed for this week, but I don't want it."
I'm stunned silent for a second, a really short second. "Oh man, you've got me pinned. I'm just some stupid rich girl giving out money to all the hopeless little Seam people to feel good about myself. Yup, that's totally me! It's not like I would do it because I know how hard it is for you that Katniss is gone, and I know how hard it will be to support both of your families. Listen, I know you hate my 'charity', but I'm not doing it for just you. I'm doing it for Katniss, and her family, and your family. So think about that before you attack me, and before you throw this money away."
I'm breathing heavy from my outburst. Then I notice that Gale has long since stopped trying to pry my hand open, but he still hasn't let my hand go. I don't think he's noticed
"Hey! What is going on out here? Miss Undersee why aren't you in class? It is fifteen minutes past the bell. Care to explain?" Mr. Coleman looks pissed. I see the class peeking out the door behind him.
Umm what is going on here? My mind is still reeling from the fight, and I'm having a hard time thinking up an excuse. I look over at Gale hoping for some help. "She was just helping me with my locker. I couldn't get it open.." I thought he was supposed to be quick on his feet.
Mr. Coleman looks down at our clasped hands, I quickly pull my hand from his grasp and grab my own arm. I forgot he was still holding my hand. "I'm sure she was. Detention both of you, after school. Now, get to class." Well, there goes my perfect record.
I quickly grab my backpack from the floor and make my way into class. I glance back at Gale, and see him taking his merry time to pick up his things. He looks over at me and smirks. I give him a small smile, shake my head, and head into class.
…
It's lunchtime, and I've been getting weird looks all day. Girls are glaring, and guys assessing. I'm guessing this is about mine and Gale's fight in the hallway this morning. Or maybe they feel sorry for me because Katniss is gone, but that wouldn't really explain the glares.
Everyone's stares make me uncomfortable. I'm not used to being the center of attention. People usually just ignore me, always have. I guess you might think a mayor's daughter would be used to attention, but I've always been on the sidelines. Never in the spotlight. That's the way I like it. This, everyone looking at me, it really sets me on edge.
I sit down at mine and Katniss' table. Since we both avoided the crowd so much, we usually ended up together. We never really talked a lot, because that's the way we liked it. But I told her about a few personal things like my mom, and I loved it when she'd tell me about the forest. Katniss is the only friend I've ever had. Sometimes though, I wished we would be closer, and that we'd be comfortable enough to confide in each other. Still, I feel so alone without her here.
I hear the table behind me gossiping. "I heard they were caught with his hand up her shirt." I roll my eyes. There is some kind of drama brewing up. Maybe this will take some attention off me.
"No way, I heard she was all over him, and he was trying to get away." I turn around, and I see one of them look away from me quickly. Wait, they're not talking about me are they?
"Well I heard they had sex in the janitors closet." Oh, no they're definitely not talking about me. Everyone here thinks I'm some snobby prude. I'm not just saying that, I've actually been called both of those on multiple occasions. Which I'm not really sure why people think I'm a prude. I've never gone any farther than a kiss goodnight after an awful date, but it's not like I'm saving myself for marriage. I just never really had the opportunity, or a guy that I'd be interested in.
"No way! I never would've guessed that the mayor's daughter could get down and dirty! And with Gale Hawthorne no less." I feel a blush creeping up my neck. Oh. My. God. What the hell? How did that even start going around? We were fighting in the hallway, and now apparently we were having sex in a closet? By the way, who has sex at 8 a.m. in a closet at school? Seriously, the way rumors go around like that, it's ridiculous.
You know, I'm not really hungry anymore. I put my uneaten lunch back in my bag, and go to throw away my trash. On the way there I hear many things; "Man Madge Undersee is fine, props to Hawthorne"; "What a bitch, he was so mine"; "You know I never really noticed what a nice ass she has." And many more disturbing things. At least now I know people find me attractive, but that's the opinion of a bunch of disgusting pigs. So, not really sure how to feel.
Instead of staying to hear people talk about my sex life, I go to the library to find something to read. Nobody is ever in the library this period, so I know I can spend the rest of lunch in peace.
…
Detention is basically just some kids sitting around together and talking. You're really not supposed to talk, but after telling us to be quiet once, the teacher gave up.
Most of the kids pushed their desks together, but I'm sitting away from everyone else reading. As per usual nobody goes out of their way to talk to me, and I return the favor.
Not that I'm completely anti-social, but most people don't like me just because I'm the mayor's daughter. There are a few people who I talk to every once in a while, and some people that I sit with in classes that I don't have Katniss in who are nice enough. I've been asked out on a few dates, and have accepted even fewer. I just don't really click with anyone. I'm not great at small talk, and Katniss was the only one I had who was fine with just keeping each other company.
Honestly, out of everyone in this school, Gale's probably the one I've talked to- or fought with, is probably more accurate- the most. Which is pretty sad, because I have zero classes with him, not even lunch.
Speak of the devil, or think of.. Anyways Gale just walked in, and I look up at him. I wonder where he will sit. With the group seems most likely, maybe alone that seems pretty plausible, but no. He comes over to me and pulls up a desk.
"Hey Babe," his lips curve into a smirk, and he pushes a piece of loose hair behind my ear. His rough warm hand brushes my cheek.
My eyes widen what is he doing? "Excuse me, what was that that? And I'd think very carefully before you repeat what you just said."
He laughs. I wasn't kidding. "Haven't you heard? Apparently you and I have been up to some very interesting things lately."
"Actually I have heard, and you sitting here isn't helping those rumors go away." I gesture towards the group of people, who are now whispering and glancing over here every few seconds.
He turns and laughs, "Like I care what people say, I'm going to be in the mines soon enough." He ends bitterly.
He might not care but, "Yeah well, incase you didn't notice, I will not be out of here 'soon enough,' and though I don't really care what people think about me-"
"Then what's the problem, if you don't care?" He interrupts me. I hate when people interrupt me.
"I don't even understand why your over here, it's not like we're friends." Not that he'd ever want to be my friend. "And I would think that you, of all people, wouldn't want rumors going around that you've been feeling Madge Undersee up in the hallway." I'm so confused with all the mixed signals he's been giving me lately. One moment we're joking and friendly, and the next he's attacking me. I'm so furious with him right now. He somehow makes me lose all control.
"I.. I don't know?"
"Oh well that's just great. You don't know! Problem solved."
"Sorry, but what exactly is happening right now?"
"What's happening is I'm tired of your bullshit. Just tell me are we friends? Acquaintances? Do you hate me? Are we going to joke around together, or are you going to jump down my throat? I'm just so confused with you, I never know what to expect." I finally got that out, it has been bothering me since our little kitchen scene.
When we had just been doing our little back-and-forth with Katniss it was simple, but now we've laughed together and acted like old friends. I just don't know what to expect, and it's pissing me off. But now that I've asked what has been frustrating me, I can finally start to calm down.
"I'm.. sorry," Did he just apologize? "but I don't know. I know I don't hate you. But I don't know if we're friends. I know I've been really confusing, but when we're together and I'm having a good time. It makes everything feel backwards, we are just not supposed to be friends. I'm supposed to hate everything about you but.." he shakes his head trailing off. "And I feel awful having a good time with Katniss gone into the Hunger Games."
Well, I cannot say I was expecting this conversation to happen today, or ever really but, "I know what you mean about the backwards thing, and the Katniss thing. It's so hard, she's in the Hunger Games, and I try not to think about it. But then I feel bad for not thinking about it, and then sometimes I forget about it for just a moment and I feel so much better. But when reality comes crashing back down on me I feel terrible, and I just don't know anymore?" Gale nods and gives my hand a comforting squeeze.
I never in a million years thought I'd be confiding to Gale about my feelings, but when I tell him I feel like he's listening, and that he understands. I mean, he is going through the same thing. Worse even, because they were so much closer than Katniss and I ever were.
We sit in silence for the rest of detention, I feel so much better now that I've got that off my chest. I like that we can sit in silence together, and it not be awkward. Just like with Katniss, except different somehow?
When we're released, Gale and I walk out together, before we split paths I grab his arm, "Why don't we just not put a label on it? We can talk and laugh, but we don't have to think about what it means. We can just be in each other's company.." I'm not sure where that came from, but as soon as I said it I realize it's what I want. The few times Gale and I have spent together, he's been able to make me feel better, and keep my mind off Katniss, and my mom's dwindling health. Like they say, why ruin a good thing?
"Sure, but I can't promise that I won't lose my temper."
I laugh, "I would never expect you to. Bye Gale"
"Bye."
I wave and make my home. Well, that was a very interesting development.