Disclaimer: All stories are individuals of themselves and are unrelated to each other.
"What do you see in Peeta Mellark?"
The voice is a question to her, not anyone else. Normally, Madge would've kept walking. Away from the rumors and people who pry in on her social life, but today she stops. Because it's Gale that's calling out to her.
Slowly she spins around, lifting her eyebrows high on her forehead. "Excuse me?" she asks.
"Peeta Mellark," Gale repeats angrily. In fact, his entire being is angry. Tense shoulders and a locked jaw. "He's with Katniss."
"I know that," Madge says, her eyebrows high on her forehead. "The entirety of Panem knows that."
"Then why do you feel the need to sneak off every day and see him?" Gale asks. Madge rolls her eyes and marches away for him. She doesn't have time for this. "Are you hoping for a little something extra on the side?" Gale follows her immediately. "Maybe he'll realize he doesn't actually love Katniss and you'll be there to swoop in?"
"Would it matter if that was the reason?" Madge hums, crossing her arms tightly. "He's good at baking."
Gale snorts. "Baking? What good does baking do anyone?"
"Makes the best cakes in the entire District," she continues.
"Makes the only cakes in the entire District," Gale corrects her.
Madge spins around to respond to him when they both hear the dinging of a door. Madge watches as Peeta rushes out of the bakery. "Madge!" he calls out. Both she and Gale pause where they are as the baker makes his way to them as fast as he can. "You forgot your bread," he says with a laugh, handing over a small brown bag.
"Thanks, Peeta," Madge smiles, accepting it gratefully. "I knew I was forgetting something."
"No problem," he grins. Peeta tips his head toward the miner. "Gale," he says. Gale only grunts in response. Peeta waves over his shoulder as he makes his way back to the bakery, and then Madge shifts uncomfortably under Gale's gaze.
"He's very sweet," Madge continues, though the words are thick in her throat. She doesn't like Peeta Mellark, not like Gale's implying anyway. Gale rolls his eyes and goes to march away when she reaches out, tugging on his shirt with her free hand. "Gale," Madge laughs. "We're just friends."
"Sure," he mutters. "I see the way you stare at him."
"Oh do you?" she giggles before she can help it. "I've known Peeta since I was six years old," Madge tells him. "And for a while I didn't think he was going to make it back. He's my best friend and I never get to see him anymore now that he's a Victor." Gale shifts on his heels. "Why's it matter to you, anyway?"
"It doesn't," Gale grumbles. Again he goes to leave when Madge stops him again. "Forget it, Undersee." She releases her hold on his shirt and frowns, watching him as he watches her. "Was just trying to save you some heartbreak," Gale finally finishes.
Madge frowns. "Since when do you care if my heart gets broken, Gale?"
Gale smirks and moves away from her. "I'll see you around, Undersee," he says softly, tipping his head in her direction before marching off and leaving her alone, and very dumbstruck, in the square.