Chapter Text
Madge Undersee had never considered herself an envious person, but the scene unfolding before her felt like something straight out of her worst nightmares.
Katniss Everdeen had once been her best friend since kindergarten. They both had shy personalities, finding solace in each other’s company rather than with others. They didn’t get along with most people, and neither cared much about fitting in. Their friendship had been a quiet refuge from the world, a place where they could be themselves without pretense.
From playground games to late-night talks about dreams and fears, their bond grew stronger over the years. They understood each other in ways no one else could. Back then, their friendship felt unbreakable, as if nothing could come between them—until everything did.
As their friendship deepened over the years, Madge had watched Katniss transform in ways that were both exhilarating and bittersweet. Katniss had always guarded her emotions, but when Peeta Mellark entered her life, something shifted. There was a new light in her eyes, a spark that hadn’t been there before. Peeta, with his warmth and genuine kindness, had clearly captured her heart. Seeing their relationship bloom was a mix of joy and quiet envy for Madge. She saw how Katniss laughed more freely, her spirit seemingly lighter, all because of the love she’d found with Peeta.
After graduation, the trio shared one last summer, filled with laughter and adventure—a final, fleeting chapter before everything changed. But when autumn arrived, Katniss left for the other side of the country. Her departure felt like a piece of their small town had gone with her. It was sudden and jarring, leaving Madge and Peeta to grapple with the emptiness she left behind.
That fall marked more than just Katniss’s absence; it was the end of an era. What should have been a time of new beginnings felt, instead, like an abrupt close to the bond they had shared. The once inseparable trio became a distant memory, their closeness now tinged with the ache of what was lost.
Two years after Katniss left, Madge and Peeta naturally drifted into a relationship. They had been close since childhood, and with Katniss gone, they leaned on each other more than ever. Yet, despite the years and the growing bond between them, Katniss remained a ghost in their lives. Her name surfaced often in conversation, her absence a quiet but constant presence, lingering even after four years of Madge and Peeta being together.
Madge always saw herself as the opposite of Katniss. Where Katniss faced life's hardships with strength, stubbornness, and unwavering confidence, Madge struggled under the weight of insecurities. Katniss was admired by everyone—from their schoolmates to teachers—and lived free from the suffocating family expectations that weighed heavily on Madge, especially with her father’s political career hanging over her.
Even their physical differences felt like a stark contrast: Katniss, with her olive skin, piercing gray eyes, dark hair, and petite frame, seemed effortlessly striking, while Madge had grown tall, with fair skin, blonde hair, and blue eyes. While Madge admired Katniss's strength and resilience, there was always a thread of something running through her admiration—especially when it came to how fiercely Katniss loved. She loved her sister with a protective intensity, and even Madge had been the recipient of that fierce loyalty. And Peeta—well, it was clear she had loved him just as deeply.
This quiet tension never fully dissolved, not even with time. Peeta’s father, brothers, and even his sister-in-law often brought up Katniss in conversation, their voices laced with fondness and nostalgia. They spoke of her with such warmth that Madge often felt like an intruder, as if she were just a placeholder for someone they still longed for. The only person who seemed to side with Madge was Peeta’s mother, whose disdain for Katniss was well-known, rooted in old prejudices against her background and skin color. To her, Madge was the ideal daughter-in-law, the better fit for her son—if only because she wasn’t Katniss.
Even old friends from school would casually bring up Katniss, marveling at how suddenly she had left. They reminisced about how perfect everything seemed back then, as if Katniss and Peeta were destined to last forever. Every mention of her name made old wounds bleed a little, a reminder that no matter how much time passed, the shadow of Katniss’s absence still loomed large.
Though Peeta had never given Madge a reason to doubt his love or feel like second best—he was thoughtful, loving, and everything she could want—she couldn’t shake the feeling of competition. It wasn’t with another person, but with the memory of Katniss. It was as if she were constantly contending with a ghost, a part of Peeta's past that would never fully leave, making it hard for Madge to feel like she had completely stepped out of the shadow cast by a love story that had ended, but never quite disappeared.
Madge Undersee had never considered herself an envious person, but the scene unfolding before her felt like something straight out of her worst nightmares. As she approached the bakery, she noticed the lights were still on, even though it was closing time. Curiosity tugged at her, and she pushed open the door, the familiar chime of the bell announcing her presence.
Peeta stood behind the counter, his attention entirely fixed on someone Madge would recognize anywhere. The woman’s back was to her, dressed in black jeans and an oversized leather jacket worn by time. The long braid trailing down her back was unmistakable, a haunting echo of their high school days. The sight hit Madge with a wave of nostalgia that was as unsettling as it was unexpected, transporting her to the insecure girl she once was.
But it wasn’t just the presence of Katniss that shook her—it was the way Peeta looked at her. His gaze, brimming with admiration and something deeper, was a look Madge had never seen directed to anyone in his life in years. His eyes, full of wonder and longing, betrayed emotions that felt like a revelation, as if Katniss had always been the center of his universe, and Madge merely a bystander.
Peeta was the first to notice her, his eyes widening slightly in surprise. “Hey, Madge.”
Katniss turned at the sound of his voice, and the full weight of her presence struck Madge. She was more striking than before, her beauty sharpened with time. There was an effortless grace about her, a maturity that made Madge feel painfully small in comparison. The years had only deepened the divide between them, and in that moment, Madge felt herself slipping back into the shadows of their past, standing before the woman who had always stirred in her both admiration and fear.
“Madge,” Katniss greeted, her voice richer and more melodic than Madge remembered. The sound of her name from Katniss’s lips made her stomach lurch.
“Katniss, how long…?” Madge’s voice came out strained, barely above a whisper, her words catching in her throat.
Peeta glanced between them, clearly sensing the tension. “Honey, I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”
Madge’s eyes remained on Katniss. “I didn’t know you were back,” she said, her voice faltering. “After everything, I didn’t think…”
Katniss’s expression softened, a flicker of regret passing across her face. “I know. I should’ve reached out sooner. Things were… complicated. But my family decided it was time to come back.”
“Yeah, sure,” Madge replied, though her tone held a note of disbelief. She was at a loss, the past rushing back with a force that left her unsteady.
Katniss shifted awkwardly, glancing at Peeta. “I should probably go. It’s Friday, you guys must have plans,” she turned to Peeta with a small, appreciative smile. “Thanks for the bagels, Peeta.”
Madge watched, her chest tightening as Katniss briefly squeezed Peeta’s forearm—a simple gesture, but one that sent a sharp pain through her. Peeta’s cheeks flushed, his eyes lighting up in a way that only deepened the ache in Madge’s heart. Oh, my God, I’m going to throw up , she thought.
“I guess I’ll see you around,” Katniss said, her voice hopeful but laced with sadness. “Bye, Madge. I’d love to catch up sometime, if you’re up for it.”
“Sure, Katniss,” Madge agreed, her voice barely steady. As Katniss left, the bakery door closing behind her, Madge was left standing in the silence, grappling with the old wounds that had been ripped open by Katniss’s return and the unresolved feelings that still lingered between them.
About six months before that, Peeta had moved out of his parents' house and into an apartment with Rye, his middle brother. That Friday evening would be a rare occasion when the two of them would be alone in the apartment. The place was nice and spacious enough for their needs. The kitchen wasn’t ideal, but it was functional for Peeta to cook their date night meals. The apartment also had an extra bedroom they used as an office and painting studio.
Madge drove to the apartment in silence, her tension and exhaustion making it hard to focus on the road. She struggled to keep her thoughts from spiraling into unsettling territory, but the questions kept gnawing at her. Did Peeta know she was coming back? Had she reached out to him? Had he tried to contact her? The last seemed unlikely, given that she had spent years avoiding social media, and when she finally joined, it was in private settings and with a small number of followers. She had certainly not accepted anyone from her past—neither her nor Delly, nor Peeta’s sister-in-law.
Peeta was genuinely a good guy and an even better boyfriend; Madge had never had any reason to doubt him. Even when he and Rye moved into their new place and she discovered a photo of him and Katniss in their graduation yearbook, she chose not to bring it up. Peeta never mentioned it, and she didn’t press the issue; both of them had personalities that naturally shied away from confrontation. But now, she couldn’t stop dwelling on it, and the image lingered in her mind, unsettling her more than she wanted to admit.
Dinner that night felt off. Peeta was his usual cheerful self, recounting stories from the bakery, but Madge struggled to stay present, her mind drifting back to Katniss. After they ate, Peeta went to shower while Madge cleaned up, her thoughts still racing.
Once they were settled on the couch, wrapped in blankets, they began watching a movie. Peeta’s laughter filled the room as he pointed out funny moments, trying to lift the mood, while Madge leaned against him, trying to push aside the lingering unease. As the film played, the warmth of Peeta’s presence offered some comfort, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Katniss and the unresolved feelings that seemed to resurface every time she was around. But she needed to ask, she needed to know.
“Peet?” she carefully called out his nickname.
Peeta looked down at her, pausing the movie. “Yeah?”
Madge took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. “Did you know she was coming back?”
Peeta’s expression shifted to confusion. “Katniss? No, I had no idea. Why would I?”
Madge’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You don’t think it’s strange that she just shows up after all this time, and you didn’t mention anything about it?”
“Yes, I find it very strange,” Peeta said, his tone defensive. “But you should know that I haven’t spoken to her in years. I haven’t spoken to her in as long as you have.”
Madge’s eyes searched his face, sensing the evasiveness. “You know you can tell me the truth,” she insisted, her voice softer this time.
Peeta shifted uncomfortably. “I don’t know what you want me to say. I really haven’t been in touch with her.”
Madge’s frustration grew. Peeta was a born liar, he had honed his techniques over the years living with his hellish mother and having two older brothers. “It’s just hard to believe that you had no idea. It feels like there’s more to it that you’re not telling me.”
“I’m not hiding anything, Madge. I’m as surprised as you are. I don’t control Katniss or her decisions,” Peeta’s voice hardened.
Madge’s face flushed with anger. “It’s not just about what you knew or didn’t know. It’s the way you’re acting like it’s no big deal. I saw how you looked at her today.”
"That's not fair of you!" he said, getting up from the couch. "She broke my heart and then left. I suffered a lot, you know that because you were there.”
“I found that picture of you two in the yearbook. And now that she’s back, it feels like there’s something you’re not telling me. Did she reach out to you?” Madge’s frustration escalated.
Peeta’s face grew more anxious, his usual calm demeanor slipping away. “No, she didn’t. I told you, I haven’t spoken to her in years. Just like I haven't opened that yearbook since we graduated high school.”
“You’re lying. I can see it,” Madge’s eyes searched his face again, her voice growing more insistent. “Did she contact you recently? Just fucking tell me.”
Before Peeta could respond, Rye entered the room unexpected, sensing the tension. “Hey, is everything okay here?” he asked, looking between them.
Peeta took a deep breath, visibly relieved by the interruption. “Yeah, Rye. We’re fine. Just a misunderstanding.”
Madge’s shoulders slumped slightly, the discussion put on hold. “Let’s just go to bed,” she said quietly, trying to compose herself.
Peeta nodded, his gaze lingering on Madge with a mix of frustration and apology. As they both headed for the bedroom, the unresolved tension between them hung heavy in the air, leaving a stark contrast to the quiet of the night.
"I'm sorry," Peeta whispered in the darkness. "I shouldn’t have yelled at you."
Madge exhaled softly, her frustration giving way to exhaustion. "What did she say, anyway? Did she tell you why she came back?"
Peeta hesitated for a moment before answering. "Haymitch is sick," he finally said, reaching for her hand under the blanket. “She and her mom came back to take care of him during his treatment. She’s staying to teach kindergarten.”
Madge swallowed hard, fighting back the tears that stung at the corners of her eyes. "So, she's here to stay."
Peeta let out a heavy sigh. "It seems so."
"You know I love you, right?" Madge’s voice wavered as she asked.
"Of course, honey," Peeta whispered, turning to kiss her cheek softly. "I love you too."
Yet, as the silence stretched between them, Madge couldn’t shake the thought: Then why does it feel like you're already slipping away from me?