"What's the song?" Sawyer questioned, then ripped the music out of Ricky's hands. "Wow, deep song for you, kind of fitting."
Sawyer was reading the lyrics. Of course, I remember it being in Disney's Mulan, and every little girl sang along with it, of course, but I so didn't want to sing that in front of people! Reflection was a beautiful song, and I knew I couldn't do it justices.
"It fits your situation kind of," Ricky continued as he read over Sawyer's shoulder.
"I can't wait to hear you sing it, though," Justin added again, trying for eye contact.
I turned to see Sawyer scowling at Justin, leaving me confused and even more uncomfortable. Just then, the bell rang to release us.
My backpack was on my back. As I walked towards Sawyer's locker, I was zipping my coat up. I dodge people as they were going in different directions. I rolled my eyes as I turned sideways to avoid someone. Sawyer's locker came into view, and there was a girl next to him. She was facing me as Sawyer was facing her. She was closer to his height with reddish hair that was to her shoulders.
I got to them, and Sawyer looked down at me with a wide grin. The girl's smile dimmed slightly. My eyes went back and forth between the two.
"Madeline, this is Lisa."
It clicked. The girl's green eyes stayed on me.
"Hi, Lisa."
I smiled. Was this awkward? Why did it feel awkward?
"It's nice to meet you finally." She paused. "Sawyer said you had bio with Mr. Sharp. Isn't he terrible?"
I laughed. "Mr. Sharp speaks in such a monotone voice it's hard to stay focused."
Lisa giggled and rolled her eyes. "Big time. I still have my notebook from that class if you need it. Especially with his projects, because heads up he doesn't give a lot of directions on them, then grades harshly."
"Thanks for the heads up. I'll see you at Ricky's car."
"Sounds good."
"Nice to meet you," I called over my shoulder as I headed out the doors.
The next day I slid into the passenger seat of Ricky's SUV heard the radio turn on with the engine's roar. My nose started to wrinkle as a yelling, harsh rap filled the car. I rushed to push the numbers for the other radio stations making Ricky laugh.
"Ah, that wasn't your favorite song there, Maddie?" Ricky didn't look at me while he smiled, and he turned out of the jungle of moron drivers, the school parking lot. And no offense, I didn't mind him not giving me eye contact.
"Oh yeah, it's her fav. She plays it every night before she goes to bed," Sawyer chuckled as he leaned forward to hang over my seat, so his head was just above my shoulder.
"Oh yeah, just as you play Barbie Girl before you go to bed."
I smiled at my song choice to annoy him as his two friends laughed. I could hear him chuckle from behind me, knowing I didn't overstep anything.
"How about Madeline sings for us?" I heard Justin say behind Ricky.
I turned to look at Justin like he was nuts.
"Yeah, um, no."
The laughter was gone from my voice as I peered over at him.
"You might as well practice singing around others with the solo coming up and all that."
"Leave her alone, Justin," Sawyer came in; his face was flat.
"Aren't you curious about her singing too?" Justin pushed more.
"She'll sing when she's ready to be, now shut up, children, and don't make me come back there." Ricky came in, making me grin; he was more of a big brother than Sawyer was to me.
"That's easier for Sawyer to do. He lives with the girl so he could get a preview before everyone else."
"You realize how wrong that sounded, right?" Ricky inquired, looking in the review mirror at his friend, while I could feel the heat coming to my face.
"Hey, we're not going there!" Sawyer's voice strained.
"Yeah, could we seriously not go there?" I piped up.
The car became silent just as a bad song came on the radio, causing me to change the station again. Ricky gave a small laugh.
"You're so picky with music."
"So, sue me."
"So that you know, you're the only one allowed to touch the radio other than me."
I laughed.
The room was still steamy from the shower, with the moisture swirling around me. I pushed the brush through my hair, humming while I wore my pajamas. Finally getting the last knot out, I bent over, wrapping my hair in a towel turban, trying to dry it. I walked out of the bathroom towards my room, still humming to myself, enjoying the few moments I had the house to myself. On the way to my room, I turned on the radio in Sawyer's room, adjusting the volume to hear it in my room.
Sawyer was out on a date, and his father was at a meeting, leaving me to have the house to myself for a short time, so I enjoyed turning the music a little louder than needed. I went into my room, getting ready for bed. Taking the towel off my head and throwing it into the laundry hamper in the corner of my room. I started to brush my hair straight, singing lightly with the radio.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Jumping, I turned around with wide eyes to see the Doctor standing in my doorway with a blank look on his face. His back was straight, with his arms crossed firmly over his chest.
"Getting ready for bed, Sir," I answered quietly, staring at my feet.
"On my way home, I picked up a few things at the food store. While I was there, a
