“Maddie, open the door. I got a surprise for you.”
No answer.
“Maddie, I got your favorite Mint Chocolate Chip ice cream and a box of chocolate stuffed cookies.”
Still, I didn’t get a response. My stomach twisted as I could almost hear the seconds tick away.
I put the bag down tried to open the door. The knob wouldn’t turn.
“Madeline, open the door now!”
There was still no movement from the other side. I put the ice cream down. I balled my fist up and pounded on the wood door. My heart raced; each beat echoed in my ears. I ran down the stairs as fast as my feet could carry me, nearly falling as my shoes slid down. Feeling frantic, I grabbed the computer chair and brought it upstairs. Turning the chair sideways, I rammed the door with the chair. The door began to crack. A grunt escaped, and I jabbed the door again and again until splitters scattered and the wheels rolled away.
Dropping the chair down, I looked around her room to see her closet door was open a bit. I flung the door open to see her curled into a ball in the corner. Falling to the ground, I crawled into the cramped space. I wrapped my arms around her, embracing her to me. I closed my eyes as I felt her face pressed against the base of my neck, and her arms were around me.
“I should have known something wasn’t right,” I whispered into her ear, tightening my hold on her.
Madeline’s face was against my chest.
“Why didn’t you answer me?”
I felt Madeline’s lips move as her voice came out muffled.
“Want to try that again?” I asked as I guided her face to look at mine.
Madeline’s green eyes were big, full of fear as they stayed on mine. I applied soft touches to her face to calm her nerves, I’ve never been able to handle her being upset. I was leaning my forehead slowly down to touch Madeline’s.
“I’m here for you, Maddie, if he does this-”
“I was just afraid that’s all.”
Our noses were touching as I held her close.
“I don’t want you to be afraid.”
Before I knew what was happening, my lips touched hers, soft pink lips against mine lightly. I barely pressed, and Madeline didn’t lean into me. Slowly we pulled away just enough to look into each other’s eyes. I don’t know who was more confused.
“Sawyer!” I heard his loud, deep voice entering the house. “Where the hell is the computer chair?”
Slowly I got up to bring the chair downstairs to him without ever turning to look at her. My head was spinning. The wheels from the chair laid on the floor outside of Madeline’s door. I would get it from my dad, but my mind was too busy swimming in a fog to care about that.
I was finishing brushing my teeth for school as Madeline walked by me. She was in a sweater and jeans; her hair was down. Her eyes were on the ground, and she disappeared downstairs. I spat and headed downstairs myself. We put on our coats and grabbed our bags. Peeking outside the window, Ricky was already here. I opened the door, and we made our way to his car in our driveway. Her gaze was still to the ground. I climbed into the back seat with Justin as Madeline had to jump into the front. I buckled up. We were out of the neighborhood before anyone spoke.
“What is going on between you two?”
“I’m just tired.” Madeline whispered.
“Yeah, didn’t sleep last night.” I mumbled.
Ricky’s eyes met mine briefly in the review mirror before going back to the road. I was sure I’d hear it later from him or Justin. Justin started to complain about his English teacher. I saw Madeline’s face reflecting off the window as she stared out. I didn’t lie. I didn’t sleep last night. Today was going to be long.
At lunch, Ricky beat me. He had some sandwich from home, and I sat next to him. He didn’t usually beat me.
“Where’s Madeline?” I asked.
“I ran into her. She said she had some project to work on and that she would be eating in the library.”
I nodded my head as I opened my lunch.
“So, care to explain to me why you two aren’t speaking to each other?”
I looked up, and Ricky had one eyebrow raised. I gulped, and I felt my ears heating up.
“Honestly? No.”
Ricky nodded. “Spill, because it’s obviously bothering you, and you look like you’re ready to explode.”
I glanced around. The whole room was busy, and Justin hadn’t walked in yet.
“My dad had Madeline locked in her room all day yesterday that’s why she wasn’t here.”
Ricky’s jaw clenched, and he shook his head.
“I broke down her door. Dad said he’d get a new one today and that I owed him money for a new door. I’m having to break into my car fund, which is fine by me. Madeline was hiding in her closet. I went in to get her. We were sitting together.” I paused, taking in a deep breath. “We might have kissed briefly.”
Ricky’s jaw dropped. “What?”
“It was short, and I pulled away right after.” I stammered.
“I can’t believe it. Well, I can to a point you two are close, but gees.”
I closed my eyes and buried my face in my hands.
“I know.”
“What are you going to do now?”
I shook my head and lowered my hands slightly.
“No idea.”
“Well, you’ll have to think of something. You can’t avoid Maddie forever.”
“I know that.” I snapped. “I just don’t know how to handle this situation.”
Ricky sighed, shaking his head. “I don’t know. Part of me thought
