"I hope, but if you're still sick tomorrow, don't be afraid to skip it."
"I'll be fine tomorrow, you'll see. I'm going to take a nap now."
"For the last time, Justin, I can't hang out tonight."
I held the phone as I took the tux out of the closet. I had rented one for tonight. Even on the hanger, the thing looked stiff.
"I don't get it. Why are you going?"
"She asked. We'll find a way to have fun."
"Why did she ask you instead of me?"
Was Justin still on this? Why couldn't he just let her go? Madeline didn't even flirt with him to lead him on.
Placing the tux on my bed, I began to speak. "Why would she ask you? Hold that thought."
I put the phone down on the bed. Reaching for the bottom of my shirt and started to pull it over my head. I flung the material towards the laundry hamper. The material landed on the floor to join the others.
"Okay, back," I replied, grabbing the phone again.
"Why wouldn't she want to take me? I mean, aren't we friends too? Plus, I bet I would look better in a tux than you. This evening could have been the event to the start of us being a good couple."
My hand gripped the phone tightly, jaw tensed.
"Dude, she's fourteen years old, and we're leaving for college this summer."
"So? She's mature-"
"And you're not. Tell me that doesn't spell disaster."
"Oh, come on, I'm not that bad."
Pulling up my black pants then I zipped them with one hand.
"I don't want her to get hurt like some of the other girls you've dated."
"It's not like I do it on purpose. Girls have dumped me too, if you don't remember."
I sighed. Grabbing my white shirt, I shoved an arm while switching arms to hold the phone.
"Look, Madeline and I finally fixed our friendship-"
"Because you hurt her, I have to suffer?"
"Look, I didn't hurt her-"
"You can't honestly say that."
"Why?"
"Her mood has been different these past two weeks than the past year."
"Look, it's complicated."
"I doubt that."
"Don't believe me then."
I started to button my shirt, trying not to skip any. It was difficult with the phone and the frustration building up from talking to my, oh so lovely friend.
"She is going to have to date eventually. She's a pretty, smart girl. You can't hide her forever."
"Note how even you call her a girl."
"Young woman, whatever," Justin exasperated.
"It's that tone which is why I have to protect her," I growled. "I have to go. I'm going to see if my dad knows how to tie a bowtie."
"Fine, bye."
Clicking off the phone, I took the fabric and searched for him.
I don't know what Justin was talking about; I looked great. Tall, and on the lean side, with black jacket and pants, white shirt, black tie, black cumber bun, it was the classic tux, and I was pulling it off if I didn't say so myself. Dad even taught me how to tie my tie without a fight. Just minor grumbling, but there was some pride behind those glasses.
I know he wasn't keen on the idea of me going, but I think he enjoyed helping me get ready for the event. I don't think I'd asked him for help on anything since driving, and before that, I couldn't remember the last time, especially since the last fight we had. My dad and I displayed slight signs of the battle; the skin on my dad's nose showed darkened as my eye had hints of yellow surrounding it.
"Why don't you just marry yourself already?"
I turned towards the voice, half-stepping out of the downstairs bathroom. With a small hand lightly gracing the railing, it had to be an angel coming towards me. Madeline had some silky mink brown strands tied back, all in loose curls. She was wearing a floor-length pale pink dress, with a little in her one hand so she wouldn't step on the skirt as she walked.
The dress was strapless. Madeline was highlighting every curve softly that I didn't know existed. She has been there, my friend. Not my sister, even though Madeline lived down the hall. Being told over and over again that she had no relation to me, she was just a scientific marvel. I'd accused everyone else of not seeing her as a person. As I watched her, I started to wonder if I was following my own advice.
Yet, watching her smiling face, sparkling green eyes, she seemed different. How long has she been like this? How did I miss it?
"Stop staring. It's rude." She giggled.
I shook my head to stop the staring.
"What is there to stare at?" I asked, smirking, but I could hear the lie in my voice.
"It's time to go," my dad said, placing a jacket over her shoulders, but his eyes were on me.
My dad still thought Madeline and I were after each other. That Madeline and I were in love, that real sort of feeling. He was always accusing me of being physically attracted towards each other.
Of course, we loved each other, I guess, but it wasn't like that at all. I mean, we didn't. I mean, we couldn't, no, we couldn't possibly.
Trying not to act bored, I watched Madeline trying to do the same. I crossed my eyes and stuck my tongue at her as speeches continued. She giggled, trying to stop herself by biting down on her lip. Getting a few scolding faces, we tried to hide back our laughter, but the harder we tried, it just seemed more challenging to stop. As we just kept our eyes on each other, we were beaming. She covered her mouth with her hand.
"With these parting words, we'll
