love, maddie ✧ one tree hill

n i n e

"Spirit. The vital principle and animating force within every human being. Of course, for some of you, spirit simply means alcoholic beverages."

"Speaking of alcoholic beverages, now is the time for us to get some while all of the adults are distracted." Toby says quietly to Maddie and Stella.

"The bartender isn't going to serve any of us. She's under strict orders to serve nothing alcoholic to anyone under the age of 21." Maddie lets him know while still looking ahead to where her dad was still giving his speech.

"I think I can get her to bend the rules a little." Toby speaks cockily making Stella scoff.

"I'd beg to differ." Is her comeback.

"I say we bet on it."

And those were the magic words.

"What exactly are you betting O'Donell?" Maddie asks turning to look at him.

Luckily, Toby, Stella, and herself were towards the back of the crowd so they weren't distracting and were out of sight of most of the adults while they deliberated on their bet.

"If I can convince her to give me a drink, then you two do my geometry homework for a week."

"And if you don't." Stella asks and he just smiles his typical 'Toby' smile.

"Well, I don't plan on losing, but if she doesn't budge...then I'll buy you guys' ice cream from our spot for the next three times that we go." He says and Maddie and Stella share a satisfied look before nodding towards him.

"It's a bet." Maddie says as they all shake hands.

"Go work your magic, or not." Stella teases as Toby starts to walk away from them.

"Well, he didn't immediately come back so maybe it's actually working out for him?" Stella says and Maddie shrugs eyes to busy roaming the party to see if any adults had actually been watching them now that Dan was done with his speech.

"Hey, I'll be right back. Please save him if anything goes haywire." She tells her friend as her eyes get caught on someone close by.

"Okay, hurry back. Something tells me you won't want to miss this." Stella says and Maddie smiles at her nodding her head while walking away.

"Jake!" Maddie shouts out causing him to stop walking and turn around hearing his name being called.

"Maddie, hi." He says.

"You having fun?" Maddie questions and he shrugs.

"As much fun as one can have, you?"

"Uh, same, I guess." She says looking around for another second before looking back to him. "How're you feeling?"

He takes a deep breath before giving the girl a small smile. "A little better. And uh, I think I have you and your speech to thank for that."

"I didn't say anything that wasn't true." He gives her another small shrug at her words.

"But it was what I needed to hear in that moment."

"You know if you ever need to hear it again, I'll be here." She says in hopes that he can feel the sincerity of her words.

"Thank you."

"Well, I'm gonna get back to my friends now. I'll catch you later, Jake. Enjoy the rest of the party." In response to his nod, she gives him a soft smile before retreating back to where Stella stood.

"Okay, since when do you talk to Jake Jagielski?" Stella questions Maddie as soon as she's standing next to her again.

Maddie just gives her a sheepish look before confessing. "Since a little bit before the burning boat?"