waiting for superman | book three

fourteen

Nothing's making sense

Chloe's breath catches in her lungs as she sees Maddie and Josh sitting on the good of his car. They're sitting so close together that their thighs are touching. One of Josh's hands is intertwined with Maddie's, resting on her leg, and the other lays limply on his side. Maddie's hand that is not wrapped up in Josh's is on his defined cheekbone.

Chloe watches helplessly as their lips connect with each other and move in perfect harmony. Maddie's hand slides down Josh's face and rests on his shoulder. Although seemingly impossible, she scoots closer to him and turns her body. Her long, thin legs drape over his lap and dangle off the front end of his black Chevy Cruze, swinging back and forth slightly in a childish sort of glee.

"Why her?" Chloe thinks aloud. "Out of all people why Maddie?"

Zach does not reply because he doesn't know how to. He does not have an answer to her question because he does not know why Josh would pick Maddie. Sure, they have a long romantic history together, but all of it is marred by what occurred between them at the end of their relationship. Nobody remembers the good moments that the couple shared, not even Maddie or Josh, but the bad times that ruined them. 

Everyone forgets about the witty dates they planned together or the inside jokes they shared that nobody could begin to understand but the two of them. All anyone can remember is how Maddie reacted when she felt she was losing Josh to Chloe, which caused the process to speed up. We all remember the bullying and the cheating, they lying and the harassing, and everything bad that happened. 

That's all Josh seemed to remember too. But maybe he remembers the better days? It doesn't seem possible but it's the only thing that makes any sense.

After standing in a silent stare at the two teens on the hood of the black vehicle, Chloe cannot take it anymore. She cannot bear the sight of her enemy and the love of her life together for any longer. 

Chloe turns on the heels of her old, worn out high top Converse and continues her journey to the bike rack on the opposite end of the parking lot.