The Last Living One

Chapter Four

Chapter 4

Maddie's P.O.V

I had a lot of stiff clothes because that's all my mom would buy me. Slacks, button ups and things like that.
My dad knew me and he would slip me money so I could buy clothes I would actually wear. She wouldn't even think about buying rock t-shirts, blue jeans and sneakers. I think she would actually pass out from embarrassment if I asked her to buy such poor clothes. She knew that Dad gave me money for the kind of clothes that I liked, and her not saying anything was her way of approving.

With a sigh, I pulled on a pair of loose fitting slacks and a white tank top before grabbing a silky light blue button down. I slipped on a pair of flats and tucked my hair back behind my ears. Azura grumbled from my bed, glaring at me.

"I don't like it either but if it'll keep the peace between us, what could it hurt?" I said, making the mistake of looking into the mirror. A tall, slender dark haired girl glared back at me, the look of shock and dismay deeping. What the fuck? I wondered, not liking this at all. I looked like an off-the-wall copy of my parents. Or maybe an cheaply made copy.

"Jeez," I muttered, turning away with a grimace. This was a one time thing, mom better not get too happy about this. I walked over to my closet and started digging, trying to find a coat that wouldn't clash with these damned clothes.

I finally found a long charcoal jacket that would just have to do. It didn't look that bad, all things considered. It would probably fall just right, not too long not too short. I walked out with a heavy sigh, my chest oddly tight. Almost like when I used to get home sick, yet not quite. More like something was missing, something I never even realized was missing until now.

Someone knocked, three light playful taps. I frowned and walked over to the door, trying to get that childhood rhyme out of my head. 'Little pig, little pig, let me in.'

I opened the door, and my jaw dropped. You have got to be kidding me . . . .

*****

Ashton's P.O.V

It's turning out to be a lot harder to get Maddie's dorm number from the office than I had thought it was going to be. They didn't seem to like her all that much, which I didn't understand. She hadn't seemed like a trouble maker to me.

"Please? I really need to ask her some questions," I said, leaning closer to Carol, the office secretary. She was at least sixty with curly orangish hair that was starting to show some gray, like she hasn't dyed it in awhile.

"What do you need with the Van Ryan girl, Ashton? If she stole from you, just tell me and we will get it back. Really, Ashton; it's fine. That sweet Brittany has already told us that Van Ryan stole her grandmother's ring," Carol told me, smiling; like all of that was a good thing.

I was going to have some words with Brittany about this, but that gave me an idea. Maddie was probably going to hurt me when she find out about this.

"No, she has been messing with my friend and I was asked to help get Van Ryan to leave him alone," I replied, pulling on my acting skills. I looked down at the desk, sighing; before looking back at Carol. "I'm not trying to get her in any trouble, that's why I'm asking for her room number."

"I guess I can give it to you, but don't tell anyone," Carol said, before sighing and writing it down on a sticky note.

"Trust me, I don't want anyone knowing that I was asking for this," I replied, trying not to glare at her. It seemed the office believed everything they heard. No wonder Maddie had been so defensive earlier. I hadn't known what Brittany and whoever else had been doing. She had every reason to hate my group. No fucking wonder she didn't believe me earlier, she probably thought I was trying to play a joke on her.