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"Sorry I can't make it"
Maddie's mother didn't let her go alone. She said that if she wanted to go Eli and Demetri had to go too which was completely annoying.
She was now on a phone call with Miguel telling him she couldn't go.
"It's okay, Adi. I will convince Demetri and your brother- or maybe I can teach you whatever sensei teaches me. I'll be like your sensei"
She laughed "yeah you know that's not a bad idea, Mickey and 'Adi'? Huh you found a nickname for me. I like it"
Miguel laughed "of course i did and If you want to of course"
"Yeah, I'm in. We should train at my house just tell me when" she said.
"I'm free Sundays so we can train every Sunday"
"Definitely. Thank you, Miguel. It means a lot!"
-
Hours later when Madison was doing her math homework she heard the doorbell and since no one was home, Eli was over at Demetri's house and her dad and mom were out. she stood up and walked towards the front door opening it.
"liv! Liz! what are you guys doing here? It's a weekday?"
liv chuckled "Woah I feel so welcome Mads, are you gonna close the door now or?"
"oh my god no that's not what I meant chill Livvy come in" she stepped away from the way to let them in and they did.
"so wheres Finn Wolfhard 2.0?" Alice asked.
Maddie rolled her eyes and shook her head before closing the door.
"yeah wheres your boyfriend?"
"he's not my boyfriend and he is in his house with Eli," she said making her way to her room her best friends following her. "aw I wanted to see him"
"you judge me for not confessing my love for 'Finn Wolfhard 2.0' but you have been in love with my brother for so long!"
liv groaned "oh my god not this again! you already know why he wouldn't like me like that"
"You don't know that genius anyway Dem doesn't look like Finn Wolfhard," she said before sitting on her bed.
Liv and Alice copied her actions and sat on her bed too "yes he does look like him I swear to god"
Maddie rolled her eyes and snorted "you guys are annoying"
"Yes we know we love you too"
"Talking about crushes- I shouldn't say this but my brother has a huge crush on you," Alice said smirking at her.
Maddie's eyes widened "what? You mean Adrian?"
"The one and only. He talks about you all the time it's getting annoying actually...no offense"
Maddie snorted "no way I can't believe it"
"Oh my god, you're like Bella Swan with two guys fighting for you! Well- not really" liv yelled excitedly.
She snorted "yeah right- no, no one's fighting for me. This isn't a love triangle. I don't want any of them to imprint in my future daughter," she said in a serious tone but then the three girls burst out laughing.
-
"Cyberbullying is no laughing matter. Sending a cruel message to someone online can be hurtful as saying it to their face"
Maddie rolled her eyes in annoyance. "No one's listening whatsoever- the counselor was wasting her time"
"I'm not gonna name names, but the other day a mother called me up"
Maddie's eyes widened and turned to look at her twin brother "she didn't-"
"Because her son was crying after some kids online made fun of his facial deformity"
"Fuck" she whispered in disbelief.
Everyone turned to look at their table and Eli started to cover his lip.
Maddie didn't know what to do. She wished that her brother didn't have to go through all of this.
She grabbed her brother's hand and hold it in her own. He turned to look at her with a sad smile.
"But today, our goal here is to make this school a safe space for all students-"
Miguel turned to Eli and said "you know, if you're sick of getting bullied, my karate dojo's looking for recruits"
Demetri scoffed "yeah, right. You hear that, Eli? A little karate training, and you're gonna kick some major ass"
"I'm serious, Demetri. My sensei's the real deal. I'm sure I could get you three discounts" Miguel said.
"Yeah don't be an ass, Dem. and Miguel I forgot to tell you I can't join karate my dance classes are starting soon so I won't have time, sadly but I wanted to learn so bad," Maddie said at first rolling her eyes at Demetri and turning to Miguel.
Demetri almost slapped himself because he felt jealous that Maddie was paying more attention to Miguel.
"As enticing as that sounds, I think we'd rather spend our afternoons, playing Crucible Control than getting hit in the face"
"Talk for yourself. If Eli wants to join he can, Right E?"
Eli avoided his best friend's gaze and slowly nodded.
"Well Mads if you want the offer of me teaching you karate still stands! I can teach you. I'll be your sensei" Miguel said giving her a small smile.
"Yes if you want of course I don't wanna force you"
"Oh no please I want to do this" Miguel assured her.
"Well, then it's settled! Thank you mickey"
Before Miguel could say something the counselor cut him off "oh and one last thing. While we're all looking forward to the Halloween dance, let's make sure our costumes are culturally sensitive. For example, instead of 'sexy nurse', maybe try 'gender-neutral hospital employee' instead of a-"
Maddie stopped listening thinking about her costume. She had her costume already which she was pretty excited about.
"You guys coming to the dance?" Miguel asked.
"Of course we are. I already have my costume" she said her voice full of excitement.
"Really? What's your costume?"
"It's a surprise"
The bell rang and the four friends parted ways. Demetri and Maddie had class together so they were walking side by side.
They quickly stopped at her locker and Demetri leaned against the locker next to hers "are you mad at me?"
"What? Why would I be mad at you genius?" Maddie asked confused.
"I don't know I feel like you are"
"Well, I'm not and even if I was I don't think I would stay mad for so long" she closed her locker and continued walking to her class Demetri following behind.
"Why?"
"Well believe it or not you're my best friend, Dem. and I need you"
