Verre

iii.

Nothing's changed. They still argue for minutes and empathize with the other the next. The cycle goes on.

"You're caught in someone's Snap story talking to that freak," Meg shows her the screenshot and Madison feels annoyed with her tone. Sara arrives too with her phone on her ear, not bothering to pay them her attention because of her new boyfriend. "Care to explain?"

"Tch. Do you seriously think I like talking to that guy? He's my research project partner. Can't help but respond to that kid since it's got an oral presentation," she rummages her hand in her bag to find the pressed powder and checks herself in the mirror before meeting their judging eyes all at once. "When did I ever talk to losers with sincere purpose?"

Who is she kidding, a month has already passed since they submitted that project. She still goes to his place to seek his assuring words or simply because she wants to hang out. He was truly harmless, not advancing even once and Madison was the one who always initiated the touches. After they laughed with their infamous high-pitched voices, Meg and Sara stopped a stranger once they're out of the lavatory.

"Faded brown sweater tucked in skin-tight jeans with those thick frames of yellow eyeglasses," Meg points out every part of her outfit, and Sara's grin widens. The former raises an eyebrow at her which means it's Madison's turn to evaluate her. People along the hallways gathered and some of them scowled, pitied and ignored the scene. "Looks like a getup for a middle-aged boring office lady who hasn't gotten laid for a year."

People laugh and the two were the ones with the loudest. Her eyes randomly look at the people who have witnessed the scene and she doesn't fail to immediately eye whom she wishes wasn't there.

"Rating: 2/10. Girls, never! wear! these!" Sara concludes their daily fashion evaluation and after the second wave of laughs, disgusted and pity looks, people disappeared. The girl runs away and Madison forces a laugh even when she's honestly tired of it.

The crowd had dispersed but there's still one person who hadn't moved a single inch and so the two other girls noticed his unamused gaze towards them, mainly towards her.

"Ooh, look who we have here," Sara fakely cooes as they walk towards the guy. Madison lifts her chin when she feels Meg's sharp gaze. What? Were her eyes giving off heart eyes? Hopefully, no. "Oh? It looks like someone has changed his frame! I bet it's Madison who's given you the advice to change them, no?"

His blank face meets Madison's least favorite look of his: fake.

"Aw, how sweet of you! What do you think of his new frame, Madison, sweetie? I think he's trying to impress you," Sara holds her arm and pulls her near him. She maintains eye contact and notices that he's changed the color to silver. It does look better and she feels her hands get clammy when her instinct was to remove them instead. But Meg pats her shoulder and she's back at it. "Well, I know my taste in fashion is untouchable but apologies, you're far from being impressive."

Both Sara and Meg laugh wickedly at her words. Madison can only push a smile and avoid his gaze but still keeps her chin up. He holds the strap of his body bag and wordlessly walks away from them.

That night, she appears on his doorstep with her backpack that he's grown accustomed to. She does this now and then but not on a Monday. He frowns. Deep inside, he appreciates her arrival. A man and his weakness.

"What? I know your mom arrived last night," he spits the moment he opens the door knowing it's Madison. One ungentle word and reaction from him and she's disheartened already. She looks at him in despair and when she's about to turn to the other direction, he pulls her inside. "I asked you. Give me that talk."