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Chapter 38

"This is a very common problem," the doctor says, and I exhale in relief. Finally, someone who knows what's going on. "It's a type of eczema associated with stress. How are you doing at school, if I may ask?"

Maddie looks up at me as if she expects me to answer. "Apparently her grades are getting worse. So both the rash on her hands and the itchy skin all over her body are from stress?" I don't mean to sound critical, but I can't help it.

The doctor nods. "Problems at school or in your family could be the reason. Unfortunately, I can't help with that. There are, of course, medications that can relieve the itchiness and rash, but it will never go away completely."

"Even if her problems disappear?"

"New problems can arise. But yes, it could go away once she gets better. I'll prescribe her an ointment for the rash and pills for the itching. Take the pills only in the evening, and apply the ointment only to the eczema, not all over her body. She can use a moisturizing cream for other areas."

I don't know why I feel so uneasy as we walk out of the office. I was hoping the problem could be solved. Maybe I'm scared because the only way I can really help her now is by changing her life situation.

Maddie stays with me at my place. "It looks nice," she says as she enters, then asks if my girlfriend cleaned the apartment.

"You say that like I couldn't have done it myself." She giggles. "I don't have a girlfriend."

"So you did this all by yourself?"

"Something like that."

We watch a movie together, order pizza, and then, when the movie falls silent, I ask Maddie how she's doing. The itching's annoying, and school's stupid too, she tells me.

"Why is school stupid?"

She shrugs. "My teacher is very strict and the person sitting next to me hates me. I think he laughs at me sometimes. And I'm scared to say something when I know an answer, because I'm scared that he'll laugh again or think I'm stupid. He has really good grades, so he knows everything better."

"I'm sure you're smarter than him," I say, "and he's just afraid you might overtake him."

Maddie plays with her fingers, looks at them, scratch a few times, keeps looking. We applied the ointment, but it's already dry. "I don't know..."

I tap her with my knee. "But you're prettier than him." Maddie smiles shyly. "Because girls are usually prettier than boys."

"I don't know..."

"I'm sure you're the prettiest in your class." She giggles and she looks so happy. And I think maybe I'm the only one telling her something like that. "How's Dad?"

"He's hardly even at home. But I'm always happy when he's there and then he always comes into my room and we talk for a long time and Mom gets upset because he keeps me up so long and tomorrow is school. They always argue about and sometimes I hear them when I want to sleep at night and then I definitely can't sleep."

Maddie and I talk until four in the afternoon, but there's one topic we both avoid. Even though I really need to ask her. It's just so nice right now, and maybe it's good for her to stop thinking and worrying for once, to let go and just talk about anything else.

In the evening, I bring her home and drive to my dance class. While I'm dancing, I notice again how close we are to the competition. Not that there's much left to do, we just keep practicing and perfecting our choreography, and the excitement spreads through all of us. The feeling of dancing until I'm soaked in sweat feels especially good today.

During the break, when I check my phone, I remember that I haven't answered Felix and swear softly.

can i still? I texted him.

I read his answer after training. It's only eight and we decided to stop training earlier today, because we've been doing so good lately.

sure, he answered.

ur address?

I live with Blair

oh

right i forgot

sorry tbh im not so sure rn...

Blair's not home :D

My heart makes a jump and I catch myself smiling so hard I have to press my lips together.

ill be there in 10