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Chapter 38

„This is a very common problem," the doctor said, „It is a type of eczema that is associated with stress. How are you doing at school, if I may ask?"

Maddie looked up at me, as if she expected 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 didn't mean to sound critically, but I couldn't help it.

The doctor nodded. „Problems at school or in your family could be the reason. Unfortunately I can't help here. 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 when she gets better. I'll prescribe her the ointment for the rash and pills for the itching. Only take the pills in the evening, only apply the ointment on the eczema, not on all of your body. She can use a moisturizing cream for other places. Preferably without perfume."

I don't know why I felt so uneasy when we walked out of the office. I had been hoping the problem could be solved. Maybe I was scared because the only way I could really help her now was to change her life situation. And Maddie couldn't do that alone.

Maddie stayed with me at my place. „It looks nice," she said as she entered and asked me if my girlfriend cleaned my apartment.

„You say that like I can't do it myself." She giggled. „I don't have a girlfriend."

„So you did this all by yourself?"

„Something like that."

We watched a movie together, ordered pizza and then, when the movie fell silent I asked Maddie how she was doing.

„The itching is annoying," she said. „And school is stupid too."

„Why is school stupid?"

She shrugged. „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 said, „and just he's afraid you might overtake him."

Maddie played with her fingers, looked at them, scratched a few times, kept looking. We had applied the ointment beforehand, but it was already dry and it was still too early for the pills. „I don't know..."

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

„I don't know..."

„I'm sure you're the prettiest in your class." She giggled and she looked so happy. I thought maybe I was the only one who told 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 it and sometimes I hear them when I want to sleep at night and then I definitely can't sleep."

Maddie and I talked until four in the afternoon, but there was one topic that we both prevented. Even if I really wanted to ask her.

In the evening I brought her home and drove to my dance class. And while dancing, I noticed again how close we were to the competition. Not that there was much left to do. We just kept practicing and perfecting our choreographies and the excitement spread through all of us. The feeling of dancing until I was soaked in sweat felt especially good today.

During the break, when I checked my phone, I remembered that I hadn't answered Felix and swore softly.

can i still? I texted him.

I read his answer after training. It was only eight and we had decided to stop training earlier today, because we had been doing so good until now.

sure, he had answered.

ur address?

I live with Blair

oh

im not sure...

Blair's not home :D

My heart made a jump and I caught myself grinning.

ill be there in 10 minutes