April

Day 23

Joy woke up feeling quite excited. She made her hair into a messy bun and dressed in what she decided was her favorite outfit that month. 

Joy left her room and searched around for a friendly face.

"Hi, Colton!"

Colton looked up; he almost looked worried. "Hey."

Joy walked over and stood beside him. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yeah, Joy, I have to tell you something."

Joy felt her heart stop. "Yeah?"

"I..." Colton looked very uncomfortable. "I don't think we're right for each other. I just don't feel it...we should break up."

"Oh." Joy couldn't get herself to say something else. It felt like her whole world was crashing down in slow motion.

"I'm sorry." Colton looked at her for a moment then walked away.

Joy's eyes began to water. No. She couldn't cry. Not there in that hallway. Joy ran and entered the first room she could find. Luckily, it was empty. It was a storage closet, a large one.

Joy sat on the floor and let out a sob. She had to stay quiet, it would be the end of the world if anyone found her. Especially someone like Brendon who would just make fun of her.

But Joy couldn't keep herself from crying. What did she do wrong? She tried so hard to keep Colton from breaking up with her and yet there she was, a failure. Did Colton even try to like her? How long did he know he wanted to break up? Embarrassment flooded her as she thought this. How long was she oblivious, looking stupid in front of all the cameras?

Joy buried her face in her arms. The worst part was that it was her birthday.

Maddi sat on the couch in the living room. There was Poppie and Rene'. Suddenly Poppie stood up and walked away. Maddi watched her go then looked back to Rene'. She looked so lonely. Rene' deserved someone that wouldn't leave her alone.

Maddi hesitated then stood up and sat next to Rene'.

"Hey, Rene'."

"Oh, hi Maddi." Rene' turned to her, she looked slightly surprised but pleased.

"How are you?" Maddi asked.

"I'm doing great." Rene' was smiling but Maddi knew that inside she wasn't telling the truth. Were things not going well with Poppie?

"Oh, I see."

"How are you?"

Maddi thought for a moment. "Well...I'm not great, actually."

"Oh no, what's wrong?"

"I...I like someone, and they're taken."

Maddi couldn't tell if Rene' knew who she was talking about from her expression.

"Oh? That's not good."

Maddi shook her head. "And...I think they like me back."

Rene' looked slightly startled, as if Maddi just figured out her secret. "Then why aren't you together?"

"They must be afraid of hurting their s/o's feelings."

Rene' looked at her for a moment. "Maddi, who are you-?"

"I like you, Rene'." Maddi blurted. She immediately regretted it, but she had already spoken so she had to finish. "I've liked you all along. I don't know why you broke up with Carson and didn't get together with me."

Rene' looked shocked; it was possible she wasn't expecting Maddi to like her back. "This is bad." She spoke.

"No," Maddi pleaded. "There's nothing to be afraid of! Poppie can't kill anyone, I'll help you!"