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˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
MADELYN WOULD BE lying if she said it didn't hurt to know that Jameson had immediately went to Avery for help with his riddle instead of her. She understood that Avery was incredibly smart, but at the same time solving puzzles had been Jameson's and Maddy's thing since they were children. Nevertheless, she has happy to be included now.
And over a couple of hours, Jameson had filled her in on everything she would need to know. He showed her the letter he received, alongside Avery's, and finished with theories on what they could possibly mean. Everything that had just been thrown at her was now floating around in Madelyn's head as she tried to make sense of it all on her walk to the library, completely shutting out the small talk between Avery and Jamie.
The trio arrived at the library at exactly nine o'clock on the dot, and Madelyn certainly wasn't expecting Grayson to be sat on one of the armchairs when they got there. Her head whipped towards Avery as her eyes widened, and all she got in return was a sheepish smile, though there was evidently confusion on Avery's features too. "What are we doing?" Grayson asked, his eyes focused on Jameson as he tried desperately to not get distracted by Maddy's presence.
"We?" Jamie shot back questioningly as his older brother cuffed his sleeves, appearing utterly unbothered by the fact they were so caught off guard by his presence.
"Can't a guy spend time with his younger brother, an interloper of dubious intentions," he listed off, his attention on Avery, "and his.. friend, without getting third degree?" he said hesitantly, now completely avoiding Maddy at all costs.
Friend. Tobe someone's friend, you first needed to actually tolerate them. Madelyn wasn't sure how to feel about it all, and in all honestly, she didn't know if she could ever be anything that even resembles a friend to Grayson again.
"He doesn't trust me with you" Avery admitted.
Jamie rolled his eyes from beside her, his voice high in mockery and sarcasm, "I'm such a delicate flower, in need of protection and constant supervision."
"So it would seem" the blonde retorted, finally plucking up the courage to spare a glance at Madelyn, only to find her already looking his way. Grayson held her gaze, his eyes flicking from her eyes to her mouth briefly before he realised what he was doing and quickly corrected himself, hoping Maddy didn't notice his moment of weakness. "So what are we doing today?" he inquired again, clearing his throat.
Jameson huffed, his jaw visibly clenching in annoyance before he continued, "Well, Maddy, Heiress and I are following a hunch, doubtlessly wasting sinful amounts of time on what I'm sure you would consider to be nonsensical flapdoodle." He finished quite proud of himself, a smirk on his lips at his impression. Madelyn could admit, it was a pretty good impression, but clearly Grayson didn't seem to agree.
"I don't speak like that."
"You do" Maddy butted in, her voice a quiet whisper. Gray's head spun in her direction, and Madelyn shrunk under his heavy stare, her cheeks reddening at the attention, "I'm sorry but every sentence that comes out of your mouth contains a word no one but you has heard before." She defended herself with a nervous laugh.
