Misconstructed

Twelve

With a free period in hand, I take myself to the water fountain for some water. Barb always told me that I should keep a water bottle on me just in case. She told me that when she got water bottles for the runts at the foster house. I take my time getting water, as there's nothing for me to be doing. Maddie is nowhere to be seen, even though we have this period together. My assumption is that she's either hiding from me or with Daniel. I know that Dustin can't see it like I can, but he's not right for her.

As if my wishes have been answered,Maddie steps out of the women's bathroom all nonchalant. She and I make eye contact with one another and when she tries walking past me, I grab her by the arm. "Maddie," I try pleading with her. "Will you please just listen to me?"

"What do you have to say that I would actually want to listen to?" She asks me, venom coming off of her tongue.

I let go of her hand for starters after she stares at it, letting me know to get off now or else. I put my hands in my pockets and try not to make this more awkward than it already is. "I just needed to talk to you." I tell her, shrugging my shoulders.

"So talk," she demands, crossing her arms to show me that she's impatient. Taps can be heard coming from her foot.

"Why are you with Danny?" I ask her, trying not to beat around the bush.

"Who I'm with is none of your business," she tells me before saying this under her breath, "It's not like you let me in on your business." She rolls her eyes.

"I know, but him? Him? The guy's a total player." I grab her arms again but this time gently, just to get closer to her.

"And what does that make you?" She asks me, leaning back with a raised eyebrow.

"That makes me a dick for not treating you with respect." I try to pull her in closer to me because I know that if I can talk my way out of this, she'll leave daniel.

"What about Ms. Fits?"

"I'm sorry about that too. You know I can be a dick," I tell her in my most sympathetic voice I can manage right now. I do actually feel bad, but right now getting what I want is more important, and that's getting her away from him.

"So what does this mean? Are you still panning over her like everyone else?" Everyone else? I knew the guys at this school had the same thing in mind but would they try to sleep with her too? I wouldn't put it past anyone at this point.
"Everyone else?" I ask anyway. The question can't hurt, it might help.

"Oh you know all the guys want her. You're not the only one," she tells me with a slight chuckle.

"So are we okay?" I ask her.

"That depends, are you going to still try to see her?" My stiffened hesitation is the only answer she needs right now. Her body stiffens as well but she starts leaning back away from me. "You are,"

"What? No I'm not," I try telling her but it's too late. She saw right through me and I know this isn't a good sign.

"You're not a very good liar," She tells me. I can tell that she wants to smack me but being on school grounds, she doesn't think twice about it. I let her go, seeing as I've been caught. A hand comes snaking around her neck and automatically, I know who it is. "What's going on here?"

"Nothing." I tell him, coming to the realization that I might have just lost one of my best friends over something so stupid. I straighten my back, put on my best face and leave the two new love birds to themselves. I keep my head down so I can listen to see if they walk away. I do this because I have no intention on going back into that damned library for free period.

Keeping my head down was a bad idea because before I'm able to see if they've gone back to wherever they came from, I bump into someone - Ms. Fits. "Hey watch-" I shut my mouth before I let anything else get out that could possibly put me in detention. "I'm sorry about that," I tell her.

"Don't worry about it, maybe just keep your head up next time." She laughs, making this conversation light and easy. I laugh with her, thankful that she's in a good mood today.

"You seem to be in a chipper mood." I tell her, trying to make small talk. It could have just been the fact that there's no homework to grade since she made us watch a funny movie today.

"Today's been a very good day, I don't think I have anything to complain about." She says, shrugging her shoulders. "Plus, who would listen to me anyways if I did?" She laughs again.

I would. I would listen to you, Ms. Fits. "You're probably right," I laugh with her. "Getting coffee after school again?" I ask her, deciding to go out on a limb and try to get to phase two already.

"I was thinking about it, What about you?" Her question catches me off guard. I didn't actually expect her to answer back and follow up with a question. Is she wanting me to meet her there?

"I was definitely going to. It's something that Rex and I like to do sometimes, although these days they seem to happen more than not." I tell her, giving the best side smile I can muster, considering I'm not in a chipper mood one bit. I can feel eyes on me, so while I'm acting nonchalant, I glance behind me as if I was looking for someone, which I am. She is there, staring, watching me talk to her. Maddie's too curious about what's going on that it's got to be killing her inside.

Turning back to Ms. Fits, I amp it up a bit to make Maddie squirm. "So how's life outside of work?" I know you can hear our conversation. I mentally tell Maddie because there's no way in hell I'm actually going to say that outloud.

She's shocked that I'm asking this, which wasn't my intention but her smirk proves to me that she likes it. She likes me in her business. "Everything's good, Saxton," she laughs under her breath.

"That's good," I tell her, trying to end our little conversation. I nod my head several times and she doesn't say anything else so I guess it's my que to end it. "I'll see you at the coffee shop?" I ask her before leaving. She nods and as we say our goodbyes, we walk past each other.

I take my time walking back to the library, but it's only a short walk. Before entering though, I look back to where Maddie was and low and behold, she's still there, Danny snaked around her neck. I shake my head, showing my disapproval and hope she knows how upset I am.