Annika the Fifth

Chapter Twelve

Before lunch, Addie didn't talk to me at all. It didn't help that Noah kept saying hi to me, even when I ignored him. I sat at our usual spot in the cafeteria and it was awfully quiet. Finally, Saige broke the silence. "Annika," she said, "Apologize to Addie,"

I frowned at her. Why was she playing peacemaker? Didn't Addie say she was flirting with Noah? And I literally saw her doing that before school started. I hated apologizing when being asked and if I wanted to, I'd do it on my own. That didn't mean I didn't care about Addie or anything and also I did want to apologize. But I didn't want it to seem like Saige was making me apologize. So I decided to ignore Saige and talk to Addie directly. "Addie, I know you're still upset about yesterday," I said

"It's fine," she said

"I just want--wait, what?" I asked

"Well I figured since Maya is so confident in being queen she just won't be queen," Addie said, "It happens in Eliza's plays she talks about all the time. The confident meanie doesn't get what they want in the end,"

Saige raised her eyebrow. "You're using theatrical logic to make yourself feel better?"

Addie looked a little confused but slowly nodded. She shrugged. "It's not just to make myself feel better. I actually believe in it. Once Noah knows I'll be queen, he has no choice but to like me...right?"

She smiled at us hopefully but Saige and I gave her crazy looks in return. She sighed and frowned. "Nevermind," she said, "I'll just have to wait for tomorrow to see,"

Noah didn't help me in sorcery, he was going to but I told him I didn't need help and he should probably help Saige. He didn't know who she was for some reason until I told him. He's so dumb. Right when Noah left my desk, Addie pulled a chair right beside my desk. "Why did you do that?" she asked

"Do what?" I asked.

She looked over at Saige and Noah. Oh, she meant that. Now that I was thinking about it, it was probably not a good idea. I think Saige has a crush on Noah as well and she didn't care that Addie had one too. She didn't even try and hide the fact she was giggling and twirling her hair. "Sorry," I said, "Saige was struggling but I just used that as an excuse. I didn't want him helping me,"

Addie sighed. "Should we be friends with her?"

I shrugged. I honestly didn't know. Maybe Addie and Saige just needed to talk things out. I told Addie this and she looked reluctant. "Can you talk to her for me?" she asked.

Oh, brother.

"Addie, I can't always talk to people for you," I told her, "You have to do it yourself. Especially since Saige is hurting your feelings,"

Addie hesitated then nodded. "I'll talk to her during recess,"

I smiled and gave her a thumbs-up.

At recess, I gave Saige and Addie time to talk and when I came back everything looked settled. But when we were going to the carriage later that afternoon, Addie told me Saige hadn't intended to make it look that way. "She told me maybe I was feeling jealous," Addie said, "She added 'no offense' to it,"

"So it's not offensive to you?" I asked

"No...maybe I am jealous," Addie said, "Sorry, Annika for being jealous towards you. You can do fencing, do whatever makes you happy,"

I felt bad for Addie, I wasn't sure why but I just did.

"And," Addie added, "I will go to that...that uh...fencing match with you,"

I knew she didn't need to apologize, especially since the only feelings that got hurt were hers. But I also knew she wouldn't stop apologizing until I forgave her. "It's okay, Addie," I said, "Thanks,"