A Thousand Years |mnz

International Smile

Maddie's POV

"Maybe I should just give Paige one of my old Louis Vuitton handbags, it's just a few years old." I tilted my head slightly as I looked at the white and gold handbag, it was covered in dust as it sat in the back of my closet.

"MADDIE!! CAN YOU GET ME SOME TOILET PAPER?!" Mackenzie shouted at the top of her lungs, "NO!" I screamed. "Drama queen" I heard Mackenzie mutter whilst she did her business. My phone buzzed on my dresser, I sat the handbag down on the floor and sat at my dresser, I glanced at the Caller ID.

"Chlobird"
I hesitated for a moment. I answered her call and I reacted too quickly.

"Hi Chloe, I'm so sorry for hurting your feelings. Did you know that Josh and I are a couple?!" I cried.

"It's o--wait. What?! You and Josh are a couple now! Tell me everything, I want all the details!" Chloe squealed. I gave a great sigh of relief, at least she didn't bite my head off like our last coversation on the phone. It was awkward silence on the phone until my front door bell rang.

"I have to go, Chloe. My mom needs me." I lied on the phone and hung up as quickly as possible.

Kenzie gave me the silent pfft, rolling her eyes then widening them. "Oh by the way, Mom said we going out for dinner with her so-called boyfriend," she squealed "we're going out for Ramen noodles!"

I raised my eyebrows slowly "Ramen? With that annoying man? Ugh." I pursed my lips. Kenzie snorted, something that she hates doing.
———
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY PAIGE!" I ran up to Paige ready to squeeze the life out of her. Paige held her arms out as she stood by my locker, I hid her present at the bottom of my locker.

"Hey Maddawg! And thanks. I appreciate it!" Paige's skin glowed in the crappy school lighting. "Don't thank me until..." I quickly put the combination of my locker in and take out a wrapped up Louis Vuitton handbag. I added a large white bow to add more sparkle, I grinned at Paige and gave it to her.

"Here. Open it!"

Paige looked at me doubtfully, I urged her to open it. "Okay..." She smiled. She took one tiny tear and started jumping up and down. "OH my lord," Paige's jaw dropped in awe "thank you! Thank you! You shouldn't have! A LOUIS VUITTON BAG!" She started beamed. It's a bummer that her birthday is on a school day but at least I made her happy.

"Did you really spend your money on me? Thanks Maddie!" Paige laughed, I didn't exactly spent money on her, but I didn't tell her it was second-hand. She wouldn't find out if I 'cleaned' it.

At the back of my head, my brain keeping saying "Ask about Josh!"

I tried avoiding the subject...but failed miserably.

"So where's Josh?" I ask hesitantly, Paige's face dropped and her skin went pale.

"I see he didn't tell you," Paige flung the handbag over her shoulder "he twisted his ankle during soccer practice. I wonder why he didn't tell you...I mean, he told C-C-Chloe." she stuttered at the end.

"By the way, he's going to be in the library all day today." Paige smiled.

I exhale a deep sigh, and smile meekly, "Well...class is starting soon. Have a good day Paige." I put my hand on her shoulder, stretching it since she's 5'5 and I'm 5'0. I would call that small.

Walking to class in winter in a white oversized sweater, grey denim jeans and black and white converses in a corridor alone is quite peaceful.

Being left to your own thoughts, without any interruptions.

"Madison Ziegler?"

On the left I saw Mr Fitz my geography teacher's head poke out, my feet patting down the hall probably made his head poke out.

"Yes, Mr Fitz?" I raise my eyebrows.

"Since you and Joshua Hyland are close, I need you to give him this," Mr Fitz handed me a folder filled with papers "homework he hasn't done, don't be surprised." I give a slight nod and continue to walk.
———
I tilt my head on my hand, chewing the end of my pencil as I wrote notes down as the French teacher recapping about past and present tense verbs.

Lost in my thoughts, I zoned out.

'Why didn't he tell me? Does he still have an interest in me? No wonder they call it a crush, when they don't like you back, your heart gets crushed'

"Miss Madison Nicole! Tell me I'm French the past tense of 'I'm going to my cousin's party' please"

A thick French accent rung across the room, I jumped out of my trance.

"J-Je suis allé à la...fête de mon cousin" I managed to answer.

The teacher raised a sharp eyebrow.

"Je vois que vous ne l'avez pas fait attention à tous!"

Translation: I see you haven't been paying attention at all

I muttered a small sorry, I could feel Chloe who was in my class give me a sympathetic look. I did not need any sympathy, I was completely fine.

The French teacher continued her lesson as if nothing happened. You could cut the tension in the air with a knife.

Fortunately, the bell rang for second period and I had a free period, so I decided to go to the library.

I took one step into the library and I regretted it completely as Josh glanced at the door, he waved at me, I noticed that he was on crutches.

I gave him a small smile and sat in a small booth in the corner. Josh hobbled over me, "Paige told me what happened, and Chloe knows, which...isn't a big deal I guess." I didn't look up at Josh.

"I couldn't get a hold of your phone so I called
Chloe to tell you...she did tell you...right?" Josh sat next to me.

I shook my head, "Paige told me this morning that you broke your ankle during soccer practice." I raised my eyebrows.

"Yeah...well when Paige plays soccer with you, you're bound to break something." Josh chuckled.

I smiled in agreement, "You know, your smile could light up a thousand stars and you still would be shining in my eyes." Josh nudged my arm.

I felt my cheeks heat up and turn a bright peachy colour.

"Thanks."
———
Finally, I updated after how many months. This was always in my drafts, I just never got to finish it :/ and right now it's about 1:20am and I'm not tired so....vote and comment!

Thank you
-laulani