Love, Hate, and Other Things

Chapter 31: Who Did It?

- Garret's POV -

Maddie hung up the phone and slumped her shoulders. I walked up to her and hugged her from behind. I felt her tears fall onto my arm. She turned around and cried into my chest.

It was rare to ever find Maddie crying. She's always happy and content. If you ever found her crying, something big happened.

I drew small circles on her back as she calmed down. "Maddie... Harry is going to be okay. Don't cry..." I whispered.

She withdrew from my embrace. Her cream coloured skin was streaked with her mascara. I grabbed the box of tissues from behind her.

She chuckled as I wiped her face. She gently took ahold of my hand to stop me.

"Am I that hideous?"

"Yes. Yes, you are. You look like a raccoon now." My reply was lined with heavy sarcasm. Maddie silently laughed and then smiled. "There's that smile."

I didn't know why, but the next second I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly.

"Garret?" Her voice was small.

"Seeing you cry makes me want to cry honestly." I said truthfully. "Just let me stay like this for a while." I put my head atop of hers.

"Can you sing me my favourite song?" Maddie requested.

"Which one? You've got a lot."

"The one we always used to sing together when we were little."

I pulled away and thought back. What song was she talking about? I looked at her with confusion in my eyes. I still didn't know what she was talking about.

Maddie sighed in exasperation. "When we were younger, your dad used to love blasting the speakers and playing The Beatles' songs. One of them were my favourites, and we always used to sing it together. Do you remember yet?" She raised an eyebrow.

Wait. Beatles... Was it Hey Jude? Or Imagine?

"Was it Imagine...? Honestly, I've forgotten. I'm so sorry. I know it was our song but I've forgotten. I am such a bad friend."

And she laughed. Her soft laughter rung through my ears as my worries drifted away.

"It's okay. It's not a big deal anyways. That was years ago, it's only natural for someone to forget." She smiled brightly at me, but it... seemed empty. Like she was just faking it. Was she always like this? Or was it because of the breakup?

"Yeah. You probably forgot when my birthday was anyways. No problem." I said nonchalantly.

"Of course not! Isn't it in June?" she paused to think. "Yeah right? June... 16!"

Wow. I didn't think she'd remember after so long.

I simply put a thumbs up. "And your birthday is on New Years. Right now, you're 19."

"And you're only 18. Ha. I'm older than you." she stuck her tongue out playfully.

"Shush. You were born before me." I said in defeat.

*

We stayed together until late watching chick flicks, and I had to go back home.

"Well, it's pretty late. I'm heading home. Are you sure you're going to be okay without me?" I placed my hands on her shoulders and looked her straight in the eyes. She nodded.

We walked quietly to her front door. She hugged me and said her departing words as I walked out. I turned to wave goodbye, but she was already walking into her home.