Just Like Maddie

{10} Somebody that I used to know

Chapter 10-

Somebody that I used to know

After a unusually quite car journey to the hotel the girls were attempted to get all of their stuff in order. Savannah was in the hotel room next door but trusted the girls to look after themselves; the only rule was that if they were leaving their room they had to ask permission. "I'm starving," Demi complained. Mackenzie finished hanging up her dance costume in the wardrobe and was trying to identify if the weird feeling in her stomach was nerves or hunger. Most likely it was a mix of both. "I am too actually, want to head down and get something?" Mackenzie asked Demi. Demi's eyes widened, "yes!" She exclaimed slightly over enthusiastically. The girl must be hungry. Mackenzie giggled slightly, "anyone else coming?" All the answers went along the lines of 'I have already ate' or 'I'm not hungry.' So Demi popped next door to let Savannah know and they headed down the stairs.

As they approached the cafeteria Mackenzie's phone buzzed, recovering a text from Taylor. 'Ironically my cousin is competing at the same competition as you this weekend so I will see you there. Don't worry though I'm coming alone:)' This caused Mackenzie to smile. Maybe she did have a real friend at her new school after all. She was about to reply when she heard a laugh she knew only to well, followed by one which had accompanied the other for so long. She raised her head slowly and saw the two blondes she had been avoiding since that dreaded day.

*** FLASHBACK ***

Mackenzie was sitting at the front of the wings. The best seat in the house- all ready to watch her big sister dance. She was in awe as she walked gracefully on stage in a bejewelled scarlet red dress, taking her place in her starting position. "This is entry number 442 Maddie Ziegler with too good to be true." Mackenzie was jealous of Maddie's number. It was to Andy Williams song can't take my eyes off you. It was bluesy, elegant and classy. Maddie was nailing it in rehearsals her effortless grace fit the song to perfection. As the music began to play Mackenzie watched Maddie's eyes grow wide. "I am not drunk," Maddie's voice broadcasted, "I'm just playful." The recording played to the whole audience, it was definitely Maddie. A drunk slurred version of her, but Maddie none the less. Before Mackenzie had time to relax Maddie barged past her bawling her eyes out; her reputation ripped to shreds. She wasn't supposed to be drinking but Mackenzie knew she had gotten drunk once, it wasn't her fault. She had helped her sister sneak past her Mom that night. And Mackenzie knew exactly who it was who got her drunk. Who must have changed her CD to that recording. As if on cue she head the pair responsible laugh. "Not so perfect now is she Miss Abby?"

*** PRESENT DAY ***

Mackenzie knew she couldn't hold them responsible for what happened. They were only acting on years of build up anger over mistreatment. But she couldn't help but think, if it didn't happen then they wouldn't have been in the car at that time, Melissa wouldn't have been so angry and Mackenzie wouldn't have been so cruel to her. "Uh Mackenzie, Paige and Chloe are coming over?" Demi whispered in her ear warily. Causing Mackenzie to straighten up and smile awkwardly. To this day the only one who knew who was responsible for that stunt was Mackenzie and as far as Maddie's two ex best friends were concerned they were off the hook. "Mackenzie!" Paige yelled wrapping her arms around her tightly. Chloe hugged her too a little more tentatively, Chloe was always a lot more timid than her loud counterpart. "I've missed you Kenz, we all have." Chloe said gently. Paige tensed a little. "And we miss Maddie too. Just like you do, nothing's the same without her." This made Mackenzie want to explode. How could she say that after she betrayed Maddie? After Maddie took the fall for the stunt with Abby even though she knew exactly who it was? When even in her last conversation Maddie refused to embarrass her so called friends? Instead of screaming Mackenzie stays calm. She shakes her head gently biting the inside of her lip. "You didn't deserve to have known Maddie and you don't have a right to miss her either," Mackenzie spat.