The Mac Effect

Chapter 2

Carson and I walk into my house and crash on the couch, powering up the TV to see what's on. We are always together, whether at my house or her's.

"Toph is going to come over after practice. He wants to do a movie night." I smile at Carson's statement. Movie nights are our favorite. We've been having them since middle school.

"Cool. Make sure he grabs snacks."

"Got it," she responds with a thumbs up, "hey are your parents back in town yet?"

"Yeah they got in last night but they have another case in Peru so they're leaving again Friday morning. They're at the hospital right now," she nods in response. My parents are world renowned surgeons that travel across the world to help people with all different types of disorders and illnesses. I've gotten to tag along a few times and it is the most amazing thing I've ever experienced. They used to work solely at the local hospital, but after I started high school and was old enough to take care of myself, they started traveling. They're gone a lot and I don't get to see them often, but I am so proud of them for helping so many people, "They're gonna be gone for two weeks this time."

"Okay so a week long sleepover?" Carson looks at me with a smile on her face. Every time my parents go away she stays by my side the entire time. She knows that even though I completely support their work, it makes me sad whenever they have to go. She never wants me to be alone.

"Of course!" I reply

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*Ding Dong*

"Why is Toph ringing the doorbell? He knows he can just walk in." I say with a puzzled expression.

"Maybe you locked the door?" Carson questions with fake surprise.

"No. I left it unlocked," I state rising from my position on the couch. I open the door and am met with a familiar yet unexpected face, "Mac?"

"Hey Stella, um, Toph is just grabbing the groceries," he says as he runs a hand through his hair and nervously shoves his hands back into his pockets where they were moments before, "he told me to just walk in but I thought that'd be rude." He awkwardly stands in the doorway looking at me.

"Oh yeah it's fine," I tell him waving a hand to dismiss the awkward state of our conversation, "just walk through that archway right there and Carson is in the living room. I'll be right in." I point him in Carson's direction with a smile and stalk off in the direction of a smug looking Topher.

"What's with the face Stells?" He was referring to the glare I was sending his way. If looks could kill, he'd be annihilated.

"You wanna know what's with the face, Topher," he raises an eyebrow in response to my rhetorical question,"you and Car need to stop trying to set me up with people! Especially Mac!"

"Why? What's wrong with Mac," I give him a pointed look. He of all people knows that there's nothing wrong with Mac. He's perfect, "exactly so why don't you just give him a chance?"

"Because Toph. There's no way he could possibly like me. Look at me and look at him," Topher gives me a look to signal that I sound insane. I know I'm not ugly, in fact I think I am fairly good looking, not to sound self-centered or anything, but Mac is beyond god like, "he could have anyone and he sure as hell isn't going to settle for me."

"Stella. Shut up," I purse my lips obeying his command, "he wouldn't be settling for you. He'd be lucky if you even gave him a shot. In case you haven't noticed, you're a babe Stell!" He grabs the grocery bags and starts toward the front door.

"Whatever," I roll my eyes and decide to change the subject before I dig myself into a deeper hole, "I hope you got my ice cream." He laughs and pulls me into a hug.

"Of course I did" He looks at me sincerely, "you know Carson and I love you right?"

"Yes, Toph. I love you guys too." I say as I release from our hug and head off to the living room.