heartbeat 4 u

13. can you keep it?

Maddi gained a lot of friends that year. She was glad she could enjoy her last years with her friends instead of being stuck at home.

Her closest friends were Cam, Jo, and Jason. Maddi found out that ever since that day at the mall, Cam and Jason have been secretly talking to each other. But they were taking things slowly, so they just remained friends the whole time.

Maddi told Leo about how his best friend was going to her school. He hasn't been able to talk to him much ever since he moved, but he started talking to him again when Maddi mentioned him.

When Leo started talking to Jason again, it was like nothing changed. They were still as close as they were before.

Jason told Leo about how Maddi acts strange at school sometimes. He noticed that she would always take some medicine and that she seemed as she'd feel really sick every now and then. Leo trusted Jason, so he told him about Maddi.

Jason felt sorry for them, but then Leo told him how he thinks she still has a chance. He didn't want to give up so easily. He told Jason not to tell a soul about any of it. He asked him to watch over her since he's not there to do it himself. Jason agreed, still feeling a bit sorry for them, yet amazed at how they kept their relationship going. He did what Leo said and helped Maddi out when she wasn't feeling good.

"Jason, I really appreciate you helping me all the time." Maddi said politely as she sat down for lunch.

"No problem." he replied.

Maddi observed him and realized that something has been different about him. She had an idea and tried to lead up to it in the conversation.

"So, have you and Leo been talking lately?"

"Yep. Why?"

"Just wondering."

Jason started eating his lunch when Maddi interrupted him.

She purposely started coughing as if something was wrong with her throat.

"Maddi! Here's some water," he said as he hastily grabbed a water bottle and gave it to her, "Where's your medicine? You should take some."

She stopped coughing and gave him a look.

He looked back at her and realized that she was playing around with him.

"Maddi, don't kid around like that. I thought something happened."

"Something like what?" she said slickly, trying to get him to tell her what he knows.

"Uhh, nothing. I-I mean that...uh, maybe you got something stuck in y-your throat. Yeah." he said, hoping he didn't sound like he knew.

She stared him down until he confessed.

"Okay! Okay! I know about your sickness!" he gave in.

"I knew it!" she said as she pointed her spoon at him. "Leo told you, didn't he?"

"Yeah." he said as he looked down in shame.

Maddi let out a sigh and looked a bit disappointed.

Jason looked at her and tried to explain. "Maddi, he's just really concerned about you. He knows he can't take care of you from Florida, so he asked me to. He really cares about you."

She looked at him and tried to understand Leo's intentions.

"Fine. I guess it's alright. As long as you're the only one who knows."

"I am! I promise." he said quickly, not wanting to get in trouble.

She laughed at him.

"Okay, let's eat now! I'm hungry!"

The ate their food and finished the rest of their classes for the day.