The Monster In My Head

Chapter 5 (Edited)

Madison laid on her bed that Saturday, writing down song lyrics in her journal. The rest of the week had gone by slowly, with Brian occasionally making attempts at conversation with her. On the other hand, her and Max hung out quite often, jogging together in gym and even walking with each other to a few of their classes. She wasn't blind however to her new friend's popularity with the female gender. She had also noticed recently that when they hung out, they got quite a few stares.

Madison was stuck on the lyrics for the bridge when May came traipsing in.

"Hey, Maddie. Whatya doing?" she asked, taking a seat in Madison's office chair. 

Madison closed her journal and sat up. "I was just doing some homework," she lied. 

May scrunched up her nose. "On a Saturday? Ew. Well, now you've got plans. Get dressed." 

Madison furrowed her brows, crossing her arms. "Why?"

"One of my friends is taking us out for ice cream and a movie at their house and they said you could come with. They'll be here in 30 minutes to pick us up." 

Madison rolled her eyes, groaning. "First of all, is this okay with our parents? And second of all, who's the friend?" 

An unsettling grin came to May's face. "Yes to the first question, and you'll see to the second."

With that, May left the room and Madison laid there a moment longer, considering just refusing to go. She couldn't help but be curious about who it was though. That's when the little monster in her head piped in.

"You better go if you want any chance of making friends. Don't be lazy AGAIN. You're always wondering why you don't have friends. Don't screw--"

"Alright, alright. I got it. I'm going," Madison said, waving her hand, interrupting the monster.

She stood and changed, putting on some makeup. She entered the living room and May grinned when she saw her.

"Good. You clean up nice. He'll be here in a few minutes." 

Madison nodded absently, then realized with a start the pronoun she had used. "He?!" 

May ignored her and disappeared into the bathroom. Madison started to follow her when the doorbell rang. She jumped and turned to the door.

Standing behind it was Brian, smiling warmly at her.

"I'm gonna kill you, May," she muttered under her breath as she approached the door. She opened it and smiled at him. "Hi, Brian," she said. 

His smile widened a bit. "Hi there, Maddie. You look very nice," he commented, giving her an admiring once over. 

Madison's neck warmed, thinking of Max's comments on Brian and her. "Thank you. You don't look so bad yourself. May told me you're taking us out for ice cream?" 

He nodded, then paled a little. "I hope it's okay that I invited you too. I don't want to seem like I'm crossing a line." 

Madison stepped closer and leaned against the doorframe. "It's fine, Brian. I think it's really sweet you invited me. Besides, it's just an outing between three friends, right?" She watched his reaction to her question carefully, looking for any sign of discomfort or disappointment. If he felt any, it didn't show. She inwardly relaxed. Max must've been mistaken, she thought. 

Brian grinned. "Yeah. Exactly," he agreed.

At that moment, May came out of the bathroom and joined them at the doorway. She reached forward and gave him a hug and Madison faintly wondered why they had never tried at a relationship.