Normality, Love and Other Impossible Things (DISCONTINUED)

Act One, Chapter Four

Act One, Chapter Four

Maddie stepped into the detention room, feeling scared and out of place. After checking in with the teacher on duty, a sleepy looking Greek man who smelled like cats, she sat down in a corner and tried to make herself as small as possible. 

She couldn't see any of her friends in the small classroom that they were in, and from the looks of it, detention was going to be a very frightening affair. Sitting near the back was Natalia Braginski, the scary junior who tried to cut people using a variety of scissors and multiple knives that she hid on her person. Maddie was pretty sure she was in here for stalking and threatening to kill her brother's (now ex) boyfriend.

The desk in the exact center of the room was occupied by Sadik Anan, a senior who was constantly getting in trouble for refusing to take off his white face mask, which was apparently against school policy. From what Maddie had heard, no one knew what his actual face looked like, and he was so used to getting detention for the mask that he planned his daily schedule around it, refusing any appointments before 4:30pm.

In the front left corner was another senior, the brit Arthur Kirkland. He was a punk kid who blatantly disregarded any and all rules with a passion, and was another regular here. Maddie wasn't positive, but she was pretty sure that he'd gotten busted for bringing and distributing alcohol to his classmates. From what she had heard(it's funny how much 'secret' gossip you can hear when you're basically invisible to 90% of the population), he had in-school suspension here for a few weeks. This was obviously not his first offense.

There were a few others that Maddie had never seen lounging around in various spots as well, but who she really noticed was Gilbert, her new friend from the principal's office, seemingly asleep on a desk near the back. Brightening, Maddie whisper-yelled his name across the room. "Gil! Hey Gil!" His head immediately snapped up to face her, and he looked simultaneously ecstatic and nervous to the point of puking. He waved her over, and she gladly complied, rushing over to sit at the desk next to him.

The first thing that Maddie noticed about him was his outfit. It had completely changed from that morning. Instead of a delinquent boy wearing a ratty leather jacket and faded denim jeans, she found herself looking at a charming guy wearing a dark, stylish, and formfitting outfit. The dark colors made him look even paler than he already was, which despite what someone would think, also made him look fantastic. She stared at him in pleasant surprise, her eyes widening. Gilbert noticed, and grinned widely. Step one of 'Francis' Foolproof Relationship Starter Kit For Dummies' was complete: Make the person you're trying to impress notice you. 

"Hey Birdie, what's up? You look amazing!" Gil began confidently. Step two complete: Give the person a sincere compliment. He had planned out exactly how this conversation was going to go. 

Maddie blushed and giggled shyly. How in the world had she never seen this guy before this morning? He had the unique ability to make her feel all warm and fluffy inside, like her heart got a big hug every time he was around.

"Thanks, Gil. That's really sweet, eh... but isn't this the same thing I was wearing this morning?" She asked with a somewhat confused, but still sincere smile.

"W-well ja... but that doesn't mean you can't still look awesome!" he quickly covered his slip-up with a winning smile. He recalled a bit of Francis' advice, given to him right before he left their impromptu 'Dating School': Get rid of all signs of nervousness, even if you feel like you're about to lose your lunch.

"Uh... I also have something to ask you!" He stammered. Geez, this was harder than he thought! That didn't matter, though. He was almost there!

"Really, Gil? What is it?" Maddie's big violet doe eyes stared up at him questioningly, and Gilbert had to suppress the urge to squeal in adoration. The girl was really too cute for her own good.