𝐀𝐁𝐍𝐎𝐑𝐌𝐀𝐋

𝟬𝟭

𝗠𝗔𝗗𝗜𝗦𝗢𝗡 quickly folded her Nirvana t-shirt, before stuffing it into her dresser. It was hot in Brownsville, which made Madison's hair stick to her face. Madison quickly grabbed a hair tie from on top of her side drawer, and tied her hair up into a low ponytail. 

She missed her friends, of course, but she couldn't help but think, that this could be a new beginning. A new beginning which she could manipulate into being whatever she wanted. Moving from a small town in Maine, Brownsville didn't look very different from her home. Previous home. 

She then creeped up to her window, before staring out of it. She could see kids playing at the end of the street, and 2 teens talking and laughing right in front of her yard. Squinting, due to her contacts not being in yet, Madison decided that she would step up and go talk to them. Yes, she was shy, but talking to 2 people her age, was nothing that she couldn't handle. Putting her contacts in, she made sure that she looked decent, before walking down the stairs, the wood creaking with every step. Madison's mother was standing in the kitchen, cooking lunch, the scents circulating around the small house. They had moved from Keaton, Maine, due to her dad's new job offer. Madison didn't understand why they couldn't stay, why her dad couldn't decline the offer, but she didn't ask. It wasn't negotiable, after all. Madison waved at her mother, her offering a smile back, before she took a deep breath and stepped out onto the front yard.

A boy and girl were both standing there, both laughing, and punching each other, engaging in friendly banter. The boy, who had had sandy blonde curly hair, was tall, and had a distinct style. He was wearing a yellow cardigan over a white t-shirt, and striped yellow and white pants. He wasn't wearing shoes, and was eyeing the girl beside him. The girl, on the other hand, had short, reddish, hair and was wearing a black t-shirt, with jean shorts. She was a lot shorter than the boy, but it didn't look strange. Not at all. They hadn't noticed Madison yet, even though she was very noticeable. She knew that she had to talk first. So she did.

"H-Hey," Madison said, which made both of them turn back slightly, staring at Madison. She ran her fingers through her kinky, black hair to make sure that it wasn't sticking up in a way that was strange.

"Oh, hey! You're the new girl, right?" the boy asked. Madison nodded curtly. The boy stepped onto her front yard, and stuck his hand out. She took his hand and shook it promptly. Madison's father had always taught her to make a good first impression. Strong handshake, strong voice, good manners. She understood how a first impression is usually a last impression, and made sure to make a good impression.

"Stanley Barber," the boy told her. Madison smiled, before throwing a glance at the girl. 

"Madison. Madison Grey." The girl walked up to Madison's front yard next before grinning, and sticking her hand out.

"Sydney. Sydney Novak." She smiled at Sydney, which made her smile back. Stanley tapped on Madison's shoulder, before walking down the street, signalling both Sydney and Madison to follow him.

"So, why'd you move? Uh, where'd you move from?" he asked, eyes darting between Madison, and the houses lining the street.

"My dad changed his job. And I moved from Keaton, Maine." Sydney and Stanley both stopped in their tracks, eyeing each other.

"What?" Madison asked, intrigued to why they had stopped so suddenly.

"Keaton? I've never heard of it," Stanley stated. Madison chuckled, before shrugging.

"No one has. It's a pretty small town," she told them. Stanley nodded to himself, as if everything had made sense. An awkward silence took over, none of them knowing what to say, before Stanley spoke.

"So what do you like? What are your interests?" he asked, glancing at Madison.

"I like movies. Music. Art, reading, stuff like that." Sydney nodded, as did Stanley.

"What type of music?" he asked.

"Um, I don't know if you've heard of this band called Bloodwitch. They're really cool," Madison stated, not giving much thought to her answer.

"No way! Bloodwitch's so great, right? I've tried to get Sydney to listen to them, but she doesn't want to!" Stanley exclaimed, before nudging Sydney. Sydney rolled her eyes playfully, before eyeing a girl who was walking toward them.

"Shit. I forgot that I promised to hang out with Dina today. See you guys later?" Syd asked them. Stanley gave her a thumbs up, both of them watching Sydney run over to the brown eyed girl, who was smiling. 

"Who's that?" Madison asked, eyeing Stan. 

"Dina," he said matter a factly. Madison didn't ask anymore questions, hearing Stan sigh. They walked in silence for a bit more, before he broke the silence.

"Want to go back to my house to listen to Bloodwitch?" he asked, smiling at Madison. She smiled back, before nodding, both of them then running to the small building that Stan called home.