• Next Morning •

~ Maddie's POV ~

•••

Little Lachy - 10:23

hello

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Maddie - 10:23

good morning , or nite . u know , since u live in australia and stoff

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Little Lachy - 10:24

its midnight here

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Maddie - 10:24

o , then good nite :)

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Little Lachy - 10:25

whats up ? hows life ?

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Maddie - 10:25

good , u ?

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Little Lachy - 10:26

good , boring

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Maddie - 10:27

o.o cool

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Little Lachy - 10:28

yea , um , i should head 2 sleep u know , since its midnite and all

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Maddie - 10:28

kk , nite nite

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Little Lachy - 10:29

kk , bai . ttyl

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•••

As if it couldn't get any more awkward between the two of us .

" Maddie ! Breakfast ! " mom yelled from downstairs .

I slipped my phone in my pajamas pocket and walked downstairs and into the kitchen to see everyone silently eating breakfast .

I raised a eyebrow as I had a seat on one of the kitchen stools , picking up my fork to eat but then knew why everyone was so quiet .

" Maddie , this is Kevin , Kevin this is my daughter Maddie " my mom said , introducing me to this strange man of which I remember from last night , mom's date .

I looked at him and he gave me a warm smile .

" Nice to meet you Kevin " I replied simply before turning back to my breakfast .

What's he doing here so early ? Did he sleep over ? I don't remember mom coming home with him ...

I glanced over at mom who was to busy talking to " Kevin " to notice me so I slowly took out my phone from my pocket and started texting Mitch from under the table .

•••

Maddie - 10:32

yo , mitch ! turn off ur message notification noise and act normal when u get the text

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•••

I sent the text message and looked at him as his phone vibrated .

He read the text , looked at mom who was still busy and within a few seconds later I had a new message .

•••

Benja Kanda - 10:33

okay ... what do u want ? u know mom gets mad when we use phones during any meal as a family

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Maddie - 10:33

well , tell me why hes here , kevin

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Benja Kanda - 10:34

she invited him here and he helped with breakfast

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Maddie - 10:34

well looks like im not having breakfast 2day

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Benja Kanda - 10:35

o come on , i thought u said u had no problem w/ mom dating some1 else

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Maddie - 10:35

well , that was be4 she was just welcomin him into our house and stoff

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Benja Kanda - 10:36

stop being such a brat . i dont have a problem with it

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Maddie - 10:36

im not the only 1 who thinks that bout him ... connor doesnt seem like hes enjoying himself this morning

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•••

We both glanced over to Connor who was both giving Kevin death stares while stabbing his food .

•••

Maddie - 10:37

c ? i am not the only 1

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Benja Kanda - 10:37

thats another reason on y u should just stay here w/ mom and connor

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Maddie - 10:38

do u not want me to move in w/ u and jerome ? cuz if u dont then just tell me now , i will just move out on my own

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Benja Kanda - 10: 38

maddie , u know i didnt mean it like that but seriously , i dont think u should leave . okay sure u have a point that mom will probably have kevin around more often and he will fill ur place but

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Benja Kanda - 10:39

connor needs a sibling 2 talk 2 bout how much he doesnt like this guy , think bout the lil bro

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Maddie - 10:40

mitch , i am thinkin bout connor and plus , i will visit as often as i can like u do . i have had enough of living here , i feel like i need to just leave and if u dont want me 2 move in then fine , whatever i will just move either way ...

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•••

Does he not want me in his house ? He sure seems to try and make up excuses for me not to leave ...

•••

Benja Kanda - 10:41

stop it maddie , i am not sayin u cant move in and i am not letting my lil unresponsible sister live on her own . i am all up , just ask mom . its all bout mom and what she thinks

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Maddie - 10:42

fine , okay . i will ask her . if she says no i will have 2 stay if she says yes then im movin in

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•••

" Mitchell ! Madeline ! Did you two forget about the no cell phone rule ? " mom snapped , making the both of us jump .

" Sorry " Mitch groaned , placing his phone on the kitchen counter , me following after .

I looked over at Mitch and he gave me the look .

" Um , mom ? " I called out , looking straight at her .

" Yes sweetie ? " she replied , turning her head to look at me .

" Um , can I ask you something ? " I said , my palms getting sweaty .

Everyone fell silent as I felt all 8 pairs of eyes fall on me .

" Can I move in with Mitch and Jerome in Florida ? " I asked shyly .

I heard a fork crash onto a plate ( I'm guessing it's hers ) .

" Excuse me Kevin , Maddie , Mitch come with me " mom said calmly .

We all got up as she lead us to the backyard , closing the screen door behind us .

" What do you mean you want to move in with Mitch and Jerome ? " mom continued .

" I don't want to live here anymore mom . I want to go out and live my life with my big brother " I sighed , looking her straight in her eyes .

" How long have you two decided this ? " she asked , looking at the both of us now .

" Maddie told me last night and I said she can move in if you said yes " Mitch answered .

" You two are making me the tie breaker ? ".

We both nodded .

" Maddie , are you sure you want to move away ? ".

" Yes , but I just want to make sure you and Connor are going to be okay " I said .

" Maddie , don't worry about us , we are going to be fine . I don't ever want you make me the one to hold you back from doing anything you want " she said , grabbing both of my hands and staring at me with a serious face .

" Does that mean she can move in ? " Mitch asked .

She stared at the both of us and sighed . " As much as I hate to see my little girl go , yes you can move in with Mitch ".

" Thank you , thank you , thank you ! " I cried happily , pulling her into a big hug .

" Group hug ! " Mitch cried as he wrapped his arms around mom and I .

I can tell this is the start of something new in my life , a new beginning ...