MADDIE HAYES

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"Don't forget to lock the room.", our teacher said.

"Okay.", I replied. I was carrying some books to the Home Ecomonics Prep Room. When I arrived, someone opened the door.

"Excuse me.", I shyly said. It was a guy I haven't seen before. He was tall and fine looking. A second year, maybe?

"Oh hi there.", he greeted. Somehow, us conversing like this made me somewhat nervous.

"I came to deliver these.", I said.

"Thanks!", he replied. He leaned forward and took the box away from me. He was so close! He smelled like soap. It was somehow refreshing.

"You're welcome.", I replied and I started to walk away.

"By the way, what's your name?", he asked. Shocked, I pointed at myself.

"Yes, you. There isn't anyone around here, is there?", he asked and chuckled. His chuckled caught my attention.

"M-maddie.", I replied.

"Maddie, huh? Cute name.", he complimented. I looked at him with wide eyes.

"Cute?", I muttered.

"I'm Anthony. Nice to meet you Maddie.", he said.

"Nice to meet you too.", I replied.

"Well, see you later.", he said as he smiled and waved his hand.

"Okay.", I replied and waved back at him. He closed the door and my knees were shaking, sending my butt to touch the floor. Anthony... He actually thought my name is cute. That's the first time in my life that someone has actually complimented something about me. My heart was racing and I couldn't hide the blush that was on both of my cheeks. Stop it. Why am I so worked up?!

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JILIAN SHINSUKE

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"Classes are finally over for the day.", Caren said.

"Are you ready?", Luke asked.

"Yeah.", I replied.

"I'll go get Kristine. Both of you should meet at the gym.", Caren said as she took her bag and sprinted out of the classroom.

"It's a good thing that Caren is a god friend of Kristine.", Luke said.

"Yeah.", I replied.

"Hey, are you nervous?", Luke asked.

"I guess. After all, I liked her for a long time now and this is my first time confessing to a girl.", I replied.

"True. Well, all I can say is good luck dude. Jusy tell me if we'll have a drink later. Bye.", Luke said as he tapped my back and walked out of the classroom. I sighed. Man, this is so nerve wrecking! I looked around the empty classroom only to see a sleeping Maddie on her seat by the window. Why is she still here? Was she sleeping up until now? I stood up and approached her. The windows were foggy. It was cold but why was thecsun shining brightly today? I looked at the sleeping beauty. I bent down to level my head with hers. Our faces were about twenty centimeters apart. I could feel her warm breath touch the tip of my nose. Just looking at her like this made me unexpectedly calm. I smiled at the fact that awhile ago, I was so nervous and anxious. I didn't know that this was the thing that would calm me down. I poked her right cheek and she moved a bit. Are you having a nice dream? What are you dreaming about? Suddenly, I felt a weird beat in my heart. That's strange. I looked at Maddie once again and I can't help but smile. I stood up and leaned forward and kissed her cheek. Ah.. It was cold. I took off my scarf and I placed it properly on her neck to keep her warm. But why am I doing this?

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MADDIE HAYES

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I woke up and I rubbed my eyes.

"Where am I?", I asked. I was half awake when I looked around. When I looked at my front, I saw Jilian sleeping on my table. He was just sitting opposite me. Why is he here? Oh, I'm still in school. I checked the time and it was almost six in the evening. I sighed. I must have over slept. I gazed at Jilian who was sleeping on my table. So wait, if he is sleeping there, would that mean we were facing each other while I was sleeping?! A gush of redness appeared on both of my cheeks. Stop it Maddie. Why are you so flustered?! Chill! I took a deep breath and exhaled all the way. Then I noticed that I was wearing a blue knitted scarf. But I don't have a blue knitted scarf. I looked back at Jilian. Could this be... I buried my face in his scarf. It's warm. This must be his warmth. It's making my heart flutter. I wonder when... I leaned my head on the table now facing his face... I started to look at your direction?

"Mmph.", I heard him mumble. Jilian opened his eyes and now both of us realize how close our faces were. I immediately sat up.

"I'm sorry!", I apologized.

"What are you apologizing for?", he asked as he was slowly sitting up while rubbing the back of his head with his left hand. We looked at each other and both of us looked away. Then when I stole a glance of him, he was already looking at me. Blushing, I hid my face by looking down.

"Hey Maddie.", Jilian spoke. I looked at him.

"Yeah?", I asked.

"I'm sorry.", he apologized. I looked at him is surprise.

"What I said was rude. I didn't consider your feelings. So I came to apologize.", Jilian added.

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JILIAN SHINSUKE

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I wonder how she looks like now. I never dared to look at her when I apologized. It's really embarrassing.

"Mmm.", she uttered. I looked up and I saw Maddie's sincere smiling face. This made my heart skip a beat.

"You're forgiven.", she replied. Her reply made me happy for some reason I didn't know.

"That's why... Since you have forgiven me...", I shyly said while Maddie flashed me a confused face.

"I want for us to be friends." There. I said it. I didn't know it's this embarrassing to ask someone to be friends with them. This is my first time to ask someone. Naturally, everyone just becomes my friend even without my notice but it was different with this girl right infront of me. I have this feeling that she needed to be treated right. She was like so fragile that one wrong move and she turns into tiny pieces.

"Okay.", she replied. I smiled at her. After hearing her reply, it was as if all the stress and anxiety came rushing out of my body.

"From now on, we're officially friends.", I said and she nodded.

"I have to properly introduce myself first.", I said. She was confused.

"I'm Jilian Shinsuke. What is your name?", I asked.

"Maddie Hayes. Nice to finally become your friend Jilian.", she replied. She said my name for the first time. Why do I feel happy about it?

"I'll do my best to be a good friend to you Maddie.", I said. She smiled at me and I kind of felt the sense of responsibility in her smile.

"Okay. Let's be good friends.", she replied. After that, we decided to go home. When we came out of the school building, I saw Kristine. I stopped walking and Maddie bumped herself on my back.

"Oh Jilian! You finally came.", Kristine said while approaching us.

"Did you really wait that long?", I asked.

"No. The student council meeting just ended not too long ago and Caren said that you wanted to speak with me. I was even worried if I made you wait too long.", Kristine explained.

"Well I'll take my leave.", Maddie interrupted.

"Are you sure? Will you be alright without me?", I asked her. Maddie smiled at me.

"I'm not a child Jilian. Bye.", she said as she turned around and walked away leaving Krintine and I alone.

"A friend of yours?", Kristine asked.

"Yeah.", I replied.

"So what is it that you wanted to talk about?", she asked.

"Actually, I want to be straightforward with what I'm going to say.", I replied. She nodded and listened.

"I... I...", I was freaking out. Holy shit this is nerve wrecking!

"I.. I like you Kristine. I liked you ever since we were in middle school. I came and entered this High School because I followede you here and I wanted to see you everyday. I really do like you and I have never looked at any other girl besides you. That is why...", I paused. Kristine just smiled at me. Wait... What's that smile supposed to mean?!

"I really do appreciate your feelings Jilian. But the truth is, I can't reciprocate your feelings. I'm sorry.", Kristine apologized. Yeah. I knew this was coming. The reason why she entered this High School was because of Fritz, our Student Council President. She liked him for so long and they have been together since elementary. My heart.. My feelings... It hurts.

"It's okay. You don't need to apologize. Thanks for hearing me out. Bye.", I said as I turned away and ran. I ran and ran. It hurts so bad. I musn't cry. I'm a man. Men don't cry. Men who cry are weak. I ended up infront of a convenience store. Then to my surprise, I saw Maddie holding a plastic bag. She was surprised to see me panting and sweating all over.

"Are you alright?!", she asked.I approached her and faced her.

"W-what's wrong Jilian?", she asked.

"Can I borrow your shoulder?", I asked. Not waiting for her reply, I bent down and I leaned my head on top of her right shoulder.

"Jilian?", she asked.

"Say, do you think men are weak when they cry?",  I asked.

"Nope. It means they're strong.", she replied. I felt a hand was petting my hand. My feelings were all mixed up. I was hurt and in pain. I was sad and in agony. I couldn't hold it any longer. I am in so much pain right now.

"That's why, you can cry as hard as you like to. I'll be here until you will be okay.", Maddie said. Her words were so gentle and kind. It really moved me into tears. All these feelings of hurt and happiness are so abstract now. There, I finally burst into tears. Maddie was still petting my head. A few minutes later, I finally stopped crying.

"Are you okay now?", she asked.

"Yeah.", I replied. She rummaged through the plastic bag she was holding and she took out an popsicle stick. She tore the plastic apart and there were two popsicles inside. Maddie broke it in half and she gave me the other half.

"For me?", I asked.

"Yeah. It'll calm you down.", she replied. If I were with Luke and Caren, we'd probably be drinking right now. But right at this moment, a person like Maddie was who I needed right now. The sun shined brightly that day, the moon was big. The stars twinkled up in the sky and I wondered why the sky was so clear. Then I now realized, when I looked at Maddie eating ice cream beside me, spring is almost coming.