After

[stefan_d]

Maddie's gone and Taffy's back, and it was one of the most horrible nights of my life. I didn't expect it to be like that. Like she was bein' ripped out of the fabric of the world, torn away, and Taf was bein' ripped out of the place where she was to replace her. They were both screamin'.I'm just numb right now, I think. Maddie's someplace

Comments

[stefan_d]

I hesitate, tryin' to decide whether or not I wanna say anything. Maybe the Cliff's Notes. "It's one of those complicated things that's weird in the same way this town is. Let's just say I've done somethin' that's made my best friend have to decide if she still wants to be my friend or not. I'm just waitin' for her to figure it out."

I'm not goin' into the whole thing about the threesome and the spell and the ghost and Maddie and Taf switchin' places. That's too much to inflict on this girl who's prob'ly barely legal.

[cassie_newton_]

I nod. "That's never a fun situation." I say. "I'm sorry. Anything I can do to help?" I ask genuinely. "Put in a good word for you somewhere...get you more flowers?" I ask, ducking my head down a little to catch his eyes again.

[stefan_d]

"Nothin' I can think of," I tell her. "I think it's one of those situations that's just gonna have to work itself out." Nice of her. Nice kid. I guess all of 'em aren't snotty brats. I think the high school might've ruined me for ever likin' teenagers for the most part.

[cassie_newton_]

"I thought so." I say with a sigh. "But thought I'd ask anyways. Let me know if you can think of something I can do to help." I say, noticing my shoe's untied. I pick up the laces that have strawberry short cake on them, and retie the bow. "It's a small town. You'll probably see me again."

[stefan_d]

What could she possibly do, not knowin' me or Taffy? Oh well, she's just tryin' to be nice, I guess. "Thanks," I say. "See you around, then," I add, managin' a smile that doesn't look too strained, hopefully.

[cassie_newton_]

I smile, amused. "Am I leaving?" I ask. "I can if you'd rather be alone." I'm not offended and that shows. I am a random person after all.

[stefan_d]

"You said you'd see me again," I say, shruggin'. "Thought that meant you were goin' somewhere."

Since when have I ever really understood women? Maybe that's the problem.

[cassie_newton_]

"I wasn't really planning on leaving quite yet." I say. I watch him a minute more. "Besides, I have to wait a little while before I can walk past the cemetery, I'd rather not invite trouble."

[stefan_d]

"Good plan," I say. "If you're anything like me, trouble seems to find you on its own." I make a rueful face.

[cassie_newton_]

I laugh. "Well, I've had my fair share." I concede. "Though I try not to be in trouble as often as possible." I look at him. "You don't look like a troublemaker."

[stefan_d]

I have to laugh. A real laugh, not a cynical one. That's really funny. "Obviously, you don't know me whatsoever. Trouble's my middle name."

[cassie_newton_]

"Interesting middle name." I say, laughing. "So you're in trouble a lot, huh? Is it on purpose, or are you paying for things you pulled in another life?" I ask, smirking at him.