Crazy Daze

Chapter 4

One Fine Day

By Carina

A/N: As always plot etc is mine and I hope you guys enjoy!

The next day after school Madeline bounded into her house with a huge smile on her face. She'd caught a ride home with Beth, which had been torture listening to her high pitched nails-on-chalkboard voice, because Aaron had to stay after again. But even Beth's annoying voice couldn't bring her down.

Maddy ran up the stairs, a gleeful laugh escaping her as she went. Once in the sanctuary of her room she went over to her stereo and flipped on some music. She flung her messenger bag in the corner and danced to Michael Jackson's Thriller for a moment before giggling and jumping on her bed falling into her mass of pillows with a happy sigh as she thought back to her last period class.

Maddy had rushed to her last period class with an anxious fluttering in her stomach at the prospect of getting to talk to Chase before the bell.

It appeared she was in luck! There he was, his elbow on the lab table and his chin in his hand. He was facing away from her staring out the window at the bright sunny day.

She couldn't help the smile that slid on her face as she quietly set her things down and took a seat on her stool saying a shy, "Hey."

Chase immediately turned around and gave her a big grin, "Hey Maddy."

There was a moment of awkward silence as Maddy tried to fight the blush that threatened to come over her cheeks. Madeline had never had a boyfriend, in fact she'd never been on a date, well unless she counted the time she went out with West, but that just ended awkwardly. She'd always been too busy with dancing and school to even think about dating. But now that she didn't have so many commitments maybe she could finally focus on the opposite sex. And she had to admit….Chase was a fine specimen of the male species.

He cleared his throat and gave her a nervous smile, "Hey…I just wanted to apologize for yesterday. I was a jack as- err…well it wasn't nice of me-"

Maddy interrupted him with a small laugh, "Chase, don't worry. We covered this yesterday. Everyone has their bad days. Though I'd be willing to let you make it up to me if you wanted…" she trailed off not believing the words that had slipped out of her mouth.

Was she actually flirting?!

Flirting was something Madeline definitely didn't think she was skilled at.

Her cheeks immediately matched the color of her hair.

Chase is going to think I'm a slut! She thought as she worried her bottom lip with her teeth. It was only then that she realized he'd replied to her.

"Um..er" she stuttered as her gaze flitted away to focus on the blue pen that was setting on her notebook, "I didn't catch that."

"I saaaiiidd," he laughed as he took her pen twirling it around his fingers, "I'd love to. How do you feel about coffee?"

Maddy couldn't help but wrinkle her nose at the idea, "I hate cof- um..not that it's a bad idea…I-"

Again Chase cut her off by laughing, "Yeah…I hate it too. I don't even know why I suggested it. How about I take you out for ice cream, say tomorrow, after school?"

Maddy's grin was so wide she thought her face was going to split in two, "That's excellent! I mean…um…sounds good."

Chase continued to grin as he handed her back the pen, "Awesome. Can't wait."

Madeline was brought out of her fluffy reverie by the ringing of her phone. She reached over to her bedside table and picked up the yellow cordless phone, clicking it on as she brought it to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Made-line!"

Maddy couldn't help but wince at the voice, "Hey Mel. What's up?"

"Why didn't you tell me your brother was soooo H-O-T ?!"

Maddy rolled her eyes, "Maybe because it's gross to think of my brother that way."

"Well you could have at least told us he was on the soccer team."

"Aaron made it? I didn't even know he was trying out…I just thought he signed up. How do you know all this? "

"Weelll," Melanie said slyly, "A couple of the girls and I decided to stay after and watch the tryouts…so we could congratulate the winners. Not to mention the soccer team has hotter guys than the football team. Really…you should see these guys Maddy…they're..well they're HOT!"

Madeline held back a sigh thinking maybe she'd buy Melanie a thesaurus so the girl could have a larger vocab. Maybe then listening to her prattle on about boys would at least be interesting.

"But anyways, I could so totally set you up with Jarrod. He's so totally hot," Melanie rambled on.

Maddy knew this was the opportunity to bring up her date with Chase, but for some reason she was hesitant to give Melanie this information. Her date with Chase was special. And she hadn't felt this happy in months. She wanted to cherish this feeling and savor the moment privately before anyone else ruined it or snatched it away from her. So she let the opportunity pass and continued to listen to Melanie's useless gossip until she wanted to rip out her hair.

"Oh hey Mel..my mom's calling so I'll talk to you later. Bye!"

And without giving Melanie a chance to say goodbye, Madeline hung up the phone.

Humming she hopped off her bed, leaving the cordless phone on her comforter. If Aaron was going to be home soon then Madeline needed to get started on her congratulatory cookies.

So, with a gleeful smile Madeline slipped on her pink flip flops and bounded down the stairs riding on the wave of euphoria that the day had produced.

Aaron came home, his hair still wet from the brief shower he'd nabbed after practice…which came after the soccer team roster was read. Aaron was floating on a high. He'd been a bit worried that missing a season of soccer would leave him at a disadvantage for making the team, but it turned out he needn't have worried. Most of the competition had been a joke, though the guys who did make the team were good. Still, hearing his name read made him proud, made him feel like he was accomplishing something.

Wish you could be here Dad.. he thought a bit sadly before his olfactory senses alerted him to the presence of cookies in the kitchen. And not just any cookies….they were Maddy cookies! Sugary sweet goodness with chocolate and butterscotch chips still warm from the oven were sitting on the island in the kitchen….all alone….just calling to him.

Aaron grinned and tossed his soccer bag against the wall and headed over to the island, picking up a cookie and taking a bite. He closed his eyes and savored the taste.

Damn, these cookies are almost orgasmic, he thought as he helped himself to another bite.

He noticed a piece of paper sticking out from under the plate. He absently ate the rest of his cookie as he pulled what looked to be a card out and opened it with one hand.

"Aaron,

Congrats on making the team!

Love,

Mads"

Aaron felt his eyes go misty at the kindness of the gesture. All the sudden he felt arms wrap around his torso.

"Good job Aaron!" Madeline exclaimed before jumping back, "I made you cookies!"

Aaron turned around and couldn't help but smiling at her, "I know, dude, they're good," he told her before pulling Maddy into a bone crushing hug, "Thanks," he whispered choking back tears. He wasn't exactly certain why he was so emotional, but perhaps it was that someone cared, someone cared enough to be happy for him about his accomplishment even though his dad was gone. He also felt a bit guilty at the way he'd been treating his sister, even if she deserved it. However he just couldn't ignore the kindness and love that was radiating from her.

Suddenly willing to put the past behind for a moment he stepped back and cleared his throat, "Hey Mads, you up for a Twin Night?"

Madeline's eyes lit up in delight at the prospect. She thought Aaron would never want to have another one with her. Before the Accident, her and Aaron had managed a Twin Night at least once a month, sometimes more. They'd pig out on pizza and her cookies while watching movies and doing homework, talking, and making fun of each other. Twin Nights were some of her favorite memories.

"I'll order the pepperoni and pineapple pizza if you go pick up the movies and some cream soda," she told him.

"Agreed," he grinned as he grabbed the keys out of his pocket and raced out to the car.

As he pulled out of the driveway a wave of nostalgia came over him.

Just like old times, Aaron thought.

Just like old times, Madeline thought with a smile.