Well, this was unexpected. Maddie almost backed into some athlete in the school hallway, but somebody's brother pulled her closer before she got crushed. She didn't even know Rafe's brother's name. She swallowed her fear and said a quiet, "Thanks."
He said his name was Cade and he bought her a drink at the school vending machine on the way out.
"According to Rafe, he says you have a long-standing crush on KC." Rafe's brother was so different. Somehow Rafe had a way of feeling like you got locked into the buddy system protocol. He was a bit nervous too, but Cade..well, he said whatever he wanted.
Maddie didn't know what to say. How did Cade figure that out? She took a sip of the fizzy drink, and it went up her nose. Oh, the horror. His brother would have to witness her awkwardness. She had a coughing spell. and he was so kind. He had wipes and everything in his satchel. It was to the point she had tears in her eyes.
"Look, Rafe is in the same boat," Cade assured her.
"What?" She croaked, looking up at him.
"He's got a crush on somebody too, and...well, it's not gonna go anywhere, either." He gave her a pat on the back. Why did she always find herself with guys who were not going to notice she was even there. She longed for someone like Cade, but then again Cade had a boyfriend.
Maddie sighed heavily as if most of the world was in a woke generation and then there were wallflowers like her still sliding by.
"It's always been hard for him to be nice," Cade told her. "But I think he wants to be here for you, in his own way."
Maddie nodded. She thought of Rafe always wanting to run ahead of her and then he'd run back and ask why was she so slow. Yes, she never got anywhere very fast.
"I'll try to be his friend." She was straight-lipped. After all, they'd somehow come through with helping KC and his last show. Naturally, KC didn't say much to her then, either. But she was certain it was her fault. She'd missed her chance.
"You have to ask Rafe questions." Cade shrugged. "But be ready, he likes to talk about himself a lot."
Maddie cleared her throat. She was glad Cade warned her.
I went in holiday and I couldn't read you but... I'm here again!
ReplyDeleteSo happy to read you again
Kisses!!!
Oh my running into Cade! And inhaling her soda. :) This is super interesting. That line about longing for someone like Cade, I was like nooooo it's RAFE. But you never know... is she really hearing what Cade is telling her? But she does have to figure out what her feelings are and what to do about KC I suppose
ReplyDeleteGood luck to Maddie when she deals with Rafe.
ReplyDeletePobre KC ¿que pasara con el? Genial fragmento. Te mando un beso.
ReplyDeletePoor Maddie
ReplyDeletegood warning.....
ReplyDeleteIt's well written, it's a nice read.
ReplyDeleteWow. Cade's really laying it on the line with Maddie on Rafe's behalf. Unless Cade . . . is Rafe? That's not something I even considered until I saw it in Greg's comment, but if that's what's going on, it makes sense! Anyway, this is such a beautifully haunting line:
ReplyDelete"Maddie sighed heavily as if most of the world was in a woke generation and then there were wallflowers like her still sliding by."
I hope Maddie figures everything out -- either with or without Rafe -- and feels like less of a wallflower. Because that's what's most important. 💔💐💔💐
I agree! And I'm so conflicted! On the one hand, I was kind of rooting for Maddie and rafe, but then I re- read Pt. 1 and the previous and it seems like Rafe has a thing for Chili, and Maddie seems like she's thinking of rafe as a friend.
Delete