Madeleine wonders aimlessly through the halls of her high school. She thought she had finally met someone who is more like herself, and unlike the “fake friends” she’d made previously. Yet Devon appears to be another disappointment…a HUGE disappointment. Well, at least according to Madeleine’s current estimation.
Devon stands at the other end of the long corridor. He is surrounded by his basketball team mates, who in chorus, excitedly recount their exploits from the afternoon before. “Man, you missed it!” said the burly, Sean. “Yeah, Dude!” The lanky Chase added. “Where were you anyway?” Chase continued.
Just as Devon is about to answer, he catches a glimpse of Madeleine walking up the crowded hallway. He ignores his team buddies, and begins to move toward her. “Hey man! Where are you going?” He hears the words being hurled toward him. Devon is severely distracted.
“Mads!…Madeleine!” Devon sprints to catch up to Madeleine before she turns the corner down a narrower walkway.
Madeleine hears her name wafting through the air, and slowly turns around in response to it. She notices Devon jogging toward her, and turns again to walk away. “Mads…I…I mean, Madeleine wait up!” Devon calls after her. Madeleine pauses, and slowly swivels toward him. She observes him briefly and tries not to laugh. She thinks the athlete’s breathless running is sort of hilarious “What Devon? …What is it?” She says, portraying displeasure, and trying to stifle her laughter. “Oh c’mon! Are you still mad at me?” Madeleine shoots Devon a sharp look. “What do you think, genius?” She tells him forcibly. Devon’s eyes widen. “Madeleine, I said I was Sorry! What else do you really want from me?” Madeleine is surprised at how flustered Devon is becoming.
Madeleine thinks quickly. “Is Devon really getting upset about my not ‘surrendering’ to his apology?” Madeleine analyzes Devon’s face. Devon then realizes that Madeleine has stopped speaking, and is staring at him. This somehow calms him. “Mads, look…I…uh…I am not used to having a…um, a Girl for a friend.” Devon spits out awkwardly. “I may hang with the Jocks fine, but deep down I’m a comic book nerd whose trying to balance it all, and just make it through High School without any drama.”
Madeleine bursts out into laughter. Devon is flabbergasted. “What the heck is so funny?” Madeleine laughs harder. Devon continues to question her, even plead with her to explain but her laughter grows uncontrollable. Eventually Madeleine talks through her spastic giggles. “I’m sorry…I see it now…” Madeleine begins. “You come across as this tough jock, but there’s someone else hiding in there.” Devon bows, then shakes his head. “Umph! Well, at least you’re laughing…even if it is at me…it’s an improvement on your previous attitude.”
Madeleine laughs harder and turns again to walk down the narrower hallway to her class. Devon follows, then walks alongside her. “Meet you at Solomon’s bookstore after school?” Devon asks. Madeleine ponders briefly, then asks. “What about B-ball practice?” Devon smiles broadly in response. “I figure, you’ll get so caught up with the leather backs, that you’ll still be there.” Madeleine stifles a giggle, and straightens her expression. “We’ll see…” She tells Devon casually, and appearing aloof. Devon smiles confidently. “See you after school Mads!” Devon tells Madeleine, nods, then tears apart from walking alongside her to head to his first class for the day.
To Be Continued…
CHImedia 