"No, you do have a choice Mad.," Howie said.
"Yeah..like what choice do I have now Howie? I don't have my keys or my car to go to my house."
"Come to my house and we'll decide in the morning..now come on."
Madison sighed and got in Howie's car, he drove to his house and directed her towards a spare bedroom upstairs. He listened, helplessly, as she cried herself into a restless sleep ten minutes later.
He sighed and went downstairs to get something to drink and fix some dinner. The phone rang and he picked it up after two rings. "Hello?"
"D? Where's Madison?"
"Kevin..I'd drop it."
"Is she there? Can I talk to her?"
"Yes, she's here but no, you can't talk to her. She's asleep, finally. What happened?"
"Jamie totally went out of line..I can't believe this.."
"How do you feel about Madison now? Now that you know she hasn't been perfect all her life?"
He sighed, "I feel the same as I did earlier today..I just feel kinda bad for her, you know? That she had to go through all that crap with people."
"She thinks you pity her..she thinks everyone's going to now."
"But we won't..if anything it'll make us all stronger."
"I know..but she's convinced she's now a complete loser."
Kevin sighed again, "Is she okay?"
"I think she will be..I told her she could stay here tonight and we'd talk about it in the morning.."
"Did she cry?"
"Yeah.."
"I hate it when she cries.."
Howie smiled, "How do you feel about Madison Kev?"
"Why?"
"Just wondering.."
"Truthfully D?"
"Yeah..of course."
"I like her alot."
"Don't sound like a 3rd grader..," Howie said smiling.
Kevin laughed, "I didn't mean to. But..things have just been happening..where I see her in a whole new light.."
"Have you told her?"
"No!"
"Why not?"
"Because..then Jamie came back in the picture and then today..and I don't know.."
Howie sighed, "Well..maybe you should tell her.."
"What if she doesn't feel the same way?"
"How do you know if she does?"
"D..you're not helping."
Howie laughed, "Its not exactly easy Kev. Figure it out for yourself..but in my opinion? I think you two would go good together."
"Thanks D."
The next day, Madison woke up disoriented. She forgot she was in Howie's house till she remembered all the events from the day before and groaned and flopped back on the bed. Howie knocked and poked his head in, "You awake?"
"Unfortunately."
He smiled, "Well..come on down and eat something, then I guess I'll take you back to Kev's."
She sat up, "Okay.."
Madison followed Howie downstairs and into the kitchen. He put a plate and a cup of coffee in front of her, "Now, eat."
"Howie.."
"I'm going to force you to eat. You need to because you had no dinner last night."
"Okay.."
"Kevin called last night.."
"Oh really?"
"Yep..he doesn't pity you, nor do I."
"Nick doesn't."
"AJ and Brian won't either.."
"What if they do?"
"They won't..they're not like that Madison..you should know that by now."
She sighed and finished her breakfast, "I know..I'm sorry D."
He smiled, "Don't apoligize..ready?"
She nodded, got up, and hugged him, "Thank you D..for everything."
"You're welcome. You know you can talk to me anytime Madison.."
She smiled and pulled back, "So, I guess its time to face the music, huh?"
"Yep.."
She followed Howie out to his car and got in and got ready to face Kevin.
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