"In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines

Lived twelve little girls in two straight lines

In two straight lines they broke their bread

And brushed their teeth and went to bed.

They left the house at half past nine

In two straight lines in rain or shine-

The smallest one was Madeline."

Madeline and Pepito had been best friends almost as long as they had known each other. When they had first met they had not exactly gotten along, in fact they were downright enemies. He had been a bad hat and all that, but they had gotten past that and learned that the two of them together could cause more trouble than just one of them alone. They liked to play together just fine, but they preferred to cause mischief. For now though, they were just two best friends, going for a walk.

"Pepito," Madeline said, "You are being a bad hat again."

"I am not," he answered.

"Yes you are," she said, "You are being a very naughty boy."

"Madeline, for all your complaining, I do not think you would like me half as much if I was not as naughty as I am," he said. He leaned down and his warm breath on her neck made a shiver go down her spine.

"It is cold," she said absentmindedly, covering up for the effect he has on her.

"Take my jacket," he said, putting it on her, the leather heavy on her shoulders.

"That is much better," she said, agreeably. She liked to wear Pepito's jacket, it smelled of his aftershave and the fancy Spanish soap the ambassadors always had at their place.

"I am glad," he said, "We cannot have Little Red getting too cold."

"You know I hate it when you call me that," she said.

"You know I love to tease you," he answered he.

"You are mean, that's why. Nice people do not tease for fun," she said.

"Well I am not a nice boy," he said, "You must know that by now."

"You should try to be," she said, "It is better to be a good boy than a naughty one."

"Would you like me better if I was good?" he asked.

"Of course I would," she answered, "Wouldn't you prefer someone who is good than someone who is bad?"

"No, I do not think so," he said, "I much rather a naughty girl than a nice one."

"Pepito," she gasped, "That is no good. You should want a good girl."

"What about a good girl who acts bad?" he reasoned, smirking because he knew it's gone over her head.

"A good girl who acts bad is not a good girl at all," Madeline explained.

"Well then it's a good thing that you are not a good girl," Pepito said, closing the space between them and silencing her protests with a kiss.

"But I am a good girl," Madeline said, once they stopped kissing.

"Well that's alright," he said, "I like you anyway."

"That's all there is; there isn't any more."