Papier Silk

Zack:

I was feeling especially confident as I walked up to the candy counter to greet my lady, not just because it was my birthday, but also because I was looking devastatingly handsome in my new shirt. And I knew that no one, not even Maddie, could deny me and my good looks.

"Hey Maddie," Cody greeted her, and I swore under my breath because I was too slow to be the first one to say something.

She smiled, that heart stopping smile of hers and said, "Hey,"

I stepped forward pretending to to scan the selection of candy. "You have any raisins?"

She eyed me suspiciously. "Since when do you eat raisins,"

"Since today," I answered. And she turned around to check the shelves, and with one graceful move snatched up a red box.

"Chocolate covered?" she asked.

I took a moment to answer, "never mind. But how about a date instead?"

"Nice try," She said, and I felt like a little kid as she patted my head. But I wasn't--I was a grown man.

I continued with my newly learned pick-up lines, hoping she'd eventually give in.

Maddie:

He was doing it again--charming me with his cheesy pick-up lines, that forever failed to work. I leaned on the counter and smiled sweetly down at his round childish face, the box of chocolate raisins still in my hand. Who was he kidding? Did he honestly think I'd fall for a 14 year old.

"...We're 15," I heard him vaguely say and I snapped backwards with surprise. Did he know I was thinking about how old he was? No, of course not.

"What?" I asked.

"Today's our birthday," explained Cody.

Shoot, I forgot. "Well, happy birthday," I replaced the box on the shelf and walked from behind the counter to give both of them a hug, then swore at my deteriorating memory.

I looked over to the door, just as London came sashaying through. I rolled my eyes at her ridiculous outfit. She was wearing a fur jacket--undoubtedly faux, but nevertheless still big and furry--in the middle of summer. I've always thought she was fashionable dresser--fashionable, but very unpractical.

"Yeah, and mom's taking us to see the Black Eyed Peas!" Cody exclaimed his eyes lighting up.

Then I heard London gasp, as she sprinted to the candy counter, her heels clicking on the floor. "Did you guys just say you're going to see the Black Eyed Peas?"

The twins nodded with their terribly huge grins that made them look funny and I couldn't help but snigger.

"I'm going too," said London, "m.v.p" she pointed to her faux fur.

"You mean, v.i.p.?" I suggested then rolled my eyes when she failed to answer.

"You think you could take us backstage?" interrupted Zack as he moved in closer to London.

"I'm sure I could. But I'm won't," she said bluntly. "Unless," and I knew what she was going to say. The same thing she had been repeating for the last two days. She was like a broken record always bringing up the subject of the concert. But I guess it wasn't her fault her boyfriend--or I guess he'd be her ex now--was such a dog.

"Unless?" Cody asked hopefully.

"Unless Maddie comes with me," she said and then looked at me with a begging smile.

London:

I don't know what her problem was, all she had to do was agree to go with me to the concert, but every time she'd just babble on about bingo night and her granny. It wasn't even that interesting, to tell you the truth.

"So?" I asked her. And she gave me the same boring answer as the other times.

"I told you London," she insisted. "it's Bingo night, and I promised Granny I'd go with her,"

The twins gave her like a stupid look, and then Zack went, "What?!" in a surprised kind of way. "You'd rather play bingo than go see the B.E.P.s"

I cringed at his attempt to refer to the band using abbreviations. It didn't sound as cool as when I said it. But I guess that goes for alot of other things too. I sighed and let it go by, it was his birthday, anyway.

"A promise is a promise," Maddie defended her answer. "And I'm a promise keeper," then she threw her fist up real close to her face, and it looked like she was about to punch someone, although she didnt.

I forced myself to laugh, making it look as if I was laughing at Maddie and her weird hand movements. "Hah, well, while you're playing bingo," I emphasized bingo, by the way, "we're gonna be chillin' with the B.E.P.s" I emphasized B.E.P. by the way, just to show Zack how it sounded better coming from me. Then I gently lead the twins away from the candy counter childishly sticking my tongue out at Maddie.

"Really?" came Cody's delighted voice, and while I was ready to snap back 'are you kidding? Not in this lifetime,' I couldn't say no.

"Have I ever lied?" I asked, and realized maybe that wasn't the best response, because after I said it half a miliion lies came swimming back into my memory.

"Yes!" answered Zack.

Cody:

I don't know what had come over London, but whatever it was I was thankful for it, and I'm certainly positive Zack was too.

She draped each arm across our shoulders and lead us further away from Maddie. I couldn't help but notice her soft fur jacket brushing against my neck, and her subtle perfume wafting around me. She smelled good, like citrus and spices.

"London you smell good," I complemented.

Zack looked over at me with the a look that spelled out, 'What in the world was that?'

I shrugged in reply and looked up at London. Wasn't I allowed to compliment a girl on how good she smells?

"Thanks, it's Margot Delucci," she explained.

I definately did not know what or who that was, but it didn't matter. At the moment being so close to London, and having her delicious perfume around me, I felt surprisingly...at peace.

Well first installment is up. I sincerely hope you enjoyed it.