Chapter 2: Studying and Truth or Dare
Leaving Maddie, London took the nearest elevator up to her penthouse room on the 28th floor. Since she was young the Boston Tipton had been her home… she knew no other. That was because her family owned the Tipton Hotel making her the sole heiress of the Tipton business empire. And, though she traveled a great deal, shopping for fashions in all the capitols of the world, she was always glad to return home to that very special Tipton hotel.
Her pooch, Ivana, a white Pomeranian, met her at the door. She ignored the dog except to say hello and went to her large and richly appointed bedroom, dropping her bags carelessly on the floor at the foot of the bed. Sighing, she flopped down on the queen sized bed, sitting up a second later when Ivana whined to be picked up. She leaned over and got a hold of the dog and placed Ivana next to her side then laid down again, closing her eyes and staying still for some minutes, one hand petting her dog. It was silent in the penthouse as usual. She knew she should put her things away in her huge wardrobe and lay out her study materials for later but she felt too lethargic to move right now. Perhaps a nap would be best.
Rolling to her side, she kicked off her shoes and got comfortable. When Maddie's shift ended, London knew she would make her work hard on her Literature homework and prepare for the big test. She really liked Maddie. The girl was the kind of person one could count on and trust. They'd been friends since the first day Maddie began working at the Tipton.
A smile flitted across London's face as she thought of all the stories she had to tell any children she might have about all the misadventures she and Maddie experienced during their youth and all the interesting and weird people they'd met along the way.
"I'm really lucky to I have someone like Maddie, who's always there for me." London mused. "I hope she feels the same way about me, after all, I am her best friend."
With that last thought lingering in her mind, London drifted off to sleep. Hours later, a knock on her penthouse door woke her up. Groggy, she dragged herself off the bed, nearly stumbled on the bags still on the floor and staggered out into the main living area to answer the door.
Pulling it open, she saw Maddie standing there, one eyebrow raised, staring at her. The girl wasn't wearing her work clothes any longer having changed into an orange pull over sweater with black parallel stripes paired with black jeans and white tennis shoes. Her hair was in a simple ponytail. In one hand she held a book bag which London suspected held all her tools she needed for their study session.
Eyeing her sleepy friend, Maddie smiled and asked easily, "Well, since you've obviously had a nap, I assume you're ready to study?"
"Oh...yeah," London said inanely, mildly embarrassed. She stepped back so Maddie could enter. "So what did your mom say about you staying the rest of the weekend with me?"
"She wasn't happy about it but when I told her you begged me for help in studying for the Literature test and that it would help me too, she relented. Still, you owe me big time for this, London."
"And I'll be sure to show my thanks in every way I can think of," London assured her, smiling warmly.
They walked over to the large comfortable white couch and sat down side by side. Maddie laid her bag on the white marble coffee table and began pulling books of all shapes and colors out, a writing tablet and pencils. London reached out and picked up a blue book that was rather thick and heavy. On the front cover was a huge black bird and the title said: Complete Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe.
"Pow? Our test is about a guy named Pow? What a funny name…" London laughed, mispronouncing the author's name.
Maddie rolled her eyes "It's not Pow, London, it's Poe, Edgar Allan Poe, the master of the American macabre. He's the author of countless poems and horror stories, especially the most terrifying poem ever written, "The Raven", which supposedly sends shivers up your spine, whenever you read it out loud."
"Surely you jest. Why don't you read it to me and I'll be the judge if it's that scary," London dared her. Though she'd never heard of this guy Poe, she did love hearing Maddie read. Her voice was beautiful to the listening ear and it helped London learn better when Maddie explained things.
"Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door-
Only this, and nothing more."
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;-vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow-sorrow for the lost Lenore-
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me-filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
"'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door-
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my chamber door;-
This it is, and nothing more."
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"-here I opened wide the door;-
Darkness there, and nothing more.
"What is this guy trying to do? Killing us of boredom? What's so scary about darkness, anyway?" –London interrupted rudely. Maddie shook her head, rolled her eyes and continued to read.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore!"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!"-
Merely this, and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice:
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore-
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;-
'Tis the wind and nothing more."
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately raven of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door-
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door-
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then this ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore.
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient raven wandering from the Nightly shore-
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Okay, it is kinda scary and spooky. I really hate this poem. So isn't there anything else by this guy that isn't so morbid? You know, something a little friendlier like a doggy, or a kitty cat, or maybe a unicorn with a pink bow, instead of a spooky raven? And besides, who is this Lenore that he keeps talking about?" London interrupted Maddie again.
Though she felt like bashing her friend's head in with the weighty book in her hands, she held her temper and said lightly, "No, London, Poe is the master of horror and macabre, and Lenore is the poem's character's deceased bride. And it doesn't matter if you hate it or not; this is what the test will be on so hush and listen already." London sighed and subsided. Finding where she'd stopped at, Maddie took up the task again.
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning-little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blest with seeing bird above his chamber door-
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as "Nevermore."
But the raven, sitting lonely on the placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if his soul in that one word he did outpour.
Nothing further then he uttered-not a feather then he fluttered-
Till I scarcely more than muttered, "other friends have flown before-
On the morrow he will leave me, as my hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said, "Nevermore."
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore-
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of 'Never-nevermore'."
But the Raven still beguiling all my fancy into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird, and bust, and door;
Then upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore-
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamplight gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o'er,
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Then methought the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose footfalls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee,-by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite,-respite and nepenthe, from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"And there he goes again with that Lenore girl… geez, I wonder how she could put up with this guy." London interjected.
Maddie grit her teeth, let out her breath then continued gamely on.
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!-prophet still, if bird or devil!-
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted-
On this home by horror haunted-tell me truly, I implore-
Is there-is there balm in Gilead?-tell me-tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil-prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us-by that God we both adore-
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore-
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Be that word our sign in parting, bird or fiend," I shrieked upstarting-
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul hath spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!-quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamplight o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!
"You might not agree with me on this one, but I still think the poem is dumb. Why can't teachers ever give us something fun to read like a fashion magazine, or a gossip magazine, or even maybe a comic book?" London demanded when Maddie finished and set the book down on the table.
"Because those aren't educational nor do they make you think as this does," Maddie explained. "This poem happens to be the best literature written with many hidden meanings we're expected to explore and understand."
Rolling her eyes, London sighed in dismay and looked rather distressed. Frowning in confusion, Maddie asked, "What's wrong, London?"
"Ohh… it's just…" London sighed and waved a hand to indicate this was hard for her to articulate. "I just wished I was as smart as you. I don't understand hardly anything of what we're supposed to learn but for you it's like a walk in the park. I just wish it was as easy for me too. Like that dumb poem. I haven't a clue what we're supposed to get out of that." By the time she finished, she was nearly whining with frustration and anger.
"Aww, don't take on so, London. I just happen to enjoy studying but that's not true of everyone else. You aren't the only one who has trouble with this stuff. Don't sell yourself short, London, you're smart in other ways. It would be a boring world if we all thought the same way, don't you think?" Maddie cajoled her, patting London's back comfortingly. She didn't like to see her friend distressed. Yes, she was an airhead in many ways, but she was smart where it counted, like knowing what the best fashions were, what to wear for a party or what were the most fashionable places in several different cities, among other things. It was just in subjects like these that she struggled.
"You really think so?" London asked, hesitantly.
"Yes, I'm absolutely and positively sure of it." Maddie gave her friend a tight hug to convince her making London smile.
"I'm so lucky to have a friend like you, Maddie," London confessed, as a little tear rolled down her cheek. "Not all the money in the world could buy a friendship like ours, and believe me, I tried before."
Maddie blinked in surprise and amusement at the same time. She immediately felt a little guilty about the uncharitable thoughts she'd had about her friend earlier and promised herself she would be more sensitive to her friend's needs and treat this as the true friendship it was rather than a way to garner gifts and favours.
She shook her head and chuckled, giving her friend another hug. "Only you would try to buy friends. Okay, enough of this soul searching, silly. We have some serious studying to do especially if you're having that much difficulty. I want you to pass your test," she said firmly, pulling out the questions they had to answer and picking up the book again, opening it to the poem again.
Giving her friend a wane smile, London did her best to focus and listen to everything she told her. But before they could begin again, a whine near their feet reminded them they weren't alone.
"Aww… Ivana, I'm sorry sweetie. Maddie she needs to be walked and fed, can we take a break?"
"Oh, of course." Maddie thought the poor pooch was lucky it didn't starve to death or pee on the rug because of her owner's forgetfulness.
The two of them got up, London put a harness and leash on Ivana and out they went. They were gone for a half hour and Ivana was bouncing around in relief and hunger when they returned to the apartment. From a small fridge she had in the penthouse, London took out some expensive dog food, filled the bowl and set it down for the dog while Maddie gave the dog clean water. Finished, the two girls went back to the couch to set to work again.
Over the next few hours Maddie picked apart the poem and explained each part of it the best she could for London. It was dinner time when they thought to stop and eat. London called room service and they ordered their food.
While they waited for it to be delivered, Maddie talked about the author and his life hoping it would give London a better feel for why the author wrote such morbid things. By now London was finally grasping a little about how Poe's mind worked. She still didn't like his work but she felt proud that she understood enough to feel confident that she would at least pass the test.
Of course, the main reason for her confidence was how good a tutor Maddie was. Room service arrived and they had pizza then they returned to studying until around eleven, Maddie thought they'd done enough and set the book and notes down.
"That's it for now. My brain and voice are tired."
Setting her book and papers on the table as well, London studied her friend. "Thank you so much for doing this with me, Maddie. No one makes this stuff easier to understand then you do. You're a great tutor." Maddie blushed and shrugged. "So, what do you want to do now? We have the whole penthouse to ourselves and a long night ahead."
"Don't we always have the whole penthouse just for ourselves?" –Maddie asked archly.
"Yeah, now that you mention it," London smirked. "But you haven't answered my question. What do you want to do?"
"I don't know, London. I'm really tired. It's been a long day and I didn't get a nap like you did so I'd opt for sleep right now," Maddie reminded her, yawning.
"Oh, come on, Maddie. The night is still young and there are so many things we could do." London cajoled, making sad puppy eyes that she knew Maddie couldn't resist reacting to.
Maddie knew there was no use trying to get London to believe her friend was dead tired. When London was like this there was no arguing with her. "Fine, what did you want to do?"
"I asked you that but if you can't think of something I would suggest a game of some kind," London said, happily, pleased at winning again.
"What kind of game?"
"I don't know…"
Rolling her eyes, Maddie named a few off the top of her head, "Well, there's "spin the bottle" but that requires more than two people, uhm… how about Truth or Dare?"
"Perfect! "Truth or Dare" it is."
Clearing the table of dinner and their homework, the pair went to the bedroom to change into their pajamas, and then returned to the couch. Ivana had left her dog bed to come and join them, peering up at the girls from beneath the table. The Asian brunette picked the dog up and set her down between them.
"Okay, you go first, Maddie."
"Fine... truth or dare?"
"Hmm… truth."
"Okay, I'll give you an easy one. Who's your best friend in the whole world?" Maddie asked, smirking.
"That's easy... you silly!" London snorted, grinning. Her hand petted and scratched Ivana who wore a doggy smile, enjoying the attention.
"Really? I'm flattered," Maddie declared, chuckling. "Okay, your turn!"
"Yay me! Okay, Maddie, truth or dare?" London asked her, with a wicked look in her eyes.
"Hmm… okay, I think I'll choose truth," Maddie decided.
"Okay… what do you think of me as a person?" London asked her.
Maddie blinked. She should have guessed her friend would ask something like that especially after what she'd said earlier. It was a good thing she'd decided to be more honest about her relationship just a bit ago or she'd be fumbling for an answer right now. Still, this would take some delicate handling.
"I think that you are a great friend, London. Sometimes you can be a little selfish and self-centered, but that doesn't mean you're a bad person. In fact, I think that when you want to, you can be the sweetest, kindest and most awesome person in the world," Maddie declared honestly.
"You really think so?" London asked, a small tear falling from one eye.
"Of course I do. I chose truth, and I am telling you the truth. Oh, and well, since I am, I remembered the time you wanted to be part of my band, and I didn't want to tell you that you couldn't sing, because I feared you might take the instruments that you bought for us… I never got the chance to say it, but although you can't carry a tune, you do have a lovely voice." This statement only made London even more emotional, causing her to hug Maddie, nearly squeezing Ivana between them. Maddie was warmed by that simple gesture of affection. When they finally broke the hug, Maddie said, "Okay, my turn again...truth or dare?"
"Hmmm… Dare."
"Okay, I dare you to let me borrow one of your jewel necklaces and let me keep it for a whole week!" Maddie said.
"Do I really have to?" London whined a little but relented when Maddie didn't say anything but stared at her. Sighing, she immediately got up and went to her bedroom. She pawed through a couple of drawers until she finally decided on a beautiful diamond necklace with a cap-sized sapphire set in a teardrop as it's centerpoint. She carried it back to the living room and handed it, a little reluctantly, to Maddie.
"Just be very careful with that one. I bought it in Hong Kong, and I haven't had the opportunity to try it on," She warned.
"Don't worry, I will. Besides, when have I ever lost anything that was lent to me?" Maddie asked, studying the expensive piece before putting it around her neck. "It's really beautiful, thank you."
"It matches your eyes too which is why I chose it," London said, pleased by how it looked on her friend.
"You really think so? Thanks. It's your turn now," Maddie said, smiling.
"Right, truth or dare?"
"I dare you to dare me, London!" Maddie declared, as her lips shaped into a mischievous smile.
"Okay, you asked for it! I dare you to kiss me, Maddie Fitzpatrick!" London said, an odd predatory look on her face at the same time Ivana let out a small bark.
"Kiss you? Just that? I thought I would get a more difficult one than that," Maddie said, surprised. She began to lean forward to kiss one of London's cheek's but the girl put up a hand to stop her.
"Oh no, not on the cheek… on the lips!" London said, firmly.
Maddie stared at her in shocked surprise.
"What's the matter, Maddie, chicken?"
Before the brunette could say anything more, Maddie leaned forward and gave her a quick peck on the lips. It had been a very light touch but both came away with the taste of each others lip gloss.
No one said anything for a long moment as they stared at each other, expressions serious then they dissolved into fits of laughter. Maddie eventually had to muffle her gales of laughter with a pillow trying to stop it. Only when they were both breathless did they finally manage to stop. It was quiet in the room for a few minutes.
"Man, that was awkward, don't you think, Maddie?" London suddenly said.
"Yeah… I guess. I never kissed a girl before," Maddie said slowly. "These games can get so very naughty, not that I'm complaining."
"That's so true." London yawned and stretched her arms to the ceiling. "Well I'm tired now, so to bed, you think?"
"I was ready an hour ago… so I'll be sleeping here on the couch, okay?"
"No way, Maddie. You're my best friend and I wouldn't dream of having you sleep on the couch. My bed is huge so you'll share it with me, no argument. Let's go," London said firmly, grasping Maddie's wrist and dragging her to her feet, not letting go as she led the way to the bedroom.
"Uh… are you sure about this?" Maddie asked, uncertain about the wisdom of this.
"I'm positive. Besides, I don't sleep well when someone else is here, but it won't bother me to have you next to me instead," London insisted, smiling. "Now stop arguing. My bed is far more comfortable than your tiny bed where I can't even stretch my arms or legs out without hitting something."
Maddie could only sigh. As arguments go, London's made sense though she hated it when her friend unconsciously put her down for the clothes she wore, how she looked, and what her home looked like. However, deep in her heart, she knew that was simply London's way. She just didn't know it was hurtful and Maddie didn't feel like correcting her about it.
So she did her bedtime routine as did London before they climbed into bed and pulled the covers up, laughing a little at doing something neither had done since childhood. Laying on the soft mattress, they turned their heads to stare into each other's eyes.
"Good night Maddie, sleep tight!" London said softly, closing her eyes first.
"Good night, London. Don't let the bed bugs bite you," Maddie answered, playfully.
"Bed bugs? W-What are b-bed bugs?" London exclaimed, jerking upright and looking frantically around, eyes wide with fear.
Maddie couldn't help it… she laughed. Shaking her head, she sat up and grabbed her friend's hands and shook her. "It's alright, London, it's just an expression. There are no bed bugs here."
"You're sure?"
"Positive. The Tipton is kept far too clean for them to dare show themselves here," Maddie reassured her.
"You mean they do exist?"
"Well, yeah but I swear not at this hotel, nor all the other Tipton hotels, or the high class ones you stay at, promise."
London took a deep breath and let it out, forcing herself to relax. "Okay, I trust you know what you're talking about, but I think Ivana should sleep with us just in case." She leaned over the bed. "Here Ivana… here girl."
The dog gave a soft yip and ran into the room. London lifted her onto the bed, letting the dog decide where she wished to rest.
"Okay, now one last thing and I think I could sleep. Would you hug me while I'm sleeping, please?" She begged Maddie with beseeching eyes.
Maddie sighed but nodded. "Sure, London."
Her friend smiled and moved closer until they were entwined, snuggled close. A few minutes later, Ivana trotted up to them and settled in between the girls legs, falling asleep quickly. The girls were already sleeping, dreaming about all kinds of things.