I've been neglecting this poor little story, but never fear. I'm back on the case and I don't intend to let it go that long with an update again.
True to Esteban's prediction, the truth about Maddie's story was revealed without either of them being carried away by monters in the night, and both of them remained to work another day. This day happened to be the last day of the twin convention, and masses of people were checking out. Maddie idly watched them go by, until one particular pair of lookalikes came into her view. It was Kirk and Dirk, the twins who she and London had gone on a double date with - a date that had ended in disaster. She really didn't want to have to fae them again, so she quikly scanned the room for somewhere she could escape to.
"Perfect," she thought as her eye fell on Esteban, who was busy hauling luggage for the guests. Maddie waited until Kirk and Dirk's back were turned, the skittered over to her friend as fast as she could.
"Hide me!" she said as she ducked behind him.
"What's going on?" he asked, justifiably confused.
"Just keep walking and I'll tell you," she whispered from behind.
So he did, and she kept pace with him until he had succesfully loaded the bags into the guests' waiting car, after which he turned to her expectantly.
"Alright," Maddie said. "So there are these two guys in the lobby that London and I went on a double date with last night. Of course, she took the cute one for herself, and left me with the weird dorky one,"
Esteban shook his head, and Maddie continued.
"Naturally, I was a little apprehensive about it, but I finally decided to give the poor guy a chance And what do you think he did? He started telling me how he would rather be dating London!"
"You're kidding," said Esteban, truly shocked.
"I know," she agreed. "As if I wasn't good enough for him."
"That guy must have been crazy," he said, and then, in a lower voice, muttered: "to turn down a date with you."
But this last part was drowned out by the revving engine of the departing car, and Maddie did not hear it.
"What was that?" she asked.
"Oh, nothing," Esteban answered quickly, relieved that she hadn't heard. Then, changing the subject away from himself, he said, "Listen, you know there's nobody that you're not good enough for, right?"
"Yeah, that's why I poured a pitcher of water all over him," she answered, smirking.
"Good girl!" said Esteban approvingly. She was learning to stand up for herself, and he dared to flatter himself that his advice had taught her to do so.
"Thanks," she said, pleased at his approbation. Here, she chanced to glance back through the glass front doors, and saw Dirk and his twin heading out.
"Oh, here he comes!" she said, again jumping behind Esteban, who safely guarded her past them, and back inside, eventually depositing her at her counter. As he took his leave, he looked back to see her give a small but happy wave to him. It was the first time in his recent memory that he had left her with a smile on her face.
