So I have news. I GOT INTO UNIVERSITY! :D :D :D I'm SO HAPPY!
Chapter Text
"Where are you taking me?"
She was quiet as she ran behind me, not really caring as long as he kept hold of her hand. They were running alongside the school, with the few people there already staring.
"Somewhere awesome of course!"
Of course that was his reply. It made her laugh, the sheer normality of the situation contrasting with her soon future. That thought soon stopped her laughter as she remembered she'd be leaving him for a while again.
At least he had Eliza.
They came to a stop at a bench and sat. Gil rubbed the back of his head sheepishly as he glanced up at her. Maddie self-consciously pushed some hair out of her eyes. The seating area was empty, bar some seagulls searching for scraps. They kept a wide berth from the couple, occasionally picking at the ground.
"So…I was a bit unawesome yesterday," he paused for a moment to see how she reacted. "Just a bit. And the awesome me has a standard to keep so here I am, Gilbert the awesome, apologising for the dick-like actions that occurred yesterday."
That was out of character. But then yesterday had been out of character, so Maddie didn't really know what to expect. It was nice though. Although, she hoped he'd stop staring at her soon; the red on her cheeks was going to reach a point where the cold could not explain it.
"I-It's fine. I didn't mind…"
"Really?"
"Yes…so how was Eliza?"
He rolled his eyes at that, finally looking away. His hand went to his pockets and grinned.
"She's good. Still with Prissy-Pants but – and don't tell her this okay?"
"O-okay?"
"If he makes her happy than I'll support 'em. "
"Oh! Th-that's sweet, Gil, but I thought you…"
"Liked 'Liza? Nah. I used to but the awesome me found someone even better."
Maddie felt a familiar ache in her chest at that, but schooled her features into a soft smile. She had always been good at controlling her emotions, and she'd felt worse before. But in that moment, it felt like the perfect- the fairy tale- moment for him to confess. It would never happen, of course. But, there they were; alone on a bench, surrounded by a soft covering of snow. The morning sun was shining on his hair and the slight cold blush looked perfectly placed near his redder eyes.
But it was never meant to be.
"Ooooo," she teased, reaching out to poke his shoulder. "Who has gotten Mr Awesome's attention th-then?"
He blushed deeply, laughing quietly.
"Can't say yet, Birdie! But you'll find out soon I hope! Anyway…Ivan?"
"Ivan?" She tilted her head in confusion, wondering if he meant that Ivan was his newest crush.
"You two? Anything uhh… happening there?"
She couldn't help herself. Her laughter rang out across the deserted space, scaring the birds away. She knew Gil was probably staring at her, wondering what the hell was so funny.
"O-oh no. No. Ivan and I… we would never end up together."
"That's very definite. Feel kinda bad for the guy now."
"He doesn't mind. He's not interested."
"How do you know?"
"He's not interested in girls in general, Gil."
"Oh. So I-Al doesn't have to worry about the 'Commie' stealing his sister, I guess."
"No, unless you mean stealing me away back to the Programme on Saturday."
He groaned, turning to her in disbelief.
"Again?! What do you even do that they need you so soon again? What maths problem can't wait a bit huh?!"
"W-well, education is i-important, you know!" Maddie internally winced at the awkward laugh that followed that sentence. She still never knew what to say to that question.
"Fuck education if it keeps taking you off to God knows where," he sighed. "Anyway, I guess I'll wait then."
"Huh?"
"When you come back, I've got something to tell you."
"Y-you could tell me now?"
"Nah."
Gil stood, stretching his arms before offering her his arm.
"Let's go get some fucking education, Birdie."
"O-okay?"