Chapter 3: TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCES

The day went by pretty fast. Vida and Chip were off earlier and they went home. Only Nick, Madison, Xander and Toby were in the store. Toby is in his office taking a break. He has seen to much food coming by in his store that he decided to be out of sight for a moment. Madison was putting some records on shelves, Xander was supervising as usual and Nick's standing behind the counter. While Madison put the records on the shelves, she couldn't keep her eyes of Nick, who was talking to a few girls. The girls were giggling.

"What are they talking about? Why are they laughing? And why is Nick smiling at them? Does he like them? Are they asking him out? What's going on?"

"Come back anytime." Nick smiled as the girls left the store giggling.

"Maybe I should ask him? No, that would be weird. I don't want him to know that I'm interested in him. Well, I do, but I need to know first what he thinks of me. What if he doesn't like me? What if I'm not his type? No, that would be too embarrassing. Maybe I have to try to find out. But how?"

Madison walked over to the counter where Nick was standing.

"Hey."

"Hey, is everything alright?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Everything is alright. So, friends of yours."

"Those girls? Nah. They're going to school with us. One of them asked me out on a date."

The smile on Madison slowly started to disappear.

"Oh."

"But I said no."

The smile appeared on Madison's face again. She was relieved to hear that.

"Really?"

"Yeah, I don't have to time for dates anyway. If you know what I'm talking about."

"I do?"

Nick pointed out to his morpher.

"The whole magic situation is taking most of my free time, so it makes dating almost impossible."

"Great. Did he really have to say that? Dating Nick Russell is impossible. There goes my love life. Should I just give up? No, I can't just ignore this."

"I guess you're right. So, we're almost done with work. You wanna do something after we're done?"

"I'd love to, but I have other plans later. Maybe another time."

Madison was disappointed and tried to smile back at Nick.

"Sure. Another time."

"Great. Look, I need to get something from the office. Could you keep an eye on the counter for me till I get back?"

"Sure. No problem."

"Awesome. You rock."

Nick smiled and went to the office. Madison stood behind the counter, looking disappointed.

"Great, at least I rock. Perfect."

"Who you're talking to?"

Madison turned around in shock and saw Xander standing behind her.

"Why is everyone sneaking behind my back today?"

"Sorry. I didn't mean to. Where's Nick?"

"He had to get something from the office. He'll be back in a sec."

"Is everything alright?"

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure? It looks like something's bothering you."

"You have any plans after work?"

"No, why?"

"You wanna hang out with me?"

"Sure. Sounds cool."

"Great." Madison smiles as Xander went back to his chair. She feels like she needed to talk to a friend. This is something that couldn't keep on bottling inside of her. She hid it for too long and it wants to come out.

The teens finished their work. Nick went home and Madison and Xander decided to see a movie. They bought tickets and entered the theatre.

"Man, I wanted to see this movie for a long time. Can't wait till it starts."

"Me too."

It was bothering Madison that Nick rejected her this afternoon in the store. Xander could see that Madison's mind was somewhere else.

"Maddie, if you wanna go home…"

"No, I'm fine."

"I don't think so. I can see that something's bothering you. And I'm your friend. So why don't you tell me what's up?"

"I can't. It's too embarrassing."

"You didn't cross to the other side of the gender, right?

"Xander!"

"I'm kidding. Look, whatever it is. I promise I won't laugh. Like I said, I'm your friend. Just tell me."

"Alright. It's about this guy, he's a very good friend of mine. And we can get along very well."

"So, what's the problem?"

"I want more than just a friendship."

"Awh….our Maddie is in love. That's so cute."

"Forget it. It's too embarrassing."

"No, go on. Does he feel the same about you?"

"That's the point. I don't know. I'm scared to tell him. I mean I don't want to ruin our friendship with something like this."

"Maddie, if you don't tell him you will never find out if he feels the same way about you."

"I guess you're right. Maybe I should tell him."

The light in the theatre started to dim.

"Just out of curiosity. Who is your lover boy?"

"I'm not gonna tell you that."

"Oh come one. You gotta tell me something. For example, does he go to our school?"

"Yes, he goes to our school."

"And? Do I know him?"

"I think you do. Yes."

"How does he look like? What kind of guy is he?"

"He's an amazing guy. He has gorgeous eyes, great body, and dark hair. Very mysterious. He's very charming and funny. I don't think I'm the only girl who falls for him. I mean a lot of girls have a crush on him."

Xander's eyes grew large as he had an idea about who Madison was talking about.

"No way."

"What?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all."

Madison just watched at the screen as the movie started. Now Xander is thinking about what Madison just said and it bothered him.

Meanwhile, Vida and Chip are at Rootcore, studying and experiencing with all kinds of spells.

"Wow, check this out."

Vida walked over to Chip and looked at the book Chip's holding. "What is it?"

"It's a truth spell. It says that anyone who takes this potion, this person can't say anything but the truth for the upcoming hour. Is that cool or what?"

"A truth spell? Yeah right. What am I saying? I'm wearing a pink warrior custom and fly on brooms. Like things aren't crazy enough. Let's try."

"Wait a sec. I'm not sure of that's such a good idea."

"Are you saying that you're scared?"

When Chip heard the word scared, he took 2 glasses and handed one to Vida.

"Cheers."

They ticked their glass to each other and drink it. They pulled a disgusted face after they drunk.

"Ew! What was inside of that potion?"

"I don't know, but I'm never going to drink that ever again. You feel anything?"

"I feel nothing. I still feel the same. Chip, are you sure that was the right potion?"

"I'm sure. Maybe we should ask each other question to see if it really works."

"Alright. Do you like my music at the Rock Porium."

"Yeah, I think it rocks."

"It doesn't work. You said you like my music."

"Maybe because I really do. Oke, my turn. Where were you yesterday during History class."

"I was asleep."

"Oh really? I thought you said you were going to the doctor."

"So what? I cut classes all the time. It's not working."

"Try another question."

"Oke. Your favorite clothing piece."

"My superman custom."

"Your what?"

"Nothing."

Vida started to laugh. "You have a superman custom?"

"Who doesn't?"

"Uhm…me."

"Very funny. What's your favorite color?"

"Pink. No wait, I meant something else."

"And I thought you hated pink. Shame on you for lying."

"What do you think of Lee Lee?

"I think she's hot." Vida gave Chip a confused look. "Well, she can be mean sometimes, but you gotta admit that she's quite the looker."

"Whatever. Do you have a crush on her?"

"Hey, it's my turn to ask the question. And it better be a good one."

"You better hurry up before Udonna gets back."

"I know. Do you have a crush on Xander?"

Vida was quiet for a moment and started to laugh. "That's a ridiculous question. I'm not going to answer that."

"Why? You're scared that the truth might come out?" Chip answered with a big grin on his face, knowing that this was the million dollar question and Vida always seem to deny it. But now Vida isn't able to lie about it, this was his chance to ask.

"You know the truth."

"Well, why don't you tell me then?"

"Why should I? You already know the truth."

"But I want to hear it from you. If it's the truth then why you're scared to tell me then? Is it because it might be another answer then you're telling us all for the past year?

"Let's get back to our books, shall we?"

Vida left straight to the big round table and hid her face so Chip wouldn't see her blushing. Chip smiled as he saw Vida opening her book and fully concentrated on her books. This wasn't the Vida he knew.

"I'll take that as a yes."

Chip walked over to the table and started to study as well.

That evening at Rock Porium, Nick entered the store and was about to walk inside the office. Suddenly he saw Xander sitting on his supervising chair, staring in front of him. Nick walked over to him.

"You're trying to get overpaid?"

Xander turned around and saw it was Nick. Nick took a seat on the couch.

"Oh, it's you."

"You were expecting someone else?"

"No."

"Then what are you doing here by yourself?"

"Thinking."

"Oh, I see. You wanna be left alone in your thinking atmosphere?"

"I don't know. What are you doing here anyway?"

"I forgot something in the office. You wanna talk about what's bothering you?"

"Maybe. It's about a girl."

"I see. So, what is it this time? Is she unavailable, unreachable or terrible?" Nick joked and laughed, but Xander looked at him with serious eyes.

"It's about Madison."

Nick stopped laughing and looked at Xander with concerned eyes when he heard her name.

"Madison? What about her? Is she alright?"

"I went to the movies with her this afternoon."

"To the movies? You and Maddie? What happened?"

"Promise not to tell her. She was quite embarrassed when she told me."

"You have my word. What did she say?" Nick asked with interest.

"She told me about this guy."

"A guy?"

"Not just some guy. She has a crush on this guy, and guess what. He goes to the same school as us."

Nick smiled and asked: "Really? Who is it?"

"She didn't mention a name, but she said that he has gorgeous eyes, a great body, has dark hair, he's mysterious, charming and funny. And there are a lot of girls falling for this guy."

"Really? I wonder who it is."

"Isn't it obvious? She even said that I know him and that he's actually one of her best friends. Plus she described him that he's handsome, has dark hair, goes to our school, is athletic, and is popular with the girls. That could only be one person."

"So who do you think it is?"

Xander looked around and moved closer to Nick, so the whole store wouldn't hear it. "I think Madison is in love with me."

End Chapter 3.

Uh-oh...Now this goes the wrong way. LOL. Couldn't wait, I had to post this one. Reviews please!